When I was a little kid, family games consisted of old classics like
Boggle, Monopoly, and Yahtzee. These days, one might assume
that with so much advanced electronic entertainment technology (Sony's
PS3, Nintendo's Wii) dominating the industry, traditional gaming options
might not be able to compete in the marketplace. However, to the surprise of many in the
gaming industry, traditional-style board games continue to remain strong in
the industry.
The reason for their continued success has much to do with the fact
that, instead of marketing to mainstream consumers, some board game
manufacturers have begun targeting customer niches with special
editions of hit games (like the "Lord of the Rings" version of Trivial
Pursuit), while others have been developing new games for the specific
interests of pocket groups.
I guess it's the pursuit of the latter that best explains the newest and hottest hit board game, "The War On Terror."
According to the game's manufacturers, the goal of "The War on
Terror" is to "liberate the world, ridding it of fear and terrorism
forever. Naturally, only the biggest and strongest Empires are up to
this task and so a certain amount of dominance needs to be shown.
Alternatively, you can play as the terrorists, fighting for a world
without empires...It's a a bizarre and macabre game where lying,
duplicity and inconsistent morals are the instruments of winning and
the rules are made up by those in the lead."
I find it highly amusing that the makers claim "The War on Terror" is a great family game suitable for all ages.
But what I find even funnier? The French version of the game will be released next year. Hah!
About MetroDad
I'm a French-named, speed-reading, former public policy analyst now trapped in the body of a Asian-American fashion executive. I've ridden elephants in Sri Lanka, imbibed snake venom in China, skiied the Italian Dolomites, eaten barbecue in Pakistan, travelled to every state except North Dakota, visited 28 out of 32 major league ballparks, worshipped at the altar of Graceland 5 times and have shut down most of the nightclubs in Paris. That being said, I still get lost every time I go through the Lincoln Tunnel.
It's safe to say that we'd probably get along if you can truly appreciate the real beauty in...a good Peking duck, Sunday's NYT crossword, nice manners, Scrabble, Law & Order, spontaneous travel, Otoro, Jim Jarmusch, Tabasco sauce, Morrissey, Haruki Murakami, Peets coffee, Radiohead, listening to baseball games on the radio, Thievery Corporation, X-Men comics, fresh powder, Southern BBQ, Christopher Hitchens, bloomin' onions, mid-century design, the warmth of a good scotch, a great day spent fishing where you didn't catch a damn thing...
On a related note, I'd like to believe that I probably have absolutely nothing in common with another human being who really loves any of the following: pro bass fishing on tv, NASCAR, low carb Cabernet, Kathey Griffin, Microsoft, the Olsens, Applebees, Jessica Simpson, romance novels, tofu bacon, Pamela Anderson, ballet, "Survivor" or HUMMERs. Similarly, I could also never be friends with someone who mixes up "they're", "there", and "their". I will give you a smidge of credit if you know the difference between "if" and "whether". But if you leave any participles dangling, we're breaking up.
In conclusion, let me just say...
Lex clavatoris designati rescindenda est.
(The Designater Hitter Rule has got to go)
