100% agree with Onirim on the phone, the app takes care of the tedious shuffling. I also have Maquis, Mint Works and Tides of Time.

I realized pretty early on that there has to be vendors at the conventions I like. The largest convention in my state was just a bunch of people playing games. Which I can do anytime I want, so it wasn't really my thing. However, I have still never been to another convention. Because like you said, hotels, airfare.. after you take that in to consideration.. I feel I might as well browse online stores and watch KZread content instead.

Great answers! Love this segment 👍

My favorite "simplest" game is *Why First?* It's just pawns starting at 0 on a track which ranges from -12 to +16 and a deck of cards that values from -4 to +5. Every round the players will select a card to play and then 3-2-1-GO! they slap that card in front of any player. The net value of all cards in front of a player are how far they move that round. Once all cards are played, the player in SECOND Place scores points equal to the number of the space they're on and at the end of 5 rounds the player with the SECOND MOST points wins. It's chaotic and silly and everyone tries to strategize but there's now way to do it successfully. Lots of fun in a small box.

@WatchItPlayed

2 жыл бұрын

I've not played Why First? But it sounds great! -Rodney

How did Essen Spiel not even get a mention in the convention segment? If hot new releases are what you're looking for in a convention, it's hard to argue against Spiel being the best convention, by far.

@WatchItPlayed

2 жыл бұрын

That's true, it's a great con for releases! -Rodney

@ronnyswaen7014

2 жыл бұрын

I was thinking the exact same thing...

I went to Geekway to the West this past Fall. Three days of just playing board games. A few vendors, mostly doing demos. There was a great game library, and a Play to Win library, where each play enters you into a draw to win a copy. Just all in all a simple and good convention.

@WatchItPlayed

2 жыл бұрын

I want to go to that con some day! -Rodney

Spirit island app makes setup and rules a breeze! Withiut it id probably makes tons of mistakes. It also helps u focus on spirit spec cardplay instead of upkeep.

@KilobyteD

2 жыл бұрын

I think that one is made by Handelabra, and IMO they are fantastic developers! Sentinels of the Multiverse & One Deck Dungeon are also apps they made and are both great fun... Sentinels in particular, due to all of the +/- modifiers in that game, it takes care of all the math for you ;)

I would Absolutely love to see a list of board game apps! Pretty tired of just playing solitaire or sudoku...

@michaelrichard1320

2 жыл бұрын

Elder Sign is an amazing app. Never played in real life but have all the expansion on the app.

@WatchItPlayed

2 жыл бұрын

I'll bet there's loads I didn't realize have been released! -Rodney

@elizabethshort9632

2 жыл бұрын

Settlers of Catan Universe is pretty good. I just play against the AI but you can do live games too. There is a 12h wait between games on the free version but I've just created multiple accounts and log in with each one. Carcassonne is another good app but not free

Cockroach Poker. Just played it for the 1st time. What fun.

@WatchItPlayed

2 жыл бұрын

Nice pick!

@StuffByBez

2 жыл бұрын

YES! The simplest bluffing/deduction game maybe. I love it!

We’ve been several times but it’s the same convention and that’s cause it’s the one nearest us. Board Game Geek Con. It seems similar to Airecon in that it’s not so much one where there’s lots of stuff to buy, even though there is, but it’s the amount of games you can play. I’m fact we are going to the BGG Spring in May. It’s similar to BGG in November just fewer people and fewer vendors. We love it. Someday we hope to make it to Airecon. - Gaby

@WatchItPlayed

2 жыл бұрын

I think the two cons share a lot of similarities! -Rodney

I loved that i got a chance to meet you any the rest of the gang at PAX U. Thank you for the video and the willingness to travel

Much adoration, Matthew

I played 6nimmt at Airecon for the first time and I think it's one of the simplest games I ever played. Yet it's also one of the best and funny (in a way that make you laugh) games. It was an instant buy for me and would recommend to any group!

