Modern games find similarities in ancient amusements

For the past 7,000 years, board games have captivated the world and united mankind with a innate urge for competition. This year, leadership chose the theme of board games for the 35th annual FC homecoming festivities, Oct. 4.

The board games selected for each float include Candy Land for seniors, Monopoly for juniors, Battleship for sophomores and Clue for freshmen. While these have gradually developed into cultural icons, they each pay homage to their predecessors.

The earliest recorded board game came in the year 5000 B.C. This game, played simply with an early form of dice, consisted of 49 painted stones that the player tossed and then counted to tally a score. This early concept of dice only used flat sticks compared to the six-sided uniform die that has become common these days.

FC leadership advisor Robert Foshee appreciates the theme selected and the flexibility it provides to classes in constructing their floats. He looks forward to observing the final products of their hard work.

“It’s cool to see how they take it because a board game could be anything,” Foshee said. “There’s hundreds of board games to pick from and for the ones they choose, we get to see how they bring these small little games to life. You’ve seen movies that get made into board games and it’s interesting to see floats and costumes that are made with the same thing.”

The earliest records of a game that still attracts players to this day, came in 2,000 B.C. with the creation of backgammon. The concept of the game came during the reign of the Roman Empire. After a period of lackluster following, the game received a resurgence when Alexis Obolensky reinvigorated popularity in this pastime. Obolensky participated in the co-founding of the International Backgammon Association. This organization reestablished the official rules for the game.

The following tweet features some pictures of the first dress-up day for homecoming 2019.

It’s Mismatch Monday here at @fresnochristian! To kick off #FChomecoming19, students wear their wackiest, mismatch outfits! Stay tuned to #TheFeather to see more homecoming fun! pic.twitter.com/QaFScmlbiF

— The Feather Online (@thefeather) September 30, 2019

Up until 500 B.C., board games had been created with the marketing focused on adults. However, after the creation of a traditional childhood game of hopscotch, the popularity shifted from the market of adults to children.

Leadership student, Cooper Saelzler, ’23, originally remained unsure regarding the theme of board games. However, after some consideration, this theme has garnered more appeal to him. Saelzler recognizes last year’s theme of Disney as one with much broader freedom due to the wide array of movies to select from.

“I think the theme this year is all right,” Saelzler said. “When it first came to leadership as an option, I didn’t think it would be the right move. But now since it has been decided, I actually like it. This year’s theme is much more selective because there are only so many popular board games that most people know of or have played. Unlike something like Disney movies, the theme this year is much more selective.”

In the following podcast, Kyle Clem talks with leadership advisor Robert Foshee about the 2019 homecoming theme.

The evolution of one of the most famous strategy games in history, chess, began during the year A.D. 400. At this time, this classic was known by the name of chaturanga. By the time this game reached Europe, the rules still appeared unrecognizable in comparison to its modern day counterpart. It wasn’t until the year 1475 that modern rules came into effect.

Another classic and one of the most recognizable games of our time, Monopoly, began under an entirely different name. The Landlord’s Game, as it was known, originated in 1903 as a demonstration of the destructive capabilities of land grabbing. The game remained unchanged for the next 30 years until creator, Lizzie Magie, sold the patent to the Parker Brothers in 1935. The fee paid to acquire the rights came to a total of $500. After acquiring the rights to this concept, the brothers introduced the familiar title of Monopoly.

During the age of murder mysteries in Great Britain, husband and wife combo, Anthony and Elva Pratt, developed their game Cluedo. This game received high reviews in Great Britain and were bought out by UK publisher Waddingtons in 1945.

This company, hoping to expand across the sea to America, discovered a man of interest. Robert Barton, president of Parker Brothers, developed a great interest in the game and convinced the company’s founder to release the game to American audience under the now familiar name of Clue.

Each class displays their completed floats during the 35th annual homecoming football game, Oct. 4. Come out and support the eagles as they host Riverdale Christian.

For more articles read PROMO: Homecoming engages students, brings unity and RECAP: Annual senior retreat unites class, strengthens bond.

Kyle Clem can be reached via Twitter: @KyleClem5 and via email.