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Having played several simpler games of recent, and simultaneously benefiting from drawing the interest of one of my children, I have a very positive outlook on a few "gateway" games that I'd like to share.
 A friend of mine came by recently with a copy of Forbidden Island - I had never heard of it and I'm always excited to try something new. I was quickly amazed at how enjoyable the game was, despite the clearly simplified rules system and game-play. Everyone who played immediately and naturally fell into a comfort zone, including several of my group's spouses and children (and my own for that matter!). It's a 100% cooperative game, which allows for easy assistance to new players, and it provides a great feel of "are we going to make it?!... if we can just hold out for one more turn I think we'll have it!!" Game-play is under 1/2 hour, and setup is also extremely quick - very accessible game and tons of enjoyment for all.
 After playing a dozen or so games of Forbidden Island with different audiences, I did some searching and learned that Pandemic is essentially the same game, just with a bit more depth of game-play. I have purchased both Pandemic and its expansion, but have yet to play a game - should be this weekend. After reading the rules though, I think I can say it wouldn't serve as quite as good a gateway game, given the additional rules, choices, and game mechanics involved. Of course your mileage may vary - each gaming group is different!
 I'd also like to note that I've been playing a lot of Dominion lately, and I would absolutely classify it as another great gateway game. Many couples in my gaming group are playing it regularly, and the - shall we say "less gaming-inclined" - partners tend to be the ones pushing to play it more. Highly recommended - great game, great strategy, and fairly easy to learn and get into. Games are also nice and short (can play 2 games in one hour usually!).
 Finally, RoboRally and San Juan deserve mention here as well. Both are fairly simple rules-wise (with San Juan probably having the most complex rules of any of the games discussed here, but still simple enough to teach newer players), and both are fast paced and fun. Important to note that San Juan's older brother, Puerto Rico, is absolutely NOT a good gateway game, though it is one of the absolute best strategy games ever created.
Going back many (MANY) years, I reflect on what my gateway games were. Now keep in mind I was already an uber-geek, so when I came across an old copy of Risk I immediately took to the multitude of pieces, the strategic map, etc. - after playing it one or two times I was hooked, despite the 8+ hour game time that game could demand! Risk truly was my first and most profound gateway game (however, I would not recommend Risk as your gateway game of choice!). From there I eventually stumbled upon Nuclear War, and finally Munchkin - indeed, Munchkin could still serve as a decent gateway game for gaming newbies. Warhammer 40k was somewhere in the middle of that timeframe, but given the topic of this blog post there's no reason to talk further about that beast of a game!!
So what was the gateway game that got you into the wonderful world of gaming? What's your gateway game of choice nowadays to draw others in? SPEAK TO ME!!
Peace. Or war... whichever.
Gaming rules!!
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, Shoots and Ladders
, and Battleship drawn on graph paper!
Then Monopoly!
