by fjaoaoaoao
b0rsuk wrote:
No game can be perfect. Spirit Island, like many games with simulation elements, has to skip some aspects of reality. The colonial theme is incredibly common in board games, to the point of being irritating, especially for people who think that period of human history is regrettable. That is, more regrettable than usual. In that light, Spirit Island is unique, and it's a major source of its popularity.
Perhaps another game will come and do the anti-colonial thing well. I value Spirit Island not just because it's anti-colonial, but more broadly because it makes us question and wonder. It also encourages empathy, viewing major historical events from the eyes of others.
There's plenty of space to explore. Spirit Island focuses on the supernatural. More realistic, down to earth themes could also be explored. Lots of games are about building up and technology. Spirit Island has none of that. Another idea for a game is a game that would play with the idea of salvaged technology, acknowledging that the enemy has superior technology and making players work around that. The computer game "At the Gates" is supposed to do that. Games could focus more on cultural and diplomatic sides of colonialism.
I think embedded in the western culture is that history is constant progress - hence so much focus on improving technology and getting ahead of others technologically. But history had many setbacks. Empires fell. Board games don't acknowledge that except for broad strokes like APOCALYPTIC SETTING WITH MUTANT MONSTERS.
Perhaps another game will come and do the anti-colonial thing well. I value Spirit Island not just because it's anti-colonial, but more broadly because it makes us question and wonder. It also encourages empathy, viewing major historical events from the eyes of others.
There's plenty of space to explore. Spirit Island focuses on the supernatural. More realistic, down to earth themes could also be explored. Lots of games are about building up and technology. Spirit Island has none of that. Another idea for a game is a game that would play with the idea of salvaged technology, acknowledging that the enemy has superior technology and making players work around that. The computer game "At the Gates" is supposed to do that. Games could focus more on cultural and diplomatic sides of colonialism.
I think embedded in the western culture is that history is constant progress - hence so much focus on improving technology and getting ahead of others technologically. But history had many setbacks. Empires fell. Board games don't acknowledge that except for broad strokes like APOCALYPTIC SETTING WITH MUTANT MONSTERS.
Yes. I too would like to see other implementations of colonialism in board games.
Well I got it at any rate because those Spirits are too cool. The game is still a good game and a brain burner.