Public Assistance (1980) Board Game

Public Assistance is a board game released in 1980 that focuses on portraying the challenging realities of living on welfare. Designed by Robert Bowie Johnson, Jr., the game aims to shed light on socio-economic issues and provide players with a unique perspective on the struggles of those in need.

Game Components of Public Assistance

Game board featuring two tracks: “Working Person’s Rut” and “Able-Bodied Welfare Recipients Promenade”

Player pieces

Chance cards titled “Welfare Benefits” and “Working Person’s Burdens”

Money tokens

Additional pieces for illegitimate children and other game-specific elements

How To Setup Public Assistance

To set up the game, each player chooses a piece and places it at the start of either the “Working Person’s Rut” or the “Able-Bodied Welfare Recipients Promenade” track. Players are given initial money tokens, and the chance cards are shuffled and placed within reach.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Objective: To accumulate the most money after taxes by completing 12 laps around the board, simulating a year.

Gameplay Mechanics:
– Roll-and-move mechanism to advance along the board.
– Two tracks offer different opportunities and challenges:
– “Working Person’s Rut”: Involves collecting bills, fees, and taxes; players can take self-employment and union job paths.
– “Able-Bodied Welfare Recipients Promenade”: Offers opportunities to make money through betting on horses, committing crimes, and having illegitimate children.
– Chance cards:
– “Welfare Benefits”: Cards that provide advantages to welfare recipients, such as getting out of getting a job.
– “Working Person’s Burdens”: Cards that impose penalties on working players, such as losing money due to affirmative action rules.
– Taxation: Only players on the “Working Person’s Rut” are taxed, potentially losing up to 50% of their money.
– Optional rules: Include adding realism by playing in a welfare office waiting room.

Player Experience

Playing **Public Assistance** is a deeply polarizing experience. The game is laden with controversial and satirical elements, reflecting a strong anti-welfare stance. Players on the welfare track have numerous ways to accumulate money through unconventional means, while working players face significant financial burdens. The game’s intent is clear: to critique the welfare policies of the time, particularly those of the Carter administration.

Pros

Unique Theme: Offers a unique and provocative theme that sparks conversation.

Simple Mechanics: Easy to understand roll-and-move mechanics.

High Replayability: Chance cards and different tracks provide varied gameplay experiences.

Cons

Controversial Content: The game contains highly offensive and insensitive content.

Limited Appeal: Due to its controversial nature, it may not be suitable for all audiences.

Outdated Views: Reflects outdated and biased views on welfare and social issues.

Personal Thoughts on Public Assistance

**Public Assistance** is a game that is definitely not for everyone. It is a product of its time, reflecting the political and social attitudes of the 1980s. While it can serve as a historical artifact or a tool for sparking discussions about social issues, it is crucial to approach the game with sensitivity and an understanding of its context. It is not a game for casual family gatherings but rather for those interested in the history of board games and political satire.

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