Lecture Notes on Classic Board Games

Introduction

• Focus on "Classic Board Games" starting from the early 1900s.
• Monopoly is highlighted as a pivotal game ushering in the classic board game era.

Monopoly

• Origin: Began as "The Landlord's Game" in 1903 by Lizzy Magie.
• Purpose: Educational, demonstrating Henry George's single tax theory.
• Features: Chance squares, property names (NY-based), money denominations, jail.
• Transition: Rights sold to Parker Brothers in 1935; renamed to "Monopoly."
• Now comes in various themed versions.

Clue (Cluedo)

• Released in 1949 as "Cluedo."
• Sold by its inventor for £5,000; achieved massive success.
• Known widely as "Clue" in the modern era.

The Game of Life

• Origin: Invented by Milton Bradley in 1860 as "The Checkered Game of Life."
• Function: Morality lecture using a spinner (avoided dice due to gambling connotations).
• Sold 40,000 copies initially.
• Modernization: Revamped in 1959 as "Life," minimal player decision-making.

Risk

• Developed in 1957 by a French movie director as "Conquest of the World."
• Bought by Parker Brothers in 1959; renamed to "Risk."
• Known for lengthy and contentious gameplay.

Dungeons and Dragons (D&D)

• Origin: 1974 by three individuals.
• Role-playing game (RPG) that relies on imagination, pen, paper, and dice.
• Expansion: Includes live-action role-play (LARPing), computer-based RPGs, MMORPGs.
• Current State: Owned by Wizards of the Coast since 1997, now in its fifth edition.
• Essentials: Character sheets, manuals, and the role of a Dungeon Master (DM).
• Example: Longest-running D&D game spans 38 years with over 20,000 miniatures.

Other Classic Games

• Examples: Sorry (1930), Scrabble, Candyland, Yahtzee, Mousetrap, Trouble, Aggravation, Operation, Twister, Battleship, Connect Four.
• These games are widely available in big box stores like Walmart.

Conclusion

• End of classic board games discussion.
• Transition to modern tabletop gaming to be discussed in the next session.