Scott Tepper: Spreading The Word
My roommate moved out at the end of last year. As nice as it was having my condo all to myself after he was gone, it became apparent after a few months that I would need to rent out my extra bedroom. I put it off as long as possible as I’ve had a couple bad roommate experiences in the past: one almost like a gross-out Ben Stiller comedy movie, the other more like a Hitchcockian horror/thriller. After giving up hope of renting to a friend of a friend, I posted an ad on Roommates.com.
Even though my place is pretty ideal(large furnished space with a roommate who is rarely home), a month went by before my ad generated any promising responses. I spoke several times with a woman who was moving to Chicago for a year to do an internship related to her graduate studies at a social service organization that was only a mile from my place. The situation seemed ideal, but in the end she decided to move into a communal living home because it was so inexpensive. The following week though, I was contacted by Daniel.
Daniel is a physics professor from Michigan who was going on sabbatical for several months while working occasionally with a research facility in the Chicago area. Instead of repeatedly driving back and forth between northern Michigan and Chicago, he decided to rent a place so he could take advantage of the things like theatre, festivals, and museums, a large city could offer that he couldn’t find in his hometown. On a Saturday Daniel came to see my place, and then called the next day to say he wanted to take the room. Three weeks later, mid-July, he loaded up his car with his computer and books and moved into my guest room.
When I posted my ad, I left out the part about owning over 700 games. A quirk like that has got to sound crazy to the 99% of the population who hasn’t played Settlers. Of course I mentioned it over the phone when I talked to anyone who showed interest in my place. Since most non-gamers’ ideas of games are Candyland or Monopoly, I think if they walked in my door for a tour and I showed them the game library (which would normally be a 3rd bedroom) without any kind of forewarning, it wouldn’t be surprising if they mentally checked off in their head, “Ok, this guy is a definite kook. I’m done here. I’ll just smile nicely and tell him that I’ll think it over.”
Luckily, I guess that physics professors are already used to seeing the world slightly differently than the average Joe, so Daniel didn’t seem too fazed by my walls of games. He did express, though, when he came for the tour of the place, his surprise that there existed that many games in the world. I tried to assure him that my collection was only a small fraction of games that are available, but he was sceptical.
I decided to wait a couple of weeks for him to settle in before I sprung the first game on him. After talking to Daniel and learning a little about his personality, I thought Blokus would be a good starter game for him. It turns out I was right. Seconds after we finished that first game, Daniel was already reexamining and dissecting the moves he made. Success!
Daniel has since played and enjoyed several more games with my weekly gamegroup, from classics like Acquire to newer games like Vegas Showdown. He has demonstrated an ability to quickly figure out the mechanics of a game and develop a viable strategy. I think he’s also enjoying the group social dynamic of gamenight as he isn’t acquainted with anyone else in Chicago.
When I look at the situation, I can’t help but draw a parallel to something that happened to me many years ago. I had just graduated from college and was starting my first week as a research technician. On my first day at the lab, one of the scientists invited me out to lunch. Five minutes after sitting down at the local eatery the true motivation for the invitation came out. My co-worker launched into a presentation about his religious beliefs and how I should consider them for myself. I listened patiently and then explained nicely that I was already set in my (different) religious beliefs. Although we ended up working together for two more years, he never again invited me, or now that I think about it, any other co-worker, socially to lunch.
At the time, I came away from that lunch with the impression that my co-worker had to be at least a little conceited to believe his religious beliefs were better than whatever different religious views I held. In retrospect, I now see his actions were motivated by a feeling that sharing his beliefs might benefit me. Surprisingly, my feelings about boardgaming are very similar.
For me, playing boardgames is a mixture of mental stimulation, creative analytical thinking, fun challenge, and social interaction. I can’t think of any other pastime that offers all the same benefits with such a variety of tools. Boardgames have brought so much to my life in terms of fun and friendship and family that I almost feel a duty to introduce them to the unexposed. As such, I invite anyone I meet who shows the slightest interest to my weekly gamenight. Sometimes they come once and we never see them again. Sometimes they stick around. One of the guys in our gamegroup became a regular after I met his fiance (now wife) after I met her at a friend’s birthday party and found her to be so much fun that I invited her to one of my gamedays.
However, it can be a fine line between having the desire to expose people to a good product and the hubris of expecting people to accept your product as the be-all-end-all. I wouldn’t want to provoke the reaction in people, “Oh no! Here come’s that game guy, Scott. He’s always trying to get us to play games. Quick, hide before he sees us.”
My brother-in-law is a perfect example of game avoidance. He refuses to play any boardgames. This is at odds with his wife, my sister, who is always just as excited as my nieces and nephews are when I bring boardgames to a family event. In this respect, I’ve observed, boardgaming mirrors religion. Like people’s usual acceptance of their parents’ religious beliefs, children who played games with their family while they were growing up tend to be more receptive to playing boardgames as adults.
