Buffalo GameBuffs Blog

Since first starting this blog I’ve received many emails and questions about how people can join or start their own game nights.  About a year ago I posted an article with some tips and links on starting or joining a game night.  From the continued traffic to that post and emails and questions I receive from it I wanted to revist it.  The basic information and tips are still valid so I encourage those interested, and have not already read it, to look at it.  I just want to expand upon the original post a little and offer some additional help. I will split this revisit into three posts that will briefly examine Game night popularity, Finding a local game night and Casual boardgame communities online.

My original game night post link

Game night popularity

This whole year I have been reading more and more articles online and offline about the popularity and draw of board game nights.  This resurgence of game nights it’s something the media is talking about, especially when it involves popular acting types like Jessica Alba.  Below I’ll list just a couple article links for those that want to read more.

I have been drawn to game nights because I see them as a great excuse to get people together to laugh and play casual games.  As we all are watching our budgets these days, a game is also an affordable way to spend an evening with loads of replayability.

Styles: Hardly Trivial Pursuits

Bayard Catron started organizing game nights in 2001 and they are going stronger than ever in the D.C. area.  The article also mentions some tips for hosting a game night.  And if you’re in the Reston, VA area you can RSVP for Christina Wu’s game nights that fill up fast.  She has a combination of hosted nights with a game theme and also nights where she engourages people to bring their own games.

Board games are bringing people together in Marin

This article tells of regular game nights held at a local game store, Gamescape in San Rafael.  The article focuses on learning new games from players who love to play.  The article also discusses the differences between the types of gamers that attend different game nights, those that play to win and those that play to have fun.  It also explains a little about the types of games like the wargames, eurogames and casual/party games.

So remember when you decide to go to a local game night, find out what types of games they tend to play to see if it fits with your style of gameplay.

Next Post

I will talk a bit about Finding a local game night

[Teaser alert:  Look for another local buffalo gamebuffs blog hosted game night near the end of September and hopefully another large one in November.  Keep looking at the blog for announcements.  Add us to your favorites or you can also subscribe via email or RSS feed on the right column of the blog.  The September game night will be a smaller one so once it's announced you'll have to RSVP early.]