Do you find yourself reading board game rules of games your not playing?
by GeorgiaBoardgamer on Jan.29, 2008, under boardgame articles, boardgame rules, boardgames
Lately, I’ve found that I enjoy reading board game rules, whether I’m playing the game or not, and I wanted to know if this is normal for the boardgame aficionado or is this something strange? Most of all I find it gets me in the mood to play games even if it’s not the board game I’m intending to play. I also enjoy reading the rules after someone has taught me to play a board game at game day. It reinforces the fun of the game, and I start to see the nuances of the game, if there are any. Mistakes we made in playing are also made evident.
Recent rules reading:
Civilization, which claims you can finish the game in one setting with the standard rules.
Hammer of the Scots a game I’m desperately trying to work in, but I’ve heard it takes a few hours to play.
Bohnanza, I just learned this and reading the rules made me think of the fun I had.
What about you?
Oh, I’ve also found them lite reading when you’re sick, which I am.
March 7th, 2008 on 8:30 pm
I really enjoy reading the rules to boardgames, and I often read them even if I doubt I will get a chance to play. However, most of my game-playing friends don’t, so I don’t believe this is normal. In fact, I have some friends who prefer to loan me the game in order to get me to read the rules and teach them how to play. I generally read them and try to intuit how the game will play with this set of rules, what strategies players will be motivated to choose, how rule tweaks might affect the game, etc. In my opinion, the only people who read rules without intending to play are those who are interested in designing their own.
March 8th, 2008 on 4:28 am
Well, I guess we’re oddball at reading board game rules then. Oh well. I don’t like to play games outside of the rules and I especially detest poorly written board game rules. I hate it!
I think about designing my own board game lots of times, but it is very difficult and I’ve seen so much that I feel like I can’t come up with anything new. Really it’s just being lazy. Thanks for the comments.