| Willtij | 09 Jul 2012 10:16 p.m. PST |
You are running two games at a convention. One is a miniatures game and the other a board game. Lets say that both are of the same genre (historical or sci-fi or whatever) and both have roughly the same size/difficulty level rulebook. You also have played both many times and know them both well. Which, in your opinion, would be easier to teach to a group of people you don't know (and who have never played these games) at a convention? 1. The miniatures game
2. The board game
3. If I know them both as well then they would take the same effort
4. I don't run games at conventions, just play them.
5. Other (explain)
6. Not a gamer
7. No opinion. I'm just here for the possible poll prize |
Marcus Maximus  | 09 Jul 2012 11:10 p.m. PST |
3. But seeing bordagames are more of a possible entry into wargames I would suggest – Napoleon at War boardgame (free to downloand and print), Space Hulk (1st Edn) boardgame with miniatures, DBA or some other fast play game….then lead them on to grognard rules…. |
| SECURITY MINISTER CRITTER | 09 Jul 2012 11:46 p.m. PST |
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| Keraunos | 10 Jul 2012 3:27 a.m. PST |
depends on the rules and the learner simple rules are usually easier to learn on a figure game, but complex rules tend to be easier to learn on a board game. |
 etotheipi | 10 Jul 2012 6:03 a.m. PST |
Depends on the game, but in general, wargames are easier to explain as you go along. With boardgames, it is usually more important to explain everything before you start; with wargames it is easier to step in to the game early and adjust the play as you go alongm |
 Rrobbyrobot | 10 Jul 2012 7:11 a.m. PST |
Not sure. I'm more visually motivated, so miniatures get more of my attention. Others may see things differently. I've played both. But no boardgames in years.
As miniature games are more hands on they might be easier to teach. |
 John the OFM | 10 Jul 2012 8:29 a.m. PST |
I think that miniatures are more visually obvious as to what is happening than boardgames. There is a sort of mental leap of at least one degree to grasp what is happening in a hex boardgame with cardboard counters. Have a line of infantry posed firing muskets, facing a line of cavalry. Instantly recognizeable, and that makes what the rules allow easier to undetrstand. I can say this because I backed into miniatures through boardgames, and have experience with both.
Having a "stack" of more than three counters can be difficult to grasp at times. |
| Mako11 | 10 Jul 2012 8:41 a.m. PST |
8. Depends upon the rules set, since each can be easier, or more complex, depending upon the writer/manufacturer. |
| corporalpat | 10 Jul 2012 11:54 a.m. PST |
If you include how easily your audience grasps the topic in question then the answer is 1. Miniature games are less abstract than board games and so, all other things being equal, easier for an audience to grasp. |
| Uesugi Kenshin | 11 Jul 2012 4:25 p.m. PST |
Id say boardgames in general can be a tougher lot, but it teally depends on the game and the person. |
| CPBelt | 11 Jul 2012 4:43 p.m. PST |
Having just tried to teach a couple board games (Dawn of War and Conflict of Heroes) last week at a con while also being taught to play many euro boardgames, I'd say that it all depends on the person--not the game/subject. (This is classic when it comes to teaching BTW.) I know I'm horrid at teaching game rules, even though I'm a professional teacher! Doesn't matter board or miniature. My son found that the game designers who were demoing their new games were the worst at teaching the rules! Go figure. |
