New board game honors Chinese literary masterpiece

Seventeen years after the launch of the renowned card game Legends of the Three Kingdoms (San Guo Sha), inspired by the novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms and the history of the Three Kingdoms (220-280), the eminent game designer Huang Kai, also known as Kayak in the gaming industry, has unveiled a new board game that vividly captures the essence of another one of the four classic Chinese literary masterpieces, Dream of the Red Chamber.

Within the rich tapestry of dramatic, romantic and realistic narratives woven throughout the novel, the design team selected the tale of the poetry society founded by the main characters. In late February, they christened the newly released board game Crabapple Blossom Society after the society in the novel.

Players step into the roles of four central figures from the novel: Jia Baoyu, Lin Daiyu, Xue Baochai, and Shi Xiangyun. They immerse themselves in the characters' lives, engaging in activities such as composing poetry, delving into classical literature, and interacting with fellow society members, friends, and pivotal family members — all crucial figures in the novel — in their strategic gameplay.

"We strived to faithfully adhere to the original text of the novel. The themes of the poets' gatherings and the content of the poem-related prop cards are directly drawn from the source material," said Xu Chen'ou, the game's designer.

The design team meticulously ensured that the characters' personalities in the game mirrored those in the novel. For instance, the beloved character of Jia Baoyu possesses skills that enable players to earn extra points through collaboration, while Lin Daiyu, renowned for her poetic prowess, allows players to score additional points by composing verses.

Xu emphasized that both enthusiasts familiar with the novel and newcomers can relish the game by following its strategic nuances.

Wang Yuxian, another game designer, who initially encountered the novel through television adaptations during his youth and possessed limited knowledge of its intricacies, utilized the game to deepen his interest in the novel, viewing board games as a form of interactive art.

Similarly, Pan Yuhao, who had only gleaned fragmentary information about the novel before playing the game, was spurred to delve into the novel's details. "I aspire to explore more about the poetry society, as I felt an immersive connection with the characters," Pan said.

Huang's team, Yoka Games, has long been committed to developing games centered on history and Chinese traditional culture. Previous releases drew inspiration from cultural treasures like the Grand Canal, forming the thematic core of their board games.

"We are dedicated to creating board and card games based on all four classic Chinese literary masterpieces. Following Legends of the Three Kingdoms, Crabapple Blossom Society marks the second installment in this series," Huang said.