Passionate board game enthusiasts helping Australian families learn through play
We started The Real Game Australia because we believe that the right board game, played at the right time, can change how a person thinks about money, careers, and life decisions forever.
The Real Game Australia began around a kitchen table in Melbourne, where a group of friends discovered something remarkable: the board games we had played as children had shaped our adult financial habits more than we realised. Those early experiences with Monopoly taught us about property investment. The Game of Life introduced concepts of career planning and retirement savings. Cashflow 101 fundamentally changed how some of us thought about passive income and financial independence.
We started researching educational board games with the rigour of game designers and the curiosity of lifelong learners. We analysed game mechanics to understand which designs effectively taught financial concepts and which merely dressed up luck as strategy. We tested games with our own families, noting which titles kept children engaged across multiple sessions and which gathered dust after the initial novelty wore off. We consulted with educators to understand how classroom gaming differed from family play and what made certain games particularly effective for different age groups.
What we discovered was that educational board games occupy a unique space in learning. Unlike textbooks or lectures, games create emotional stakes that drive engagement. When players experience the consequences of poor financial decisions in a safe environment, they develop intuition that transfers to real-world situations. The sting of virtual bankruptcy teaches risk management more effectively than any theoretical framework. The satisfaction of building a successful in-game portfolio creates positive associations with saving and investing.
Today, The Real Game Australia serves as a comprehensive resource for families, educators, and anyone seeking board games that deliver genuine educational value. We evaluate games based on educational content, replay value, age appropriateness, and overall quality. We understand the difference between a game that teaches incidentally and one designed with specific learning outcomes in mind.
Our team regularly attends gaming conventions, maintains relationships with Australian game shops, and stays current with new releases in the educational gaming space. We test games extensively before recommending them, often playing dozens of sessions to understand how gameplay evolves as players gain experience. This thoroughness ensures that our recommendations reflect genuine quality rather than marketing promises.
Unlike general gaming sites, we focus specifically on games that teach practical life skills. We understand the particular challenges Australian families face when seeking educational entertainment and tailor our recommendations accordingly. We know which games work well with mixed age groups, which titles suit classroom environments, and which provide the best value for family game nights.
We believe that learning should be enjoyable and that play is one of the most powerful forms of education. Every recommendation we make reflects this philosophy. When you choose a game based on our guidance, you are not just buying entertainment. You are investing in an experience that will shape how your family thinks about money, strategy, and life decisions for years to come.
Educators, parents, and gaming enthusiasts united by a passion for learning through play
Lead Content Editor
Former high school economics teacher with 15 years of classroom experience. Michael specialises in games that teach financial literacy and economic principles to teenagers.
Family Gaming Expert
Mother of three and dedicated board game collector with over 200 titles. Sarah tests every game with her own children to ensure family-friendly recommendations.
Game Mechanics Analyst
Tabletop game designer and reviewer who analyses how game mechanics translate educational concepts into engaging experiences. Holds a degree in game design.