Every week the EFG staff will be defining a gaming term that is either confusing or ill-defined. Please leave a comment with any terms you are confused by and we will try to include them in future editions!
Social Deduction is a mechanic found in both video games and board games. In a Social Deduction game, players have a hidden roll and/or objective and typically a person who betrays the other players. The other players try to deduce the roll of their opponents based in the choices and actions they take. In many Social Deduction games player roles are secretly assigned. Depending on their role, player may have a different win condition or objective.
These games often call for players to lie, be deceitful, and try and undermine the other players, which can be challenging for some, and especially for younger players.
Social Deduction games, especially with hidden traitors, often have themes suited for older kids and adults. The target audience typically included teens and up across both board and video games.
Board Game Example
Human Era, players are randomly and secretly assigned the role of crew members in the last time machine. Players need to save space and time from the chaos created by human time travel. However, there is a problem, some crew members are machines or cyborgs (half humans-half machines) who have their own agenda.
Other Board Game Examples
- Shadows Over Camelot
- Hand to Hand Wombat
- Betrayal at House on the Hill
Video Game Example
Among Us is a popular online app and Steam game. Players are on a spaceship and there is at least one imposer, who is an alien. Players have to figure out the impostors, before the impostors kill too many humans. The humans try to decide who is a alien and throw them out of the ship.
Thinking critically about the games our kids play and the way that our kids play them provides great insight. It is also a great way to connect with them. You’ll understand the games they enjoy better. You might even enjoy them a little better too!
What do you think? Sound off in the comments and let us know your thoughts!
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- Board Games for kids
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Guest Writer 
Michael Duetzmann 
Stephen Duetzmann