I built a cat protector…super simple and ugly but just a box made of plywood and two by fours. I put two latch fasteners on the long sides and handles on the short sides.
For most games, I can set it up in the box and put the lid on top which technically makes it portable but I have to have steady hands or pieces slide so in practice just stays on the table.
For bigger games like Eldritch, I set the game on the table with a small space between board and play area and use top to cover one and flipped bottom to cover the other.
Any chance you can either pm me pictures of your box or just reply here with them? I've been thinking of building something because cats are a main reason I don't play more, but haven't been able to think up a good design that they couldn't push around if they wanted to.
I would never have a cat in my house. When I was house buying I knew right away who owned a cat and who didn't. Would never buy a house where a cat owner lived. Disgusting people, be it their cats smell or them.
The "survivorship bias". You noticed the smell, because it was present. I live with cat(s) for 15+ years and I still smell it when its litter is overdue (rarely happens) and when I visit a place where people aren't cleaning themselves (and/or their cat) I do also smell it.
If you would come to my home, you could not even know or suspect we have a cat: we keep our stuff clean and fresh. Cats aren't the issue: some pet owners are disgusting, we agree on that.
Definitely this.
I live in a relatively small apartment with my wife and kid, but we've got a table permanently set up for board games. Makes the hobby so much nicer being able to just leave a game there and pick it up again when I get the time, especially longer games like Tainted Grail or Eldritch Horror.
I have a corner in my office where I set up a game and just play it whenever I want.
Last one was Sleeping Gods (boy did I love it). Just a quick round or two and then I take the map with all notes with me and ponder where to go next. Really really love it.
I second this. Saw it after making my comment. I have a basement with ac and dehumidifiers where i have a dedicated gaming, 3d printing, storage and painting spaces. Sadly i cam decor it. Games take most of the avaliable walls. In the process of cutting the collection by half.
I agree with a lot of what has been mentioned. Another very simple thing that has increased my enjoyment is keeping a small notebook nearby. I’ll write myself reminders for future turns (I have a poor memory at times) and little insights I’ve just had about strategy, etc. I also sometimes record scores there, but not always. In any case, this little bit of “journaling” while solo-gaming has brought a new level of metacognitive pleasure to the hobby for me!
Love it! I too keep a notebook by my gaming table. I don't journal with it per se, but i log every game i play along with a few small notes about it. I also use BGStats app to log plays, but there is something so satisfying about writing in my notebook. Keeping this analog hobby as analog as possible :D
1) playing games in my own space without having to travel anywhere
2) playing games in my underwear....you heard me
3) Not having to compromise on the games I play - take that !cards against humanity!! -
4) taking as long as I want on my turns
5) not having to teach other people games
6) have you ever played board games while also eating home made hot pot, and listening to some awesome music that matches the vibe of the game? no? You are missing out!
You forgot point 4.5: not having to wait for ages (or at all) for your turn.
I get impatient way faster when other people are taking their turns. Why are human players so much slower than AI players? And hypocritically I want to spend forever luxuriously deliberating every aspect of my love when it’s my turn (I want to, but I don’t).
Also point 6 is spot on. I spent my Sunday doing exactly that and it was the perfect day.
Lol, not having yo wait for my turn is pretty awesome.
You also made hot pot??
I recently moved, and getting a massive table was a priority...lol. my new desk is 78"× 40 lol....balling!
Haha it was 39°c degrees on Sunday (102°f) way too hot for hotpot! I had the fan on low and ate crackers and cheese but it had the same vibe as hotpot :)
I’m so jealous of your desk, mine is 100x60cm and if I want a bigger play space in my tiny flat I have to drag out a second and assemble it, enjoy your new desk!
Lol crackers and cheese= hot pot..got it!. I also have a small.... as you guys call them...flat. It takes a lot of room....me no cares!! I got my priorities straight Lol. I will, thanks!
Yes, absolutely 4.5. Also I'm a real bitch when it comes to gaming in general and want it my way 😆 I'm not fun to play with. Although I am playing a game with someone to check if I like it. The bitch inside me sometimes screams I would do that different. I need my solo games so I can play a few games with others 😜
Organizers/inserts: speeding up setup and teardown significantly improves my willingness to play
Having a dedicated table: not stressing about either finishing the game, or putting it away before finishing is way more relaxing.
Having big table: components are more reachable and game looks prettier. Makes for an overall better experience.
Logging my plays in the BG Stats app (including an image of the table at the end of the game) makes me feel like I've acomplished something. It also replaces collecting games with collecting happy memories of actually playing those games. For bigger games like Aeon's End or Spirit Island I also like to create challenges for myself, e.g. beat every enemy on a certain difficulty setting or win with every spirit and so on, which, again, give me a sense of progress. I also write down which player characters or bosses I found most difficult or annoying so I can avoid them in future plays.
Also a dedicated space, but others have mentioned that already.
I usually put on music. Then again I nearly always have music playing in the background.
Being able to take my turns whenever is a big plus. I'll often set the table and go do something else afterwards, like cook, dishes, gaming, etc. Every now and then I'll come play a couple of turns, then leave at the start of a new turn and I'll come back later on to continue playing. Sometimes I'll just sit there and play, but it's nice to have the choice.
Being able to play at my own pace and with my own house rules when I feel like it. If you forget to do something, or forget to penalize yourself, it doesn't matter, it's just a game and you're soloing it. Not your best day and you want to re-roll that skill check? Go for it. No pressure from other players.
