Tom Vasel: Explanations

Over the course of the past couple of weeks, scads of new teachers are arriving at the school where I teach, and I’ve invited many of them over to my home for dinner.  We also hosted a church event in my home, with many folks coming over for food and fellowship.

Now I can’t help myself, I have to take everyone who visits over to the game room, if only to see their reaction.  Not all my games are there (there’s a good hundred or so at school), but there’s close to 1,000 games in one room.  Of course, everybody’s reaction is one of surprise, and then they usually make a comment along the lines of…

- “I didn’t know there was this many games in the whole world!” - to which I respond that there are at least 30,000 different games in existence.
- “I’ve never heard of any of these games!” - I then explain to them about designer games, and often try to find at least one game that they’ve heard of before (usually Apples to Apples)
- “Are these games fun?” I sardonically explain that no, the games aren’t fun, I simply keep them around to torture myself.  Then I laugh, and tell them how much fun Ticket to Ride is.
- “What game is your favorite?” I mention Duel of Ages, but then quickly point out Ticket to Ride and Railroad Tycoon - both games that I’m sure they would enjoy more than Duel of Ages.  It’s the greatest game of all time - but certainly not for everyone.
- “When do you play all these games?” I offer to play a game with them, right now, right here.
- “Where’s Monopoly?” I sadly tell them that I don’t own a copy.  But I have Careers!
- “Where do you buy these games?” I tell them that most come from specialized game shops, and they’re quite easy to order online.

They ooh and ah over the games.  Some people look at me funny, but I hasten to point out that many people have CD collections much larger than this - it’s just that CDs take up less room. 

And you know what, I’m able to get people to play these games - and they come back for more.  Yesterday I had a group play Simply Catan, while another played Around the World in 80 Days and Cleopatra and the Society of Architects - and comments were made to the effect that “These games are really fun, why haven’t I heard of them before?” Everyone is laughing and talking and wondering where they can buy these games.  And name recognition is occuring, with some folk saying “Oh, it’s a Days of Wonder game, it must be good.” These, my friends, are good signs - and while I’m sure that most of these people won’t become die-hard gamers, if their closets contain a Ticket to Ride or Carcassonne or Settlers of Catan, then I’ve done a good job.

So scorn me for my large collection if you will, but don’t mock so much - because you’ll end up with a couple of games yourself.

Tom Vasel
“Real men play board games”
www.tomvasel.com

© 2006 Tom Vasel

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Comments:

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So, are bookshelves the definative method for storing large volumes of games?  I need to start a new method of storage (rather than the - lying around in stacks in the basement...) Posted by Matt J. Carlson on Aug 14, 2006 at 07:53 PM | #

I had friends from my company’s Marketing Dept. come over.  I took them up to my office, where my (25) games are. They thought it was all very cool… except one of them kept referring to those games by “Days of Women”.  (LOL) Posted by Ryan Bretsch on Aug 14, 2006 at 08:55 PM | #

(Duel of Ages) is the greatest game of all time - but certainly not for everyone. I would think that the greatest game of all time could be played and enjoyed by everyone, which is why I don’t think such as thing exists. Posted by W. Eric Martin on Aug 14, 2006 at 09:20 PM | #

Matt, bookshelves are indeed the ideal way to display mass quantities of games. I used to have my games piled in the basement of my old house with only 100 or so (mostly small card games) on shelves upstairs within view. Visitors would be surprised by the games, but not overwhelmed. In our new house, we combined two small rooms to create one giant game room, with shelves across one entire wall. Now the Wall O’ Games, highly visible when you pass through the doorframe, practically stops newbies in their tracks. Once they’re stunned, you can easily drain their blood and replace it with liquified meeples, creating new gaming zombies otherwise known as opponents. Posted by W. Eric Martin on Aug 14, 2006 at 09:29 PM | #

There is nothing like the Room of Games to make an impression on people that, yes, there is life beyond Monopoly. Posted by Ava Jarvis on Aug 14, 2006 at 10:29 PM | #

> I would think that the greatest game of all time could be played and enjoyed by everyone, > which is why I don’t think such as thing exists. No, the greatest game of all time *has* to be different for everyone.  Just like the greatest novel, movie, painting etc. etc.  Otherwise, where would be the fun in arguing about it? :-) Posted by David Brain on Aug 15, 2006 at 03:44 AM | #

Tom, let’s see some photos of the game room! Posted by Phil Schwarzmann on Aug 15, 2006 at 07:04 AM | #

Tom writes:  Duel of Ages.  It’s the greatest game of all time - but certainly not for everyone. ** You’re just doing this to push my buttons, aren’t you?  :o) Posted by Greg Schloesser on Aug 16, 2006 at 10:26 AM | #

Harumph. At least my top ten isn’t a cookie cutter list from the favorites at BGG!! :) Posted by Tom Vasel on Aug 16, 2006 at 05:10 PM | #

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