GoDice Bluetooth Dice Review: High-Tech Gaming Innovation with Pros & Cons

GoDice Bluetooth Dice Review: High-Tech Gaming Innovation with Pros & Cons

Dice are ancient. It must be asked if they require an update. After all, they require no power, they are mobile, they are intuitive, they require no translation or localization, and they can be made out of a variety of environmentally friendly materials from wood to bone, antler or stone.

But inventors try. Board games on devices should, as likely reasoned by Particula, the inventors of GoDice, be enhanced if physical dice returned as a visceral part of gameplay―taking on the burden of keeping score by automating the reading of the dice rolls. So GoDice invented dice that would register their results with an active game upon falling face up after concluding a roll.

Given the limited number of games that leverage GoDice, most people will find them an interesting collectible rather than a necessary enhancement to their gaming experiences. A few, however, may aspire to early adoption. That’s what drove me to evaluate how dice have evolved. While they worked well, I’m not convinced that simple games like Yahtzee, or the GoDice takeoff called Yazty, need more than pencil and paper, or perhaps stylus and tablet, to keep track of dice and the up to six dots they wear on their square faces. I’m also pretty convinced that the automation of dice reading is less appealing than scoring automation, which is already built into most virtual board games.

What we like

Pros

• Quick charging time (approximately 10 seconds per die)
• Seamless Bluetooth connectivity with iOS and Android devices
• Comprehensive companion app with a variety of games
• Innovative design with a magnetic carrying case that doubles as a charger
• Facilitates automatic scorekeeping and rule management

GoDice introduces a modern twist to classic dice games by integrating Bluetooth technology, allowing for real-time interaction with a companion app. The dice charge rapidly—about 10 seconds per die—and offer approximately two hours of playtime. The magnetic carrying case is both aesthetically pleasing and functional, serving as a charger and storage solution. GoDice pans for regular updates and user-generated content via the GoDice API. The dice can already be paired with some RPGs.

Current games include:

• Yatzy: This is a dice game similar to Yahtzee.
• Backgammon: This is a classic board game that uses dice.
• Farkle: This is a dice game where players try to score points by rolling certain combinations. The GoDice app provides the rules for each game, eliminating the need to search the internet for them.
• Ludo Clash: This is a variation of the classic board game Ludo.
• PIG: This is a simple dice game where players try to be the first to reach a certain score.
• Unlucky Seven: In this game, players roll six dice and bank points. If any combination of dice adds up to seven, those dice are “dead” and cannot be rolled again that turn.
• Shut the Pool: This is a pig diving game.
• Bomb Squad: This is a dice game where players try to defuse a bomb.

As with my experience, many reviewers find that most games on the GoDice app do not compellingly demonstrate the device’s capabilities, except for the children’s games. Some argue that the app keeping score for users eliminates scoring disputes and saves time by removing the need to add up scores manually. I’m unconvinced that those are features worth the price.

The GoDice might be better targeted at learning rather than gameplay, and by that, I mean learning games. Having kids, for instance, put in a number on a display that adds together two or three flashing dies seems like more of an engaging activity that eliminates the need to add up the dice faces. I find scoring discussions and verbally evaluating options more interesting than automating dice face reading.

I found the dice accurately reported my rolls.

For those who play RPGs, the dice can be placed in D20 and D24 shells. I did not test that configuration, nor did I test the web-connected applications like Roll20.

GoDice Gameplay Experience

After connecting the Bluetooth 5.0 Dice to my Apple iPad AIr, I tested the experience with the Yahtzee knockoff, Yatzy. I found it easy to recharge the dice before play by lining up the 5-face along the three contacts. I’m sure there is a reason Particula chose the 5 rather than the 3-face for charging, but it can take a minute to orient the die. I found more than once that I wasn’t recharging the right three dots.

I got the game going and started rolling. Well, I started shaking first. I found it took more time to shake the dice to get them to register than I might if using regular dice on a game like Yahtzee. The dice roll shows up quickly on the display. Tapping on a die on the screen causes the physical die to flash so it can be taken out of play. It’s not a necessary step, but something different. After doing this a few times, I stopped, as it didn’t add value. I just moved the die I wanted to keep out of the way and picked up the remaining dice for another shake.

The game auto-scored and showed which options the current dice configuration would contribute to or complete. Tap an item after the last roll and hit score to lock in the score. I get the visceral dice experience, but I have played Yatzhee-like games with virtual dice integrated into the game before and found them better suited to this kind of gameplay. I’m sure real gamers want the physical dice thud and roll, but I don’t find it necessary to enjoy the game. The dice added extra steps.

What could be improved

Cons

• High price point compared to traditional dice sets
• Potential inaccuracies in roll detection if dice are held too long before rolling
• Reliance on AAA batteries for the charger, requiring a screwdriver for replacement. A USB-C rechargeable option would be better.
• Limited game library, which seems to have a slow roll-out of additional games
• Is the roll accurate?

Price is a big issue. At $90 for the “Full Pack,” one can buy a lot of regular dice. Amazon, for instance, sells 50 unbranded dice for $7.99 and Bicycle-branded dice in a ten-piece box for $5.99 (both available for lower than the list price on Black Friday sales as I type this). I don’t think the value proposition is there yet for most potential buyers when considering price and lack of game integration.

Users have reported occasional inaccuracies in roll detection, particularly if the dice are held for extended periods before rolling. I did not experience roll inaccuracies in my testing.

The charger’s dependence on AAA batteries, which require a screwdriver for replacement, could be more user-friendly with a USB-C port and rechargeable batteries. While the app offers a solid selection of games, expanding the library and optimizing the interface for various devices would enhance the overall experience.

I’m not a hardcore board game enthusiast, but I do wonder if those who are would worry about the GoDice weighting. I’m sure they tried to balance the electronics to ensure valid rolls, but perfection in that realm, I would think, would require some solid engineering. That said, I didn’t read about trust issues while perusing reviews or online comments.

GoDice: The bottom line

While GoDice offers an innovative fusion of traditional dice gaming and modern technology and can provide a unique and engaging experience, buyers should ask if they need Bluetooth dice that need charging and looking after to enhance their game experiences. $90 is a lot for questionable improvements over traditional dice. For those seeking to blend tactile gaming with digital convenience, however, GoDice offers an early look at what is possible.

Particula provided the GoDice for review. Images courtesy of Particula unless otherwise noted.

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