Wow. First of all - terrific job addressing this topic with sincerity, kindness, and empathy. I subscribed about 18 minutes into the video. I have a few comments. 1. I listen to the BGG podcast regularly, often while at the gym or in the background at work. I heard Alan Moon's comments and cringed. It sounded very out of touch with modern gaming and the modern gamer. It is, after all, his opinion but it came off as ill-informed and detached. 2. Candace is an AMAZING host for the show. She does a great job navigating varying personalities, tastes, and topics from week to week. And this was no exception. I was glad that she stood up for us solo gamers while still being respectful to an industry legend and not invalidating his feelings. 3. I am primarily a solo gamer; probably about 90% of my games are solo. I am blessed to have close friends who enjoy gaming so we get together from time to time to play. And I am triply blessed to have a wife who is more clever than I am and, although a non-gamer, will gladly and skillfully play any game I ask her to. However, I still very much enjoy playing solo. I like being able to play a little "mean" because I don't care about the bot's feelings. I like playing heavier games that my group might not want to expend the mental energy to learn and play (looking at you, Voidfall). And I like being able to fully immerse myself in a game's theme or setting without worrying about how long my turns are taking. I enjoy the mental and tactile experience it affords. Solo gaming isn't about playing a game alone because we don't have friends to play with. It's just a different way to play and enjoy a game. Any way, really enjoyed your discussion on this topic!
Awesome and welcome to the crew. Glad to have you. Glad you get the same vibes from the podcast. I think that's a hard job. She pulls it off. Do you listen to Gateway Gamers or Hidden Gems? Great podcasts. I actually prefer a heavy euro alone as well. Something about the confrontation against myself or an AI feels better, but also I can take breaks...sometimes for days...and come back.
@@BoardgamesforOne I have not heard of those podcasts. I really only prefer heavy euros now with solo AI opponents so I'm not sure if the Gateway Gamers would fit my taste but I'm always looking out for hidden gems so that podcast might be right up my alley! Thanks for the recommendations!
I don’t have a large game community around where I live, and mostly I play games with my only gaming partner, being my wife. But she doesn’t like all games and that is where solo games come. I also travel a lot for work and you are not always in a place where they play a lot of games anyway, so I pack solo games so that I do not sit and watch tv or RU-vid passively during the evening. And yes, if Alan Moon doesn’t want to design a solo mode that is fine. But he should not be so judgmental about it. Publishers fortunately see it different then Alan Moon. They see a market and that is the reason most games now come with a solo mode, even if it isn’t a good one. So, at the moment we could do with games not putting a solo in for the sake of sales numbers. Maybe another good topic for another time.
I play certain games with friends and other game I play solo. Both are enjoyable and carry value but they serve completely different purposes for me. Coordinating to come together with friends and play through the night, isn't all that easy. Everyone has their own life that comes with schedules, obligations and demands. So naturally, this puts a level of limitations on it and requires a certain level of coordination. It's simply not available on the fly or demand. My tables at my place, on the other hand, are always there and always willing. 😁
Well said! Absolutely fantastic! I love party games but after a day of teaching and being overstimulated I love to just decompress with a good solo game puzzle.
@@jaystewbrew and me too. I think I played it solo just by making up a story about exploring an abandoned mansion. My sisters played w me plenty, I just wanted more.
I play board games solo 100% of the time, as my friends hate board games, and i hate anyone telling me how i should play a game. Friends are overrated. Solo gaming rules!
I’m almost exclusively a solo gamer these days and love it, yes I have friends but they aren’t into games like me which is okay! It allows me to play (and design) so many games that wouldn’t get to the table otherwise.
@@BoardgamesforOne So far have only released free PnP games and unofficial solo modes but working on getting some solo games published. I love solo, asymmetric, and high conflict/interaction games.
@@AceZBrat oooh you have good taste in games. Thanks so much 😎. It’s currently on the table so I’m still learning the rules. The publisher sent it as a gift after I helped w his Bonnie and Clyde campaign. I don’t know how else I could have found it. I hope by featuring subtly it might get people looking for it. I want to do more research. This was just skimming the surface. I have a lot to learn about gaming history.
I am not a solo gamer (yet*). I listened to that BGG podcast when it came out because i thought Alan Moon would be interesting. He made that "go get some friends" comment and then continued to double down on it. Along with his other comments just made him sound like a jacka$$. He is welcome to his opinion about not liking to play or design solo games, but his judgemental comments about people who do play solo were just off-putting. *with my youngest child leaving for college last Saturday and my wife playing games only sporadically, I could see solo gaming in my future, so I have amassed a reasonable collection of solo and soloable games, so I may be a solo gamer soon.
@@samirjafri191 welcome to the dark my friend 👾. And thanks for jumping in the comments. The best part of making videos is interacting after posting. When the time comes, what do you think you’ll enjoy starting with?
