A Game About the Californian Eugenics Movement
Three Generations is a board game about the Californian Eugenics movement of the early 1900s. It emulates not only the experiences of those subjected to forced sterilizations, but the situations around which such a movement could have occurred. It uses play systems to deliver the emotional experiences of the victims of such social injustices in the early 1900s.
There were three main goals we attempted to achieve in the game:
1. To explore a societal system in which eugenics, which is now regarded as unjust and inhumane, could have occurred.
2. To create both an emotional reaction and an intellectual discourse about eugenics.
3. To enlighten the players as to their own personal viewpoints on eugenics, based on goals (1) and (2).
2. To create both an emotional reaction and an intellectual discourse about eugenics.
3. To enlighten the players as to their own personal viewpoints on eugenics, based on goals (1) and (2).
Play-testing has shown that the players, regardless of previous knowledge about the subject matter, come to a realization about the implications of their play and how it extends beyond the confines of the game’s boundaries. This elicits the desired goal: a discussion about not only the historical pretext, but their own emotional reactions to their personal involvement. We’ve playtested with multiple venues and audiences, and where the game seems to have found its home is in the classroom setting.
It is currently being used as a teaching aid in college classes, specifically on the ethics of scientific application.
Early prototype
Being Played in a classroom at CSU Fullerton.
