Video board game

Video board games are board games that use a television or visible screen to display video footage while you play the game. Early versions of such games were released with VHS tapes of accompanying footage, whereas more recent releases utilize CDs and DVDs.

General Gameplay

"Please note that whilst several video board games conform to this layout, there will be differences for each individual game"

Video board games are played like a traditional board game, but are played in conjunction with video footage. The players attempt to beat the board game with the help/hinderance of the host before the time limit runs out, as all players will automatically lose when this happens.

Video & Host

The purpose of the video is to introduce the game, establish the setting, enforce the time limit and distribute punishments and benefits amongst players via the host. The game's host will appear on-screen to begin the game and initiate the countdown. Then, at random points during the game, the character will interrupt play to force the players to carry out various actions, such as rewarding/revoking game items or sending players to Stop Squares. The host will usually be a villanous character linked to the theme or license of the game; for example, the host of the is Darth Vader.

Main Items

These are the items players must collect to advance in the game. These items could grant players powers, such as punishing those players who landed on their starting positions or blocking punishments that prevented the player moving. Players would be able to advance to a previously-inaccesible final area from which they could win the game.

Cards

Along the way players can collect game-altering cards. These cards may be to impose punishments on other players, help gain the items the player needs to advance. Some of these cards may only be played when the game clock reaches a certain time, such as the following card from Atmosfear:

"At 53:30. Wait for your turn to come around and receive 2 FREE turns. Return to back of pack if time has expired."

Other cards would allow players to inflict punishments on each other, including punishments triggered by landing on a player's starting position.

'Stop' Squares

Most games would include squares players could be banished to as a punishment, which required another player or the game's host to release them from. These squares will be themed towards the game and named accordingly, such as black holes in Atmosfear or stasis fields in .

List of games

* Nightmare/Atmosfear
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