Kazakhstan's history can now be studied through a board game called «Golden Horde.» This domestic development is based on real events from the second half of the 14th century, presented in the form of cards with clues, as well as game pieces and coins. Interestingly, the coins used in the game are reproductions of actual currency of that time. Players can choose to lead one of the dynasties of Zhoshy’s descendants or a tribe.
«This game covers the period of the Golden Horde from 1359 to 1381, a time of a great civil war, during which 25 khans died in 23 years. Tokhtamysh Khan eventually came to power and was able to revive the Golden Horde. The setting is fascinating. Through this game you will learn the history of the Golden Horde of that period, when there was a game of thrones with many khans replacing each other, as well as discover how the tribes of the Golden Horde participated in this struggle,» said Zhaksylyk Sabitov, historian and the head of the Scientific Institute for the Study of Ulus Zhoshy.
«Initially, I found everything online, but there is no complete map of that period. There are scattered pieces of the western part and the Siberian Khanate. Using these materials, I started piecing everything together, specifically covering periods of 20 to 30 years. I combined them and drew the main map from these fragments. Then I layered one part over another, gradually building up the complete map,» shared artist and graphic designer Albert Assylguzhin.
According to the creators, the new board game carries both an educational and entertaining purpose, making it appealing to different generations. It is also planned to introduce it in schools as part of the gamification of education. But before that the game will be finalized with a folding map and game pieces in the coming months. Along with the standard edition, there will also be a premium version. The game is expected to be presented to Kazakh citizens at the beginning of next year.
