GOTC ON The New Paper, 15 Feb 2018
Secondary Two student Hilmy Ismail, 14, was excited as he played the Guardians of the City (GOTC) card game during a workshop in school. He was part of a group of students learning the 15-minute game under the tutelage of student facilitators from the uniformed groups . The workshop was held yesterday in Greendale Secondary School, with Secondary Three facilitators guiding their younger peers.
The card game was tried with the uniformed groups earlier.
Hilmy said: "I've learnt a lot by playing this game, as the events that they reference have happened before. It makes the whole experience feel more real." The GOTC strategy card game was officially launched last year, although its release was limited to students in the uniformed groups.
It was co-developed by Nexus and Mr Wan Junyan, 43. It aims to help young people recognise that the impact of terrorism is not confined to just physical acts. In doing so, it will also help them realise the importance of Total Defence, which is being celebrated today.
Mr Wan, a former civil servant, left his job to pursue passion projects. These include game design and writing.
He said: "I wanted to get students interested in the topic of defence. I feel that Singaporeans are too complacent with regard to our current security situation, so I wanted to give them a glimpse of possible threats we had to be concerned about.
"But most importantly, I wanted them to learn about what we can actually do as a nation."
In order to facilitate that line of thinking, 38,000 sets of GOTC were distributed to Sec 2 students islandwide. New blank "Action" cards were also introduced to allow students to design their own cards and showcase their interpretation of Total Defence. In addition to the workshop, a revamped Total Defence Programme for uniformed groups was also unveiled.
The card game was tried with the uniformed groups earlier.
Hilmy said: "I've learnt a lot by playing this game, as the events that they reference have happened before. It makes the whole experience feel more real." The GOTC strategy card game was officially launched last year, although its release was limited to students in the uniformed groups.
It was co-developed by Nexus and Mr Wan Junyan, 43. It aims to help young people recognise that the impact of terrorism is not confined to just physical acts. In doing so, it will also help them realise the importance of Total Defence, which is being celebrated today.
Mr Wan, a former civil servant, left his job to pursue passion projects. These include game design and writing.
He said: "I wanted to get students interested in the topic of defence. I feel that Singaporeans are too complacent with regard to our current security situation, so I wanted to give them a glimpse of possible threats we had to be concerned about.
"But most importantly, I wanted them to learn about what we can actually do as a nation."
In order to facilitate that line of thinking, 38,000 sets of GOTC were distributed to Sec 2 students islandwide. New blank "Action" cards were also introduced to allow students to design their own cards and showcase their interpretation of Total Defence. In addition to the workshop, a revamped Total Defence Programme for uniformed groups was also unveiled.
GOTC ON The Straits Times, 15 Feb 2018
A video from lianhe zaobao
featuring my journey
An interview in English, with Mandarin subtitles and narration
Published online: 14 Feb 2018
Published online: 14 Feb 2018
GOTC ON MINDEF's INSTAGRAM, 14 FEB 2018
YET ANOTHER VERY POSITIVE REVIEW ABOUT THE IMPREGNABLE FORTRESS, THIS TIME FROM THE AUSTRALIAN TABLETOP GAMING NETWORK!
"The Battle of Singapore: Declared as the “worst disaster” in British military history by Winston Churchill. The Impregnable Fortress (a game based on the aforementioned battle, created by Falling Piano Games): Declared as the “most pleasantly surprising” game of 2017 by Me."
ANOTHER GAME REVIEW ABOUT THE IMPREGNABLE FORTRESS
Here's another game review from Hiew Chok Sien, a respected Malaysian board game blogger:
https://hiewandboardgames.blogspot.sg/2017/11/the-impregnable-fortress.html
FIRST GAME REVIEW ABOUT THE IMPREGNABLE FORTRESS
Had a chance to meet up with the Lion City Geeks in October 2017, for a playthrough of
The Impregnable Fortress,
here are their thoughts on the game:
"I think it is very safe to say that game should be included on the shelves of every boardgame collector or even in home or office, if you want to have a break and quick game with friends." - Dex
"I think this is one of those games that make very good party gifts for like Christmas Exchanges or birthdays. This could also be easily be pulled out and played as a guest entertainer for casual events as well. I think this is a game that would easily find itself being played over and over again once you get the mechanics of it." -Larhvin DeShadow
"History teachers would surely love a game like this. The QR codes on the cards that expand on that card’s title would surely be a big draw as a more interesting way to teach students about the period. People who like games with lore would also enjoy it for the same reason. Other than that, anyone looking for a simple but fun game."
