DOI: 10.13020/yvv6-cx09
title: Data Set for Quantifying the Vices and Virtues of Snakes and Ladders Through Time

description: The game of Gyan Chauper or ‘snakes and ladders’ exists in many forms throughout history as a board game of varying size, structure, and game elements of snakes and ladders associated with various vices and virtues inscribed within the board. Here, three boards were analyzed via Monte Carlo simulation, including the 1998 Milton Bradley version, the 72-square Vaisnava board, and the 84-square Jaina board, with the goal of understanding the relationships between board design and associated behaviors and spiritual concepts. Game play on each board was simulated 100,000 times with variations that included individual removal of a snake or ladder, thereby quantifying the importance of that element towards achieving victory. Comparison of the weighted importance of each game element and associated vice and virtue then permitted analysis of their importance for the game designer and their associated culture.
description: (1) 1998 Milton Bradley game board: All simulations related to the 1998 Milton Bradley game board of Chutes and Ladders; Contains raw data of simulations and analysis. Basegame:1998 Milton Bradley game simulated 100,000 times with all ladders or chutes removed. Histogram: Histogram analysis of the basegame data. RemoveLadders: Individual ladders were removed and the game was simulated 100,000 times. RemoveChutes: Individual chutes were removed and the game was simulated 100,000 times. AddLadders: A 1998 Milton Bradley game board without any chutes/ladders except one ladder. AddChutes: A 1998 Milton Bradley game board without any chutes/ladders except one chute.
(2) 72-Square Vaisnava Board played with a six-sided die: All simulations related to the 72-Square Vaisnava game board of Snakes and Ladders when played with a six-sided die with 100,000 trials; Contains raw data of simulations: Number of die throws required to win the game and Analysis. 72-Square Full Game: Simulation of 72-square board in full, without ladders, without snakes except T, and without ladders and snakes except T. 72-Square Individual: Simulation of 72-square board with individual snakes and ladders removed. 72-Squre_DICE_Full_Reborn: Simulation of 72-square board to determine number of times players go down snake T.
(3) 72-Square Vaisnava Board played with 7 Cowrie shells: All simulations related to the 72-Square Vaisnava game board of Snakes and Ladders when played with 7 Cowrie shells with 100,000 trials; Contains raw data of simulations: Number of die throws required to win the game and Analysis. 72-Square Full Game: Simulation of 72-square board in full, without ladders, without snakes except T, and without ladders and snakes except T. 72-Square Individual: Simulation of 72-square board with individual snakes and ladders removed. 72-Square Cowrie Rebirth: Simulation of 72-square board with 7 Cowrie shells to determine number of times player use snake T per game.
(4) 84-Square Jaina Board played with 4-sided stick: All simulations related to the 84-Square Jaina game board of Snakes and Ladders when played with a 4-sided stick with 100,000 trials; Contains raw data of simulations: Number of die throws required to win the game and Analysis. 84-Square Full Game: Simulation of 84-square board in full, without ladders, without snakes except O, and without ladders and snakes except O. 84-Square Individual: Simulation of 84-square board with individual snakes and ladders removed. 84-Square_DICE_Full_Reborn: Simulation of 84-square board to determine number of times players go down snake O