Board games have been around for thousands of years. Some of the oldest games are some of the most popular, including chess and checkers. Backgammon dates back at least to the first century C.E. when the Roman Emperor Claudius played it. Chess probably had its origin in Persia or India, over 4,000 years ago. Checkers was played as early as 1400 B.C.E. in Egypt. In the United States, board games have become deeply embedded in popular culture, and their myriad forms and examples in this country serve as a reflection of American tastes and attitudes. Major producers such as Parker Brothers and Milton Bradley have made fortunes by developing hundreds of games promising entertainment for players of all ages.

Success at many games is for the most part a matter of luck; the spin of the wheel determines the winner in The Game of Life...