Cultivate the Possible
New SUM is a game of collaboration and collective wisdom. It reimagines the zero-sum mindset—a situation where one person or group wins only by causing another to lose—by encouraging shared triumphs and mutual growth.
This version of New SUM builds on insights gained from deconstructing a popular board game about colonization starting in 2023 with the EcoGeoGlyphic Observatory (EGG), an artists collective. The rules continue to be shaped by the patterns of play demonstrated by fellow artists and community members who showed up to make bold new moves in their shared home over the past year. The game board features a satellite image of the land many call home, designed with the natural geometry of a Gloriosa Daisy seed head, a symbol of interconnectedness and renewal.
New SUM trusts in the integral wisdom of the group. At its heart, the game is a space where the passion projects of individuals gathered around the table are heard and nurtured into collaborations. Energy between players is amplified and uplifted, even as overlooked or underrepresented projects are introduced to the mix. Together, players leap over pervasive boundaries—though not without the careful scrutiny and intention required to build meaningful, lasting solutions.
A dynamic game mechanic shapes each session, as the facilitator introduces current world limitations and challenges in structured rounds. These scenarios invite players to problem-solve, strengthen their positions, and refine their projects while developing strategies to engage the broader community.
This game is for anyone who deeply cares about our collective home and the life forms within it. It’s for those who believe in addressing climate change, fostering social justice, and building resilient communities. New SUM is a call to action—a chance to imagine and create together what our shared future can become..
Winning Strategies:
Wise resource use
Cultivating a generational long-view
Sharing wondrous possibilities of our abundant natural Earth, especially when worked with in partnership.
Autonomy—demonstrated & respected
Accountability—to self & community
