American author, journalist, activist, and the Lewis K. Chan Arts Lecturer and Professor of Practice of Non-Fiction at Harvard University, Michael Pollan, said “The garden suggests there might be a place where we can meet nature halfway.” But what if that garden is full of evil? How far would you want to meet something that isn’t in the mood to be picked, but is always hungry? Yikes. Continue reading
German inventor, game developer, and engineer, Ralph Baer, said “People love video games because they do things they obviously can’t do in real life. That’s especially true with sports games because fans love to step into the shoes of their favorite athletes.” So very true. In this game, players get to step into the shoes of highly trained athletes who play a competitive game that is a mix of football and rugby. The arena is also a battle ground, where every movement is done in zero gravity and momentum could push you to victory or off the edge, spinning into space. Continue reading
American astronomer, cosmologist, astrophysicist, astrobiologist, author, science popularizer, and science communicator in astronomy and other natural sciences, Carl Sagan, said “Extinction is the rule. Survival is the exception.” If such is the case, than life is a continual struggle at every level. Take, for example, the trials and tribulations for all below the waves of our oceans. Every fish is a potential meal and the line between life and death is just a bite away. Continue reading
British author, speaker and international advisor on education in the arts to government, non-profits, education and arts bodies, Sir Kenneth Robinson, said “Creativity is putting your imagination to work, and it’s produced the most extraordinary results in human culture.” Imagination is truly powerful, and the more we use it, the better it becomes. In this game, simple rules and game components give the players just enough to get them started and nothing to hold them back. Continue reading
Indian economist and an international academician, Raghuram Govind Rajan, said “Competition is like a treadmill. If you stand still, you get swept off. But when you run, you can never really get ahead of the treadmill and cover new terrain – so you never run faster than the speed that is set.” But what if you could shift the direction in which that treadmill was moving? Say, from going forward to backwards and then sideways? That would certainly cause many to fall on their face. In this game, expect the ground you are building your victory upon to shift without warning. Continue reading
British publisher, Henry George Bohn, said “Every dog is a lion at home.” In this game, each player will control a small set of marbles (or dogs, if you like). The objective is clear. Take those marbles and bring them home, but the road is not an easy one to travel. As they journey, players will encounter other “dogs” who will get in the way and even cause progress gained to be quickly lost. Continue reading
American hedge fund manager, entrepreneur, bestselling author, venture capitalist and podcaster, James Altucher, said “Poker is a skill game pretending to be a chance game.” Poker is a card game that has been played for generations. Be it around the campfire out on the lone prairie or at a high-stakes table in Vegas, the game is always the same. Play your card, take a risk, and attempt to out think your opponent. This Poker derivative, however, adds a twist. Continue reading
American poet, peacemaker, and a philosopher who played, Mattie J.T. Stepanek, said “Unity is strength… when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved.” In this game, all players must work together to save their castle. This is a children’s game, but the lessons in cooperation it teaches is worth an adult’s time. Get the family together and save your kingdom! Continue reading
American science, nature and travel writer, David Quammen, said “You can’t take a knife on a plane anymore, but you can get on carrying a virus.” Suggesting that a virus is just as dangerous as a weapon, which is correct. The Center for Disease control calculated that 48.8 million people suffered the flu in 2018. Out of that number, 79,400 lost their lives to it. Death by a virus. Something so small you need a powerful microscope to see it. In this game, you will play as the virus attacking the body. It’s an epic battle at a very micro-level. Continue reading
French general and military theorist, Ferdinand Foch, said “The will to conquer is the first condition of victory.” Mankind has grown bold and powerful, turning to their faith in technology rather than the gods. It’s time to put mankind back in its place, but who shall lead? The most powerful? The most cunning? While mankind battles on the earth below, the gods battle among themselves to rule all. Continue reading
American comedian, actor, juggler and writer, W.C. Fields, said “The world is getting to be such a dangerous place, a man is lucky to get out of it alive.” For many of us, our daily lives are full of predictable situations and outcomes. The most dangerous experience we’ll have are more of an annoyance than actual threat to life and limb. In this game, prepare to be put in very bad situations that you’ll have to quickly determine how best to get out of using your imagination, wit, and lot of persuading. Continue reading
American celebrity chef, author, travel documentarian, and television personality, Anthony Bourdain, said “If anything is good for pounding humility into you permanently, it’s the restaurant business.” In this game, you’ll start your business from a food truck, move up to a cafe, and finally hit the big time with your own restaurant. But the road to success is paved with many meals and there is a lot to trip you up. Prepare your ingredients and get cooking! Continue reading