@TheRatedOniChannel

2 жыл бұрын

With 5 or 6 players that game is one of the most stressful ones I played, it was great, but every single turn was nail biting.

@WatchItPlayed

2 жыл бұрын

A classic!

Enjoyed the video, thank you!

@WatchItPlayed

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Danny!

My “local” conference is Shux. Every time has been a wonderful experience. Very excited that it’s back this fall!

@WatchItPlayed

2 жыл бұрын

Nice to see it able to return!

I really enjoy these, and the insight you offer. My favorite section this time was about party games. We do often dismiss the simple...I think sometimes it can be a pride/insecurity thing, like, "I want to prove that I am smart and can handle a tougher game" or "people would laugh at me if they knew I liked this". As a kid, I loved the really simple parlor game "this is..../this is not....". Zendo did a version of it with shapes. I loved the laughter and merriment and, well, everybody gathering in the "parlor" (living room or whatnot). A really simple game that brought me a ton of joy growing up was called "Oh Nuts" (I know, great name) and featured collecting marbles in this grappling-utensil-thingy and popping them out onto your playmat. You had to collect one marble of each color. The marbles were in a big "bowl" that spun all around. I loved it. LOVED IT. I played it constantly from when I got it for Christmas as a 6 year old until I was probably 10 or 11. It worked all that time. The components held up excellently. All my friends LOVED playing it and I remember so much laughter. Kids games sometimes don't get enough cred for what they have to do to work well, and that was one that was so much fun and brought so many memories in a single box, with no expansions!

@WatchItPlayed

2 жыл бұрын

Good insights Teej!

My favorite convention is LeiriaCon in Portugal... it returned this past weekend after 2 years absence due to covid restrictions... It's an amazing convention because it has a fantastic library, there are people coming from all around the world, there's loads of prototypes of upcoming games, you sleep, eat and play in the same hotel, fantastic staff... Everything is amazing for 4 days! And not that expensive!

@WatchItPlayed

2 жыл бұрын

I've heard good things about that convention!

@PauloRenato23

2 жыл бұрын

@@WatchItPlayed you guys should come next year... it's truly wonderful!

Love these types of videos, thank you! My favorite simple games are schotten totten and love letter. Favorite apps would include BGA (if that counts), cartographers

@WatchItPlayed

2 жыл бұрын

I like all of those games too! -Rodney

@teejleague3838

2 жыл бұрын

Love letter is tons of fun!!!

Airecon for the win! French conventions are mainly publishers demoing games, "small" ones are run by local clubs, but barely ever open gaming, you always have plenty of volunteers there to teach and set up games for you, really a different vibe.

@ph0n1k

2 жыл бұрын

Loved aircon this year, booked to go next year. Such a friendly and well organised event.

@WatchItPlayed

2 жыл бұрын

Hope to see you there next year too!

@christopherhealey8807

2 жыл бұрын

Only one, local and the meeting and playing of games there has led me into this fantastic social hobby

The only one I’ve been to is the SHUX Convention. It was so much fun to play games with welcoming, complete strangers. I eventually bought two of the games I played: Everdell and Champions of Midgard thanks to folks who taught me the games. It was cool to see all the publishers and getting demos of the new games. And, it’s awesome that it was in my backyard in Vancouver, Canada.

@WatchItPlayed

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, always nice when the con is close :)

I'm glad we could get a definitive answer!

Speaking of board game apps - why isn't there a mobile app for Dominion yet? Of all the games that could go mobile, how has this one not made the list yet?

@thosemountains

2 жыл бұрын

There is one, launched in beta a few months ago. Look up Temple Gate Games to see if you can get in on it. I imagine it'll launch fully soon if it hasn't already. It could get expensive if in you want to buy the expansions - Dominion Online might be a better option for that if you're happy to play against real people rather than AI.

@WatchItPlayed

2 жыл бұрын

They've been trying, I think!

