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A game night in Austin made me stop trying to win every single time
I was at a friend's house in Austin about 3 months ago, playing a new area control game. I had a solid lead and was about to make a move that would have basically ended the game for everyone else. My friend, who was hosting, just looked at me and said, 'You know, you could let someone else have a turn being the threat.' It felt like a punch in the gut (but in a good way). I realized I was so focused on finding the perfect, most efficient play that I was making the game boring for the other 4 people at the table. I pulled back, made a less optimal move, and the whole game changed. The last hour was way more fun, with everyone actually laughing and trying crazy plans. Now I think more about the table's fun than my personal score. Has anyone else had a moment where they had to change how they play to keep the group happy?
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terryw676d ago
My brother's game group in Dallas fell apart because people stopped trying to win. It became a pointless activity where no one cared about the rules. I play games for the competition, not to manage everyone's feelings.
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susan_wright346d ago
Man, that HITS home. I used to be the guy analyzing every move for ten minutes. I'd watch people's eyes glaze over. Now, if I see a new player struggling, I'll point out a decent move they missed, even if it hurts me. The goal is to get them hooked, not to crush them. A close game where everyone's yelling is always better than a quiet, perfect win.
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