Remember when game nights didn't need a spreadsheet?

Last weekend my friend pulled out a laminated sheet with house rules for Wingspan and I just kind of laughed. Three years ago we'd just grab a box and figure it out over beer and chips. Now someone's got a timer app running and we're tracking victory points with colored magnets. I mean it's fun but also a little wild how far we've come. Anyone else miss the chaos of just winging it?

2 comments

2 Comments

leobrown1mo ago

man I feel this so hard. we used to just throw down Catan with zero prep and half the rules were made up on the spot just to keep things moving. but honestly what worked for my group was we started a rotating host rule where whoever brings the game gets to pick the vibe. sometimes that means full spreadsheet mode if they're into it and other times we just pick a quick game like Codenames and let the chips fall where they may. keeps everyone from getting too stuck in one way of playing and reminds us that the point is hanging out not optimizing fun. that timer app stuff can wait for tournament nights or whatever.

dixon.ryan1mo ago

Ngl that rotating host rule is genius. Had a buddy who tried to run a D&D campaign like that, and his first session was a total mess - he had three pages of house rules printed out and nobody even got past character creation. Eventually he just let someone else run a one-shot of Lasers & Feelings and we had way more fun rolling dice and making stuff up.