@Robert256

2 жыл бұрын

@@thosemountains Thanks bud. I just checked. Nothing on IOS currently. At least not for me. That's good to know that one is in development. Dominion online is great and well done, but requires me to be sitting at my desk. Something mobile would be just perfect.

So much words of wisdom said, I agree half the reasons I go to the convention is to see people not just board game convention. I’m glad to have met you in person at Airecon. Also the last few year had put a lot of Kickstarter games into the shelf of shame until I can get them out onto the tables

@WatchItPlayed

2 жыл бұрын

So nice to have been able to meet you to FrostKnightGT! -Rodney

@Fr05t1984

2 жыл бұрын

To be fair I’m glad I managed to meet everyone from watch it played, everyone was super nice even though they were busy with their commitments it was nice to be able to see you all enjoy yourself at the convention

Wow Baseball Highlights just went from game I was interested in but knew I’ll never actually see let alone play to downloaded on my phone. Thanks! I took advantage of board game apps to try two sizable games with a huge reputation, Root and Terraforming Mars, fell in love with Root and bought the physical game but decided the TfM wasn’t for me (though Ares Expedition on the other hand…) it was a nice way to try these games out.

@WatchItPlayed

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, the app is a nice way to demo before deciding if you want to go all in on the full physical game. -Rodney

UK Games Expo is probably my favourite but like you said a huge bonus is I don’t need a hotel. I also loved AireCon but very different reasons.

• PAX U is my favorite, it's a 10-min bike ride from my house. :D • Squire for Hire-the simplest game I own that I love (solo) • Scythe Kick-my fav (and only) board game app. • I sell, trade, or give away games I don't play fairly quickly. ;)

You never played a game with me at Airecon Matt! I mean I got a hug, which was almost the same as watching your face drop as you realise I've beaten you again on points... -Rory

My favorite conventions have been Dice Tower Con and BGG.CON, both because of open gaming and because of people. The first time we went it was great because there were so many games, so much space to play games, and so many people to meet and play games with. And we made some friends that we saw again the next year, and now it's like a reunion going to the conventions and hanging out with them! My favorite simple game is The Mind. I've talked about it a lot.

@WatchItPlayed

2 жыл бұрын

I really enjoyed BGG Con for the same reasons! -Rodney

Geekway to the West is my favorite con. It's only a 3 hour drive for me and the emphasis is on play space.

@WatchItPlayed

2 жыл бұрын

I've heard good things about this one! -Rodney

@caseymoeller3142

2 жыл бұрын

Love Geekway! We fly from Philly just to go!

My game group & I just played Chameleon for the first time this past week. We just wanted something light and fun and boy was it a hilarious time! I hate the stigma against light games/party games because they’re so wholesome! I’ve seen people call light games or even simpler (their opinion) games like Catan “junk food” compared to the fine dining of heavier games. And I can’t stand that analogy! To use a food metaphor; I think those lighter games are, say, like an apple and heavier games may be a meal…both are good for you, it just depends on what you need! All kinds of games have a place & can be so enjoyable and I really love how you expressed that here~

@WatchItPlayed

2 жыл бұрын

Well said! -Rodney

Your example of games you got rid of without playing - specifically, Space Empires 4X - is exactly the same as mine! That was the first one I got rid of without playing, which helped me realize that I need to keep in mind when and with who I would actually be able to play the games I buy

@WatchItPlayed

2 жыл бұрын

I did this to Andean Abyss for the same reason. Then about 7 years later I found the group, and re-bought! I still think getting it out of my collection at the time, was the right thing to do (but also glad to have circled back around to it!). -Rodney

@bobcattom5997

2 жыл бұрын

@@WatchItPlayed That gives me some comfort! I actually got rid of Cuba Libre in a similar manner. There is something tempting about many GMT titles, but by now I've realized that many of them will not see play with my current gaming situation. Hopefully I find a similar transformational moment in 7 years time!

