Games Day (December 20th)
What kind of Games do you most enjoy, board Games, card Games, or maybe video Games? Whatever Game is your favorite, this is the day to play it and have some fun for a change! After all, what better a break could you take from the stresses of everyday life than to partake in Games Day?
As generation upon generation of people the world over would agree, playing games is a great way to just kick back, relax, and have some fun with your family of friends.
Learn about Games Day
Games Day is a gaming convention that takes place every year, with Games Workshop sponsoring the event. It has been running since 1975! Although the convention itself takes place in Birmingham, UK, this does not mean you cannot get involved if you live elsewhere. After all, the best way to honor Games Day is by playing some Games, right? This is something that we all enjoy, no matter our culture or where we live, and so really Games Day is a day that brings us all together.
History of Games Day
Games Day was created by the British game production and retail company, Games Workshop, which started out producing more traditional games such as backgammon and later moved on to fantasy universe games, such as Warhammer.
This day of carefree whimsical frivolity was created rather abruptly in 1975 when another games convention got canceled, and the gap thereby created needed to be filled.
The very first of these soon to become extremely popular events took place in London on December 20, 1975. In a very short period of time, these events really took the UK’s gaming community by storm and brought many people together, which did a great deal to build up the nation’s gaming scene. Of course, this style of convention quickly sprung up and became enormously popular in the US as well, and acts as a fantastic showcase both for gamers and their skills and the gaming industry.
How to celebrate Games Day
When was the last time you sat down with your friends or family for an evening of carefree fun? If you can’t even really remember, that means it is time to do just that, and Games Day is the perfect occasion. Invite as many people you like, and then conduct a poll on Facebook or some other way to find out what kind of games the people invited to enjoy the most, and use the results of this poll as your guide to choosing the right game or games to keep your guests entertained all evening and well into the night.
If you have enough time, why not divide the night into several parts, each dedicated to a different type of Game, so everyone taking part has the chance to challenge themselves on different levels and in different ways. You would not want anyone to go home feeling down because their Mario kept on getting killed in the exact same spot over and over, right?
Remember that every person is different, and will therefore be good at something else—the same person who can’t maneuver an Xbox controller to save his or her life may well be astoundingly good at Scrabble, etc. In short, make sure there’s something for everyone at your Games Day party. If you should want to make things even more interesting, you could try organizing a vintage version of Games Day and have several of your guests bring over a 1985 Nintendo or an older version of Trivial Pursuit.
And don’t forget about one of the most important things at every party: food. Nothing could be more dangerous to the atmosphere of your party than people getting “hangry” and frustrated. So don’t forget to stock up on snacks and soft drinks or beer, and maybe or a pizza or two. Or three.
As this is a traditional day, which started decades ago, why not honor it by playing a traditional game? Chess is one of the world’s most popular games. It is enjoyed all over the globe, played by millions in clubs, tournaments, online, parks, homes and such like. It is a strategy game involving two players that has been around since the 6th century. However, modern rules have been in place from 1475 to the present day. The first official chess tournament took place in 1886, with Wilhelm Steinitz being crowned the winner. If you have never played chess before, it is a game you should certainly consider giving a try.
The game involves a chequered game board with 64 squares arranged into eight rows of eight squares. The goal of the game is to be the first player to achieve checkmate, which essentially means you need to put the other player’s King in a position where it is unable to escape the threat of being captured. Aside from the King, the other pieces include one Queen piece, two bishops, two knights, two rooks and eight pawns.
Now you know the basics, let’s take a look at the golden rules for playing chess. You should begin by moving the center pawn. It is advised to move one of the pawns in front of either the King or the Queen. You will want to establish a share of control in the centre of the board. Also, move a knight before moving a bishop. There are several reasons for this. Mainly moving a knight first is advisable because they are easier to place.
Knights can also control squares sooner, whilst bishops need the pawn structure to be a certain way in the order to be effective. In the beginning, you should avoid moving the same piece twice, unless you are in a position whereby you have to. You should also attack the piece that bothers you the most. Aim at the Castle Wall, the Queen and, of course, the King. If you can take out the Queen and/or Castle Wall, you are going to have the best chance of winning the Game.
Other traditional games that you can enjoy on Games Day include checkers, dominos, shogi, Mah Jong, and backgammon. You can also learn about the different games that are popular in other cultures around the world. It is really interesting to learn about family games played that you may never have heard about!
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