the game key

The secret decoder page of all my serious monkey business.

I make games for adults, but it is the children that are my biggest fans. (Your inner child is included.)

In order to figure out how much information can fit on a Fiddlesticks, you will need to know what some of the symbology means. Some are intuitive, others you could deduce, others are a deeper reflection into a warped mind, and sometimes you just need a crutch.

You guessed it! If you went on a scavenger hunt to collected recyclables for me, to play a claw grab arcade game, to win a prize with a hint worth chasing, to lead you on a treasure hunt of connecting the dots, to find a matching game, to decipher the codes of my world of games, to unlock a game on how to play another game, on a Fiddlestick that is a game in itself!

(Am I a genius?, Am I an innovator?, Do you now believe in the power of games?)

Match the Symbol to the respective description.

Or, you could jump straight to the crutch, but where is the fun in that?

Rico’s selfless dream of changing the world thru the magic power of games.
Denotes that this game is played on a square grid pattern. A number or set of numbers, within the pattern provide the grid size.
a stand alone Dot signifies it is a game. In my numbering system, it can represent a zero, or the number ten.
My iconic trademarked logo centerpiece of the Serious Monkey Business Safety Campaign, and a fair warning to all- Small game pieces are a big RISK to younger children.
Always game responsibly
Denote a game that is played on a 6 sided hexagon pattern.
A number within the shape provides the game board size.
Look over here.
A hint
Look closer.
Indicates a timed event or a time limit per turn.
Denotes a game that is played on a Rico original designed prism board.
A number, within the shape provides the size of the board.
Denotes that this game is played on a circular board. There are various circular boards available. You may have to investigate the game page closer.
Signifies who ( which color) has the honor of the next move in a closed match.
On my numbering system, the open circle denotes the number 5.
On a Gammon Stick, the open circle denotes a closed path. A stone cannot pass thru to the other side.
3 open doorways, represent 3 dimensional rifts/ 3 doorways to the past, the present , and the future. 3 plains into yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
On a Gammon Stick, the 3 doorways denotes an open path. A stone can pass thru to the other side of the board.
Identifies how the game pieces in this game cam move- like a Chess Rook.
In chess, a Rook can move in any adjacent direction one or more spaces. It cannot move diagonally.
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Signifies the King, your Majesty. In a Monarchy, There can be only one..
In Chess, and in many variations, the King can move one space in any orthogonal direction.
To capture or eliminate the King is often the objective, making it the most important piece to protect.
In other games like Draugts, a.k.a. Checkers, a pawn promoted to King has special powers.
A trivia question.
Signifies that all pieces can only move in a diagonal direction.
In the game of Chess, a Bishop can move one or multiple spaces in any diagonal direction.
Signifies her Majesty, the Queen.
In the game of Chess, the Queen is the most powerful piece. She can move and attack in one or any number of spaces in any orthogonal direction.
Signifies that game pieces all move like Chess Knights.
In the game of Chess, a Knight has a special dance move- 2 steps forward and 1 step to the side, in any of its adjacent directions. Often referred to as a ‘7’ or ‘L’ pattern.
Signifies that the game is a puzzle.
A mind bender or mental flosser challenge to solve.
It is the Intergalactic symbol of games.
Where ever you see it around town, you know you are in a game friendly establishment.
Look closely at it.. do you see simple sticks and stones? Or do you see a great raptor looking at you like bird food? Is it the Yin and Yang symbol reimagined, or is it 2 Samuari warriors with swords drawn, about to clash over a territorial divide?
Did you first think it was the Bat signal, or the Jeep emblem? It most certainly is not!
It is the analog QR code to my website.
Look closer still, do you still see sticks and stones?, or do you see it in 3 dimensions - 2 spheres and 3 slanted tiles.
Is it just some sticks and stones OR is it a pawn looking thru a mirror across a great dimensional void or limitless imagination and seeing a fractured reflection of itself?
I leave it up to you to ponder its real meaning.
This is my signature trademarked logo, which I proudly put on all my custom made puzzles and game boards. It is not a bonafide RicoBoard unless it has my signature mark on it.
Indicates a direction of travel or multiple options for movement.
A right turn arrow, signifies game pieces can move forward and turn right.
A left turn arrow reflects game pieces can move forward and turn left.
Denotes that capturing or imprisonment is involved.
Can denote a home base, the King’s thrown, a final destination, or a safe zone.
The most impressive and flexible game piece. A Pawn rarely stands alone, it knows there is strength in numbers.
Chess Pawns have unique abilities, in that it can move 1 or 2 moves forward to start, and moves forward 1 space there after. It attacks to the diagonal positions in front of it, and it can be promoted in rank if it reaches the back line. It also has a less commonly known attack called ‘En Passant’ in which it can strike thin air and crush an enemy pawn. Look it up, you will want to try it in your next Chess match.
Beyond the game of Chess, Pawns a.k.a. Stones represent all game pieces. A generic Pawn can represent a big horned ram, a marauderous Viking, a beautiful dancer, a monkey in space, or anything the imagination can think of. A Pawn can have a multitude of powers and abilities. Some leave foot prints, others can collect treasure. Some can leapfrog over others pawns, and some just stand there protecting a tower.
Found on a TAFL board, in the center space and the 4 corners. This distinct mark signifies the King’s thrown or a safe haven for the King to escape to.
Meaning this is a game of chance in which dice are used.
Signifies this is a card game of chance.
Either signifies a claw game of dexterity, or that the game piece in question is unarmed.
Signifies that the game piece or space in question is armed. Meaning, it can participate in a fight.
Indicates the destination, or the winning condition in a race game