Building a Board Game Collection: Curation Strategies for the Global Gamer

The world of board games is vast and ever-expanding. With thousands of new titles released each year, building a board game collection can feel overwhelming. This guide provides strategies for curating a collection that reflects your personal tastes, accommodates your gaming group, and explores the diverse world of tabletop gaming. Whether you're a seasoned gamer or just starting out, these tips will help you build a board game collection you'll cherish for years to come.

Understanding Your Gaming Preferences

Before you start buying games, take some time to understand what you enjoy. Consider these factors:

• Theme: What kind of stories do you like? Fantasy, science fiction, historical settings, or something else entirely?
• Mechanics: Do you prefer dice rolling, card drafting, worker placement, engine building, or other game mechanics?
• Complexity: Do you want simple, easy-to-learn games or complex, strategic experiences?
• Player Count: How many people do you typically play with? Do you need games for solo play, two players, or larger groups?
• Play Time: How much time do you usually have for a game session? Short, quick games or longer, more involved experiences?
• Interaction: Do you enjoy direct conflict with other players or prefer a more collaborative or solitary experience?

Example: If you enjoy cooperative games with a strong narrative, you might be drawn to games like Pandemic (global disease eradication) or Gloomhaven (fantasy campaign). If you prefer competitive engine-building games, Terraforming Mars (terraforming the Red Planet) or Wingspan (attracting birds to your wildlife preserve) might be good choices.

Exploring Different Board Game Genres

The board game world is categorized into several genres, each offering distinct gameplay experiences. Familiarizing yourself with these genres can help you discover new games that align with your preferences.

Eurogames

Eurogames, also known as German-style games, emphasize strategy, resource management, and indirect player interaction. They often feature low randomness and minimal conflict. Examples include:

• Carcassonne: A tile-laying game where players build a medieval landscape.
• Ticket to Ride: A route-building game where players collect train cars to claim railway routes across a map.
• 7 Wonders: A card drafting game where players develop their ancient civilizations.
• Puerto Rico: A classic resource management game set in colonial Puerto Rico.

Ameritrash

Ameritrash games, also known as American-style games, are characterized by strong themes, high randomness, direct conflict, and miniatures. They often feature epic stories and immersive experiences. Examples include:

• Cosmic Encounter: A negotiation and conflict game where players control alien races vying for control of the galaxy.
• Twilight Imperium: An epic space opera game of galactic conquest.
• Descent: Journeys in the Dark: A dungeon crawl adventure game where one player controls the overlord and others play as heroes.
• Arkham Horror: The Card Game: A cooperative living card game where players investigate eldritch mysteries.

Wargames

Wargames simulate military conflicts and often involve complex rules, historical accuracy, and strategic decision-making. Examples include:

• Axis & Allies: A classic wargame simulating World War II.
• Paths of Glory: A card-driven wargame simulating World War I.
• Twilight Struggle: A two-player game simulating the Cold War.
• Memoir '44: A scenario-based wargame simulating battles of World War II.

Family Games

Family games are designed to be accessible and enjoyable for players of all ages. They typically have simple rules, short play times, and engaging themes. Examples include:

• Codenames: A word association game where teams compete to identify their secret agents.
• Dixit: A storytelling game with abstract and evocative artwork.
• Kingdomino: A tile-laying game where players build their kingdoms.
• Sushi Go!: A card drafting game where players collect sets of sushi.

Party Games

Party games are designed for large groups and emphasize social interaction, humor, and lighthearted gameplay. Examples include:

• Telestrations: A combination of telephone and Pictionary.
• Cards Against Humanity: A fill-in-the-blank party game for horrible people. (Consider the audience and cultural appropriateness before including this in your collection.)
• Concept: A communication game where players convey words and phrases using universal icons.
• Wavelength: A guessing game about where things fall on a spectrum.

Abstract Games

Abstract games emphasize pure strategy and logic, with minimal theme or randomness. Examples include:

• Chess: A classic game of strategy and tactics.
• Go: An ancient game of territorial control.
• Azul: A tile-drafting game with beautiful components.
• Santorini: A strategic building game with variable player powers.

Co-operative Games

Co-operative games require players to work together towards a common goal, typically against the game itself. Examples include:

• Pandemic: Players must work together to stop the spread of deadly diseases.
• Gloomhaven: A fantasy campaign game where players embark on interconnected scenarios.
• Spirit Island: Players take on the roles of island spirits defending their home from invaders.
• The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine: A trick-taking game where players must complete specific tasks as a team.

