Rant: I used to buy every new board game that looked cool, now I only get ones my group will actually play

For years, I'd drop $70 on a new game just because the box art was neat, and it would sit on my shelf. The change came after a game night last fall where my friends got bored halfway through a complicated new game I bought. Now I only buy a game if at least two people in my regular group are excited to try it. It saves money and makes game nights way better. Anyone else have a rule to stop their collection from getting out of hand?

2 comments

2 Comments

xena9461mo ago

Man, that is such a smart way to do it. I had the exact same problem with my shelf of shame full of unplayed games. It hurts to see a cool box just gathering dust, especially after you spent good money on it. Getting buy-in from the group first totally changes the vibe on game night, everyone is actually into it. My rule is similar, I won't buy anything unless we've already tried it on Tabletop Simulator first. It saves so much regret.

the_nathan1mo ago

Totally feel that. I had a copy of Scythe sit on my shelf for over a year, shrink wrap still on, just staring at me. The pressure to learn and teach a heavy game no one asked for is real. Now I just bring a print-and-play or suggest a how-to-play video first.