Got to be UKGE. Loads of vendors AND free gaming space. Also tournaments, live shows and RPGs. It's honestly the best :-D

The best Board Game Convention is the one that brings Watch it Played and Blunderbuss to MY town. OBVIOUSLY. 😉

Favourite simple games Love letters and liar dice (perudo)

@WatchItPlayed

2 жыл бұрын

Great picks!

Sixes! Simple and always a big laugh and yelling with family.

In the absence of being able to play with a good bunch of friends, I love a good game app for having tested a few on my phone and computer.

The only board game app I had was for Awkward Guests, being able to solve the mysteries solo player I think is more fun that playing against another player and the app provides 100s more cases for you to solve

My favourite simplest game is Similo (Histories, Fables, Spookies). Favourite app Potion Explosion although I also enjoy Onirim. Favourite convention Airecon. You meet amazing people there 😊

@WatchItPlayed

2 жыл бұрын

Love the Similo games - nice pick! -Rodney

My favorite simple game is probably Love Letter. I travel with that one often, and it's usually very easy to teach to new people, and I think most people catch on fairly quickly!

@WatchItPlayed

2 жыл бұрын

One of my favorite simple games too! -Rodney

I'm a sucker for giveaways at cons. I really like competition so the tournaments at Arizona Game Fair are always fun. Plus it's easy to arrive by plane and take light rail straight to con center.

@WatchItPlayed

2 жыл бұрын

Giveaways are fun!

I recently let go the Gears of War Board Game because I was never going to play it. I did, many years ago, but now it was just collecting dust. On the other hand, I will never let go my copy of Battlestar Galactica, even if it fossilizes from sitting untouched in its place of honour. But, a connected question: I have and adore Quantum. But before discovering it was available on BGA, I only ever played it very rarely, and then, only the basic maps of short games, as I was always teaching at least one other player. But with BGA, I've played a bunch of games, on the huge maps, and I'm enjoying it more than ever. So, my question: does playing the digital version of a game justify keeping the physical copy on your shelf, even if you don't see yourself playing the physical copy nearly as much?

@WatchItPlayed

2 жыл бұрын

The Gears of War game looked cool, but I never played that one myself. Interesting question on having the digital AND physical copies. I think if I only see myself playing the game solo, then digital is the way I'd go in many cases. If I thought I might play with others, than I'd want the physical version too. -Rodney

Siouxper Con in South Dakota is fun.

@WatchItPlayed

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the reccomendation!

Tabletop Scotland is the best (only) convention I’ve been too. Travel to the other UK conventions is too much hassle.

@WatchItPlayed

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you found one you can more easily get to!

One of my favorite easy games is "Pass the Pigs". Super fun push your luck game with 2 cute little pigs you roll for points. The biggest game I'm starting to worry will never get played is "Founders of Gloomhaven." I know some will say I'm not missing much, but Gloomhaven has a special place in our family and I really wanted to try it out. Too many other games have pushed it farther and farther back on the shelf.

@WatchItPlayed

2 жыл бұрын

I haven't played Pass The Pigs, but do know of it! -Rodney

Great vid Mathew.... convention....went to gencon in 2011...it was early in my boardgame hobby and it was just to big and overwhelming for me...I'd love to go now... Airecon is perfect for us...not too big and great open gaming... Small easy card game...game of trains...if you've not seen it definitely worth a look.

@AndrewPepperstone

2 жыл бұрын

I also went a few years ago, was all new and quite overwhelmed. Going with my son and a good friend of mine this year, and feel so much more prepared to take in all that GenCon has to offer.

@nilus2k

2 жыл бұрын

I went to Gencon every year from 1994 until 2007. Then skipped a year and went back for a couple more years. Last ones I went to was 2012. I have heard it’s grown so much since then that I’m kinda scared to go back. My oldest is getting into D&D and board games so I figure a family trip is in our future. Maybe when he turns 16 in two years

Dominion is out on Android and steam and iOS soon.

