“New Games” was a movement which began in the late 1960s. New Games encompasses a number of diverse philosophies that once challenged many old traditions about games. Some of these philosophies include:

  • Play and physicality were as important to adults as they were to children
  • Competition and cooperation should co-exist; but while competition can be important, winning and losing is not
  • No one should be left out, eliminated, or unable to play
  • Games are living culture, adapted and changed as required
  • Play should require no or little equipment
  • The rules should be dirt simple and fun

The guiding philosophy infusing all of these was: Play Hard. Play Fair. Nobody Hurt.

The New Games Foundation was founded to promote these philosophies after several New Games events were held in California in the early 1970s. It prospered for a while, producing two successful books: The New Games Book and More New Games.

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