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Along with gaming, we enjoy pop culture as much as anyone else. Let’s take a look at crossovers where analog gaming meets visual media through fictional games.
One of our favorite fictional board game examples is Cones of Dunshire from Parks and Rec. In the episode, the character Ben Wyatt endeavors to create an intricate game à la Settlers of Catan.
Due to Dungeons & Dragons’ growing fanbase, this popular role playing game has appeared in various pop culture media throughout the years.
From TV shows like IT Crowd to Stranger Things, some appearances are straight forward. Other shows parody this classic including the animated show and comic My Little Pony with their versions named “Obliettes and Ogres” and “Dungeons & Discords”.
Even Dana Simpson’s comic “Phoebe and Her Unicorn” get in on the fun with their iteration of D&D named “Houses and Humans.”
There’s even an online version called “Households and Humans” reversing roles where dragons roleplay as humans performing mundane tasks without the use of magic. Check their sessions out on their instagram
The Star Trek universe is known for its various takes on classics such as 3D chess and the Vulcan’s version of a strategy game: Kal-toh. Deep Space Nine gives us the roulette-esque Dabo at Quark’s. There’s even children’s games like kadis-kot which includes a board and color pieces. Star Trek has their own fictional RPG: Bat'leths & BiHnuchs. Just steer clear of the video games ( if you know you know! ). Memory Alpha has more on the Star Trek universe’s recreational activities here.
Card games are a great pastime across many worlds. In our world, we enjoy Pokemon: Battle Academy and Game of Thrones: LCG. Star Wars has their own fictional card game: Sabacc. It’s how Han Solo won the Millennium Falcon off of Lando Calrissian.
The Percy Jackson book series by Rick Riordan has its own version of Magic: The Gathering called Mythomagic.
One recent example is real-life board game enthusiast Josh Hutcherson's character, Dylan, introducing a fictional game during an episode of the TV show I Love LA aptly titled “Game Night”. Seven Magic Kingdoms is a marathon of intricate tabletop gaming that mirrors the Twilight Imperium said to be even more complicated than our go-to: Arkham Horror.
Need more ideas IRL? Roll into our Game section.