Resource Navigators are a support unit of U-M’s Well-Being Collective. Each month, we bring you a five-minute Smile on Your Face (#SoYF) break that integrates with one of the eight areas on the Michigan Model of Well-Being--you see this on your Canvas page, on the left-side tool bar.
This month’s break coordinates Fall Break with social well-being--feeling a sense of belonging and cultivating connections--with our favorite Game Breaks. Also, currently (date of posting) there are free decks of cards available by the Info Desk at the League, along with a QR code to game rules. Check it out!
Abby [In Person]
If there is one thing I have always loved to do, especially with friends and family, it is playing board games. Growing up, instead of using the built-in alcohol pantry for its intended purpose, my family always stacked as many board games as we possibly could fit in it. Going into college, I adopted a similar habit, with a dedicated storage ottoman overflowing with games. That being said, there are many different games that I have always loved. With my family growing up, we always played Dutch Blitz: a fast-paced, simultaneous play game where players race to clear their pile of number cards first. My siblings and I enjoyed the chaos of the game, but my mom never did. So, we would typically follow Dutch Blitz with Ticket to Ride for her: a train travel game where players collect tickets to successfully complete their cross-country routes.
Now that I am in college, however, it is sometimes difficult to get a lot of people in on a long, strategic game night. Instead, my friends and I typically play social deduction games or simple, chaotic games that are fun, but don’t require a lot of brain power. Recently, when I host a game night, our friend-group favorites include Flip 7: a press-your-luck card game, where players try to cash in the most amount of points without busting, and Magical Athlete: a chaotic racing game, where each racer holds a special chaotic power to help them get first place. I am not the best at Flip 7, as I typically tend to push my luck more than my friends and end up losing all my points. In Magical Athlete, however, I tend to use my racers’ powers to my advantage and have won the past few times that I have played.
Ultimately, no matter which game you play, I think board games bring people together to bond over something that can take us away from the hustle and bustle of life and get us connected over something fun and playful. Let me know if you have any favorites that I can try out!
Alex [Video]
Choosing my favorite game is really hard because I grew up with so many. My first console was a PlayStation 2, and I still remember playing God of War, God of War II, GTA: San Andreas, and Vice City. Red Dead Redemption 2 on the PlayStation 4 is also one of the best games I have ever played. But if I have to pick my absolute favorites, it comes down to two series: Resident Evil and The Last of Us.
For Resident Evil, my top spot is a tie between Resident Evil 7, the remake of Resident Evil 2, the original Resident Evil 4, and Code: Veronica. I also love the Resident Evil 1 remake. After that, I would put Resident Evil 8 and 9, followed by 5, 6, and 0. Even the games I rank lower are ones I enjoy because I love the series as a whole.
I am also getting into Silent Hill now. I am playing the Silent Hill 2 remake and loving it so far. Once I finish it, it might climb pretty high on my list
The Last of Us is just as important to me. Between Part I and Part II, I prefer the first because it was the first one I played, and I connected deeply with Joel and Ellie’s story. Watching them go from strangers to family is what makes it a masterpiece for me.
I also love Part 2, and I am definitely not one of its haters; its story made me feel so many things. Where Part 1 shows people building a bond, Part 2 shows what grief and revenge can do to that bond. Ellie's journey made me think about how pursuing revenge can cost you the people you love and even your sense of self. For me, the most powerful idea in part 2 is that forgiveness, however difficult, can be the only way to break a cycle of violence.
Anya [In Person & Video]
Growing up I played a lot of board and card games with my family.
The games that first came to mind for me when thinking about my favorites in these two categories are Monopoly and Euchre. My strategy in Monopoly is to buy anything when the opportunity arises. I will say that I have what I think to be an incredibly high success rate. However, Monopoly takes a while to play and was one of the less popular games chosen for family game night. When it was picked, it was a real treat, and still is.
Thinking about card games, I learned how to play euchre when I was younger. My grandparents taught me and we played a lot more when we were with them than when it was just my immediate family. I enjoy euchre because it is equally a strategy game as it is a luck game. You can have a great hand and lose or horrible hand but still win, all depending on the situation. Another fascinating thing about euchre is all the different rule variations that are played. This summer, I was introduced to the concept of swapping three 9s or three 10s from your hand with the 3 extra cards left from dealing. I had never played this way before but ended up using it at least two times, with mild success on procuring better cards.
After coming to college, I got into computer gaming (specifically Stardew Valley). My favorite tasks in the game are foraging, mining (really just taking out the monsters), raising animals (including slimes), and sewing. I recently started understanding how to be successful at finishing which allowed me to achieve “Master of the Five Ways” and start accessing the extra mastery perks such as trinkets. I currently have a fairy trinket equipped which adds some extra whimsy to playing. Overall, games are such a great way to step away from the business of the world and have yourself a wellbeing break!
