Gaming the System: Changing the World One Game at a Time

"Playing political board games as if it really mattered" was the promise from Gaming The System's website. It further explained: "Games are not reality but sometimes provide a representation of the forces and power at play in society." 

Gaming the System is a Canterbury-based board gaming group that meets twice a month at The Long Rest gaming cafe and promises the prospect, as stated above, of playing games through a political lens. That is not to say that all the games they play are explicitly political, only they are choosing to look deeper beneath the surface at what lessons the games we play may teach us, from climate change to LGBTQ+ history. 

I was lucky enough to be invited along to their most recent meet up by one of their members, Rea, and the evening did not disappoint. I was introduced to many lovely members and had the opportunity to play Molly House, a game about the secret gay clubs of Victorian London. It was a great experience and I really enjoyed the opportunity to play something that was not only entertaining but provided an insight into the struggles of the LGBTQ+ scene in the 18th century. Conversation was enthusiastic and varying, and without having known each other more than an hour previously, all the players around the table were working together to create joy for the miniature gay community. Albeit we did have a couple of traitors around the table (I admit, I was one of them - I do love chaos). It was a perfect example of how board games give people the space and structure to meet new people and open conversation on larger subjects.

"Just don't ask us to define what we mean by political," said one of their members when asked. They went on to say that games offer the opportunity to build dialogue across political divides and allow for the exchange of ideas in a safe environment and one that encourages empathy.

As a believer that politics is morality in practice, I couldn't agree more that board games have the power to raise political questions, and the playing of games can even be seen as a political act in itself. I have written before about Play as an Act of Rebellion, and I truly believe that everything we do, especially that which affects others around us, can be seen as an act of politics (with a lower-case p).

I think what Gaming the System is doing is fantastic and shows genuine thought and understanding of the table top hobby. Board games are escapism and entertainment, yes, but they can also be a social tool to develop community and promote positive well being. The more groups like this, the stronger the local and global community of gamers will become. Political discourse should be embraced and we should all be encouraged to view all that we do, even our entertainment, in terms of its wider moral and philosophical meaning.

I was completely charmed by the group and will make sure that I attend future gaming events. I also look forward to seeing them at our upcoming Pride Board Game Club, which is raising money for the BeYou project.