How to Build Your First Board game Collection and Not Break the Bank
Show Me the Games
There are two primary themes I hear often from families, friends, and even acquaintances when it comes to the notion of playing board games. These two statements are true if you are new to board games or not.
We like to play board games!
Board games are complicated!
The two statements seem to be at odds with each other. On one hand there is the statement that a person “likes to play board games” – and one would assume, that given the opportunity, that person would indeed enjoy playing a board game. On the other hand, by nature of the second statement – unless the game is a game the person knows and is immediately familiar with – there is a perceived barrier to entry because “board games are too complicated”. If you are new to board games – you might not know where to start and may fall in between the two.
If someone feels that games are generally too complicated, often then they will simply “play what they know”. The result being that they will play the same game(s) over and over again and likely get bored with it (definitely no pun intended). The second thing that happens is that with that frame of mind, people aren’t apt to try a new game because: “Board games are too complicated.” Neither is a desirable outcome, and neither will entice a person to explore everything the hobby has to offer.
I’ve also run into the crowd where they “don’t like board games.” My eldest sister falls into this crowd. I think that a factor that plays into not liking board games is because my sister and I grew up in an era that the current choices of board games were generally “bad” in design. I’m looking at you Gen X. A large large majority of the games that came out then just had bad design mechanics. Games and game mechanics have evolved quite a bit. Think of it this way. Let’s say your first car growing up was a Pinto or a Gremlin. Sure that car got you from A to B (most of the time), but you likely wouldn’t want to revisit those days of driving that car around.
The same is true when it comes to board games. Most game board game enthusiasts aren’t talking about Monopoly, Risk, or Life, when they say they like “Board Games.” On the contrary – we board game nerds know just how bad those games are. If I were go carry the comparison to cars even further I would say modern board games are sleeker in design, play quicker, and come in a variety of forms to suit every taste out there. I “found” designer board games later in life, while my sister still believes the Gremlins and Pintos are the experience I’m offering her when I want to play game.
If Games Developed Like cars – you can’t compare what you grew up with to what is available now
If you are still reading thank you – and I’m going to unfairly lump you into of the the following camps:
- You Like to Play Board Games
- Board Games are Too Complicated
- I Don’t Like Board Games
If you are here because – you “like board games”. Great – you are my people – and I’ve got some great games for you. Easy to learn, affordable, and will hopefully prevent you from overplaying your favorites and having get burned out on them.
If you are because you feel like “board games are too complicated”.- I plan to introduce a variety of games that cover a wide breath of gaming styles – but, at the same time, are easy to learn. Many “complicated” games build on some very basic steps. The games I will introduce and talk about may seem very different from what you think of a board game (No Pintos and Gremlins here). “Different” doesn’t have to mean complicated. If you play some of the games I’ve plan to introduce, many of the “mechanics” will show up in other games. Hopefully when you see something similar in another game – it won’t feel as complicated because I’ve had a chance to introduce you to it here.
Finally if you are STILL reading, and you “don’t like board games” – well you flatter me. TO be this far down and still reading. Maybe you you like board games just a bit more than you thought. Indeed – I’ve got some game ideas and that will feel a bit more like an activity than a game. In addition – none of my games will keep you at the table hours upon hours – so if I suggest a game that is just a miss. You’ll be in and out of it more often than not under an hour.
Here is what I want to do. The goal is generate a solid collection of games, that won’t break the bank.
- Introduce 2 quality games a month. I will supply my short review as well as some others thoughts from other reviewers in the “biz”
- Average Price is $30 – At the time of this writing.There are some that will be a bit higher and/lower though.
- 2 Player Game focus – The majority of the games play very well at two players. That said, there are some that require more than two players, and some that just play “better” with more than two players.
- Specific Order – There was some thought put into how the games are rolled out. This had to do with replay value and the pricing of the games. Also the concepts will build on each other – and some games will multiple avenues to win, and multiple actions you can take.
So stay tuned – If all goes as planned by the end of this year you will have 24 great games for less than the cost of two people going out to a movie and splitting a bag of popcorn. You will have the games for a lifetime and the memories to go with them. Now then – On to the games!
Great Games for your New Collection
