10 Reasons Board Games Are Better Now
Short Summary:
This video argues that modern board games are significantly superior to their predecessors from the 70s, 80s, and 90s. The speaker highlights ten key improvements, focusing on shorter playtime, fairer gameplay mechanics, elimination of player elimination, and the introduction of cooperative games. Specific examples like Carcassonne, Ticket to Ride, Catan, Pandemic, and Sagrada are used to illustrate these improvements. The implications are a more enjoyable and inclusive gaming experience for a wider range of players and preferences. The video details the design processes behind modern games, contrasting them with older, often luck-based and punishing designs. The rise of "Eurogames" from post-war Germany is identified as a pivotal moment in this evolution.
Detailed Summary:
The video is structured around ten reasons why modern board games are better, although these reasons often overlap. Here's a breakdown:
Section 1: Introduction & Playtime: The speaker introduces the idea of a "board game renaissance," arguing that modern games are more fun due to improved design. The first point emphasizes shorter playtimes, contrasting the potentially interminable nature of Monopoly with the predictable durations of games like Carcassonne and Ticket to Ride. This predictability allows players to better manage their time and strategize accordingly.
Section 2: Fairer Gameplay & Player Elimination: The second point focuses on fairer gameplay. Older games like Monopoly and Risk are criticized for their random and punishing mechanics, leading to frustration and player elimination. Modern games, the speaker argues, avoid this by ensuring every turn is engaging and every player remains involved until the end. Examples like Pandemic and The Resistance are given as alternatives to Werewolf, highlighting how modern games maintain the fun even when players are "out" in the traditional sense.
Section 3: Justified Punishment & Catch-up Mechanisms: The video then discusses the nature of punishment in games. While modern games can be challenging, the punishment is always justified by the player's actions (e.g., High Society), unlike the arbitrary penalties in Monopoly. The concept of catch-up mechanisms is introduced, explaining how games like Isle of Skye actively help players who are falling behind, preventing the runaway victory common in older games. This is contrasted with the "rich get richer" dynamic of Monopoly.
Section 4: Hidden Scores & Variable Setup: The fourth point highlights the use of hidden scores (like in Ticket to Ride) to maintain player engagement even when a player is significantly behind. The concept of "variable setup" is introduced, explaining how games like Catan use randomized board setups to ensure each game is unique and prevents the mastery of a single strategy. This contrasts with the static setup of chess.
Section 5: Agency & Player Control: The fifth point emphasizes the increased agency given to players in modern games. The speaker contrasts the lack of control in The Game of Life with the strategic choices available in games like Sniper Elite, where player decisions directly impact the outcome. This sense of control makes both wins and losses more meaningful.
Section 6: Options & Choices: The sixth point focuses on the abundance of choices offered in modern games. The speaker contrasts the limited options in Monopoly with the numerous strategic decisions available in games like Cascadia. While acknowledging the existence of luck-based games, the speaker emphasizes how modern games manage luck to enhance, rather than dictate, the experience.
Section 7: Managing Luck: The seventh point delves into the role of luck in modern games. The speaker differentiates between the arbitrary luck of Risk and the more controlled use of luck in games like Clank, where players know the contents of their deck and can plan accordingly. The difference lies in when the luck is revealed; in modern games, luck is often revealed before the player makes a decision, allowing for adaptation.
Section 8: The Rise of Eurogames: The eighth point traces the evolution of modern board games to post-World War II Germany. The speaker explains how the German aversion to war-themed games led to the development of "Eurogames," characterized by their focus on interaction and resource management rather than direct conflict. Settlers of Catan is presented as a pivotal example.
Section 9: Friendly Competition: The ninth point emphasizes the shift towards friendlier competition in modern board games. While still competitive, modern games generally avoid direct player elimination or the destruction of another player's progress. The speaker uses Ticket to Ride and Sagrada as examples of games that promote friendly competition.
Section 10: Cooperative Games: The final point highlights the rise of cooperative games, where all players work together towards a common goal. Pandemic is used as a prime example, showcasing the collaborative nature and the shared sense of accomplishment in cooperative gameplay.
The video concludes by emphasizing the diversity of modern board games, catering to various preferences and group sizes, and encourages viewers to explore the vast selection available. The speaker mentions the book "It's All a Game" by Tristan Donovan as a source of inspiration.