LA PESTE 2020 – Gioco di Halloween

We are all COVIDed out. I know. The worst thing about this pandemic is the uncertainty that accompanies it. How long will it last? When will it stop? How will it ever end?

We may not have any control over these variables, but this year’s Halloween party game puts players in the driver’s seat and lets them get a handle on the novel Coronavirus. This is a classic role play game – meets card game – meets extended social allegory – meets morality play game for 4-8 players. Each player is assigned a character (il giustiziere mascherato, il medico alato, la creatura della palude, l’assassino cieco) and are given $200.00 to purchase objects that will help them reach their individual goals. The giustiziere mascherato is tasked with the elimination of all threat of contagion, while his natural enemy, la creatura della palude, instead aims to contaminate as many players as possible. The assassino cieco wants nothing more than to save his own skin, while the medico alato must cure as many contaminated players as possible. Objects and action cards work together with sheer luck to determine the players’ fates.

This game works well as a classroom exercise, too. For larger groups, appoint a Game Master (teacher) and follow the example narrative on Schede 1-3. Continue the story with actions of your own invention, or ask your little learners to chime in and write it along with you.

No matter how you are playing La Peste 2020, do it safely, and have fun! Buon divertimento e buon Halloween a tutti!