The AI's favourite game

Some time ago, Christian from Spielstil.net drew my attention to the #BG2GETHER campaign and asked if I would like to take part. With #BG2GETHER, various bloggers, podcasters, vloggers etc. create a post once a month on a topic from the world of board games and link to each other. For me, this is a great opportunity from which all participants benefit through networking. The reader is given a varied approach to a specific topic. After a brief summer hiatus last month, today's topic is the question of when a board game is a board game.

A note in advance: at the moment I'm jumping from mountain pasture to mountain pasture in beautiful South Tyrol and therefore don't have my thoughts on the board. That's why my post is in a slightly different format than usual. I have also enlisted the help of a digital co-author and will be taking a critical look at his work. But for now, let's get to this month's question:

Board games like Fun Facts, Impact and That's not a hat always bring up the discussion of what is and isn't a game. But what constitutes a board game for you personally? When can it even be called a game? What are the minimum characteristics it must have? What does it have to bring to the table to inspire you?

So what is a board game? My digital co-author answered this question as follows:
A board game is a game that is played on a flat surface that serves as a game board. It usually involves pieces, cards or other elements that players use to play the game. Board games can have different themes and can include strategic, tactical, co-operative or competitive elements.

There is not really much to add to this somewhat dry and technical definition. However, the question of what makes a board game so appealing is much more interesting. Admittedly, I was really impressed by the AI's answer at first:

The appeal of a board game lies in a variety of aspects that make it attractive to players. Here are some of the main factors that make board games appealing:

  1. social interaction: board games provide a great opportunity to spend time with family and friends. They promote social interaction and create a shared activity where people can interact, communicate and have fun.
  2. challenge: Board games offer an intellectual challenge. They require strategic thinking, planning, tactics and sometimes luck. Players must make decisions to achieve their goals and overcome their opponents. The competitive aspect can be very motivating.
  3. tactile experience: In contrast to digital games, board games offer a tactile experience. Players can move pieces, hold cards, roll dice, etc. This physical interaction can increase the fun of the game and create a special experience.
  4. variety and creativity: Board games come in countless themes, mechanisms and game styles. There is something to suit every taste. The variety of games allows players to explore new worlds, take on different roles and utilise their creativity.
  5. Learning opportunities: Many board games also offer learning opportunities. They can promote cognitive skills such as problem solving, strategic thinking, decision making and maths skills. They can also teach historical, geographical or cultural topics.
  6. replayability: Board games can often be played again and again without the game principle becoming boring. Different courses of play, random elements and player interactions create new challenges and opportunities each time.

The appeal of board games therefore lies in the mixture of social interaction, intellectual challenge, tactile experience, variety, creativity, learning opportunities and the repeatability of the gaming experience.

Sounds like something out of a textbook to me. Unfortunately, the rest of the conversation with my co-author became very monotonous, because somehow I had the feeling that he only knew the games I mentioned from the blurb and had never played any of them himself. But back to the topic:

I still remember the discussions when MicroMacro was released very well. "It's not a game, and certainly not a board game" - was a common refrain in many corners of the online media. The discussion about what is and isn't a game really took off at that point. Personally, I loved MicroMacro and always enjoyed playing it with my daughter or friends. And that is actually the most important aspect of gaming for me. A game has to create a shared experience. It doesn't matter whether it's played on a board or just with cards or dice. As the African game Oware shows, you only need a few beans and an area of sand for a good and easy-to-understand game.

Yes, admittedly for me it has to be a bit more to really inspire. For me, games have to tell stories, a story that you can live through together. If there are also great miniatures, nothing stands in the way of an immersive games evening. One example of this is Arkham Horror as a card game, which we like to play with our own miniatures on rainy autumn days. Another example is the small version of Gloomhaven - the paws of the lion, which after a few teething problems (hello Désirée :-) is back on the table regularly.
Finally, the only thing left to clarify is what the AI's favourite game actually is. Anyone who has read this text carefully up to this point will probably figure it out for themselves. The answer is:

Finally, the only thing left to clarify is what the AI's favourite game actually is. Anyone who has read this text carefully up to this point will probably figure it out for themselves. The answer is:

As an AI, I have no preferences or feelings of my own, so I don't have a personal favourite board game. My goal is to help you with your questions and provide information, regardless of my own preferences. ...

I would be interested in your opinion on this. Does AI have any place on a blog or in board games? Leave me a comment below with your opinion! You can find more interesting articles/videos/podcasts about #BG2GETHER in July at the following addresses:

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07.07.2023 - user://Stefan

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