Setting Up

Take your time and enjoy the isolation and comfort. It won't last long in the grand scheme of things, but it's not about the destination, it's about the journey.

Also, while in there, ensure you shuffle your stack of cards. Now, draw six cards. These six cards will determine who you are at birth. Additionally, they will decide who your family is. While you can never change your birth family, if you dislike who you are, don't fret. As the game progresses, there can be opportunities to change this. Further, feel free to make your own family later in the game!

Set aside the remaining cards. You will use these later to determine your life as the game progresses.

Now for the bad news. In the original version of The Game of Life, we allotted all players an allowance to begin the game. Unfortunately, we can no longer provide this service due to a lack of funding. However, your family can provide for you before you grow up and get a career.

Well, hopefully they can provide for you. If not, you will have the opportunity to play again when you see us in the afterlife!

Game Play

Every turn, or year if you prefer, you spin the spinner. Typically, the higher the number you spin, the higher the quality of cards you will receive. As such, based on the number and numerous other factors regarding your life and the lives of others, you will be dealt a hand of cards. Each card will represent one or several events that will take place over the turn. While every card is different, here are some examples you could run into.

• Congratulations! You have received an annual bonus for your hard work and dedication! Your employer hosts a pizza party and will save you some money on food. Subtract $30 from your annual cost of living.

• Oh no! You fell in the shower and needed to take an ambulance to the emergency room! Thankfully, everything was fine. Unfortunately, the ambulance will cost you $1,300.

• Congratulations, you've found a job! You are now working at your local supermarket as a cashier. Your annual salary is $29,000! While most people hate this type of work, you will excel because now, you almost have a livable wage!

• Congratulations, you're having kids! Increase your cost of living by at least $17,000 for the next 18 turns. Thankfully, the government will reimburse $3,000 of that investment! Therefore, your total minimum annual cost is $14,000.

• Oh no! The transmission in your car has gone bad! Immediately pay the bank $2,000 to replace it or increase your annual cost of living by $3,000 until you purchase a new vehicle.

Note: previous versions of The Game of Life included a relatively linear board to move around. We figured that was too restricting and opted for the more dynamic but equally luck-driven, card-based approach.

Oh, and don't forget you must pay the bank $30,000 every turn to keep playing. Cost of living and all that. But you shouldn't have anything to worry about. Once you receive a job, the average salary is $59,000 per turn. Just make sure you don't end up below that average!

However, if you ever find yourself short on cash, you can always take out a loan from the bank. These loans will accrue an annual, compounding 15% interest rate while outstanding. Additionally, you must pay off a minimum of 7.5% annually. We will automatically add this value to your cost of living.

The Phases

There are three phases. While every phase follows most of the same rules and relies on the specific cards you take, each has distinct qualities that need mentioning.

Youth - Turns 1-18

You will be unable to work until turn 14, and you will not need to pay anything to the bank. As such, the cards you receive may seem pointless for the first 14 turns. However, every card will affect future cards, including "Undergraduate" opportunities, employment opportunities, and how quickly you receive "Death Knells" in old age.

Remember, your parents or guardians must spend at least $17,000 annually on you. However, in certain circumstances, they may fail to do so. In this scenario, we look forward to seeing you when you decide to play again! Conversely, your parents may spend more on you annually, increasing the quality of your future cards.

Still, while you may be unable to work, you must begin attending school on turn 6. Notably, your parents or guardians could choose to start your schooling up to two years earlier. Typically, performing well in school will increase the quality of the cards you receive in later turns. However, there is no guarantee one can perform well consistently. The only way you can directly influence your performance in school is by spinning a high number on the spinner at the start of your turn.

Adulthood - 19-64

For many, turn 19 marks the first time you will need to pay your cost of living. Thus, you typically receive a job card at the start of your 19th turn. If you have already worked while in school, you will likely receive a higher-paying job card. Meanwhile, if you have no work experience by your 19th turn, you will likely start with a lower-paying job card.

However, you will likely also receive the special "Undergraduate" card at the start of your 19th turn. Though, in rare circumstances, you may be offered this card later in the adulthood phase. With this card, you will increase your base cost of living by $25,000 or $40,000 to attend a 4-year public college or private college, respectively. Notably, the "Undergraduate" card can be used simultaneously with a job card. However, all your cards will be of lower quality while this is the case.

If you can hold the "Undergraduate" card for four turns, you will likely be offered a job paying 84% higher than your peers without an undergraduate education. However, 33% of those who keep the "Undergraduate" card will fail to hold it for four turns. Alternatively, there is a chance you do not land a job and must choose from the same pool of jobs offered to those who just made it to turn 19.

Old Age - 65-???

Typically, not much happens in your old age. Therefore, at any time, you are free to turn on the new Autopilot™ feature to automatically and instantly end the game. However, feel free to keep taking cards if you choose to or if you believe you have had a good game so far.

If you choose to keep playing manually, be wary of the unique "Death Knell" card. These can only be drawn in your old age, and if you draw one, it will permanently reduce the quantity and quality of cards received each turn. When you have drawn enough to where you can no longer draw cards, the game is over. Typically, this will happen by turn 77.

Ending the Game

So you've made it to the end of your life. I'm sure you had a great run!

While previous revisions of The Game of Life have had players calculate their net worth to determine who won, this is no longer the case. After all, it's not easy to calculate who won when people enter and leave the game so frequently.

So, we instead encourage you, the player, to determine how well you did and give yourself a score. We will also score you and will provide that after you have entered your preferred afterlife.

Final Words

Remember, until the game has ended, you will have no recollection of these rules. Instead, every time you act outside your 'life,' you will do it only subconsciously to maintain a sense of free will while playing.

Now that you know the rules, get out there and have fun!

We will see you back here again real soon. After all, all life leads back to us.

And by this point, you have probably forgotten who we are. Regrettably, we cannot say. But you'll find out at the end of the game; just as you have so many times before.

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