Solo Games

Solo games are designed for single-player experiences, offering strategic challenges and engaging gameplay without the need for other players. Examples include:

• Friday: A deck-building game where you help Robinson Crusoe survive on a deserted island.
• Spirit Island: (See Co-operative Games - can be played solo)
• Under Falling Skies: A dice-placement game where you defend your city from alien invaders.
• Terraforming Mars: Ares Expedition: (Can be played solo)

Strategies for Building Your Collection

Building a board game collection is an ongoing process. Here are some strategies to help you curate a collection that you'll love:

Start Small

Don't try to buy every game at once. Begin with a few games that you know you'll enjoy and gradually expand your collection as you discover new titles.

Do Your Research

Read reviews, watch gameplay videos, and try out games before you buy them. Websites like BoardGameGeek (BGG) are excellent resources for researching board games. BGG features user reviews, ratings, forums, and extensive information about thousands of games.

Attend Board Game Events

Attend local board game conventions, meetups, or game nights to try out new games and connect with other gamers. This is a great way to experience games firsthand and get recommendations from experienced players. Many conventions have libraries of games available for attendees to try.

Use Online Simulators

Websites like Tabletop Simulator and Tabletopia allow you to play board games online with others. This is a great way to try out games before you buy them, especially if you don't have access to a local game store or convention.

Consider Secondhand Games

You can often find used board games in excellent condition at a fraction of the cost of new games. Check online marketplaces or local game stores for secondhand options. Be sure to inspect the game's components before buying to ensure everything is complete and in good condition.

Trade Games

Trading games with other collectors is a great way to expand your collection without spending a lot of money. Online trading communities and local game groups often facilitate game trades.

Prioritize Quality Over Quantity

Focus on buying games that you'll actually play and enjoy, rather than accumulating a large collection of games that will sit on your shelf. A smaller, well-curated collection is more valuable than a larger, disorganized one.

Think About Your Gaming Group

Consider the preferences and skill levels of the people you typically play with. Choose games that everyone will enjoy and that are appropriate for their experience levels.

Diversify Your Collection

Include a variety of game types, themes, and complexities in your collection. This will ensure that you have a game for every mood and occasion.

Don't Be Afraid to Sell or Trade Games You Don't Enjoy

If you find that you're not playing a game, don't be afraid to sell it or trade it for something you'll enjoy more. This will help keep your collection fresh and relevant.

Global Considerations for Board Game Collection

When building a board game collection with a global perspective, consider the following:

Availability and Language

Be aware that some games may be difficult to find or may not be available in your native language. Check online retailers and distributors to see if a game is available in your region and language. Fan translations of rules are often available online.

Cultural Sensitivity

Be mindful of cultural sensitivities when choosing games. Some games may contain themes or representations that are offensive or inappropriate in certain cultures. Do your research and choose games that are respectful of different cultures and perspectives.

Example: Games with colonial themes should be approached with awareness of the historical context and potential for perpetuating harmful stereotypes.

Regional Variations

Some games may have regional variations or editions with different components or rules. Be aware of these variations and choose the edition that best suits your preferences. Also note that some very popular games in some regions (e.g., Go in East Asia) are relatively obscure in other parts of the world.

Import Costs and Shipping

Be aware of import costs, shipping fees, and customs duties when ordering games from other countries. These costs can significantly increase the overall price of a game. Factor these costs into your budget before making a purchase.

International Gaming Communities

Connect with international gaming communities online or in person to discover new games and learn about different gaming cultures. Online forums, social media groups, and board game conventions are great places to connect with gamers from around the world.

Recommended Games to Start Your Global Collection

Here are a few recommendations for games that represent different genres and regions:

• Eurogame: Azul (Portugal) - A beautiful and strategic tile-drafting game.
• Ameritrash: Cosmic Encounter (USA) - A negotiation and conflict game with unique alien powers.
• Wargame: Memoir '44 (France) - A scenario-based wargame simulating battles of World War II.
• Family Game: Codenames (Czech Republic) - A word association game for teams.
• Party Game: Concept (France) - A communication game using universal icons.
• Abstract Game: Go (East Asia) - An ancient game of territorial control.
• Co-operative Game: Pandemic (USA) - Players must work together to stop the spread of deadly diseases.
• Solo Game: Friday (Germany) - A deck-building game where you help Robinson Crusoe survive.

Conclusion

Building a board game collection is a rewarding hobby that can provide hours of entertainment and social interaction. By understanding your gaming preferences, exploring different genres, and following these curation strategies, you can build a collection that reflects your personal tastes and the diverse world of tabletop gaming. Remember to prioritize quality over quantity, consider your gaming group, and diversify your collection. Happy gaming!