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Jan 23, 2012
Board Games Popular Then and Now
Ask your sixty year old gramdpa about board games, and he will surely recount memorable nights of playing Clue, Careers, or Monopoly. Yes! Believe it or not, these board games have been around as long (if not longer) than your grandparents! If you want some good old bonding time with your grandparents, lay out these board games and you are bound to have a wicked time with them!
1. Jenga
Invented in the early 1970s by Leslie Scott, Jenga was a instant hit when it first came out. In this game, players are supposed to built a tower as high as they can by stacking one block on top of the other. It also comes with a carrying case that makes it easy to lug around wherever you go. Perfect for family trips and visits to your grandparents!
2. Mouse Trap
Another board game which first came out in 1963, Mouse Trap is the perfect game for 2 or more players. This game has two parts to it. First, players should complete a full and elaborate mouse trap together. After this, they should then use the same machine they did to trap each other! Play Mouse Trap and take your grandparents to a memory walk of how they used to play the same.
Here’s a game that goes back as far 1860—the Game of Life! Originally called The Checkered Game of Life, this board game is easily the first parlor game in the US that got people talking. Originally just for 2 to 6 players, several versions of this game have been created to accommodate as much as 8 to 10 players in a modern version that was released in 1960. In this game, the players get to acquire money, insurance policies, stock certificates, and several other lifelike acquisitions.
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Jan 9, 2012
Why Physical Board Games are Still Better than Virtual Board Games
Are you one of those people who would rather play chess on your iPad or your computer? Or do you enjoy playing board games facing your opponent through an actual board game? Perhaps you’re still undecided and need convincing reasons for either side. Here are a few reasons why we think physical board games are still better than virtual board games.
1. There’s nothing like the feeling of getting to actually touch the pieces and move them around the board game! Take Monopoly for example. Wouldn’t you feel richer by getting to touch and keep all the fake cash you’ve amassed? Besides, one of the latest editions, Monopoly City, will let you play on a board game with 3-D buildings inside! How cool is that?
2. By playing a physical board game, more people can join in on the fun! Let’s face it, some older adults and younger kids don’t know how computer games work. If your loved ones can’t join you on your favorite board game using your electronic gadget, then what’s the point of playing right?
3. Technology may seem all powerful, but it does have its limitations. What if the battery runs out? What if the LCD display isn’t clear enough for some of the players? What if there are malfunctions as you play the game? These limitations aren’t present in physical board games. You get to enjoy them without fear of losing power or accidentally pulling the plug! All you need is the board game and a group of excited players!
4. You’re in for some old school fun with physical board games. You can have, for example, a no-technology night, and just bond with your siblings or friends over board games while sitting by the fireplace. Sounds fun and no technology devices are involved!
Dec 31, 2011
Board Games for Adults
If you think board games are just for kids, think again. If you and your college friends have run out of ideas to have fun and are simply tired of partying, you can simply stay at home or at your favorite hang-out and play a round of board games. Before you dismiss it as boring and old school, perhaps you should get acquainted with these board games that are certified fun and exciting for adults.
Dirty Minds – The Game of Naughty Clues
A self-professed game for the dirty minds, this game will surely keep you and your pals laughing with its naughty clues. The clues of this game have double meanings for words that are totally clean! One such clue says that: 1) I’m a four-letter word; 2) I’m a name for a woman; 3) I end in “unt”. Before you think of a certain dirty word, you should know that the answer is actually “aunt”! Haha!
A Lover’s Touch: A Romance Game for Your Body, Mind and Spirit
Looking for a way to get to know your partner better? Perhaps a round over A Lover’s Touch will do the trick. The game includes a playing board, 2 playing pieces, a stack of cards, an instructional manual and a die. With this game, you’ll explore more about your partner, both physically and emotionally. There’s no better bargain than that!
I’ve Never Board Game Adult Version
You’re surely wondering what activities and experiences your friends have done. Well, this game is the best way to find out. Easily known as the best drinking game, this board game will break the ice. There’s no limit to the outrageous questions that players in this game have to answer! If you want to explore a different side to a person, then this crazy game is what you’re looking for!
