Board Game Night. A question of etiquette...
So, I was in the Games Parlor last week, and I bought a board game. I haven't really played board games in a while due to lack of time and resources, but a friend was coming to visit for the weekend and he was bringing Hero Quest along, so I thought, hell why don't I pick up something and we can have a board game-athon weekend. I picked up a game called "Dust" pretty much on impulse, because it had walking mechs, machine guns, and cleavage on on the cover. It actually turned out to be a pretty good game consisting of much Risk style conquering, resource gathering, and backstabbing. But that's neither here nor there.
When I bought the game the cashier invited me to Board Game night there in the store Tuesday nights. I've never been to a board game night in my life. Can't say as though I even thought of them, really, existing. I mean I've had some epic all night Risk sessions with like minded geeks, but I didn't think people actually gathered together on a regular basis to play board games with others, try out the new ones, chat about new games coming out, etc.
My interest is piqued. I want to attend one night, but I'm afraid I don't know what the etiquette for such an event is. I don't know anyone there, since I only just started going to this store a couple weeks ago on lunch breaks. Do I just stride in, all piss and vinegar, point to someone and shout "I challenge you, sir! Choose the battlefield, and I will meet you."? Do I need to scout around the first night, see what everyone is playing, then go home and find the rules online, so I don't make an ass out of myself by learning the game as I go, and slowing the play down to a crawl?
Anyone got any advice?
Mex wrote:
I'd love to hit it, but seriously where would that lead? marriage? herpes? Who knows.
It varies group to group. Some groups are very happy to teach anyone a new game, sometimes they are teaching more than one person at the table if it's new to them as well. Most groups i've been to are happy to welcome newcomers, as long as they've mastered the art of bathing, and manifest a positive attitude and good sportsmanship.
I'd go one night and check out what the scene is like, to get an idea if you'd like the environment and the people there. More than likely, you'll get invited into a game.
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If it happens when the store is open, just drop by to check it out. If it sucks, claim you were looking for some obscure game and leave.
That being said, I went into a game store in Watertower Place (a huge tourist mall in Chicago), and some guy that was playing D&D gave me the evil eye. All I was doing was picking out dice (coincidentally for the exact same purpose). Heaven forbid I touch their precious dice (not the ones on the table, the ones in the area for sale). Buncha jerks...
"I can't knife you right now. I have a chair and some pants."
Yeah, I am kind of worried about running into a closed group like that. It is supposed to be happening around 6:30 and the store is open till 10, so maybe a quick recon mission would be the right answer. I'm hoping it's not going to be populated by the stereotypical comic book guy types, that have an odure of cabbage and sweat. Here's hoping!
Mex wrote:
It's the same thing I ran into when I first started going to my local comic book shop for Friday Night Magic (Magic The Gathering) games. The first night I just "scouted". I watched and learned how the group behaves. It helped that I already knew the game just not their routine. Like any social gathering there will be a wide cross-section of personalities (or lack of). If it's run by the store talk to the staff and ask questions. They should be helpful. There will likely be a few "good guys" there eager for fresh people to play and they usually will fill you in on the group etiquette. Learn from them. Ignore the jerks. If you don't like the crowd, give them one more chance before giving up on them. You may have just come on an "off night".
Is that why you got the cracked dice?
I'm an Uncle!!! -8/20/07
I buy even though I have 2 of them. I likey the Snakey. - Scrub
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That was Century Mall, actually, up at Diversey and Clark.
This was clearly an act of sabotage. I will have my revenge on the north side!
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my only advice is to stay away from the more beardy games at first. If you stick to something less intense than "dust" you will be much better off. I'd also recommend grabbing something relatively short, if you have the opportunity. But in general most people will be happy to get you started.
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"In other news, Miyamoto pissed on my head, and gave me a forecast of rain." - *Le
Beardy?
I wouldn't focus too much on that it's a board game night with specific etiquette but treat it like any other new social thing. Show up, be inquisitive and assess the situation, and do the most your comfortable with. Also, you've already got a point of contact with the cashier. Approach them or another employee first about what games are being played.
JUST PUZZLED YOUR ASS UP, SON! -Mr Crinkle
That's a fairly salient description, even if it's a blip from your voice recognition program.
Elysium: The democratization of the web ... has installed an illusion of a digital first amendment that protects speech no matter how poorly spelled or stupid.
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elementsofmeaning.blogspot.com
So you are that demographic that makes me embarrassed to buy games and have them in plain sight?
But here is the advice. Most owners of these establishments are friendly sorts. Walk in on Game Night, mention that you are new. And then the rest will take care of itself. Shoppes and events are filled with enthusiastic people who would like nothing more than to expand the hobby by one more person. Bring friends too.
The outside world is not like Xbox Live or public Teamspeak.
Now that is a scary thought.
Chumpy wrote:
Malor wrote:
I am unfamiliar with this slang. What, pray tell, does beardy mean in terms of boardgames?
I don't know what you are talking about, I felt no shame whatsoever about buying it. It wasn't gratuitous or anything, and it was a well illustrated and well designed cover, (which counts a lot to me.) It just happened to have three things on it that I enjoy, good marketing if you ask me. It's not like I held it close to my face whispering "boobiesboobiesboobies..." as I walked over to the cashier.
Here's what the cover looks like:
pretty tame if you ask me.
Mex wrote:
Beardy was no slip - games played by old men in beards, who scratch them while they take 14 minutes and 22 seconds to make each turn in a 20 turn game. I can't believe nobody's heard that before.
Gamertag: GWJ Rabbit | Last.fm | Twitter
"In other news, Miyamoto pissed on my head, and gave me a forecast of rain." - *Le
Be gentle Rabbit. He hasn't even heard the term "grognard" yet
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Pipe Threader Manual wrote:
Okay, So went to board game night at the game store tonight. I must say I am pleasantly surprised at how much fun it was, and how easy it was to slip into a group. I ended up playing some really quick kiddie games just for time killer, (Hey, thats My Fish, and Cartagena) then we got into a marathon game of Fury of Dracula that lasted almost until the store closed.
There were definitely some cave trolls there, but the guys I was playing with were very personable and seemed pretty well connected to the real world. There wasn't a whole lot of intermingling between groups, mostly because people were too intent on playing the games.
All in all it was a good time, and I'm actually looking forward to the next time I can get over there.
Mex wrote: