If life were a game
Money in the bank, finding true love, a fulfilling job... Mmm, let me add being healthy, having close friends and family, traveling during my holidays... Oh wait, time for interesting hobbies and sports, having impact in society... And since we’re on the roll, being the best version of myself, living every day like it’s my last, this list doesn’t seem to end... How do you design a game with so many end goals?
Inspired by the article of Bregje Hofstede on the purpose of life, 3310 - School of Millennials and Felix Meritis joined forces and created a new, modern, life-size version of Game of Life a.k.a. Levensweg. The only way to win at life in the old board game is to retire with more money than the others. Whether it was with your career, lottery, stocks or owning cars. Oh and you were obliged to get married and include any child (up to 7!) in your ‘car’. As a young millennial playing this game, this was the image of success you were taught.
Fast forward with the rise of internet, mass production, budget airlines, education, abortion law, smartphones, YOLO, FOMO, climate change, #metoo, BLM, COVID-19, is our definition of success still the same as it originally was designed in the 60’s? As Bregje stated beautifully, millennials challenge the status quo and try to find new ways to succeed in life. But with unlimited scenarios, making a puzzle without borders, we get lost. The desire for direction, certainty, someone showing us what to do, grows. Fortunately, there are many influencer ‘bees’ who try to lure us to follow their path. A bee without a home, without a sense of belonging, dies. But being stuck on the wrong path of success can lead to a burnout, as did I, Wing Yan Man, founder of 3310 - School for Millennials.
With this game I tried to design a journey through our 21st century life, to prepare millennials and anyone living in this dynamic world on how to deal with its challenges. To see beyond the expectations of your parents, friends, society and to question yourself, what does a successful life mean to me? What is holding me back in pursuing this? And if I were to design my own life, what are the rules I want to play by? Having only 2 hours to play our version of the Game of Life, filled with memes, humor and 90’s throwbacks, it makes these lifetime questions accessible. By going on this trip with a group of 2-6 friends or with fellow millennials, I wish we can connect on a deeper level than an IG follow, to feel less lonely with our burden. You might differ in your ideas, but hopefully you feel supported in finding or creating a new ‘home’ for yourself.
Our Game of Life can be played on the 19th of September 2021 at Felix Meritis in Amsterdam. Tickets can be bought via this website. Watch our video to get an impression. For questions or enquiries bringing this game to your organization, send an email to hello@3310.school.