Monday, December 12, 2016
November 2016 Games of the Week
The Histocrats
support the idea of incorporating board-games into your personal life as
well
as in the classroom. We enjoy and recommend games to others who enjoy
history. The November 2016 Games of the Week feature both card games and
board games. What have you played? What would you like to play?
Sunday, November 20, 2016
October 2016 Games of the Week
The Histocrats
support the idea of incorporating board-games into your personal life as
well
as in the classroom. We enjoy and recommend games to others who enjoy
history. The October 2016 Games of the Week feature both card games and board games. What have you played? What would you like to play?
Sunday, October 2, 2016
September 2016 Games of the Week
The Histocrats
support the idea of incorporating board games into your personal life as well
as in the classroom. We enjoy and recommend games to others who enjoy history. Games can also be used as an artifact to understand the past. The September 2016 Games of the Week are a mixture of games we have played and artifacts from the past.
Thursday, September 22, 2016
August 2016 Games of the Week
By Margaret Duncan, Ed.D.
The Histocrats
support the idea of incorporating board-games into your personal life as well
as in the classroom. As such, we support
and participate in a local board-gaming group.
Any and all board-game enthusiasts are welcome to join the Game Nights that
are held every first and third Friday night of the month. As part of our gaming group initiative, we
also recommend history centric games that are fun to play each week to all of
our followers. The selected games receive
our “Game of the Week” distinction.
Recommended games are a mix of cooperative, card games, as well Euro
style games.
The Road to Canterbury, Gryphon Games
Greed, Pride,
Gluttony, Wrath, Luxury, Idleness, and Envy - the infamous "Seven Deadly
Sins". For the faithful, they instill horror. For you, on the other hand,
they present a wonderful business opportunity! In The Road to Canterbury, you
play a medieval pardoner who sells certificates delivering sinners from the
eternal penalties brought on by these Seven Deadly Sins. You make your money by
peddling these counterfeit pardons to Pilgrims traveling the road to
Canterbury. To keep your services in
demand, you will actually need to lead these Pilgrims into temptation yourself!
The Seven Deadly Sins live up to their name: each sin that a Pilgrim commits
brings Death one step nearer, and a dead Pilgrim pays no pardoners! So much to forgive, so little time. Will you
be able to outwit your opponents by pardoning more of these Pilgrims' sins
before they die or finish their pilgrimage to Canterbury?
Early American Chrononauts, Looney Labs
Win by changing the
timeline to fit your alternate history goal, by collecting Artifacts, or by
diligently patching the timeline. The TimeLine begins just before the American
Revolution in 1770 and continues through the Civil War, stopping at 1916. Players travel through time to change linchpin
events, patch paradoxes, and collect artifacts. This is a stand-alone game, but
Early American Chrononauts’ TimeLine can fit together with the Chrononauts
TimeLine to combine the two games into one huge game.
The Oregon Trail Card Game, Pressman Toy
All sorts of
gruesome deaths await you and the rest of your wagon party in this official
multi-player card game version of the classic computer game. To win you’ll need
to keep one player alive all the way from Independence, MO to the Willamette
Valley. But between rattlesnakes, starvation, dead oxen, broken bones,
dysentery, and a host of other calamities the odds are long . . . almost as
long as the Oregon Trail itself. Players
work together to move along the trail, fording rivers and playing Supply Cards
to overcome calamities. But be warned–there will be times when it makes sense
to let one of your wagon mates succumb to a calamity rather than expend
precious supplies.
Kingsburg, Fantasy Flight Games
Players adopt the
role of governor, and vie for resources to build up their province, military
power to defend their homes, and above all the influence of the King. Over five
years (five turns) players rely on various advisors to the King for resources.
From tangibles like gold, wood, and stone to soldiers and portents, each
acquisition will shape the future of your community.
*All product
descriptions are from the manufacturer
Wednesday, August 10, 2016
July 2016 Games of the Week
By Margaret Duncan, Ed.D.
The Histocrats
support the idea of incorporating board-games into your personal life as well
as in the classroom. As such, we support
and participate in a local board-gaming group.