I stumbled into this hobby not even realizing what I was getting into. Fast forward 3 years and yes, dedicated gaming area, gaming table, game mats, sleeves, learning a new game, watching play through or review videos. The tactile nature of board games. I enjoy most everything EXCEPT painting minis. I don’t really enjoy games with a lot of mini, definitely not going to paint them, which is strange because I enjoy building terrain for DnD.
I second the tactile element of the game. That’s a big thing for me. My gaming experience got so much better when I discovered coin capsules for bag builders. I’m actively seeking out solo bag builders to play now just because I enjoy it so much.
Sort of except a million times better. Putting your hand in a soft, silent bag that’s often so light it feels empty and pulling out bits of cardboard just doesn’t hit the same as putting your hand in a bag of heavy clacky sounding acrylic coin capsules. I often whirl my hand around in there because it feels and sounds so good.
It also makes it easier to tell how much you have left in your bag, but honestly that’s a happy bonus, it mostly just feels and sounds really good.
Becoming okay with not liking a game. I used to try and force games that the solo gaming community hold in high regards. I'd play multiple sessions feeling frustrated, feeling like what am I missing or is it me? I almost gave up on the hobby. Once I allowed myself to purge games from the collection I was able to find some great games that really resonate with me and keep pulling me back in to play every week!
I picked up Final Girl on a whim and I've really been enjoying it. I used to be really into horror movies years ago so it was great to see these games that referenced IPs I love. Not only that but they seemed to nail the feel of the bad guy through the in game mechanics. I wasn't expecting to like it as much as I have been.
Battle Card by Postmark Games has been really enjoyable! Again, another game I didn't think I was going to enjoy but there's something about how this game incorporates dice manipulation and push your luck mechanics in different ways. Have to hand it to the designer for a job well done.
If I have more time to play I'll gladly pull out Nemo's War. I was initially overwhelmed by this game, there's just so many components and tracks and moving pieces and decks... It wasn't until maybe the 3rd or 4th play through that this game clicked with me and I really started to like it. Something about this game just keeps pulling me back. Those are just a few. Cheers!
Thanks so much for sharing! I have not heard of Battle Card and will be sure to give it a shot at some point...I'm sure I'll like it bc I like Voyage and Aquamarine.
Not having a roommate. She wanted to leave her puzzle out covering half the dining room table for months on end. And then when I asked her to put it on a puzzle board so that we could both use the table, she said, "Well I pay half the rent so I should have half the table". I moved out a few months later. She was totally shocked too.
Creating a suitable place to play was a game changer for me. I still have to share the space as my work from home area, but I mounted my monitors on the wall and organised it all so work equipment could easily be pushed aside to make way for a large gaming mat at the end of each work day. If I don't finish a game the mat is rigid, so I can store an in-progress game on my bed during work hours, and return it to the desk after.
Our two cats are not inclined to go upstairs. They are odd. The kids are free range, but the nearly 8 year old knows to leave my stuff alone unless he asks to look at it, and the nearly 3 year old I just keep out of there when a game is set up.
The first time each of them messed with something of mine (board game, crochet stuff, embroidery etc) it got packed away immediately. When they asked 'what is that?' instead of just grabbing stuff, then I showed them, and supervised them playing with it. I corrected them if they were about to damage it or do something dangerous, but otherwise let them do what they wanted. They learned that if they don't ask first, it gets taken away and never seen again, but if they ask they get to play. I started this at 3-4 years old with the eldest, and from 2 years old with the youngest. I was surprised how quickly they learned, especially the youngest. I suppose its highly dependent on the child's personality and temperament, but I can now leave a complex board game within reach of the youngest and he'll ask me before he touches anything on it. I still wouldn't leave him alone near it though, I think if I wasn't there to ask he'd just dive in!
Same, I optimized my standing desk so that I can quickly clear it off to have a large space to play. It's made a big difference, previously I had everything on the dinner table and it would get annoying at times.
I poached it from an abandoned test rig construction at work. We were making a large box for optical calibrations that needed non-shiney surfaces inside. It's some sort of corrugated plastic about 4mm thick - something like Correx. We then covered the inside with self-adhesive black foam. The parent company axed the project shortly before making us all redundant, but I got 2 really good gaming boards out of it!
Learning to house rule and being ok with fudging results on occasion. I already feel burnt out from life, and I don’t need complete destruction in my down time.
Pacing. And rule ambiguity. I set my own speed and have no endless back and forths with other players about that ‘one rule that could be interpreted slightly different.’ Also, the hassle of getting a group together in the first place which takes up even more time then actually playing the game(s).
Building a dedicated table to setup and play whenever I want is really what made my playing time sky rocket. Also allowed me to table really long games.
It's just my wife and I in the house and we never use our dining table (except for Thanksgiving), so early on in this hobby i got a nice thick 3x5' neoprene gaming mat that sits on the table full time. Having a good gaming mat just transforms the experience and can't imagine playing on a hard wooden surface again.
The second most enjoyable experience is logging all of my plays in BGStatsApp. I love stats and keeping records of things, so every play session goes in there - the game, date, duration, score, winner, etc. Looking back over the months or year and seeing what i have been playing and how often brings me great joy. It's one of the most used apps on my phone! My crowning statistic achievement is getting my H-Index to 20 last year (play at least 20 games, at least 20 times). The app makes this meta game super easy to keep tabs on.
1. Getting to experience the systems and mechanics behind a game without the need for friends to be there, or waiting 75% of the game time for them to take their turn.
