Marooned: Survival Team Building Game
A problem-solving game that encourages group discussion and consensus-building.
How to Play This Icebreaker Game
- 1Tell the group they are marooned on an island with 10 items, but can only keep 5.
- 2Present the list of items (e.g., rope, knife, water filter, tarp, etc.).
- 3As a group, they must discuss and agree on which 5 items to keep for their survival.
- 4This reveals group decision-making dynamics and priorities.
Variations
- Solo First, Then Discuss: Everyone ranks items privately before group debate to surface diverse thinking.
- Expert Consultation: Assign one person as 'survival expert' who can veto one choice.
- Silent Voting: After discussion, do a final anonymous vote to avoid groupthink.
Facilitator Guide
Opening Script:
You’re stranded with 10 items—keep only 5. First, skim the list silently for 30 seconds; then discuss trade‑offs and agree on your five.
Closing Script:
What swayed your final choices—criteria, persuasion, or consensus technique? Capture lessons about prioritization and decision rules.
Why This Works
Why this icebreaker game works: A shared constraint surfaces prioritization logic, influence patterns, and how the team resolves disagreement—useful for real project trade‑offs.
Best For
Ideal icebreaker situations for this game include:
- Decision‑making workshops
- New teams practicing consensus
- 15–20 minute retros with a twist
Important Notes
- Prevent one voice from dominating; rotate who summarizes options
- Clarify ‘realistic items only’ vs. playful options before starting
- Timebox debate and require a final decision mechanism
Game FAQ
What items should we include?
Mix survival essentials (knife, water filter) with edge cases (mirror, rope) and debatable items (satellite phone).
How do we reach consensus if stuck?
Use dot voting: everyone gets 5 dots to distribute across their top choices. Highest total wins.
