“Game night” features newly launched and locally created board game

Local game Creators Jamie Lees and Frank D’Angelo and friends meet at The O for a game of Synopsis.

A new board game that was created in Amherstburg has been launched locally, with the aim of the game going nationally and beyond.

Jamie Lees and Frank D’Angelo of the Amherstburg-based Jank Words and Pictures have created and launched “Synopsis: The Storytelling Game,” and held a “game night” last Sunday at The O where people could try out the game and sharpen storytelling skills.

Described by its creators as “a tabletop game of imagination and shenanigans — where exaggeration, fibbing, and bold plot turns keep the table buzzing,” players try to create an ongoing story with element cards, recall cards and the ability to vote on whether the other players’ story is good or not. It’s all part of a friendly competition.

Lees said the game arrived back a few weeks ago and is now being carried at River Bookshop in Amherstburg and Storytellers in Windsor, with it also being available at www.synopsisthestorytellinggame.com for $43 plus shipping.

They are trying to get it into national chains and other local businesses. A Kickstarter campaign helped generate the funds to actually create the cards and boxes needed for the game, she said.

“With the fundraiser, we manufactured the game,” said Lees.

Graphic designers by trade, D’Angelo said they are pleased with the final product.

“The quality is top notch,” he said.

D’Angelo said games vary depending on the imagination of the players.

“No two games are ever the same,” he said.

A total of 250 games were manufactured, with D’Angelo stating it’s a “good test run” with the goal of making more.

Categories include mystery, romance, fairytale and situation, with advanced play seeing the cards and categories mixed so people have to use their imaginations to create stories. The person who runs out of cards first wins.

“The personalities always shines through,” he said.

Lees added the game is for ages ten and up, with the goal for children being to get them off their phones and developing social skills. Adults can play on game nights and have fun, while seniors get to interact and have fun with each other in a social setting.

They also want to reach out to area school boards, with the belief it helps students use their creativity. They say they have also heard from teachers who are already using it.

D’Angelo said they also would like to see “Synopsis: The Storytelling Game” in libraries.

“It’s like 5,000 books in one box,” he said.

“Game night” features newly launched and locally created board game

By Ron Giofu