New Malaysian board game Bansan is inspired by local markets

Options, The Edge, 7 June 2023

It captures the culture therein and how produce goes from stalls to the table.

The wet market, or bansan in Northern Peninsular Malaysia Hokkien, invariably draws five friends to place a finger on its pulse wherever they go. “We all like to visit markets, not just in Penang but all over the world. Whenever we go to a place, we will head to the market to look at things and see how elements there reflect local culture,” says Chen Yoke Pin.

When Chen, Goh Choon Ean, Ooi Win Wen and Stephanie Kee, all based in Penang, and Charis Loke — who lived and worked there for some years — decided to inject culture and heritage into a board game, they did not have to look far: Its name and concept were right before them.

Bansan is the brainchild of media artist-cum-video producer Goh, who spread the initial sketches on her bed and worked out the mechanics and playing experience through the pandemic. The game will be launched officially on July 15 at Penang’s Chowrasta Market during the George Town Festival; July 16, Seberang Jaya Market; July 18, Air Itam Market on the main island.

Designed for one to five players, it is inspired by the multisensory experience one encounters at a bustling local market. Players are vendors who bao ka liao (take charge of everything): deal with fellow vendors, wholesalers, customers and municipal council officers; buy and sell ingredients; and cook and serve a variety of hawker stall dishes, drinks and desserts.

The gameplay follows the flow of produce that passes from wholesaler to vendor to customer. On top of this, vendors have to manage waste generated in the market from various activities. They can also take part in any of 40 Malaysian-flavoured events and prepare food to sell from 54 recipes, to increase their income and become the Bos Bansan.

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