Cesar [Video]
Video games have been an important part of my life since childhood. Growing up, I spent countless hours playing games, with the Mega Man X series being one of my longtime favorites. More recently, however, my interests have shifted toward Elden Ring, which is now my favorite video game of all time, primarily of the beautifully written story by George R. R. Martin, stunning graphics and the brutal difficulty. Today, games like Marvel Rivals, Geometry Dash, and Souls-like games continue to be a meaningful part of my life.
One aspect of gaming I especially enjoy is competitive gameplay. I love the challenge of improving my skills, learning new strategies, and pushing myself to perform better. Competitive games have taught me the importance of adaptability, teamwork, and learning from mistakes.
Games like these have taught me to think critically, remain patient when things become difficult, and appreciate the progress that comes through consistent effort. They also provide an opportunity to relax, recharge, and enjoy a hobby that has been part of my life for years.
Daniel [In-Person]
Growing up, Monopoly dominated nights with my family. There was something satisfying about the long process of buying properties, making trades, and slowly building an empire while hoping nobody else landed on the spaces I needed. It could take forever to finish, but that was part of the fun. A game that started casually could quickly turn into serious negotiations over who would give up their last railroad.
These days, though, Catan has taken Monopoly’s place in my heart. I still get the competition and bargaining that I enjoyed growing up, but I like how much you have to adapt along the way. You can have a plan for where to build, only to watch someone else claim that spot or spend several turns waiting for the right resources. Trading is probably my favorite part. Trying to convince someone that they really need your sheep makes even the turns between your own entertaining.
I also love card games, especially ERS and BS. ERS brings a completely different energy because everyone is watching the pile, ready to slap at any moment. BS is fun because you have to decide how convincing you can be and whether someone else is bluffing. Sometimes the most confident person at the table is also the least trustworthy.
Looking at my favorites, I think what I enjoy most is the interaction. Whether I’m negotiating a trade, calling someone’s bluff, or racing to slap a pile of cards, the people playing make the game memorable. I’m always open to recommendations, especially if they involve a little friendly competition!
Justin [Outdoor]
When I think about my favorite game, soccer is the first thing that comes to mind. I have always enjoyed watching soccer, especially the excitement of seeing how a team works together over an entire match. At first, I was mostly interested in the goals, famous players, and big games. However, after I started playing soccer myself, I began to appreciate the sport in a very different way.
Playing soccer taught me a lot about resilience and teamwork. There are always moments when a game does not go the way you expect. You may make a mistake, lose possession, or fall behind, but you still have to stay focused and continue playing for the team. I also learned that individual skill is important, but it can only take a team so far. Communication, positioning, trust, and understanding your teammates are often just as important.
As I became more interested in soccer, I also started paying more attention to tactics and the larger system behind the game. I enjoy learning why teams use certain formations, how managers create different styles of play, and how players fit into specific tactical roles. This is also one reason I enjoy playing Football Manager. The game lets me experiment with tactics while also managing transfers, finances, scouting, and youth development. Building a successful club is not only about buying the best players. You also need to create a sustainable system.
Through soccer, I have even learned more about European society and local communities. Many clubs are closely connected to their cities, neighborhoods, and histories. Because of this, soccer has become much more than a game for me. It is also a way to understand teamwork, strategy, culture, and community.
Logan [In Person & Video]
Marvel Rivals is probably my favorite video game right now. I really enjoy the fast-paced team-based gameplay and the fact that I get to play as characters from the Marvel universe. There is something satisfying about learning how different heroes work, figuring out which characters work well together, and improving as I play. I especially enjoy characters like Cloak & Dagger and Captain America.
I also enjoy KonKan, a card game that is a lot more strategic than it might seem at first. I like having to think ahead, make decisions based on the cards I have, and adapt when the game does not go according to plan. It is also a fun game to play with other people because every game can turn out differently.
Finally, poker is another game I enjoy because of the strategy involved. I like trying to read the situation, calculate what my options are, and decide when it makes sense to take a risk. Unlike some games that depend mostly on quick reactions, poker requires patience and decision-making.
Overall, I like games that challenge me while still being fun and social.
London [In Person & Video]
Growing up, games were an integral part of my childhood. My father worked nights, and during the day he played games until he had to leave for work. Over the years, I've watched him play countless titles, and he even built a whole room dedicated to gaming. He also bought my sibling and me consoles and games: first the Wii, then the Nintendo 3DS, and eventually my own gaming PC. My favorite was the 3DS. I loved playing Style Savvy, Bratz, The Sims 3, and Disney Magical World. As a child, I had a hard time understanding homework and school material, and I spent long hours in tutoring sessions. The 3DS served as a great brain break, a way for me to rest and recharge.
These days, I still play games to rest and recharge. Some of my current favorites are The Sims 4, Animal Crossing, the Resident Evil series, and Silent Hill. Now that I’m away from home, though, it’s harder to play the way I can when I’m at home. I no longer have access to my father's gaming room, and I can’t set up for a long session whenever I please. Instead, my roommates and I often play card games together. We currently love playing Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza, a fast, silly game where everyone slaps the pile at the right moment and whoever is too slow has to pick up some cards. It’s a different kind of game, but it still gives me a chance to slow down, laugh, and take a break.