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Tom P
United Kingdom
We could've been anything that we wanted to be
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With the recent publication of a geeklist of requests for future Board Game Arena games, following the rather long list for Yucata.de, I was reminded of the fear some publishers have of offering their games to such sites for free.
I have to say I don't fully understand their reasoning, but I'd like to see some stats on the topic if possible. There was a big hoo-ha a while back over Scrabulous on Facebook. I guess that one is more cut and dry in the sense it was a third party app that was basically Scrabble with a slightly different name, but one of the arguments for keeping it was the fact that everyone was playing it - and therefore, getting into Scrabble! I wonder how many sets were sold as a result, not to mention the positive PR as everyone knew it was just Scrabble in (a very faint) disguise.
Instead the powers that be decided people shouldn't get into excited about a game that they probably only played at childhood Christmases, quashed the app and came up with their own, very lame version that we in the UK weren't allowed to play. There is now a UK version but every time you log in you are greeted with an excruciating 40-second advert that to be honest I have never bothered starting a game. This coming from someone whose only 10 rating here on BGG is Scrabble. With Scrabulous, I had so many games on the go at once, and it kept me thinking (and excited) about my favourite game. For me, it's a missed opportunity - sue now; think later. Except they forgot the thinking part.
With more niche games, I find the logic even more extraordinary. Is the worry about having versions of games online that these users will then not buy said games, thus reducing profits? I'm not convinced by that argument when dealing with hobbyist board gamers. Video games, well yes (what would be the point in buying Gears of War for £40+ when you can play online for free?!) but for board games, to me that's a different story. Online play is great, but it doesn't compare with the look, feel (even smell) of the real thing - not to mention the social aspect.
People who are in to board games are into them for many reasons, but surely one is the offline nature of them? Not to mention, for many here, the collection aspect 
Denying enthusiasts the ability to play online might even reduce profits. Personally, I won't (with a few exceptions) buy a game unless I've tried it at least once. Shelling out £30 on a game is not a light decision, especially the more I get (nearly 100 at present). And if I can't find anyone who has it/willing to bring it to London on Board, then trying it out on Yucata.de or Board Game Arena is the next best thing.
Below is a list of games I have purchased as a direct result of trying them out online:
Maori
The Downfall of Pompeii
Vikings
Hacienda
Finca
Kahuna
Oregon
Pergamon
Stone Age
Thurn and Taxis
And I'm currently looking forward to Hawaii based in part on enjoying it so much on Board Game Arena (I was excited about it anyway, but wanted to try it out to be sure and now I know I will buy this).
Sure, there are some I won't buy but that's because they are not for me, not because I can play them online for free. Would any of you be happy with a bare game shelf just because you can play them online? Part of the fun is the discovery of new games and adding them to your collection. Sites like these really help gamers with the selection process and to me, it seems a bizarre business decision to deny us that opportunity - especially as they normally don't need to shell out any cost to get them out there (fan developers do the work for them).
But what do I know. I'd be interested in your opinions on this matter. Have you bought games after playing online? How many?
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