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Dec 22, 2011
Fun Board Games for Christmas Night
Whether you’re bringing together your band of friends for Christmas night or going back to your hometown for the holidays, it’s a smart idea to bring home a board game or two. With the right board game, you will end up laughing like crazy through the night and reminiscing for old time’s sake. Here are a few board game suggestions that can get the ball rolling on Christmas night:
1. Life Stories Board Game
No other board game is better at rekindling friendships, reminiscing histories, and bringing families together than the Life Stories Board Game. Having garnered awards like the Parents’ Choice Award and the Top 10 Award in the Education Source category, this board game is a staple for intimate gatherings, especially on Christmas time. It can be played by 2 to 8 players, and is appropriate for ages 6 and up. Everyone gets to share their story, express themselves, and sharpen their teambuilding skills!
2. Risk 2210 AD
Welcome to Risk 2210 AD, the latest edition of the all-famous classic war game that has stood the test of time. With Risk, players get top sharpen their tactical and strategic skills during wartime. This innovation not only allows players to conquer lands but also the seas and as far out as the moon! This calls for even more strategy, not to mention longer playing time! This game is for 2 to 5 players and can be played by ages 10 and up. Make sure to grab one now, because they’re selling like hotcakes!
3. Battle of the Sexes Second Edition
Who doesn’t love a classic game of battle of the sexes? Perfect for adults just having some good clean fun, the Battle of the Sex will divide players into the same gender. A team of a particular gender will then have to answer a couple of questions about the opposite gender. Does the female know more about the male than the other way around? It’s for you to find out!
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Nov 28, 2011
Game Convention in Memphis Celebrates the Universal Appeal of Board Games
The universal appeal of board games is that they can be enjoyed by virtually all generations. There’s a board game that’s suitable for all ages—from the young ones to the older adults. It doesn’t matter if you’re a geek or the cool kid in the block—there’s bound to be a board game that will capture your interest.
Just last weekend, a university event just proved that you’re never too old to play board games. From noon till midnight last November 19 to 20, 2011, the Memphis Role Player’s Association held a role playing and board games convention in the University Center.
The convention was open for everybody, and primarily focused on tabletop role-playing games of all sorts. Some of the all-time favorites that were enjoyed by the attendees were Dungeons & Dragons, Dresden Files, and Pathfinder. Everyone was free to play on open tables, and even purchase the role-playing board games that they ended up loving.
There were open tables for role playing and board games that everyone can join in. A library of literally a hundred board games can be borrowed and played. Thanks to the Mid-South board gaming library, everyone got a chance to play their favorite board games. Tables and floors were available to whoever wanted to use them to set out their games.
The best part about the convention is that it’s family-friendly and open for all ages. Everyone just walked into the convention, chose the board games they wanted to try, and just had a great time.
The convention was definitely a big event, especially as it is the first MRPAcon organized by the MRPA. By finally taking that first huge leap into making a role-playing and board games convention, not only has it done its organization a favor, it has also proven that board games truly are for everyone.
Nov 15, 2011
Board Games Can Help Educate Children
Ireland recently celebrated their 9th Annual School Game Playing Day. It’s a day reserved for children in primary schools to play their favorite board games and play them with their classmates in school. Initiated as a promotional tool by Hasbro, School Game Playing Day was and still is welcomed by both teachers and students. Teachers encourage the many skills, both educational and life-enriching, that board games provide and students like them because they are fun!
Problem-solving skills. Board games like Monopoly sharpen a variety of math-related skills, such as problem-solving, counting, and sorting. With games like monopoly, kids are taught how to invest by calculating if a particular piece of properly will help them earn more compared to other players.
Colour recognition. With board games, younger children get to be familiar with their colors. From the colors of the counter to the different piece involved, board games allow younger children to improve their cognitive skills.
Matching and grouping. Board games teach children how to match two of the same kind, and to predict outcomes by grouping certain pieces together. These are valuable math skills that are better taught visually and experientially than theoretically.
Comprehension and literacy. A little known effect of playing board games is that it sharpens the communication skills of children. From understanding how the rules of the game work and having to comprehend the instruction to developing hand-to-eye coordination, board games are certainly essential in helping a child communicate!
