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Steve Bennett: An Invitation Primer
How did I go about inviting people to my first neighborhood game party? How many people did I invite? Whom did I invite? What form did my invitation take? Inquiring minds want to know.
I’ll walk you through the whole invitation process and reprint the invitations here. Bear in mind that when read in rapid succession, the invitations might seem repetitious. Certain key elements need to be restated in every invitation. But if you look closely, you’ll also see a progression that makes sense, a progression you might be able to utilize when you start hosting game parties. If I manage to inspire you to try this yourself, feel free to copy and paste from my invitations and adapt them to your own situation, starting by taking my name out and inserting your own!
The Launch
I printed up a one-page invitation and managed to pick the coldest, windiest day of the year to walk a two-block stretch of my street, ringing doorbells and handing out the invites. I went to every house where I knew the people, though in several cases, I didn’t know them well. I also invited three other families who at various times had expressed an interest in my games. All told, I sent out 17 household invitations reaching a total of 44 people, including children of all ages.
My rationale in going with all the people on my street was that it would appear less intimidating if it were presented as a neighborhood party where games would be played rather than a party for gamers. People could stay in their comfort zones by being among their friends.
Here’s what my first invitation looked like:
You’re invited to an open house game party at the Bennett estate.
Date: Sunday, December 10
Time: drop in any time between 2:00 and 8:00
We go to a monthly game day in Iowa City. We’re modeling this after the Iowa City experience. That means people will come when they can and leave when they have to. Some will stay the entire time. That means all of you are welcome, but we’ll gladly settle for just some of you if some family members have other obligations or no interest in playing games. That means we’ll put out some snacks and drinks and a stew or chili. That means you’ll bring a small snack or some beverages, too. That means kids of all ages are welcome, though they may end up engaging themselves with Kate’s toys or a video. That means we’ll be emphasizing our game collection, which includes all kinds of games but leans heavily toward Euro games (explanation below). That means you’ll give us a call or an email and let us know you’re coming so we can plan tables, chairs, and food.
Playing games is a much more important part of the culture in Europe, particularly Germany. As such, a whole category of games has developed in Europe. These games can be characterized by easy-to-learn rules, a playing time of approximately an hour, no player elimination (as one finds in Risk or Monopoly), being less luck driven, and an immersion in theme. These games are designer driven, and people will seek out games by their favorite designers in the same way people will go see a film because it was done by Robert Altman or Martin Scorsese. Rather than employ simple roll and move mechanics, these games will often utilize trading, bidding, role selection, card drafting, tile laying, and others. They are characterized by more interesting decisions for each player each turn.
Some examples of games that we own and would be good introductions to the world of Euros are:
Ticket to Ride
Settlers of Catan
Carcassonne
Samurai
Through the Desert
Citadels
10 Days in the USA
Mississippi Queen
You can read about all these games and more at BoardGameGeek.com.
Of course, we have word games, party games, card games, and abstract strategy games, too. We even have Monopoly and Risk, but we hope to keep those buried in the closet! The emphasis will be on having fun and getting together with friends.
We hope you can make it. Let us know.
Steve Bennett and Judy Martin
My phone
My email address
In the first three lines they know where it is, when it is, and what it is—an open house game party. I tell them the evolution of the idea and then give them an overview of the type of games we like to play. Then, so the curious can learn more about the games, I give them specific names of ones I own that I think might be good starting points, and I direct them to where they can go to read more about them. I close by emphasizing fun and friends and giving them contact information.
Of the 17 invitations we handed out, eight yielded guests. Combined with our family, we had 18 people playing games on that first day.
The Follow-up
A month later we opened the house once more. We invited everyone whom we had contacted the first time, even if we hadn’t heard boo from them. We also expanded the invitation list. Our daughter has a couple of college buddies. We hit them up. Previous attendees suggested others they thought would enjoy themselves. We invited them. We thought of other friends who might be good candidates and extended invitations. And again, I stupidly waited for a frigid, windy day to put the leather to the pavement. This time I handed out more than 20 invitations, and at least 28 people showed up, including friends of friends, which felt like a double bonus.
