Courtesy of Barnes and Nobel

Fans of author Kurt Vonnegut are celebrating his original board game finally being brought to life, after it was lost to the world following his unsuccessful marketing attempt in 1955.

And the game turned out to be deep and strategic, while still being easy to learn and fun to play.

Kurt Vonnegut’s son Mark was eight years old during its development, and he fondly recalls his father working on the game and helping to test it.

“He was discouraged about his writing at the time,” recalls Mark Vonnegut. “But he had unshakeable faith the game would succeed.”

Vonnegut, a World War II veteran, published his first novel in 1952, which was critically well received, but not a financial success. So, while he worked on his next novel (The Sirens of Titan), he needed to supplement his income. One of those efforts was an original board game called GHQ (General Headquarters).

He designed it throughout 1956 and attempted to sell it to game companies, but was ultimately unsuccessful—and his design notes were filed away.

Until now.

Kurt Vonnegut’s notes for GHQ game –Barnes & Noble

“I first learned about GHQ in 2013, and as a Vonnegut fan was driven to learn more,” said the game designer and historian, Geoff Engelstein. “It took several years working with the Vonnegut family and Indiana University, but ultimately, we were able to locate his original notes on the game, and sample pieces.”

Engelstein then turned to Barnes & Noble and found an ideal partner to help bring GHQ to life for Vonnegut fans, of which there are millions.

“When Geoff approached me about the Kurt Vonnegut board game, I knew we had to be a part of the story,” says Barnes & Noble Sr. Merchandise Manager of Toys & Games Sabrina Falcone, who helped bring the project to fruition.

Barnes & Noble, which opened dozens of new stores across the US in the last year, is currently the exclusive retailer for GHQ, selling it for $34.95.

Aron Clark from California is a tabletop game enthusiast who highly recommended the game. “When first hearing about this title it was an instant buy, if only for the historical nature of early game design. That said, GHQ delivers much more that just an interesting curiosity, rather there is a deep and engaging game here that is also very, very fun.”

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Barnes & Noble

During the fast and strategic two-person battle game played on an 8×8 inch checkerboard, players can command infantry, armored vehicles, artillery, and the powerful airborne regiment, maneuvering to capture the opposing headquarters.

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Recommended for ages 14 and up, GHQ, which usually takes 20-40 minutes to complete, features wooden pieces and a 24-page commentary booklet showing Kurt Vonnegut’s design notes to give insight into his creative process.

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