Rise Up: The Game of People and Power (2017) Board Game

Rise Up: The Game of People and Power was released in 2017 by Toolbox for Education and Social Action (TESA). It is a cooperative board game that aims to educate players about social movements and activism. The game is designed to simulate the challenges and strategies involved in organizing for social change.

Game Components of Rise Up: The Game of People and Power

Game Board: Features 10 arenas where the movement vies for control against the system, including neighborhoods, workplaces, government, media, farms, environment, culture, internet, faith-based communities, and campuses.

Movement Cards: Allow players to take actions like organizing a massive march, general strike, building strong communities, and creating a protest song.

System Cards: Represent the tactics of the system to crush the movement, such as setting up surveillance, making arrests, or causing infighting.

Supporters: Tokens that determine players’ abilities to move, play cards, and use special skills.

Player Pieces: Produced by a worker-owned cooperative and printed on sustainable materials.

Expansion Packs: Available for additional gameplay scenarios.

How To Setup Rise Up: The Game of People and Power

To set up the game, players first determine the cause their movement supports, which can range from serious issues like environmentalism or fighting for a living wage to more whimsical causes like dragons’ rights. The board is laid out, and each player places their game pieces. The Movement Deck and System Deck are shuffled, and each player receives a starting number of supporters. The game begins with a roll of a die to determine where the system gains initial power.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Cooperative Gameplay: All players work together as a team to build a movement and fight against the system.

Movement Cards: Players use these cards to gain supporters, resources, and control over various arenas.

System Cards: The system responds with its own tactics to hinder the movement’s progress.

Game Objective: The movement must gain control of five arenas to win. If the system gains control of four arenas, the players lose.

Storytelling Element: The game encourages players to create a narrative about their movement as they play.

Player Experience

Playing **Rise Up** is an engaging and educational experience. It fosters cooperation, creativity, and strategic thinking among players. The game is designed to be fun and accessible, with a simplified version available for younger players or those new to board games. Players appreciate the game’s ability to reflect real-life organizational challenges and its innovative use of storytelling to encourage activism.

Pros

Cooperative Gameplay: Encourages teamwork and collaboration.

Educational Value: Teaches various strategies and tactics used in social movements.

Creative Freedom: Allows players to create their own cause and narrative.

Accessible: Comes with both standard and simplified rules for different player groups.

Ethical Manufacturing: Produced sustainably and by a worker-owned cooperative.

Cons

Limited Direct Conflict: Some players might find the lack of direct conflict with the system less engaging.

Deck Confusion: The terminology around the Movement Deck can be confusing.

Availability: Currently out of stock, with uncertain restocking dates.

Personal Thoughts on Rise Up: The Game of People and Power

**Rise Up** is ideal for those interested in social justice, activism, and cooperative gameplay. It is a great tool for teaching about social movements and encouraging creative thinking about how to effect change. The game is suitable for both experienced gamers and those new to board games, thanks to its dual rule sets. It’s a perfect addition to game nights or educational settings, offering a unique blend of fun and learning.

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