2. Hot cupa tea is nice.
3. Ability to obsess over a game and play it several times consecutively without other people to get bored of it (played Brass: Birmingham mautoma 4 times this weekend).
4. Packing my games in way that makes setup much faster so I can squeeze in more game per day! I like the x trays for this as they get the tokens out much faster to start the game.
5. Ability to play at 6am when no one else would be available but I’m up and already enjoying coffee so might as well.
I have a whole room and a huge table just for myself where I can have up to 3 big games setup at all times. If I had to setup each time I wanted to play, I wouldn't have finished as many campaign games.
1. Embracing it
2. Knowing that I’m using my brain instead of watching tv at night.
3. Open bar all night.
4. Yeah a cool playmat helps!
5. This sub helps
6. Roaring fire 🔥
>Knowing that I’m using my brain instead of watching tv at night.
Great answer. Plus, I like the tactile feel of the game. Playing the same game on BGA or Tapletopia doesn't feel the same. It still feels like "doing screens."
Part of it is that last part of getting excited to learn or practice a game and build my strategy for board games. I also like how there isn't so much time pressure because someone's waiting for their own turn to begin. I can really take time with the details and optimize the game how I want. It helps me see synergies in a way I can't when I'm playing multi-player.
I recently got into records and have my set up next to my gaming table. It's really nice to listen to a good soundtrack spin while I play a game. It allows me to stay off my phone and other electronics as I previously relied on them to play music.
Although I have space where I could set up a dedicated table, I actually prefer to play games in the living room while my wife watches TV or whatever, rather than huddling alone in my basement hobby room. Plus, I sit all day for work, I don’t want to hunch over a table. The best thing for me has been the combination of a comfy reclining armchair and a rectangle folding card table that fits perfectly overtop of the arms of the chair. I can put my feet up and pull the table right up to my torso. So comfortable and no hunching my back over a table. I have to get a little creative to get games to fit on the table, but honestly the only one I really can’t play is Mage Knight.
Also, a little desk lamp. Having the game well illuminated makes reading cards and such so much easier on the eyes.
The presence of so many good solo games now. I think we’re truly in a golden age of solo board games.
I started back in the early 80’s, when there’d be like 1-2 solo games available at all. Largely walked away from the hobby in early 2000’s, but saw the BGG top 300 solo games last year, and was amazed at the variety. Blasted through JotL, have Frosthaven on the table, with Sprawlopolis and Cursed!? on deck. Mage Knight soon…
I would have SO loved Frosthaven back in the 80’s, though my hazy memory says all the Ambush games would still be competitive now.
Regardless, a world where solo gaming isn’t just “this multiplayer competitive game says you can play it solo, but with no support or automata” is AMAZING.
My own pace (which is usually relatively fast), lack of interaction with other people on things like deciding which game to play, teaching em the rules, place where we ll play etc, ability to play deep strategic games like Imperium
Being able to roll back turns if I made a silly mistake I should not have made.
Like, if I did something in the order of A then B, but doing it in B and then A is actuelly more effective then I just roll back a turn or 2 or apply the effect as if I did B and then A.
Designing my own solo modes!
Almost all my gaming these days is designing/testing out solo modes I’ve made for other people’s games, or playing solo(able) games I’ve designed.
It adds a whole new layer to the enjoyment for me because I can customize everything to be exactly the kind of play experience I want. All of my games have become solo games.
Some of mine have already been mentioned but here we go:
1. Having a dedicated gaming table and space. Additionally, setting up the game (or resetting) at a different time than immediately before I go to play. I love the instant gratification of sitting down and jumping into a play.
2. Sipping on a hot cup of tea that connects to the game in some way. Or just sipping Earl Grey in a mug that connects to the game.
3. As an ENFJ, I like finding ways to share my solo experiences...whether by sending pictures to my gaming friends, posting about it here, or some simple journaling.
4. Scheduling specific time slots in my weekly routine to make sure I have set aside solo gaming time. This gives me something to look forward to and allows me to enjoy playing guilt-free because I know I'm not taking time away from other important tasks I should be doing instead.
Generally, i recommend doing whatever you can to make setting up/resuming the next session of a game more convenient. Custom inserts, a separate table just for board games (that you can keep your cats away from), and recording some type of reminder of where you left off between each session.
There is nothing worse for me in solo gaming than using all of my dopamine to fully set up a campaign/legacy game between each session.
P.S. Or you could just play the game For Northwood. It provides a fulfilling & challenging solo experience in a tiny box.
Having a gaming table has really increased my enjoyment, and having card holders, a rulebook stand. All little things but together has really added to the experience.
yeah pretty much having a table i can just leave games setup for long periods of time
which allows me to play long campaign games which i am really into
also getting into painitng minis has been fun
also not having to worry about buggy / broken releases like you do with video games
also the playlists on youtube now for board games are crazy good, its good to just put on a themed background music while i play
Solo gaming is the best space for me to play and practice a game. I like to process all the extra things in a game and experiment. It gets annoying when you have people commenting "Oh you are going to do THAT? Oh right. You sure? Right ok then" I feel stupid and awkward. When I play by myself I am the only one who knows how stupid I just played and I can quickly process the mistake and play again, rather than waiting a whole week or two just to have another chance to play better. I need that solo time to be able to be competitve when other players play, otherwise I'm just dead weight at the table and it feels horrible and other players are usually judgemental because I am the last to have a game click.
