A Parkinson’s Board Game: A Thought Experiment
This morning, I set myself a challenge to think differently. I woke at 11:45 PM and, inspired by recent discussions about adding more fun and life into the mix, I decided to design a Parkinson’s board game. Please note that I am not diminishing the awful nature of PD – but it is something we need to fight and occasionally see the lighter side of (I am trying occasionally anyway)
I have a close friend who excels at game design, but it was the middle of the night. So, I turned to AI for help.
AI Caveat: For transparency, I only EVER use AI to proofread, spell check, and translate to Hebrew what I write. Tonight, I asked it to help me with the game design more actively.
Why a Game?
Engaging different people in the journey of Parkinson’s Disease (PD) through a game seemed like an interesting idea. While I’m not serious about producing a game, the thought process itself is valuable.
Am I serious?
I am not serious about producing a game – I think it would sell 0 boxes. It is the way it makes you think that is interesting – read on and see.
Step 1: Getting Ideas
I firstly decided to draw inspiration from existing games I know – Cluedo, Chess, S&L and Monopoly:
- Cluedo: For the diagnosis part, searching for clues and identifying the cause, similar to how doctors diagnose PD. It could also represent the research part, searching for a cure.
- Chess: For the strategy and long-term planning, representing the ongoing fight against PD, with moves and counter-moves.
- Snakes & Ladders: For the constant setbacks of new symptoms and progression, with occasional boosts from new treatments or technologies.
- Monopoly: For the game of chance where you respond to sudden occurrences with difficult choices, managing funds and resources, and the relief of making it past “Go” versus the fear of “Go to Hospital.”
Step 2: Designing the Game (I developed this process on the fly – I am a consultant after all 😊)
Objective of the Game: Navigate the journey of living with PD, managing symptoms, treatments, and life challenges to achieve the best possible quality of life.
Style: I went for 5 players with 5 paths to navigate. Why? I see 5 types of communities and broadly 5 main challenges (pathways) which need to bee navigated.
Roles of the players: I thought of the 5 key communities each being a player
- Person with PD
- Caregiver and Family
- Professional Healthcare Community
- Scientists/Researchers
- Society
The 5 pathways – These are:
- Physical Health: From pre-diagnosis to new treatments, including decision points like choosing a treatment plan and adjusting medication.
- Mental Health: Coping with diagnosis, seeking therapy, joining support groups, and managing stress, with decision points like choosing a therapist and practicing mindfulness.
- Social Life: Informing family, attending support groups, and advocacy, with decision points like building a support network and participating in community events.
- Research and Development: Research breakthroughs, clinical trials, and funding, with decision points like allocating research points and collaborating with other researchers.
- Community Support: Awareness campaigns, policy changes, and fundraising, with decision points like organizing events and advocating for policies.
At this point my brain ached and I asked AI to step in and develop the game – here is the result after giving it a detailed prompt or two:
The game board draft – 2 initial options:
Gameplay:
- Collaborative: Players take on roles and work together to achieve common goals. Each role has unique abilities and responsibilities that contribute to the overall success of the team.
- Resource Management: Players manage shared resources such as medications, support tokens, research points, and community support. Resources are earned through successful collaboration and strategic decisions.
- Decision Points: Throughout the game, players encounter decision points where they must choose between different actions. Each decision has consequences that affect the team’s progress and resource levels.
- Milestones and Challenges: The game board features milestones representing significant events or challenges in the journey with PD. Players must work together to overcome challenges and reach milestones.
- Support and Collaboration: Players can share resources and support each other to overcome obstacles. Cooperative elements encourage players to work together and leverage each other’s strengths.
- Progress Tracking: Players track their progress through different stages of the disease, with milestones representing significant achievements or setbacks. The goal is to maintain the highest quality of life for the person with PD.
Gameplay Overview:
- Setup: Players choose their roles and start with a set of resources. The game board is set up with pathways, milestones, and decision points.
- Turns: On each turn, players draw a Chance card, make strategic decisions, manage their resources, and collaborate with other players.
- Challenges: Players face various challenges, such as symptom management, financial planning, lifestyle adjustments, and research breakthroughs.
- Collaboration: Players can share resources and support each other to overcome obstacles.
- Winning: The game ends when the team reaches the final milestone. The team wins if they have maintained the highest quality of life for the person with PD.
That is the game! Is it any good? We’ll probably never know.
The key elements in the Parkinson’s journey are the collaboration of different communities to address the challenges faced by the patient. This game concept, while hypothetical, highlights the importance of teamwork and support in managing PD.
It is more than pills and treadmill progression
