The Game of Life

1 Overview

The Game of Life has been simulating the American dream since 1960, and while its version of life is cheerfully simplified, it remains one of the most universally recognized family games ever made. Players navigate a winding road from young adulthood to retirement, making choices about education, careers, family, and finances along the way.

It's part board game, part random life simulator. You might spin a 10 and hit a jackpot space the same turn you're supposed to pay for college tuition. That's life.

2 What You Need

• 1 game board (folding, with pegged path)
• 1 spinner
• 6 plastic cars (one per player)
• Pink and blue pegs (for family members)
• Salary cards, career cards, house deeds
• Play money
• Life tiles (bonus money tiles)
• Stock certificates (some editions)

3 Setup

1. Set up the board and place all cards in their designated spots.
2. Each player chooses a car and places a blue or pink peg in the driver seat.
3. Give each player the starting money amount (listed in your edition's rules - typically $10,000).
4. Players choose: College or Career path. College costs money but can lead to better salaries later.
5. Youngest player goes first.

4 How to Play

1. On your turn, spin the wheel and move your car that many spaces along the track.
2. Follow the instructions on the space you land on.
3. If you land on a STOP space, you must complete the required action before continuing (get married, have a baby, buy a house, etc.).

Key Space Types

• Orange spaces: Usually good! Collect money or Life tiles.
• Blue spaces: Usually bad. Pay the bank or other players.
• Red STOP spaces: Mandatory life events - marriage, children, home purchase.
• Green Career spaces: If you match your career, collect from all other players.

Career vs. College

• Career path: Skip college, start earning immediately. Draw 2 career cards and keep 1.
• College path: Pay tuition, but draw 3 career cards and keep the best. Higher salaries available.

5 Winning

Players retire at Millionaire Estates or Countryside Acres (one is more prestigious but takes longer to reach). Once all players retire, reveal Life tile values, sell houses, and count all money. The richest player wins.

6 Tips

• College is usually worth it. The salary difference between college careers and non-college careers typically exceeds the tuition cost within a few rounds.
• Pick the highest salary card available. Seems obvious, but players sometimes pick lower-stress careers - this is not a stress simulator.
• Life tiles compound. Some tiles are worth more at retirement. Grab them whenever you can.
• The stock spaces (if in your edition) are gamble opportunities. Only invest if you have a cushion - you might need that cash.