Operation is a classic board game... and probably one of the most boring. Unless something has changed in recent years, the startle players get from the table shaking when they make a mistake is minimal. So why not "optimize" that aspect? The answer comes from Emily the Engineer, whom we remember for her 3D-printed toilet and for the world's largest Benchy. What did she do? Hack an Operation set to punish mistakes with electric shocks...
History tells us that Operation (called "Operación" or "Operando" depending on the region) hit the market in March 1965, and since then we've seen all kinds of variants inspired by different franchises (The Simpsons, Shrek, SpongeBob, Spider-Man, Doctor Who, Despicable Me, Toy Story, and more), but its essence has always been the same: with great patience and precision, you have to remove different "pieces" from the patient. If you make a mistake, bzzzt!
Now, that buzz only works if it can induce anxiety, and the effect doesn't take long to disappear. What's the solution? Introduce a more severe punishment for the underperforming player. What did Emily the Engineer think? Electric shocks, because we know she's a bit crazy (but that hasn't stopped her before):
Operation with Electric Shocks for Losers
The first version was based on a taser... which of course didn't work because the taser is too dangerous. But Emily found an alternative in dog collars, and here I want to add something personal: I think those collars are repugnant, and anyone who uses electric shocks to moderate their pet's behavior should be hunted for sport... bonus points if it's with a bow and arrows.
However, adopting dog collars to cause stress on friends and family while playing Operation worked better than expected. Basically, what happens when the player makes a mistake is that the circuit closes, activating the motor and turning on the light, but by adding a relay and connecting the remote control of the collars, the buzz is much more "direct", so to speak.
The game received additional tweaks and was sent to the folks at Hacksmith Industries, because it's a gift: Emily and other YouTubers are participating in a DIY "Secret Santa", and she in turn received a knife warmer from Colin Furze... which she started using right away.
