Forget about Friends and The Office; in our opinion, Parks and Recreation reigns supreme. We adored the whimsical Leslie Knope and her heartfelt compliments, and we cherished every word that came from Ron Swanson. The show excelled in delivering humor, even amidst its brutally honest moments. Regardless of how outrageous or absurd it became, the authenticity and depth of the characters were truly captivating.
What’s The Cones of Dunshire About?
At its core, it revolves around the cones. As Ben puts it, “Four cones wins, but in order to get a cone you have to build a civilization… which is where the Spirit Cards come in.” The writers of Parks and Rec were clearly inspired by the beloved game Settlers of Catan while crafting this episode. If you’re curious whether the cones serve as metaphors, Ben’s answer is: “Well, yes and no.”
How Did It All Start?
On November 21, 2013, “The Cones of Dunshire” episode premiered. The concept emerged when Ben Wyatt found himself unemployed and poured his passion into designing an elaborate fantasy board game. The first person he excitedly shared it with was his wife, Leslie, and he even left it as a parting gift for his accounting firm. The rest is history.
Dave King, a co-producer of Parks and Rec and the episode’s writer, shared the inspiration behind the game in an interview with Vulture: “We knew that Ben would have a week off between jobs. The last time he was unemployed, he created claymation, so we considered doing a sequel. But once we hit on the idea of him designing a Catan-like board game, Mike Schur, our creator, was immediately on board.”
Who Can Join the Fun?
This game was designed for a larger group—ideally eight to twelve players, which is even more than what you need for Catan.
Playable Characters Include:
- Ledgerman (essentially the scorekeeper, but with a stylish hat)
- Two wizards
- One maverick
- One corporal
- One arbiter
- Two warriors
Other Character Options: Farmers, Shamans, Alchemists, Deniers, Abbots, and so many more… You can manage with just one warrior, but why limit the fun?
How to Play The Cones of Dunshire?
The rules are incredibly intricate. Ben’s mind is a maze, and that becomes obvious when he details The Cones of Dunshire. Even the super-nerds at Gryzzl struggled to grasp all the rules, which is why Ben could challenge them, win, and secure free Wi-Fi for Pawnee.
Is Cones of Dunshire a Real Game?
Unfortunately, for fans, The Cones of Dunshire isn’t available for purchase. Following the episode’s success and the show’s popularity, rumors circulated about a potential commercial game. In fact, there was a Kickstarter initiative aimed at bringing it to life. The makers of Settlers of Catan, who initially collaborated on Cones, showed interest in a physical version too. In 2015, they created a giant playable version for GenCon and auctioned spots in the game for charity. Many anticipated a mass-produced version, but that has yet to materialize.
Can You Still Play?
With the convoluted rules, it seems almost impossible. However, fans of New Girl faced similar challenges with the True American drinking game, yet they devised their own versions by piecing together rules from episodes. There’s no reason you can’t do the same with Cones of Dunshire. With creativity, attention to detail, and determination, you could create your own version of the game. After all, Ben’s original design simply involved spray-painted styrofoam cones. If you succeed, please share your photos!
Quotes from Ben Wyatt
Let’s hear from the genius behind the game—Ben Wyatt. He’s a serious and organized worker, yet he shares the whimsical spirit of Parks and Rec’s characters. Here are some of his funniest quotes:
- “No one’s ever asked me how my kids are or who’s taking care of them. By the way, who’s taking care of them?”
- “I love how independent my wife is, and for that reason, I will not let her speak! That came out wrong.”
- “I don’t even have time to tell you how wrong you are. Actually, it’s gonna bug me if I don’t.”
- “Nerd culture is mainstream now! So, when you use the word ‘nerd’ derogatorily, that means that you’re the one that’s out of the zeitgeist!”
- “No, of course, yeah. I’ll just put on my Star Wars pajamas and sit in my mom’s basement and pore over some spreadsheets. It sounds great.”
- “I’m sorry. I have to ask this, but how many legs did that dog have when you found him?”
- Ben Wyatt: “Can you be civil?”
- Leslie Knope: “I am civil. He’s the stupid garbage head doo-doo face.”
- Ben Wyatt: “That’s perfect.”
This article was originally published on November 23, 2020.
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Summary:
The Cones of Dunshire is a whimsical board game created by Ben Wyatt from Parks and Recreation, inspired by his unemployment and love for complex gaming. Although it’s not available for purchase, fans can recreate their own versions using creativity and the intricate rules established in the show. The game highlights the quirky charm of the series while celebrating the spirit of friendship and fun.
Keyphrase: Cones of Dunshire game
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