Everybody’s talking about gamification this and gamification that, but as far as we can tell, it’s all just different brands of chocolate-covered broccoli.
We want winning the game and learning about, say, Rome to be the same thing.
Our card game, CARD-tamen, is part of that effort. Most of what we do is on the web — students as operatives on secret missions to save civilization. . . learning Latin to read a crucial inscription. . . deciding based on their reading whether to vote for or against Socrates in ancient Athens. You can read all about our practomimetic (“game-based”) Latin curriculum under the ‘Operation LAPIS‘ link on the home page.
CARD-tamen is a little bit different, and we’re incredibly excited about it because it’s something students–heck, anybody–can hold. The idea is simple: players must learn about the people and places on the cards in order to participate in and win epic battles of wits and rhetoric about, for example, whether Cicero or Augustus contributed more to the growth of civilization. Players have two minutes to provide the most compelling argument as to why their chosen CARD wins a controversy selected by a d20 roll from a list provided with the game.
But it doesn’t just stop with the Classical world. We are continuously developing, with the aid of content specialists, decks for additional content areas. We’ve released Life Science, US History, and Healthcare decks in addition to the Rome and Greece decks. The best part about CARD-tamen is that all decks are playable together utilizing the universal controversies. This means that incredible and rich interdisciplinary debate is possible in any setting.
We hope that you’ll be as excited about the possibilities for play and learning in and out of the classroom as we are. Be sure to explore the different CARD-tamen decks that are available for purchase on our products page.
Rules and Controversies
Universal Rules, 3 or more players
- Deal seven (7) CARDs to each player. The player to the dealer’s left goes first.
- The first player chooses a controversy from the section of these rules labeled “CARD-tamen™ Controversies”, and a CARD from his or her hand, and announces the controversy chosen as he or she lays down the CARD.
- The player to his left may take up the challenge or pass.
- If the second player has passed, the third player MUST take up the challenge.
- A player takes up a challenge by playing a CARD and beginning a speech in favor of his or her own chosen CARD.
- The player who is not involved in the challenge serves as the iudex (judge). Both CARDs are awarded to the player chosen by the iudex as the winner.
- CARDs awarded are placed in front of the player to be counted at the end of the CARD-tamen™.
- The turn passes to the left, and play continues until one player is out of CARDs.
- The winner of CARD-tamen™ is the player with the most CARDs in front of him or her.
Universal Controversies, d20 Roll
- More significant to history
- Greater cultural impact
- Inspired more stories
- More remembered today
- More essential to survival
- Greater potential for future study
- More fascinating
- Greater continued influence on today’s world
- More valued by the average person
- Greater potential for controversy
- More misunderstood
- Less continued influence on today’s world
- More complex
- Less appreciated
- More aesthetically significant
- More loved
- More hated
- Greater unsung influence
- More threatening to humankind
- More potential for human enlightenment
CARD-tamen Decks - Print and Play
CARD-tamen plays well in any setting, in or out of the classroom. The best part about CARD-tamen is that all decks are playable together utilizing the universal controversies. This means that incredible and rich interdisciplinary debate is possible in any setting.
All decks are available for download in PDF format. For added durability, we suggest that you use card stock and consider laminating the cards as well. You will have to supply your own twenty-sided die or other random number generator.
“I give to Rome empire without end.” – Jupiter in Vergil’s Aeneid
Who changed history more, Cicero or Augustus? Who inspired more stories, Hercules or Jupiter? Ancient learning and ancient fun unite in CARD-tamen Rome!
“I say that as a city we are the school of Hellas.” – Pericles
Who is more sophisticated, Croesus or Cleisthenes? Who is more remembered today, Leonidas or Xerxes? Step back to the dawn of democracy with CARD-tamen Greece!
This set includes a set of cards drawn from CARD-tamen Greece, Rome, and the Heroes of Myth expansion especially suitable for younger learners of Classics.
18 full color cards depicting some of the greatest heroes and heroines of Classical Mythology as well as 18 full color cards split between two categories; works of Roman literature and the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Perfect add-on for any Classical themed core set.
“I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy.” – John Adams
Which was more important for developing the national identity, Valley Forge or the Constitution? Step back to the foundation of the United States with CARD-tamen Dawn of the Republic!
“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.” – Albert Einstein
Which has been more important to the survival of mankind, the invention of the microscope or the discovery of DNA? Who makes a better biological mascot, Charles Darwin or Gregor Mendel? Science, history, research, and current events come together in CARD-tamen Life Science!
“Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.” — John Dewey
Who shapes learning more: teachers or policies? Motivation or assessment? Psychology or pedagogy?
In CARD-tamen Education, players confront the great controversies of schooling—what matters most, who decides, and where resources truly belong.
“Wherever the art of medicine is loved, there is also a love of humanity.” – Hippocrates
Which is more significant to hospitals, nuclear cardiology or epinephrine? Which is more relevant across medical specialties, the nervous system or diabetes? Medicine, history, anatomy, and pharmacology come together in CARD-tamen Healthcare!
Credits and Original Supporters
Credits
Game Concept:
Kevin Ballestrini
Artwork:
Stephen Slota
CARD Design:
Christine Vasington
Rules:
Kevin Ballestrini • Stephen Slota • Roger Travis • Mark Pearsall • Emily Lewis
Special Thanks:
Michael Young – Education
Ben Lai – Education
Kickstarter Supporters
CARD-tamen was made possible because of the huge show of support during the initial Kickstarter Campaign. The following individuals made our dream become reality.
Junior Demiurge
Ryan Breen
Special Agents
David Carlton • JoAnn & Michael Slota • Kurt Staiger • Scott A. Cochran • Ted
Senior Operatives
Aesop • Bev & Charlie Harris • Chad Sansing • David Sahlin • GBAL • Fiona Crimmins • Joel • Nicole Blondin
Operatives
Amy S. White • Ann Martin • Anonymous • ATJ • Barak Michener • BFG • Brianne Christiansen • Caitlin Cox • Cheryl M. Cheatham • Chris Hall • Christine Cope • Corvus Elrod • Christina • Dicom • Dr. Kisha G. Tracy • Erik Hanson • Furtivespy • G. Hartman • Gerol Petruzella, Ph.D. • Henning Colsman-Freyberger • James • James Grasselli • James Schirmer • Jennifer Jarnagin • Jennifer Wilson-Parkes • Jeri • Jessica Hammer • Jill Menning • Jonathan Mills • Judy Haley • Karen Lapuk • Kathleen Kelliher • Kay Anderson • Keri • Kevin Holowaty • Kristina Killgrove • L Frangione • Larry Milliken • Magistra Feingold • Maria • Matt Schneider • Max Battcher • Olu • Patrick • Randy Ma • Ross Sward • Roy Zemlicka • S. Landis • Sean Duncan • Shannon Slota • Thaddeus Lisowski • Thomas Gray • Trevor Owens & Marjee Chmiel • Zachary Grant
Shadow Puppet
Katherine Lazarski
Cave-Dweller
Noble Valerian