Comment (23)
October 22, 2008

Yana van der Meulen Rodgers, Associate Professor, Women's and Gender Studies
Department at Rutgers University, an expert on economic literacy in young children
reviewed BUX. Below is her review.

Review of the Bux Project (Newscool, Inc.).

The Bux Project, a sophisticated yet easy-to-learn game of taking risks and earning
rewards, accomplishes a number of goals. At its most basic level, the game is a winner
for bringing people of varying ages together to relax, interact, and have some fun.
Viewed through a more scholarly lens, the game can also generate some useful
observations on how people make decisions that involve reciprocity and money.

Academics in a number of the social sciences, economics included, have turned to
experiments and games to test their theories. In practice, behavior in experiments and
games often deviates from the predictions of theories. For example, games can be used
to examine how generosity affects people’s propensity to do well for themselves in
bargaining situations. Because the Bux game involves a type of bargaining (players take
turns bidding on cards they want until the highest bid is made), it provides an excellent
opportunity to see how people incorporate generosity into their decisions.

Manners and a concern for fairness, rather than generosity, can also explain observed
patterns of behavior. Because manners and concepts of fairness are learned over time as
children grow, the Bux Project, when played by children of varying ages, can help to shed
light on when these character traits begin to emerge.

Not everyone likes to bargain and take risks. Bargaining may constitute more of an
everyday experience for some people, while others view bargaining as a negative
experience. In the purchase of a new car, the first bargaining example that comes to
mind for many people, the interaction between salesperson and customer seems
adversarial in nature. Dislike and distrust of the bargaining process could affect the
outcomes of situations that involve this type of dynamic between people. Similarly,
risk aversion also varies widely across individuals. The Bux Project, with its focus on
taking risks and being punished or rewarded for those risks, offers an excellent vehicle
for seeing how risk taking may vary by gender, culture, and age.

In sum, the Bux game, at face value, provides an opportunity to have some good fun
with family and friends. Look a little closer, and the social observer will undoubtedly
gain a wealth of information about how people incorporate generosity, manners,
fairness, distaste of bargaining, and aversion to risk into their decisions about money.


Yana V. Rodgers, Rutgers University Project on Economics and Children

Comment (22)
September 8, 2008

I just played BUX last night with my family, and we had a blast! I played with my
mother, two brothers, and my girlfriend. Everyone had their own completely different
strategy! My 16 year old brother won. (He usually wins.) We played into all hours of
the night trying to score the most BUX! We were able to understand the rules
immediately, and started playing right away. I really enjoyed the simplicity of the
game, with familiar icons, but recognized that there are many strategies, making it
a very dynamic game! I will have to practice more before I play with him
[his brother] again :)

I always try to give constructive criticism, but had a hard time coming up with some
for this game. If anything, maybe having more gold coins, and less red would be good
because we ended up running out of the smaller coins, and putting the coins away
was a little awkward, but I digress, these are very minor problems!

I would recommend this to both a middle school classroom, and a wall street
investor! Very simple, very dynamic, very FUN!

Sam Paret
Sales/Engineer
Whaleback Systems

Comment (21)
July 8, 2008

We love BUX. We play it at home, and you can play it anytime you want in our
chocolate shop. That's a good game.

Larry Burdick
Burdick Chocolate

Comment (20)
June 4, 2008

Residents of Langdon Place, Keene, N. H. engaged in a game of BUX with students from the Walpole School in a cross-generation
Play Day at Langdon Place. Both groups enjoyed the visit and look forward to other similar activities.

It's painfully obvious how in the course of our typical days we seem to segregate ourselves into age groupings. What a rare and positive experience it was for our students to spend a few hours visiting and playing with people they rarely spend time with. Through the playing of games common ground was found and there were moments when age became an irrelevant factor. We were just a group of people getting to know and having a little fun with each other. It was also fascinating to see our students getting their eyes opened to an aspect of life they never consider in their assumed immortality. The later years of a human life. As for BUX itself, I look forward to making our experimental outing a more routine experience. Perhaps we can convince some of the elders at Langdon Place to come to our school and teach us a little of what they have
learned about life.

