Ah, board game nights with friends, those magical moments when laughter bursts forth, rivalries are sparked, and friendships are put to the test. But before the festivities begin, comes that terrible moment: choosing the game.
Even if you only have a small number of games, it is still very difficult to know which game to offer. Indeed, you would like to hit the mark the first time.
Don't panic! Dabou is here to help you choose the perfect game that will delight everyone.
Select the games to offer
Before leaving the choice to others, make a small selection. This will allow you to only offer games that you want. But pay attention to 3 very important points when choosing these games.
Game length: Do you have enough time to play it?
Now imagine that you are the conductor of this symphonic evening.
So you need:
- Assess the tempo of the evening : Do you go crescendo until the end of the night or is it the last game because some will have to leave soon.
- Know the duration of the games you are going to offer : Even if a game can be played in 30 minutes, you know very well that it often overflows. Take some margin and don't aim for just that.
- Know if the rules are learned quickly : Do you know how long it takes you to explain a game? Because if at least one person doesn't know the rules of the game, you're left to explain them. It's up to you to avoid explaining a game that won't be played due to lack of time.
The level of complexity of the game: Feel the energy of the group
If you're at the end of the evening, you need to take into account:
- Ambient fatigue : It can turn a once strategic brain into a happy simpleton. Choose games that suit what's left of your concentration and energy. Prevent players from falling asleep in the middle of a game.
- Player Desire : Even the most assertive player may occasionally want to play a relaxed, good-natured game. Asking the question is not that complicated and can make all the difference.
Game mechanics and themes: Try to bring some variety
Now, like a chef, offer your guests a variety of game mechanics and themes to vary the pleasures. Wouldn't you like to spend an entire restaurant eating nothing but bread and water?!
Choose the next game to play
Now that the selection is ready, let the fun voting begin! As in politics, board games are better with a democracy in power. You will need to quickly present each of the games. This way, your co-players will know what to expect.
To make the decision easier, here are some tips:
- Express your desires but don't impose them : You have the right to say that you have a preference among your selection.
- Change the question : Ask people which of the 3 games they least want to play. This will make it very easy to exclude certain games and further limit the choice.
- Create a waiting list : If there is a hesitation between 2 games, you can decide and offer to play the game not selected for the next game.
Now that you have all the cards in hand 🤪, enjoy your next game nights. Be the ideal game master without ever becoming a playful tyrant.
