BBC Theme: Games

First posted 22 Feb 2012

I like to play games, not mind games, but actual games. I like cards, I like computer games, I love board games and I particularly like made up games (n.b. must play more Flick Stick). I guess this topic is supposed to make us consider the Olympic games, and all I am going to say about that is that I am sick and tired of people trying to play down and moan about the Olympics.

So what if London is going to be chaotic, London is somewhat chaotic normally, and it’s only two weeks. Plus it’s in July, when if the weather gods play their cards right it might even not be too rainy…. why not walk to work, or get on a bike. Or take a holiday, spend time with your family. So what if the travel infrastructure isn’t up to it. So what if for a year before there are line closures and works, at least something is being done to improve our crumbling and archaic infrastructure. About time too, it’s just a pity that it took an Olympics to do it.

It’s the actual Olympic Games, in our country, for the first time since 1948. It is probably going to be longer that 64 years before we get the chance to host the games again. I am excited, but then I am always excited by the Olympics. Get involved, get excited and cheer for whatever country, or sport that you like. And that is all I am going to say.

Speaking of other games I was actually going to write about a few games that I love, giving a short review of each one. The games are Boggle, Scrabble, Dixit, Fluxx, Cribbage and Settlers of Catan.

Boggle is a simple, 3 minute word finding game. Make words using the 4 x 4 dice grid, these are dice with letters on, jumble them up, set the timer running and go. Good if you like scrabble but don’t have much time, also good for children. I like boggle, but I would normally prefer to play scrabble. Boggle is difficult because you score no points for words that someone else also has. For instance, if i found the word ‘scale’ and so did another player, then neither of us would score. You get 1 point for three and four letter words, 2 points for five letter words, 3 points for six letter words and so on.

Scrabble – I could write 1000 words about scrabble, it’s a word making and connecting game that uses tiles and a board. Learn the obscure 2 letter words to make it easier and yes, dictionaries are allowed in my opinion. It’s tough at times, but it is mentally stimulating and as long as you’re not to competitive I would advise helping each other for a quicker and more social game.

Dixit – a less well known, but one of my favourites, picture based game. The game has something like 90 amazing cards that have intricate and beautiful pictures on. Players aim to describe their card in such a way that it is described well, but not so well that everyone chooses their card. Once the description has been announced the other players choose a card from their hand that also could be described by it. It’s hard to explain, but easy to play. The pictures themselves are extremely beautiful and have many facets to them, thus allowing them to be replayed many times. An excellent and very social game, be prepared to spend hours looking at the pictures.

Fluxx – One for the random humoured. A card game where the rules constantly change. The addition and subtraction of rules cards means that the goal posts can move as you’re just about to play your winning move. Frustrating, but also quite amusing. If you like to conform to set rules this probably isn’t the game for you. Good for silly jokes and banter. Win by creating combinations such as ‘cookies and milk’, ‘love and marriage’ and other such stuff.

Cribbage is a card game that seems to have regained some popularity recently. A two tiered card game. The first round you get points for making up to 31, plus other bonus points. In the second phase, you make combinations of 15 and one person gets a bonus hand each round. You get points for runs, one for his nob….and you can play individually or in teams. I used to play with my nanny, she befuzzled  me with her 15 – 2, 15 – 4, 15 – 6, counting, but I loved moving the pegs on the scoring board. I understand the counting now, 2 points for each 15 combination, counted in a way that people know where the points are coming from. Love it and wish I could play more.

Settlers of Catan is a board game, originating in Germany and winning most of the board game awards that are available. It has a dynamic board made of hexagonal tiles that are randomly aligned to make the roughly hexagonal board. Players build settlements, roads and cities using resources of wood, wheat, ore, brick and wool. Rolling the dice at the beginning of each roll decides which resources are gained each go. It is simple, yet effective. I like it, and I very rarely win, but that doesn’t diminish my love of it.

I think the reason I like these games is because of the social interaction, and also because they are all really very varied, not just between games but each game changes every time you play. They are also an excuse to invite your friends around and cook them dinner. Sometimes we don’t bother with dinner, sometimes we don’t get around to games. But that doesn’t matter!

As for the Olympic Games, well, I love them and I am not going to let all those moaning whiners get me down! I love the gymnastics, swimming and the athletics best, but I will quite happily watch weightlifting and still enjoy myself.

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