At long last (and boy, it’s taken a long time), the Geeks have inherited the Earth.

Actually, that’s a big call. We haven’t inherited anything. We’re still laughed at, socially shunned and often excluded but some of our practices are now more widely tolerated, so, you know, take your wins where you can get them.

And just what practices might these be, I pretend that you ask.

Games.

More specifically, Tabletop Games… which include board games, card games, role playing games… pretty much any game you can play (you guessed it) at a table.

AND without a screen.

No TVs, no tablets, no computer monitors and no phones.

Just a group of people sitting around, actually communicating and having fun around a game.

Tabletop games are undergoing a massive resurgence. Shops are springing up all over the place. In Canberra, where a couple of years ago there was one specialty games store (not including Games Workshop stores where they sell miniatures for war-gaming), there are now three as well as a board gamers restaurant. 

Unsurprisingly there are dozens of games shops in Sydney. Here in Goulburn, in addition to shops like Kmart, Target and Morton Brothers that have always had a games section, other shops like Revolution CD, The Pool Room and EB Games now stock a range of board games and the local library is now holding regular board game sessions.

There’s probably a couple of main reasons for this upsurge in gaming.

A casual glance at the cinemas (and TV for that matter) shows the popularity of fantasy, science fiction and super heroes are at an all time high. Many of the board and card games available cover related areas and so it’s probably no surprise that they share some of the same fans.

The other key reasons, I suspect… without so much as a scrap of evidence … is a reaction to the impact and intrusions screen have in our lives.

Tabletop gaming requires a screen-free experience. It requires interaction, communication and simple plain old fashioned fun.

Games, of course, are not necessarily old-fashioned. Sure you can still get Scrabble, Yahtzee, Cluedo and Monopoly (NOTE: Beware of Monopoly… more on that later), but even those old stalwarts have gone through some changes. There are literally hundreds of variations of Monopoly, dozens of versions of Cluedo and Risk (each themed after a TV show, movie or some other pop culture connection), and even the Game of Life, Operation, Trouble and Guess Who provide new themed versions.

 

Even card games that were once limited to standard card decks and games like Euchre, 500, Canasta and Bridge now include clever purpose built card games like Uno (again with over 100 variations), SkipBo, Five Crowns and Rage.

 

The old favourites still exist, many with modifications, but there’s a whole world of new games out there. From the quick and simple, to the complex and engaging. Many of those are totally suited to a family night of PG entertainment. Then again there’s Cards against Humanity and a suite of similar games that may make it uncomfortable to look at some of your friends and family in the same light again.

 

Games nights are now becoming a real thing. Some people regularly get together with friends or families on a designated night of the week or month for some disconnected (ie no screens) fun and laughs around a table. There are even online “TV shows” that play, sample and review games (very helpful if you’re keen to have a look before you part with your dollars) like the hugely popular Wil Wheaton’s Tabletop.

 

For once, we’re way ahead of the curve. We’ve had a games night almost every Saturday for over two years now, with points adding up towards the prestigious Gorbell Cup (made up from our two family names – Gordon and Campbell). So far… no deaths, no injuries and only a few rows. 

 

Our experience of our own particular version of games night has made me somewhat evangelical about Tabletop Gaming. It brings the family together once a week, we have some genuine interaction and fun, and we have a chance to get our geek on. But you don’t even have to be a geek. There are many non geeky games on the market too. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not implying we are a perfect family or have all the answers but it’s something positive that we still all enjoy and look forward to.

 

So give it a bash. Get busy gaming. Want some tips? Check out the youtube gaming shows (like the one I linked above, or even contact me.. happy to pass on any knowledge or info I have). If you live in Goulburn, drop into Goulburn Tabletop Gamers Facebook page and say Hi. You might also like to read this article “10 steps to convert your friends to Tabletop Gaming.”

 

But if you’re thinking about bringing gaming into your lives, here are a few tips:

 

1. NO MONOPOLY. Ok, it’s more of a guideline than a rule. The biggest problem with Monopoly is it’s Nuclear Half Life. When you finally get to the point when all of the properties are owned, you are typically only a third of the way through it, and even after a few people get knocked out, it can still be a long torturous wait until the end. The pity is, Monopoly is actually a cool game, so IF you really want to play it, put in place some rules to keep the game short… maybe a time limit… or a rule that you each get no more than 10 laps of the board after all the properties are sold. OR.. there are now some versions of the game, like the newest Star Wars version, that not only limits the game to only about an hour (when you buy a property, that’s it… no extra houses or motels, just bought or not bought) but it also introduces some unique star wars game play with it’s Force cards. But if you’re willing to risk family dysfunction and divorces, by all means, play old school Monopoly.

 

2. If it’s going to be a semi regular occurrence, have a rotation as to who picks the game. There’s nothing worse than not getting a say or being continuously outvoted. You may also want to keep a running tally of points across the year. Which leads to the next point…

 

3. There’s no shame in trying to win. In fact, games nights are no fun unless everyone is trying to win, or help their team win (unless it’s a co-operative game with no winners). If people are just favouring their best friend or other half it spoils it for everyone else. Enlightened self interest makes it fun. It doesn’t mean you have to play like it’s for sheep stations (unless you’re playing Squatter… which IS for sheep stations). You can still be nice and laugh a lot while you wheel and deal and try to win.

 

4. If someone in your group is good at interpreting game rules (they’re probably the same person that assembles flatpacks when you go to Ikea), trust them to do that job. It’s a special skill, so give them advance notice of any new games you might want to play and remove one more of the landmines that can cause fighting on games night.

 

5. HAVE FUN. That’s the whole point after all. Enjoy a few hours of escapism where the biggest thing you need to worry about is playing your cards right.

So go. Give it a bash. Why are you still here? You could be gaming. Just go.