While playtesting some games recently, I had some thoughts about which themes people would enjoy and get behind.
In 2016, Tavarua was a great game about surfing that I backed on Kickstarter. I enjoyed surfing when younger, and was intrigued about the theme, but mostly I like Cody Miller designs, so I backed it. Unfortunately the more vocal crowdfunders seemed not to like it as much. The game did get funded though, and I have enjoyed playing the game since.
Tavarua is a beautiful game, well designed, yet the theme has held it back from more exposure. If a theme does not resonate with the masses, is it an issue to print that game? This is where I think that crowd funding has truly helped the board game industry grow.
A couple of other games people had to talk me into were Obsession, and Pret a Porter. They have themes that did not resonate with me personally, but I liked the games a lot.
Obsession I have been told, is kind of like Downton Abbey the board game. It sounded like a theme that did not appeal to me. My friend David talked me into playing the game, and I really enjoyed it. I honestly don’t know if the theme came through, as I still don’t want to watch after playing the game, so someone would have to tell me. The game was very well done, and I would play again any time. The romance aspect of the game is boiled down to a mathematical formula, so it is pretty benign. Otherwise you are getting a room, and hosting an event based on that room.
Pret a Porter is a fashion design themed game. I do not follow fashion, and unless my significant other wants me to wear something in particular I am pretty casual about my clothes selections. Multiple people had to harangue me into playing. I actually enjoyed the mechanisms of the game. Like Obsession, I pretty much ignored the theme and played the game. I admit at feeling a bit out of my element when the game goals were explained, but when I broke it down to the mechanics it all flowed together well. The vicious fighting for the stars in the game, leads to winning, and made me laugh about how cutthroat the game was, as I did not expect that at all.
Now that I have enjoyed playing them both though, I also have issues finding players for those themes. Karma has paid me back, but how do we get past a negative stereotype if the theme is not appealing? What have you done in the past to get over or help others get over a theme that may be a bit niche?
Are any themes auto buys? Star Wars? Cthulhu? Cats? Are any never buy?
What do you think about themes that may not be your cup of tea?
Will you back it based on the designer? Mechanics?
I have asked this question in the Escape Winter Convention Facebook group, and received a lot of different answers. So I am just thinking about what themes get gamers excited. I have seen and passed on a few good games, as the theme just seemed extra niche in our already-niche hobby.
Does the theme matter to you at all when buying a game? Why or why not?
Like many people, the theme can inspire me to buy a game, simply from the excitement of a theme or an IP that appeals to me. That is the joy of traveling overseas to a convention. When you get to see things that would never be made in the US.
Are there any themes out there that you would automatically purchase, no matter the game? Star Wars? Cthulhu? Cats?
I will admit for myself that Star Wars, and Games Workshop are almost always auto buys. When I go to Essen for Spiel Fest, I search for games I cannot get in the US, and IP’s on games like Carcassonne are some I love to get. I love dungeon diving, but have so many at this point I really consider before buying them.
Are there any themes that you would never purchase, no matter how good the game?
There are a few that I wont get into, but needless to say, I am always surprised when I am presented with a game that is NSFW. Some have truly been nightmares, that I wonder if it was a joke to present it to me. One of those games is actually published in Europe, but still I question some choices of theming in games. Others are just somewhat played out in my opinion. It is hard for me to get excited about Zombie games anymore simply because I have played so many of them.
If the theme is something you love that comes through in the game, but it is not a very balanced game, would you still buy it?
I usually do buy them if the theme is there. Many are hard to get players for, unless they love the IP as well. Some, if they take way too long I wont play. Sadly Munchkin is in this category for me. It is a fun concept that always seems to take way too long to play. Like the idea, but the game fails to meet demand. One I love is Shadows of Brimstone. This game is not balanced, quick or easy to play. However, mindlessly traveling through a mine(dungeon), knowing that everything we encounter is an enemy that we have to get rid of, makes that game straight forward, wacky, blast em up fun. Chaos in the Old World, Eric Lang’s best multi player version of Blood Rage, is a great game, but alas, because it is based on Warhammer Fantasy, many wont even try it.
What do you think about theming in Board Games? We’d love to hear your opinions, so tell us what you think about theme in board games, on our Facebook page!