Mancala or Go?

For this elective term, I have been taking a STEAM course called Game Changers. In this elective course, we have been learning about games and game design. Some of these games include tabletop games like a board, dice, and card games. We learned about game creation and how to innovate and invent our own games. Throughout learning how to create games, we played multiple different types of games. One of the reasons we played games was to figure how each game worked. We also had a Skype interview with Jay Little, the creator of many popular role-playing games such as Edge Of The Empire Roleplaying Game. Jay gave us very insightful information about the game including design, elevator pitch, and marketing strategies. For this Action Project, we are recommending games to some kind of social program. I was proud of the games that I chose. It was hard for me to figure out how to write it down, but I overcame it by just coming up with mad-libs like checklists. I simply made a checklist that I filled in the blanks with the topics that I needed. I learned to do this from Jay Little who said this technique is very useful for brainstorming.

In my scenario, the local fencing club is hosting a fencing camp and is in need of two games. The camp counselor explained that he wanted only strategy games. The counselor wants to teach the campers how to apply strategy to fencing. During the previous camp, the campers played chess because fencing is known as “physical chess.” When I heard they were looking for two strategy games, I was very intrigued because I had two in mind that were perfect for this need.

I chose a sports camp because sports camps include breaks to get rest physically but campers should also have games that stimulate the brain in a different way. I found it very easy to come up with this scenario because most sports use strategy; therefore I can narrow it down to pure strategy games. I chose Go and Mancala. I chose these two games because it can help you think spatially and think ahead of your opponent. I also chose these two games because they fit the described needs well. Mancala and Go are great games for breaks during a summer fencing camp.

The biggest needs for the substitute games are as follows:

• It is inexpensive so the camp can buy a couple of them. 
• It requires thinking about strategy that can be used in fencing. 
• It requires player interaction. Even though you might not talk a lot, you still associate with each other and compete against each other. 
• It is a one on one game, just like a fencing match.

Fencing clubs and camps can benefit from either of these games. Both games are abstract strategy games and they are both beneficial to fencing. Fencing is a game about how you can outsmart your opponent physically and mentally. The only difference between the games and fencing is that fencing uses a blade. The principle is still the same between the two abstract strategy games and fencing: you need a pure strategy for all three.

If I had to choose between these two games, I would choose Mancala. Even though Go is longer in playtime and more pleasurable, in my opinion, it is not as structured as Mancala. Mancala has no random elements and is just a pure strategy game. Mancala also is a game where you can create at home without buying the actual game. Android and iOS both have Mancala in the app store. Due to the fact that the camp is on a budget, it might be beneficial to use the app for this game. Although Go also has an app, it just isn't the same on the computer or phone. I like how simple the game Mancala is and how similar it is to chess and fencing.


If I had to choose between these two games, I would choose Mancala. Even though Go is longer in playtime and more pleasurable, in my opinion, it is not as structured as Mancala. Mancala has no random elements and is just a pure strategy game. Mancala also is a game where you can create at home without buying the actual game. Android and iOS both have Mancala in the app store. Due to the fact that the camp is on a budget, it might be beneficial to use the app for this game. Although Go also has an app, it just isn't the same on the computer or phone. I like how simple the game Mancala is and how similar it is to chess and fencing.