Any and all board-game enthusiasts are welcome to join the Game Nights that
are held every first and third Friday night of the month. As part of our gaming group initiative, we
also recommend history centric games that are fun to play each week to all of
our followers. The selected games
receive our “Game of the Week” distinction.
Recommended games are a mix of cooperative, card games, as well Euro
style games.
Golden Snitch: The Quidditch Board Game, Wizarding World
of Harry Potter
It's Gryffindor vs.
Slytherin in this fast-paced wizarding game of Quidditch. Outmaneuver the
opposing team with authentic Quidditch tactics. Use spells and potions to
confound and outwit your opponent. Each high-flying game is a battle of
strategy and magic.
The Grizzled Cooperative Card Game, CoolMiniOrNot
Through what
tragedies can friendship endure? The Grizzled is a fast paced, fully
cooperative card game that takes place in the trenches of World War I. Already
a best seller in Europe, The Grizzled is an elegant game of avoiding threats
and leading a team, and is a cooperative game. Featuring art by French artist
Tignous.
Holmes: Sherlock & Mycroft, Devir Americas
Two brilliant London
minds meet to determine the involvement of young Chapman. Is he part of an
anarchist group, or just a scapegoat? London, England – It is the year 1895, and a bomb has exploded in the
Houses of Parliament. A young anarchist has been accused and blamed for this
heinous act. The crown has hired Mycroft Holmes, the older brother of the
famous Sherlock Holmes, to prosecute their case. Sherlock, hired by the young
man’s parents, is out to prove his innocence. Between the two, a duel quickly
develops, pitting brother vs. brother in a contest involving the greatest
deductive minds of the era. The case, and the fate of one young man hangs in
the balance; only the player who holds the most clues can determine the outcome.
Nuns on the Run, Mayfair Games
The novices are on
the loose. Temptation has lured them out of their cells, and they hope not to
be caught by the abbess and the prioress. But the guards are swift and their
hearing is excellent, so it will take craftiness and a bit of luck in order to
make it back to their beds without being caught. Players explore the exciting
nocturnal world of a grand abbey filled with intrigue and deception. As the old
abbess, the noble prioress, or a simple novice you become hunter or prey.
Everyone gets a special “blessing,” but only the novices try to fulfill a
“secret wish.” They must sneak through the dimly lit halls, corridors, and
gardens, seeking keys and treasures unique to their goal. Meanwhile, the
vigilant abbess and prioress patrol their routes, ever watchful of young
novices who should be fast asleep in their austere cells. Are you wily enough,
or sneaky enough to fulfill your quest and win the night?
*All product
descriptions are from the manufacturer
Wednesday, July 20, 2016
June 2016 Games of the Week
By Margaret Duncan, Ed.D.
The Histocrats
support the idea of incorporating board-games into your personal life as well
as in the classroom. As such, we support
and participate in a local board-gaming group.
Any and all board-game enthusiasts are welcome to join the Game Nights that
are held every first and third Friday night of the month. As part of our gaming group initiative, we
also recommend history centric games that are fun to play each week to all of
our followers. The selected games
receive our “Game of the Week” distinction.
Recommended games are a mix of cooperative, card games, as well Euro
style games.
Indigo, Ravensburger
Indigo features a
hexagon shaped game board on which players develop gem routes to move precious
stones along paths that they develop into their collection. Players can work
together or separately to lay the route tiles that provide the paths they must
travel on their way to exit the board with the most gems. Players can share
routes and exits so that they can both benefit, but the game is won by the
player who collects the most points from the gems successfully removed from the
board.
Warriors of Japan, Multi-Man Productions
From 1336-1392, all
of Japan was aflame with war. After the fall of a corrupt and ineffective
emperor, the two great courts of Japan dueled to determine the future ruler of
the country. Warriors of Japan covers the vital period following the
destruction of the Kamakura shogunate and the fight to find a successor.