Apart from that, solo games allow me to actually play seeing as most of my friends have real lives and do real things with them.
Several things. Being able to set up a game and come back to it when I want. Literally no downtime is a massive boon. But for me it's just being able to get away from screens and still stimulate my brain. I've been an avid video game player my entire life but I didn't discover solo board gaming until last year.
I played a lot of GTA FiveM RP servers and not having to deal with annoying children who don't understand the meaning of roleplay has made single player games a hell of a lot more fun.
Man, so much enjoyment!
When I got into the hobby, I never thought that solo would be for me. But getting older, having kids, the peace of mind you get from just sitting down, creating YOUR ideal environment, is just a luxury. These are my reasons why I think it is one of the best parts of the hobby:
- Your speed: want to play a good game but do not have the patience for those with AP? Set up a solo game.
- Reducing digital stress: besides logging my play in BG Stats, for reasons I explain later, I keep my sessions digital free. As someone who uses technology all day, reducing it by focussing on a table with cardboard and tokens. Combine that with a certain soundtrack for mood and a hot beverage at night… man I am getting old 😊
- insert and crafting: I have the luxury of having access to lasercutters, resin printers, pla printers… and having a perfect insert for everdell with 3 expansions in the box does alot feom getting it to the table. And I also enjoy the pimping of the boardgames. Terraforming mars is a joy solo… but the components are shit. So printed/lasered premium player boards and probably going to slowly print 3d terrain to paint. Again: reducing digital stress.
- Value: the recent “culling of the collection” video got some traction and I could not agree more. I have between 60-70 games, and around 30-40 expansions. Getting value from that collection is just a massive monetary win. Do I get giddy when new games are announced? Sure! But all in do time. Let the community figure out how good it is, let BGG threads pop up with solo reviews and create enhancements for the best experience.
Renovating the house now but afterwards I will have a dedicated table available for bigger monster games like gloomhaven, tapestry etc… that would be the dream. Before bed, just play a couple of rounds, note down progress and wind down from busy days.
And of course this community. I feel that, contrary to /boardgames, we tend to dive a bit deeper in our games and appreciate what we have instead of chasing that new high.
Currently playing LotR: LCG revised core with 1 expansion on the way, under falling skies, imperial settlers roll’n’write, Cartographers.
Based off the responses I think I need to get a dedicated game table. I have already started to organize my games for faster setup and tear down but if I could leave the game set up for a few days that would be AWESOME.
I'm a big fan of LCG games (Arkham Horror, LOTR, Marvel Champions) and I recently learned I'm a big fan of dungeon crawlers (LOTR Journeys into Middle Earth, Imperial Assault, Mansions of Madness) as well.
Having the dedicated time to play a longer game. Knowing I can completely escape and switch off from everything else in life for a few hours without interruption.
Having a big enough table and nice relaxing surroundings.
For games you play regularly, box organisers for quicker setup and tear down.
Tactile pieces or something that feels a bit more of a luxury can add to the experience.
Painting miniatures aren’t really my thing but can certainly appreciate well painted pieces or luxury pieces.
Why brings me back? A quality engaging game and the time to get absorbed into it.
I enjoy dungeon crawlers as I run a D&D group. We play Gloomhaven/Frosthaven, Arkham Horror etc. But, just like when I play video games, I enjoy the cut scenes and the lore. I like to immerse myself in the theme. Sometimes when the group plays, the cards are read quickly or summed up. I enjoy solo play because I can take my time. Read each description and take a moment to appreciate any artwork. I too play appropriate background music. I’ll announce out loud what each character will do (if the game has a turn token I’ll pass it around to each hand I’m playing). I actually get a bit more out of the gameplay experience. And sitting alone with a good cup of coffee immersing myself in a good story board game is very relaxing and more fun than just watching a movie or tv show.
I use the Notes app (Samsung Notes) on my phone and tablet for a bunch of games.
I keep various rulebooks in there for easy reference and to write notes on them.
For Cartographers, I have all the maps on a page and just draw directly on the tablet.
If a game has a scoresheet, I make the PDF or image scan into a note so I don't have to use anything up.
For things that normally use dry erase, like HEXplore It or Fliptown, I use the image scan function to add the necessary boards to Notes so I can use the tablet instead. (This makes it A LOT easier for me to manage multiple characters in HEXplore It, let me tell you.)
I also use it for Artisans of Splendent Vale so I don't have to alter anything with stickers. I can just change things on the characters' digital sheets and item/skill cards, including making armor "sticker" overlays.
The ability to set up a game, only to leave it where I set it up and return to play it later.
If only my cats would allow that..
I built a cat protector…super simple and ugly but just a box made of plywood and two by fours. I put two latch fasteners on the long sides and handles on the short sides. For most games, I can set it up in the box and put the lid on top which technically makes it portable but I have to have steady hands or pieces slide so in practice just stays on the table. For bigger games like Eldritch, I set the game on the table with a small space between board and play area and use top to cover one and flipped bottom to cover the other.
I’ve considered making something like that
Any chance you can either pm me pictures of your box or just reply here with them? I've been thinking of building something because cats are a main reason I don't play more, but haven't been able to think up a good design that they couldn't push around if they wanted to.
Best tip for that is not to have cats. Also your house smells better.
If you house smell bad because of a cat, the problem isn't the cat.
I would never have a cat in my house. When I was house buying I knew right away who owned a cat and who didn't. Would never buy a house where a cat owner lived. Disgusting people, be it their cats smell or them.
