Euro vs. Ameri??
Steven Johnson
United States
Marion
Texas
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I'm just getting back into serious gaming after a long hiatus devoted to computer gaming. In other words, my kids are old enough to leave a game set up for extended sessions, and my game room has a door to keep out the cat.
The terms "Eurogames" and "Ameritrash" are bandied about constantly. Could we have some definitions of the terms, with games used as examples?
Keep it friendly!!!!!!!!!!
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Tom Rosen
United States
Arlington
Virginia
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Classic Example of a "Euro" game
Common features of "Euro" games:
-Little to no luck
-Victory points determine winner
-Theme is not very important
-Designer's name is very important
-Components made of wood
-90 minute playing time
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Tom Rosen
United States
Arlington
Virginia
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Classic Example of an "American" game
Common features of "American" games:
-Dice (more luck than "Euro" games)
-Theme is important to players
-Designer's name is not as important
-Components are often made of plastic, not wood
-Usually much longer playing times (although Nexus Ops is an exception)
-Often involve player elimination, which "euro" gams do not
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Steven Johnson
United States
Marion
Texas
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Which category would Memoir '44 fit in?
Plastic mini's
Simple rules with illustrations
Fast playing times
Luxurious components
Major designer name
It is a wargame, but definately not the James Dunnigan classic style of the 70's!
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Michael Barnes
United States
Decatur
Georgia
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OK, for the last time...here's an example (check the next item as well).
Building New York in a fairly abstract, mechanical fashion with an auction or two? Euro.
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Michael Barnes
United States
Decatur
Georgia
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Escaping New York with an eye patch wearin', Mac-10 toting, supposed-to-be-dead bada$$ named Snake Plissken? AMERITRASH!
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, this doesn't seem to me to be a very good example of a game where theme is important. We're what now? Mercenary corporations? This green stuff is what? Liquifungus forest? Oh, who cares, dude, let's fight!
, and that Caylus is rated mostly 
and 
, might help people find the kinds of games they enjoy, and it would certainly eliminate any weirdness resulting from people feeling like the games they prefer aren't rated highly enough.)
Glen Arm
Maryland
For example games like:
Puerto Rico
El Grande
The Princes of Florence
Ra
Carcassonne
The term Ameritrash is rather new, and is really a reaction to the eurogame fams attitude to older American style games than a real game category. American style board games usually are old games that were developed pre 1990's that focus more on theme and less on the game mechanics. They tend to be longer and more involved than the average eurogame.
examples are:
Rail Baron
Axis & Allies
Dune
Twilight Imperium (third edition)
in addition to this you could also say there is a under represented selection conflict simulation games as well.
these are the classic and newer generation "war" games. Hex and counter games, card driven strategy games etc.
Advanced Tobruk
Advanced Squad Leader: Starter Kit #1
For the People
Wilderness War
And even some monsters like:
World in Flames
There are lots og games to choose from and every group has its good and bad. Your selection depends on what it is you want to do, how much time you have to devote tot he game, and who you have to play games with.
-M
Glen Arm
Maryland
-M
Arcata
California
Gamer: Hey, my friends and I have been playing your game a lot lately. It's total ameritrash!
Designer: Uhh... what?
Gamer: No no, that means we like it! See, on BoardGameGeek, "trash" means "good."
Designer: Does it.
Gamer: Yeah! Well... OK, to some of us. Everyone else still uses it to mean, you know, "trash," but I'm saying your game is trash in a good way.
Falls Church
Virginia
Our friend here is looking for help in trying to identify what games he may like - not starting a debate per se...
I think pointing out games that are available and fit the "types" may be the best thing we can do.
So here is my suggestion if trying to go back into the recesses of your brain is a little difficult right now...
Get one game of each. The expense won't be that much...
My Ameritrash err... Amerigame suggestions: Nexus Ops or Betrayal at the House on the Hill (since they seemed to be discounted right now as Avalon Hill discontinues this line)
My Eurogame suggestions: Carcassonne or Settlers of Catan
All of these are easily accessible games and will give you a lot replayability. The Euros here have expansions that allow you to grow the games into more complex games as well.
For a game that is in between the two (which would also be a good cross-over type experiment for yourself) - I suggest Pirate's Cove.
After this, you may find one variety or the other suits you more. Although I will admit it is really hard to judge an entire variety with one or two games. But at least you can see some fundamental differences.
BTW, I own all of these games, so that is why I confidently recommend them...
Cheers!
Paul
Glen Arm
Maryland
Gamer: Hey, my friends and I have been playing your game a lot lately. It's total ameritrash!
Designer: Uhh... what?
Gamer: No no, that means we like it! See, on BoardGameGeek, "trash" means "good."
Designer: Does it.
Gamer: Yeah! Well... OK, to some of us. Everyone else still uses it to mean, you know, "trash," but I'm saying your game is trash in a good way.
Yeah, Sarcasm is such a high concept. I have a hard time with it myself.
-M