The Hackers’ Epoch: The Cybersecurity Card Game by Scruffy City Games helps students understand online threats and teaches them fundamental terms they’ll need to learn. After playing the game, when they read a news article that mentions a backdoor, a data breach or an exploit, they’ll be familiar with these terms. This tabletop card game about cybersecurity fits right into most high school curriculums and is a STEM.org authenticated educational product.
“Parents and teachers shouldn’t think that cybersecurity is over their heads,” said Scruffy City Games creative director D.C. Collins in a press release. “With our Hackers’ Epoch tabletop card game, learning and teaching the concepts of cybersecurity to children or adults is easy as playing a card game.”
Since Hackers’ Epoch is a tabletop card game, it has many learning advantages over computer games. The tactile experience of touching cards adds to their learning experience compared to just looking at a screen. It also stimulates face-to-face conversations.
Collins, a U.S. Navy Reserve information professional officer, believes everyone should have a better grasp cybersecurity principles. He’s offering a free download of the entire game with a user manual for anyone to print and play. No prior knowledge of cybersecurity or computers is required to enjoy the game.
Even though it’s designed for players over the age of 12, it’s appropriate for younger kids, as well. The images on the cards are designed to be kid-friendly and teach the lessons in a universal manner. The game also helps adults looking for a career in the field and can contribute to preparing them for a job interview.
There are 18 system cards representing six different cybersecurity domains, each having a different color. The player’s goal is to collect and protect these system cards, while attempting to compromise or steal them from other players. This is a fundamental system that will be familiar to those who have played other card games such as Magic: The Gathering, Pokémon or Yu-Gi-Oh!
The card names follow right in line with standard cyber terminology such as a Zero Day attacks, which is a real cyberattack that is further explained in the user manual. You also have firewall cards that protect you from certain types of attacks. The game will appeal to anyone interested in learning more about cybersecurity.
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