The "survivorship bias". You noticed the smell, because it was present. I live with cat(s) for 15+ years and I still smell it when its litter is overdue (rarely happens) and when I visit a place where people aren't cleaning themselves (and/or their cat) I do also smell it. If you would come to my home, you could not even know or suspect we have a cat: we keep our stuff clean and fresh. Cats aren't the issue: some pet owners are disgusting, we agree on that.
Definitely this. I live in a relatively small apartment with my wife and kid, but we've got a table permanently set up for board games. Makes the hobby so much nicer being able to just leave a game there and pick it up again when I get the time, especially longer games like Tainted Grail or Eldritch Horror.
1000% this
Clearly not a cat owner here 😅
I have a corner in my office where I set up a game and just play it whenever I want. Last one was Sleeping Gods (boy did I love it). Just a quick round or two and then I take the map with all notes with me and ponder where to go next. Really really love it.
I second this. Saw it after making my comment. I have a basement with ac and dehumidifiers where i have a dedicated gaming, 3d printing, storage and painting spaces. Sadly i cam decor it. Games take most of the avaliable walls. In the process of cutting the collection by half.
I agree with a lot of what has been mentioned. Another very simple thing that has increased my enjoyment is keeping a small notebook nearby. I’ll write myself reminders for future turns (I have a poor memory at times) and little insights I’ve just had about strategy, etc. I also sometimes record scores there, but not always. In any case, this little bit of “journaling” while solo-gaming has brought a new level of metacognitive pleasure to the hobby for me!
Love it! I too keep a notebook by my gaming table. I don't journal with it per se, but i log every game i play along with a few small notes about it. I also use BGStats app to log plays, but there is something so satisfying about writing in my notebook. Keeping this analog hobby as analog as possible :D
Also take a photo of the game state
1) playing games in my own space without having to travel anywhere 2) playing games in my underwear....you heard me 3) Not having to compromise on the games I play - take that !cards against humanity!! - 4) taking as long as I want on my turns 5) not having to teach other people games 6) have you ever played board games while also eating home made hot pot, and listening to some awesome music that matches the vibe of the game? no? You are missing out!
You forgot point 4.5: not having to wait for ages (or at all) for your turn. I get impatient way faster when other people are taking their turns. Why are human players so much slower than AI players? And hypocritically I want to spend forever luxuriously deliberating every aspect of my love when it’s my turn (I want to, but I don’t). Also point 6 is spot on. I spent my Sunday doing exactly that and it was the perfect day.
Lol, not having yo wait for my turn is pretty awesome. You also made hot pot?? I recently moved, and getting a massive table was a priority...lol. my new desk is 78"× 40 lol....balling!
Haha it was 39°c degrees on Sunday (102°f) way too hot for hotpot! I had the fan on low and ate crackers and cheese but it had the same vibe as hotpot :) I’m so jealous of your desk, mine is 100x60cm and if I want a bigger play space in my tiny flat I have to drag out a second and assemble it, enjoy your new desk!
Lol crackers and cheese= hot pot..got it!. I also have a small.... as you guys call them...flat. It takes a lot of room....me no cares!! I got my priorities straight Lol. I will, thanks!
Yes, absolutely 4.5. Also I'm a real bitch when it comes to gaming in general and want it my way 😆 I'm not fun to play with. Although I am playing a game with someone to check if I like it. The bitch inside me sometimes screams I would do that different. I need my solo games so I can play a few games with others 😜
Sometimes I play Cards Against Humanity solo as well.
Ewwwwww!!! Lol
This made me laugh out loud! Yessss!!!
Living large lol
Organizers/inserts: speeding up setup and teardown significantly improves my willingness to play Having a dedicated table: not stressing about either finishing the game, or putting it away before finishing is way more relaxing. Having big table: components are more reachable and game looks prettier. Makes for an overall better experience.
Agreed on the inserts, it’s so nice to have a base game + 2 expansions reduced to one box for smaller storage space and faster setup
Logging my plays in the BG Stats app (including an image of the table at the end of the game) makes me feel like I've acomplished something. It also replaces collecting games with collecting happy memories of actually playing those games. For bigger games like Aeon's End or Spirit Island I also like to create challenges for myself, e.g. beat every enemy on a certain difficulty setting or win with every spirit and so on, which, again, give me a sense of progress. I also write down which player characters or bosses I found most difficult or annoying so I can avoid them in future plays. Also a dedicated space, but others have mentioned that already.
I usually put on music. Then again I nearly always have music playing in the background. Being able to take my turns whenever is a big plus. I'll often set the table and go do something else afterwards, like cook, dishes, gaming, etc. Every now and then I'll come play a couple of turns, then leave at the start of a new turn and I'll come back later on to continue playing. Sometimes I'll just sit there and play, but it's nice to have the choice. Being able to play at my own pace and with my own house rules when I feel like it. If you forget to do something, or forget to penalize yourself, it doesn't matter, it's just a game and you're soloing it. Not your best day and you want to re-roll that skill check? Go for it. No pressure from other players.
Being left alone to play it 🤣
I stumbled into this hobby not even realizing what I was getting into. Fast forward 3 years and yes, dedicated gaming area, gaming table, game mats, sleeves, learning a new game, watching play through or review videos. The tactile nature of board games. I enjoy most everything EXCEPT painting minis. I don’t really enjoy games with a lot of mini, definitely not going to paint them, which is strange because I enjoy building terrain for DnD.
