Among the most popular board games are those inspired by real social situations. The A* Genius board game is a competitive, active learning experience where a low risk, entertaining, learning environment is created to stimulate development of emotional competence through analysis, synthesis and evaluation of strong emotions and challenging emotional issues.

The game format aims to make this learning an exciting and fun-filled process reducing the stress and anxiety commonly associated with more formal learning processes and, by so doing, enhance understanding and increase retention. Learning results from the carefully designed format, peer interaction, and from facilitator-player interactions and feedback.

Board games are a less threatening mode of instruction and learning, with participants perhaps more likely to actively and usefully engage in the process. They also provide a much less charged atmosphere for dealing with challenging issues.

The A* Genius board game can be a significant, efficacious, cost effective part of any educational strategy to develop, deliver and consolidate learning in emotional health and intelligence within schools, colleges and other places of learning.