Here are our top games to open a public games night with.
We find the follow games are great they allow you to get to know your fellow players a bit, an insight into how they thing and how the associate things, without necessary small talk.
Game recommendations: in rough order
Codenames
What is best
Same game
Wavelength
So clover
Phantom Ink (Less conversation)
Other recommendations
CDSK (Team Trivia game but with choice and discussion)
Cracklist (Faster game with less discussion)
Any other recommendations?
Starting a new hobby, going to new places, meeting new people, learning about the culture and rules can all be scary. We’ve already talked about setting expectations with guides and a good advert, friendly teachers and building a supportive culture.
As a new person entering a games night, what would be ideal for most people is being welcomed and then be added to a team game and getting stuck right in with the focus on the game and settling in rather than small talk.
At our events we always start with a team game where new folks can be added, if there is a preplanned longer game that is fine as long as there is always space for newbies and late comers.
We have been tweaking this formulae for 10+ years and here are our notes, how do they compare to yours?
Things that work well.
Sparks natural conversation and debate (but ideally stays away from risque topics), gives an insite into how people think and their knowledge / interests. Simple to teach rules, ideally by demonstration.
Types of games to avoid.
Spelling, anything too extrovert, i.e. charades, or miming or singing. Games played in silence, confrontation, overly complex games. Be cautious about knowledge games or speed games.
Things to note.
introduce each other, encourage the new people to speak without demanding it. Listen to them and take their input. Cooperative / team games are amazing at sparking conversation but be mindful of quarter backing or being domineering.
One to avoid-
Just one- Even though this game shares a lot of the same characteristics, it has a few flaws. It’s silent game, it doesn’t promote conversation, there is also 5 players staring at one expecting them to be clever. It’s this combination which is why I wouldn’t recommend. So clover has the many vs one issue but there is conversation and team work.
It’s an amazing game and can take way more than 7 players, but it can be extra pressure on next folks (especially if they haven’t played enough to know the types of answers) there are better games to play in that case. It’s still a favourite of ours.
Also see
Welcome area / beginner games – Here for Games Knowledge
Best games for Beginners – Here for Games Knowledge