Allah, in His infinite wisdom, loves variety. And dice.
Article by a Heck of a Guy called Hoss! --- Read more from this authorSo let’s talk about games. What’s out there? What’s your thing? What do you love?
What do you hate? What are you dying to try?
Let’s take at least a cursory look at what’s out there, why you might want to play
them, and why you might not want to.
Role Playing games
PRO – Encourages imagination, creativity, problem-solving, and (in some cases) math skills. Can lead to careers as storytellers, middle management, or croupiers. Very portable.
CON – Source material is extensive & costly, sufficient quantities can lead to low back pain. Can never mention the words “steam tunnels” in conversation again without being hospitalized by concerned relatives. Heated debates with other geeks over Han Solo’s alignment may cause confusion in passerby. No matter what the setting, GURPS will eventually take it over.
Card Games (collectable)
PRO – Teaches resource management; high portability; wide range of playstyles, from thematic to cutthroat competitive; Prepares for career as statistician, actuary, recreational pharmaceutical supplier.
CON – Weekly eratta can turn brain matter to tapioca. Players often faced with choice between paying for college and paying for expansions; most players choose poorly. Repeated tapping of
cards can cause repetitive motion stress injuries. Spilled drinks can cause damages in excess of the value of one’s home.
Card Games (Non-Collectable)
PRO – Small footprint; portability; easy to setup. Rules are generally light. Repeated reinvestment not necessary. Variety of themes. Spills less costly than CCG’s.
CON – “Repeated reinvestment not necessary” is a damned lie; see various iterations of “Chez
{whatever}” from Steve Jackson Games. Paper cuts can become infected. No matter what new
innovative inspired game you find, everyone just wants to play Munchkin. With Vampires. Again.
Miniatures Games (unpainted)
PRO - Staggering variety of settings, from Crimean Wars to Space Marines. Some games have deep historical value and utility as teaching tools. Teaches strategic & tactical skills, fine motor coordination, sculpting, painting, and correct tape measure usage. Prepares for career as sculptor, art forger, military analyst, leader of military junta in a developing nation. In case of zombie apocalypse, metal minis can be melted down to produce bullets.
CON – Expensive to keep up. Heavier than CCG’s. Actual artistic talent required. Excruciating attention to detail required. Slight mistakes in painting can turn “Wolf Squadron Space Marine with Heavy Storm Bolter” into “Bob from Custodial with VibroMop”. Rules are extensive, detailed, and only slightly less boring than last year’s collected Tax Code.
Miniature Games (Prepainted)
PRO - No artistic talent required. Rules are generally simpler than with traditional miniatures. Figures can often be used in conjunction with other games, such as RPG’s. Figures can also double as ornaments for Christmas tree.
CON – All of the cost of Collectible Card Games, but without their easy-to-store flatness. Arizona summers can transform your Ultra Rare Crisis on Infinite Earths Superman into Blobbo the Molten Puddle in a single afternoon left in your back seat. Barbie-sized Galactus. Sneers and derision received from traditional miniatures gamers can lead to psychotic break.
Board Games
PRO – Comes with everything you need to play. Offers a wide variety of gaming experiences. Allows for deep play, hours of engagement. Supplemental skills such as painting or geometry are generally not needed.
CON – Monopoly. Candyland. Settlers of Absolutely Freakin’ Everything.
Of course, this is by no means an exhaustive list. This is just a brief glance at some of the more popular genres. Did I miss your favorite? Come tell me about it in the forums.
-Hoss
Tags: gaming