- Bryan Khoo, game reviewer
Had a chance to meet up with the Lion City Geeks in October 2017, for a playthrough of
The Impregnable Fortress,
here are their thoughts on the game:
"I think it is very safe to say that game should be included on the shelves of every boardgame collector or even in home or office, if you want to have a break and quick game with friends." - Dex
"I think this is one of those games that make very good party gifts for like Christmas Exchanges or birthdays. This could also be easily be pulled out and played as a guest entertainer for casual events as well. I think this is a game that would easily find itself being played over and over again once you get the mechanics of it." -Larhvin DeShadow
"History teachers would surely love a game like this. The QR codes on the cards that expand on that card’s title would surely be a big draw as a more interesting way to teach students about the period. People who like games with lore would also enjoy it for the same reason. Other than that, anyone looking for a simple but fun game."
- Bryan Khoo, game reviewer
Minister for Education, Ng Chee Meng,
posting about Guardians of the City on his Facebook.
posting about Guardians of the City on his Facebook.
Article on Lianhe Zaobao about "Guardians of the City"
新游戏卡宣导全面防卫知识
2017年2月13日 星期一
03:08 PM
文/李锦松来自/联合早报
国家全面防卫的知识涵盖面深广，为了让年轻一代能通过较轻松并具有互动性方式了解相关信息，国防部中央国民教育司推出策略游戏卡供本地部分学生在玩乐同时，增进对国家防卫的知识。
名为“狮城护卫者”（Guardians of the City）的游戏卡环绕我国防卫与安全机构、国民职责以及恐怖威胁为游戏主题。
玩家必须在游戏中平衡全面防卫的五大支柱，包括军事、民房以及心理防卫等，同时避免让恐怖威胁削弱国家，并捉住机会将恐怖份子消灭。
中央国民教育司司长陈文杰上校说，创造游戏卡灵感来自一次与学生的互动。
“那名学生希望更深层了解国家的全面防卫，并提议我们将各方面元素综合成游戏，以更深动且好玩的方式，带出种种相关信息和知识。我们已让约600名学生试玩游戏卡，接到的反应很正面。”
陈文杰上校说，会在年中前，让本地学校所有的学生制服团体各自拥有游戏卡，并希望他们能带头玩，同时推荐给校内同学，家人及朋友。
www.zaobao.com.sg/realtime/singapore/story20170213-724237
2017年2月13日 星期一
03:08 PM
文/李锦松来自/联合早报
国家全面防卫的知识涵盖面深广，为了让年轻一代能通过较轻松并具有互动性方式了解相关信息，国防部中央国民教育司推出策略游戏卡供本地部分学生在玩乐同时，增进对国家防卫的知识。
名为“狮城护卫者”（Guardians of the City）的游戏卡环绕我国防卫与安全机构、国民职责以及恐怖威胁为游戏主题。
玩家必须在游戏中平衡全面防卫的五大支柱，包括军事、民房以及心理防卫等，同时避免让恐怖威胁削弱国家，并捉住机会将恐怖份子消灭。
中央国民教育司司长陈文杰上校说，创造游戏卡灵感来自一次与学生的互动。
“那名学生希望更深层了解国家的全面防卫，并提议我们将各方面元素综合成游戏，以更深动且好玩的方式，带出种种相关信息和知识。我们已让约600名学生试玩游戏卡，接到的反应很正面。”
陈文杰上校说，会在年中前，让本地学校所有的学生制服团体各自拥有游戏卡，并希望他们能带头玩，同时推荐给校内同学，家人及朋友。
www.zaobao.com.sg/realtime/singapore/story20170213-724237
A short interview on Nexus' Total Defence Facebook Page.
Defence Minister Dr Ng Eng Hen sharing Guardians of the City on his Facebook.
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The Straits Times featuring Guardians of the City being beta-tested by NCC students
Cyberpioneer covering a GOTC play-test session among NCC students.
The Straits Times featuring the development of the game.
Development of the Total Defence game being featured as part of SGFuture.
A shoutout from Dr Maliki Osman regarding a co-creation workshop with Dunman High students to develop the Total Defence game.
