Think it’s just a game? Think again
Twitter is an interesting invention. I use it for getting gaming news and for conversing with others in the gaming industry. During our opening of Game Shepherd in 2009, I used it a great deal. Now, I am just getting back into.
Hashtags have become just another part of the social networking landscape. For whatever reason, “the way I see it” hashtag yesterday sent my mind spinning off on a tangent about cheating at board games. 
I grew up in a relatively large neighborhood with kids who actually played outside after school (novel concept). On those rainy days or after we were called in for dinner, we turned to board games. Believe it or not, no one had many (if any) computer games. This was a very simple time for all of us. There was no cable, no cell phones and nothing to interrupt the game. Of course, this meant the game was taken very seriously. Some wanted to win at all costs.
Those of you who grew up in a similar situation know there was always a kid in the neighborhood who would cheat at a board game. When caught and confronted, the cheater would yell and scream, sometimes throwing the board and all its contents across the room (I learned to only play my games at my house so I could spend time searching for all the components). How would they cheat? Varying ways–some simple, others downright devious. Rewriting the rules mid-game was a popular one. Or how about the classic: “The dice rolled off the board so it doesn’t count!”
Later in life, I dabbled in some of the role playing games (RPGs) out there. I was always amazed at the great lengths players would go to “save” their character from death. The idea was to tell a story, right? If your character died, make another one. I know, I know–blasphemy for those of you out there who love their characters. But for a game to be enjoyable, their should be some sort of risk, some sort of challenge. Otherwise, what is the point? If you cannot lose, why play?
This might sound crazy to some, I’m sure. However, I have always believed you can tell a great deal about a person by how they conduct themselves in the tabletop gaming arena. If they will cheat there, what will they do when the game is over?
Just an observation from a lifelong gamer. Games should be fun–a time for friends and family.
So today after work, consider breaking out one of your games. Gaming during the week can be a nice distraction.
Remember, somewhere a table is empty.
