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How to Turn them into Gamers in 10 Games or less - My Path to success
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This is a list of how I have successfully (I think) Turned my family into gamers. My wife was what I would call a non-gamer, although she was raised on a strong dose of Card Games, she never played any board games. ....hint - Start with the kids, pick games that the non-gaming wife will enjoy because it looks nice, is fast to play, doesn't have a ton of rules, or she gets to watch her child grow. If this list was helpful please feel free to leave a tip and recommend this list to others.
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Posted Tue Apr 25, 2006 4:29 am
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Scrabble was technically my wife and I's first board game. My wife still enjoys this game but I have not had her ask be to play this over LOST CITIES.
I don't feel this game is part of the 10 step plan.
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Stratego was the first good board game that my wife and I played. This was also the game that bit my son to give him the bug.... YEA!
Another game that is not part of the 10 step plan but did play an integral role in getting my son interested in boardgames.
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STEP ONE
Octiles - This was the first game of the start of our collection. I picked up my son from after school care and he was playing a CCG with an older boy. I sat and watched him playfor a while and although I didn't know (or care) what was going on in the CCG he seemed to know the rules and enjoyed playing. Later that week I did some research on LGS's near us and we went and purchased our first REAL GAME. This is the one that started it all, about 3 months ago. This game was purchased on the advice of the FLGS staff member who took about 30 minutes with us to find out what our interests / backgrounds were. We are Greatful to the FLGS.
My wife enjoys the game but admidts she is not very good at the spatial relations / planning part of the game. It was easy enough for a 6yr old and a GREAT FIRST GAME.
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Carcassone - This was our second purchase based on rating here on The GEEK. There were several lists on "good games for an 8yr old", Best Kids Games, etc.
This is the one that seemed to pop up in all of the lists.
Thanks guys & gals.
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TTR was purchased due to reading on the geek. This was out most often played family game until we discovered Scotland Yard. This is the first game in our collection that my wife really enjoys playing.
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Apples to apples Jr 7+ edition. Another fun family game. This was the one that helped to win my wife over the the idea that playing board games is more fun and builds a stronger family than watching TV.
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Mem '44 - We got this game after purchasing the TTR computer game and viewing the "demo games" DVD included with the computer game. My son sat transfixed to the TV watching that demo DVD. At the point in the DVD where they mentioned that this game was for older kids my son almost snapped his neck turning to see if I had caught that little bit of information ( He had GREAT HOPES that dad was not paying attention) Our next trip to the game store came on a cold rainy saturday afternoon and my son say this game and immediately asked "Dad, I know I am too young for this game but can we get it and you can teach me how to play?"
How could I say no?
The DoW Game Demo DVD was a great help, in fact after he watched the DVD we had to start counting the trains by the rules in TTR, We had been counting only one point for each train played (because I thought the other scoring would be too difficult for a 6yr old to grasp)...Thanks a lot Days of Wonder.
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Quicksand - Our first venture into "deduction" style of play. This game was a hit with everyone. My wife was finally won over, and turned into a gamer by this game. She marveled at how well our son was able to keep his own color a secret, and at how quickly and how well he strategized at when to use his quicksand cards to stop other players.
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Through the Desert - Our first journey into "area control", Another game that my wife enjoyed as she got to watch out son have to think his way through the next move.
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Lost Cities - A man can not win at this game when playing against his wife. My Wife LOVES THIS GAME.
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Scotland Yard - Deduction with Co-operation is a sure winner. One person is "MR X" and the rest of the players are all out to "Find Mr. X". My wife likes the ability to co-operate with our son and find "mr X" as opposed to always trying to beat him. This is out most popular game to date.
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FOR SALE - When we stopped into the game store one evening and my wife suggested we buy this game I knew I had accomplished my mission. We (I) had gone in expecting to buy Ingenious, but my wife saw this game sitting on the shef and asked about it. Our FLGS owner took the time to explain the game to my wife and we walked out of the store with this game. After watching a demonstration of Ingenious my wife suggested we get FOR SALE.
Moral of the story - I WIN.... My wife wanted to buy the game, and it only took about 4 months to take her from non-gamer to buying her first game to add to our family collection.
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JICYRFU - NOT A TYPO - Golfers who play on courses with yardage books may know what the accronym means.
Wooly Bully - Substuite this game for Carcassone if you are having trouble with the scoring rules, or want something simpler to start out those non-gaming wives. My wife likes this better than Carcassone because it is faster and simpler.
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Posted Tue Apr 25, 2006 4:29 am
Also, just so you don't think I am an a-hole for not agree with you on that Sheep Carc, I own it too. I got it for my non-gaming parents who like the CRAZY games I play, but don't seem to like putting in the effort of actually remembering a lot of rules. Fits the bill, but I when I play, I keep thinking I'd rather play Carc:H&G.
Thanks
JP
I like it, although I prefer original recipe Carc with a few expansions.
Ark of the Covenant is a good combination of original recipe Carc with a Hunter/Meadow type of scoring for the fields.
One question lingers in my mind: did you and your son try Memoir? If so, we need to hear about it!