I was trying to find some games the other day, using advanced search and filters, and I’ve noticed some categories feel not so useful. This is the actual main categorization:

  • Abstract games
  • Children’s games
  • Customizable games
  • Family games
  • Party games
  • Strategy games
  • Thematic games
  • Wargames

These are the main game genres in your opinion?

  • FlowVoid@lemmy.world
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    8 months ago

    I think they are pretty useful. Especially when you use them to filter out by checking (-).

    For example, if you are looking for games that play with 7 people but you don’t want to see party games. Or a game about animals, but not a children’s game. Or games set in ancient Rome, but not wargames.

  • donio@feddit.de
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    8 months ago

    I never look at the Type and Category fields, my eyes are just not drawn there.

    What I do look at all the time is the Mechanism field. That’s one of the first things I check when finding out about a game for the first time. I also use that field extensively in searches. It’s fun to do an advanced search for combinations of different mechanisms. For example what are some co-op trick-taking games besides Crew and Fox in the Forest Duet?

    • Profilename1@sopuli.xyz
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      8 months ago

      Yeah, mechanism is a lot more objective way to classify board games. We can argue all day about, say, what exactly a wargame is, but what games have hex grids, area control, and resource managements is a lot easier to agree on.

  • Carighan Maconar@lemmy.world
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    8 months ago

    They are useful in combinations. For example, maybe you want a wargame that isn’t also flagged thematic and that has bag drawing as a mechanism. Or you want a party game that is strategic and uses drafting. Etc etc.

  • Habahnow@sh.itjust.works
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    8 months ago

    What are family games? In regards to your question, i honestly don’t use categories a lot in BGG, but the few times i did, it was useful.

    • FlowVoid@lemmy.world
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      8 months ago

      Family games are defined as games that young children and adults can enjoy. For example, Crokinole.

      In practice, this category is used for “gateway” games, like Carcassonne.