geek
Recently Viewed
Hot Games
Dominion
Agricola
Titan
Axis & Allies Anniversary Edition
Battlestar Galactica
Pirate King
Race for the Galaxy
Le Havre
Pandemic
Settlers of Catan, The
Space Alert
Puerto Rico
Conflict of Heroes: Awakening the Bear! - Russia 1941-1942
Red November
Ghost Stories
Playing Gods: The Board Game of Divine Domination
Power Grid
Arkham Horror
Twilight Struggle
Carcassonne
Androids and Belt Bums
Through the Ages: A Story of Civilization
Municipium
Race for the Galaxy: The Gathering Storm
Stone Age
Munchkin Quest
War of the Ring
Carcassonne - The Catapult
Last Night on Earth: The Zombie Game
Formula D
Wasabi!
Neuland
Risk
Tigris & Euphrates
Ticket to Ride
Apples to Apples
Descent: Journeys in the Dark
A Touch of Evil, The Supernatural Game
BattleLore
World of WarCraft Miniatures Game
Scrabble
Chicago Express
Galaxy Trucker
Caylus
Age of Empires III: The Age of Discovery
Kingsburg
StarCraft: The Board Game
Twilight Imperium 3rd Edition
Pictionary
Monsterpocalypse
Rules | Subscriptions | Bookmarks | Search | Account | Moderators
john m
flag
Avatar
07
I asked a question about what makes a great gameday "fest" and got some great feedback. Thank you.

I wanted to follow up with another question.

What do you think about tournaments in boardgames? This seems normal in Chess (which I have played much of), but what about other boardgames and cardgames? I see a lot online for money, but outside of the virtual world what do you think? What might do well at a tournament? For example, would a lot come to a San Juan or Bohnanza tournament? What about Memoir '44?

I realize this will very from game to game and location.

thanks for help.
And when he hears the tread...Of lowly Stanfurd red... From his lair he fiercely growls...Grr-ah! Grr-ah! Grr-rr-rr--ah!
flag
Avatar
060708
I've never participated in a gaming tournament, but two player competitions seem a likely draw. Though I've just begun playing it, I would very much consider entering a BattleLore tournament.
No.
Leo Zappa
flag
Avatar
0405060708
I'm another who isn't into tournaments at game fests or cons. It's all open gaming for me.
Charles A. Davis
flag
Avatar
05060708
I like both. The idea of playing several rounds of the same game in a short time period is the rub. The World Boardgaming Championships are all about tournaments and they draw 800+ people so some people really like it. Other events are mostly open gaming.
I suggest you try a few tournaments at your game fest and see how the folks like them. Scheduling is a big problem for the organizer and you should have a GM for each game. Good luck.
Gary Sonnenberg
flag
Avatar
0708
Another option is the Kniziathon or some variation thereof...

http://www.convivium.org.uk/kgkniziathon.htm

We're going to try something like this soon, only with anyone's games, not just Reiner's.
Fraser
flag
Game Designer
Avatar
0405060708
Lajos wrote:
No.
Seconded
Mike K
flag
Avatar
While I do get enjoyment out of the gaming experience itself, I subscribe to the Herman Edwards school of thought:

"HELLO!!? YOU PLAY TO WIN THE GAME!"

To this competitive end, I very much enjoy tournament-style gaming. I went to the WBC in 2005 (and hope to get back this year), and thoroughly enjoyed my time, in spite of my mostly mediocre record there. Also, I get the most enjoyment out of my gaming experience by playing strong opponents where a win is earned, as opposed to a more 'friendly' game with possibly one or more newbies. (I gravitate to the same opponents at my regular gaming group for this reason.)
john m
flag
Avatar
07
Karlsen wrote:
Lajos wrote:
No.
Seconded


I think there's something wrong with me. I just don't get the open gaming. Maybe becaues I've never experienced it. I tend to like very controlled and set circumstances, no milling around looking for something to do.
Tournaments are fine (e.g. WBC), if you approach them in the right frame of mind. For those who don't like unstructured time, they're great--just like open gaming with a matchmaker (the GM) to get people together to play.

Now, if you treat the tournament as a must-win endeavor (and very few do), it gets dicy. I've heard tale of people who take the competition a little too seriously being disinvited to the WBC.
John Brier
flag
Avatar
0506
I'm not a competitive person, but I like tournaments, which is why I organize an Amun-Re tournament and leagues on SBW- I like tournaments because they are like an extended, epic gaming experience and I like to appreciate the structure of a tournament (which is why I love creating them).

But at gaming conventions I find that tournaments force me to play the same game over and over, and moreover leave me less flexible with my schedule. So at gaming conventions I have grown a little weary of them unless it is a game I'm quite in the mood to play several times over the next couple days, and I'll limit myself to playing in only one or two of them.

J C Lawrence
flag
Game Designer
Avatar
04050607
johnnyLikesGames wrote:
What do you think about tournaments in boardgames?


They add no value for me. I have on interest in playing tournaments, and actively dislike the fact that they add something extra to the individual games being played. I don't want that extra; I want it to not be there. I'm interested in just the game being played.

Open gaming, only open gaming, all the way for me please.
Hunter Shelburne
flag
Avatar
I don't see the harm in having Open and Tournament gaming at an event. Tournament gaming is great for those who like truly competitive experiences, that are really rewarding for them, and casual gaming is great for those who get great experiences out of just playing with nice people.

I personally fall into both categories, when playing different games, so thats why I take the moderate approach to this. I play Magic: The Gathering very competitively, and get the most enjoyment out of it when I play in a tournament setting, yet I play games like Railroad Tycoon and others casually, but still slightly intensely, so its actually a game, not just sitting around and talking. Thats the point.