Starpower (1969) – Board Game Guys

StarPower

StarPower is an educational board game designed by R. Garry Shirts for Simulation Training Systems in 1969. The game is intended for 12 to 35 players and aims to illustrate the behavior of human beings in a system that naturally stratifies them economically or politically. It was initially developed to help students understand racism and the complex processes of economic, social, and political stratification.

Why is StarPower Popular?

StarPower is popular and significant because it provides an engaging and interactive way for students to learn about stratified systems and their implications. The game allows participants to experience the dynamics of wealth distribution, political power, and the maintenance and justification of stratification. It is effective because it allows students to understand how stratified systems work structurally and to experience how they feel on a personal level.

Game Components of Starpower

Trading Chips: Colored chips representing different point values (e.g., gold, green, blue, pink, and white).

Symbols: Visual markers (squares, circles, triangles) for group membership.

Badges: For group identification and, optionally, a police officer.

Scoring Chart: Lists chip values and additional points for sets of the same color.

Bonus Trading Chips: Worth 5 points each, distributed by group decision.

How To Setup Starpower

To set up Starpower, divide the players into three groups and assign them to pre-arranged chairs. Each player is given a set of colored chips to start, with the initial distribution biased to favor certain groups. Participants are instructed to trade chips to increase their point totals, without revealing their chip values. After the first round, players are assigned to groups (squares, circles, triangles) based on their scores. The game requires a room with movable chairs or sufficient floor space for participants to move around during trading sessions.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Initial Distribution: Players draw random colored chips, with some groups receiving higher-value chips.

Trading Sessions: Players trade chips to increase their scores, with rules such as one-for-one trades and hidden chips.

Group Assignment: Players are assigned to groups (squares, circles, triangles) based on their scores after each round.

Rule Changes: Starting from the third round, the highest-scoring group (squares) can change the rules to maintain or increase their power.

Objective: To illustrate the mechanisms of stratification, the exercise of power, and the reactions of different social strata within a system.

Player Experience

Players experience a simulation of a stratified society where wealth and power are closely linked. The game often leads to realistic reactions: the highest-scoring group (squares) tends to create oppressive rules, the middle group (circles) strives to become squares, and the lowest-scoring group (triangles) becomes despondent, angry, and sometimes rebellious. This dynamic highlights the subtleties of meritocratic systems and the unequal distribution of power.

Pros

Educational Value: Effective in teaching about economic, social, and political stratification.

Interactive: Encourages negotiation, trading, and social interaction.

Realistic Outcomes: Simulates real-world reactions to power imbalances.

Versatile: Can be modified to focus on different types of inequality, such as race or gender.

Cons

Limited Mobility: Movement between groups is rare due to the initial chip distribution.

Unbalanced Game: Designed to be unbalanced, which can reduce replayability.

Complex Setup: Requires careful setup and a specific room arrangement.

Personal Thoughts on Starpower

Starpower is an invaluable tool for classes or groups looking to understand the intricacies of social stratification and the abuse of power. It is particularly suited for sociology, anthropology, and political science classes, as well as any setting where understanding power dynamics is crucial. While it may not be a conventional game due to its unbalanced nature, it serves as a powerful simulation that leaves a lasting impression on participants, making it an excellent choice for educational purposes.

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