Reading Development + Games

Board Game + Education

Board Games

Games for Change

PlayWise is all about board games, so we can't overlook those not created solely for market success and entertainment. Our belief in board game pedagogy is that every game is developmental, but there's a category of board games specifically designed to serve a noble cause or achieve an important goal.

Fostering Skills and Social Awareness

The world of board games is diverse and complex. On this site, we want to focus on two main groups.

Firstly, those games that seek answers to social problems, which aim to sensitize, educate, and beyond entertainment, aspire to generate societal changes through gameplay.

Secondly, we would write about games that purposefully develop soft skills, focusing on general competencies such as critical thinking, teamwork, and communication.

These two categories often blend, as developing critical thinking can be linked to many social issues. There are no strict boundaries. What's more important is that the games featured on this site effectively integrate their message and goals into the gameplay without becoming didactic, forced, or boring attempts.

If you have such a game or know one, please contact us; we would be happy to write a review about it.

Note from Máté

I was initially hesitant about directly developmental and sensitizing board games. What changed my perspective was starting to receive commissions as a game designer. These inquiries and joint developments showed me the relevance of addressing important issues through a board game's theme and conveying significant messages through gameplay.

I've been able to complete several such projects by now, and it was uplifting to see how these board games help build connections between the clients - typically non-profit organizations - and members of society.

Note from Máté

I was initially hesitant about directly developmental and sensitizing board games. What changed my perspective was starting to receive commissions as a game designer. These inquiries and joint developments showed me the relevance of addressing important issues through a board game's theme and conveying significant messages through gameplay.I've been able to complete several such projects by now, and it was uplifting to see how these board games help build connections between the clients - typically non-profit organizations - and members of society.

Note from Máté

I was initially hesitant about directly developmental and sensitizing board games. What changed my perspective was starting to receive commissions as a game designer. These inquiries and joint developments showed me the relevance of addressing important issues through a board game's theme and conveying significant messages through gameplay.

I've been able to complete several such projects by now, and it was uplifting to see how these board games help build connections between the clients - typically non-profit organizations - and members of society.

Holnap Hősei - Tomorrow's Heroes

Everyone can be an everyday hero. 2 game versions, for 4 to 6 persons aged 10 and up, 20-90 minutes duration

KIO

Card game about human rights, featuring 5 entertaining, short game variations for 2-6 players, suitable from age 6 and up.

Organize!

Board game about activism, campaign organizing, and social justice for 5-10 players, suitable from age 14 and up, 60-90 minutes duration.

Save The Lake

An ecological-themed cooperative board game aimed at achieving intelligent and sustainable land use in the Lake Balaton region, for 3 to 5 persons aged 14 and up, 60-100 minutes duration.

VoxPop - The Card Game

The Attack of the ArgumentMonsters. A game about monsters who gobble up our arguments. 3 game versions, for 2 to 8 persons aged 14 and up, 15-30 minutes duration

Frequently Asked Questions

What does "educational board game" mean?

What does "sensitizing board game" mean?

Who creates these types of board games?

What makes a good educational and sensitizing board game?

Who do we recommend these board games to?