Roll and write games, also known as “dice-and-paper games,” have a rich history that dates back to ancient civilizations. In these games, players roll dice and use the results to fill in spaces on a sheet of paper or game board. It’s a simple yet effective concept that has stood the test of time and continues to be a popular pastime today.
earliest roll & writes
One of the earliest examples of a roll and write game is Senet, which was played in ancient Egypt around 3100 BCE. Players would roll sticks or bones and use the results to determine their movement on a game board.
Fast forward a few thousand years, and we have Yahtzee, which was developed in the 19th century and remains a popular choice to this day. In Yahtzee, players roll dice and try to fill in specific combinations on a scorecard to earn points.
While Senet and Yahtzee are certainly classic examples of roll and write games, there are plenty of more modern examples to choose from as well.
modern releases
For instance, alhambra and yokahama are all popular board gamed that now have roll and write games that have been around for a while.
These are great examples that in recent years, the popularity of roll and write games has exploded, with numerous new games being released or re reReleased as roll and writes annually.
Some modern examples of roll and write games include Dizzle, and Railroad Ink.
Dizzle
In Dizzle players roll dice and use the results to draw lines on a grid, trying to connect as many of their own colored dots as possible.
Railroad Ink
Railroad Ink, on the other hand, tasks players with rolling dice and using the results to draw paths on their own individual game boards, trying to connect as many exits as possible to score points.
As you can see, roll and write games come in all shapes and sizes, and there is surely a game out there to suit everyone’s tastes.
They offer a fun and engaging way to pass the time and can be enjoyed by players of all ages. So next time you’re looking for a new game to try out, consider giving a roll and write game a roll (pun intended)!