Rick Thornquist: The Name of the Games / Various Games

As I’m writing this, I’m in Atlanta having just finished up four days of gaming at the Oasis of Fun - a gaming get-together organized by Stven Carlberg.  I now have a few days to relax before another four days of gaming at the Origins game convention starting this Thursday.

While traveling here last week I had to go through U.S. customs.  My jaunts to the U.S. are invariably gaming related and I always end up having a difficult time explaining to the customs guy what I’m doing.  The conversation usually goes like this:

Customs Guy: What is the purpose of your trip?
Me: I’m getting together with some friends.
Customs Guy: And what are you going to do with your friends?
Me: We are going to play some, uh, board games.
Customs Guy: Board Games?
Me: Ya
Customs Guy: What, like Monopoly?
Me: Well, sort of.  They are like Monopoly but they are better. 
Customs Guy: So what do you call these games?

At this point I always pause.  Though I have always called the games we play ‘German Games’, a number of other names have come onto the scene vying to be the moniker of choice.  Which name should I use?

Years ago, when I first came on the scene, ‘German Games’ was the name of choice.  Practically all the games came from Germany and it was the Germans who reinvigorated the boardgame industry, so the name seemed apt. 

Since then a number of other names have come onto the scene.  The most common of these is ‘Eurogames’.  The common explanation for this one is that many of these games come from come from European countries other than Germany.  To me, this is sort of a lame explanation as Germany probably publishes more than 90% of the games in this category - the contributions from other European countries is relatively small.  Also, the term Eurogames, while trying to be more encompassing, doesn’t include the many games published in non-European countries.  I have a feeling that the name came about simply because the prefix ‘Euro’ is pretty common and slotting it in front of ‘games’ gives a name that rolls trippingly off the tongue. 

Another name is Designer Games.  I remember this name being mooted by Alan Moon as his label of choice.  It is a good name in that these games do generally feature the designer’s name on the front of the box and the moniker ‘Designer’ denotes a little cachet, implying that these games are better than the average game.  This name is also good in that it allows countries of all nationalities to participate - not just Germany or the European Countries.

One of the sillier names put forward was ‘These Games of Ours’ (abbreviated to TGOO) which, while perfectly descriptive to those in the hobby, means nothing to those outside gaming.  Then again, from what I understand, it was meant to be a joke in the first place.

An aside… One more name I’ve seen ‘Tabletop Games’, which is what the Origins game convention calls boardgames of all kinds, including more American-type games.  This name is completely baffling as it’s not descriptive at all.  Why they just don’t use ‘Board Games’ is completely beyond me.

Though the name Eurogames has caught on quite a bit, I have always stuck to German Games.  It was the Germans who revitalized boardgaming and they are the ones who still dominate.  I think they deserve the credit and unless things change, I’ll continue to use the name ‘German Games’.

Games Played
Last week was a huge week for games.  While here in the U.S. I spent the week staying at the places of various gamers, including Boardgame News columnist Valerie Putman’s, and I played games at all of them.  For the last four days I was in Atlanta for four days of gaming at the Oasis of Fun.

By the way, one of the advantages of being the editor of this website is that I get to stay at any of the columnist’s houses for free when I travel.  At least that’s what I think - I’m not sure what the columnists think of that!  Andrea Ligabue doesn’t know this yet, but if I go to Italy, I’m sleeping at his place!

I played way too many games to list them all, but there were a few that I wanted to highlight.  I finally played Vitrail, which is another simultaneous puzzle solving game.  A pretty good game, but I do like Carrousel better - there’s more interaction in Carrousel. 

I played the new games from Immortal Eyes Games - Pecking Order and Conquest of Pangea.  Pecking Order was a nice light two player game - in the vein of Lost Cities.  Conquest of Pangea is more of a gamer game - a conquest game that is heavier.  I’m not sure what to think of Pangea - I have a few problems with the rules and some of the mechanics may be a bit too lucky.  There are lots of interesting things in there, though, and I hoping to get some rules clarifications and to try the game again at Origins.  More on both of these in my Origins reports.

Greg Schloesser introduced me to The Great Space Race.  The game is goofy, luck heavy and unoriginal, but I still had fun with it.  I wouldn’t get it myself, but if in the right mood I may play it again.

Situation 7 is an old Parker Brothers game and I was surprised how much I liked this one.  It’s like a jigsaw puzzle combined with a boardgame.  In it, two players are solving the puzzle at the same time and certain parts of the puzzle, when completed, give you certain powers or points.  It’s quite neat and very fun - I’ll have to find a copy of this one.

