Fun list. My thing about solo gaming is always that its far more mainstream and normal than many people new to the board game hobby think. My Nana taught me solo gaming at her house in rural New Zealand, the game was called patience, but many folks call it solitaire of klondike. This solo board game was the first thing microsoft put on windows as a game. My nana was born in 1910 and she played solo card games all the time. There's also the massive solo puzzle industry, of crosswords, soduko and jigsaws and wargamers have been doing documented solo games since the 1800s at least. The idea its weird is very much a result of new people into the hobby since the 2010s really.
Thanks. It's also interesting that solo video games no one bats an eye over, but solo board games seem weird to some. As I said in the Facebook thread (and originally meant to say in this video but forgot), I grew up in an era where most board games did not have a solo mode and would have to play 2 handed Yahtzee or other games without too much secret info when others were not available to play, and I would have loved to have had the solo modes we have today.
I’ve mostly played games solo for your reason #8, to learn a new game before teaching others. I have purchased a few solo only games, like Falling Skies and Legacy of Yu but they haven’t made it to the table very often yet. When purchasing a game, I do consider if they often a solo mode. So, I have plenty of games, some of them shown by you, to give solo play a serious try. I enjoyed your perspective about the advantages of solo play. My first choice is to play with others, but plan to do more solo games in lieu of TV time.
I really like Under Falling Skies for the puzzle you have to solve of how to place the dice where the benefit you well while not doing something too bad for how they move the Alien ships down... plus the push and pull between advancing the research track vs focusing on shooting down aliens (requires balance). I hope you are able to enjoy solo gaming in lieu of TV time, but I do understand the preference for gaming with others.
awesome video! 👏 I’m glad you made this video since many people consider solo players losers or something. The designer of Ticket to Ride recently made a comment about solo players, stating that “we need to go out and make friends “. I agree that not every game needs to have a solo mode but if they do, I welcome them. Yet not all solo modes are good either. I mostly play solo because I like the comfort of my own being 😆 I’m not a people person and a lot of people are just too weird. I also like 1v1 games as well.
To me, it's mostly number 6 (no downtime) cause I have little patience haha. And number 7 as well, I don't like when people have to wait for me to make my move so I end up rushing.
I'm sorry to hear that. My wife and I were introduced to modern board games at the same time by a friend, and we both enjoyed them. At least there is solo gaming these days.
Just asking...and I have full love and respect for solo gamers. But do you feel like ALOT of the time, that it IS a venture where your decisions didn't matter as much? Many euro games especially those that aren't the 'beat the high score' type games: it feels like the AI is either super hard or super easy and that I'm almost just going through the motions. What do you think about board game AI models?
It really depends on the game. Some games I do find the AI too easy and so after a few plays I feel like I have had enough of that particular game as a solo game. The ones I find to be a challenge I will play over and over again. I also like that some AI opponents have different difficulty levels so as you get better you can raise the challenge, or you can find the difficulty level that is best for you... which can also be tailored to how challenging you want it (one where you usually win but sometimes lose/ where you usually lose and so it is extra satisfying when you win/ about 50-50). I much prefer games with AI opponents over games that are just beat your own score or beat your own score with an AI that simply gets in your way. And if I can find the right difficulty level where it feels I could win or lose any game (about 50-50) then that is my preference... but I will take slightly easier or more difficult to win.
Thanks. It is a great game! I am highly anticipating the Kickstarter coming out soon, so I can get Controlled Chaos (friend has it but not me) and the new stuff.
