This is an integrated media series about my interest in the board game “Go” which is an oriental strategy game whose origins trace back to 2337 BC. Go is considered to be one of the oldest board games in the world, yet it is still enjoyed by many today. How does a game as old as Go survive this long?

1. The Game of Go
Go is an oriental strategy game that is said to
be over 4000 years old, yet many still enjoy it
to this day.
So, how has this ancient game lasted so
long?

2. Go and Technology
Old games and traditions have
slowly deteriorated due to our fast
and ever changing society.
Improvements in technology play a
big role in these changes, however,
the game of Go has truly withstood
the test of time.
Over the past decade, Go has
adapted to the modern world by
presenting itself through
technology. In addition, the game
has several websites dedicated
entirely to it (Some of which can be
seen on the right hand side of this
slide). Furthermore, many players
from across the world can now play
Go online through a server.
Without a doubt, Go has grown in
popularity substantially due to
modern technology.

3. The Rules of Go
Here is a brief overview on how to play the
immersive game of Go:
 The game revolves around 2 players, either black or white, as they place their stones
on empty intersections* of the board. Once a stone is placed, it cannot be moved
elsewhere on the board.
 The main objective of the game is to gain territory by surrounding empty
intersections. However, this cannot easily be done with an opponent trying to achieve
the same goal. Therefore, the two players battle for control over the territory, which
can result in a player’s stone being captured.
 A stone is captured when it’s adjacent intersections have been filled by stones of
another colour. A captured stone is reduced from the opposing player’s final score.
 The final score is calculated by the number of empty intersections the player controls.
Who ever has more territory, wins the game.
*Please note, that 1 intersection= 1 piece of territory

4. The Art of Balance
 Everyday people struggle to
balance tasks, events,
personal issues, etc, into their
daily lives. The real “magic” of
Go, is how it closely follows
the value of balance.
 There is a belief that Go
builds a player’s mind to be
able to efficiently handle and
master the so called “art” of
balance.
 It is also valuable to note that
the playing pieces used in Go,
match the Ying-Yang colour
scheme.

5. This is an official drawing of the comic/cartoon “Hikaru no Go” by Yumi Hotta
and Takeshi Obata.
Notice how the main character holds the stone, this is standard procedure
when placing a stone and is a Go tradition.

6. This is a present day picture of a basic Go tournament. There currently
many Go tournaments, one being the Canadian Go Open. The Canadian
Go Open will be held in Toronto for 2009, from September 5th-7th.
Players from all across Canada will come to play.

7. The power of the Internet
Players who are currently playing online using a server in a given year
6000
5000
4000
# of players
3000
2000
1000
0
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
Year
*Keep in mind that this is data from only
one Go server, and does not reflect them
all.

8. 100 randomly surveyed people were
asked if they had heard of Go
$#
%&'()&#*+'#+,-&#.'/#
+&,01#'2#3'#
%&'()&#*+'#+,-&#+&,01#'2#
3'#
!quot;#

9. When I don’t feel like playing against someone online, I often just
practice by playing myself. You would be surprised how much you
can learn from yourself.

10. References
Slide 1- Photo was personally taken
Slide 2- Graphics (from top to bottom):
 http://senseis.xmp.net
 www.godiscussions.com
 http://www.pandanet.co.jp/English/
 www.gokgs.com
Slide 3- Rules came from my own knowledge, however I gained my knowledge from:
 http://senseis.xmp.net
Slide 4- Ying-Yang:
 http://fortheloveofblush.wordpress.com/2008/06/12/
-The image to the bottom left of slide 4 was created by me, using a:
men’s washroom sign:
 http://www.fotosearch.com/ICL119/uns_208/
-As well as a:
balance scale:
 http://www.tulanelink.com/legal/supreme_99a.htm
Slide 5- Website that provided the “Hikaru no Go” art:
 http://www.geocities.com/saiclub/wall3.html
- Actual illustrator of “Hikaru no Go”: Takeshi Obata
- Actual author of “Hikaru no Go”: Yumi Hotta
Slide 6- Go tournament:
 http://www.ca.emb-japan.go.jp/canada_e/CultureEducation/go_tournament.html
Slide 7- Data collected through personal investigation
Slide 8- Data collected through personal investigation
Slide 9- Photo was personally created through various software editing programs