Those are just some of the games played - there were many, may more.  Now onto Origins!

© 2006 Rick Thornquist

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Comments:

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Get Situation 4 - it’s even better than Situation 7. Posted by bruno faidutti on Jun 27, 2006 at 03:27 AM | #

I think it’s good that you are giving credit where credit is do, Rick, even if the Germans themselves may be somewhat reluctant. I find that here, it is much more popular to consider yourself a European citizen, rather than a German one.  Because of their history--no matter how long ago--they do not allow themselves to take much pride in their accomplishments as a nation. Their World Cup success, however, is changing that… Posted by Jeff Allers on Jun 27, 2006 at 04:04 AM | #

By the way, if you’re ever in Berlin, you DO have a place to stay (and game!) Posted by Jeff Allers on Jun 27, 2006 at 04:12 AM | #

Nah...7 is better than 4. With Situation 4, you play on a wide rectangular board, and start with a huge swath of puzzle already done. In 7, you start with one piece. It makes for a better progression. 4 does work a little better with teams, though. Posted by Frank Branham on Jun 27, 2006 at 07:18 AM | #

I always thought “Designer Games” was the most accurate and most interesting term.  I was perfectly happy with “German Games”, despite the less than inclusive geography.  But I no longer think personal preferences matter.  After many suggestions of alternatives for many years, with no hope of consensus in sight, seemingly overnight one term has become the de facto standard:  Eurogames.  I don’t know just how it happened, but one day I just noticed that that was the term everyone was using.  One theory is that it would have taken hold long before except that there was a publisher named Eurogames; it wasn’t until they went out of business that the term could be used without confusion.  I’m not sure if this is accurate or not, but in any event, I also have no problem using this name.  Certainly it’s much MUCH better than the term my friend Bill Salvatore insists on using:  “Sociable Strategy Games”.  Sorry Bill, but I think I’d switch to Monopoly if I had to use that phrase to describe the games I love! At any rate, continue with your “German Games” usage, Rick, but the battle is over.  They are now officially Eurogames.  Hey, it could have been a lot worse! And sure, you can stay at my place for free if you’re ever in...uh...Montana, yeah, that’s the ticket.  Breakfast in bed anytime you find yourself in Montana, buddy! Posted by Larry Levy on Jun 27, 2006 at 08:57 AM | #

Stallites and rockets are not differente enough in Situation 7, while tanks, bridges and paratroopers have rea&lly different uses in Situation 4. And who would play such a game head to head - it’s intended for team play, and the more players in each team the better. Posted by bruno faidutti on Jun 27, 2006 at 10:55 AM | #

I find it much easier to respond, “Yes, just like Monopoly.” Posted by Brian Waters on Jun 27, 2006 at 02:44 PM | #

I believe that the “Eurogames” moniker can be traced back to the aggressive grognards. They have been using the term for a while and seemingly had consensus amongst themselves about it. Over the past couple of years the two gaming factions (grognards and yet-to-be-tagged Eurogamers) have collided as a result of hybrid games bringing the separate gaming factions into regular contact. The grognards then exploited the internecine conflict between the “German Games,” “Designer Games”, and “TGoO” contingents and overran each of them, leaving “Eurogames” (and its abbreviation “Euros") as last names standing. Posted by Paul Sauberer on Jun 27, 2006 at 05:03 PM | #

I recall discussion amongst German gamers about two years ago to find a new name. The term “German game” was viewed as alienating to would-be gamers. Apparently people were tired of saying, “No, you won’t have to learn German to play this game.” I much prefer to say “german games”, but find myself using “Euro games” more and more. Posted by Brian Waters on Jun 27, 2006 at 06:00 PM | #

Well, then, for once the wargaming community has done us a service.  I’m much happier now that there is a standardized term.  At the very least, it will stop the bi-monthly thread on BGG or spielfrieks asking what these games are called, or what TGOO means.  Long live eurogames! Posted by Larry Levy on Jun 27, 2006 at 08:16 PM | #

I think Eurogames was waiting for use - but was occupied by the former company of that name, and thus was a bad idea. Company gone, name available. Euro or German? Either will do. Designer games suffers from that any argument you can make as to why its a good term also covers its use to also cover most grognard games too. I note over on the Geek that a thread sprung up yesterday on this flaring up on Wikipedia, but I lak the motivation to check there. Posted by Christopher Dearlove on Jun 30, 2006 at 11:35 AM | #

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