Tokaido: Collectors Edition, Passport Game Studios
Each player is a
traveler crossing the "East sea road", one of the most magnificent
roads of Japan. While traveling, players will meet people, taste fine meals,
collect beautiful items, discover great panoramas, and visit temples and wild
places. At the end of the day, when everyone has arrived at the end of the road
you'll have to be the most initiated traveler – which means that you'll have to
be the one who discovered the most interesting and varied things.
*All product
descriptions are from the manufacturer
Tuesday, July 5, 2016
Creating Simple Board Games
Whether
you are working in the classroom, camp, or after-school activity, games can be
a great activity to incorporate in the schedule. Games are fun and engaging.
They provide great opportunities for fun and reinforcement. Yet finding and affording the materials can be a
challenge. Here are a things to think about as you work to create multiple
game boards for small group use.
--Think about the components of a
board game: board, directions or question cards, game pieces. Tackle each part individually.
--Make a storage and organization
plan that works for you before you begin.
--Create a simple set of rules to
use or let players establish their own rules.
--Be flexible.
Are you
ready to start assembling your games? Take advantage of games with missing
pieces. These games can be viewed as resources for games. Look at other spare items you have around.
Simple items like buttons can be reused.
Game Boards
Games Boards are easy to reuse. All you need is a start and a
finish. I have given this board to students to play
with using a variety of questions.
Boards from other games have the advantage of being sturdy
and easy to store.
Question Cards
Games often come with question cards that may or may not be
useful to you. You can choose to use the
cards, edit the cards supplied, or replace them. All of these options work.
--Editing the question cards provided is easy. You simply
remove the irrelevant questions.
--Prepackaged sets of vocabulary flash cards can be recycle into
game cards. They can easily be divided into sets relating to different topics.
--Student can create their
own questions cards from review materials as well.
Game Pieces
Game pieces can be recycled. Extra houses from monopoly or odd
checkers become game pieces for each player in your new game. A simple sharpie
will help you make each piece unique. You can also look to other small common
items for came pieces. Cap erasers in different colors or binder clips make
simple pieces. Extra buttons work as well.
Want to create your own custom game boards? Check out our pinterest board for ideas.
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
May 2016 Games of the Week
By Margaret Duncan, Ed.D.
The Histocrats
support the idea of incorporating board-games into your personal life as well
as in the classroom. As such, we support
and participate in a local board-gaming group.
Any and all board-game enthusiasts are welcome to join the Game Nights that
are held every first and third Friday night of the month. As part of our gaming group initiative, we
also recommend history centric games that are fun to play each week to all of
our followers. The selected games
receive our “Game of the Week” distinction.
Recommended games are a mix of cooperative, card games, as well Euro
style games.
Twilight Squabble, Alderac Entertainment Group
In 1947, the
superpowers of the United States of America and the Soviet Union began a new
sort of conflict, a struggle in the twilight of World War II. This war centered
on the increasing development of nuclear weapons, and as the years passed it
seemed like the war would never end. But no one wants to play a card game for
decades. So you hold in your hands the abridged version of the Cold War—less of
a twilight struggle, and more of a Twilight Squabble.
Which happened
first, the Salem Witch Trials or the foundation of Harvard College? Was
Watergate before Woodstock? Sure, it's easy to know whether the discovery of
America came before the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, but how well can you
remember everything that happened in between? Players have hands of cards and
take turns attempting to place the cards correctly into the growing timeline.
Easy at first, but rapidly growing more difficult, Timeline: American History
will test your knowledge and help you learn the history of the nation.
Loot N Run, IELLO
Loot cards to
collect treasures. But some treasures come with guardians of the pyramid. Run
out of the pyramid with your treasure before other players awaken the guardians
and rob you of what you have rightfully plundered! Tense choices make this
light game a frighteningly good time!
Each game uses only
a subset of the 78 card deck so no two games are ever the same. The game starts
with a face-down spread of 9 cards. Cards are worth a varying number of points
and players compete to win them by peeking at cards, placing their stones
strategically, and flipping cards. New cards are placed face down into the
spread as cards are won, creating an ever-changing landscape. Some cards have
special effects which occur during play, adding to the overall strategy and creating
additional opportunities to interact with your opponents.
