Games can be appealing, because they give players an outlet for behavior they may not have room for in their daily lives. Well-adjusted people tend to not be ruthlessly competitive towards others, but may enjoy indulging in some testy back-and-forth in a board game with friends. The same might be said for bald-faced lying orContinue reading “Game Night Verdicts #45 – Coatl”
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Play beyond the rules
One of the odd little quirks in board gaming is how players get into the habit of narrating their actions as they take them. Some might do it to help memorize the intricate web of rules they‘re operating in. Others might do it to some pizzazz to the otherwise quite subdued actions we take asContinue reading “Play beyond the rules”
Why it’s so difficult to do the right thing in a game
Most games are supposed to be fun. But not every game picks a neutral setting and aims “only” to entertain. Some games purposefully choose challenging themes and set ambitious goals for themselves in how they want to be perceived. They try to do their themes justice by putting so-called ethical decisions before players. I findContinue reading “Why it’s so difficult to do the right thing in a game”
Game Night Verdicts #44 – Rail Pass
There are many features that define board games. Some are so obvious, they are barely worth mentioning. Games, for example, have a sense of playfulness about them. That‘s pretty self-explanatory. It‘s the reason why they can feel so liberating. It‘s also the reason why people like to describe games as ‚escapism‘. When adults put seriousContinue reading “Game Night Verdicts #44 – Rail Pass”
Metagame and the limits of what can be said
In a twitter poll I recently launched, I asked people in my wider social media circles about their views on board games. Specifically, I wanted to know if it was acceptable to talk other players into working against the assumed leading player in a competitive game. The result on both my German and English twitterContinue reading “Metagame and the limits of what can be said”
Game Night Verdicts #43 – Carrossel
A critical review or critique of a game can aim to do any number of things. Most of the time, it tries to be informative. It frames the game in the right context regarding other games and experiences. The audience is supposed to find out what playing the game is all about. In some cases,Continue reading “Game Night Verdicts #43 – Carrossel”
Barriers of entry and the Spiel des Jahres
It’s been about a week since the winner of the Spiel des Jahres 2020 award was announced. Pictures by Daniela Stöhr and Christian Stöhr, published by PD Verlag, was given the highly prestigious red award. I haven‘t played the game yet, but from what I have read about it, this decision seems entirely reasonable. ButContinue reading “Barriers of entry and the Spiel des Jahres”
Game Night Verdicts #42 – Cosmic Encounter Duel
Cosmic Encounter is arguably one of the most influential designs in modern board gaming. Its shared victories and rules-breaking species abilities were conceptually and mechanically ground-breaking. More importantly, though, was its unusual tone. You see, Cosmic Encounter is funny. Intentionally so, even. Its humor isn’t situational but hard-wired into the game’s design and follows theContinue reading “Game Night Verdicts #42 – Cosmic Encounter Duel”
Game Night Verdicts #41 – Zoom in Barcelona
I have only been to Barcelona once. We stayed for a day before traveling further into Spain. While there we caught some glimpses of the city, had a decent Frappé at a Greek restaurant with an impressively unfriendly waiter but didn‘t really get a feel for the city itself. Paradoxically, this makes me both bestContinue reading “Game Night Verdicts #41 – Zoom in Barcelona”
On the meaningfulness of games
A few days ago, a friend of a friend passed away unexpectedly. I only knew him from the number of times we’d played together in the last seven or so years. Maybe longer, even. He was not a childhood schoolmate of mine, nor did we have many opportunities to spend time together outside of games,Continue reading “On the meaningfulness of games”
