More simple ”classic” games? (7 posts)

  • Profile picture of Nicole May Nicole May said 3 months, 3 weeks ago:

    I have a Question.
    I’ve seen some people wander into the game days sometimes, look confused at the game selection and walk back out after a few minutes of awkward looking around (many of these people with children). I was wondering if we should try to bring out more ”classic” games such as monopoly and other similar ”family” games? or decide not to cater to them and focus simply on the games we usually have?

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  • Profile picture of Gordon Spaeth Gordon Spaeth said 3 months, 3 weeks ago:

    I have an answer (though no one might agree)…

    I have two grade school age kids and I feel I have a personal duty to guide people away from “games” like candyland, hi ho cherry-o, and the dreadful hordes of -opoly games. There are so many family friendly games that are accessible that are so much better. Carcassonne, Ticket to Ride, even Castle Panic are quite easy to break down and teach mechanics to any four year old, but offer lots of room to develop strategic thinking skills. I’m running a game day (FlashCon) through the library here in Hanover and am really pushing to get people to see what’s out there. I may have -opoly and the others there, but I’m planning to put Small World, Catan, maybe Qwirkle, and the like in the hands of families that walk in the door before I even let them see the garbage. That’s just my opinion though…

    GORDON

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  • Profile picture of Rodney Sheldon Rodney Sheldon said 3 months, 3 weeks ago:

    I agree with Gordon. There are great games for kids and families out there that are not Monopoly or Life. Maybe the answer is when you see those people walk into a game night looking confused…. say hello. Explain what is going on and offer them a family friendly game like Ticket to Ride, Carcassonne, Settlers, King of Tokyo, Survive, etc… (I could go on…) It would take some effort on the people that are “running” the game night. They may end up teaching some new games and making sure some of those games are available for play. But I think it would be worth it in the long run. Lots of new gamers out there!!

    Rod

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  • Profile picture of Tyler Tyler said 3 months, 3 weeks ago:

    I think it’s a strength of a game day that they typically focus on making games other than the classic mainstream titles available.

    I’ve noticed what you have, Nicole, on a couple occasions now: people walk in, look around and leave. I’ve been attributing that to a lack of a welcoming committee, since everyone’s busy playing games. I hadn’t thought that maybe there wasn’t anything there they wanted to play.

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  • Profile picture of Bill Parker Bill Parker said 3 months, 3 weeks ago:

    @Tyler – If the group felt if would be worthwhile, I would be more than willing to skip a few hours of gaming to take a shift as Game Day Greeter. Keep an eye out for any unfamiliar faces and check in with folks as they appear. Perhaps even have some kid/newbie friendly games available and start folks out if they are interested in learning. Wouldn’t want to commit the whole day but a 2 or 3 hr shift would seem workable. Heck, I usually take at least that long on any given game day watching rather than gaming anyway.

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  • Profile picture of Nicole May Nicole May said 3 months, 3 weeks ago:

    I would politely disagree with you Gordon. I would not be interested in boardgames at all if not for those family times we would all gather around and play Aggravation and similar games. Maybe i would think differently if the other games were available to me (like Talisman which has been around forever), but they weren’t. I do feel a little nostalgic seeing those games and maybe the new people walking in would too. Seeing something familiar as they walked in (i think) would make them feel more welcome and relaxed. I am DEFINITELY NOT saying for these games to replace the regular games, but maybe a couple familiar games. Once they play/see those they would be more likely to take a look at the other games.

    I do believe the welcoming is very important too and i do think having someone at the door at all times would help for sure.

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  • Profile picture of Joe Reil Joe Reil said 3 months, 3 weeks ago:

    I was thinking more along the lines of what Tyler said – I think it probably has more to do with accessibility of people, rather than accessibility of games.

    Speaking for myself for a moment, I am perfectly “at home” at gaming events like this. I’ve been to many local Gaming conventions and even to one of the big ones (Origins) a few times. In addition to that, I’ve traveled to locations all over New England for one-day events or tournaments. I am not intimidated by walking into a big room full of strangers who game, because I know it will be easy for me to find a game to join.

    I’m sure the above is true for everyone participating in this thread… But if we take a moment to consider the folks for whom this may not be true and I think having a greeter of some sort would be a good idea to help ease this people in. It wouldn’t have to be the same person for the entire day and we could probably pull them off around late afternoon when “new” attendees coming in would be less likely.

    Wouldn’t have to be anything fancy – have a table by the main entrance with someone sitting there. Maybe even add a “sign-up” sheet – that would have a side benefit of giving you a more solid idea of the number of attendees.

    Back on the topic of having more accessible games, I think Rod’s suggestion makes the most sense and this ties into the “greeter”. Having some of the simpler/family friendly games available and maybe recruit a small group who will be willing to run these games for newbies and if anybody who’s obviously “new” games in the greeter can direct these people to that group.

    Of course, this does require a bit more organization and forethought.

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