In a gaming convention back in 2012, a board game designer challenged mathematician Eric Harshbarger to create dice that could determine the starting player without the risk of a tie. The aim was to expedite the game setup process and get players into the game swiftly. Harshbarger, a mathematician and senior lecturer at Auburn University, saw this challenge as an intriguing problem that piqued his interest.

After years of collaboration with over 20 computer scientists and mathematicians worldwide, Harshbarger and his team successfully devised a set of four 12-sided dice that could resolve the starting player for two, three, or four players efficiently. However, the complexity increased when attempting to develop a solution for five players.

The team faced the challenge of translating a mathematically possible solution into a physical form that could be practically manufactured and used. Various theories were explored, leading to the proposal of using five 120-sided dice by a researcher in Australia. Subsequently, a Canadian software engineer, Paul Meyer, presented an innovative approach using five 60-sided dice, which proved to be a breakthrough.

Despite concerns from some researchers regarding the practical application of the dice, Harshbarger assures that the mathematical foundation ensures fairness, and any deviations would stem from the manufacturing process rather than the mathematical design. The team continues their research, investigating the feasibility of fewer sides for a five-player set and the potential expansion to accommodate six players.

Harshbarger emphasizes the allure of the problem, acknowledging its initial absurdity yet highlighting the challenge it posed to mathematicians, drawing them into a pursuit that defied conventional solutions. The ongoing research remains open to unexpected developments, welcoming fresh perspectives to tackle the complex puzzle of designing fair game dice.