SWAT Identity is an identity matching game for small and large groups. SWAT stands for Square, Wheel, Addition and Triangle. A card known as Identity Card (or SWAT Identity) is formed by using 4 parameters. 4 parameters are Shapes, Color, Design & Position. Shapes, Color & Design are 3 Dynamic parameters and Position is a Base parameter. Each of these 4 parameters have 4 values. There are 4 Shapes – Square, Wheel, Addition, Triangle; 4 Colors – Red, Blue, Green, Yellow; 4 Designs – Line, Dash, Fill, Shade and 4 Positions – 1, 2, 3, 4. Random combination of 3 values 1 each from 3 Dynamic parameters makes one block. Each card has 4 blocks with 1 block present at one Position in such a way that all 12 values (from Dynamic parameters) are present once and only once.
Origin
SWAT Identity (in short ‘SWAT-i’ with a lower case I) originated in 2015 as a group game for small and large gatherings/events.
Based on Permutation & Combination total combinations of cards possible are 13824. Taking Base Parameter (Position) as fixed, total combinations for Dynamic Parameters can be calculated as 4*4*4 (for 1st position, for each of the Dynamic parameters as there are 4 values of each parameter) x 3*3*3 (for 2nd Position) x 2*2*2 (for 3rd Position) x 1*1*1 (for 4th Position).
How to Play
On entering the venue each guest is handed over an Identity Card with SWAT pattern printed on it. Guest have to use it as identity card and place it over shirt pocket so that it is easily visible to other guests. Guests look out for same or similar SWAT Identity across the venue. This game in a way acts as an Ice Breaker.
One of the four methods could be used by host depending on number of guests and number of prizes/gifts.
- 1 duplicate of one of SWAT Identity Cards
- Multiple copies of one of SWAT Identity Cards
- Duplicate copies of multiple SWAT Identity Cards
- Multiple copies of multiple SWAT Identity Cards
For small gatherings 1 duplicate of one of SWAT Identity Cards is preferred. For a larger gathering Duplicate of multiple SWAT Identity Cards is preferred.
Host doesn’t declare how many same cards are present. Whenever a guest is able to find another guest having same SWAT Identity then they can claim for a win. Both (or multiple guests) will get prize for having same SWAT Identity. Game goes on till the event ends. Generally all such guests who are able to find same SWAT Identity are winners.
Rules
Host decides on how the game should go on. It could be either exact matching or similar matching.
Exact Matching
Exact matching means all 16 values to be same i.e. 4 blocks are same and are having same base parameter i.e. are at same positions on 2 cards.
Similar Matching
In similar matching all 4 blocks are same but can have different base parameter i.e. position.
In case there are multiple (more than 2) copies of a SWAT Identity Card and only 2 guests (or less than total number of same copies) claim a win then their respective cards are taken and they are out of game.
References
- SWAT Identity Introduction “SWAT Identity”