The Game of Life is simple; Players get married, have children, and obtain as much money and assets as possible before their time on the board ends. Such actions earn the player money, and the richest player wins. This game represents a successful life as defined by one’s marital status, number of offspring, and wealth. Restrictive, right? The Game of Life, whether it is realistically applicable to everyone or not, is a representation of the modern, ideal American life. Board games have represented societal expectations of various cultures for centuries. The Game of the Goose, a potential influence of the Game of Life, illustrates what this would have looked like 200+ years ago. The Game of the Goose woodblock and print collection at the University of Kentucky Libraries Special Collections Research Center contains two 18th century French editions of the board game that was created in the 15th century. The game board depicts major landmarks in life through its illustrated spaces, which simulate such events and either moves them back or ahead. It has influenced many other board games to form expressions of what winning the game looks like from the 18th century to today. This research will explore these board games and the interaction between them and their societies. By comparing and contrasting board games within this time span, found patterns in its progression can be taken into account; the current social ideals reflected through board games can then be better understood. This information will be used to create a more universal, modern “Game of Life” that equates individual happiness and contentment to what constitutes winning. It will reflect how “winning” has evolved since the creation of the Game of the Goose. After all, the ideal life is what makes someone happy, not meeting an outdated set of expectations.
Conformity in the Game of Life - The Evolution and Expansion of Board Games
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Student Abstract Submission