Glenn A. Stan M.Ed., School Counselor Walpole School

Comment (19)
May 20, 2008

35 Little's Point Road
Swampscott, MA 01907
781-309-5237
May 23, 2008

Marian Court College Students Beta-test Game-based Learning Concept

Swampscott, MA -- As Marian Court College students prepare to complete another academic year, their thoughts are turning towards fun and games. But that is not exactly what their Economics professor, Joan Thompson, had in mind
when she invited game inventor Charles Phillips into her macroeconomics class. Phillips, who has designed games for numerous companies including Parker Brothers and Hasbro, was on campus to beta-test his latest board game called Bux, designed to inspire students to discover their economic selves through play and to become excited about making economic decisions for themselves.

"Donít think about economics," Philips directed as the class of students formed into several clusters of four. "Think about winning!" In ten minutes, the students mastered the basic concepts and rules of the game and were immersed in "Buxonomics," the concept of bringing the economics of the world to the level of personal economics.

"I havenít seen the students this excited since our last trip to Montreal," Thompson observed.

"It's essential that young people learn how to build value in their personal selves," explained Phillips. "It's not enough to understand how our economy works, but also how we as individuals fit into the economy."

Through playing the game, students learn that to get ahead, they have to take some risks to increase their net worth.
"You donít want to face a future without money," warned Phillips. "Each of us needs to pursue our own dream and that starts right here at Marian Court College with experiences like this."

Phillips, who founded Newscool, the producer of Bux, is working on a book, The BUX Book, which he hopes will connect the play of the game to players' lives.

--end--

Contact: Nicole Goguen, Director of Publicity, Marian Court College at 781-309-5237

Marian Court College in Swampscott, Massachusetts, is a two-year co-educational, private college offering the Associate in Science degree and certificate programs. Founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1964, Marian Court College equips students for lifelong learning and instills the core values of integrity, compassion, justice and service. Marian Court College is situated on a six-acre oceanside campus, formerly the "Summer White House" of President Calvin Coolidge

Comment (18)
May 20, 2008

As former VP of Inventor Relations at Milton Bradley/Hasbro Games, I have viewed, played, and evaluated thousands of new game concepts and submissions. During my years with the Company, I also worked with educators on new teaching aids marketed by the former Milton Bradley Education Division.

I can remember many outstanding games over the years, such as Scattergories, Taboo. and Guesstures, which have become commercial successes. On the other hand, I can recall some outstanding games which for one reason or another did not meet all the requirements of a mass-market producer and failed to make it to retail stores.

After retiring from my position with the Company, I saw BUX. I was familiar with the co-inventor since during my years with the Company, several of his games made it to the market. He was one of our recognized sources for new game opportunities.

At first glance, BUX appeared to have an unconventional play mechanism and abstract graphics. The name BUX seemed intriguing for an adult audience yet the childish tagline, "the matchin' cash in' card game" implied a children's game. The rules were a bit involved and the game required strategic thinking such issues that might be acceptable in educational play but not in mass market products. The co-inventor suggested through the design a game appeal for a very broad market and there was no single
action focal point for TV promotion so essential to a large-scale commercial success.

Through persistence by the co-inventor to play BUX more, I gained a different view from my initial
impressions noted above. Upon more detailed review, it became clear that BUX is a unique game that escapes the typical mass-market essentials. BUX proved to have an intensely engaging presence and a strong interactive component. It was almost chess-like in strategy, yet poker-like in its feel. Successful play requires keen management of acquired resources and wealth elements; important qualities learned in its game play that have real life carryover.

There are many unusual things about BUX. The packaging graphics look casino-like. This is apparently the creators' effort to convey the money risking play of the game. But what isn't conveyed in that packaging is the realistically honest economic play of the game that may be best described as a "wolf in sheep's' clothing." When into game plays, I often found myself practicing sound economic principles in an emotional struggle for existence to remain a contending participant.

Turns out the rules weren't so involved after all. Once you get the idea of making 3-card matching sets and that you can either trade, sell, or draw on a turn, you are on your way. The play is intuitive and makes sense, which is why I can believe that even a gifted six year old has played though not "won". The rules give wide limits to improvise strategies and apply personal economic ideas.