I didn’t try to reinvent the invitation wheel; I simply modified what I used the first time. So you can see the progression of the invitation process, here is the second one in its entirety:
You’re invited to an open house game party at stately Bennett Manor.
Date: Saturday, January 27
Time: drop in any time between 12:00 and 9:00
We did this in December and had a lot of fun. We’re back for another go. To reiterate what the heck we’re doing: We’ll have games going on at different tables. People will come and go. Different groupings will form. You’ll get in on a game or two or three, depending on your stamina and desire. There will be snacks and drinks and maybe a pot of something in the kitchen. You can graze, or you can choose to satisfy your hunger all at once.
The emphasis will likely be on entry-level Euro games such as Ticket to Ride, Carcassonne, 10 Days in the USA, Settlers of Catan, and Thurn and Taxis (new at Christmas). We have about 80 games, so there’s bound to be something for everyone.*
As a direct result of playing games at our house in the past month, neighbors have purchased or plan to purchase 10 Days in the USA and Carcassonne. This is the ultimate affirmation of the fun of these games: They liked them enough to buy them.
We have some good games for kids, too. Kate got Disney Scene It for Christmas and is ready to lay waste anyone who dares challenge her supremacy. Kate also has a good selection of videos for kids.
We hope you’ll come and join us for some conviviality. If you can make it, bring a snack or a drink. Feel free to bring a favorite game of yours. We can’t guarantee it will get played, but having more choices is always good. And give us a call or an email to let us know you’re coming. That way we can plan the tables and chairs and food.
Steve Bennett and Judy Martin
My phone
My email address
*You can read more about any game listed here by going to BoardGameGeek.com and searching on the particular title.
We let them know that it was a lot of fun the first time, and if they had failed to show, what a good time they had missed out on. We again emphasized neighborhood conviviality. We gave them specific titles that got played the last time or might get played this time so they could learn a little about them if they chose.
Afterwards I made a geeklist about the day.
The Current Invitation
After the second party, we began to get email addresses for everyone so A) I wouldn’t have to walk the streets on crappy weather days, and B) it would be easier for them to respond and easier for me to link to information.
We also culled the names of anyone who had not attended or indicated in some way that they wanted to attend in the future. Even with some names removed, the list keeps expanding. I’m sending out 22 emails, along with a few more I still hand deliver.
Here’s what the latest invitation looked like. The single biggest change was in linking to game pages. Note the mix of games. There are party games, fillers, gateway games, and a couple of slightly more complex games. In short, there’s something for almost everyone.
You’re invited to another Game Party at the Bennett house. Mark your calendar for Saturday, May 19th, between noon and 9:00. Come when you can; leave when you wish. Kids are welcome.
Bring something to drink or eat if you like. If you can’t bring anything, don’t worry about it. Just show up and play some games and partake of the food that’s here.
Last time we got to play the games listed below, a good mix of strategy and lighter fare. I think everyone had a good time.
For Sale http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/172
Guillotine http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/116
Through the Desert http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/503
Ticket to Ride http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/9209
Wits & Wagers http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/20100
Acquire http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/5
Carcassonne http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/822
Democrazy http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/542
Scene It? – Disney http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/15830
TransAmerica http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/2842
Since then we’ve gotten 3 new games, including Carcassonne: The Discovery http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/16216. If you’ve enjoyed Carcassonne, you’ll like this new twist. Some other games that are just begging to be played are:
Mississippi Queen http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/256
Thurn and Taxis http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/21790
Ricochet Robots http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/51
Mykerinos http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/21441
O Zoo le Mio http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/4218
Of course, there are many more from which to choose, including a couple of my own creations. Or if you have a favorite game of yours, bring it with you and maybe it will see some table time.
An RSVP is appreciated. We hope we’ll see you here on the 19th! It’s a great chance to put the troubles of life behind you for a few hours and relax among friends.
Steve Bennett and Judy Martin
My phone
My email address
So there you have it. The process is still in the early stages, but we’re optimistic about our chances of sustaining interest and turning our game parties into anticipated, must-do events.
