For me, games are synonymous with family. Games create a space for people to be happy and to feel love.
Growing up, board games made for prime indoors entertainment. We didn’t have cable, and time on the single computer was split with my two siblings and our remote-working mother. A game with my family was always a good time.
One of the first games I can remember playing was Hi Ho! Cherry-O, and with three young children, I’m sure it wasn’t long before most of those cherries disappeared. I fondly remember taking turns playing checkers, then graduating to chess — only to learn my brother taught me a version of the rules that seemed to always give him an advantage. The puzzle solver in me adored the deductive investigation of Clue, even thought Chance always put the weapon in Miss Scarlet’s hands. Life. Sorry. Trivial Pursuit. We were late to the party with Scene It — but it was definitely still a party in our house!
In college, I was introduced to more complex games, like Munchkin Pathfinder and Settlers Of Catan. I fell in love with deck building games and collaborative games — making Legendary: Marvel one of my all-time favorites. To this day, when my family is visiting, we already know we’re going to play a game. My current go-to game for a great time is Blockbuster, which never fails to bring out my competitive side. A couple of years ago, my mother-in-law got her first peek at my family’s competitive gene when my sister, mom, and I kept a game of Uno going for hours.
To this day, playing a game with the people I love is one of my greatest joys. So when I was looking for a creative outlet, I decided to take my love of games to the next level.
From the accessible games of my childhood to the complex games that hold my attention today, there is always one common thread. Games create the space for us to be happy and to feel love. I’m so excited that Mirthify may be able to create more joyous spaces in the world.
