Marnen Laibow-Koser writes:
>Perhaps it is an area thing. Some people in the groups I play with
>(all well over 21) simply do not drink at all; some do. But I have
>never seen any alcohol around when we play games.
I'm also in the NYC metro area -- we usually don't drink when gaming
-- but sometimes we do (in decided moderation).
>> The point of a strategy game, or any game for that
>> matter, is not about a "mental challenge" so much as
>> it is socializing and having a great time.
>It depends. There are games I play simply for the social reasons.
>They are generally simpler, faster-moving games, like Volcano,
>IceTowers, or Jungle Speed.
In theory, I agree with you...but...Icetowers is actually a
surprisingly complicated game, one requiring strategy and timing. I'd
not drink before playing it. Similarly, Volcano is a complex abstract
game (when played properly, as a two player game), and very much
needs your mental facilities. Jungle Speed, sure.
>I could imagine these games going very
>well with a pint of beer, to be sure. But to me at least, games like
>(say) go, Settlers of Catan, Icehouse, or even Zendo
I'm with you on Icehouse and Zendo, but Settlers is a decided beer and
pretzel game -- no deep strategies (or facility, really) there.
>> Especially in the case of role playing games do I see
>> alcohol as a great boon.
>Again, I am not sure I agree with you here, but here again I think it
>depends on the type of game.
Mixing alcohol and roleplaying can be pretty dangerous -- it makes it
harder to stay in character (you know, character? the person you're
playing who isn't you?) and can increase the st00pid.
But with very experienced players, it can be helpful (especially if
the characters are drinking); similarly, in light RP games (like D&D)
where staying deeply in character doesn't matter much, it can work.
IOW, I'd be tempted to drink for D&D or a serious LARP, but not for
most other RPGs. :)
(that said, we did pull out the scotch for a tasting before a number
of Call of Cthulhu games -- but that wasn't really enough to cause
inebriation; just enough to taste).
>> Adults with their
>> own income are going to, in general, spend more than
>> kids leeching their parents money.
>
>And adults with kids tugging on their sleeves will spend more than
>either. Retailers know this and plan accordingly.
It's true. Children (by proxy) are a -huge- market -- for
entertainment purposes, often much larger than the adult market.
There's a reason that most action movies cater to 13-19 year olds, not
25-40 year olds.
Mind -- our usual tactic is to play in public places and not worry
about it; as long as your activity doesn't look too much like
gambling, you're not going to be bothered, at least in NYC.
For roleplaying games, we use little dice in two inch vending machine
bubbles; (well, except for Everway, where we either do that or use the
cards). For board and card games, we just set up -- as long as we buy
stuff, we're rarely hassled.
--
Joshua Kronengold (mneme@(io.com, labcats.org)) |\ _,,,--,,_ ,)
--^-- "Did you know, if you increment enough, you /,`.-'`' -, ;-;;'
/\\ get an extra digit?" "I knew," weeps Six. |,4- ) )-,_ ) /\
/-\\\ "We knew. But we had forgotten." '---''(_/--' (_/-'