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• 2/18/2010 10:46 PM Guy wrote:
  Hi!
  
  Just a couple things about this week's podcast (great one btw). Concerning students' eyes glazing over and technical manuals etc--this is NOT NOT NOT generation-specific. When I was a kid, *I* was the one who had to read the tech manuals when we bought our first VCR, our first remote control TV, our first microwave oven. *I* was the one who bought our first computer with money saved from recycling cans and papers (this was back in 1978). It was *not* my parents, who were both high school teachers. This is a personality-profile not a generation-thing.
  
  And, as to the increased awareness (or lack thereof) of eurogames? It has definitely grown substantially. Back when I went to my first Kublacon, it was at the Oakland Airport Hilton--had maybe 500 people max. How many show up now? 1500, 2000, 2500...many times more any way you look at it. That's not an insignificant increase. Additionally, at the 3 jobs I've had since Settlers came out, while playing games at work, I've gone from having to scrounge to find a 2nd player to now where I easily have 8 people show up wanting to play a game at lunch...every single day--and it's not always the same people. That's from a pool of at 20+ different people, and it's growing. Just in the matte painting dept. (12 people in total) 6 own actual eurogames they play regularly, and that total goes to 8 if you count card games like Tichu and Sticheln. So is it the new 'appletini' sweeping the general media and populace by storm? Probably not, but then I never had an appletini, either. It is, however growing strongly in the segment of the population which is prone to be interested in such things--you know, those folks who not only CAN read the technical manuals, but are expected to by those around them who count on them to 'explain the rules.'
  
  
  
  
  
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  1. 2/19/2010 9:23 AM Doug Garrett wrote:
     Guy,
     
     
     Thanks for the great comments.  I know EXACTLY what you mean (and could commiserate with you for a lengthy stretch) about tech in the Garrett household growing up.  My dad was pretty good with many things mechanical, but the 'newfangled' stuff (ie. computers and so-called 'complicated' remotes) were my domain.  My mom's even worse - I'm the one who heads over and makes sure her TV functions once again when she "can't get the darn thing to change... (volume, channels, etc.).
     
     
     That said, what I was really trying to get at was the 'desire' factor for lack of a better word that I see in the generation sitting in front of me at school.  My students are quick to try new tech, but they NEVER read through the instructions in order to learn how to use it.  To be honest, few people seem to do that anymore - relying instead on trial and error and/or friends' input to know how things work.  My students are used to technology and willing to learn it in the way described, but if it doesn't work in the way they are used to, they are VERY quick to get frustrated. Usually this process of learning works (except for the whining), but they can miss out.... they know what they know, learn a bit more from friends, then stop learning.
     
     
     The same can be said for games.  Our culture thinks it knows what a 'game' is.  Therefore, they often can't see beyond roll dice (or spin spinner) and move.   I know I'm making HUGE over-generalizations here, but the problem I see with the students is that their love of tech, learning through trial and error, and/or having the gadget explained without research seems to lead to a lack of desire to learn something new on their own through research/reading.
     
     
     Now that's not always the case, and I have had some great fun playing games with my students.  But even my 'best and brightest' won't put up with more than a 2-3 minute rules explanation...but then that's the case with many adults too.
     
     
     I guess I'm just spinning my wheels and ranting a bit.  
     
     
     As for Kublacon - you're right about the numbers growing, but I think they've peaked to a great extent.  The event s a wonderful small convention, and as such I don't see it growing much more - and I don't know that it has grown much in the past few years.  HOWEVER, there certainly has been a shift to more boardgaming at the convention!  CCGs have petered out a bit, and more individuals are wandering up to the boardgaming area for open gaming.
     
     
     Finally, you're right that the general populous seems to know more about the games we play.  How that translates into growth in the hobby is not obvious, but it certainly seems to get more Settlers games sold!  Glad to know that you have a stable of individuals at work whom you can play with.  I have my students - but that means I'm limited to what I can play with them more often than not...AND when someone comes along who actually likes deeper games, he/she graduates!!!!  
     
     
     And now I'll stop whining - thanks again for the note.
     
     
     Doug
     
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