Wordsole

I’ve always like board games. Trivial Pursuit, Taboo, and the like. But in recent months I’ve become more infatuated with the gamer culture. Specifically the board gamer culture. I’m not ready to start buying Magic cards just yet, but I routinely ask the boy to open up Dominion or Carcassonne so I can school him. (For the record, he wins with a regularity that infuriates me, but I’m getting better with each play. And enjoying the play even when I lose.)

I’ve tried to figure out why I enjoy gaming. Sharing something with J is great, but if he was into beer pong or The Jersey Shore, he’d be on his own. (He is not, nor will he ever be, into either of those things.) I enjoy the social aspect of it. Game nights have become a weekly event usually punctuated by insults that are funny and mean. But there’s something more to it. Something specifically about board games, and the kind of board games we play, that satisfies my appreciation of rules. I like to think of myself as a go with the flow kind of chick. I try not to stress about the little things, though I often do.

Gaming is a super structured pursuit. The rules are set. You can change them if you want, but you’re best to stay within the world that’s been created by the game designer. And yet, within each game there are literally thousands of options and plays. An imagination and a sense of humor can lead to tremendous moves and unexpected wins.

So that’s it. I’m almost a gamer. I don’t have a desire to dress up like an elf and spend a weekend with dwarves and wizards, but hey, who knows how I’ll feel in a year.

Overheard while playing Wii Resorts Sports. Specifically, the Frisbee game.

J: Well, that was a terrible throw. I blame the dog.

Me: You blame the dog?

J: I do.

Me: You can’t do that. This isn’t a professional farting competition.

J: …

I went to Target at lunch, and as I was perusing the video game section, I saw this:

For the record, there is nothing hiding behind the shelf. The game is called My Boyfriend. And that’s the entire goal. It’s a game based on finding a boyfriend. No really. That’s the point of the game.

Five amazing guys!! ZOMG! How will I choose?!?

Wait, forgive me. I spoke too soon. The goal is indeed to find a boyfriend, but finding a boyfriend isn’t as easy as it looks. (amirite girls?) Because the best way to find a boyfriend is to make sure that you are boyfriend ready. And what does that mean, you ask? Oh the game knows what it takes:

Look good! Exercise! Be hot! Sexy times! Exercise more! Make up!! Come on, ladies!

The desire to find a boyfriend is not a bad thing. Many people, male and female, want to find a significant other. This game has nothing to do with the desire to be paired. It’s a pandering, condescending, ridiculous mash up of stereotypes that serves no purpose other than to reinforce gender norms. And all for 20 bucks. Lovely.

If Edgar Allen Poe had lived long enough to create a simple computer game, it would have looked like this.

The music is eerie and strange. And the story that accompanies the levels is poignant. That’s pretty impressive for something that’s featured on a site called casual gameplay.