Forget about Friends and The Office; in our hearts, Parks and Recreation reigns supreme. We adored the eccentric Leslie Knope with her endearing and often ridiculous compliments, and we cherished every word that came from Ron Swanson’s mouth. The entire series was a delightful blend of humor and heartfelt moments. Despite the show’s goofy antics, every character possessed a genuine depth that resonated with viewers.
When discussing the show’s more whimsical side, one cannot overlook The Cones of Dunshire. After Leslie causes Ben to lose his job at Sweetums, our favorite geek finds himself with some unexpected free time. You might recall his first bout of unemployment led him to create claymation. This time around, however, he had only a week before starting a new position, which inspired him to invent his own game: The Cones of Dunshire.
What is The Cones of Dunshire about?
It revolves around the cones. As Ben explains, “Four cones wins, but in order to get a cone you have to build a civilization… which is where the Spirit Cards come in.” (The writers drew inspiration from the beloved game Settlers of Catan when crafting this storyline.) If you’re pondering whether the cones symbolize something deeper, we’ll let Ben clarify: “Well, yes and no.”
The origin of the game can be traced back to November 21, 2013, when the episode aired. It all began when Ben Wyatt found himself unemployed and channeled his energies into creating an intricately detailed fantasy board game called The Cones of Dunshire. His first audience for this creation was none other than his wife, Leslie. He then left it as a farewell gift to his accounting firm, marking the start of its legendary status.
As Dave King, co-producer of Parks and Rec and writer of the episode, shared in an interview with Vulture: “We knew that there was going to be a story point that Ben was going to have about a week off between jobs. The last time he was unemployed, he worked on Claymation, so we talked about making a sequel to (his Claymation short) Requiem for a Tuesday. But as soon as the idea came up for Ben to design his own Catan-like board game, I remember Mike Schur, our creator, and showrunner, was like, ‘Yes. That’s it. Absolutely.’”
Who can participate?
The game requires eight to twelve players, which is even more than the number needed to play Catan.
Playable Characters
- Ledgerman (the scorekeeper with a stylish hat)
- Two wizards
- One maverick
- One corporal
- One arbiter
- Two warriors
- Additional Character Options: Farmers, Shamans, Alchemists, Deniers, Abbots, and many more. You can technically play with just one warrior, but why limit the fun?
How to Play The Cones of Dunshire
The rules are practically limitless. Ben’s imagination is a complex maze, and that becomes clear when he attempts to explain The Cones of Dunshire. Even the geeky team at Gryzzl struggled to grasp all the rules, which allowed Ben to challenge them, win, and score free Wi-Fi for the entire town of Pawnee.
Is Cones of Dunshire a real game?
Unfortunately for fans, Cones of Dunshire isn’t available for purchase in real life. After the episode’s success and the show’s enduring popularity, there were numerous rumors about a potential marketable game, even a Kickstarter campaign to support its creation. The creators of Settlers of Catan, who were involved in the initial development of Cones, expressed interest too. In 2015, they produced a giant playable version for GenCon, auctioning spots in the game for charity. Many anticipated a future where the game would be mass-produced, but that hasn’t happened yet.
Can you still play?
The rules are so intricate and extensive that they seem almost unplayable. However, fans of New Girl faced a similar challenge when trying to replicate the drinking game True American. By piecing together rules from various episodes, they managed to create their own versions. There’s no reason you can’t do the same with The Cones of Dunshire. With a dash of creativity and persistence, you could design your own version. After all, Ben’s original creation was simply spray-painted styrofoam cones. If you manage to pull it off, be sure to share your photos!
Quotes from Ben Wyatt
To highlight the genius behind the game, here are some of Ben’s most memorable quotes that reflect his quirky nature:
- “No one’s ever asked me how my kids are or who’s taking care of them. By the way, who’s taking care of them?”
- “I love how independent my wife is, and for that reason, I will not let her speak! That came out wrong.”
- “Nerd culture is mainstream now! So, when you use the word ‘nerd’ derogatorily, that means that you’re the one that’s out of the zeitgeist!”
- “I’m sorry. I have to ask this, but how many legs did that dog have when you found him?”
This article was originally published on November 23, 2020.
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Summary
The Cones of Dunshire, a whimsical board game from Parks and Recreation, was created by Ben Wyatt during his brief unemployment. While it can’t be purchased in real life, fans can craft their own version inspired by the show’s intricate rules and imaginative characters. Ben’s quirky personality shines through in his memorable quotes, making him an unforgettable part of the series.