These visual representations in digital games can be carried over to table top games as well. Many times it is easier to explain games to highly experienced gamers. Explaining games to new or younger gamers can be challenging. In this case, it helps to introduce simpler “gateway” games to them first in order to develop their game literacy. Understanding your players (what they have played before; who they have played with; and what they have enjoyed) helps in teaching them how to play a new game.
This is similar to rubber duck debugging where the host must become intimately aware of why they are doing something by explaining the reason behind it as it occurs. One thing I do in the learning game is to offer to be the trusted adviser. Because you aren’t playing a ‘real’ game at this point, you aren’t competing with everyone else in the group. This means that any player can show you their hand, point at particular cards and places on the board, and explain their ideas to you so they can get advice on what to do. New players are going to interrupt when you start explaining the rules and want to ask questions.
Step 5: Can We Just Play a Round?
Mistakes based learning is used to its greatest effect for brief games or games with a very short feedback loop. Such mechanics allow payers to evaluate their actions quickly against possible outcomes. Likewise, it also helps to audibly explain the core loop of the game as the host engages with it. For new players it could also help to discuss and share strategy of why you are taking an action at a specific time.
If it’s a simple question you can give a simple answer to then do it. If it’s something you’re going to explain later in the rules then say that too. By playing through the game yourself, you’ll also become a lot more familiar with the rulebook and know which sections to refer to for different types of questions. This will mean you spend less time reading rules, and more time teaching and playing the board game. After all, a more thorough rules explanation will be forthcoming, but as anyone who’s taught games previously can tell you – all in good time.
What if I don’t know the answer to something?
My method for bringing new players into the fold is through 3 key ideas. However, there was one game in our group that we just didn’t understand even after several playthroughs. My boyfriend taught this to our group and for some reason, we just didn’t get it. Instead, a question like, “Would you like me to repeat anything? If a mechanic is similar to how something is done in another game that your group is familiar with, then make the reference.
You’re just as much a part of the game as the new players. Use the same introduction you used at the start of overwatch guide the session to introduce the board game if you like. For example, in King of Tokyo, it’s pretty common for the player who is in Tokyo City to take a lot of damage and they are unable to heal while they are there. However, the player wants to stay there for as long as they can to collect stars or deal damage to all the other players. There are those moments in every board game where you aren’t sure what to do for the best.
Giving the host your full an undivided attention by ignoring your mobile phone; keeping your eyes off the TV; and minimizing discussion with others. A host who has to talk over the conversations of other people will be distracted. So remember to practice good player etiquette by conversing and asking questions with the host directly.
A cube is just a cube unless you call it by what is represents. Of course, after the short description, you can explain more information about what’s happening in the game but I recommend you do that while people are helping to set up. No-one wants to listen to someone reading the rule book. Turning things off and making the place quiet is a good signal to people that you’re ready to start without having to tell them.
Teacher
Comparatively, teaching more complex games to advanced gamers can be relatively easier. An explanation for how to play Twilight Imperium will take longer than how to play Kingdomino. However, you can reduce the amount of time it takes to explain a more complicated game to more experienced gamers by asking them to read and review the rulebook ahead of time.
Furthermore, instructors should also discuss and tie back experiences from the game to the learning outcomes stated as part of its inclusion in any educational curriculum. When the game is finished, hold back on putting everything back on the box right away. Questions also help the host pin point certain aspects of the game which may be confusing for future players.
This is the element of the game that players remember most frequently or engage with most often. You can think about this as the “engine” of game and what empowers individual players to keep playing. Usually an “audible” walk through during the early game is helpful. This is where you (as the host) commit to audibly describing what you are doing as you play the game.
The lists often have devilish examples of fakes that seem real, and real things that seem fake, leaving you second-guessing. The subreddit covers various game development aspects, including programming, design, writing, art, game jams, postmortems, and marketing. It serves as a hub for game creators to discuss and share their insights, experiences, and expertise in the industry. And if the rules aren’t clear, there’s always Google. Don’t just power on through when someone in your group is looking blank but everyone else is engaged.