Set Cubed
Set Cubed is a board game created by Set Enterprises in 2008. Set Cubed is based on the Mensa award-winning card game Set, and challenges a player’s ability to find "sets" by combining the dice in their hand with those already on the board. Set Cubed adds an element of strategy to the visual perception game of Set. It requires players to take turns and speed is eliminated.
Game mechanics
A set is 3 dice that are either all the same or all different in each of their three features when looked at individually. The dice have 3 features: symbols, color, and the number of symbols. To start, place all the dice into the cloth bag and shake it. Each player reaches into the bag and blindly grabs 5 dice. All players then roll their dice simultaneously, the first person to see a set in his or her own dice calls "set" and places the set on the logo in the middle of the board. The person to the left of that player then attempts to build as many sets as possible with up to three of their dice and the dice that are already on the board. That player’s score is based on all new sets made using their. With each turn the number of dice on the board grows and so do the potential set combinations. Each Bonus Square on the board boosts a player’s score the first time a die is played on it. Wild dice increase the players’ chances to make more sets.
Educational value
Just like Set, Set Cubed builds visual perception skills because it has a rule of logic (three dice that are all the same or all different in each individual attribute), that students must apply to a spatial array of patterns. They must use both the left and right brain encouraging high-level thinking skills. Furthermore, students must use visualization to identify sets and determine where to place them on the board, which improves the students’ spatial relationship skills.
As students look at the dice in their hand and those already on the board, they use deductive and inductive reasoning skills. To win the game, students must obtain the maximum number of points by identifying the optimum placement for each die.
Social skills develop naturally as students play in groups with turns and rules. Personal skills are enhanced and self-esteem grows when students build sets on the board. Students will develop the above important math skills while they play Set Cubed.
Awards
Set Cubed has won the following Best Game Awards:
- 2009 Parents’ Choice Gold Award
- 2009 Games Magazine ‘Traditional Games 100’ Award
- 2008 ASTRA’s Top-20 Toy Fair Picks
- 2008 ASTRA’s Best Toys for Kids
- 2008 Bernie’s Major Fun Award
- 2008 Creative Child’s Seal of Excellence Award
- 2008 The National Parenting Center Seal of Approval
- 2008 Dr. Toy’s 100 Best Children’s Products
- 2008 Dr. Toy’s 10 Best Games
- 2008 NAPPA Gold Award