OVERVIEW

Welcome: Thank you for your interest in this game and in spreading the experience of giving and receiving empathy. The only thing you need to begin this game is a willingness to listen to what others are expressing.

This game is free: The gameboard and the instructions are designed to be downloaded and printed out on any available printer.If you can laminate it, the board and player pieces will last longer. If you can enlarge it, that would make it even better. The only other materials that you’ll need are a pen or pencil, paper, and a timer. This game is released on the Creative Commons, and can be shared and altered, but cannot be commercialized.

Object of the Game: The goal is for everyone to win. This is accomplished by everyone making it to the innermost circle within a certain number of turns. The number of turns is determined by the number of players. If everyone doesn’t win, then no one wins. Players start on the outside of the circles. As they play the Prop Game and earn points, they move to the inner circles. If all the players get to the inner starburst circle, and there are enough Community Points earned by the group, you can celebrate your win by playing Musical Jam. 

Getting Started: The Empathy Circle Game consists of three activities. The first is to successfully reflect what one other player is saying. The next activity is the Prop Game. You play the Prop Game eight times as you work your way to the inner circle. If the all the players reach the inner circle within a certain number of turns and have donated enough Community Points (see scoring sheet), you can play Musical Jam to celebrate your win. There is an archive of other games that you can play as well for more of a challenge if you wish.

Scoring: When players score points, they may add their points to three categories—Personal Points (PP), Donated Points (DP)for other players, or Community Points (CP) for the community. The players may split up their points, but they can’t advance to the next inner circle unless they give themselves five Personal Points. If they fall short of the five Personal Points, they can replay the mini game and add the points from the first and second attempts. Remember, however, that the whole group only has a limited amount of turns to win the game. The last two games cannot be played unless there are enough community points (see Scoring Instructions).

Roles: There are three roles. Players are the ones performing. The Audience (players not performing at this time) is observing and responding. The Facilitator times the games and records the scores. The facilitator also acts as an impartial judge should disputes arise. It should be noted that the facilitator is a player as well.

Altering the Game: You may alter the game (adjust the number of turns, the time, substitute other games, and other changes) to adapt the games to different ages and skill levels.