In a 2012 conversation at a gaming convention, a board game designer challenged mathematician Eric Harshbarger to create dice that could determine the starting player without the possibility of a tie. The goal was to expedite the game setup process. Harshbarger, a mathematician and senior lecturer at Auburn University, found the problem intriguing, as it lacked an obvious solution, which mathematicians typically find appealing.
After years of collaboration with computer scientists and mathematicians globally, Harshbarger and his team devised a set of four 12-sided dice that could resolve ties for two, three, or four players. However, creating a fair solution for five players posed a greater challenge. The team explored various theoretical approaches to reduce the number of sides on the dice and eventually settled on a set of five 120-sided dice, thanks to a breakthrough from a researcher in Australia.
Canadian software engineer Paul Meyer later joined the project and successfully proposed a solution using five 60-sided dice. This discovery marked a significant breakthrough after multiple attempts from various individuals claiming to have solved the problem. The dice, now available for purchase, are designed to ensure fairness, although some researchers have raised concerns about practical application versus theoretical perfection.
Harshbarger and his team continue to investigate if fewer sides could work for a five-player set, with a minimum of 30 sides identified so far. They are also exploring the possibility of extending the concept to accommodate six players. Despite the challenges, Harshbarger remains open to new theories and unexpected solutions, highlighting the allure of tackling complex mathematical puzzles.