![CAMPปลิ้น | EP.82[1/2] แก๊ง 3 สาวเพื่อนซี้บุก CAMPปลิ้นครั้งนี้ห้ามเสียอาการ](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/_6WUjXHe1TM/mqdefault.jpg)
![[UNCUT] “บอสณวัฒน์” ลากไส้!! ใครหนุนหลัง "แม่ตั๊ก ป๋าเบียร์" I คนดังนั่งเคลียร์ I 30 ก.ย. 67](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/QlD7mU2KKRk/mqdefault.jpg)
Fun list. My thing about solo gaming is always that its far more mainstream and normal than many people new to the board game hobby think. My Nana taught me solo gaming at her house in rural New Zealand, the game was called patience, but many folks call it solitaire of klondike. This solo board game was the first thing microsoft put on windows as a game. My nana was born in 1910 and she played solo card games all the time. There's also the massive solo puzzle industry, of crosswords, soduko and jigsaws and wargamers have been doing documented solo games since the 1800s at least.
The idea its weird is very much a result of new people into the hobby since the 2010s really.
Thanks. It's also interesting that solo video games no one bats an eye over, but solo board games seem weird to some. As I said in the Facebook thread (and originally meant to say in this video but forgot), I grew up in an era where most board games did not have a solo mode and would have to play 2 handed Yahtzee or other games without too much secret info when others were not available to play, and I would have loved to have had the solo modes we have today.
Great video
Thanks
I’ve mostly played games solo for your reason #8, to learn a new game before teaching others. I have purchased a few solo only games, like Falling Skies and Legacy of Yu but they haven’t made it to the table very often yet. When purchasing a game, I do consider if they often a solo mode. So, I have plenty of games, some of them shown by you, to give solo play a serious try. I enjoyed your perspective about the advantages of solo play. My first choice is to play with others, but plan to do more solo games in lieu of TV time.
I really like Under Falling Skies for the puzzle you have to solve of how to place the dice where the benefit you well while not doing something too bad for how they move the Alien ships down... plus the push and pull between advancing the research track vs focusing on shooting down aliens (requires balance).
I hope you are able to enjoy solo gaming in lieu of TV time, but I do understand the preference for gaming with others.
awesome video! 👏
I’m glad you made this video since many people consider solo players losers or something.
The designer of Ticket to Ride recently made a comment about solo players, stating that “we need to go out and make friends “.
I agree that not every game needs to have a solo mode but if they do, I welcome them. Yet not all solo modes are good either.
I mostly play solo because I like the comfort of my own being 😆 I’m not a people person and a lot of people are just too weird.
I also like 1v1 games as well.
We have several 2 player games that the wife and I enjoy playing. I want to do a series of reviews for several 2 player games at some point.
To me, it's mostly number 6 (no downtime) cause I have little patience haha. And number 7 as well, I don't like when people have to wait for me to make my move so I end up rushing.
Definitely benefits of playing solo.
Very lucky man, my gf does not like board games 😢, hence I play mostly solo
I'm sorry to hear that. My wife and I were introduced to modern board games at the same time by a friend, and we both enjoyed them. At least there is solo gaming these days.
Just asking...and I have full love and respect for solo gamers. But do you feel like ALOT of the time, that it IS a venture where your decisions didn't matter as much? Many euro games especially those that aren't the 'beat the high score' type games: it feels like the AI is either super hard or super easy and that I'm almost just going through the motions. What do you think about board game AI models?
It really depends on the game. Some games I do find the AI too easy and so after a few plays I feel like I have had enough of that particular game as a solo game. The ones I find to be a challenge I will play over and over again. I also like that some AI opponents have different difficulty levels so as you get better you can raise the challenge, or you can find the difficulty level that is best for you... which can also be tailored to how challenging you want it (one where you usually win but sometimes lose/ where you usually lose and so it is extra satisfying when you win/ about 50-50). I much prefer games with AI opponents over games that are just beat your own score or beat your own score with an AI that simply gets in your way. And if I can find the right difficulty level where it feels I could win or lose any game (about 50-50) then that is my preference... but I will take slightly easier or more difficult to win.
Any gamer who has a dinogenics in their collection has great taste. You got my subscribe!
Thanks. It is a great game! I am highly anticipating the Kickstarter coming out soon, so I can get Controlled Chaos (friend has it but not me) and the new stuff.