
The Elephant in the Room
- Game type: Card game
- Number of players: 2
- Age of players: 16+
- Duration: 30-90 minutes
- Suitable for: university class, workshop for adults, training for companies, youth exchange, game convention, playing at home, culture festival
- Game complexity: ⚫⚫⚪⚪⚪
- Preparation effort: ⬛⬛⬛⬜⬜⬜
- Green Competences you’ll develop by playing:
Problem framing, Critical thinking, Exploratory thinking - Accessibility: This game is designed so people with colour blindness can also play it
- Tags: #debate, #roleplay, #perspectives, #criticalthinking, #communication, #ethicaldilemmas
Unlike traditional debate formats focused on winning, this game encourages players to let go of being right and instead focus on understanding. Inspired by the concept of philia sophia—the love of wisdom—the game rewards nuance, empathy, and creativity. Win conditions are revealed only after each round, shifting the goal from persuasion to thoughtful engagement.
The game is designed for teens, youth groups, classrooms, and workshops, with flexible options for 2–6 players or up to 30 participants in group mode. No prior debate experience is needed—just a willingness to explore new ideas, challenge assumptions, and have fun while doing it.
Download and print the files below, prepare according to the instructions and you should be ready to play! Make sure to read the game manual carefully in advance, so you can focus on enjoying the game when it’s time to play.
Game design and content by Jennifer Kumer
Special thanks to Anja Lotte Kastelic, Antonios Triantafyllakis, Bruno Setola, Jana Ramanova
The Elephant in the Room by Jennifer Kumer is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0