The co-inventor was correct in hoping for a broad appeal. I can see players of all ages enjoying BUX, be it played together with peers, in an educational environment or in a home setting mixing adults with children in what the game industry calls "family game play". There are educational benefits because of the strategic thinking required to win. It can only be hoped that there are long term educational gains as young players develop thinking skills to impart in their personal way of using their sets and wealth to win. BUX seems to be a game where features emerge one at a time; and keep coming. When you think you've seen them all, another pops up in game two, six or ten. That is truly the important way in which repeat play is designed into a game and gets players to have fun and learn something different in each game played.

My initial reaction to the game was correct. It may not be the type of game that can immediately take a place next to the mass-market classics on retail shelves. However, it does have interesting qualities that elevates its potential to become a classic staple when fully understood and experienced often through repeat play whether it be in an educational, group or family setting.

Ronald O. Weingartner

Comment (17)
April 17, 2008

...The students are challenged to step beyond their comfort zones and take risks, if they are on the shy side. This small exercise in a controlled game provides the students the opportunity to experience something they can begin to apply in everyday life. Some students are bold and impetuous, which can lead to difficulties. BUX play provides these students with the consequences of carelessness in a safe, fun environment. They too, can bring this more measured thinking into life. It is really delightful to watch the personal validation the calm, cool thinkers feel when they play. BUX offers learning well beyond the game...

Wendy O'Dette-Jordan, M.Ed.

Comment (16)
April 17, 2008

Recommendation for Using BUX- The Game, in the School setting as a Developmental, Problem-Solving, Career-Awareness and Social Skills Activity.
Glenn Stan, M.Ed., School Counselor Walpole School

Mr. Charles Phillips first started working with The Walpole School in the spring of 2005, when he was sought out as a local job shadow mentor for a couple of our eight graders. Our students were interested in knowing more about his profession- game invention and design. Over the past few years, Mr. Phillips, a resident of Walpole, has been living and working locally, marketing his game, “BUX.” As part of his marketing research, Mr. Phillips has been volunteering hours of his time teaching the game to people around southwest New Hampshire, including Walpole students, and we have been fortunate to serve as a laboratory for BUX research.

Since the days of that first job shadow, Mr. Phillips has come to the school and taught BUX to the entire fifth and eighth grades, the after school game club and most recently, our alternative middle school program. Once they have learned to play BUX, our students have gotten together with students from other schools to play. Our alternative program students will soon travel to a local independent-living facility to play an intergenerational match. BUX is a game that is easy to learn but challenging to master. Mr. Phillips likes to bring different groups of people together, with the common denominator being a basic working knowledge of his game. It’s like a common language and everybody- ages seven and on- has fun learning and developing their BUX skills together.

Most important to me as an educator and school counselor are the development guidance possibilities of BUX. Having watched children seven through fourteen play BUX for the past three years, I have learned that the skills involved in being successful at BUX are some of the same ones needed for success in life. For example, students learn that the best BUX game- like the best business environment- strikes a balance between cooperation and competition. Respect for the rules holds the game together, and it is often possible to create win-win situations that make the game better for all. The best and most exciting games I’ve observed or participated in are those where all players are doing well. In order to strike that balance, businesslike negotiations, trade-offs and bidding cycles are continually taking place.

Players must take investment risks to succeed in BUX. It is necessary to problem- solve using a range of data (on the table and in the faces of the players) to determine when and how to risk. There is a price for every resource wanted or gained in the game. Players have to continually decide what price is worth paying and how much of a chance they should take in the acquisition of needed resources. As in life, players impose themselves on each other and there are gains and losses along the way. They must contemplate how to best invest in the future, taking advantage of opportunities while considering elements beyond their control. Players have to consider how to respond when things work in their favor, or against their best interests. These are the important new ways of thinking for elementary and middle age students which define the “developmental,” and realistic cognitive and social learning dimensions of the game.