@WatchItPlayed

2 жыл бұрын

I'll be keeping an eye out for iOS. - Rodney

I really agree - the people make a convention. For some reason I really want to go to AireCon again… oh wait, I’m already doing it! (You know, when tickets actually come out) The chats I had at AireCon with the WIP team were like seeing an old friend for the first time and I appreciated the bro hug, Matthew!

@WatchItPlayed

2 жыл бұрын

I look forward to out next chat in person, next year! -Rodney

@lukepickles5099

2 жыл бұрын

@@WatchItPlayed me too! maybe we’ll make it over a game next year!

@PaulaDeming

2 жыл бұрын

I honestly did feel like I was seeing an old friend for the first time!

@lukepickles5099

2 жыл бұрын

@@PaulaDeming I loved the excited happy dance!

I have many board game apps, but I find I don't actually play them as often as I thought I would. I've also discovered that many of them have either replaced the physical version- like Cottage Garden and Spring Meadow(but I can't cull em cause they're so damn pretty) Or the app made me realize I don't think I'd ever want the physical version, such as Castles of Burgundy, Wingspan and Root, all excellent games to play once in a while, but not for me- partially because they would indefinitely inhabit that shelf of opportunity. I tried to unsuccessfully find Quacks, but did find Maracaibo. I have a few roll and write apps, but they could never replace the physical version for me, the pleasure of drawing in RR Ink and Cartographers I just too satisfying. The downside of apps is so much of the work is taken out of certain games if you put the physical game in front of me I'd struggle with it, like Root or Terra Mystica. Of the board game platforms, I prefer Tabletopia. Its a great way to preview a game and actually learn to play it since you have to physically manipulate everything. I wish I could get used to and enjoy playing games on there, but it's just not the same.

@WatchItPlayed

2 жыл бұрын

I found the same challenge with the Twilight Struggle app. Played it a bunch there, and then when I got the physical version out, I realized there were a lot of little rules I didn't know confidently, because the app always managed it.

We really love Spot It / Dobble for a simple party game. Bring it to every family get togethers and everyone loves it. Plays quick, explain the rules in 30 seconds, works for kids and adults. It checks all the boxes, especially when playing with non-gamers.

@WatchItPlayed

2 жыл бұрын

I've never played Spot It, but I know it's a massive seller. -Rodney

My favorite simple game is Skull!

Games that are simple to play that I always enjoy...6Nimmt, Las Vegas, Circus Flohcati. A lot of fun to be had at that weight.

@WatchItPlayed

2 жыл бұрын

Agreed!

matthew is simply the best

@WatchItPlayed

2 жыл бұрын

We thinks he's pretty neat!

The best convention is any that the Watch it Played and\or DxM team are at 🙂

Game On is a very fun small convention in Madrid, mostly filled with games to play and some tournaments, I don't remember a place to actually buy stuff

@WatchItPlayed

2 жыл бұрын

Never been to Madrid, but would enjoy going some time! -Rodney

@Skarpo89

2 жыл бұрын

@@WatchItPlayed I'm sure you'll be well received 😊

Can't Stop. Skull. Win Lose Banana.

@WatchItPlayed

2 жыл бұрын

Good ones!

I'm fairly new to the hobby so I haven't been to any board game conventions yet. But I'm an American living in Germany and I'd like to go to a convention here, but I don't know if it'd be worth it if most/all the games are in German.

@WatchItPlayed

2 жыл бұрын

I know that many of the German games come with English translations. When I've gone to Essen Spiel in the past, I've bought several games there that were fully English as well. -Rodney

My favorite simple to play game is definitely when I play Mage Knight and Advanced Squad Leader at the same time.

