Now that our collection is well established we are starting to have this conversation about what criteria is required before we buy a game. This feels like a natural maturation as someone is no longer a noob in the hobby.

PLEASE keep making videos like this. This is HIGHLY therapeutic for me. I'm literally seeing psychologists to try to reduce stress, and your videos are equally helpful with reducing stress around FOMO and clutter and overload. It's useful advice for ANYTHING that someone collects that takes over their life.

Great topic to cover. I think a key point that wasn’t discussed was the time required to play. Just because you have the funds the buy/back a game, does not mean you will have time to play it.

@AnaMahsati

Жыл бұрын

I found myself in that position recently. I backed a game that takes more time setting up and playing than the energy I have at the end of the day. I'm starting to consider getting a table I can use to leave games is a pause...

Thanks so much for your money and time saving advice!! p.s. also like your more relaxed side when you were hanging out with your friends, e.g. purging your collection video session 😃

Looking at my several-foot-tall stack of "still in shrink" you're 100% right of course. So many of these things I backed when I had a stable game group of at least 3 and now it's down to just me. Even so, after watching your playthrough the other day, I'm still excited I late-backed Isofarian Guard based on your coverage last year.

Absolutely brilliant video! Watched thousands videos on board games on various channels, all kinds of game reviews by all well known reviewers, Questions an Answers dedicated to board games, interviews, etc, etc but none of these discussed in so much depth issues discussed in here. Extremely refreshing and helpful! Thanks!

This is a brilliant video. Thanks Alex! You are my favorite content creator (and inspire me for our own channel). I was proud of myself that we didn’t back Frosthaven. It was so hard - but we’re still only halfway through Gloomhaven with another year to go… so we made a good decision. Likewise, I’m proud of myself for not backing Lost Species right now, despite really wanting it. FOMO is tough to deal with, especially when you’re wanting to have all the latest and greatest to stay relevant as content creator. Thanks again!

Thanks for helping to bring us back down to earth. Must calm down with kickstarter and buying more games than can be feasibly played...it is hard though

You’re speaking what I feel every time I see a new game or KS etc. these are fantastic points to make and I really hope that those who watch this, understand these points. The crowdfunding time delay causing loss of interest or expense etc is very prominent. I do bend these rules a little though, only because I am the collector who has a library that I keep for other people to play who can’t afford or spare the space for them. Great video, great points, I hope everyone takes notes!

I love these videos Alex. Since I have been following you I have been so much more choosy about my games. I have stopped crowdfunding campaign games until we finish a few. The temptation is so strong to back, but I have resisted for months now.

I really appreciate the point of this video! I too, got caught up in buying more than I can table. Now I am taking a step back. I must say, generally I am speeding up videos, but yours is the only one, where I have to slow it down, you talk like a bullet train! The only reason I am mentioning this, because I have just recently watched your very first video on the channel, and you were speaking much more calmly and relaxed!

I fell into the hobby and went a bit nuts with Kickstarters over the pandemic. I've slammed on the brakes pretty hard in the last six months after MD2 arrived and I realized how MUCH was coming in. I'm still backing, but I'm being exceptionally picky now, and if I've already got something similar in my collection it's an easy no.

@Dwarfurious

Жыл бұрын

i keep seeing you here or other places and i know i know you from somewhere, that icon... i think DRG community

@morgaknightgames

Жыл бұрын

@@Dwarfurious Most likely! I used to stream on Twitch (taking a hiatus) and we've been playing Deep Rock since early access. Your handle is familiar too! Hello! Rock and Stone!

Very good points there! I like to keep 1 epic game mostly because of the time commitment and how often I can get it to the table. I can see how having a bunch of those would eat up a lot of space and budget. My interests do change in a year so backing a Kickstarter that will take over a year is tough.

Really appreciate this type of video. FOMO is real. I'm new to the hobby and I love it but I feel we are always bombarded with new games and recommendations that it becomes hard to really figure out what to get next. I've had to really consider what I buy and when. What does my budget look like? Do I have space? Wil I play it? Will my family play it? Due to this, I will never crowdfund a game. I may miss out on some wonderful games but I'm ok with this. I will still watch content creators videos even though I'm bombarded but get multiple opinions and do the research before I buy a game. Every once in a while we need videos like this to help us make the decisions. Keep up the amazing content !