@BoardgamesforOne Wow! That was a quick response 😊. I have already played a few Button Shy simply solo games (Scott Almes) and a few games of the 2024 BGG in-hand game contest winner Fungi of the Phalanges Forest (PnP). Also played a couple of solo games of Wingspan and a fan made solo mode for Splendor Duel (PnP). I just got my KS fulfillment of the Forage trilogy and thevadd-on For Northwood so those a high on the list. I also just got Spaceshipped and have Forbidden Island from the library. At some point, I want to give Scythe a try. Terraforming Mars is one of my favorite games, and I am looking at pre-ordering the Automa expansion. Do you know if the solo mode for Castles of Burgundy will be available in retail or PnP for the 20th Anniv edition (maroon box)?
@@samirjafri191 from what I just read, there are two solo modes, so it sounds like the original solo mode is in the anniversary edition. The newer solo mode is only in the special edition. It comes with an AI deck, a board, and some pieces. While it might be possible to find a pnp(I don’t know yet) you will likely be piecing things together to create it. And great list there. Some new titles to me.
@BoardgamesforOne Yeah, I was wondering if anyone knows whether the AI solo mode from the Special Edition will be available as an expansion for older editions
I absolutely prefer playing with other players, buuuut I can't always get a group together when I'm in the mood to game. I like the crunchy brain puzzle games can offer, and it's a nice change from staring at a screen all day. Plus, some of the games I like aren't themes my friend group likes, so playing solo means I get to actually play a game that would otherwise sit on my shelf forever. Edit: I also really appreciate solo mode for learning games so I can teach them later.
@@morgaknightgames I wish I could retrofit these comments in. It’s just a good picture of real life. You’re a great contributor to this solo and multi player gaming world too.
Am I miss hearing. Settlers of Catan 1st edition was released in 1995. Its widely considered to be the game that kickstarted the entire euro game market.
You're not mishearing, I am going off of what I see for The Settlers of Catan on Board Game Geek. Is there an earlier edition in 1995? I'd like to learn about that so I get it correct in the future.
@@BoardgamesforOne 1st edition was for sure 95. I played the Mayfair 2nd edition in 97-98 when I was in collage. In 2005 I was playing the PC version that was published on Big Fish. Because its my wives favorite game, I picked up a copy of the 25th Anniversary edition that released back in 2020
Solo gaming for me saved me during COVID. My husband was working and I was alone with 2 very young kids with no adult contact. It was really hard and gaming allowed me to escape and use my mind and kept me busy. On the other side I have people who like to play games every so often and a husband who will play games once a week or so but he loves films and that’s his relaxation. I struggle to sit and engage and I find games allow me to sit and relax and puzzle and they give my hands something to do. I have enjoyed puzzle books, jigsaws in the past but I love how many places games can take you with so much variety.
@@Board_game_goode you are actually at the top side of those who contribute so much to the solo gaming world and I’m sorry I didn’t pop your face up there. Not just your posts, but Your comments here are helpful and positive. Love it. Thank you. I get that about having a hard time sitting to relax. It seems to get harder as I get older. I’d love to feature some of the comments like yours here if I can pull it off. Such a good picture of real life in so many different frames.
@@BoardgamesforOne Thanks that is super kind. I just enjoy chatting with like minded people. I have found the board gaming community to be full of so many interesting people from all around the world and it’s amazing.
Great video. I haven’t dabbled much with solo gaming apart from to learn a more complex game, though have sometimes found it frustratingly difficult to get my friends together to play. A lot of my gaming friends are younger with children so have less time to play than I do. One of the main obstacles for me is that it feels like a lot of effort to set up & clear up a game when it’s just for me, and therefore if I did do it I’d probably do it on Board Game Arena. What are your thoughts on digital vs real life solo gaming? Also thoughts on playing two handed when a game doesn’t have a solo mode?
@@daveheasman3680 I’ve only dabbled in BGA and I had a hard time getting into it. I think if I was playing with someone I know and we could chat, I may like it more but so far it hasn’t been something I’ve enjoyed the same as playing on a table.
@@daveheasman3680 and playing two handed, depends on the game. For Robinson Crusoe and Nemesis I love it. I prefer two handed RC over the solo play. But games like Unsettled that are designed for more than one brain to be functioning I struggle with two handed.
Solo gaming allows me to get away from a screen and be mentally stimulated. I think we could all use a little less screen time these days and get back to some “old school” fun even if ya have to do it alone. Alone time can be a good thing even when you have lots of friends.
I have friends but with life, hard to get together often to play all the games. My family can only handle the easier games. So I try to buy games that I’m able to play solo.
I listened to the podcast and I think the strong response to Alan's comment was that it came across as belittling which is the exact opposite of what you've done with your channel.
@@laurencesingh3948 I have the Wolves and plan to make a solo for it! I have my initial notes but it’s maybe 4th in the cue right now, stay tuned I’ll post it to BGG
@BoardgamesforOne because of 2 or 3 games 15-20 years ago? No. He hasn't been in the game and relevant for a decade. I can name 20 other designers with contemporary and time tested wisdoms.
