What is your earliest gaming memory?
I have been playing games since i was old enough to roll and move! But my most memorable gaming memory was when I was in 9th grade… playing Whosit (sort of like Guess Who) and realized I could combine that game with Clue and make a new.. cooler… game!
What game got you into the hobby?
For hobby board gaming, it had to be the original Talisman. I played that game so many times in college, it affected my grades!
What game is objectively bad but you love it anyway?
There are several that come to mind. Kings & Things is a very random mess… but it fits well with its beer & pretzels nature. Betrayal at House on the Hill… and Last Night on Earth have some potentially serious balance issues. But the super thematic game play makes them massively fun anyway.
What’s your grail game?
For me, it is actually an expansion — Mansions of Madness 2nd edition: Suppressed Memories. I had a chance once to pick it up at retail price… but did not have the budget at the moment. Now it goes for hundreds of dollars on the secondary market.
What do you do if you are not having fun at the table?
If everyone else seems to be having fun, I weather the storm and suffer through. If everyone seems to be suffering, propose to abandon ship and play something else.
What makes a game special for you?
One of two things makes a game special. The first is that the game is associated with a specific time/place/person that is dear to me. The other is a game that consistently is a joy to experience.
What games do you absolutely refuse to play and why?
Very rarely will I refuse to play a game. However, there are some games that I will avoid if possible. Any game where you must play a particular strategy to have a chance to win is one I will choose not to play.
Who’s your favorite designer?
Stephan Feld and Antoine Bauza
Who’s your favorite Artist?
I don’t normally track artists. But I do like Ryan Leukat.
What game in your collection do you most wish you could play more often?
Arkham Horror 2nd edition. The time to play keeps this off the table.
How big is your collection?
If you count expansions, over 1100 titles. Without expansions, between 600 and 700.
How did your taste in games change?
When I first got into games, I almost exclusively played RPGs. Board games are what I did when we couldn’t play RPGs. Now that has flipped around.
Do you prefer playing games over and over or learning new games?
Generally, I love learning new games more.
Do you house-rule games?
We normally don’t house rule games significantly. However, there are some notable exceptions. In Talisman (4th edition), we play that you must end your turn at least once on each board (and we playbwith all boards). In Gloomhaven/Frosthaven we dont bother with limited communication.
What factors going in adding a board game to your collection?
Primary factor is budget. Secondary factor is how much time will i need to devote to the game to get my money’s worth of enjoyment.
What player color do you choose, or are you indifferent?
Mostly indifferent. Pink or purple if it is available.
Have you bought games just because of the theme?
Horror theme is a big draw for me as are racing games. I also like deduction themes.