What makes these games different?

Most of the time when I tell a coworker or non-gaming friend that I'm big into boardgames, they get a look of confusion and an awkward silence. It's just not something that our (American) culture always processes right away. Indeed, if I were just to say that I'm a "gamer", the first assumption would be that I mean video games. Well, I don't. I mean board games. Yes, like Monopoly.

Well, not exactly like Monopoly, of course. In fact, while I own TWO copies of the game, I haven't played it in at least ten years. And there is a damn good reason for this: It's not a very good game. I mean, it's a classic, that I won't deny. But most times it just isn't very fun. It's usually waaaay too long (especially if you add on house rules), there is a large influence of luck on the game, it's usually clear who the winner will be by the half-way point, and it's possible for a player to be eliminated early and have to spend hours watching a not-very-good game.

But Monopoly and the other games you may find at your local Target are what most people think of when they think of games. They interesting diversions for children, but not something adults do (outside of Scrabble, maybe Risk, and some of the party games). I often play boardgames at a local pub on the north side of Chicago that is known to be a place for board games. They have a selection of fifty or so games, including a few really good ones, and still the patrons -- all adults over the age of 21 -- are playing Sorry, Life, Checkers, even Candyland from time to time. Candyland, a game for three-year-olds! Their definition of a game is something to do to kill time. It's therefore not surprising to be met with stares when I mention that I have close to 400 board games.

So what makes "my" games different? Well, first, some definitions and classifications are in order. First and foremost, when I say board game, I am also including card games and party games in there as well. The term "board games" (for me, at least) is more a way to differentiate these games from electronic games than it is to seperate out games with boards from those without. So for now, I'll just say "games".

[more coming soon...]