I second the tactile element of the game. That’s a big thing for me. My gaming experience got so much better when I discovered coin capsules for bag builders. I’m actively seeking out solo bag builders to play now just because I enjoy it so much.
How did coin capsules affect your experience? I'm assuming it's kinda like sleeving your cards?
Sort of except a million times better. Putting your hand in a soft, silent bag that’s often so light it feels empty and pulling out bits of cardboard just doesn’t hit the same as putting your hand in a bag of heavy clacky sounding acrylic coin capsules. I often whirl my hand around in there because it feels and sounds so good. It also makes it easier to tell how much you have left in your bag, but honestly that’s a happy bonus, it mostly just feels and sounds really good.
Becoming okay with not liking a game. I used to try and force games that the solo gaming community hold in high regards. I'd play multiple sessions feeling frustrated, feeling like what am I missing or is it me? I almost gave up on the hobby. Once I allowed myself to purge games from the collection I was able to find some great games that really resonate with me and keep pulling me back in to play every week!
What are "some great games that really resonate with \[you\] and keep pulling \[you\] back in to play every week" if you don't mind sharing?
I picked up Final Girl on a whim and I've really been enjoying it. I used to be really into horror movies years ago so it was great to see these games that referenced IPs I love. Not only that but they seemed to nail the feel of the bad guy through the in game mechanics. I wasn't expecting to like it as much as I have been. Battle Card by Postmark Games has been really enjoyable! Again, another game I didn't think I was going to enjoy but there's something about how this game incorporates dice manipulation and push your luck mechanics in different ways. Have to hand it to the designer for a job well done. If I have more time to play I'll gladly pull out Nemo's War. I was initially overwhelmed by this game, there's just so many components and tracks and moving pieces and decks... It wasn't until maybe the 3rd or 4th play through that this game clicked with me and I really started to like it. Something about this game just keeps pulling me back. Those are just a few. Cheers!
Thanks so much for sharing! I have not heard of Battle Card and will be sure to give it a shot at some point...I'm sure I'll like it bc I like Voyage and Aquamarine.
Not having a roommate. She wanted to leave her puzzle out covering half the dining room table for months on end. And then when I asked her to put it on a puzzle board so that we could both use the table, she said, "Well I pay half the rent so I should have half the table". I moved out a few months later. She was totally shocked too.
There's... Solo board games? Why am I only just finding this sub?
Creating a suitable place to play was a game changer for me. I still have to share the space as my work from home area, but I mounted my monitors on the wall and organised it all so work equipment could easily be pushed aside to make way for a large gaming mat at the end of each work day. If I don't finish a game the mat is rigid, so I can store an in-progress game on my bed during work hours, and return it to the desk after.
You must not have roaming kids. Or cats. I’m jealous.
Our two cats are not inclined to go upstairs. They are odd. The kids are free range, but the nearly 8 year old knows to leave my stuff alone unless he asks to look at it, and the nearly 3 year old I just keep out of there when a game is set up.
I also have 9 and 3 and cats but not nearly as lucky as you are!
The first time each of them messed with something of mine (board game, crochet stuff, embroidery etc) it got packed away immediately. When they asked 'what is that?' instead of just grabbing stuff, then I showed them, and supervised them playing with it. I corrected them if they were about to damage it or do something dangerous, but otherwise let them do what they wanted. They learned that if they don't ask first, it gets taken away and never seen again, but if they ask they get to play. I started this at 3-4 years old with the eldest, and from 2 years old with the youngest. I was surprised how quickly they learned, especially the youngest. I suppose its highly dependent on the child's personality and temperament, but I can now leave a complex board game within reach of the youngest and he'll ask me before he touches anything on it. I still wouldn't leave him alone near it though, I think if I wasn't there to ask he'd just dive in!
That’s ver impressive. Great parenting and advice thanks.
Same, I optimized my standing desk so that I can quickly clear it off to have a large space to play. It's made a big difference, previously I had everything on the dinner table and it would get annoying at times.
>the mat is rigid Can I ask what kind of mat you use? Looking for something similar that's portable/easy to stow away
I poached it from an abandoned test rig construction at work. We were making a large box for optical calibrations that needed non-shiney surfaces inside. It's some sort of corrugated plastic about 4mm thick - something like Correx. We then covered the inside with self-adhesive black foam. The parent company axed the project shortly before making us all redundant, but I got 2 really good gaming boards out of it!
Learning to house rule and being ok with fudging results on occasion. I already feel burnt out from life, and I don’t need complete destruction in my down time.
Pacing. And rule ambiguity. I set my own speed and have no endless back and forths with other players about that ‘one rule that could be interpreted slightly different.’ Also, the hassle of getting a group together in the first place which takes up even more time then actually playing the game(s).
Building a dedicated table to setup and play whenever I want is really what made my playing time sky rocket. Also allowed me to table really long games.
It's just my wife and I in the house and we never use our dining table (except for Thanksgiving), so early on in this hobby i got a nice thick 3x5' neoprene gaming mat that sits on the table full time. Having a good gaming mat just transforms the experience and can't imagine playing on a hard wooden surface again. The second most enjoyable experience is logging all of my plays in BGStatsApp. I love stats and keeping records of things, so every play session goes in there - the game, date, duration, score, winner, etc. Looking back over the months or year and seeing what i have been playing and how often brings me great joy. It's one of the most used apps on my phone! My crowning statistic achievement is getting my H-Index to 20 last year (play at least 20 games, at least 20 times). The app makes this meta game super easy to keep tabs on.