It is interesting to see how some students seem to naturally excel at BUX. It isn’t what has typically been regarded as “intelligence” (logical reasoning) which explains the best players. This has proven the game to be another tool with which to access student’s personality types, natural career orientations, and learning styles. Some are naturally more adept at the entrepreneurial, some more logical, others more intuitive, social, verbal, visual, kinesthetic, extroverted or introverted. It all emerges in the playing of the game. I have often sat and watched in wonder, with a group of students playing and Mr. Phillips skillfully coaching (often using the Socratic method) the players to learn to play their smartest game. Everyone is at the edge of their seats- literally as the games build to their inevitable finales’.

But, this is a phenomenon that has to be seen, and BUX is a game that has to be played, if one is to learn first hand the intricacies of expression and skill involved. BUX shouldn’t be played once any more than a lesson in fractions should be taught once. It makes more sense with every round and thus, it is important that players play the game repeatedly, as a unit of lessons, in order to practice the skills involved, and eventually understand the underlying concepts. Mr. Phillips has spelled out the goals and objectives of those lessons and can provide a wonderful teaching demonstration for faculty interested in implementing a fun, hands-on activity into their programs. But bear in mind, to undertake BUX as part of your educational program needs to be a genuine, ongoing commitment. Don’t be fooled by the word “game" and go into it lightly. Whether a person is a sharp, entrepreneural type, or someone with a much different style, all will learn how to enhance their personal effectiveness in conducting business in our fast-moving society. And players will have fun! Please feel free to contact me with questions.

Glenn A. Stan M.Ed., School Counselor Walpole School

Comment (15)
1-24-2008

Ralph Baer, father of video games, contemplates his next BUX move.

Comment (14)
10-10-07

I believe, from my perspective as a clinical psychologist, that table games are important: the feel of the pieces, the cards, and the direct person to person engagement. Then, add the goal of replicating the exciting things we attempt to master in life– that's a game that can captivate ones imagination. BUX brings people together in an atmosphere of fun and competition built around our everyday notions of risk, money, and personal interaction. Players invest in cards, creating colorful, matching sets. And, with the right strategy a player attempts to show competence by handling money-- and the interaction with other players. But watch out. Your strategy could turn against you. How would you feel then? The excitement of this game is like a rollercoaster ride through a spectrum of feelings. To win, though, you have to be good at quickly seeing matching patterns, and act rapidly to take advantage of opportunities that quickly come and go. It's my kind of fun.

Arthur A. Gray, Ph.D.

Comment (13)
6-27-2006

It has all the best features of my favorite games.

Cami (33)

Comment (12)
6-27-2006

A challenge, fun, strategy game. The cards and chips remind me of poker cards and chips. Like the card auctions and selling sets for chips. Best match'n cash in game I've ever played. ...will keep playing.

Cole (12)

Comment (11)
6-27-2006

Follows the rule, "There's no free lunch." [You've got to track] many variables, cards and time

Anthony (17)


Comment (10)
6-27-2006

Easy to learn strategies developed by the players can be quite interesting. Each player has his/her own strategy which makes the game fun and exciting. There are many possibilities in this game, many paths that either lead to victory or defeat.

Thomas (19)


Comment (9)
6-22-2006

BUX may be slightly intimidating due to its complexity, but with very little practice, the basic strategy is revealed and things start to get interesting. BUX is a fun game for the simple reason that it necessitates heavy involvement. When you play games in this category you are bound to get enthralled by it. BUX doesn't have the monotony of a multi-hour game, but it has the breadth that many shorter games lack. To strategize this position requires aggression and moderation- auctioning, investing for the future - BUX is a thinkers game, and very enjoyable for me."

David (18)

Comment (8)
5-26-2006

Your name came up in a 7th grade class... seems you've been playing at your place with some of the kids. They want you to come play with them... very much... but time is flying by fast.

Glenn
(Counselor at local middle school)


Comment (7)
01-04-06

There are lots of different things I could say about my experience with BUX (and that is one of the reasons I enjoy the game so much), but I will share two of them in this letter.

As in life, just when you have things figured out and you think that you have analyzed events so that you are confident you can make good choices, something unexpected happens: something different that is not covered in your plans.
BUX is like this. The strategy is seemingly simple. But when groups of people each "have their strategies figured out", the competitive dynamic creates unusual and unique situations.

Although I haven't played BUX a large number of times (maybe 20), I have found that these surprising types of results happen often enough to convince me that the game has tremendous depth and the potential to constantly entertain and surprise its players.

