I remember, when I first got back into modern board games, being somewhat encouraged by the fact that so many of them had dour-looking meiterrranean men on the covers, staring intently at maps, or rubbing their chins over the comparative worth of exotic spices … often in an artistic style mimicking classical paintings. There was something very re-assuring to me about these images; something that said “The thing in this box is not a child’s game. This is a serious game for grown-ups. It’s fine for a forty-something-year-old man to have this on this bookshelf”.
And, on reflection, I’m glad that I got into these games when I did. There seems to be a creeping trend towards making games look more toy-like at the moment. More like something aimed at children rather than adults. And, unfortunately, more like something that I would've felt uncomfortable buying, back in the formative days of my boardgame addiction.
For example, this (2006):
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...has become this (2019):
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(Including a Cleopatra mini which seems to owe more to the styling of turn-of-the-millennium Bratz dolls than it does to ancient egypt… )
Is this an exercise in millennial appeal? I guess it must be. I’ve heard a couple of podcasts recently where relative newcomers to boardgaming have expressed a reluctance to play “old” games with “poor art”. And my mind immediately jumped to the idea of them maybe passing up on some of the uglier/blander-looking Wallace, or Ystari games. But no… one of them then specifically called out Le Havre as an example!!!! … seriously? … Le Have is old and ugly now? Not enough disney princesses in that one for you?
I know… I know… I’m on the wrong side of a generation gap here, Asmodee probably has a better idea about what sells board games right now than I do, and tastes change over time.
But still. I’m glad I got in when I did; I’m over the threshold now, and I can buy games-that-don’t-exactly-look-like-they’re-intended-for-grown-ups with shameless impunity.
Thankfully.
* * * * * * *
(P.S. I might find it difficult to get to a computer tomorrow. If you don’t get a post -- even an emergency sheep post -- don’t worry; I’m fine …but Busy!)
And, on reflection, I’m glad that I got into these games when I did. There seems to be a creeping trend towards making games look more toy-like at the moment. More like something aimed at children rather than adults. And, unfortunately, more like something that I would've felt uncomfortable buying, back in the formative days of my boardgame addiction.
For example, this (2006):
...has become this (2019):
(Including a Cleopatra mini which seems to owe more to the styling of turn-of-the-millennium Bratz dolls than it does to ancient egypt… )
Is this an exercise in millennial appeal? I guess it must be. I’ve heard a couple of podcasts recently where relative newcomers to boardgaming have expressed a reluctance to play “old” games with “poor art”. And my mind immediately jumped to the idea of them maybe passing up on some of the uglier/blander-looking Wallace, or Ystari games. But no… one of them then specifically called out Le Havre as an example!!!! … seriously? … Le Have is old and ugly now? Not enough disney princesses in that one for you?
I know… I know… I’m on the wrong side of a generation gap here, Asmodee probably has a better idea about what sells board games right now than I do, and tastes change over time.
But still. I’m glad I got in when I did; I’m over the threshold now, and I can buy games-that-don’t-exactly-look-like-they’re-intended-for-grown-ups with shameless impunity.
Thankfully.
* * * * * * *
(P.S. I might find it difficult to get to a computer tomorrow. If you don’t get a post -- even an emergency sheep post -- don’t worry; I’m fine …but Busy!)