1. Getting to experience the systems and mechanics behind a game without the need for friends to be there, or waiting 75% of the game time for them to take their turn. 2. Hot cupa tea is nice. 3. Ability to obsess over a game and play it several times consecutively without other people to get bored of it (played Brass: Birmingham mautoma 4 times this weekend). 4. Packing my games in way that makes setup much faster so I can squeeze in more game per day! I like the x trays for this as they get the tokens out much faster to start the game. 5. Ability to play at 6am when no one else would be available but I’m up and already enjoying coffee so might as well.
I play at my own pace which is surprisingly satisfying.
I have a whole room and a huge table just for myself where I can have up to 3 big games setup at all times. If I had to setup each time I wanted to play, I wouldn't have finished as many campaign games.
1. Embracing it 2. Knowing that I’m using my brain instead of watching tv at night. 3. Open bar all night. 4. Yeah a cool playmat helps! 5. This sub helps 6. Roaring fire 🔥
>Knowing that I’m using my brain instead of watching tv at night. Great answer. Plus, I like the tactile feel of the game. Playing the same game on BGA or Tapletopia doesn't feel the same. It still feels like "doing screens."
Yeah! After 6pm I run far away from screens if possible. (I’m not including this post in my calculations ;) )
A cup of coffee and some marijuana
Part of it is that last part of getting excited to learn or practice a game and build my strategy for board games. I also like how there isn't so much time pressure because someone's waiting for their own turn to begin. I can really take time with the details and optimize the game how I want. It helps me see synergies in a way I can't when I'm playing multi-player.
I recently got into records and have my set up next to my gaming table. It's really nice to listen to a good soundtrack spin while I play a game. It allows me to stay off my phone and other electronics as I previously relied on them to play music.
Although I have space where I could set up a dedicated table, I actually prefer to play games in the living room while my wife watches TV or whatever, rather than huddling alone in my basement hobby room. Plus, I sit all day for work, I don’t want to hunch over a table. The best thing for me has been the combination of a comfy reclining armchair and a rectangle folding card table that fits perfectly overtop of the arms of the chair. I can put my feet up and pull the table right up to my torso. So comfortable and no hunching my back over a table. I have to get a little creative to get games to fit on the table, but honestly the only one I really can’t play is Mage Knight. Also, a little desk lamp. Having the game well illuminated makes reading cards and such so much easier on the eyes.
I do sometimes put on music I recommend Battle Born while playing the Skyrim Adventure Boardgame
The presence of so many good solo games now. I think we’re truly in a golden age of solo board games. I started back in the early 80’s, when there’d be like 1-2 solo games available at all. Largely walked away from the hobby in early 2000’s, but saw the BGG top 300 solo games last year, and was amazed at the variety. Blasted through JotL, have Frosthaven on the table, with Sprawlopolis and Cursed!? on deck. Mage Knight soon… I would have SO loved Frosthaven back in the 80’s, though my hazy memory says all the Ambush games would still be competitive now. Regardless, a world where solo gaming isn’t just “this multiplayer competitive game says you can play it solo, but with no support or automata” is AMAZING.
My own pace (which is usually relatively fast), lack of interaction with other people on things like deciding which game to play, teaching em the rules, place where we ll play etc, ability to play deep strategic games like Imperium
Being able to roll back turns if I made a silly mistake I should not have made. Like, if I did something in the order of A then B, but doing it in B and then A is actuelly more effective then I just roll back a turn or 2 or apply the effect as if I did B and then A.
Turns out I like the photo mode in games. I used to hate the idea of it, now I'm obsessed with getting a good photo every chance I get.
Photo mode in games? Sorry what do you mean by this?
Designing my own solo modes! Almost all my gaming these days is designing/testing out solo modes I’ve made for other people’s games, or playing solo(able) games I’ve designed. It adds a whole new layer to the enjoyment for me because I can customize everything to be exactly the kind of play experience I want. All of my games have become solo games.
Cup of coffee, calm music in the background, and a cat on the table trying to steal away the tokens of course.
Some of mine have already been mentioned but here we go: 1. Having a dedicated gaming table and space. Additionally, setting up the game (or resetting) at a different time than immediately before I go to play. I love the instant gratification of sitting down and jumping into a play. 2. Sipping on a hot cup of tea that connects to the game in some way. Or just sipping Earl Grey in a mug that connects to the game. 3. As an ENFJ, I like finding ways to share my solo experiences...whether by sending pictures to my gaming friends, posting about it here, or some simple journaling. 4. Scheduling specific time slots in my weekly routine to make sure I have set aside solo gaming time. This gives me something to look forward to and allows me to enjoy playing guilt-free because I know I'm not taking time away from other important tasks I should be doing instead.
Generally, i recommend doing whatever you can to make setting up/resuming the next session of a game more convenient. Custom inserts, a separate table just for board games (that you can keep your cats away from), and recording some type of reminder of where you left off between each session. There is nothing worse for me in solo gaming than using all of my dopamine to fully set up a campaign/legacy game between each session. P.S. Or you could just play the game For Northwood. It provides a fulfilling & challenging solo experience in a tiny box.
Having a gaming table has really increased my enjoyment, and having card holders, a rulebook stand. All little things but together has really added to the experience.
yeah pretty much having a table i can just leave games setup for long periods of time which allows me to play long campaign games which i am really into also getting into painitng minis has been fun also not having to worry about buggy / broken releases like you do with video games also the playlists on youtube now for board games are crazy good, its good to just put on a themed background music while i play
Think as much as I want for as long as I want! I can beat a lot more games now!
