So many of you are probably familiar with how board games work. In something even as simple as Candy Land you try to move your character around the board as fast as possible and finish with a high score based off of overcoming many obstacles or defeating other players.
In card games each card is assigned a point value so to speak, and you win by accumulating points.
Still in others those that accumulate the most money, properties or resources win. If youre thinking of Monopoly or Settlers of Catan here, youre right. Win the game despite possibly losing one or two close friendships, which happens more than you would think.
The point Im trying to make is that usually you win by trying to stay alive or overcome many obstacles or opponents.
Ive never been particularly great at any of these games, but last weekend I was finally introduced to a game where the object wasnt really to overcome. It was to lose everything as spectacularly as possible, and it was glorious.
I dont think I have ever been so good at any game during my first play. Ever.
It turns out that since I dont really have a knack for staying alive or winning contests, I do have one for dying and losing, which in this game is rewarded with point values ascending relative to how badly you lose a contest. It took me three turns to figure out that any strategy I had outside of throwing all my resources into contests I would lose was going to be a better use of my limited time and knowledge than trying to do anything tricky or smart.
It took everyone else I was playing with at least 15 turns to realize the same thing. They had more resources to devote to the cause, but they still had a long way to go before they caught up to me. In the end it was a close match. I may have lost by a small margin, but I found my real strength in board games: dying with style.
Next time we play I will try my hardest to find even more creative ways to lose, and if that doesnt work, I guess I was never cut out for any kind of board game.
How sad it would be always to lose mini games and lose the whole game as well. At least I can hang out with some really nice people and boost some egos.
