Episode 4: Games

From ancient board games to modern video games and tabletop role-playing games, this episode looks at how demigods play -- and the role that games have sometimes played in mythological stories!

From the Hero Twins of the Maya Popol Vuh and their ball game that you can really lose your head over to the Egyptian game of senet and its role in the Egyptian calendar, we explore some ancient origins of gaming. Then, we bring it all the way forward, exploring how modern video games and tabletop role-playing games incorporate mythology, often putting the player right in the role of an epic hero. And, of course, no episode on demigod gaming would be complete without discussing Mytho, Mythik Camps' very own tabletop role-playing game.

This week's interview features Shann Smith, child of Dionysus, who also runs our Mytho programming! Shann discusses their love for the community-building and improvisational aspects of tabletop gaming, as well as their work developing their own games.

If you'd like to submit a story or artwork to be featured on Myths & Muses, use this form (with a Mortal Guardian's permission!).

[Transcript for Episode 4]

Stuff to Read:

• The Maya Ball Game
• Games of the Ancient World: 
  • Senet and Twenty Squares
  • Hounds and Jackals
  • Mehen
  • The Royal Game of Ur (play online!)
• Mythology in Tabletop Role-Playing Games: 
  • Mytho
  • Aeon
  • D&D: 10 Monsters Inspired By Real World Mythology
• Board games inspired by mythology

Stuff to Watch: 

• Our Youtube Playlist for Episode 4, featuring examples of how to play several of the ancient games, features on the revived Maya Ball Game, and more!

Cool Images: 

Ball court at Chichen Itza: 

Maya ball court in Belize: 

Senet game board and pieces, ca. 1550–1295 B.C. From Egypt, Abydos (The Metropolitan Museum of Art)