A great video to reinforce me in some new year resolutions. I "own" around 50 titles. Mental space, and more important actual space is becoming a trouble.. I'm not pulling out "No buying year" but clearing shelf of unplayed games and switching to some aclaimed retail releases is a thing.

great points Alex, thanks. Always appreciate these videos and your realism

@BoardGameCo - Great video. A lot of common reasons/criteria that I use to decide on purchase of a game. For me top ones are: 1. Don’t Back Games You Can’t Reasonably Play. I own about 100 games, but very few expansions (~10). The reason being not every game gets played that many times. And if I'm pulling a game off the shelf after 6 months, I'd mostly want to play with just the base game. That's one of the reasons I never backed Marvel United because they're forcibly throwing 60 characters at me which I may never play. Or Veiled Fate which is good at higher play count which we rarely have. 2. Don’t Get Games That You Already Have Enough Of - I try to avoid similar games. e.g. I have 5-7 different deck/bag builders already covering different theme/mechanics. If I were to buy a new deck/bag builders, I'd first move on some of the games that I already own. 3. Don’t Back Things That Take Up Too Much Space/Money : Return on Investment - This one is hard to quantify. I mean how do you compare 1 game play of a 100$ game vs 10 average plays of a 50$ game. But I still do take a look at my budget. If instead of a 150$ kickstarter game that I'd get in 2 years, can I get Ark Nova + Sniper Elite + Clank Catacombs now. I might go for that.

This was great! I hope you also do a video on resisting game sales. If I hadn't bought games (that weren't on my list) because they were on sale, then I would have had enough money to buy the games I really wanted that weren't on sale.

For me, before I back/purchase on something, I give it a couple days/week (or more) before pulling the trigger. Most of the time after giving it thought, I lose interest or realize I wouldn’t be confident in my purchase/backing

Great points Alex! I try to stick to my 10k minimum backer rule, unless the game fills a void in my collection or you make a stellar recommendation!

It's because of videos like this that Alex is my favourite reviewer.

@israelochoa5725

Жыл бұрын

I agree 100% I'm glad he talks about these types of topics

Gloomhaven was my turning point where I start to really question if I should purchase something based off storage space. Can it be tabled easily? How often? Does it fit my group? Can I solo and how often will I actually solo? What sort of criteria do I want in a solo experience exactly vs my group? While also dipping into the painting side of things, I also factor in if I would at least paint what is available (for games that have this option). Great points in this video. Regarding KS, I'm mostly calculating how much do I want to actually try out "that game" and filter it through the above as much as possible. Thanks for the input!

@haxan6663

Жыл бұрын

I have been through my madness period and still have many games to come but 'will it get to the table' is now my mantra. As for painting, (which I love doing), I have a list of over 4 pages of A4!

I definitely needed to watch this! Thanks Alex! You literally saved me hundreds if not thousands of $$$ and most of all time and space both of which are limited! :-)

I completely agree about games standing the test of time. I also find the really good ones often get a reprint, sometimes right after they release, sometimes later with an expansion, and sometimes later with a collector's edition. My backing of games has drastically went down simply because I have a lot of games now, I know what I like more, and I'm far pickier in what I back now.

Thank you for the intervention. I understand why you needed to bring me here and sit me down and hit me with some honest truth. It hurts, but I needed to hear it. Thank you for caring....hehe.

Very good points Alex. I wish you had posted this video a couple of years ago. I probably need to write these next to my computer screen. LOL My gf and I will be DTW. We'd be happy to play Feed the Kraken with you.

I'm looking to invest in those wood boxes you showed off in another video for marvel united to reduce 20+ boxes to about 4-6 (including the Multiverse)

I'm fairly new to the hobby, so I've been playing a bit of catch-up on the games I really want, so get the past content. I'm mostly caught up now, so it's just backing new things that I really like. I have a list of disqualifications that I use to help reduce the number of games that are on my radar.

Ouch! #5 hurt a little bit. >.> But, it did help solidify my decision not to get Euthia with Isofarian Guard coming soon and going to take up so much space. (A lot of FOMO behind my desire for both of those, given concerns we may not see another printing.)

If I would be able to build a gaming cubby what would sizes would be good from 14 Square to...

I’m a completionist when it comes to board games and Kickstarter exclusives tear me apart, especially when I find an old game

Alex, you're a boon to our hobby. This video is a great example of why I keep coming back to your channel: sensible, sound advice.

@BoardGameCo

10 ай бұрын

Thank you! I appreciate it!

Always a good topic. One thing to notice though. Vital's games are radically different from Splotter games. You cannot compare e.g. Lisboa which is a sandbox game to Kanban, which is an optimization game. Lacerda usually rehashes worker placements though, but that has nothing to do with Splotter which usually does logistics games. But even then they differ from route optimization to economic games. I would compare Splotter games more to some of 18xx titles than to Lacerda. Vital's games can be compared to WYG collection of games (Madeira, Nippon), but even then there are some major differences and heavy games usually have subtle intricacies that radically change the gameplay. The argument definitely stands for RPG's which usually have the same gameplay style and usual tropes, but for heavy euros, the best ones are usually beast by themselves. The same incorrect argument can be used for 18xx games. People who don't play them think that "buy one, know them all". But the amount of time it takes to perfect one and differences between how companies operate, stock rounds, operating rounds and map layout changes the game so drastically that you basically have completely different games that might feel the same only to certain extent, but are very different games. As I said, there is a lot of copy pasting for IP's and miniature heavy games that prove to be mediocre experiences, but for heavy euros with battle tested designers, you have at least 1 year of hundreds of hours of playtesting iterations (shared between at least 50-100 playtesters) and perfecting the core experience so no two games are the same (or even very similar).

