Let’s start with the article that spurred this post: Art of Boardgaming’s List of Top 5 Gateway Games. (BTW if you aren’t following him you are missing out) Some very good points. Also a few choices in that article that I have to admit, I hadn’t thought of.
It got me thinking, what are my Top 5 Gateway Games? And more importantly, what are the criteria that would make them gateway games? Do I choose one from each genre? Simple rules? Games guaranteed to get people laughing and involved? Or just my favorites?
The classics always make this list – Ticket to Ride, Carcassonne, Settlers, etc. – and certainly, it was these games that got me hooked years ago. But then again, we have come a long way. Are these still the best tried and true games to show people that there’s more to life than Monopoly? So, I decided to put together my own list. Nothing fancy and certainly not a critique, just a bit of fun and something to think about. If you put your own together as well, leave it for me in the comments.
I think most importantly, you need to “read the room.” If this is a person who hates playing cards, steer away from card games. Thinks all games are boring? Try a party game. But sometimes, it’s just the passion that you have for a favorite game that can win people over. More often than we’d like to take the blame, it is also our ability to teach a game to someone new that can make the difference. Make sure that you know the rules, that you communicate the goal of the game often and early, and that you don’t spend too much time flipping through a reference guide. Nothing turns people off more than thinking a game is so complicated that you can’t get through it without looking things up all the time (unless you’ve been playing long enough to love big, monster games!)
1. Deck builders have seen quite a bit of play over the last few years and some boardgamers are even feeling a bit of deck building fatigue. But remember, new gamers haven’t given these a try yet. When you say Deck Builder, they aren’t quite sure what you’re talking about. While I am a fan of many deck builders, I had to shuffle through a few choices before deciding. Dominion (one of the earliest) and Star Realms or Hero Realms (fun and quick!) are excellent choices and favorites around here, but I would recommend Paperback by Fowers. Not only is it a solid deck builder but it’s also a word game. Have someone who like Scrabble or Boggle? Now you have them hooked and learning a whole new genre of game! Easy, fun, great artwork and simple to teach. We bring this to the table frequently. 
2. Ok, fine, Ticket to Ride. There’s a reason that this one is a classic. There’s a reason that this one always makes the gateway games lists. I think it often winds up collecting dust on our shelves in lieu of more complicated and exciting games but whenever I take this out to teach it, I am reminded of just how solid and elegant a game this is. It is simple for people to understand the goal. It is very visual and the components make people smile (who doesn’t like trains?) And it often makes people look at board games in a whole new light. Maybe we should play this even when we aren’t luring in unsuspecting non-gamers? Might not be a bad idea.
3. While we’re on classics, let’s go with another one – Carcassonne. Again, it’s a classic for a reason. But this is a great way to introduce someone to tile laying, area control, etc. It’s also a game where you can throw an expansion or two in even on an intro level. There are very few rules to learn and it’s attractive to look at. C’mon, fess up. Who here hasn’t taken a photo of a Carcassonne board? mmhmm…that’s what I thought. The only caution here is not to trounce them in the scoring. Newcomers aren’t going to be thinking long game. Keep it light and fun and get them hooked. Think of all the tile laying games that could be in their future. I’m looking at you Betrayal….
4. Most people have picked up a copy of Apples to Apples at this point at their local Target or other similar store. And yes, it was fun – for a bit. And obviously, there’s an audience for Cards Against Humanity with the right crowd but it is so similar in style (if not in content!) that it hardly seems like much of a gateway. If you are looking for a group game that gets everyone laughing and yelling and completely involved, I would suggest Telestrations. Sure, it’s simple, but it never fails to be a crowd pleaser and being good at drawing doesn’t help. In fact, being awful at drawing makes things even more fun. There are tons of popular party games out there, but as a gateway, this one doesn’t put people on the spot and it doesn’t have early eliminations. Both bonuses for teaching new people. (I will say that my initial thought on a group game was Avalon. With the right group this can be a great intro into hidden identity games. With the wrong group? A disaster. I have run into more people than I would have thought that either don’t grasp the goals or don’t like the concept. Without a fun group accusing and storytelling, this one can fall flat. Think you have a group that it will work with? Give it a go!)
5. How about a little something for those who love a good story? Now, again, I caution, you need to read the room. But if you have a group of people with a bit of imagination, show them the world of Gloom. Easy game that’s based on making others happy. What could be wrong with that? This game was designed by someone whose spouse complained that all games made you be mean to your opponents. So, in Gloom, you try and make your opponent as happy as you can while devastating your own family/team. A bit of a twist on the “take that” component of gaming. This game works best when people are all in on the storytelling. You can play it just with the cards but where’s the fun in that. If you want a quick card game without the storytelling, maybe just a bit of bluff and deception, try Coup or Love Letter (I’d recommend Lovecraft Letter if you choose a themed version). Show them that not all games are long drawn out marathons and I bet they ask for a second round.
Wait! That was five already??? But…but…I didn’t get to add in Mysterium or Evolution! Anything Tiny Epic or even a quick game of Zombie Dice. And no, me mentioning more than five games is not cheating…it’s elaborating…
The truth is, you know which of your games are easy to teach, you know which are your favorites and you know the people you’re about to start on this adventure. Just remember that you might be their only chance at learning a new addiction…err…hobby. Teach them well.
Sure you could look at this as too much of a good thing. But you could also rejoice in two of your favorites being blended to create something that works better together. “You got Cthulhu on my Love Letter!” “No, you got Love Letter on my Cthulhu!” *cue music* (No? Just me? No one else remembers the Reeses Peanut Butter cups ads from way back when?)
Let’s start off the New Year with our first #newboardgametuesday. (I will eventually come up with a snappy hashtag for that but right now all the good ones are leading to places we definitely don’t want to go.)