In my mind, this situation of my knowing about all these great games, and being in a world where very few people know they exist. I guess, as unlikely as I would have thought, that makes me a proselytizer of sorts. I know that games can make the world a better place. Can you imagine?: “Sure Timmy, you can use the car tonight, IF you can first beat me at Autoscooter.” or “So you’re interested in working for Merrill Lynch? To get to the next level of interviews you’ll have to beat the other applicants at a game of Shark.” or “For the next part of the debate, Senators McCain and Obama, you will be playing a game of Terra with Nicolas Sarkozy, Ehud Olmert, Raul Castro, and Dmitry Medvedev.” or “Instead of going to war, we’re going to engage in a tournament of Diplomacy. Winner take all.” Think of the friends that could be made or money that could be saved. The possibilities are endless. We just need to spread the word to make it so.
And really, what better word is there than Meeple?
© 2008 Scott Tepper
Posted by Scott Tepper on Sep 1, 2008 at 01:00 AM in Columnists, Scott Tepper / 1148
Comments:
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You really expect to _avoid_ a war by having heads of state play a game of Diplomacy? :) Posted by Matt J. Carlson on Sep 1, 2008 at 01:45 PM | #
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"In retrospect, I now see his actions were motivated by a feeling that sharing his beliefs might benefit me.” You’re a very thoughtful guy, Scott, and I can appreciate very much your maturity in trying to see things from other people’s perspectives. It is sad, though, that your out-of-office relationship with your co-worker hinged on whether you jumped at his invitation the first time you had lunch. Can you imagine not ever inviting someone to lunch a second time because they would not play Blokus with you the first time? Games are to foster good relationships, not the other way around (OK, I have never played Diplomacy:). Posted by Jeff Allers on Sep 1, 2008 at 02:22 PM | #
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The other difference between proselytizing games and religion is that most people have set or strong ideas about religion. One is far more likely to offend someone by imposing one’s religious beliefs than by talking about a hobby like gaming. If the co-worker, noticing you were new in town, had asked if you had chosen a church and, if not, invited you to attend his, that sounds like a friendlier approach. Regardless of your answer, there is little pressure and a burgeoning friendship can continue. That said, I’m still careful about discussing my hobby. If people show interest, I’ll go into whatever detail they want, but I’m mindful of pushing my likes upon them or becoming the boring “game guy” you discuss. I’ve gotten too many disinterested and negative reactions to handle it any other way. Posted by Larry Levy on Sep 1, 2008 at 02:53 PM | #
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Matt, Well, I don’t think my idea for resolving military conflicts will be adopted any time soon, but really, if you think about it, is it any worse. Right now they’re resolved by who fights better or has more money, and in the process, how much money is spent, how much damage is done to land and property and how many lives are lost? Wouldn’t it be amazing if all that loss could be avoided by playing a game that demonstrates one’s military ability? Posted by Scott Tepper on Sep 1, 2008 at 06:38 PM | #
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Jeff, Regarding my former co-worker...I don’t think he was really ever interested in a friendship. I worked with him for 2 years, and never observed him striving to make any friendships with anyone in the lab. He was from a different country, and I assume that after his work was done he was going to move back home. His invitation for lunch really wasn’t an attempt to strike up a friendship, or, at best, might have only resulted in a friendship if I converted to his religion. Posted by Scott Tepper on Sep 1, 2008 at 06:42 PM | #
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Larry, Re: “The other difference between proselytizing games and religion is that most people have set or strong ideas about religion. “ I think the same could be said about boardgames. A lot of the uninitiated have set or strong ideas about boardgames. That doesn’t mean that they can’t be swayed. But it usually takes some sort of intercession. Simply telling people about boardgames usually isn’t enough to change their minds about them. Perfect case in point: I was at my sister’s yesterday for a BBQ. Of course I brought a few games. My sister encouraged a couple of her friends to play, although they were skeptical. I brought out Objets Trouves because it could handle the 8 of us. I explained the rules and the friends thought the game would be way too hard. I encouraged them to give it a try, and they did. In the end, the friend came out in 3rd place and admitted that the game was a lot more fun, and easier, than she expected it to be. Now, I have to ask you a question. You say you’ve received “too many disinterested and negative reactions”. What were those negative reactions? I’m very curious. Posted by Scott Tepper on Sep 1, 2008 at 06:53 PM | #
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Scott, I think conflict resolution by a representative challenge would be an intriguing way to avoid bloodshed. I was purely going for the humor value in that I find the game Diplomacy is far more likely to engender harsh feelings than bond the players together. (At least stereotyping the game for me.) I think I’d rather see a game that involves more cooperation be used as a resolution for global conflict. Reminds me of the “game” in Asimov’s Foundation series where people bought in and ran a virtual country in a virtual world almost as a profession, followed by many fans of the game. Posted by Matt J. Carlson on Sep 1, 2008 at 09:21 PM | #
