History of The Game Of Life

The Game of Life, also known simply as LIFE, is a board game originally created in 1860 by Milton Bradley, as The Checkered Game of Life (and later produced by the Milton Bradley Company of Springfield, Massachusetts). The Game of Life was America's first popular parlor game. The game simulates a person's travels through his or her life, from college to retirement, with jobs, marriage, and possible children along the way. Two to six players can participate in one game. Variations of the game accommodate eight to ten players.
The modern version was originally published 100 years later, in 1960. It was created by toy and game designer Reuben Klamer and was "heartily endorsed" by Art Linkletter. It is now part of the permanent collection of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. It later spawned a book, The Game of Life: How to Succeed in Real Life No Matter Where You Land (Running Press), by Lou Harry.
The game was originally created in 1860 by Milton Bradley as The Checkered Game of Life. This was the first game created by Bradley, a successful lithographer, whose major product until that time was a portrait of Abraham Lincoln with a clean-shaven face, which did not do well once the subject grew his famous beard. The game sold 45,000 copies by the end of its first year. Like many games from the 19th century, such as The Mansion of Happiness by S.B. Ives in 1843, it had a strong moral message.
Bradley's game did not include dice, instead using a teetotum, a six-sided top (dice were considered too similar to gambling).
The game board was essentially a modified checkerboard. The object was to land on the "good" spaces and collect 100 points. A player could gain 50 points by reaching "Happy Old Age" in the upper-right corner, opposite "Infancy" where one began.
In 1960, the 100th anniversary of The Checkered Game of Life, the first modern version of The Game of Life, a collaboration between Reuben Klamer and Bill Markham, was introduced. The game was re-published many times over the years, including 1961, 1966, 1978, 1985, 1992, 2000, and 2005.
Original video title: The Game of Life board game history - 1860s to now

[@agreedydragon]

Unfortunately the game of life today has as much strategy as Candy Land. No stock, no insurance, home buying is luck. Very little amount of risk involved and the bank notes for going negative will never under any circumstances get used. Not sure why the Pets version included it. And the Pets version added more opportunities adding more pegs to your car without expanding the car, so the majority of games involves either borrowing another car or just not putting them in, defeating the purpose. Another missed opportunity from the newer versions is the assembly. The older versions would have you set up the hills and spinner, a fun part of game set up now removed. Like most Hasbro games I would easily pass. For anyone wanting good board games prior to the Hasbro take over, go down to your local thrift shop or book store and you'll find amazing games for good prices. Just make sure all the pieces are there.

[@GarfieldFan2004]

My favorite is the 2000s. To be honest I was born in 2004 and never heard about the game until the one time I got it.

[@mt1912]

Well I have the newest version but I never new the game but then I bought it then I knew the game

[@GarfieldFan2004]

@@mt1912 same here, maybe?

[@mt1912]

@@GarfieldFan2004 ok

[@robinchesterfield42]

Nice! I'm oddly fascinated by the board game "Life", ever since I found out that pretty much every time they release a new version, they don't just change the appearance, dollar amounts, etc. but also the GAMEPLAY. And the way I found this out...was when I wanted to buy a new copy to replace my old '80s one that fell apart--and got new rules, job-switching and good deed cards! Also, awesome touch using the Win 98 version's music for the background. :D
(My god, I still have that thing, even though it probably won't play on my new computer. But I remember! You travelled through time as you went along the road, starting in the 1950s, with the music changing to reflect each decade as you went along! Such a neat feature. I wish later electronic versions of the game would bring that back.)

[@honestone490]

Reuben Klamer the toy inventor of "The Game of Life" died on 9/14/21 He also created the phaser rifle used in the" Star Trek" TV series. It's amazing that a man who created one of the most popular games in US history ended up being it's biggest winner of all. He lived to be 99 years old. Obviously he knew a lot more about winning in the real game of life than anybody ever gave him credit for.

[@oliverkiehne9940]

1970/80s is my favorite

[@pannoni1491]

Note that's a Canadian edition you used for the '70s/'80s versions, with things like "DECLARED DESTITUTE" instead of BANKRUPT!, no "REVENGE" on the Sue For Damages spaces, and other various rewordings on some of the spaces.

[@daxmoney5011]

1990s life was peak played that version as a kid.

[@gameshowguy2000]

I noticed the background music is taken from the CD-Rom, which plays to the current version of the board game... which takes out all the backwards spaces (in which penalties and rewards do NOT take effect).

