Episode 432 – Complexity

When is a game too complex for your group? How do you know?

0:00:00 Fact for 432

The 432 Hz Tuning Controversy – “The Consciousness Control” conspiracy. Also, Guiseppe Verdi asked orchestras to tune A to 432 Hz (instead of 440), down-tuning to reduce strain for the singers.

Sponsor Message

If you want to talk to someone about your money personality – or your money history – then 15 minutes will just scratch the surface. But First Move can give you some resources to point you in the right direction. Set up a time to talk with them at firstmovefinancial.com/familygamers today.

0:05:00 What We’ve Been Playing

Phantom of the Opera
Gygès
Sky 5 *
Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza (at CuseCon)
Stroop
Got Five (our review)

(*) First mention on The Family Gamers Podcast

0:20:00 The Family Gamers Community

Say hi to our new members! Take a look on Facebook.

We now have TWO giveaways running: VNTYPL8S and Bullseye. Read the reviews and check them out!

0:21:45 #Backtalk

What game (or kind of game) would you pick for a day you’re stuck inside?

Read the responses on Facebook or #backtalk channel of the Discord.

0:28:15 Complexity in Board Games

Complexity – when is a game too much? When is it too little? And how do you find the right balance?

How do you figure out a game is too complicated (for your group) – what are the warning signs?

Andrew: if it sits on the shelf and you never find the right opportunity to play it.

Anitra: if, like Mandy Patinkin learning Wingspan (language warning), your fellow players’ eyes glaze over or they freak out because they just don’t understand it.

What if a game is not complex enough?

Some people are just bored. Or it involves a skill they don’t want to use.

Anitra says: “As a parent, your duty is to find a way to enjoy it with the people who do actually love it.” (While still setting boundaries.)

Sometimes it’s because the game is very dependent on luck (Mr Postmouse’s Picnic comes to mind). Find other places in and around the game that you can find a way to enjoy it. Andrew also feels this way about In Vino Morte.

You are allowed to step back and let the kids enjoy it without you. But it’s also good to sometimes lean in and show through example how you love your kids by doing something they care about, even when you don’t.

What do you do when you open the box and you realize that this is going to be way too complex for the situation?

Maybe you survey the table – “do we still want to do this?”

If you’ve got a more mixed group (like multiple kids of different abilities):

• Make the call as soon as possible.
• As the parent/teacher, come up with some alternative plans:
  • Other board games
  • Other activities related to the theme (movie, whatever)
  • Do a short alternative activity while you (as teacher) set up and learn the game
  • Walk away.
• If someone is having a meltdown partway through the game, find a way for the melting-down person to be able to exit gracefully.

Is it worth it to overcome resistance from your kids (or the grandparents) to playing a more complex game?

Sometimes. How do you do it?

1. Lean into the theme. (Themed snacks? Music?)
2. Make it as easy as possible
   • You have set up the game.
   • You have already learned the rules.
3. Explicitly build in time for breaks. (Be willing to stop after the break if they don’t want to come back!)
4. And yes, bribery. (Snacks!)

Recognize that you don’t “level up” as a gamer, and you don’t always have to play the hardest games you can handle! Sometimes folks who normally love crunchier games are just burnt out and need something simple.

What to do when a game just won’t get played?

There will be times that you have to face the disappointment of realizing that a game Does. Not. Work. for your family. We highly recommend that you get rid of the game. Give it away and move on! This will prevent you from feeling bitter every time you see the game on the shelf.

Giving up on a game is not a commentary on how good the game is! It is also not a judgement on your ability as a parent to bring your kids into the things you love. It is simply an acknowledgement that this game did not fit for your family/group.

1:02:00 New Backtalk Question

We are spending a lot of time watching football games (although we’re there for the marching band). So that got us thinking…

What board game would be the best spectator sport? Paint the picture of the spectator board game event: something in a stadium, e-sports style, with fans rooting for their favorite player or team.

Tell us on the #backtalk channel on our Discord, or in our Facebook community.

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or join the Family Tabletop Community on Discord! thefamilygamers.com/discord

Or, for the most direct method, email us! andrew@thefamilygamers.com and anitra@thefamilygamers.com.

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Music for The Family Gamers Podcast is provided with permission from You Bred Raptors?

The Family Gamers is sponsored by First Move Financial. Go to FirstMoveFinancial.com/familygamers to learn how the team at First Move Financial can help you pile up the victory points.

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