Power up!

Image Credit: http://www.cityofzombies.com

Glasgow Science Festival: State of Play is an event at this year’s festival which offers the chance to explore, discover and experience science using board games.

This is the fourth and final guide in a series which provide an introduction to the games in question, organised by the relevant branch of science. Rounding off the series we have renewable energy and mathematics …

Name of Game	Power Grid (2004)
Type of Game	Economic Strategy Game
What is it about?	Build a network of electricity generation in order to keep the lights on in cities across the country. Players bid against each other to buy power plants and the fuel needed to run them. Will you choose to build plants burning coal or oil, or uranium-powered nuclear power stations? Or perhaps you will invest in the latest renewable technology?
No. of players	2-6 players
Ages	12+
Length of Game	120 mins
Summary	“Monopoly, but good!” Lots of strategy, but with good player balance – get your thinking caps on!
State of Play Rating	4 out of 5

Name of Game	CO2 (2012)
Type of Game	Complex area control / worker placement game
What is it about?	Manage your resources to become the power company with the best reputation.  But beware – if the level of Carbon Dioxide rises too high, the game is over for everyone!
No. of players	1-5 players
Ages	12+
Length of Game	120 mins
Summary	An in-depth euro-style game which rewards strategic play. Best for those who want to save the world.
State of Play Rating	3 out of 5

Name of Game	City of Zombies (2013)
Type of Game	Educational maths game
What is it about?	Roll dice and perform “Countdown” style calculations to defeat the zombies and escape with survivors.
No. of players	1-6 players
Ages	6+
Length of Game	30 mins
Summary	Learn number bonds, mathematical operations and numeracy while destroying zombies. What more could you want?
State of Play Rating	5 out of 5

Making mountains out of molehills

Glasgow Science Festival: State of Play is an event at this year’s festival which offers the chance to explore, discover and experience science using board games.

This is the third guide in a series which provide an introduction to the games in question, organised by the relevant branch of science. Next up we have zoology and paleontology …

Name of Game	Zooloretto Mini (2010) and Zooloretto Dice (2012)
Type of Game	Quick and simple set collection game
What is it about?	Draw tiles or roll dice, then choose the best ones to collect animals for your zoo. Matching sets of animals mean more points, and the player with the most points wins.
No. of players	2-5 players
Ages	7+
Length of Game	10-30 mins
Summary	Fun games of species conservation for all the family. Best for those who love animals.
State of Play Rating	4 out of 5

Name of Game	Dino Hunt Dice (2012)
Type of Game	Push your luck dice game
What is it about?	Throw dice to collect dinosaurs for your zoo, but watch out – keep going too long and you might get stomped!
No. of players	2-8 players
Ages	6+
Length of Game	10 mins
Summary	A simple yet brilliant game of luck and nerve. Best for those who quit while they’re ahead.
State of Play Rating	4 out of 5

Name of Game	Mole in the Hole (1995)
Type of Game	Family strategy game
What is it about?	Play as moles trying to burrow into holes to reach the next level. Be the last mole left and win the golden shovel!
No. of players	2-4 players
Ages	8+
Length of Game	30 mins
Summary	Deep strategy meets a fun modular board. Best for those who can plan ahead.
State of Play Rating	4 out of 5

You and me, it’s Chemistry!

Glasgow Science Festival: State of Play is an event at this year’s festival which offers the chance to explore, discover and experience science using board games.  You can get your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/glasgow-science-festival-state-of-play-tickets-11140083289

This is the second guide in a series which provide an introduction to the games in question, organised by the relevant branch of science. Next up we have chemistry and physics …

Name of Game	Compounded (2013)
Type of Game	Set collection and negotiation game
What is it about?	Compete against other players to collect elements and trade them to build compounds, improve your lab and progress up the periodic table to victory!
No. of players	2-5 players
Ages	12+
Length of Game	60-90 mins
Summary	Equal parts education and entertainment. Best for those who love to laugh while they’re learning.
State of Play Rating	4 out of 5

Name of Game	Polarity (1986)
Type of Game	Dexterity game
What is it about?	A two player game played with magnetic pieces. Place your pieces carefully and capture your opponent’s to win.
No. of players	2 or 4 players
Ages	8+
Length of Game	20 mins
Summary	A beautiful game of magnetic forces. Best for those with a steady hand.
State of Play Rating	5 out of 5

Name of Game	The New Science (2013)
Type of Game	Modern “worker placement” game
What is it about?	Players take the roles of Sir Isaac Newton, Galileo Galilei and other lumenaries of the 17th Century scientific revolution. Be the first to make scientific discoveries in astronomy, mathematics, physics, biology and chemistry.
No. of players	2-5 players
Ages	12+
Length of Game	90-120 mins
Summary	A terrific challenge in a historical setting. Best for those who enjoy an intellectual puzzle.
State of Play Rating	4 out of 5

Just what the doctor ordered …

Glasgow Science Festival: State of Play is an event at this year’s festival which offers the chance to explore, discover and experience science using board games.

As most of the games are modern, designer games they may well be unfamiliar to people. This brief guide is the first in a series which provide an introduction to the games in question, organised by the relevant branch of science. First up is medicine…

Name of Game	Operation (1965)
Type of Game	Dexterity game
What is it about?	Cavity Sam is unwell! Compete against other players in taking turns to operate and remove plastic objects from Sam without setting off the alarm. The most successful surgeon will earn the most in fees and win the game.
No. of players	2-4 players
Ages	6+
Length of Game	15 mins
Summary	A quick and fun family favourite. Best for those with a steady hand and nerves of steel!
State of Play Rating	3 out of 5

Name of Game	Pandemic (2008)
Type of Game	Co-operative “threat management” game
What is it about?	Players work together to stem the spread of deadly diseases across the globe, while trying to discover the cures and prevent them ushering in the end of the world!
No. of players	2-4 players
Ages	10+
Length of Game	45-60 mins
Summary	A modern co-operative classic. Best for those who work well as part of a team.
State of Play Rating	5 out of 5