*All product
descriptions are from the manufacturer
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
April 2016 Games of the Week
By Margaret Duncan, Ed.D.
The Histocrats support the idea of incorporating board-games into your personal life as well as in the classroom. As such, we support and participate in a local board-gaming group. Any and all board-game enthusiasts are welcome to join the Game Nights that are held every first and third Friday night of the month. As part of our gaming group initiative, we also recommend history centric games that are fun to play each week to all of our followers. The selected games receive our “Game of the Week” distinction. Recommended games are a mix of cooperative, card games, as well Euro style games.
American History Go Fish, Classical Historian
50 cards show famous people, landmarks, events, symbols etc. from American history. Gather 4 cards within each category (i.e. Colonial America, Civil War, and Westward Expansion) and collect as many sets as you can! This one deck teaches the following skills through four fun games: Basic historical facts, Chronology, Geography, Association, and Social Skills required to follow the rules and play games.
Struggle For Catan, Mayfair Games
Manage your resources to build settlements, cities, city improvements, knights, and roads that generate victory points or special abilities. While your settlements, cities, and city expansions remain yours, valuable roads and knights change hands. Varied expensive city improvements give you additional victory points and lasting advantages, so they're generally key to victory.
World's Fair 1893, Renegade Game Studios
The World's Fair of 1893 in Chicago was a spectacular international exhibition that showcased many great achievements in science, technology, culture, and entertainment. Acting as organizers of the fair, players work diligently to increase their influence throughout the fair and obtain the grand exhibits that will be put on display. The organizer who has earned the best reputation when the fair begins will emerge the victor.
The Play's the Thing Board Game, TaliCor
Set in the Globe, this board game encourages players to get to know their Bard a little better. Each player is an unemployed actor in Elizabethan England, desirous of performing as many scenes as possible from Shakespeare's plays. The object of the game is to assemble all the cards necessary to mount and perform a particular scene from Julius Caesar, Hamlet, or Romeo and Juliet. Roll a die and make your way across the board, which features all sorts of stage mishaps, duels, and missed cues. There are four levels of play geared toward different degrees of familiarity with Shakespeare's work.
*All product descriptions are from the manufacturer
The Histocrats support the idea of incorporating board-games into your personal life as well as in the classroom. As such, we support and participate in a local board-gaming group. Any and all board-game enthusiasts are welcome to join the Game Nights that are held every first and third Friday night of the month. As part of our gaming group initiative, we also recommend history centric games that are fun to play each week to all of our followers. The selected games receive our “Game of the Week” distinction. Recommended games are a mix of cooperative, card games, as well Euro style games.
American History Go Fish, Classical Historian
50 cards show famous people, landmarks, events, symbols etc. from American history. Gather 4 cards within each category (i.e. Colonial America, Civil War, and Westward Expansion) and collect as many sets as you can! This one deck teaches the following skills through four fun games: Basic historical facts, Chronology, Geography, Association, and Social Skills required to follow the rules and play games.
Struggle For Catan, Mayfair Games
Manage your resources to build settlements, cities, city improvements, knights, and roads that generate victory points or special abilities. While your settlements, cities, and city expansions remain yours, valuable roads and knights change hands. Varied expensive city improvements give you additional victory points and lasting advantages, so they're generally key to victory.
World's Fair 1893, Renegade Game Studios
The World's Fair of 1893 in Chicago was a spectacular international exhibition that showcased many great achievements in science, technology, culture, and entertainment. Acting as organizers of the fair, players work diligently to increase their influence throughout the fair and obtain the grand exhibits that will be put on display. The organizer who has earned the best reputation when the fair begins will emerge the victor.
The Play's the Thing Board Game, TaliCor
Set in the Globe, this board game encourages players to get to know their Bard a little better. Each player is an unemployed actor in Elizabethan England, desirous of performing as many scenes as possible from Shakespeare's plays. The object of the game is to assemble all the cards necessary to mount and perform a particular scene from Julius Caesar, Hamlet, or Romeo and Juliet. Roll a die and make your way across the board, which features all sorts of stage mishaps, duels, and missed cues. There are four levels of play geared toward different degrees of familiarity with Shakespeare's work.
