Ecosystem Game Knowledge Assessment

Dr. Ranson Poythers introduces the board game 'Ecosystem', designed by Matt Simpson with art by Lindsay Falzon. The game is a card drafting game where players create a grid to score points based on card interactions. The game emphasizes the importance of diversity, reflecting real ecosystems. Initially conceived with a space theme, it evolved into an ecological theme. The game is critiqued for its limited representation of the animal kingdom, focusing mainly on vertebrates, while ignoring other life forms like plants and fungi. Despite this, it offers an engaging introduction to ecosystem complexity.

Who is the designer of the board game 'Ecosystem'?

• Dr. Ranson Poythers

• Genius Games

• Matt Simpson

• Lindsay Falzon

How many players can participate in the game 'Ecosystem'?

• 4 to 8 players

• 3 to 5 players

• 2 to 6 players

• 1 to 4 players

What is the main objective when forming a grid in 'Ecosystem'?

• To have the most colorful grid

• To create the largest grid

• To score the most points

• To finish the grid first

How many different card types are there in 'Ecosystem'?

• 8

• 10

• 12

• 11

What inspired the shift in the game's theme from spaceships to animals?

• A customer drawing animals

• A documentary on wildlife

• A visit to a zoo

• A suggestion from a game publisher

Why is diversity important in the game 'Ecosystem'?

• It speeds up the game

• It makes the game more colorful

• It prevents point penalties

• It increases the number of cards

Which group is overrepresented in the game compared to real ecosystems?

• Plants

• Fungi

• Insects

• Vertebrates

What percentage of the animal kingdom do vertebrates actually represent?

• 10%

• 70%

• 50%

• 3%

Which life forms are largely ignored in the game 'Ecosystem'?

• Birds and fish

• Mammals and reptiles

• Insects and bacteria

• Plants and fungi

What is a key educational takeaway from the game 'Ecosystem'?

• Mastering card game strategies

• Learning about space exploration

• Appreciating the complexity of ecosystems

• Understanding the hierarchy of species