As a father and high school teacher, I often find it difficult to connect with my kids. I have noticed, and studies confirm, that American youth are increasingly isolated, both from each other and especially from their parents. This isolation is tied in large part to the surge of technology within the last 15 years. Most of us have seen two young adults sitting together in a restaurant, physically together, but relationally separated by the screens in their hands. Unfortunately, this is the new normal for adolescents.
How can adults connect with the next generation? Or, to put a Star Wars spin on the question, how can we train our Padawan learners if they spend every free moment hypnotized by their cell phones? I think board games in general, and Star Wars: Destiny in particular, can be a gateway for reaching a digital generation. Here are three reasons I think Star Wars: Destiny is an excellent tool for connecting with youth.
First, Star Wars, more than any other franchise in history, has transcended generations. Whether your first exposure was the summer of 1977 with the release of A New Hope, or the winter of 2015 with The Force Awakens, Star Wars has become a worldwide, multiethnic, multigenerational sensation. Youth are likely to embrace a Star Wars themed game because they are already familiar with the characters and storyline, and adults will like it for the same reason.
Second, the simple mechanics, fast paced gameplay, and strategic depth make Star Wars: Destiny both accessible for new players and satisfying for seasoned gamers. Many of us enjoy games that, although strategically satisfying, are a nightmare to teach and require hours to play. Star Wars: Destiny is not that kind of game. You can teach it in 5 minutes, play it in 30, and still have the satisfaction of collecting, building, and honing your decks over the long haul.
Third, $15 for a starter and $3 for a booster (with 5 cards and 1 die) is a fairly low price point for a collectible card game. Assuming a new player purchases 1 starter and 10 boosters, the cost would be $40-$45, about the same as a quality board game. Combine that with the small deck size (30 cards compared to Magic’s 60) and low maximum card number (2 cards each compared to Magic’s 4), even competitive gameplay should remain affordable. Add in the availability of boosters from big box stores like Walmart and Target, and you’ve got a game that youth can really buy into (pun intended).
In summary, Star Wars: Destiny is a simple, affordable, and multigenerational game that can help adults reconnect with their digitally paralyzed Padawans. Where you take it from there is up to you. As for me, I’m tired of playing games merely for the entertainment. If I’m going to play something, I want to be part of a community where I can build up the next generation at the same time. I want to sit across the table from my son, look him in the eye, laugh with him, encourage him, and teach him the values of fairness, sportsmanship, and cooperation. Influencing the next generation is both a privilege and a burden. Star Wars: Destiny lightens that burden without diminishing the privilege.
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