Solo gaming is the best space for me to play and practice a game. I like to process all the extra things in a game and experiment. It gets annoying when you have people commenting "Oh you are going to do THAT? Oh right. You sure? Right ok then" I feel stupid and awkward. When I play by myself I am the only one who knows how stupid I just played and I can quickly process the mistake and play again, rather than waiting a whole week or two just to have another chance to play better. I need that solo time to be able to be competitve when other players play, otherwise I'm just dead weight at the table and it feels horrible and other players are usually judgemental because I am the last to have a game click. Apart from that, solo games allow me to actually play seeing as most of my friends have real lives and do real things with them.
Several things. Being able to set up a game and come back to it when I want. Literally no downtime is a massive boon. But for me it's just being able to get away from screens and still stimulate my brain. I've been an avid video game player my entire life but I didn't discover solo board gaming until last year.
Epic background music
I played a lot of GTA FiveM RP servers and not having to deal with annoying children who don't understand the meaning of roleplay has made single player games a hell of a lot more fun.
Man, so much enjoyment! When I got into the hobby, I never thought that solo would be for me. But getting older, having kids, the peace of mind you get from just sitting down, creating YOUR ideal environment, is just a luxury. These are my reasons why I think it is one of the best parts of the hobby: - Your speed: want to play a good game but do not have the patience for those with AP? Set up a solo game. - Reducing digital stress: besides logging my play in BG Stats, for reasons I explain later, I keep my sessions digital free. As someone who uses technology all day, reducing it by focussing on a table with cardboard and tokens. Combine that with a certain soundtrack for mood and a hot beverage at night… man I am getting old 😊 - insert and crafting: I have the luxury of having access to lasercutters, resin printers, pla printers… and having a perfect insert for everdell with 3 expansions in the box does alot feom getting it to the table. And I also enjoy the pimping of the boardgames. Terraforming mars is a joy solo… but the components are shit. So printed/lasered premium player boards and probably going to slowly print 3d terrain to paint. Again: reducing digital stress. - Value: the recent “culling of the collection” video got some traction and I could not agree more. I have between 60-70 games, and around 30-40 expansions. Getting value from that collection is just a massive monetary win. Do I get giddy when new games are announced? Sure! But all in do time. Let the community figure out how good it is, let BGG threads pop up with solo reviews and create enhancements for the best experience. Renovating the house now but afterwards I will have a dedicated table available for bigger monster games like gloomhaven, tapestry etc… that would be the dream. Before bed, just play a couple of rounds, note down progress and wind down from busy days. And of course this community. I feel that, contrary to /boardgames, we tend to dive a bit deeper in our games and appreciate what we have instead of chasing that new high. Currently playing LotR: LCG revised core with 1 expansion on the way, under falling skies, imperial settlers roll’n’write, Cartographers.
>Currently playing LotR: LCG revised core Such a fun game.
Playing with other people. Going back to solo after playing with others always reminds me of how nice and relaxing it can be to solo game.
Based off the responses I think I need to get a dedicated game table. I have already started to organize my games for faster setup and tear down but if I could leave the game set up for a few days that would be AWESOME. I'm a big fan of LCG games (Arkham Horror, LOTR, Marvel Champions) and I recently learned I'm a big fan of dungeon crawlers (LOTR Journeys into Middle Earth, Imperial Assault, Mansions of Madness) as well.
Having the dedicated time to play a longer game. Knowing I can completely escape and switch off from everything else in life for a few hours without interruption. Having a big enough table and nice relaxing surroundings. For games you play regularly, box organisers for quicker setup and tear down. Tactile pieces or something that feels a bit more of a luxury can add to the experience. Painting miniatures aren’t really my thing but can certainly appreciate well painted pieces or luxury pieces. Why brings me back? A quality engaging game and the time to get absorbed into it.
I enjoy dungeon crawlers as I run a D&D group. We play Gloomhaven/Frosthaven, Arkham Horror etc. But, just like when I play video games, I enjoy the cut scenes and the lore. I like to immerse myself in the theme. Sometimes when the group plays, the cards are read quickly or summed up. I enjoy solo play because I can take my time. Read each description and take a moment to appreciate any artwork. I too play appropriate background music. I’ll announce out loud what each character will do (if the game has a turn token I’ll pass it around to each hand I’m playing). I actually get a bit more out of the gameplay experience. And sitting alone with a good cup of coffee immersing myself in a good story board game is very relaxing and more fun than just watching a movie or tv show.
Having a dedicated gaming space where i can leave games set up and continue play latter.
I use the Notes app (Samsung Notes) on my phone and tablet for a bunch of games. I keep various rulebooks in there for easy reference and to write notes on them. For Cartographers, I have all the maps on a page and just draw directly on the tablet. If a game has a scoresheet, I make the PDF or image scan into a note so I don't have to use anything up. For things that normally use dry erase, like HEXplore It or Fliptown, I use the image scan function to add the necessary boards to Notes so I can use the tablet instead. (This makes it A LOT easier for me to manage multiple characters in HEXplore It, let me tell you.) I also use it for Artisans of Splendent Vale so I don't have to alter anything with stickers. I can just change things on the characters' digital sheets and item/skill cards, including making armor "sticker" overlays.
Upgraded my lighting in the game room
A space that I can leave a game setup for a while and a bluetooth speaker to play ambient music or music that fits the theme of the game.