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The whole 'gateway game' thing is getting used wrong at my local meetup
Honestly, I keep hearing people call Catan a gateway game for new players, but I've seen three groups in the last month get totally stuck on the trading rules. Tbh, I think a real gateway game should have zero hidden information on turn one, like Ticket to Ride. Has anyone else noticed this or am I just being picky?
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pat1421mo ago
Yeah, the_tara gets it. First turn needs to be brain dead simple or you lose people right away. Catan's trading is a wall for newbies.
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the_tara1mo ago
Spot on about Catan. That trading phase can totally derail new players who aren't comfortable negotiating yet. I'd argue a true gateway game needs simple choices on the first turn, like placing a meeple in Carcassonne or picking a card in Splendor. The goal is to get them playing immediately, not explaining complex systems. Hidden info is fine if the basic action is super clear.
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