-
-
So, after months of using my boyfriend's profile, I finally decided to join BGG. I was initially quite intimidated by the people on here and all the knowledge they possess about the wonderful world of board games but then I thought, I have been part of this world for quite a while now so why don't I give it a go?
And what a first week it has been. Of course, my first week could be attributed to the fact that everything is exciting and new, like when I started university at the tender age of 18 and discovered Facebook - I went through quite the same excitement then. But, this is very different from Facebook. For one thing, it is more than just a social tool, it connects me to a world of undiscovered board games and above all gives me validation that my hobby is worthwhile and pretty darn cool. It also gives me the knowledge behind the games, how else would I have the intel on Asmodee, Mayfair Games, and other publishers or all the up to the minute info about Spiel games con in Essen, which I did attend and loved by the way  .
I started the week on BGG by browsing the games and quickly fell into the forums, I've read fellow BGG's views that board games are a man's world, which I was utterly shocked about. Yes, in my group of games, I am the only woman most of the time but I didn't realise that gaming had become so unbalanced when it comes down to gender. I have only ever had one experience of sexism in gaming, and that included one guy being very patronising towards me and offering to make my moves when I was thinking where to go. I was not very impressed with this attitude but he had never played against a woman before so he was forgiven, kind of. I was thinking it was just in the UK that we have this distinct unbalance as boardgames are not really a mainstream hobby. I informed my colleagues of my hobby when I joined my new workplace and they laughed and looked at me as if I was some extraterrestrial life form that had just landed in front of them. Surely, this can just be blamed on ignorance though? With it not being a mainstream hobby, it is possibly seen as not the 'normal' thing to do by a lot. I'd rather have a game of Ticket to Ride than play tennis anyday.
From talking in the forums, I have found everyone to be incredibly friendly. This was not unexpected as I have found that people who play games tend to be the friendliest as we want to play with all different people and BGGs are usually so welcoming to newbies as they offer a new dimension and often put a new twist onto the games played.
Away from the forums, I had a distinct aim in mind and that was to get my very first avatar and microbadge. With all my contributions in the forums and one very generous donation from a certain BGG, I have successfully managed to attain both so I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to my cause and I hope I can do the same for you one day.
Well I guess that is it for my first week at BGG, (first 5 days anywho) and I have thoroughly enjoyed it and cannot wait to see and be a part of all the new happenings.
Happy gaming
|
|