I'll give two examples of such unique games.

Example #1. I thought I had the perfect hand! I had 3 full sets part way into the final deck with 1 BUX card showing, enough to easily have the most cash, if I could only wait to cash out [at] double value [Dubble-BUX] after the second BUX card. I couldn't trade because I had no extra cards. If I took 3 off the deck, with 5 people playing, I had to risk the third BUX card being drawn before my next chance got back to me. All of the other players were aware [of the situation] an kept trading and cashing in. Eventually, I had to cash 1 set at 500 BUX chips. I couldn't risk taking 3 cards from the small draw deck and I had nothing to trade.

Now I had 500 more BUX chips and only 2000 (potentially) from my two remaining sets when my turn came. I again had to cash in a set for another 500. I was too afraid that by drawing 3 cards, the third BUX card would appear before my next turn. This is where the delicate timing of the "end game" became an excruciating guess.

On my next turn I had to draw 3 cards. I would never have had enough money to win] if I cashed in at 500 again. Luckily the price [of the drawn cards] was high because two players needed them [and started a bidding war]. The winning bidder greatly improved his hand, taking the lead. But my timing was right. It was the player just before me who drew the second BUX card allowing me to cash in [at double value]. The third BUX card came next [after I had played] and made me a winner.

Example # 2 There were 5 players in the second round capable of winning. 1 BUX card was drawn and there were 5 cards left in the [second] draw deck. I'm rich in cash but behind everybody else in property accumulation and there is nothing in the cashed out deck. [This means that no player had cashed out because players were waiting for the second BUX card in the third deck.] I urn over 3 cards. They are bought by others who are now filthy rich in property. I still have the most money, but I have no chance to spend it on anything because all the property is owned.

Suddenly the next player says, "The game is over and Nick has won!" Everyone is puzzled. He turns over the last 2 cards, the second and third BUX cards! The second deck is finished. But how many cards are there in the third deck? ...Only 3! The 3 BUX cards. The third deck is over too. I win.

Lesson: As large numbers of players amass large numbers of protected cards, the timing of the cash-ins gets excruciatingly delicate and often impossible because the final deck may have few cards- conceivably 3 BUX cards. But even if it [the draw deck] has 6 cards (or 9 cards), how delicate is that in a five person game? Depending on how many people go before you, do you wait 'til the second BUX card or do you cash in now? Your decision is not based on numerical logic, it must be based on your readings of the personalities and tendencies of your opponents. The dynamics are every bit as complicated as any real life negotiations where egos are involved.

By all means these strategies (often born of desperation) are the secret excitement of this game.

Nick Zachary
Math Assessment Consultant
The Vermont Institute


Comment (6) — Producer's comment
12-11-05

Went to a Christmas Party tonite.
The scene: Well proportioned, light oak, post and beam constructed addition to an elegant New England home. Views. Great food and audio-visuals. Bud Lite. NASCAR. Hunting stories. Gossip. Games of Twister. Laughs. Life.

Then went to another friend. Lamp on. Studying Ancient Greek on a Sunday night alone at his dinner table.

Common thread: They both own, play, and are good at BUX.
(They being the party givers and the scholar.)

Self-serving, but true

cp


Comment (5) — BUX Haikus
12-10-05

Had it figured out
till I tried my hand at BUX
now, still lots to learn.

Dennis

Pleasant Street Rowdies
could play any game, but BUX
better than the rest

Eric G

BUX comes and it goes
Then I lost to a small child
Now it won't return

Tedd
guys from bensonwood homes

Comment (4)
12-07-05

I played BUX today with my lunch-time game group, who loved it. My brother plays with us, too--he came in a terrifyingly close second to me. It was interesting to watch my opponents start very conservatively until they realized that I was collecting sets to turn in, then overcompensate in aggressiveness until they ran short of cash, then be forced into conservatism again. I asked for specific feedback on mechanisms, playability, and the like. The only suggestion was that the 5-chip seemed to be too small a value in relation to the other chips. If that's the only criticism, that means it's a solidly designed game system, I think!