I really liked your video! I made all those mistakes and after a while I learned from them. Also, I know it is irrelevant but... I really like our sweater... lol!

@BoardGameCo

Жыл бұрын

Thanks!

im finishing up my Marvel Legendary collection, a game from 2010 or so. Whats the rush to get the newest games and then it just sits on your shelf

So good to watch this kind of reminder video from time to time

I would love to play Feed the Kraken. I will have to plan a road trip from Pittsburgh to play...lol

Awesome video and a sick poncho what's not to love?

I needed this video right now. Thanks for this!

Ty for this video!

Unfortunately c'mon Kickstarters are the hardest to resist like I missed the base pledge for Marvel zombicide so now I'll miss out on the bevy of amazing extras and yes I will still get a chance to get it but at the same time I'm not willing to pay the extra 100-300 for just the extras box it just stinks haha.

Nice video man I will also add... don't go all in a game like horizon zero dawn that you will most likely end up playing maybe half of the content :P I keep my rules of max 2 game in a month... and in a deep crisis (like October and November) 3 games. But Decemeber + January only 1 game... so it balance.

I needed this, thanks!

Always a good reminder . The crowdfunding ones i used to love but the high prices are getting out of control for me retail is just usualy cheaper

Thanks for this video! I will keep replaying it as soon as I feel the urge to buy a new board game!

@BoardGameCo

3 ай бұрын

Good luck 🙂

Did Rina make that hoodie? It looks wicked comfy!

Great timing for this video with Marvel United and Andromedas Edge kickstarter/Gamefound going on right now.

Thanks!

Last time I saw you in the poncho you were juggling knives! Good advice to everyone out there with overflowing shelves!

This video is sooo good. I need to watch before every trip to the FLGS.

Now I want Feed the Kraken. Thanks for that lol. Still excited though for Freedom Five!

Alex you can easily play Feed the Kraken online but I think you know that since you took part in a few of these rounds as well as far as I remember :) other than that valuable points!

I was so sad when you pulled down feed the kraken! It instantly came to mind when you said "if you cant table it".

Please keep doing these reminder videos for the community, they are great.

I really can't overstate how awesome these videos are.

Realy good video...moved my opinion...thanks a lot

Alex your outfit looks so cozy!!!! I'm jealous!

@BoardGameCo

Жыл бұрын

Lol thanks :)

Point 5b: Also, be selective in which expansions you buy. Does it add to the base game in a way you find satisfying enough?

@sarahracicot2299

Жыл бұрын

This is a good point. A lot of times I can be tempted to go all in because it seems cheaper than just getting a couple expansions. But then I just have boxes taking up extra space.

@calevenice

Жыл бұрын

@@sarahracicot2299 I play shadows of Brimstone, so I've learned to be mindful 😅

Unrelated, but what is your setup for your overhead shots?

Thank you I need this

I think it also depends on the game. For example I backed Frosthaven and by the time I got it I no longer wanted it which was fine and I made a small profit.

Great. I'm selling 15 games from my collection and not buying any new ones until I've played at least 10 that are still left in my collection and have never been touched. Thank you so much 😃

Thank you for giving me the ok to sell games that I'm not sure if I'm going to table

Unrelated: That's a nice watch! If you happen to see this what kind is it?

Point #3 is my downfall... That and the fact that i dont cull everything that i should. The collector in me keeps games that have "expired" in my want to table them anymore.

confession: bought a few good games that are too heavy for my skill level -- FOMO out of stock... but since then noticed games do get reprinted, e.g. as "add-ons" on pledge page when the publisher issues an expansion or new game campaign on KS. 😅

Will you back Stonesaga? I am curious

Great points! There's always tendency to justify purchases by believing the ideal scenario will happen. I would add "Don't Buy Games That Force You To Give Up Spending on Life's Essentials".

Wingspan bird nest box MOTIVATED me to clear the clutter at home 😅

Consideration 5-1/2: You don't need to go all-in if you back something. Follow-up video: Red flags to look for if you are considering backing a game.

@draphsor

Жыл бұрын

Madness! ;)

started renting games instead of buying... but a lot of them aren't available coz they aren't main stream😅

I feel this video a lot. Thankfully I'm pretty much done buying stuff now.

So true! I'm guilty of buying giant campaign games that I'll play and have to stash under a table or something. Do I really need more than one? No.

