FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the recommended group size for playing the Brain Architecture Game (Second Edition)?
It is recommended to have groups of 4-6 people per table, with each group having one set of the game materials. If tables are large, split them. Groups larger than 6 tend to take longer in game play, as it becomes more complicated to make decisions.
2. Who is the target audience for the Brain Architecture Game (Second Edition)?
The game is designed for a wide audience, including anyone who has a role in ensuring that society supports healthy brain development.The value lies in the discussions and reflections it prompts across diverse groups. It has been played by policymakers, community-based organization leaders, college students, health professionals, teachers, nurses, social workers, faith-based leaders, parents, and more.
Its content was crafted for and validated with adults. Please use your judgment if playing with adolescents.
3. What is different in the Second Edition?
The Second Edition features updated content, including new research and scientific insights, allowing you to dive deeper into the experiences that shape brain development. Plus, beautiful new art enhances your play with a fresh, visually appealing design.
4. Do I need to switch if I have the old version?
We're confident you'll love the new edition, now available for purchase as Do-It-Yourself (DIY). If you’ve previously purchased the Brain Architecture Game and want the latest edition, we’re offering the Brain Architecture Game: Second Edition - DIY at 50% off for a limited time only.
5. Is the Brain Architecture Game relevant for professionals who work with older children or adults, given its focus on early years?
While the game highlights early brain development, the principles of brain architecture and the impact of positive and negative experiences are relevant throughout life. Everyone can benefit by understanding how early experiences influence lifelong development and how ongoing positive relationships and environments can continue to promote well-being and resilience in adolescents. The game has helped K-12 educators, youth development workers, and others who work with adolescents and adults understand the impact of early stress and inform their strategies for support.
6. Where can participants find resources on how to provide or promote positive experiences and social support?
The game itself is a powerful tool for realizing the impact of both negative and positive experiences. The debriefing session is a critical opportunity for facilitators to provide relevant readings, videos, or local resources on positive parenting, supporting students, and helpful social support systems. To learn more about the science of early positive experiences, the Harvard Center on the Developing Child’s page on Serve and Return is a great place to start.
7. What advice is there for running the game with large groups?
For large groups, use the new Game Rule Book (if available) which has worked well with groups as large as 500 concurrent players. Among the pro-tips for larger groups: Do not pause the instructional video when prompted to do so after year 5, as you will end up waiting for some groups to reach that point. Instead, let the video play in its entirety before groups get started. Assign roles within each small group (rule book, cards, life journal, materials). Do not shuffle the entire deck of cards – and warn groups against this before they even touch the cards. Instead, keep each year’s cards separate; shuffle them separately, if desired. Be patient and be proactive as a facilitator early on: the first 15 minutes may be challenging as people learn, but engagement typically increases. For discussion, compare structures that collapsed, went high, and were in the middle to illustrate variance, and ask a few tables to report on their brain's life story.
8. Can we translate the game into a language other than English?
The first edition of the Brain Architecture Game was available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and French. We are working to release Brain Architecture Game: Second Edition in multiple languages as soon as possible, and are seeking funding to support translations. Please let us know if you can help!
More to Play authorizes select translations of its materials, including the Brain Architecture Game, on a case-by-case basis. Unauthorized translations are not permissible. Organizations interested in translating our materials must be able to cover all costs associated with translation, ensure quality control and design, and meet other requirements of a licensing agreement. Please contact us if you’d like to explore a partnership.
9. Can we adapt the game content, such as the Life Experience cards?
More to Play does not recommend, support, or endorse changes to the Life Experience cards. The content in the Brain Architecture Game (2nd Ed.) has been carefully crafted and reviewed by a multi-disciplinary team of scientific experts to ensure that the game accurately reflects scientific findings about the effects of experiences on child development. To keep the game's integrity and scientific foundation, please use the cards as provided.
10. How can we make the game more relevant or tailored to our participants?
You can make the context more local by facilitating discussions during play and during the debriefing session. Life Experience cards are intentionally phrased in broad terms to leave plenty of room for players to discuss and reflect on how experiences apply to different situations. Instead of changing card wording, we recommend that moderators prompt or help participants come up with examples of how the experiences on the cards might manifest in their local community. We encourage groups to "make it their own" in the debrief session by relating the existing cards to their specific experiences and environments.
11. Are there examples of groups that have successfully integrated local context without changing the cards?
Yes, many groups have infused local context successfully without changing the cards. For example, a group in Australia connected the idea of “bushfires” to the Life Experience card that mentioned a natural disaster. A First Nations group in Canada connected a family separation Life Experience card to the history of Indigenous children being forcibly placed in government-run boarding schools. These facilitation moments heightened local relevance while maintaining the game's validated content.
