Game Time

There are any of a number of adventures you can take on a daily basis.  Various universes to explore.  Personalities to experience.  Opportunities to either help or hinder, build or destroy.  With the activity I have in mind, here are just some of the things you can enjoy.

A swarm of dragons covers the sky.  Paths through the clouds appear before them as they swoop high over the ground.  The paths curve and bend through near misses between soaring bodies.  Occasionally unlucky dragons collide or run out of sky, only to disappear entirely.  Until, at last, only one is left to rule the heavens.

Money changes hands.  Land is bought and sold.  Homes are built and upgraded.  Entrepreneurs haggle and try to make their money work hard for them.  They acquire utilities and collect fees each time their associates utilize what they have to offer.  Risks are taken that may cause an individual to end up behind bars until they serve their time or pay to get out.  Ultimately, the victor is the one with the most money at the end.

Monsters are attacking a major metropolis.  They throw buses against buildings and scatter the denizens that live inside.  Walls are toppled by breath attacks.  Unfortunate citizens are consumed by the monsters to fuel their rage.  At times, even the monsters themselves are harmed by the actions of the other attackers.  The final monster standing rules over the destroyed wasteland that remains.

Not every family is happy or particularly successful.  Some are menaced by mice, Others become trapped on a train.  There is even a chance a member of one of these unlucky families might be terrified by topiary.  The only favor someone can do for these suffering families is to help them end their suffering by shuffling off their mortal coils.

A team travels through caverns and castles.  They encounter monsters and collect treasures.  During each battle, members of the team may help their mates to defeat the powerful beast, or slip something to the beast itself to keep their "friend" from becoming too powerful too soon.  Regardless of the result of combat, laughs are shared between the teammates.

All of these adventures are very easy to experience.  Just go to your favorite local game store and pick them up.  Each one is a board or card game.  In order they are Tsuro, Monopoly, Terror in Meeple City, Gloom, and Munchkin.  In these times of digital downloads and electronic devices everywhere, board and card games can still be just as enjoyable.  Just get some friends and/or family together and have an afternoon of games.  

With a little luck, it might become a regular event.

Creative Games

It is 19 days into NaNoWriMo.  There are 11 days of writing left to reach the 50,000 word goal.  While it doesn't look like I will reach that lofty mark, I will continue to strive towards it.  Unfortunately, this means I have to focus on my work in progress, a sequel to my first novel.  Instead of a story idea, here are some games you can play with friends and or family members to improve everyone's storytelling skills.  Maybe have some fun at the same time.


Once Upon a Time by Atlas Games:  This card game contains elements from the fairy tale world.  Players play cards as they use the elements to tell a story.  The winner is the one that ends the story with an Ending Card.  Stories can be interrupted by other players at any time in order to change the tale or reach their own ending.  Variations are available to form tales of the high seas or adventures of knights and chivalry.

Role Playing Games:  Once firmly planted in deep basements and only enjoyed by groups of lonely nerds, role playing games have risen in scope and popularity.  The games are more than just the rolling of dice and the moving of model pieces around a map.  The Dungeon Master, or other teller of the tale, must create an adventure that entertains the players while keeping in line with the rules of the universe in which the game is set.  Individual players must help to keep the story alive with the actions of their own characters in the various situations.

Munchkin by Steve Jackson Games:  On its face, Munchkin is a card game that enjoys making fun of traditional role playing games.  Players take turns "kicking down" doors and fighting the monsters that may appear.  Other players can help or hinder either combatant in the battle.  While gameplay doesn't immediately lend itself to the formation of a story, players can still use the elements of play to come up with a fantastic story.

Gloom by Atlas Games:  Gloom is another card game by Atlas Games. However, unlike Once Upon a Time, this game does not end happily ever after.  Each player has a family of five characters they are responsible for.  The object of the game is for each player to make their family as miserable as possible before killing them off.  The misery comes in the form of playing cards that cause the characters to be Menaced by Mice, Jynxed by Gypsies, Widowed at the Wedding, or Marooned on the Moors.  The game can be played in a simple manner, but using the elements on the cards to tell a story can add a smile to all the players' faces.


These games can all be used to have a little fun while stretching your creative muscles.  If you know of any other card or board games that can be used to tell a story, let everyone know in the comments.