Comments on: Small game session: Louis XIV, Modern Art, Turbo Taxi

By: Naturelich Games

Naturelich Games — Wed, 28 Sep 2005 02:41:06 +0000

House rules and variants

I was intrigued by a rather hot public discussion on a variant for Euphrat & Tigris on BoardGameGeek which was referenced by some comments on Mikko Saari’s gameblog. This made me think about house rules and variants in general. First…

By: Naturelich Games

Naturelich Games — Wed, 28 Sep 2005 02:35:05 +0000

House rules and variants

By: Mikko Saari

Mikko Saari — Tue, 27 Sep 2005 18:08:17 +0000

Well, I actually went and read the discussion ( http://www.boardgamegeek.com/geekforum.php3?action=viewthread&threadid=67093 ), and it's hardly a fight — well, you certainly did your best to turn it into one. However, it turned into pointless discussion on semantics, and I do think you missed Octavian's quite valid point on home team advantage. And what comes to the variant, well, I think awarding ties to the attacker is a bad idea in most situations, but hey, whatever works for you.

By: jacob

jacob — Tue, 27 Sep 2005 17:15:31 +0000

Okay, thanks. I would suggest to anyone not to post their thoughts on the ‘Geek unless they’re looking for a good fight.

By: Mikko Saari

Mikko Saari — Tue, 27 Sep 2005 07:30:33 +0000

Hmm… Not often, at least. I usually stick to the rules as written. Of course, if there’s an obvious problem with the rules, I might use a variant or come up with one myself, but that’s pretty rare. I don’t think I’ve ever changed the rules for the fun of it.
That said, I can’t see anything wrong with playing the game one way or the other. And yeah, it’s probable that you end up with something that’s not the same game anymore, but if you like it better that way, then what’s the problem? At least I don’t care how someone plays the game, unless they’re playing with me.

By: jacob

jacob — Tue, 27 Sep 2005 04:33:47 +0000

I’m going to ask you something I’m asking other board game website hosts: have you ever changed a rule in a board game because you simply didn’t like it? And after you changed it, you liked the game that much better?
I’ve been slammed by a lot of geeks at the ‘Geek for a rule change I posted (I won’t say which game so that you don’t join the mob) and I’ve spent several months defending myself and I’ve decided to stop responding to these angry people.
Basically, they’re all purists and say I’m changing the game too much, it’s not the same game anymore, it was perfect the way it was, I’m weird, etc.