Think about the last time you played Monopoly.
Ok. So it’s probably been a little while. Why?
I generally point to four reasons.
1. The game takes forever.
2. The only way to win is to completely annihilate the other players from the game. Fun when you’re 10, not when you’re out of college.
3. Normally, after about 20-30 minutes, the winner is (usually) decided. The rest of the game is going through the motions.
4. Too much luck and not enough strategy.
That’s why I love German board games.
Germans focus on the strategic element, the games move quickly (average game is 45 minutes) and the focus is on competing, not humiliating your opponents.
You see, in America we like board games. In Germany, it’s part of their culture. Fact: Germany sells more board games per capita than anywhere else IN THE WORLD.
Thanks to some California friends (you know who you are…..), I checked out Settlers of Catan, the 1995 Spiel Des Jahres winner (German Game of the Year). Immediately, I was hooked as was everyone I competed with.
Once I played Catan, I asked my friendly California board game store what else they recommended….Ticket to Ride, the 2004 Spiel Des Jahres winner…another instant classic.
Since that time, I’ve become addicted to this style of gaming. The games are short (average play time: 45 minutes), tightly competitive and provide a casual, but enjoyable experience.
In fact, even Wired magazine recently wrote about how games like Settlers of Catan are far superior to Monopoly.
And it’s not just the stereotypical “gamer” who is getting involved in these European style board games. In Silicon Valley, it’s become the “new golf” for the technology crowd and a great icebreaker at firms like Facebook and Zynga.
Here’s a few of my favorites other than Settlers of Catan and Ticket to Ride:
Carcassonne (a great family game)
Pandemic (cooperative gaming for 2-5 players)
Tobago (think about Clue on steroids)
Money (card playing game)
Additionally, Board Game Geek provides a comprehensive list of nearly every German/European style board game that’s available.
And if you’re looking for a gaming partner, many of these games have either a mobile app, game console edition or online version available.
Additionally, nearly every community has some sort of meetup where you can find people who play these type of board games. That’s how I’ve plugged in with people either in Atlanta, San Francisco, Brentwood or Baton Rouge.
So check one of these out….I’m betting you’ll fall in love with this new world of entertainment.
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