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BAVINA SOOKDEO
Are you a board game enthusiast or are you looking for the perfect gift that combines fun, education and a unique experience in Trinidad and Tobago? Look no further. Ah Victory! it’s the game you’ve been waiting for.
Developed by 43-year-old André James, this new board game is gaining popularity in TT despite only being on the market for three months.
Born and raised in Diego Martin, James, now a resident of Chaguanas is a registered architect who in his spare time likes to undertake various creative projects which he calls “designed experiments” as they usually involve trying to to do something he has not done before. . Twenty-three years ago, he left Trinidad to pursue an education and a career in architecture. He returned 10 years ago to continue his in-house practice where he focuses on small to medium commercial and residential projects with a passion for designing small and tiny spaces.
Inspired by the age-old Lotería game, but with a unique TT twist, Ah Win! is a game of chance that offers a new take on the classic bingo format. Instead of numbered balls, players use decks of 55 illustrated cards, each featuring a symbol taken from different aspects of Trinbago culture. Instead of a traditional bingo network, Ah Win! the game boards feature a 4×4 grid of vibrant images, adding a local flair to the game.
As for what inspired James to create Ah Win! a game that took him about three years to complete, he explained, “It was during the Covid19 pandemic and I was drawing on my iPad while my wife was watching Netflix. At the time, there was an episode of Jane the Virgin on Netflix, and two of the characters quarreled over the Lotería game.
“Up until that point, I had never heard of the game, so I looked it up. I was immediately intrigued by its history, hand-drawn aesthetic, and the randomness of symbols and characters it drew from Mexican culture.”
Noting that Loteria itself already has a deep and rich history going back over 200 years, James said: “It’s also a great way to present elements of the wider TT culture in a fun, friendly and little educational. The symbols used in Ah Win highlight various aspects of Trinbago culture from food such as food, roti and the bus stop, to flora and fauna such as the poui tree and the hummingbird, and random everyday items such as bread, rubber . slippers or maxi.”
On the other hand Ah Win! differs from the original game in that it introduces the Mr Wolf card which, once drawn, triggers “bacchanal time” where the singer, the in-game caller, can mix up calls and increase the tempo to keep other players on their toes as they listen calls and score their matches.
When asked how he chose the symbols for the game, James replied: “Random! I wanted to show elements from different aspects of our culture from the most popular things – bake and shark – to the less appreciated bachac. The real difficulty was in finding the riddles for each symbol.”
James hopes that players will experience a sense of pride and recognition as they see elements of their daily lives, traditions and stories reflected in the game.
“Whether it’s iconic foods, colorful festivals or beloved folklore, ‘Ah Win!’ is designed to evoke memories and spark conversations about our shared heritage.”
So how has the public responded to Ah Win! so far? James said, “The feedback has been good so far. Young children are excited to make the connections between words and images, while older players enjoy trying to figure out the riddles especially during a bacchanal time session. Although people had not played Ah Win! or Lotería, because most people have played games like bingo and even Play Whe, they found the game familiar and easy to understand. With the variety of symbols used in the game, someone always has a favorite, whether it’s their lucky number or favorite symbol.”
While Ah Win! is new to the market, James is already focusing on Ah Win! Music Edition which will feature various musicians from all genres and decades of Trinbago music. “I’m also toying with the idea of doing versions for other Caribbean countries and cultures, so who knows, you might see an Ah Win! Vincy or Bajan edition one day,” he said.
You can buy Ah Win! online at www.ahwinboardgame.com, with delivery and pickup options available. The game costs $450, but buyers will save $50 if they order online between now and September 24. For those who enjoy puzzles and Easter egg hunts, there are also tips for discount codes to get extra savings on your game purchase.
