In board games, the "Follow" mechanic allows players to take actions or make choices based on the lead player's decisions. This mechanic is often seen in games that involve role selection and tableau building, where players construct their own space, such as a city or empire, throughout the game.

Mechanism Overview: "Follow" typically occurs as follows:

• A lead player selects an action or role for the turn.
• Other players have the option to "follow" by taking a similar or related action.
• Players who choose not to follow take different actions or suffer a missed opportunity.

Game Dynamics:

• Encourages strategic play as players must anticipate the lead player's decisions.
• Can create a sense of engagement throughout other players' turns.
• Balances the game by giving non-leading players chances to benefit from the lead player's actions.

Examples:

• In Puerto Rico, players choose roles that define the available actions for the turn. Other players can follow by performing the chosen action in a limited form.
• Sushi Go! involves players selecting cards and then passing their hand to the next player, who can follow the strategy or define their own path.
• San Juan lets players select roles that offer unique benefits; others can follow but without the role's full privileges.

Benefits:

• Promotes interaction and reduces downtime as all players are involved in each turn.
• Adds depth to decision-making, as the choice to follow or not has strategic implications.

By weaving in this mechanic, game designers can create a more engaging and interactive experience. It improves the flow of the game by minimizing idle time and synchronizing player involvement, which can enhance the gaming experience.