12. Is it permissible to adapt how we use the game, such as changing rules?
We do not recommend changes to the rules. The game has been carefully designed to translate scientific concepts effectively. Changing rules may lead to inaccurate ideas about how experiences affect child development. For example, without sufficient time for both game play and a debriefing discussion, players may leave the game feeling frustrated and confused rather than inspired and informed.
13. Can our organization charge for running training sessions that include the Brain Architecture Game (Second Edition)?
Thanks for sharing the Brain Architecture Game with others! Yes, you can charge a fee for facilitating play of the Brain Architecture Game or training others to do so. However, you cannot create a derivative game or charge a separate fee for materials you create based on the Brain Architecture Game's content.
Nor is it permissible to resell copies of the game. More to Play is the sole provider of the Brain Architecture Game (2nd edition) and does not endorse resale of the game. Selling unlicensed copies of DIY games is a violation of the original purchaser’s terms of use
14. Is there a wrap-up or debriefing guide for the game?
We’re working on it! Join our mailing list so you’re sure to hear about it when it’s released. Meantime, the Moderator's Guide has some debrief directions.
15. When will Ready-Made Kits be back in stock?
We’re not sure. US tariffs on imports have disrupted our supply chain. We’re working diligently to find US-based vendors and re-establish production. Join our mailing list so you’re among the first know when it’s available once again!
16. Is the Brain Architecture Game (Second Edition) available outside the US?
Not just yet, but we hope to offer the game to international audiences soon. Please bear with us! As a new, volunteer-staffed nonprofit organization, we’re not quite ready to manage tax payments and other requirements of international downloads. We might be able to work with a few select partners who play regularly or with large groups. If that sounds like you, contact us.
17. What forms of payment does More to Play accept for the Brain Architecture Game (Second Edition)?
At this time, players can use many digital forms of payment for the DIY License through Shopify. We cannot accept purchase orders or paper checks at this time, but are working on setting that up.
18. I need a quote or invoice to get purchase approval at my organization. Can you provide one?
We have a fillable PDF form for a single license of the DIY English version of the game that you can use to get approval. You can enter your organization information. All of our information is already on the form. Download form Here
19. My organization is tax exempt. How can I purchase without being charged?
Create an account on the store and email us your customer information and tax exemption certificate to support@moretoplay.org. We will review and edit your tax collection settings and notify you. This may take 2-3 business days.
20. Where can I find the Introductory Video for the Brain Architecture Game (Second Edition)?
You can find the Introduction video for the Brain Architecture Game Here. You can also find links for this in the Order Confirmation Email after buying the game. There are also links in the description on the Product Page. as well as the Brain Architecture Game page on the More to Play Website Here.
21. Where can I find the Rule Book for the Brain Architecture Game (Second Edition)?
You can find the Rule Book for the Brain Architecture Game (Second Edition) Here. You can also find links for this in the Order Confirmation Email after buying the game. There are also links in the description on the Product Page. as well as the Brain Architecture Game page on the More to Play Website Here.
22. Where can I find the Life Journal for the Brain Architecture Game (Second Edition)?
You can find the Life Journal for the Brain Architecture Game (Second Edition) Here. You can also find links for this in the Order Confirmation Email after buying the game. There are also links in the description on the Product Page. as well as the Brain Architecture Game page on the More to Play Website Here.
23. Where can I find the DIY Guide for the Brain Architecture Game (Second Edition)?
You can find the Rule Book for the Brain Architecture Game (Second Edition) Here. You can also find links for this in the Order Confirmation Email after buying the game. There are also links in the description on the Product Page. as well as the Brain Architecture Game page on the More to Play Website Here.
24. Where can I find the Moderators Guide for the Brain Architecture Game (Second Edition)?
You can find the Rule Book for the Brain Architecture Game (Second Edition) Here. You can also find links for this in the Order Confirmation Email after buying the game. There are also links in the description on the Product Page. as well as the Brain Architecture Game page on the More to Play Website Here.
25. Can I give the Life Experience Card PDFs to a professional printer since they say that I am the licensed owner?
You can give the files to a professional printer for reproduction and make as many copies as you wish. The license permits you to manage the printing and distribution of free copies of the game. It does not give you permission to give the files to other people to print and manage outside of your organization or sole-proprietorship.
26. Do you offer a Remote Teams Edition version of the Second Edition of the game?
Not at the moment, but that version will remain supported till January 31 2027, or until we create the Second Edition of Remote Teams (whichever comes sooner). You can email info@thebrainarchitecturegame.com to get access beyond 7 days to that version.