Target audience: 9+
Name of the game: Apples to Apples
Game’s creator: Matt Kirby
Platform of the game: Card Game
“Apples to Apples” is a fascinating example of a party game that cleverly intertwines the mechanics of judging with social interaction, making it an ideal lens through which to examine how game mechanics can influence group dynamics and relationships.
In “Apples to Apples,” the core gameplay revolves around players taking turns as the “judge” each round. The judge plays a green card featuring an adjective, and the other players must then submit from their hand of red noun cards the one that they think best fits or is most amusingly connected to the adjective. The catch, and where the judging mechanic comes into full play, is that the judge must then decide which of the submitted red cards represents the best match for the green card, often leading to humorous or thought-provoking combinations.
This judging mechanic serves multiple purposes within the game. Firstly, it creates a framework where players are encouraged to think creatively and strategically about their card choices, considering not just the literal match but also the judge’s personality and sense of humor. This element of strategy adds a layer of depth to what might otherwise be a simple matching game. For instance, one of the people I played with is on the gymnastics team, and on one round when they were the judge, I played the ‘Gymnastics’ noun card in response to the ‘amazing card’, which she enjoyed and won me the round.
More importantly, the role of the judge rotates among all players, which introduces a fascinating social dynamic. Each player, when acting as the judge, wields a certain power to shape the outcome of the round. This can lead to shifts in group dynamics as players may campaign or lobby for their card choice, engage in playful banter, or try to predict and influence the judge’s decision. The anonymous submission of cards ensures that the judge’s decision is unbiased by player identities, which encourages fairness but also adds a layer of mystery and anticipation to the reveal.
By far, the biggest impact on social dynamics is that it just helps bond. “Apples to Apples” often leads to laughter and light-hearted disputes over why one card was chosen over another, which can really help spend time in a fun and not-so-serious way. Given this, the game can serve as a casual yet effective icebreaker. Since players express their choices through the cards, they reveal their sense of humor and while everyone’s just having a little fun in a low-stakes environment. This can be particularly effective in getting to know new people or deepening existing relationships in a way that purely conversational getting-to-know-you games might not. This was a part of the game that I got to experience – I was playing with some people I had never met before, but by the end of the game, we got to know each other pretty well.
In conclusion, “Apples to Apples” utilizes its judging mechanic not just as a gameplay element but as a catalyst for social interaction and relationship dynamics within a group. The game’s structure encourages creative thinking, humor, and a deeper understanding of fellow players, illustrating how well-designed game mechanics can transcend the game itself to impact real-world interactions and relationships.
