Simon says
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- This article is about the classic children's game. For the film, see Simon Says (film).
Simon says is a game for three or more players (most often children). One of the people is "it" – i.e., Simon. The others must do what Simon tells them to do when asked with a phrase beginning with "Simon says". If Simon says "Simon says jump.", the players must jump (players that do not jump are out). However, if Simon says simply "jump", without first saying "Simon says", players do not jump; those that do jump are out. In general, it is the spirit of the command, not the actions that matters; if Simon says "Simon says touch your toes.", players only have to show that they are trying to touch their toes. It is the ability to distinguish between valid and invalid commands, rather than physical ability, that matters here.
It is Simon's task to try to get everyone out as quickly as possible, and it is every one else's job to stay "in" for as long as possible. The last of Simon's followers to stay in wins (although the game is not always played all the way through).
It is considered cheating to give impossible commands ("Simon says 'lift your left leg'. Simon says 'lift your right leg'. Simon did not say 'put your left leg down'!") or phrase the commands in such a way that the other player has no option but to 'go out' ("Simon says 'jump up'. Come down."). However, at least in some versions, it is allowed for Simon to eliminate players by asking them to do something seemingly unrelated to the game (example: "Anyone remaining join me up here.")
A closely related game is "Mother May I?"
The name of the game also inspired a classic 1980s electronic toy named Simon by computer games inventor Ralph H. Baer.[1] It is a circular electronic game featuring four colored quadrants. The game will flash quadrants in turn and expect you to repeat the sequence. If you get the sequence correct, the game will respond with a longer sequence. There is also a classic Simon Says-like mode called Tricky Mickey in the 1989 Milton Bradley game of physical skill Mickey Says, which features Mickey Mouse as its host.
[edit] Cultural References
The villain Simon Bar Sinister in the animated series Underdog would always issue orders to others starting with the phrase "Simon says..."
The bubblegum pop band 1910 Fruitgum Company had a hit in 1967 with the song "Simon Says". The lyrics explained the rules of the game. The rapper Pharoahe Monch also made a famous song called "Simon Says".
The villain Simon Phoenix in the film Demolition Man often used the phrase, and other characters occasionally mentioned it.
Was an alternate title for the Movie Die Hard: With a Vengeance.
- - Who is this?
- - Call me Simon.
- - What do you want?
- - I want to play a game.
- - What kind of game?
- - Simon says. Simon's going to tell McClane what to do... and Lieutenant McClane is going to do it. Noncompliance will result in a penalty.
- - What penalty?
- - Another big bang in a very public place.
Simon Says is a character in Shrek 2.
Simon Says is a horror film by director William Dear.
Simón dice is a TV spot in MTV Latin America aired on 2006 with a doll called Simon talking about diverse controversial subjects, is subversive and uses a dirty vocabulary.[2]
Simon Says is a cheat in the PC game "Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds". You get the special unit "Simon the killer ewok", who makes plenty of damage, by typing this cheat into the game's chat-box.
Simon Says was a metal band on Hollywood Records.
A character named Simon appears in the theme park show "Let's Have a Ball," in Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom theme park. The show officially opened October 1, 2006. During the show, guests are invited to play fun, themed party games, as instructed by the hostess Lady Lucinda. Her assistant, Simon, ultimately persuades his boss to let him teach the guests how to play his new game: Simon Says. The game is a success and is added to the official list of "Happily Ever After Party Games."
[edit] Notes
- ^ Edwards, Owen, "Simonized: In 1978 a new electronic toy ushered in the era of computer games", Smithsonian Magazine, September 1, 2006 (URL retrieved September 13, 2006).
- ^ Simon says, TV spot in MTV Latin América
[edit] Other references
- Arnold, Arnold, The World Book of Children's Games, World Publishing Co., 1972, ISBN 0-529-00778-9.
- Bancroft, Jessie H., Games for the Playground, Home, School and Gymnasium, The Macmillan Co., 1914.
- Forster, Sally, Simon Says... Let's Play, Dutton Chilren's Books, 1990, ISBN 0-525-65019-9.
- Grunfeld, Frederic V., Games of the World: How to Make Them, How to Play Them, How They Came to Be, Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1975, ISBN 0-03-015261-5.
