The gaming market is going at such an intense pace that it seems like hundreds, if not thousands, of new titles are hitting the shelves every day. This sort of environment is both a boon and a danger. Game designers are striving harder than ever to design THE game. The one that will stand head and shoulders above the throng in terms of fun and creativity. Thus, the community as a whole improves. At the same time, however, it is easier than ever to lose focus and find yourself neck deep in the cult of the new.
The term “cult of the new” is one that has floated around the community for a while. Simply defined, being a member of the cult of the new means that a person immediately becomes dissatisfied with, or even despises, older games. It is a constant pursuit to grab the newest, shiniest box on the shelf because the best games are always the newest games.
If we are honest, we all ascribe to the tenants of the cult of the new to some degree. When a new game builds on the ground breaking work of another game and improves it, it is hard to go back to the older game. This is true even if you still have a great deal of love for the game that came before it. This is not wrong by any definition. It is simply a manner of personal preference.
Likewise, you may be the one in charge of game selection for an event. You want to do whatever you can to ensure people want to come. So if there is a lot of talk about something new that just came out, you’ll want to make sure you have it available. Again, this is not how gaming goes wrong. You are simply looking to provide the best experience for those playing in your event.
The problem to avoid is not one of preference or opportunity. It really has nothing to do with the games at all. If you would allow a quick analogy from another medium – proponents of zombie movies will tell you that focusing the film’s attention on the zombies themselves will make for a terrible experience. The best films, they will argue, are the ones where the shambling ghouls are more setting than star. This allows the characters’ reactions and decisions in light of the pressing danger to be the focal point. In the same way, it does not matter if you are playing the newest game with gorgeous miniatures and jaw-dropping mechanics, or busting out a beat up copy of monopoly for the four hundredth time. For the best experience, the focus should be the same. The beauty of this hobby is found in its gamers – not its games.
There are people behind each of these minis
When it come to running a group, your focus should always be about the people. They won’t care if you know how to play every game. In fact, learning to play games together provides another opportunity to build bonds with others at the table. You will know you are doing it right when you find yourself at the table with a former newcomer, and they are teaching you how to play a game they love.
Strike up conversations. Laugh, joke, listen, and be intentionally present with those around the table. The stories you’ll hear won’t be about the games you played. They’ll be about how you played them. Those stories will be told for weeks, and retold the next time that game hits the table.