I find that I have been enjoying simpler games recently, games that I can quickly skim the rules on the spot and teach everyone to play, and then have a good time. I used to think that being a boardgame hobbyist means enjoying the hobby is more about the games than about the players. We as hardcore hobbyists enjoy trying new games, exploring different strategies, and experimenting to see what works and what doesn't. Lately I find that I also enjoy a more relaxed manner of playing. We are still playing games, but it is less about learning the games and navigating the puzzles they present, and more about using them as a simple platform to interact with fellow players. It's gaming the players more than gaming the systems. I quite enjoy such experiences, e.g. with my Taiwanese friends, and with my family. We skip the challenging learning phase found in more complex boardgames, and jump straight into games which everyone can play competently and be competitive at. Everyone gets up to speed quickly. Also, I am less burdened with reading game rules and making reference sheets. It's a great feeling switching to a more laid-back mode now and then.
I can totally relate to what you are feeling. It is so much easier to intro simple games to new players and have a quick session during lunch breaks than bringing out a heavy game that no one has the attention span to learn or the time to play.
ReplyDeleteAlso, even when among fellow gamers, I think sometimes it would be good to bring out an older game which everyone already knows how to play, and we can jump straight into it. This is as opposed to bringing out yet another new game (new to at least some of the players), then teaching the game, then the new players need to figure out the game, etc. Learning new games and discovering their intricacies are a big part of the hobby, but it doesn't have to be all of it.
ReplyDeleteYup. Can totally relate to that. But I have a more advance theory: It's the "Don't bore us, get to the Chorus" Theory(tm) (reference to an obscure Roxette album...)
ReplyDeleteSo for me, I like to get to the meat of the game, sink my teeth into the mechanics and shred them to pieces. So two types of games work for me
1) new game but simple rules - eg. Domaine/Lords of Scotland (played last friday) or
2) complex rules but played before games - eg. Age of Steam/Powergrid
That being said, I think being gamers, we tend to be polite and go for "new" games which everyone automatically assumes everyone else wants to play.
Ha ha... next time at BGC we should suggest some oldies.
ReplyDeleteI think we did. Henn night got derailed or something
ReplyDeletealso, is Virgin Queen now an oldie too for us? :P
ReplyDeleteHa ha if Henn games I'd need rules refresher. I have Wallenstein but haven't play for so long that I need to relearn 80% of it. Ditto Virgin Queen. Definitely need to reread rules before doing Virgin Queen again.
ReplyDeleteThis is why I'm very in favor of having theme nites at OTK. There are so many themes we can bring up and it lends some focus to getting a mix of old & new games to the table vs constantly chasing new games.
ReplyDeleteHenn nite was played last week and while we didn't get to do Show Manager (apologies Hiew) we did get to revisit Timbuktu and Wallenstein. A few weeks earlier we revisited Wallace but chose to focus on his lesser known games and we got AEROPLANES (incidentally this is his 2nd game in the Automobile-Aeroplane-Ship trilogy) and TOLDEO. I was in the Toledo table and found it refreshingly fun! We also did his more recent Mythotopia.
So pls go ahead and help me pick themes for future OTK nites...