'Discord, betrayal, personal feuds, broken promises, and delighting in others' hardships': Why Peril is the Essence of the Christmas Season
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Written by Penny Churchill
As the festive season approaches, many of us find ourselves spending more time at home. In this article, we delve into one of the most iconic board games of all time, Risk, and its unique history, as well as recommending a list of party games perfect for Christmas gatherings.
First published as "La Conquête du Monde" in 1957 by French filmmaker and game designer, Albert Lamorisse, Risk quickly gained international acclaim for its strategic world conquest theme. The game combines elements of luck, diplomacy, and tactical decision-making, making it an accessible and competitive board game for players interested in strategy and global conflict.
Risk was initially designed during a family holiday in the Netherlands and set in the era of Napoleon Bonaparte. The game was later introduced to the United States by Parker Brothers in 1959, where it soon outstripped the sales of Monopoly, selling almost triple the price of most board games due to its vast board and hundreds of plastic-cube armies.
The game's rules were initially fine-tuned by philosopher Jean-René Vernes, who tossed out the navies and rearranged the combat rules to favour the defender. However, Parker Brothers later reversed this decision, ensuring a balanced and challenging gaming experience for all players.
Risk has been associated with teaching players about alliances, probability, and the dangers of invasion, making it an engaging and educational game for both children and adults.
In the world of journalism and literature, the game has been a subject of interest for authors such as Harry Pearson. A journalist and author, Pearson has won the MCC/Cricket Society Book of the Year Prize twice and has been a runner-up for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year and Thomas Cook/Daily Telegraph Travel Book of the Year.
As Risk remains one of the world's biggest-selling board games, it continues to provide valuable insights into the modern world and the complexities of global politics.
For those looking for alternative games to play during an enforced period at home, here's a list of 12 party games perfect for Christmas:
- Codenames
- Ticket to Ride
- Exploding Kittens
- One Night Ultimate Werewolf
- Jackbox Party Pack
- Wits & Wagers
- Cards Against Humanity
- King of Tokyo
- Sushi Go!
- Quiplash
- Secret Hitler
- Just One
Additionally, for those seeking more adventurous games, here's a list of 17 dangerous games for boys (and girls) that have been popularised through literature and film:
- Red Light, Green Light
- Bloody Mary
- Slender Man
- The Game
- The Dare Game
- The Choking Game
- The Finger Game
- The Tide Pod Challenge
- The Condom Snorting Challenge
- The Fire Challenge
- The Salt and Ice Challenge
- The Cinnamon Challenge
- The Tide Pod Challenge (again)
- The Kylie Jenner Lip Challenge
- The Coronavirus Challenge
We advise readers to be cautious when playing these games, as they can be potentially harmful and dangerous. Please prioritize health and safety above all else during this holiday season.
[1] https://www.boardgamegeek.com/wiki/index.php/Risk_(game) [2] https://www.wired.com/2016/05/risk-board-game-history/ [3] https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/26/arts/risk-board-game-strategy.html [4] https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/risk-board-game-history-albert-lamorisse
Engaging in a variety of games can indeed enhance one's lifestyle, especially during periods spent at home. The strategic board game Risk, with its global conquest theme, offers an intriguing blend of luck, diplomacy, and tactical decision-making, making it a popular choice among strategy enthusiasts (lifestyle). Moreover, delving into the world of board games can also lead to fascinating discoveries, such as the entertaining and educational game Codenames, which perfectly fits the Christmas party atmosphere (entertainment).