[@Musicradio77Network]

I only have the original “Game of Life” from 1960’s and it was a later release from the mid to late 1960’s, the original 1960 edition had “100th Anniversary Game” on the left side since the game was first introduced in 1860 created by Milton Bradley, and the “black box” MB logo. Mine has the red/blue MB logo instead of the “black box”.

[@Matt-pi9jo]

1960s all the way. Discovered it in 1995 when I was 5 at my grandparents. I have since purchased my own and my wife and I play it weekly. It feels truly like the only “adult” version of life. I may however check out the 50th anniv edition which I was unware of. Literally threw away (donated) the mid 2010s version after seeing no writing on board spaces lol. But seriously the 1960s one is where it’s at: large directions on the lid (so no crappy paper), gambling on other players spins, certificates, revenge, great looking money. I suspect it’s too sensitive in today’s world or perhaps worried about it for kids? But I mean I played it when I was 5 and I feel like I micromanage pretty well TBH 👍🏼

[@mt1912]

Which one you have?

[@Matt-pi9jo]

@@mt1912 1960

[@mt1912]

@@Matt-pi9jo ok

[@AllenDouangchak]

Just a slight correction: in the 1860s version, the player who gets to 100 points first wins 😊

[@CartoonPhreak]

Mine is the High School Edition.
There is going to be a forthcoming Loud House Edition of this popular board game.

[@bowlerboy12345678910]

This is a great video showing the changes that were made to this game and it’s amazing how they change the elements of the game I know that when I play the 2000’s version it has a lot of different elements that aren’t found in the modern version of the game like the career spaces such as the account gets the money when landing on taxes due or ski accident pay $$$ to the doctor but I also like the fact in the 50th anniversary of the game they gave you night school as a choice and not essential to get better career with better max salary and I also liked the fact that you got pay raises in that version of the game as well that aren’t found in today’s version and I miss those elements of the game and also I don’t mean to sound rude but the version that was showed for the 2000’s version is actually the 2002 edition and the 2000’s version is exactly like the 1999 version just with upgraded visuals and illustrations on the board and to the cards great video though and thanks again for the trip down memory lane also as mentioned in another comment great addition of adding the music from the Win98 game
Great video and keep up the good work

[@urvermin2682]

thank you so much for making this video, this is exactly what i needed

[@stephensardos6418]

3 versions I love: the '64 version, 90's and windows 98 version.

[@igitwams]

I always thought that the play money in this game looked much better than Monopoly money.

[@ddwalker3744]

Cool video man, very interesting

[@sylaven7806]

The 50th version, does the non-college career has no other power anymore? And the job symbols on the maps has also been cleared... so the non-college jobs have payment purely from pay roll and luck?

[@zacharyw213]

College has higher paying careers than career but with the cost of a loan. Jobs only serve to pay you on Payday so literally nothing special.
On top of that, a valid strategy I do is start career first. There's an option later on to choose College at a price I'll do that to avoid an early loan.

[@williamwood9355]

the best version in my opinion is the 90s version and the 40th anniversary edition

[@eggstopper5]

Which one is the best? Anyone can share their opinion. I have the 2010s version and some version from the 1970s that looks slightly different than all of these.

[@mercy.999]

Board games of 1860's:
"Nice.. Very Nice!"
...
...
...
Board games today:
*"DISGUSTING!"*

[@thelipstickdistrict7422]

Great video! Just found in my house the 2000s version, and I will play asap😂

[@mt1912]

Found in ur house or bought it

[@thelipstickdistrict7422]

Found in my house!

[@mt1912]

@@thelipstickdistrict7422 um ok but how did it come to ur house

[@violet_chaos5608]

@@mt1912 I think it was an old game they got they forgot about

[@trevonpernell0814]

0:34 🎵 L-I-F-E 🎵

[@CL-mw5ts]

The one from the 70s/ 80s with the bridges.

[@Ericairline]

2002 version is the best!

[@YouTubeisweird.]

How do you play the 2000s game edition one?

[@rfb-playz3382]

I am playing the latest vesion of 2020 pets addition

[@mt1912]

Same

[@mt1912]

*yes sir*

[@srushtitanna7891]

I have life game without spin wheel can you tell how to play it

[@iariazlee9414]

You can use dice.

[@toanarchive]

All are better but I no like the 50tbh anniversarie

[@toanarchive]

Too blurry