Mission Amazonia: A board game promotes rainforest conservation
Mr Lehmann, how did you come up with the idea of designing a board game on the subject of the Amazon?
In my lessons as a geography teacher, the Amazon with its impressive biodiversity has always been a topic. In addition to the basic functions of the rainforest, I often show film clips about deforestation . One of these films shows a team working in the Brazilian rainforest, and I thought: why not develop a board game on this topic?
If the crowdfunding is successful, I would also like to use the game in the classroom. There is already an accompanying booklet for teachers with tasks on the topic and tips for use in the classroom.
What do you particularly like about the new game?
As an educator, I think it's great when children are sensitised to environmental protection and sustainability as well as having fun. The production is also made from high-quality materials and uses as little plastic as possible. We are convinced that the game will last a long time and bring joy to many families.
Mission Amazonia is a co-operative game. The joint adventure takes centre stage.
«Mission Amazonia» is your second board game after «Dance of the Bees». What do the two games have in common and how do they differ?
They are both themed games. In the bee game, you manage a bee colony and have to use the worker bees wisely to complete certain tasks. Mission Amazonia" is about protecting the rainforest and endangered animal species such as the Amazon dolphin, manatee, jaguar, macaw or harpy eagle.
The biggest difference is that the bee game is competitive - in the end, the player with the most points wins. «Mission Amazonia», on the other hand, is a co-operative game. The focus is on the shared adventure.
That's what the board game is all about:
Now a race against time begins and the question arises as to whether you can work well together as a team and utilise your skills to slow down or even stop the extinction of species and the ongoing deforestation.
Number and age: 2 to 4 players aged 10 and over
Playing time: 40 to 60 minutes
And what else?
The Amazon game is not designed as a classic game board, but as a game board book. After each completed chapter, a new page is opened, allowing the story to continue a few years later. There are ten chapters in total.
Other game ideas on the subject of mining or guide dogs are buzzing around in my head.
What do your children say about the new game?
I still remember the first round of the game two years ago. The children were frustrated because we lost big. My family is usually the first test group for new games. After making some balance adjustments and adding more gameplay options, I decided to give it another go. Since then, my children have loved playing it - thankfully!
«Mission Amazonia» explained in the video:
Bees, Amazon, what's the next topic?
Campaigns like this are very time-consuming, so I'm sure I'll need a break after this project. However, I have other ideas for games about mining or guide dogs buzzing around in my head. The first prototypes already exist. Who knows, maybe I'll actually realise one of them.
More about the crowdfunding campaign:
Do you like «Mission Amazonia» and would like to support the board game? You can do so on Kickstarter until the end of November 2024. Go directly to the crowdfunding campaign here: https: //www.kickstarter.com/projects/mac-basel-1356/mission-amazonia-ii
