A minute to learn , lifetime to master (Othello)

Member Name: competition.man

Product:	Othello
Date:	21/04/03 (648 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: easy to learn, mental dexterity

Disadvantages: flipping counters

~0~ OTHELLO ~0~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Othello is a board game , that has just turned 31 years old . I actually learnt to play this game when doing a computer course way back in 1981 . In those days , when we had some spare time , we would load up an early version of this game and enjoy many a game or two . Them days we had the latest in computers to learn and play on , just imagine , a Commodore Pet , c/w built-in 8" black and white screen , 8 k ( not meg ) of RAM , and a processor with a speed of 1 htz ( a year later we had 16k RAM and a colour screen ! ) - however with even such rudiments by todays standards , the game was playable .

Since then I have continued to play Othello on both Macinosh and Oric computers on a regular basis ( Oric - 16 colours , 48 k , 1 htz cpu ) , and now I've found a PC ( Windows ) version .

~0~ The History bit ~0~

It was invented by a Japanese game enthusiast by the name of Goro Hasegawa in 1971 , inspired by the classic board game of Reversi , which itself is based on the ancient Japanese game of GO.
Hasegawa designed the game keeping the element of statergy , but allowing for a novice to quickly understand the game in principle . He named the game after Shakespears classic play , and during the year of 1971 released the game , organized the Japan Othello Association and held the first national tournament in April of that year. However it was not until 1976 that Othello was introduced to the rest of the world .

~0~ Did you know that .... ~0~

( stats from the web site - see later )

1) Othello is the only licensed game in the World to host 23 consecutive World Championship tournaments.

2) In 1979, during the Third World Othello Championship in Rome, a private audience with the Pope was arranged, where a custom-made Othello was presented to the Pope who is a big fan of Othello and plays the game frequently for mental stimulation and relaxation.

3
) Othello is the best-selling licensed strategy game in the World , having sold over 30 million units worldwide , since its release .

4) Today, there are over 15 national Othello Associations throughout the World

~0~ Enough of the history ~0~

Okay , enough remenisining , while doing a little shopping at Tesco's the other day , imagine my surprise to find the Mattel boxed version for sale , and at a stupid price of just £5.00 . I just had to snap one up . I have since perused the caalogues of Index and Argos , yet sadly they no longer seem to sell this game.

~0~ The Game ~0~

One sentence ( emblazoned on the box lid ) says it all , " A minute to learn , a lifetime to master " . In proof of the initial statement , I sat down with my two boys ( aged 9 and 13 ) and taught them how to play in less than 10 minutes , and now it seems they want to play every five minutes of the day .

~0~ Inside The Box ~0~

1 * playing board comprising of 2 counter holders and 8 * 8 velour covered contoured board , 64 reversable black/white counters , 8 rubber feet ( you have to attach these to the board yourself ( 30 seconds ) ) , instructions c/w examples .

~0~ Object ~0~

To trap your opponents counters between yours , from a set starting point, either horizontally , diagonally , vertically or a combination of these . Once caught they are flipped and become your counters . Counters continually change throughout a game , and at the end , the person with the most counters wins . It really is that simple .

~0~ Stratergies ~0~

This is where the ' lifetime to master ' bit comes in . Taking the most is not always a good thing . Corners are highly desirable , and give you a strong taking position ( you can however hold all four corners , yet still lose a game ) . Forcing a apponent to take can win you many a game . The more you play , the more you learn .

~0~ Number of
players / age suggestions / game length ~0~

A two player game , that on average will last between 10 and twenty minutes - the time depends
on each players ability to stratergise / think ahead . An age of 8+ is recommended .

~0~ Other uses ~0~

Want a change , then use the board and half the counters to play draughts ( it will be necessary to to mark some counters with for example small round cloured stickers , to provide the King counters ) .
Alternatively , use all the counters and play a game of 4/5 in a row , or even noughts and crosses ( white = 0 , black = X ) .

~0~ The Web Address ~0~

www.mattelothello.com . Type this into your browser and you are taken to the official site , which is well designed , pleasing to the eye and even animated for your pleasure .From here you can.....

1) Play a game .

Three levels are available , Beginner , Intermediate , Advanced , and each play a strong game for that level . I have managed to beat it a advanced .
The game is Macromedia shockwave based , and is fully animated - well worth playing .

2) Enter the site .

From here you have the following choices :

a) Introduction
b) Animated help ( useful for beginners )
c) Product range ( details of the various games available to buy )
d) Getting serious ( the list of worldwide Othello associations )
e) Did you Know ( the history of the game )
f) E-mail challenge ( yep you can play by email , after a simple registration ( username , password , email address ) ) .

~0~ Overview ~0~

So there you have it , checkout the web site , learn to play then play a game , if you see what you like , go buy the game .
Othello is a great game to play , simple to learn and a game you can play with family and friends alike .

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