Les
Regional Field Support Manager
Kansas

Comment (3)
12-07-05

To whom it may concern; I just want to comment on BUX, the card game from NewsCool, Inc. This is a really interesting & unusual game. I've never played one like it before. I'm a chess player who doesn't remember the rules to the typical card games like poker and 21, unless someone refreshes my memory; because I hardly ever play them. BUX is exciting, very stimulating & a lot of fun. I find the combination of chance/ luck, strategy, intellect, & mental mathematic calculation irresistible. When playing, I feel intense emotions like greed, anticipation, disappointment, joy, etc. I know that I've both sharpened my mental skills, and enjoyed great entertainment by playing BUX. The chips might as well be real money, considering how I feel when using them; especially when the stakes are high, or when I'm playing a tie-breaker game! I could (& often do) play BUX for hours. You've come up with a super cool game. Well done! Thank you very much.

Respectfully,
Sandi Baker; New Haven CT.

Comment (2)
11-30-05

Hey Charles,

This is just a quick note describing my latest game of BUX. I played with my friends Lydia, Christianna, and Nate. As we played the bux card came up at the bottom of the stack each time, allowing us 2 cash in all of the cards each hand. It was pure luck that the bux card was shuffled 2 the bottom of the stack each time. We all watched while the shuffling was done 2 be sure that there was no cheating.

Our scores r the following Nate:12,400, Lydia:11,740, Christianna: 9,155 and I had 8,875.

Joe

Comment (1)
9-20-05

I am writing to let you know the scores that three of my friends and I were able to make in a recent game. These are our scores; me $10,475, Nate $8,990, Christianna $7,385, and Susanna $7,380. Here is a brief review of the game: The first hand was normal, in the second hand we cashed in every last card in the deck. In the last hand the Bux card was once again at the bottom of the deck so that we again cashed in all the cards before ending the game. Thank you for creating this fun and challenging game.

Story # 1. Bux-Monopoly connection?

Phil Orbanes, president of Winning Moves Game Company, and considered by many to be the world's foremost authority on Monopoly, authored "The Monopoly Companion", an 'official' account of "the history, rules, and winning strategies behind the world's most popular board game." In his book, he presents the legend and the 'true account' of how Monopoly was created and presented to Parker Brothers.

According to Orbanes' book, real estate board games began to appear in the late 1800's. One of the best of these games, which she called "The Landlord's Game", was invented by a woman named Elizabeth Magie who got a patent for the game in 1904. By a chain of events, Charles Darrow, an out of work engineer, modified the game slightly and presented it to Parker Brothers as his own invention. George Parker first rejected the game saying that it was too complicated and educational. Eventually after seeing it's sales, they reconsidered Monopoly and the rest is history.

Fast forward to today and the irony of our 'little tale'. One of Bux's inventors is named Charles Phillips, also an engineer. Now, Elizabeth Magie married Andrew Phillips in 1924, so her name became Elizabeth Magie-Phillips. So taking Charles Darrow's first name, and Elizabeth Magie's married last name, you get Charles Phillips. Magie designed the game, not to sell for popularity, but to bring attention to a "Single Tax", taxing people only on the real estate they owned. Charles Phillips lives in New Hampshire, a state that does just that. And Bux was originally designed to bring attention to the importance and skill of handling money in a world of rapid, unpredictable changes.

But that's not all. Charles Phillips, a professional game inventor, licensed many games to Parker Brothers. One such game was Advance to Boardwalk, the first Monopoly spin-off. (Now there are hundreds.) On one of his many visits to Parker Brothers, Phillips met Sam Kjellman, who worked at Parker developing ideas into games. Now, Sam, Bux's co-inventor, also lives in New Hampshire.

Continuing our little tale of ironies, Phillips and Kjellman both having an interest in cars, worked for the Ford Motor Company in the mid sixties, within a thousand feet of each other, unknown to each other and not knowing that one day they would collaborate on the invention of a game.

Phillips and Kjellman presented a version of their game to a major games manufacturer. You guessed it: "Nice, but too complicated and too educational." Seeing the same spontaneous reaction from hundreds who have since played it, from ages 6 to 92, they decided to make and sell the game. It is available in a few stores and on the Internet at BUXthegame.com.

What's next in this developing tale of ironies?