Don't forget to mention: "Someone you regularly play with already has that game." If you're going to have plenty of opportunity to play that game with those friends, maybe you don't need it in your own personal collection.

Until recently I didn't have a collection of my own. In a few months I bought / backed 8 games. I just arrived at that point when I had to say enough. I won't back anything else for probably one or two years.

I'd LOVE to hear your opinion about Titans, but the fact you have not played it probably speaks volumes

As a side to the first reason, there might have been new games released in the year or more since you backed a game that was a good idea where these new games actually improve on the basic idea of the kickstarter game. So you bought those other games and now, the kickstarter game seems old hat.

@BoardGameCo

Жыл бұрын

Absolutely

I am a PC computer gamer, i have a steam account. I am accustomed to filling my library with games i may never even install I'm backing Andromeda's Edge out of spite (also i only have one other space game)

Abomination is an underrated gem (and currently very inexpensive). It's a highly thematic worker placement euro for lovers of horror. But if that theme doesn't speak to you it wouldnt make sense to get it.

@boardgameaddiction7081

Жыл бұрын

Absolutely agree. I picked up Abomination new for $25 after watching several reviews. The biggest criticisms reviewers expressed were "it's theme and art are macabre" and "it takes longer to play than I'd like". But the game itself looked good and the price was right so I took a chance. I'm glad I did. It drips with theme and every action makes sense. It's very much a euro with some partially mitigable luck in the final dice rolls to bring your abomination to life. There's also some minor randomness but more thematic flavor in the event cards. It'll never be popular enough to reach the BGG top 100, but it's a solid game and a good experience.

2:57 I can't believe none of the reasons were 'because it might get delivered when you're trying to film a KZread video' 🤣

I found endless winter to be way over hyped..

I want Mythwind and Sleeping Gods. But they are too expensive, and I know they will not get tabled.

I got roasted (in jest) for posting the link to this video in my game group's Discord. 😂

Number 4 is called: "Jon's theory"

Because there are so many games and they keep coming…I have a few criteria for getting new Board games: 1- I will not get any game with dice rolling. 2- I will not get campaign/ dungeon crawlers/ coop. It makes my life so easy. And I don’t care how Hot they seem to be. I just can’t have them all. And that’s it. I love Euros particularly and party/social deduction games 3- I never go browsing Kickstarter. I will buy a game that exists and that has proven to click to me and to others.

A lot of wisdom in this video. I could give a personal example for all the cited reasons. Well...lesson learned I suppose. Keep up the good work!

Reason 3 is why I still haven't backed Cuthulhu: Death May Die Fear Of The Unknown. I seriously get tempted to pull the trigger because everyone ELSE is saying it's so great. But I'm just not in love with it, despite loving both horror and dungeon crawlers. It's simply because I could not care less about Cuthulhu, Lovecraft, or Tentacle Monsters. Probably my least favorite theme that exists in board gaming these days. So, I'm sure it's great, but I don't think I'd play it over other games in my collection if I had it. And, as simple as that, I really shouldn't get it.

I stopped purchasing games. My collection is over 200 games big, and most have not been played once.

6: If Alex rates it lower than a 4😜

The video is great Alex, but your outfit is SPECTACULAR!

Still a great poncho. I've started backinhg less the last 5 months. Still have too many crowdfunded games not played or coming in. So a max of 6 games for me now.

@JohnClem56

Жыл бұрын

Per month?

@Sebastian-rt9qf

Жыл бұрын

@@JohnClem56 😅no per year now... there were times in the past I did 6 a month. But that was insanity. Now I am trying to trim down those numbers. As there are also games I get straight out of retail.

I can't reasonably play Oathsworn. While I love everything about it, my current circumstances don't allow me the time. On the "enough of" front, this is why I'm waffling on the Foundations of Rome. It looks absolutely amazing, and I love polyomino games. Still, I can't justify a $200+ game that is difficult to transport, especially when I already have Project L, Barenpark, Patchwork, and Isle of Cats AND looking to get in on the new Planet Unkown campaign. *sigh* Why are you making logical arguments against me spending money?

At this point ide rather pay twice as much later on for a used game than buy a new one that will sit on my shelf and never get played

Totally agree. As usual. I would add the obvious: do not get a game you cannot truly afford.

Watching this video made me cancel 3 kickstarter pledges....thanks lol

If everyone actually followed these, they probably only be left with maybe 5 games. Just look at one game like Too Many Bones or Marvel United, so much content they you could literally just play that one game and be satisfied.

Thought this about Arborea. Really it's nothing we haven't seen before, and Alley Cat Games aren't the greatest publisher and show very little passion for the project. I got involved in the hype for it, glad I got out cos I probably wouldn't play it anyway.

for every game i get, there are at least 100 more i didnt. seems good right? lol

5 games a month?? More like 1 game every 2 years...💀

Thank you Alex you just saved me 150 bucks.