Board Games that Spark
At Oat Foundry, we use board games to spark our creative and imaginative thought processes before brainstorming/brainwriting sessions. Games help us build better team communication, think obliquely — and it’s fun as hell. Check out some of the games we play at work that drive our innovative spirits and see which one you should play this weekend.
Board Games that Spark
At Oat Foundry, we use board games to spark our creative and imaginative thought processes before brainstorming/brainwriting sessions. Games help us build better team communication, think obliquely — and it’s fun as hell. Check out some of the games we play at work that drive our innovative spirits and see which one you should play this weekend.
Codenames:
Players: 4-8
Mechanics: Word Association, Deduction, Team Play
Codenames is a two-team, rapid-fire clue game that utilizes hints from a spymaster to pick the space that the team is located.
We use Codenames to enhance discussion and camaraderie among our engineers and sales/marketing teams by using clues each employee associates with different terms. Each team member may have a different interpretation of each clue. If the word is “net” what hint would you give an engineer? A salesperson? A finance director? A pirate?
Click here to learn more
Codenames:
Players: 4-8
Mechanics: Word Association, Deduction, Team Play
Codenames is a two-team, rapid-fire clue game that utilizes hints from a spymaster to pick the space that the team is located.
We use Codenames to enhance discussion and camaraderie among our engineers and sales/marketing teams by using clues each employee associates with different terms. Each team member may have a different interpretation of each clue. If the word is “net” what hint would you give an engineer? A salesperson? A finance director? A pirate?
Click here to learn more
A Fake Artist Goes to New York:
Players: 5-11
Mechanics: Build Creative Confidence, Team Play
All players get their own drawing board and after sketching one line, they pass their board to the next player. Each player knows what image should be drawn except the “Fake Artist”, who must figure out what everyone else is drawing based on the previous player’s single line.
We use “A Fake Artist Goes to New York” to speak with visuals, rather than verbal descriptions. This game builds confidence among team members when presenting an ineffable idea that is difficult to put into words. We frequently use sketches in brainstorming and innovation exercises for both clients and ourselves.
Click here to learn more
A Fake Artist Goes to New York:
Players: 5-11
Mechanics: Build Creative Confidence, Team Play
All players get their own drawing board and after sketching one line, they pass their board to the next player. Each player knows what image should be drawn except the “Fake Artist”, who must figure out what everyone else is drawing based on the previous player’s single line.
We use “A Fake Artist Goes to New York” to speak with visuals, rather than verbal descriptions. This game builds confidence among team members when presenting an ineffable idea that is difficult to put into words. We frequently use sketches in brainstorming and innovation exercises for both clients and ourselves.
Click here to learn more
Insider:
Players: 4-8
Mechanics: Brainstorming, Team Play
Insider is a quiz game similar to 20 questions but the guessers only have 5 minutes to; 1 find the answer, 2. find the insider. Once knowing each player’s role, everyone closes their eyes as the gamemaster and insider discreetly check to see the answer. The players then guess the answer to the gamemaster and try to come to a conclusion.
We use Insider to ask rapid questions to an answer that no-one knows. This concept is very similar to ways we use brainwriting sessions to find answers to obstacles in projects. Just like a successful brainwriting session, there are no dumb questions.
Click here to learn more
Insider:
Players: 4-8
Mechanics: Brainstorming, Team Play
Insider is a quiz game similar to 20 questions but the guessers only have 5 minutes to; 1 find the answer, 2. find the insider. Once knowing each player’s role, everyone closes their eyes as the gamemaster and insider discreetly check to see the answer. The players then guess the answer to the gamemaster and try to come to a conclusion.
We use Insider to ask rapid questions to an answer that no-one knows. This concept is very similar to ways we use brainwriting sessions to find answers to obstacles in projects. Just like a successful brainwriting session, there are no dumb questions.
Click here to learn more