Octarchal Chess?

[Catlemur]

How about implementing weiqi as a minigame in Planeshift.
It is better than other minigames because:
There are already many open-source weiqi programs for weiqi so we can use parts of their code. Here is a list: http://usgo.org/resources/computer.html#programmers
It is easier to implement than other board games.It only requires a 2D program and the size of the weiqi-board can be customized to our needs.I suggest a 9x9 board.
The rulles are quite easy you can find them on wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weiqi
It is both unusual and fun so it will not get boring after several games.
The game will attract many people who play it IRL to the game.
I also suggest only a player versus player version so it can be easier to implement.

[LigH]

Rules and a board design for "Octarchal Chess" already exist (made by Kerol).

Although I must admit ... it is not really practical.
__

Weiqi (chinese Go) is not exactly "unique" or "original" either.

[Gilrond]

It'd be interesting if you could create custom games, implement that AI and create some NPC which would offer to play those games. For example some gaming session in Stone Head or Kada El, when that NPC would come few times a week (or even every day) for some part of the day and offer to play with anyone. That will be really fun This way you can make many games, not limiting them to one NPC. (Would be interesting if others could observe the board visually too ).