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What have been the negative reactions? They have been many and varied. “Games are strictly for kids and anyone who plays them is childish.” “I hate games because there’s always a sore loser.” “I hate games because there’s always a bad winner.” “These rules are too long.” (Usually spoken about a minute after the rules explanation began.) “Games are stupid.” “Games are pointless.” “My idea of a perfect game is you roll the dice, move your piece, and then talk to the person next to you until it’s your turn to roll the dice again.” (That one came from my wife.) “I like Scrabble, but I don’t like it when you keep score.” And of course, many, many times: “This is too hard!” I’m not saying I haven’t had my share of successes. There are some friends and family members where I’ve been pleasantly surprised at the interest and ability they’ve shown. But I don’t think I’ve ever truly converted someone into being a gamer. They’ll happily play games with me, but they don’t when I’m not around, either because opponents are too hard to find or because they have other interests. It doesn’t particularly bother me. I’m lucky that I’ve found a group that shares my interests and I enjoy gaming with them. And I’ll mention my hobby to new friends and am happy to go into as much detail as they want to hear. But experience has shown that most folks have little interest, so I try not to push it. Posted by Larry Levy on Sep 1, 2008 at 10:17 PM | #
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Other parallels between gaming and religion: Agricolytes Various predictions of the second coming (see Agricolytes) Sunrise services (our group starts on Saturday night) Books of rules that no one reads, follows or remembers. and last, but not least, a desperate shortage of women’s involvement (OK, I’m Catholic, YMMV). Posted by Jason Matthews on Sep 2, 2008 at 01:25 AM | #
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Using boardgames in interviews is such a great and novel idea! They require critical thinking and social interaction as well as allow you to observe how well people can retain information, deal with competition, cope with winning and losing, and in some circumstances how they work together as a team. All of these are qualities you’d want to know about a likely candidate via a traditional Q&A interview. I’m surprised that no company has thought out of the box and utilized games to fit their needs. I image they can be great team building exercises as well, if done right. Posted by Jason Cheng on Sep 2, 2008 at 06:18 AM | #
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Being a fairly new gamer myself (only been seriously playing euro style games for a few years), I typically find it hard to find that careful balance between letting it out there that I am a gamer and inviting others to do so AND harboring some of that excitement so I don’t geek out about it. Lets keep in mind that most people who know me well know I obsess over everything I get into, whether its games..or music...the list goes on and on. I always feel as though its unfair judgment by most to criticize folks for being really into gaming. Is it not a stimulating activity? Isn’t it worthy of the time investment? Doesn’t it bring people together much in the same way any active sport would? What I also mean to say is: Don’t we all as humans have our talking points in life? You all know that sports guy, that deep into news headlines guy, that movie guy/gal, boating/fishing guy, that talks about their job all the time person..etc etc etc! SO WHY DO I GET ALL THE EYE ROLLS?? -- “There goes Tom talking about games again!"-- Posted by tom moughan on Sep 2, 2008 at 08:38 AM | #
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"Oh no! Here come’s that game guy, Scott. He’s always trying to get us to play games. Quick, hide before he sees us.” OK which one of you let Scott know our secret society bylaws? Posted by Ray Petersen on Sep 2, 2008 at 08:46 AM | #
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I have found that even though you probably won’t convert anyone to being a gamer, it’s also very rare to find someone who doesn’t like any games at all. Whether its Ticket to Ride, Wits and Wagers, Blokus, or whatever, you can usually find something for everyone. The funny thing about being a gamer is that most people aren’t even aware it can be a hobby. As a buddy of mine said, it’s a little like saying you’re hobby is fruit.
“Yeah, I like fruit a lot.”
Replace the word “fruit” with the words “board games” and it sounds crazy. Posted by Nate Owens on Sep 2, 2008 at 08:54 AM | #
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I thought you were going to share an Amway recruiting experience when you started the paragraph about the lunch invitation. That’s an awkward situation especially when it’s a customer. I could see parallels there too. You join this group and you make as much negative income as you want. Some just dabble and are only out gas money. Others will start making -$30 a month or so. And some get very involved (go overboard) and “earn” a one time bonus of -$1000, then a maintenance of -$100-300 per month. Posted by Scott Russell on Sep 2, 2008 at 10:50 AM | #
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Larry, OY! With a quote like, “My idea of a perfect game is you roll the dice, move your piece, and then talk to the person next to you until it’s your turn to roll the dice again.”, from your wife, does that mean that she hooks you into playing LCR all the time? Posted by Scott Tepper on Sep 2, 2008 at 11:02 PM | #
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Oh no, that’s grounds for divorce! :-) No, she’s just not a gamer. I actually did find some two-player games that she likes and she’s accompanied me to Gulf Games and the Gathering, but it’s been a while since we’ve played anything at home. I guess for me, Love not only means not having to say you’re sorry, but not having to *play* Sorry! Posted by Larry Levy on Sep 2, 2008 at 11:22 PM | #
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By the way, there’s a funny story about my wife’s “roll the dice” quote. At the most recent Gathering, I’m playing Stone Age for the first time with a group that includes Joe Casadonte. For some reason, the subject of non-gamers comes up and I tell him my wife’s favorite saying about games. He says, “Dude, we’re playing Stone Age--you just rolled the dice and now you’re talking to me until it’s your turn!” I cracked up. Posted by Larry Levy on Sep 3, 2008 at 11:33 AM | #
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