1. Introduction to The Game of Life
The Game of Life is a classic board game designed for 2 to 4 players, ages 8 and up. Players embark on a journey from start to retirement, making life choices that lead to unexpected adventures, careers, families, and fortunes. The objective is to accumulate the most wealth by the end of the game.
This edition features updated gameplay elements, including the option to adopt pets, adding a new dimension to the traditional game experience.
Image: The Game of Life board game box, highlighting the 'Spin to Win' spinner and 'Add Pets to Your Life!' features.
2. Game Components
Before starting, ensure all components are present:
- 1 Gameboard with integrated spinner
- 90 Cards (55 Action cards, 20 Career cards, 11 House cards, 4 Invest cards)
- 4 Cars (player tokens)
- 36 Pegs (for family members and pets)
- Money Pack (various denominations)
- 1 Game Guide (this manual)
Image: An overhead view of the complete Game of Life board game, showing the colorful game board, the central spinner, stacks of money, various card decks, and player cars with pegs.
3. Setup Instructions
- Prepare the Gameboard: Unfold the gameboard and place it on a flat surface. Securely slide the spinner into the designated corner of the gameboard.
- Organize Cards: Separate the Action, Career, House, and Invest cards into four distinct decks. Shuffle each deck thoroughly and place them facedown in their respective spots next to the gameboard.
- Appoint a Banker: One player is chosen to be the Banker. The Banker manages all the game money and handles bank loans.
- Distribute Starting Items: Each player receives 1 car, 1 matching Invest card, and 1 peg (any color). Place your chosen peg into your car.
- Choose Your Path: Each player decides their starting path:
- College Path: Pay the bank $100,000 in tuition fees immediately. You are more likely to secure a better-paying job later in the game.
- Career Path: Take the top two Career cards, choose one, and place it face up in front of you. Return the other to the bottom of the deck. If both drawn cards require a diploma, draw an additional card until you have a non-diploma career option.
Image: A close-up of a blue player car with two green pet pegs, illustrating how pegs are placed in the car as players acquire family members or pets.
Image: A close-up of a blue player car containing pink and green people pegs, positioned on the game board near a 'Stop Get Married' space, demonstrating how family members are represented.
Video: An overview of The Game of Life board game, demonstrating the components, setup, and general gameplay flow. This video highlights the organized storage for cards and pegs, and the integrated spinner.
4. How to Play (Gameplay Overview)
The youngest player begins the game, and play proceeds to the left.
- Spin and Move: On your turn, spin the spinner and move your car the indicated number of spaces along your chosen path. If you land on a STOP! space, you must stop there, even if you have remaining moves.
- Land on Spaces: Follow the instructions on the space you land on. These can include Payday, Action, Add a Peg, House, Career, or Invest spaces.
- Collect Salary: Each time you pass a Payday space, collect your salary from the bank as indicated on your Career card. If you land directly on a Payday space, collect your bonus salary.
- End Turn: Your turn concludes after following the instructions on the space. Play then passes to the player on your left.
5. Game Spaces Explained
Stop! Spaces
When you land on a STOP! space, your car must stop, even if you have moves remaining. Each STOP! space represents a significant life event:
- Spin to Graduate: Finish your exams. Spin again: 1-2 means you failed (spin again); 3-9 means you graduated (draw 4 Career cards, choose one, return others).
- Grow Your Family?: Pay $50,000 to the bank and add a peg to your car. Spin again to continue.
- Midlife Spinout: Spin the spinner. Red indicates a crisis (move spaces down your path); Black indicates life is good (move spaces up your path).
- Get Married?: Pay $50,000 for wedding expenses and add a peg to your car. Spin again to continue.
- Retire Early?: Spin again. If 'Yes', head to early retirement. If 'No', continue on the main path.
Board Spaces
- Payday Spaces: Collect your salary. If you land directly on it, collect a bonus salary.
- Action Spaces: Draw an Action card and follow its instructions.
- Add a Peg Spaces: Add a peg to your car for a friend, pet, or baby (two for twins).
- House Spaces: You can buy, sell, or do nothing. To buy, draw two House cards, choose one, pay the bank, and return the other. To sell, spin the spinner (red/black determines value) and collect cash.
- Career Spaces: Draw two Career cards, choose one, and return the other. Diploma-required careers are only for college graduates.
- Invest Spaces: Pay $50,000 to the bank, choose an investment number, and place your Invest card. If you land here again, you can upgrade your investment or move it to a different number.
6. Bank Loans
If you need money to pay a debt or make a purchase, you can take out a bank loan. The Banker will provide you with $20,000 for each loan certificate. You must return the certificate and pay $50,000 in cash to the bank to pay off each loan. Unpaid loans at the end of the game will reduce your final cash count.
7. Winning the Game
The game concludes when all players have reached the Retirement space. Once retired, players park their cars and wait for others to finish. Retirement bonuses are awarded based on the order of retirement:
- 1st to retire: Collect $200,000
- 2nd to retire: Collect $100,000
- 3rd to retire: Collect $50,000
- 4th to retire: Collect $10,000
After all players have retired, follow these steps to determine the winner:
- Sell Houses: Spin the spinner to determine the sale price of each house you own, then collect the cash from the bank.
- Collect for Pegs: Collect $50,000 for each peg in your car (excluding your own player peg).
- Pay Loans: Pay $50,000 to the bank for each outstanding loan certificate.
- Count Cash: The player with the highest total cash wins! In case of a tie, the player who retired first is the winner.
8. Specifications
- Product Dimensions: 1.63 x 15.75 x 10.5 inches
- Item Weight: 2 pounds
- Item Model Number: E4304
- Manufacturer Recommended Age: 8 years and up
- Number of Players: 2 to 4
- Language: English
- Manufacturer: Hasbro
- Release Date: May 7, 2018
9. Safety Information
This product contains small parts and is not suitable for children under 3 years due to choking hazards. Adult supervision is recommended during play. Please ensure all game components are handled appropriately to prevent damage or injury.
10. Support
For further assistance, replacement parts, or to explore other Hasbro Gaming products, please visit the official Hasbro Gaming store or contact customer support.
