Innocent fun

[stephbg]

"I'll bark at you like a dog if you teach me to play games"*



As said to rdmasters and in the presence of his wife and beloved leecetheartist. This afternoon, Kings Park, Swancon fundraising picnic. This persuasive pair somehow managed to convince me (by ignoring the muffled protests) to play a game of Hive. It's a bit like dominos with bugs. Anyone familiar with my fear of games should be impressed. ("Would you like to play a game?" "Hell, no!") Leece also managed to let me win without being too obvious about it.

"Save the Queen!"
"Which one's the Queen?"
"I'm the Queen!"
"No, I'm the Queen!"
"It's me! I mean, 'tis I. I am the Queen!"

What is it that bothers me most about new games? I don't think it's fear of looking stupid. I had to conquer that in my professional life long ago when I learned to ask even the "obvious" questions and then absorb as much feedback as I could collect. No, from my brief experience this afternoon I think I've nailed the problem: I don't like making a move without purpose.

If I understand the game strategy I can make a move deliberately, but without a strategy all I could do was follow the rules and a process of elimination. I made a move because I could, without knowing if it was the best possible alternative. I was frustrated because I knew that somewhere there was the knowledge that I should be placing my ants early, or placing my grasshoppers nearby to guard the queen, or keeping my beetles in reserve until the enemy (hi Leece) did such-and-such.

IOW, I had novice-level explicit knowledge, but I recognised the expert-level implicit knowledge that was just out of my reach. I just didn't have it within my grasp. Yet. Not yet.

Bad brain. Bad education *shakes fist at crippling psych degree*.

Some day I'll post about the way I play Patience (Solitaire) before bed, and what happens when the drugs start to kick in. Useful thing, Patience. It can teach you to avoid casinos and recognise when your decision-making ability is shot. Can't recognise a pattern? Can't drive a car.

Now there's a roadside test I'd like to see: The Patience Paddywagon. "I'm sorry sir, but you failed to locate the Queen of Diamonds even though it was right there in front of you. You will need to accompany me to the station. Arrangements will be made to tow your vehicle."

*strokes psych degree*

I am a nut sometimes.

(*) It was an offer, not a threat. An innocent offer. Really.

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/_bigjobbies_/]

Interesting observations re:new games. I have kind of the opposite problem - the cult of the new has me in it's grasp. I love learning new games and often don't get to play existing ones enough to really play well.

I'll certainly try to keep your thoughts in mind when next teaching a game (assuming of course I know the game well enough to give pointers !)

Hive is a pretty good one to get it's hooks into you - like a lot of abstracts it adapts to an AI relatively easily. Even if the AI is shite, you can get a good grip on how to play (if not how to play well).

http://www.hivemania.com/ is the official site, with an online version of the game.

http://www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/118759 has some strategy hints.

[rdmasters.livejournal.com]

Heh. I like the idea of a alertness and rationality test for drivers. So many drivers would fail...

And feel free to challenge my fears if I'm challenging yours. Fair is fair, after all. And I do need to take on my fear of dogs...

[stephbg.livejournal.com]

woof

[rdmasters.livejournal.com]

(Hides under bed)*











* Given bed is 5' off the ground, this is not exactly hiding... +


+ I never said I was very good at hiding, either...

[cricketk.livejournal.com]

I spent the afternoon playing Descent. It was fun and pretty easy to learn.

[leecetheartist.livejournal.com]

"Leece also managed to let me win without being too obvious about it."

Pfft. I don't "let" anyone win, even kids! You won that battle yourself. We were probably fairly equally matched, you've got a strategic brain, and I haven't played it for many months, and was a bit hazy on the rules.