Games

Trivial Pursuit

Created by Canadians, who first published their game in 1981, Trivial Pursuit would take the world by storm in the early ’80s and go on to dominate the world of quiz-style board games for decades. Trivial Pursuit would eventually spawn more than a hundred different editions and variations and would face challenges from many competitors.

Trivial Pursuit wasn’t the first general knowledge board game, nor is it necessarily the best, at least in the minds of many board game enthusiasts, who have some complaints about the mechanics of the game. However, there is no denying the immense cultural impact of Trivial Pursuit, sometimes referred to as the “Godfather” of trivia games.

The success of Trivial Pursuit may have helped to spark the revival of the quiz show “Jeopardy.” Online quiz game sites like Sporcle and apps like Kahoot owe some of their current popularity to the rise of Trivial Pursuit. In 1993, Games Magazine inducted Trivial Pursuit into their prestigious Hall of Fame.

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November is International Games Month @ Your Library

Catan

In 1995 the world first experienced the wonders of Catan, and board games have never been the same since. At first known as The Settlers of Catan, this board game from Germany became an international sensation, spawning multiple expansions, extension, variations, scenarios and spin-offs.

The gameplay of Catan is a departure from most of the board games that dominated the 20th century. Like most previous game, dice rolls add some element of chance to the game, but much more important are strategic analysis, planning and decision making. Because the board is built from randomly placed interlocking hexagonal pieces, players need to study a new board each game to determine the optimal places for settlement. Resource management for expansion and development is the key to success. Every roll of the dice is meaningful for every player on every turn, right up to the end of the game.

While it isn’t the only game that changed the way we think about board games, nor even the first, few other board games in this century have had the same impact on the world of gaming. If you haven’t yet experienced the world of Catan, do yourself a favour and give it a try.

November is International Games Month @ Your Library

Is your class signed up to come down for International Games Month @ Your Library? Ask your teacher.

International Games Month @ Your Library

For the 14th consecutive year we are celebrating IGM@YL here in the School Library in November. Join with us for an amazing month of board games, table games, card games, and other live, in person games. Learn more about the amazing educational power of games. Most importantly, experience the joy of playing games here in the school library!

Games in the School Library

We are in the middle of one of the best weeks of the year as we fill the library with students to play board games! Classes from across the curriculum have come in to experience the joy of board games and to celebrate International Games Month @ Your Library.