As much as I love board games, there are some pretty serious issues that are keeping many people from exploring gaming. These are issues that my family and friends have and some that I have, myself. I want to explore what makes them issues and how we can fix them and grow the interest in board gaming.
The first issue is the misconception that board games are all like Monopoly, Scrabble, Yahtzee, or like games that we played when we were young. While there is nothing wrong with these games, I feel that a lot of people are just burnt out on them. People remember playing a game of Monopoly where one person dominates the board and it took hours to play the game ultimately to lose to one person. It's very discouraging, and I remember growing up not wanting to play for that exact reason. It's no fun to play a game just to beat up on your friends or to be beat up on by your friends. Lets be honest, most of the games we grew up with were relatively competitive and some of us have not so fun memories of playing some of those games.
If you feel this way about board games, look into trying a coop game. Every year, more and more cooperative games are coming out. Working together to achieve a common goal seems like it would provide a healthy, less stress way to play a modern board game. I think if you are able to do this, you will find that board games have really matured and developed into something that everyone can play and have a good time.
Time investment and the number of players required to play are other issues that I feel are keeping people from enjoying games. Not all games require massive amounts of time commitments. Some people love games, like Dungeons and Dragons, which can take hours, months, or even years to complete a campaign. Many people, though, don't have this kind of time to put into playing a game. The other issue is the idea that you need multiple people to be able to play and enjoy a game and a lot of people have a hard time getting others to play for many of the reasons listed in this blog.
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While I feel that there is room for some improvement, I think that gaming companies have done a pretty decent job of creating games that take care of both of these issues. Games like Zombie Dice, Forbidden Island, Fluxx, and King of Tokyo all have the potential to be played in under an hour, some even less than a half hour. The required players issue hits closer to home for me. While there are times that I can get multiple people to play games, most of the time it's just Brandon and I. It is surprisingly difficult to find games that a suitable for one or two people. That being said, with a little effort I have found a few games that are totally suitable for not only groups of people, but also one or two players at a time. If you find yourself having a hard time finding people to play with, look into games like Elder Sign and Ghost Stories which are suitable for one or more players, while games like Smash Up, Forbidden Island/ Dessert, King of Tokyo, and Fluxx are able to be played with two or more people.
Other things that I feel turn people off from modern and euro games are pieces/ set up and rule books. There is a misconception that all games have long complicated rule books and a ton of tiny pieces that take a long time to set up and are easily lost. There are times, I will admit, that I don't feel like playing a game because set up takes forever, but I have found that if I take an extra five or so minutes to organize the game while putting it away, that set up becomes much, much easier and the pieces are less likely to disappear.
Rule books are another problem entirely. There have been games that I have stopped playing because they are too complicated and their 142 page rule book was absolutely no help at all. I tried very hard to like one particular game, but after four hours of watching YouTube to try to understand how to play, what I thought would be, a simple dice rolling game, I put the pieces back in the box and placed the game on a shelf in my closet, where it has stayed ever since. People just don't want to read a long, drawn out rule books with confusing language and a million nuances. While there are profoundly simple games ( Zombie Dice, Fluxx, etc.), most games come with rule books that one must read to be able to play the game. Game companies and designers need to realize that not all of us want to play super complicated games all of the time. If you don't feel like dealing with rule books, try playing a co op game with someone who has already played the game before. By doing this you are able to learn as you go without having to continuously reference a complicated rule book.
Another concern that people have, that I have heard more than once, is the amount of expansions available for games. There are some games with multiple expansions and a lot of people have the misconception that if they don't get the multiple expansions the game that they have already invested in is no longer playable or as much fun. While I feel that many of the expansions that are available ultimately enhance the game play, expansions are not a mandatory part of playing games.
Here is how I see the world of expansions. If after you play a game and you decide that you really enjoy it and there are expansions available, research them a little bit, find out what they are all about (how do they change the game you already have?). At this point, if it still sounds fun, go ahead and get the expansion. The expansions are typically a little less expensive than the original game. It's the same idea as renewing subscriptions to video games that you enjoy. You don't have to invest in "game station live" for another month to enjoy the video game that you've already purchased, but the game play is enhanced by paying for that option. Board games are the same way. I can play original Smash Up and have a good time, but I have invested in both expansions and can honestly say that I have had just as much, if not more, fun playing with the expansions added. In the end, it's your choice to purchase the expansions or not, either way you can still have fun with board games.
Availability is another issue. Most adult friendly, modern, euro board games can't be readily found at stores that the typical American frequents. That all being said, this issue is quickly becoming a non issue. More and more games are being found at Target, Walmart, Barnes and Noble, etc. The fact that I can find Settlers of Catan at Walmart and Elder Sign and other Arkham games at B&N, I feel, is a step in the right direction. The selection at Target is surprising! You can find pretty much any game that you are looking for online if you are willing to pay the shipping. Even though these are all great resources for finding games, I still highly recommend going to your local game shop. I would say that eight out of ten times they will have what you are looking for, and if they don't, most stores I've been to are willing to order something for you. I just feel like you will get a more personal experience from a game store and you might pick up something fun that you didn't think you would find.
The biggest issue, I think, that keeps people from trying games is the cost. Board gaming is a fairly expansive hobby... or is it? Most board games range in price from $10.00 to $100.00 and up. Most people think that's way to much to pay for a board game. Let's break it down though.
You buy a $40.00 game that takes roughly an hour to play. This game also has a lot of replay value in that you are able to change around the game board, the characters you play, and the cards you are dealt. Let's say that you play it four times in one month. So, you have spent $10.00 each time to essentially play a different game.
Let's also say, that in that month you and a friend went to one movie. most movie tickets cost anywhere between $7.00 and $15.00 depending on where you go and if it's in IMAX and/or 3D. Two tickets will cost you roughly $20.00. Then you go to the concession stand and spend another $20.00 on two drinks, popcorn, and a box of candy ( and that's being generous!). You have just spend the same in one night for a two hour movie as you did in buying one game in one month... and you didn't even get to take the movie home with you ( you'll have to spend another $20.00 in eight months to have that movie at home).
Buying a board game really isn't that poor of an investment, especially if you enjoy board games! Most have great replay value, and most cost less than dinner and a movie or the newest hit video game
The best way to "fix" all of these issues with board gaming, I feel, is education. Take the time to find out what you really enjoy and invest in those things. Don't buy a miniature game if you don't have the time and patience for them. Learn how a game is played before deciding on whether to buy it or not (Table Top and YouTube are great resources!). Don't be afraid to experiment and always try and get your friends in on new games. Look up prices online before you go out an buy a game so you get the best deal on whatever you decide to play.
With everyone coming together to help alleviate these issues, we have to opportunity for the board gaming community to grow. This means the opportunity to play new games with new people, and allow everyone to have a great time!
Geek On!
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