Social skills. Board games, unlike video games, are highly social. Children simply can’t play a board game without other players in it. It helps develop their empathy when their friend loses and gives them a sense of satisfaction whenever they win. A sense of identity is also built by playing board games; they help children understand who they are and what their place in the game is relative to other players in the board game.
Experiential learning. The more they play the game, the more they understand the rules, the idea of taking turns, and the importance of trying harder in order to get better.
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Nov 3, 2011
Keep the Horror Games Going After Halloween!
After going home with a box full of chocolates and candies, what’s the next best thing to do to continue the fun of Halloween? Play some horror and spooky games, of course! There’s nothing like a good ‘ol board game to bring out the spooks and smarts from your friends, whether your kids or adults. It can also be a great way to bring the family together.
Monopoly. Time to bring out the Monopoly board game! Since you’re most likely going to stay up for most part of the night and share scary stories together, why don’t you do so while playing a game of Monopoly? There’s even a Scooby Doo! Edition that will certainly bring out the Halloween spirit!
The Werewolves of Millers Hollow. There huge savings you get by buying this board game isn’t the only reason why you should play a round or two on Halloween night. The Werewolves of Millers Hollow features a creature of the dark everybody’s afraid of: werewolves! The game involves 24 cards, and takes up to 30 minutes to play. Around 8 to 18 players can play the game, making it an excellent game for huge groups and parties!
Knock! Knock! Excellent for groups of six people, Knock! Knock! is a bluff game where partygoers can only join the party if the door is opened for them. But who will get invited? Will it be the headless horsemen, computer geeks, grim reapers, monsters or maybe the vampires? The game includes 56 cards, and takes around 10 to 20 minutes to play.
Fearsome Floors. So what’s the best way to flee the faerie Fabula to freedom and escape Fieso and Furunkulus at the same time? Play the game and find out! With 25 playing figures, 1 monster building kit, 8 monster movement tiles, and 17 floor tiles, this 60-minute game for 2 to 7 players is bound to be a spookfest!
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Oct 20, 2011
Coming soon: Board Games to be turned into Films
Remember that time when Jumanji, a movie based on a board game, became such a huge hit in the cinemas? Or the 1985 classic movie Clue, based on your favorite board game? For the longest time, Hollywood has not released a hit movie based on a board game.
Now, after pretty much turning every other aspect of entertainment into movies from video games, books, and even theme parks, guess what’s the next big thing?
That’s right: board games. Here’s the lowdown on some of your favorite board games that you might be seeing in the theaters real soon:
1. Monopoly
The production for Monopoly was set to begin as early as 2008, under Hasbro and Universal in what they call a “six-year strategic partnership”. With this partnership that would have generated Hasbro’s board games into what could have been certified blockbusters, Monopoly was supposed to be the first in line. However, Universal Studios decided to halt the project indefinitely.
Despite this unfortunate development, filmmaker Ridley Scott has chosen to proceed with the film nonetheless. Scott and Hasbro will produce the film, and a screenwriting team has already been put together. According to rumors, the plot will revolve around a real-estate mogul akin to Donald Trump.
2. Risk
More than 50 years after the first Risk was released, a remake of the film based on the popular video game is already in the works. With its screenwriter John Hlavin (Underworld Awakening; Shield), Risk will be under Sony Pictures’ Helm and will have a colossal action-packed thriller plot.
3. Battleship
Battleship is probably closest to being made into a film. In fact, it is slated for screening May next year, with Peter Berg (Hancock) as the director. The main characters are feature Taylor Kitsch (Gambit in the 2009 Wolverine) as a naval officer, Brooklyn Decker as Taylor’s love interest, and Liam Neeson as Taylor’s commanding officer.
4. Clue
Filmmaker Gore Verbinski (Pirates of Caribbean) is set to create a remake of the hit classic Clue. Hasbro will be funding the production of the film.
With family drama and alien invasion in the equation, the board game Battleship is brought to the big screen. Without a doubt, Battleship’s success in the box office will certainly have an impact in the production of other board games into movies.
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