The Gazette Board Game

The Gazette Board Game was apparently created as a promotional piece for Russell Viers' DIGIVersity.tv, which provides workshops, seminars, and in-house training on page layout and graphic design software for newspapers, print and publishing companies.

As a promotional piece for a graphic design company, it's top-notch. As a board game, it's at about the level of "The Game of Life."

Players take on the role of newspaper publishers with the object to be the first publisher to get the paper out without going broke. Players start with $3360, roll the dice, and move their rocket-shaped pawns from the start toward the finish. Along the way, spaces instruct the players to either move ahead a number of spaces, move backward, or collect or pay money.

The instructions on spaces are laced with humor. Some examples: "Your favorite typeface is Helvetica. Back 1 space." "Your intern just cut off a finger with an X-acto knife. Back 2 spaces." "Your customer faxed you their camera-ready ad. Back 3 spaces." "Finally sold your old CompuGraphic. Collect $10." Those with any familiarity with the newspaper business will find these bits amusing. All others will be scratching their heads.