Why Sundays? Why Board Games?

I play board games for a very specific reason (or rather, I aspire to, though I often fail): to explore. You see, in college, a friend of mind introduce me to Settlers of Catan, and we began to play it like maniacs. We played hundreds of times over the course of a year or two. I played online with strangers, we played on airplane trips, on the bus, in the dorm between classes. It was incessant. I loved it. I was terrible at it. I probably lost the first 30 games I played before I figured out how to win. By the time some of us were moving on and graduating, I was moving on to other games. I didn’t realize it at the time, but Catan had planted a seed in me: the seed of wanting to play a game to exhaustion.

I kept playing board games, but for a long while none of them grabbed me like Catan. I moved to Idaho, made some new friends, and then we found Battlestar Galactica. Same story. We played that game a ton. Still call each other “dirty Cylon” every now and then. The expansions were, largely, disappointing. But again I reached the point of feeling a sense of completion. I would be perfectly happy to never play BSG again, because I feel like I’ve thoroughly explored it to the point where I’m satisified.

In the last couple years gaming has become less satisfying, and I eventually realized it was because I am looking for something specific in gaming—the recreation of that sense of repeated exploration of a game space—that normal weeknight board game nights don’t offer. Don’t get me wrong, I have a great time hanging with the guys and playing the greatest hits by group agreement. But I am saddened that we often play several short games, or play a different game every week, or have to negotiate about what we will and won’t play because of differing tastes. If I had my druthers, we’d agree on a game ahead of time so I could amp myself up for it and arrive at game night with a well-nurtured sense of anticipation. Alas, weeknight game nights, while enjoyable, don’t align with what I really look for in board gaming: exploration and satisfaction.

Hence Board Game Sundays. Where we can choose a game ahead of time. Where we can play longer, meatier, frustratingier games. Where we can discuss what happened and use that to improve our play next time. We have time and space to be a little more dedicated. And those who aren’t interested in playing games for the same reasons I am can pass. Problem solved (or at least in process of solution).

So if you, too, play games for these kinds of reasons—to explore, to improve, to maximize, to wrestle, and hopefully to exhaust to the point of total satisfaction—then join my email list here: email list.

What is board game church?

Every Sunday afternoon at 1PM I host a game. We will decide by Saturday what game we will play--as well as how many players it best accommodates. Spots will be given to those who claim them first. Don't claim a spot and then back out; that's awkward. You can expect these games to take at least three hours. If they take less than that (some complex games are short), we'll probably play two or more times, back to back. Some games, on the other hand, may take as long as six hours--and on rare occasions, possibly even more.

Board game church commandments

1. Board game church is always evolving. Offer feedback.

2. The point is to enjoy the process of exploring complex games.

3. In pursuit of such enjoyment, do your best to win.

4. Your mind should be as sharp as possible. Be present, don't get shitfaced.

5. Help sharpen your opponents: make observations, talk strategy, etc. We are at our best when surrounded by people who challenge us the most.

6. Play in good faith. No cheating, politicking, or lying (except when they are in the spirit of the game).

7. No whining.

8. If you get frustrated or upset, talk through it calmly instead of dumping it on the group.

9. Trash talk is expected. Give as good as you get, don't take things personally, try not to cross the line. Be aware. Communicate. When necessary, apologize and forgive.

10. Help set up and put away the game, unless the owner asks to do it themself.