@WatchItPlayed

2 жыл бұрын

*side eye*

Nashville Tabletop Day at a local college is cool but often those local cons are pretty cliche-y. People come with the group they intend to play games with. I like all the Dice Tower Cons because I can play so many random new games while meeting new people... it is awesome. Obviously, I have to express my love of Neuroshima Hex App. The new one is going to be fantastic... just waiting for all 21 armies to be released... but there are already 7. Party games are fun... I like to start and end with them or use them between brain burners. My family loves wits and wagers Vegas with the big roll up mat. We also play a competitive version of Just One and Times up. I have had Three Kingdoms and Mystery of the Abby for years... and got to play both last month. Three Kingdoms was the toughest as it needs exactly 3 players and its pretty heavy. It left me feeling very disoriented... It wasn't about trying to figure out how to land the plane it was were is this plane even going and how do these controls work. MotA was just a fun deduction game. I have a friend spending the week here and we are playing games together and with people we invite over... going out to eat and seeing sights. That is some great stuff right there. Friends are the best. We have played Gutenberg, History of the World, Meadow, El Grande, Imperium, Cafe, Crosswords, Katarina, Nova Luna, Ethnos, Ta-ke, and Wingspan.

@WatchItPlayed

2 жыл бұрын

I played the older version of the app, and need to give the new version a spin soon! -Rodney

Unplayed games are a weird psychological space, especially as the time frame stretches further and further. You spend so long hanging onto the idea that as long as you play it eventually, it's an investment and not a waste, completely negating the cost side of how investments work. Ifeel like i should throw a joke in there, so I'll just say "obscure 90s cartoon reference" and hope it lands.

@WatchItPlayed

2 жыл бұрын

"insert funny reply here"

Simplest game I love: Can’t Stop. Can’t get enough of the game! 2 dice statistics boiled down to it’s simplest terms. Sid Sackson was a genius.

@WatchItPlayed

2 жыл бұрын

Can't Stop is so good! -Rodney

I was expecting Essen Spiel to be mentioned as one of the first conventions.. but I can't even see it in the comments..

@WatchItPlayed

2 жыл бұрын

It's here now :)

@yvonnechi3208

2 жыл бұрын

@@WatchItPlayed lol, that's true!

A shout out to the bring and buy at Airecon this year! It was amazing, I got some great games!

@WatchItPlayed

2 жыл бұрын

A very popular spot that I never seem to get over to! -Rodney

@benjaminjohnson8377

2 жыл бұрын

@@WatchItPlayed ah Rodney, you must! But remember to buy a second seat on the aeroplane for your return flight, just for all of the games you’ll buy!

@WatchItPlayed

2 жыл бұрын

@@benjaminjohnson8377 Pro tip!

TOY STORY 5 - Woody plays with boardgames on the shelf of opportunity and rescues his fav from the Airecon bring and buy

@WatchItPlayed

2 жыл бұрын

Let's get that script going!

Drop It is our simple, go-to. Second, probably pulling out Dr. Eureka or Maki Stack, both big hits for simplicity. Third...Pitch Car?

@WatchItPlayed

2 жыл бұрын

I've always wanted to play Pitch Car. -Rodney

@notthatseanbean

2 жыл бұрын

@@WatchItPlayed You’re invited for Easter. There will be ham. And Pitch Car.

BGG is a great convention! Highly recommend.

@WatchItPlayed

2 жыл бұрын

Agreed - another very gaming focused con. -Rodney

People whose favourite games are party games, I think, do not rank games on bgg. People whose favourite game are Euros and play games once a week or more are the people who rate games on bgg.

@WatchItPlayed

2 жыл бұрын

That's an interesting theory, I could see that being possible. -Rodney

So PAX was the only convention named… so that’s the best? 🤷🏽‍♂️… A simple game I love: Arboretum, and the best APP is Through the Ages. I’ll never ply TTA on the board again, very definitely, probably.

@WatchItPlayed

2 жыл бұрын

The Through The Ages app is very good! -Rodney