If you want to get to know your neighbors better, and if you want to expand your circle of possible gaming partners, there’s no better way than to take the initiative and begin hosting regular game parties.
I hope you’ll give it a try and let me know about your own ups and downs in doing so.
© 2007 Steve Bennett
Posted by Steve Bennett on Jun 29, 2007 at 12:30 AM in Special Features, Articles / 1245
Comments:
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Wow...that’s a great response from neighbors. Congrats on your new budding game group! Posted by Jon Theys on Jun 29, 2007 at 12:04 PM | #
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Hey, Steve! Congratulations on your efforts, and your boldness to host such an event on an ongoing basis. I have some questions: 1) So how has attendance been on the last 2 events? 2) Just how big is your gaming area? With over 20 invitations going out, you could be inundated with dozens of people of all ages. Do you have space for all these folks? 3) Who helps you teach the games? With so many people, it is likely very difficult for you and your wife to teach games to all of the different groups. 4) How have the young children fit in and behaved? I’ve had some trouble in “all age” gatherings wherein young children want to play games with adults that are over-their-heads intellectually and socially. How have you handled these situations? I really do think your idea is fantastic. Not only does it help spread the word of gaming, but it brings neighbors together and helps develop friendships. Bravo! Posted by Greg Schloesser on Jun 29, 2007 at 03:13 PM | #
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To answer your questions, Greg, 1) We had 28 or so the second time, which was in January. Our February gathering was canceled when an ice storm took down the power grid for 4 days. We did manage to play games by candlelight with neighbors during that terrible time. We knew March was off limits because of our family vacation. In April we had 12 or 15 if I recall. May was similar. We had to bag June because of baseball and weddings. But we plan on coming back in July in a big way. 2) I live in a big old (drafty) house. The dining room has a table that can easily accommodate 8 people at a game. When you come into the house there is an open entry area that opens to a library on the left and the family room on the right, which in turn is open to the dining room. We have a game table in the library that can handle up to 6. We have a glass top table that we can put in the entry area for 3 or 4 more players. The family room has a large ottoman that can handle things like Scene It or Apples to Apples. We could easily have 4 games going and handle say 22 people playing simultaneously. Back in January that probably happened. In a pinch we could probably put up a card table in the alcove at the top of the stairs. If everyone had shown up at the same time, it would have taxed us, but that wasn’t going to happen. We wanted to invite enough people that it would seem like an event, something worth paying attention to in the future. 3) One of our neighbors has played a number of our games and owns a few of his own. He’s helped a little. Mostly it’s my wife and me doing it. It hasn’t been a problem. Now that we have a little track record, we’re not having to teach games to tables of all-new players. Games that were a hit before get requested. If I have to pause the game I’m in to answer a question at another table, no one minds. Perhaps in the abstract it sounds daunting, but it hasn’t been. 4) We haven’t been overwhelmed with young’uns. There have been a few. Perhaps my neighborhood is a little older than many. What served as the model for us was the game days we attend in Iowa City. There it’s all been about inclusion. It has always been such a positive affair for us that when we decided to do it ourselves, inclusion was the only natural way for us to go. Sometimes kids will partner up with an adult. Sometimes they’ll play on their own. More often they end up in a game with other kids. All this seems normal to me. We have a 17-year-old daughter with Down Syndrome. Just last night we played Carcassonne with her. Sometimes we’d have to suggest placement possibilities. Other times we just let her go. It’s different than playing with a hardcore gamer, but we’re spending good time with our daughter, and that’s what matters. That seems to be the prevailing attitude at our parties. It hasn’t been an issue that has required handling. The idea of putting on regular game parties may sound intimidating, but it really isn’t. What’s more intimidating is having a closet full of games and no one to play them with. We’ve made new friends doing this, and we’ve gotten to better know our old friends. I can’t recommend it enough. By the way, my daughter lost Carc by one point last night. I was a distant third. “Ha! In your face, Dad!” Posted by Steve Bennett on Jun 29, 2007 at 04:39 PM | #
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