This is the beginning of an intermittent series where I will be discussing various topics in board gaming as they relate to the real world. The topics could include hot button issues in the hobby, how gaming affects people, the personal influence gaming has had on my life, or anything else remotely related. So without further ado, let us dive into the first topic of many to come: Board Game Evangelism.
What is Board Game Evangelism?
In the past few years, board gaming has become my primary hobby. As so many others do with their various hobbies, I think of mine as a wonderful use of time, effort, and brain power. To use an off-color, almost sacrilegious comparison, I am a born-again board gamer. I have found my way from the false pretenses of what so many believe to be board gaming: Monopoly, Sorry, Life, and their evil brethren. Thankfully, I have seen the light of true board gaming; that is, games which are modern, enjoyable, and require some amount of thought.
Don't let the Robot Devil lead you down the road of awful board games...
Board Game Evangelism isn't really a term that I've seen around in the hobby, but it has become the way I think about it when I'm writing on my blog. It's something I've found that has enriched my life and has drastically changed the way I viewed something, so evangelism is the best term to describe how I approach the subject.
I've done no research on this because I have less than zero interest, but I'd estimate that I encounter the same pitfalls that Christian evangelists run into when trying to spread the good news. In my case, the good news is a new board game, but I digress. I've found myself talking about games and have even converted a few friends and acquaintances, but often walk a fine line of not being pushy or obsessive. Nobody likes the person that knocks on your door every day to give you a pamphlet, so a balance is necessary.
I've done no research on this because I have less than zero interest, but I'd estimate that I encounter the same pitfalls that Christian evangelists run into when trying to spread the good news. In my case, the good news is a new board game, but I digress. I've found myself talking about games and have even converted a few friends and acquaintances, but often walk a fine line of not being pushy or obsessive. Nobody likes the person that knocks on your door every day to give you a pamphlet, so a balance is necessary.
Why board games?
As someone who has bounced around a lot of hobbies: video games, guitar, running, writing, and photography just to name a few, why have I settled on board games as the hobby I need to write about on the internet? Short answer: it's the perfect blend of everything I want to do with my free time. My other hobbies have all suffered some sort of pitfall that has kept me from dedicating myself for one reason or another.
Video games have become more and more expensive and almost exclusively single player. I mean sure, you can play with the little snots on the right who tea bag you after killing you in Call of Duty, but that's not really what I'm looking for at almost 30 years old. An XBOX one costs about $300 new with a game. That would get me, at minimum, 6 BIG board games that have a lot more replayability and a lot less downloadable content. |
Ok seriously, quit dodging the question, why board games?
To get to the meat of the issue, why do I think everyone should at least dabble into modern board games? The simple answer is that it blends an intellectual activity with social interaction. So many times we have our heads down, texting or messing with another mindless app on our phones, ignoring the world around us. Especially as I grow older and interaction between friends is at a premium, I value the time I get to sit down at a table and actually talk to and joke with other people I want to be around. At the same time, I get to satisfy the part of my brain that wants to solve puzzles and work out my brain.
Some of my best memories have come from sitting around a table and enjoying a game with friends. Of course, I love the challenge games present, it's one of the biggest reasons I've delved so deep into this world. Regardless, board games are a medium for social interaction between people in a world in which people are becoming more and more distant. Gaming brings people who have literally nothing in common to a table to enjoy a game and one another's company.
Games don't have to be this huge intellectual barrier either. I love deeply complex and difficult games that make my brain hurt, but there are thousands of well-designed games for kids (see Haba games), for people who want a relaxing experience, and for families. There is literally something for everyone. I know in today's world it can be difficult to get the family together to do something and I'd wager board games could be a great way to bond. Unless you have a snooty teenager, nothing's going to fix that hot mess.
I think games are an absolutely worthwhile hobby to get into and I would love to talk to anyone about it if they have questions. If you are looking for good games to start out with, if you want to know how to find other people who play games, or even if you want to borrow a game off my shelf, you're more than welcome to contact me and I'd be glad to help. Thanks for reading!
Games don't have to be this huge intellectual barrier either. I love deeply complex and difficult games that make my brain hurt, but there are thousands of well-designed games for kids (see Haba games), for people who want a relaxing experience, and for families. There is literally something for everyone. I know in today's world it can be difficult to get the family together to do something and I'd wager board games could be a great way to bond. Unless you have a snooty teenager, nothing's going to fix that hot mess.
I think games are an absolutely worthwhile hobby to get into and I would love to talk to anyone about it if they have questions. If you are looking for good games to start out with, if you want to know how to find other people who play games, or even if you want to borrow a game off my shelf, you're more than welcome to contact me and I'd be glad to help. Thanks for reading!