How Indian Board Games are embracing local culture, cities and stories

On the wall of a school deep deep in Ladakh’s longest village Chuchot, there is a wall painted by an artist from Coimbatore – a map of Ladakh. In 2019, the map painted by Varun Manoharan attracted many passers -by, who often used to run, and identify the specific village he hails. They will stop, talk about their land, its inhabitants, both animals and otherwise, and what makes it special. Recalling Varun, he said, “He used a map to tell the stories around the villages.”

Today. During this journey, a ‘elements’ and ‘seed’ collects, and stops to learn about the ecological wealth of the region. This strategy game also doubles as an informal entry point to understand conservation by floating the rock game for more than 14 people living in separate Ladakhi villages. Meanwhile, in a tile placement strategy game, one named Lakshadweep by Sidhant Chand, one gets homes, fisheries, hotels, ports and coral ecosystems to build a archipelago with ecosystem.

A world above clouds is a boardgame that serves as an informal entry point to understand conservation photo credits: Special arrangements

What does these two games add?

A world above the clouds and Lakshadweep is a stable, long homegron, between modern board games that thrive in geographical and cultural specialties. They are outspoken, and unexpected Indians, often inspired by the topography, culture and socio-politics of the country, who give birth to the creators who believe that relativity is the supreme rule. While the epidemic and later push for ‘Make in India’ inspired many of these works, the increasing number of gamers is excited about this reception change.

This spread can literally chart for the length and width of the country. One of the leading organizers of the annual board game convention called TTOX in Indian cities of Bangalore -based Mozic Games, and one of these games, prepares a map through the list of these games. “If you come down slightly from Ladakh, Agra sets a game on the Taj Mahal and if you come forward, there are games based on Jaipur, while in Gujarat there is a kite-gathering game; East is a game based on Sundarbans, and when you watch Peninsula, you have to play on the basis of its food. The creators who are bringing the game based on us.”

Obviously, this is just the tip of the iceberg.

A world above the clouds. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

You know the roads

To design a board game that reflects the ethos of a specific place, a major column of research depends on catching the nuances of the city – from Biryani at 4 pm in Bangalore to Mumbai’s local transport or beaches in Chennai.

For example, Miti Mumbai, a new game, built like a double-decker bus, with bizarre characters may face a city, which can only be in a city such as Mumbai that celebrates Hustle Culture. From Sunil Sixer, cricketer, Zoya Zaminwala, Real Estate Magnet, Miti Mumbai’s characters are bizarre, carrying a personality that is usually connected to a city like Mumbai.

“I was inspired by two things: there was only one city and how Mumbai attracts people of the whole country, people with dreams, desires and ambitions. Cherapunjee innovation llp.

Mite Mumbai is made like a double decker bus with bizarre characters photo credits: Special arrangement

Darshan says, “The game teaches you about life – friends, connections and mentors,” Darshan says. Can be a pickpocket, or can tie themselves in search of a PG in this gameplay that reflects life. The next game of Cherrapunji Innovation is going to be based on Bangalore’s Start-up culture. Another bizarre game called Mumbai Connection designed by Khurshad Batliwala catchs stress and drama behind making the most complex city train system, Mumbai local.

One of the biggest challenges for the creators of board games immersed in culture and geography is the responsibility of accurate representation. Mozaic Games’ Vallakali, a light strategy based on the boat race of Kerala, the game of the party detects a top cultural event that is lost on people outside the state. “As a designer or publisher, you have to take some measures to include that particular community from day 1. [For Vallamkali]We interviewed Orsman who participated in these races. We asked them the most fine details related to the design of boats, how the movement works backwater and so on. This process is also an eye opening for the creators.

Vallakali board room cafe is being played in Chennai. Photo Credit: Sangita Rajan on OnePlus

Vallakali board room cafe is being played in Chennai. Photo Credit: Sangita Rajan on OnePlus

There is a need to look inwards that the gameplay and theme are woven so closely together that if you remove the cultural reference, the game makes sense. Falgun continues, “Five years ago, you will have sports where you roll a dice and go from the city to the city. Now, search for various things. Now, there are games that have a modern twist. The DNA of a modern game is that it should be playable more than 1,000 times. Even 1000th time, it should feel like a fresh, new game.”

Creators also point to an emerging trend which is still in its newborn stages – adopting Indian subjects to Western Games. Imagine Dungon and Dragons, but with Indian themes. “We recently played a very scary version which was relaxed on the surrounding basis [the mythical serpent-like creature from Indian folklore] Nagin, “Falgun says.

Uruttu is a Tamil version of monopoly. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

On the other hand, Uruttu is a Tamil version of monopoly, filled with regional references by Chennai -based graphic designer Dinesh Kumar. This version emerged from the need to make the game accessible to more than intellectual stimulation, looking for a holiday for local gamers. For Dinesh, it all started with family on a game night, where he introduced a kollywood twist for the card game UNO, again with Vadivel dialogues and again Thalaor Reference. Dinesh says, “When we expect to understand Western references, why can’t we speak about our culture, and create our own references?” And so, he created a Chennai-inspired board game based on monopoly. The city’s incredible traffic, the transport of its most preferred means – auto and metro – all make their way into this game. The game started in the Comic Con Chennai in February has already sold 35 sets.

Cities, towns and culture after board games, sometimes there are contingency equipment for tangible documentation. They are also collected as a memento, and are popular gift options. Darshan says, “Hopefully a person will request a shock in Mumbai as a souvenir, where it looks like a piece in Mumbai that you can take back home. Over time, this idea is to design it in such a way that people appreciate it for a long time.

Documentation and awareness are at the center of a world above the clouds that are now looking to do their rounds in local schools in Ladakh. Varun hopes that the board game will soon make its way for the syllabus. “Teenagers understand this very easily and it can be a very good teaching tool. The reaction I have received is that the game makes them happy. It is very satisfactory to hear.”