> I enjoy solo board gaming—largely because I haven’t fully converted my family yet—but nothing compares to a game night.

I’m just going to get this off my chest here because I think a lot of “board game people” might not really understand why their enthusiasm doesn’t catch on with a lot of people

I know a decent number of board game “enthusiasts” that will pull out a fancy new game to show off, and spend a couple of hours setting it up and explaining the rules to everyone…

And then the next game night its the same thing. Check out this great new game! Let’s set it up and let’s all learn a new set of cards and board.

This happens so often to me. These people never want to actually _play_ a game, or at least they can’t get over their obsession to buy new games that I rarely end up playing a game that I just learned the rules to. Next night it’s a new game!

It’s exhausting and honestly I tend to avoid board game nights now. And I like games!

I had so much fun playing dominoes or simple card games with my friends before board gaming got huge. Because the point was not the actual game, but the time spent with my friends.

As a 20 year “board game person “ I understand what you’re talking about. Many people like playing games, but most “board game people” like learning games. I love playing games and have many games I have played dozens of times (or hundreds if you count digital plays), but an equally enjoyable part of the hobby for me is learning new games. Learning a new game and trying to hold the interlocking systems of rules in my head while trying to deduce optimal strategy is a very enjoyable experience for me. It took me a while (years) to realize how unlike most people I was in this respect. Many people were excited when we first played Settlers of Catan and then Ticket to Ride, so I thought they had the same feelings about learning new games that I did. But ultimately I think they were happy with one or two games and then found the thought of learning new games unpleasant. Whereas I have never grown tired of learning new games.

> These people never want to actually _play_ a game, or at least they can’t get over their obsession to buy new games

I get what you're saying, but I'm a wanna-be board game person. I do want to try those games! To me, it's like going to a different restaurant every time you go out.

Sure, the point is the time spent, but it doesn't mean that we should go to McDonald's every time.

(I say I'm a wanna-be, because I don't have enough of a combination of friends and time to do this, and crucially, those friends also have to be willing to sit down and probably play one round of a new game after spending just as much time learning the rules. But board game nights with new games do happen - we just all know to pick games that at least one person already knows the rules to, or whose rules are short enough to pick up quickly, or whose gameplay goes quickly enough to get multiple rounds in after learning the rules.)

As someone that hosts and co-hosts several game nights (once or twice a week, most weeks), the key is to try to feel out the group, and if necessary/helpful/desired, send out "how to play" videos in advance (if they prefer learning that way vs. live).

But yeah, see if the group wants to learn a new one vs. playing one they already know.

When I set up games for my coworker group, I always send out new options along with a number of games we've already played, and let them pick. (More times than not, they pick a new game.)

When I host games with my family, I always bring a bunch of games, both new and already played, and let them pick (these are usually much lighter [easier] games). I'll sometimes suggest a new game if I think they'll like it, and they usually do. The key is to get to know what the group typically enjoys.

I am into board game and was into complex game because I thought they were more fun to play. Then playing a bunch of Spiel games, where the rulebook is 2 pages and the setup time is 5 minutes, I changed my mind entirely. I now refuse to buy complex games. I want little rules with a lot of depth.

There are many of them, every match is intense and yet you can explain the rules in a few minutes.