Irrational Game (2016) Board Game

Irrational Game is a card game designed by Miki Mottes and published in 2016 by Irrational Ventures Inc. The game is a trivia-based card game that challenges players with quirky and thought-provoking questions. With a runtime of 20-60 minutes, it is suitable for 1-5 players, making it a great choice for both solo play and group gatherings. The game is designed for players aged 15 and above, providing a fun and engaging experience for a wide range of audiences.

Game Components of Irrational Game

Question Cards: 105 cards depicting various social science experiments and scenarios.

Power Cards: 20 cards that provide special abilities and strategies.

Categories: 5 themes (Environment, Policy, Emotions, Social Norms, and Self-Control).

Reference Materials: Links to original research papers and articles.

How To Setup Irrational Game

To set up the game, players need to separate the Question Cards and Power Cards into two distinct piles. The Question Cards are placed face up, while the Power Cards are placed face down. A discard pile is also designated for used Power Cards.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Drawing Cards: Players draw a Question Card and attempt to predict the correct answer from four multiple-choice options.

Correct Answer: If the answer is correct, the player keeps the card and reads the experiment’s takeaway on the back.

Wrong Answer: If the answer is incorrect, the card is awarded to the player with the fewest cards.

Power Cards: Some Question Cards allow players to draw Power Cards, which can be used to skip questions, steal cards, or force trades.

Objective: The first player to collect 5 Question Cards, one from each category, or 10 cards from any category, wins the game.

Player Experience

Playing **Irrational Game** is an interactive and educational experience that prompts deep reflections on human behavior. Each card presents a unique scenario backed by scientific research, encouraging players to think critically about decision-making processes. The game sparks engaging discussions and helps players understand why people act in certain ways, ultimately guiding them to make better decisions in real life.

Pros

Educational Value: Provides insights into behavioral science and decision-making.

Engaging Discussions: Encourages players to reflect deeply on human behavior.

Accessible Language: The questions are structured in a way that is easy to understand, even for non-native English speakers.

Variety of Scenarios: Includes a wide range of experiments and situations to keep the game interesting.

Power Cards: Adds a strategic layer to the game with special abilities.

Cons

Limited Depth for Experts: May not offer the depth and complexity that experienced trivia players seek.

Quiet Gameplay: Not as lively as some other party games.

Availability: Some versions may be out of stock or discontinued.

Personal Thoughts on Irrational Game

**Irrational Game** is ideal for those who enjoy learning about behavioral research and are interested in understanding human nature. It is particularly suited for groups looking for a game that combines trivia with meaningful discussions. While it may not be the best fit for experts seeking complex trivia, it is an excellent choice for anyone curious about psychology and social science.

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