*All product descriptions are from the manufacturer
Monday, April 11, 2016
March 2016 Games of the Week
By Margaret Duncan, Ed.D.
The Histocrats support the idea of incorporating board-games into your personal life as well as in the classroom. As such, we support and participate in a local board-gaming group. Any and all board-game enthusiasts are welcome to join the Game Nights that are held every first and third Friday night of the month. As part of our gaming group initiative, we also recommend history centric games that are fun to play each week to all of our followers. The selected games receive our “Game of the Week” distinction. Recommended games are a mix of cooperative, card games, as well Euro style games.
Queen's Architect, Queen Games
You‘re in demand all over the realm! Villages, monasteries and towns need your help to construct important buildings and establishments. Players assume the role of an architect and assemble a competent band of craftsmen. Raise buildings and assist the people with small repairs or farm work. The Queen will reward you with her appreciation and with coins. Gain the privilege of constructing the new royal palace, and you will win the game as the land‘s most successful Architect!
Medicine Whoops, Analog Evolution Games
A game of medical disasters where players each take on the role of doctors at a poorly supplied hospital. The doctors compete with each other to treat patients using whatever tools they happen to have on hand. Sometimes these doctors try to actively hinder each other in the middle of surgery. Sometimes they all just agree to play a golf while the patient expires. Patients will begin to stack up fast...both cured and killed. Add them up at the end to determine who among you is the best doctor under the worst conditions imaginable.
Archaeology, Z-Man Games
Great quick card game where you are an archaeologist who must discover the lost treasures of Egypt in order to make your fortune. You will search for the right pieces to complete torn parchments, broken pots and other priceless artifacts. Explore an ancient pyramid hoping to uncover a huge stash of treasure. Trade shrewdly at the local marketplace to increase the value of your collection.
Ion: A Compound Building Game, Genius Games
Ion is a simple card drafting game where players select from a number of available ion cards and noble gas cards, with the object I've of forming either neutrally charged compounds or sets of stable noble gases!
*All product descriptions are from the manufacturer
The Histocrats support the idea of incorporating board-games into your personal life as well as in the classroom. As such, we support and participate in a local board-gaming group. Any and all board-game enthusiasts are welcome to join the Game Nights that are held every first and third Friday night of the month. As part of our gaming group initiative, we also recommend history centric games that are fun to play each week to all of our followers. The selected games receive our “Game of the Week” distinction. Recommended games are a mix of cooperative, card games, as well Euro style games.
Queen's Architect, Queen GamesYou‘re in demand all over the realm! Villages, monasteries and towns need your help to construct important buildings and establishments. Players assume the role of an architect and assemble a competent band of craftsmen. Raise buildings and assist the people with small repairs or farm work. The Queen will reward you with her appreciation and with coins. Gain the privilege of constructing the new royal palace, and you will win the game as the land‘s most successful Architect!
Medicine Whoops, Analog Evolution Games
A game of medical disasters where players each take on the role of doctors at a poorly supplied hospital. The doctors compete with each other to treat patients using whatever tools they happen to have on hand. Sometimes these doctors try to actively hinder each other in the middle of surgery. Sometimes they all just agree to play a golf while the patient expires. Patients will begin to stack up fast...both cured and killed. Add them up at the end to determine who among you is the best doctor under the worst conditions imaginable.
Archaeology, Z-Man Games
Great quick card game where you are an archaeologist who must discover the lost treasures of Egypt in order to make your fortune. You will search for the right pieces to complete torn parchments, broken pots and other priceless artifacts. Explore an ancient pyramid hoping to uncover a huge stash of treasure. Trade shrewdly at the local marketplace to increase the value of your collection.
Ion: A Compound Building Game, Genius GamesIon is a simple card drafting game where players select from a number of available ion cards and noble gas cards, with the object I've of forming either neutrally charged compounds or sets of stable noble gases!
*All product descriptions are from the manufacturer
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