Maxxina has suggested that the game be played just as it is now, but the names of the players not be revealed except as they fall into the Pond. Would that make a difference in the play?
Another Dark Pond idea would be to have the scores completely dark until the game is over. You'd just see people fall into the Pond each round. We had the checklist idea for the starting amount and the bonus awarded, how's 'bout adding some options for the amount of player information revealed during a game?