Bridging the gap
My life has always been about constants. My hobbies ever since I was just a child have always been the same. Football, books and of course videogames.
There have been many guest star activities such as tennis, mountain biking, watching hockey, comic books, gym and most recently running. But I had and have no illusions as to the future of most of these. They will be on and off whenever I am in the mood or even give them up entirely never to return to them again.
However, recently there will be one more addition to my constants. This is the world of board games. Ever since I played Catan on the XBLA I have fallen in love with them and begun to expand my horizons in this very geeky and niche form of entertainment. I had previously had flings with games such as Diplomacy, Acquire and of course Risk. But they were just summer flings. Loved them for a while but then suddenly it was all over. Just like that.
But now it’s back because of board games released on the Xbox Live Arcade service this past year or so (Lost Cities,
Many people criticise videogames for turning more and more people to anti-social behaviour. The best answer to this is how games can also “push” people into being more social and opening their eyes into new experiences and opportunities.
For some it might have been the Rock Bands and Guitar Heroes. A rekindling of teenage love for guitars and drums maybe. Or even the house parties that have been organised with these music themed videogames at the heart of entertainment. Or the Wii bowling and Olympic event tournaments. Couple against couple!
For me it’s the desire to now organise weekly board game nights with friends and also play by email sessions with distant friends.
Thank you videogames for making me more sociable.
Re: Bridging the gap
Thank you dude for introducing us to the wonderfull world on boardgames.
I will never stop playing videogames but the fact that a group of people can get together and sit down around a table for a couple of hours and engage in a session of laughing, plotting, eating (non - card greasing food : P) and having a drink should be a welcome part to anyone life.
Re: Bridging the gap
I always loved Monopoly & Uno. They are both available on 360. I used to play them a lot until Atari 2600 and Game Boy were invented. Xbox Live offers also the video chat feature which enhances the social features of these games (the ones that support it).
I'm going to find out more about the Eye of Judgement on PS3.
Re: Bridging the gap
Monopoly, Scrabble, Guess Who (sorry about that one) all absolute class. I just don't get how people can moan about the negative impact of videogames and then sit down and murder each other over the rent price of Park Lane with 3 houses! Monopoly linked to the market in realtime would be nice: Mayfair would be peanuts right now.
Re: Bridging the gap
Yeah i think board games deserve to be more than just that winter/christmas thing.
After finally getting people hooked on The Settlers of Catan my next projects are Acquire (play by email) and local Carcassonne.
NikeFerrari i know you have Carcassonne on XBLA. I want us to arrange a session. I know you don't like strategy games but this one is really easy to get into. Let me know if you are interested.
Re: Bridging the gap
NikeFerrari i know you have Carcassonne on XBLA. I want us to arrange a session. I know you don't like strategy games but this one is really easy to get into. Let me know if you are interested.
Ok, why not. The worst senario is that i won't like it and i'll pay it only a couple of times. It was free anyway...
i'll be online from 2day 17:00 'till early hours of Sunday.
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