American playwright, critic and writer of film scenarios Channing Pollock said, “The only good luck many great men ever had was being born with the ability and determination to overcome bad luck.” In this game, the roll of the dice might be random, but players always have a choice. A quick scan of the table will show the player how far behind they are and how hard they need to push their luck to change the game’s outcome. Continue reading
You love your grandma and would do anything for her. When she came to you, expressing concern about other senior rivals, you began a campaign of subterfuge and sabotage on her behalf. It has been working well, but you now realize that other children and grandchildren are waging their own private campaigns. The streets of the retirement community are filled with suspicion. The grannies are at war, and no one is getting milk or cookies until the battle is resolved! Continue reading
Dragonwood is a large forest that lies south of the kingdom. Rumors say it’s a place of magic and danger that none should venture into. It was the home of the elves and their magic and power still remains. Which, of course, sounds awesome to any adventurer looking to get rich and make a name for themselves! Gather your party and venture forth! Here’s hoping you don’t get eaten…or worse. Continue reading
Scottish-American naturalist, author, environmental philosopher, and wilderness preservation advocate John Muir wrote, “The mountains are calling and I must go.” The mountains call to many. They are seen by some as places of spiritual and supernatural power and by others as muses for poems and paintings. They are home to countless animals and aspiring vistas. Visible from miles away, but impossible to fully take in. In this game, you get to make one. Continue reading
Noted poet, novelist, and historian William Gilmore Simms said, “The true law of the race is progress and development. Whenever civilization pauses in the march of conquest, it is overthrown by the barbarian.” In this game, conquest at any cost is the aim. To build their kingdom, players must forge new paths into unknown land, forge alliances, and gather resources as quickly as possible. The race for conquest has begun and woe to those who cannot keep up! Continue reading
Antiphanes wrote “The quest for riches darkens the sense of right and wrong.” Or, to put it another way, greed can make one’s moral compass a lot less accurate. In this game, you will command a group of adventurers seeking treasure. Treasure so great that you will stop at nothing to get it, including destroying anyone who gets in your way. Guess what happens when you meet another group of adventurers with the same plan? Continue reading
Buddhism teaches that all life is interrelated on levels that are both visible and invisible. There is always something that connects you to the person next to you, to a rock halfway across the world, and to the universe as a whole. Pretty deep. In this game, players will be asked to identify what is common and not so common between knowns and unknowns. When you see what’s missing, you’ll see the answer. Continue reading
Sularia was once a planet of beauty and majesty. The people who populated it lived in peace and prosperity, but that is the past. The vast gardens teaming with life are now dusty plains. The great cities that once reached to the heavens now lay in ruin. You would see your people rise above the death and decay. Gather your forces and battle to claim the precious resources necessary to bring the planet back to life, as your will decrees. Continue reading
English novelist Algernon Blackwood said, “And so with all things: names were vital and important.” Many societies see titles and names as significant aspects of everyday life. They are used to communicate public status, wealth, and prestige. They are also used to slander, belittle, and besmirch. In this game, players will attempt to complete a title that would befit royalty, while opponents seek to make them paupers at every turn. Continue reading
Zeus was not pleased. The mortals no longer feared their creators. Their prayers lacked reverence. Enraged, Zeus summoned the other gods, saying “The mortals have forgotten us. They no longer know their place. This shall not stand!” And with that, Zeus unleashed his fury and jealousy upon the world… Continue reading
Chinese military general, strategist, and philosopher Sun Tzu said, “Invincibility lies in the defense; the possibility of victory in the attack.” Which is to say, if you are well defended, nothing can defeat you, but you will defeat nothing if you don’t attack. In this game, each side is well defended and armed, but only the most tactical player on the battlefield will win the game. No guts, no glory. Continue reading
Thomas Carlyle said, “When the oak is felled the whole forest echoes with its fall, but a hundred acorns are sown in silence by an unnoticed breeze.” The death of something great is a visceral experience. Loss does not go unnoticed, but birth and new beginnings are sometimes ignored. In this game, players will grow a forest from a single seed and discover that the life of a tree is full of close calls and pitfalls. Continue reading
