Big Games at Burning Man: Giant Fun With Atomic Octopus

Somewhere late at night, in a dimly lit bar far from the Black Rock Desert (but definitely not in Las Vegas), Occo found himself facing an unexpected challenge. The Atomic Octopus had played plenty of Big Games at Burning Man, but he had never played Jenga against Godzilla. As it turns out, even giant monsters enjoy bar games.

At first, the match remained friendly. Occo carefully wrapped a mechanical tentacle around a wooden block and slid it from the tower. Then Godzilla leaned forward, narrowed his eyes, and chose his next move.

Suddenly, things got serious.

A Giant Jenga Showdown

Godzilla became surprisingly competitive. Meanwhile, Occo discovered that having eight arms provides a major advantage at Jenga.

Unfortunately, the tower grew increasingly precarious.

Each removed block made the wooden skyscraper wobble a little more. Godzilla stared at the tower with fierce concentration. Occo adjusted his goggles and considered his options. Around them, empty glasses and bottles accumulated as the night rolled onward.

Eventually, someone made one move too many.

CRASH!

The tower collapsed across the table. Fortunately, no cities were destroyed. Godzilla laughed, Occo raised a glass, and the two giant creatures agreed that the evening had been an enormous success.

After all, winning is fun. However, playing together is even better.

Big Games at Burning Man Bring People Together

Back in Black Rock City, Atomic Octopus brings that same playful spirit to the playa. Our camp has built and will have several Big Games at Burning Man for participants to enjoy.

Naturally, we have to start with giant Jenga. Players remove wooden blocks one at a time while trying not to send the entire tower crashing down. It starts peacefully enough. However, once that tower begins to sway, everyone nearby suddenly becomes very interested.

In addition, Atomic Octopus will have giant checkers. The oversized version turns the familiar board game into something much more playful. Grab a friend, choose a side, and start plotting your path across the board.

Finally, there will be giant Connect 4. Drop the pieces into place, block your opponent, and try to connect four before they do. It sounds simple because it is. Of course, that does not mean your opponent will make it easy.

Familiar Games Mean Instant Fun

One of the best things about these Big Games at Burning Man is their simplicity. Jenga, checkers, and Connect 4 are universally known and loved games. Therefore, most participants already understand how to play.

There is no lengthy explanation. There is no complicated instruction manual. Instead, you can walk up, find another player, and get right down to the fun.

That simplicity also makes games a wonderful way to meet people. Perhaps you challenge a campmate to checkers. Maybe you discover a stranger who shares your alarming enthusiasm for Connect 4. Before long, other people may gather around to watch a particularly dangerous Jenga tower.

Games create little moments of connection, and those moments can become part of the magic of Black Rock City.

Come Play at Atomic Octopus

Burning Man offers enormous art, wild creativity, strange adventures, and countless surprises. Sometimes, though, something wonderfully familiar can be just as much fun.

So, if you find yourself wandering through Black Rock City and feel like playing Big Games at Burning Man, stop by Atomic Octopus. Of course we will have them at all our camp events. Challenge somebody to checkers. Drop a few pieces into Connect 4. Or test your nerves against a dangerously tall Jenga tower.

Just remember what Occo learned during his legendary night with Godzilla.

Never underestimate a giant monster with a competitive streak. 🐙🦖