Around the holidays, my mind slips back to cozy nights in with the family, eating good food, cracking jokes, and inevitably ending up in a pointlessly full-blown argument over some benign question in Trivial Pursuit. Having spent the past few years reviewing, analysing and playing board games to make a living, I’ve finally realised our mistake wasn’t cerebral, nor was it social.
All we had to do was pick a different kind of board game, and all would have remained peaceful. At its core, creating a harmonious atmosphere for board game night is a case of removing opportunities for conflict. Sure, some players will find any excuse to cause an argument, but you can minimise the chance by choosing board game deals that lack direct conflict, and build teamwork.
It’s important to note that co-operative board games won’t be for everyone. Some people love working together to solve a mystery or build something cool, while many prefer that rush as they blow the other players out of the water with a higher point score.
The trick there is looking for games that avoid take-that actions, which can often result in vicious retaliation loops for the vindictive. Another option is games that involve obscured scoring—counting up right at the end means players can work at their own pace and don’t feel pressured by visible point totals. Here are a few games I’d recommend this Black Friday.
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