Sans Facon
Freeman's Wood - The Game
Sans Facon have developed a board game about landownership.
FREEMAN'S WOOD is a game of strategy, influence and compromise, which involves verbal negotiation between the players.
It is intended to encourage players to consider the points of view of the various stakeholders with an interest in a plot of land. Individual players take on the role of a designated stakeholder, such as 'Developer', 'City Council', or 'Community Activist', and have to inhabit the point of view and interests of this stakeholder, even if they do not personally share those views.
Each player has to 'pitch' an argument to support their position in reaction to Events and proposed Actions. The player tries to influence other players, and to gain their support.
This game for 3-8 players is available to be downloaded. It is FREE.
The board, all the cards, and full instructions can be printed out on A4 sheets with a standard domestic colour printer. The board is easily assembled and the cards cut out.
Download the Freeman's Wood Game here (PDF)
PLEASE NOTE that this is Beta version of the game, it is still in a testing stage. The artists would welcome comments from players on potential improvements. Please send your comments to us at [email protected]
We know it will take a few iterations before it works satisfactorily. We have played it several times, and found that all players have difficulty in understanding some of the rules, and some of the action cards. However, it is always successful and effective in achieving its primary aim - to get people thinking and talking about landownership and related issues. Players enjoy having to speak from political positions different to their own.
Sans Facon
- is a collaborative art practice between French architect Charles Blanc and British artist Tristan Surtees. They undertake diverse international projects, both temporary and permanent, exploring the complex relationship between people and place. They see the role of the artist as a catalyst in a process of raising questions, and inviting people to look and think differently about a place, hoping to create opportunities rather than objects.
