At Gen Con last year, I saw a group refuse to play with a new person because they didn't know the rules perfectly.

It was at a demo table for a heavy euro game, and the veteran players just packed up and left when the new guy asked a basic question. I've since stopped going to 'serious' game nights and only play with friends who care more about fun than perfect play. Does anyone else think this kind of gatekeeping is killing the hobby?

3 comments

3 Comments

rowanharris1mo ago

Yeah that "learn and play" label idea from carr.elliot is smart because it sets the right mood from the start. It's not really about the rules, it's about people forgetting games are supposed to be a social thing. If you don't want to teach, just don't sit at that table.

carr.elliot1mo ago

Honestly, that's rough. I saw the same thing happen at a local meetup with Terraforming Mars. The table just shut down when someone needed the rules explained. Tbh, I found a group online that labels events as "learn and play" or "chill games only." Sticking to those has been way better. It filters out the super competitive people right away.

sethhernandez29d ago

Yeah @rowanharris nailed it. The label is more about setting the vibe than the rules themselves, even if people get hung up on the details.