What Kind of Board Gamer Are You?

IT’S SAFE TO SAY THAT WE ALL PLAY BOARD GAMES BECAUSE WE ARE LOOKING TO ENJOY OURSELVES. BUT WHAT KIND OF FUN WE’RE LOOKING FOR CAN DIFFER FROM GAMER TO GAMER. SOME OF US PREFER GAMES THAT INCLUDE EVERYONE AT FAMILY GAME NIGHT. OTHERS SEARCH FOR NEW WAYS TO CHALLENGE THEMSELVES AND TEST THEIR STRATEGIC ACUMEN AGAINST LIKE-MINDED OPPONENTS (OR THEIR LONG-SUFFERING SIGNIFICANT OTHERS). AND THERE ARE OTHERS STILL THAT ARE JUST LOOKING FOR THE CHANCE TO INTRODUCE THEIR FRIENDS TO BOARD GAMES.

- Eric Huemmer

WHILE BOARD GAMES BRING US ALL TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY, WHICH GAME WE’RE HOPING TO PLAY AT GAME NIGHT BEGINS TO DEFINE WHAT KIND OF BOARD GAMER WE ARE. INTERESTED IN SEEING WHICH KIND OF BOARD GAMER YOU ARE? WE’LL BREAK DOWN THE DIFFERENT CATEGORIES OF BOARD GAMERS OUT THERE, DISCUSS WHAT MIGHT MAKE THEM TICK, AS WELL AS INCLUDE EXAMPLES OF BOARD GAMES THAT THEY’D BE BRINGING TO THE TABLE. BUT BEFORE WE DIVE IN, LET’S GET THE OBVIOUS STUFF OUT OF THE WAY…

THESE ARE BROAD CATEGORIES

Yes, the categories are going to be a little bit arbitrary. There is a staggering amount of board game genres and subgenres, with a varying intensity of followers. If we were to attempt to identify every combination of niche subgenre gamers, it would quickly get out of hand. And though I am certain there are “Solo Euro Enthusiasts” out there, we have to narrow the number of categories down for everyone’s sake.

This article will only be exploring board gaming, specifically. Adding in trading card games, role-playing games, or tabletop miniatures games would only complicate (and extend) the article even further.

NOT A LINEAR PROGRESSION

It would be very convenient if every board gamer started with simple family games before being introduced to a few gateway games, progressed to heavier games, and so on. Instead, everyone is introduced to the hobby at different times and in different ways. Furthermore, no category of gamer is going to be more “advanced” or have more mature taste in board games than others. You can absolutely be an Extreme Hobbyist and still enjoy a casual board game!

SURVEY SAYS…