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Cover Story: Never bored with board!
In most progressive countries board games are referred to as “bored games”. Meaning that they are only the games one plays when he/she is extremely bored and basically has little or nothing left to do. In some cases according to some studies children who generally do play board games with any regularity say that they generally only play so that they can spend time with their parents. Insinuating that they are forced to do so only to “please” their parents whom they feel belong to a bygone era. I mean, I understand that there were not any “playstations” or stuff like that, but why should we suffer? There can be little doubt that this opinion is extremely likely to be held by many young children who haven’t acquired the taste for playing board games.
The pleasing fact about Pakistan is that despite firmly setting itself on the road for progress, it has generally kept the long standing traditions of playing board games. This indulgence is often attributed to the lack in the growth of general affluence in the Pakistani society. It is true that the younger generation of Pakistan’s urban youth are spending more and more time at the new Gaming Arena sprouting around Karachi. Unlike other modernized countries these shifts are for the most part more casual.
There are numerous board games that come to mind when talking about the classic board games that thrive in Pakistan. For example
Ludo
Ludo or Liddo as it sometimes is referred to as, is without a shadow of a doubt one of the most popular board games of all times, not only in Pakistan but throughout the world. The reasons for its appreciation are quite simple. It is easy, true the rules do vary but this is probably a part of its appeal. If one cannot properly understand a particular aspect of it he/she can make adjustments. The strange thing about most of these adjustments is that there is a reasonable probability that they are correct — at least to some people. It’s an inexpensive way to kill time with the (normally) plastic pieces cheap but sturdy. The boards are generally durable and are fairly simple to reproduce (however, it takes years of playing to make it simple, after a few years you’ve more or less memorized the entire board). The point of the game is misleadingly simple. Since there are so many different versions the general rules are appropriate. Get all four of ones own pieces from its starting point, around the board and into a tunnel, which leads to home. First player to do so is the winner. However there are some complications along the way — The people you’re playing against!
It has the rare distinction of being popular in both the rural and urban districts of Pakistan. The game is truly a household game and a good way to spend time with your family. My favourite attribute about this nice little game is what it teaches its players. Basically that if Lady Luck is the one lass on your side then all the skills in the world cannot help your opponents.
Monopoly
Monopoly was actually quoted as the one game that could incite children to become seriously interested in the commerce sections of work. After extensive (personal) research into what I personally thought was a far-fetched claim this writer must concur with the statement. The truth of the matter is this. It is a complicated game. It is full of rules. It is always long but no matter what one can say about it, it is extremely addictive.
The games main objective is thoroughly unkind. The goal of each player is to completely bankrupt his or her opponents. This is achieved through buying real estate. When an entire entity is purchased, houses can be built. On fragments of these entities face value rent can be charged. When the entire entity is purchased then the face value rent doubles. After this houses can be built. They continue to be built until finally hotels are built. By this point the rents on the major properties will have sky rocketed and the money acquired is used either to pay other people off or to finance more “housing schemes”. There are numerous “distractions” along the way to learn more, play the game you can’t expect this one article to teach you the rules of such a complicated yet enjoyable game!
Facts are facts. The game Monopoly consists of a large quantity of materials that can well and truly, bit by bit all get lost. The money notes can all get crumpled and worn out. Despite these entire draw backs if ones played and understood it. He or she will play it with a relish.
Scrabble
Scrabble is a game that is perhaps the most helpful out of all board games that are available in the market. It teaches one the value of words (10 points for using a Z, 3 for a P) and expands his vocabulary whilst still imparting good fun. It’s called the game of friends. This is not really surprising to some as it’s probably the most likely game to be played between different people. Parents and their children, Friends and strangers all play the wonderful game of scrabble. In Pakistan in order to promote the game of scrabble there is even a Pakistan Scrabble Association which holds several tournaments each year. This provides a boost to all scrabble lovers and those who wish to attain knowledge whilst enjoying themselves.
The rules are perhaps the simplest out of all the games mentioned in this article. Make words and find places to keep them — yep that’s it, though I warn all of Young World’s readers that’s not quite as easy as it sounds.
Chess
Chess is a game that is both abysmally simple in certain set of circumstances and terribly complicated in others. It is a game that in Pakistan anyway is generally sold in the more urban areas. The rules of the game are generally long and complicated. However most people either ignore the bulk of the rules or merely simplify them. There are 16 pieces on each player’s team. Different types of pieces can move and strike in different ways. For example the most common piece, the pawn can move forward and only strike diagonally. It’s without a shadow of a doubt the longest surviving strategy game in the world. Chess is the ancestor of all modern day strategy games, be they on the computer, Playstation, Nintendo or whatever other console there is. In fact Chess is so widely played and respected it has its own official international federation.
Chess is regarded more or less as an international sport of sorts. The greatness of this game lies in its extensive history and the sheer variety of people who have played it all over the world. There are even world rankings and international tournaments.
Conclusion
Firstly I’m not talking about a board game (then again with the proliferation of unsuccessful board games I wouldn’t really be surprised). Board games help to impart important values such as fair play, they bring together friends, they provide families a worthwhile activity to enjoy together. They may still be for some people “Bored games” but for the intelligent part of society a chuckle is more appropriate.
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