Ryan B.:  What A Bunch of Non-Gamers

I recently decided that I did not fit the traditional definition of a “gamer”, try as I might.  And yet it is fair to say that I really like playing boardgames.  Even to the extent that I write about them. 

So why did I decide that I didn’t fit the mark of a prototypical “gamer”?  And if I am not a “gamer”, am I even qualified to write about boardgames?  Well, first I wanted to define what I have come to see as a person who could reasonably be defined as a “gamer”. 
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These are what I have seen as the characteristics of a “gamer"… from what I experienced:

1.  “Gamers” play games almost weekly.  Usually at a minimum of five different games a week.  Sometimes much. much more.

2.  “Gamers” seem to own a lot of games.  Some collections, so I am told, run into the thousands.  A fairly impressive collection usually means owning 75 or more games. 

3.  “Gamers” typically own lots of games that are much deeper than the common fare.  These are usually what are commonly known as Eurogames.  And typically, “gamers” own games with titles that are abstract in nature… Carcassonne, Puerto Rico, Tigris and Euphrates, Amun-Re, Caylus etc.

4.  “Gamers” typically villify Monopoly and classic party games are lightly regarded as “fillers” to be played in between the real games.

5.  A game night for “gamers” really is solely about the games.  The social aspect around game night is through the actual playing of the game.  The playing of games consumes maybe 80-90% of the evening, afternoon etc.

6.  “Gamers” are very serious about playing the game, winning the game and displaying proper gaming ettiquette at all times.

7.  For gamer’s “BGG” is the sole law of the land.  Criticism of “BGG” is not allowed.  (Hey, I had to put one tongue and cheek entry in here!)

8.  Is it me or does it seem like most “gamers” come from IT or Engineering backgrounds?
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Now with that being said, I can tell you briefly that I only own 20+ games, I usually play a boardgame with friends about once per month and all the games I own are pretty much lighter fare.  When my friends do get together for a game night, we are playing party games or wheeling out boardgame titles that are easily put in context.  The actual game accounts to about half of the evening.  The other part is hanging out, maybe having a little wine or food (I’m a big cook) and just having some “coffee talk” about the events of the day.  When we do play, you know someone is always going to be unconventional...and frankly, none of us cares as long as we are having a good time and laughing.

Oh, and I happen to think Monopoly is a pretty decent game. 

So, I think this pretty much has convinced me that I just am not a gamer.  BUT.... there are some deeper games I enjoy.  Conquest of the Empire was one of those games… to the extent I wrote a review on Gamefest about it.  Diplomacy is another game I think I will look forward to playing...and Railroad Tycoon, I thought to be a whole bunch of thinking fun as well.... even though I hate Age of Steam on which the game was based. 

So what is the make-up of my “non-gamer” friends who come to our boardgame night?  And how does it compare to the typical make-up of a true “gamer” game night?  I always see this as a fascinating question.  So here goes:

Ryan B:  We might as well start with me.  I am in sales.  In fact, I am a sales manager for a company that sells retail cable TV to the general populace.  I have lived in St. Louis, Portland ME and now Tampa Bay FL.  I love travel, skiing, playing flag football (although I am now getting to be too old at 37 for this...).... I would LOVE to climb Mt. Everest at some point (but I know I never will...) So I will have to settle for Mt. Washington, NH as the highest mountain I ever climbed in winter conditions.  My favorite game?  A tie between Mystery of the Abbey and I’m the Boss.

Jennifer:  My lovely wife.  A teacher by trade, she loves playing boardgames, but it is not a hobby for her.  I think she just likes it as a vehicle for getting together with friends.  She has been a Florida native her whole life.  Her favorite game is Apples to Apples.

Lori:  A very good friend of ours, she is one of the regulars of our boardgame nights.  She was a branch sales manager of a bank but is now branching out into real estate sales.  A “type A” personality all of the way, she is a big fan of Cranium and she really likes “A Dog’s Life” too.

George:  Lori’s boyfriend.  To me, he always reminds me of looking like Clark Kent before he turns into Superman.  He manages an information technology group for a living.  He is a big time mountain biker/roller blader/swimmer.  He probably is in the best shape of any of us.  He has no discernable preferences for games and just enjoys everyone’s company.

Ramona:  Our very own very bubbly blonde, she has a thing for pink.  Everytime Jennifer and I see something pink in stores we think of her.  Ramona’s favorite game is one that I actually don’t own but is reasonable fun.... “Imaginiff.”

Joe:  Joe is your typical football player.  He is built like a brick and ran like Barry Sanders before his knee gave out on him.  It still doesn’t stop him from doing crazy athletic stuff he shouldn’t be doing, however.  It probably doesn’t help that he is the PE coach/occasional Assistant Principal at his school.  I could never get him to play boardgames before he lost a bet to me....  a wheeler dealer, fast talker by nature, it was a game of “I’m the Boss” that turned him into a convert for boardgame night.

Dave:  Dave is another wheeler dealer, fast talker by nature.  It stands to figure since he is the sales manager for a major food product company.  Needless to say what his favorite game is?  “I’m the Boss”.  In fact, he liked it so much, he went out and bought it.

Gretchen:  Dave’s very charming wife.... at least when she is not playing boardgames.  When she is really into a boardgame she is out to win.  Gretchen is another “type A” personality… and did I say when she plays boardgames she is out to win?  This makes her a very fun opponent in my book.  Oh.  Gretchen is a hairdresser by trade.... and a very talented one at that… and of course she does Jennifer’s hair.

Frank:  Frank is the one engineer in our group and is a low key personality with a dry wit.  He designs bridges.... I can barely design a Lincoln Log house.  Frank’s favorite game is a very good choice.... Clue: The Great Museum Caper.

Sharyn:  I am not quite sure what Sharyn does for a living come to think of it .... but I do know she loves boardgames and when I taught a group of people Werewolf… she just thought that was the greatest game!

Fred:  A true New Yorker by nature, Fred is intense in everything… and that is why I like the guy so much.  He is always interesting to talk to but has just started attending our boardgame nights.  Ha...another convert.

Lora:  Fred’s girlfriend and a regular to our game night who actually introduced Fred to our group.

Neil:  Neil is actually the head waiter at a restaurant and is a bit younger than us… in his late 20’s.  And of all of us, Neil is the one who likes the thinking games.  And I think it is Ticket to Ride that he likes best… but I am not sure.

Laura:  Yet another “Laura”.  But I find it fascinating they all spell their names different.  Laura manages a Starbucks, so she should be into the whole game thing by default.  Laura really likes the lighter and shorter games...my thought is that Clue! is her favorite game… but like Neil, I am not sure.

So there you have it.  About 14 people who play boardgames at our game night on a reasonably consistent basis.  The demographics?  Well, it looks like 7 guys and 7 girls.  3 of us are sales people.  5 are managers.  2 of us are teachers and 2 are physical therapists.  2 are married couples, 3 are single couples and 4 are single.  In addition, we have a waiter and a hairdresser in our little group and yes… what group of people who play boardgames would be complete without an engineer?  Thank goodness for Frank. 

So what does YOUR game group consist of?

To close, while the fact that most of my friends convene for a Boardgame Night about every other month or so (we limit a boardgame night to 6 people)… it turns out we all love getting together and we like playing and having fun.  And as long as having fun is the prime measurement of what playing a boardgame is all about, then I am qualified to write about it.

Till next time… Peace.

Ryan B.
“A Fun Game Starts with Fun People”

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