Egyptian Senet (Ancient Egypt) - Afterlife board game

Embark on a captivating journey through the afterlife as you traverse the underworld domain of Osiris.

The Cherished Hobby Of Pharaoh Tutankhamun.

The Discovery Of The Ancient Board Game Artifact Found In King Tut's Tomb, Adjacent To The Golden Coffin & Sarcophagus.

====== Recognitions ======

◆ Winner of the Egypt e-Content Award 2013.

◆ Silver Medalist at the W3 Awards 2013.

◆ Bronze Winner in the 2012 Gaming Egypt Contest organized by iTi.

◆ Nominated for the World Summit Award 2013 in the e-Entertainment & Games category from Egypt.

◆ Nominated for Top 20 Mobile Apps in the Mobily KSA Developers Award 2014.

Following the opening of the mouth ceremony performed on your mummy by Anubis, your journey into the afterlife begins, safeguarded by the Eye of Horus (Wadjet) as you navigate through Osiris’s underworld, confronting an unseen opponent within a hidden Egyptian tomb in the Valley of the Queens, situated near the more famous Valley of the Kings, on the western bank of the Nile River across from Thebes (Luxor).

Senet is a board game originating from predynastic and ancient Egypt, recognized as the earliest recorded version of games resembling backgammon, checkers, and chess.

The oldest depiction of a Senet game hails from around 3500 BC. The complete name in Egyptian translates to "The game of passing."

Dating back thousands of years, games have always been a part of culture; however, none precede the ancient game of Senet, created by the Egyptians about 3500 to 5000 years ago. This two-player board game is thought to have gained popularity among both the elite and lower classes. By the mid-13th century BC, Senet had transformed into a more spiritual practice. Illustrations from subsequent periods depict the game not as a competition between two individuals, but rather as a deceased player engaging with an invisible force, potentially symbolizing the player’s own spirit.

The game board symbolizes the afterlife, where pawns progress across the squares akin to how a soul journeys through the layers of the netherworld post-mortem. The objective of the game is to reach the final square and exit the board, mirroring the Egyptians’ aspiration to reach Horus and leave the netherworld in pursuit of rebirth alongside the deities Osiris, Sekhmet, and Bastet, who hold the Egyptian Ankh or the papyrus scepter.

The game board is composed of 30 squares arranged in three horizontal rows of ten. Pawns traverse from left to right in the first row, then drop down and proceed from right to left in the second row. After dropping down again, they move from left to right in the third row before exiting the board. The gameplay follows the guidelines provided by Timothy Kendall in his work, Passing Through the Netherworld: The Meaning and Play of Senet, an Ancient Egyptian Funerary Game.

The game features five unique squares with distinct rules, each marked with a hieroglyph. Square 15 is known as the House of Rebirth; square 26 is the House of Beauty; square 27 is the House of Water; square 28 represents the House of 3 Truths; square 29 is the House of 2 Truths; and square 30, the final square, is the House of Horus, the Egyptian falcon-god and ruler of the sky.

Egyptian Senet presents a captivating challenge that blends luck, strategy, and mystical elements, showcasing authentic images of ancient Egyptian temples along with beautifully designed graphics and animations of an ancient stone game board and pieces set within a resounding, tomb-like environment. Ambient ritualistic music and sound effects mimic the movement of stone pieces, recreating the essence of predynastic Egypt. The App’s Icon features Egyptian Queen Nefertari enjoying Senet in her burial chamber; she was the principal wife of Pharaoh Ramesses II (Ramses). Likewise, numerous Egyptian queens, including Cleopatra, Nefertiti—the esteemed royal consort of Akhenaten—and Hatshepsut, the spouse of Thutmose II, are depicted playing Senet.

This game is ideal for anyone with an interest in Egyptology, archaeology, and mummification.

Languages Supported in 2022 - 2023 - 2024 include: (English, Arabic, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Dutch, Russian, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Portuguese-Brazil).

Title: Senet: A Profoundly Immersive Portal to Ancient Beliefs

My experience with this digital adaptation of Senet has been nothing short of mesmerizing, offering far more than a simple board game—it’s a deeply atmospheric journey into the spiritual heart of ancient Egypt. What truly captivates me is the masterful ambiance; the haunting, ritualistic soundtrack and the weighty sound of stone pieces moving across the board instantly transport you to a silent, torch-lit tomb, making each session feel significant and solemn. 

I found myself not just playing to win, but thoughtfully engaging with the game's mystical symbolism, where every roll of the dice sticks feels like a prayer to the gods and navigating the special squares, like the perilous House of Water, becomes a genuine test of fate. The learning curve is satisfying, balancing strategic decisions with the inherent luck of the throws, which beautifully mirrors the ancient Egyptians' beliefs about destiny in the afterlife. This isn't a game for quick, casual play; it's an immersive, contemplative experience that sparks a genuine curiosity about its rich historical and cultural context. It has become my go-to app for a unique and intellectually stimulating escape.

FAQ:

•   Q: Is the game difficult to learn?

A: The rules are based on historical research and are introduced in a clear manner. While it has strategic depth, the core mechanics are accessible, and you'll be playing confidently after a short tutorial.

•   Q: Does the app offer multiplayer functionality?

A: The primary experience is a thoughtfully crafted single-player journey against an AI opponent, which aligns with the theme of facing an unseen spiritual force. Local pass-and-play multiplayer is typically not the focus.

•   Q: How historically accurate is this version?

A: The developers have clearly invested significant effort into authenticity, from the board design and rules based on academic work to the use of genuine imagery and themes. It serves as an excellent interactive introduction to ancient Egyptian culture.