Looking for game recommendations for a large, diverse group
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- hentzau
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Looking for game recommendations for a large, diverse group
So starting next week I'm going to be spending 3 days a week with a group of about 15 people doing Music Man out at a state park here in IL. We're all being put up in two fairly large, really nice cabin/house things. We do the shows at 1, so we're done by 3:30, and the tradition is to spend the evenings eating, drinking and playing games. So, Im trying to rise to the challenge and come up with some good group games for folks with little to no experience with modern games. I don't expect everyone to play at the same time, but I'm really trying to avoid the inevitable "Let's play Cards Against Humanity!"
So far I'm thinking:
Crokinole (duh)
Codenames
Great Dalmuti
Sushi Go
Pairs
Love Letter
Qwirkle
I think those are all pretty safe. Ones I'm not so sure of:
Camel Up
Colt Express
Anything else someone can think of?
So far I'm thinking:
Crokinole (duh)
Codenames
Great Dalmuti
Sushi Go
Pairs
Love Letter
Qwirkle
I think those are all pretty safe. Ones I'm not so sure of:
Camel Up
Colt Express
Anything else someone can think of?
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- Isgrimnur
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Re: Looking for game recommendations for a large, diverse gr
Bohnanza
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It's almost as if people are the problem.
- hentzau
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Re: Looking for game recommendations for a large, diverse gr
Oh, I was also thinking about Mysterium. That could be fun with the right crowd.
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- Isgrimnur
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Re: Looking for game recommendations for a large, diverse gr
The right crowd. I am not part of it. Nor, I believe, was coop.hentzau wrote:Oh, I was also thinking about Mysterium. That could be fun with the right crowd.
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- hentzau
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Re: Looking for game recommendations for a large, diverse gr
Remember, these are all theater artsy type people.Isgrimnur wrote:The right crowd. I am not part of it. Nor, I believe, was coop.hentzau wrote:Oh, I was also thinking about Mysterium. That could be fun with the right crowd.
“We can never allow Murania to become desecrated by the presence of surface people. Our lives are serene, our minds are superior, our accomplishments greater. Gene Autry must be captured!!!” - Queen Tika, The Phantom Empire
- Isgrimnur
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Re: Looking for game recommendations for a large, diverse gr
Fair enough.
It's almost as if people are the problem.
- Smoove_B
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Re: Looking for game recommendations for a large, diverse gr
I have to believe they would eat up One Night Ultimate Werewolf, no? I've never played, but I thought this was created as a more casual n00b friendly version of the actual game? I've also heard really good things about Codenames too so I think you're on the right track.hentzau wrote:Remember, these are all theater artsy type people.
Maybe next year, maybe no go
- hentzau
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Re: Looking for game recommendations for a large, diverse gr
I was thinking of Werewolf, I need to investigate the One night version. Thanks for the reminder.Smoove_B wrote:I have to believe they would eat up One Night Ultimate Werewolf, no? I've never played, but I thought this was created as a more casual n00b friendly version of the actual game? I've also heard really good things about Codenames too so I think you're on the right track.hentzau wrote:Remember, these are all theater artsy type people.
“We can never allow Murania to become desecrated by the presence of surface people. Our lives are serene, our minds are superior, our accomplishments greater. Gene Autry must be captured!!!” - Queen Tika, The Phantom Empire
- Anonymous Bosch
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Re: Looking for game recommendations for a large, diverse gr
How about The Resistance: Avalon? I've always found it works great with a decent-sized crowd, and the theme works particularly well in making it more approachable for those unfamiliar with modern games; everyone can relate to Camelot, and the Arthurian legend (and treachery!). It also has the additional benefit of greatly simplifying the subsequent introduction of a more traditional Werewolf game, should you feel up to it (EDIT: since you participated in the Kickstarter for the Deluxe Edition of Ted Alspach's Ultimate Werewolf, you should definitely bust that out).
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- Zaxxon
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Re: Looking for game recommendations for a large, diverse gr
+1. You won't get 15 playing at once, but we've done 8 with no problem.Isgrimnur wrote:Bohnanza
- hepcat
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Re: Looking for game recommendations for a large, diverse gr
Let me know if you wanna borrow my copy.hentzau wrote:Oh, I was also thinking about Mysterium. That could be fun with the right crowd.
He won. Period.
- hentzau
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Re: Looking for game recommendations for a large, diverse gr
i bought a copy after playing yours at OctoCon.hepcat wrote:Let me know if you wanna borrow my copy.hentzau wrote:Oh, I was also thinking about Mysterium. That could be fun with the right crowd.
“We can never allow Murania to become desecrated by the presence of surface people. Our lives are serene, our minds are superior, our accomplishments greater. Gene Autry must be captured!!!” - Queen Tika, The Phantom Empire
- Ralph-Wiggum
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Re: Looking for game recommendations for a large, diverse gr
I was going to suggest Avalon as well. I think it can play up to 10. Very similar to Werewolf.
7 Wonders can play up to eight with the expansion and isn't too difficult to teach.
7 Wonders can play up to eight with the expansion and isn't too difficult to teach.
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- Archinerd
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- Anonymous Bosch
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Re: Looking for game recommendations for a large, diverse gr
Another fantastic ice-breaker, particularly with a diverse crowd, is Telestrations, AKA Eat Poop You Cat (i.e. the free game upon which Telestrations is based):
Trust me, this has consistently been one of the most hilariously amusing games i've ever played with large groups. If you're interested in giving the free version a whirl, there's some handy resources to be found in the relevant files section at BGG (e.g. a PDF list of popular quotes, sayings, and idioms that make for good starting sentences, along with premade printable forms for playing the game).BoardGameGeek.com wrote:Description:
Each player starts with a piece of paper and a pencil. At the top of the paper, each player writes a sentence. Then they pass the papers to their left. The next player "draws" the sentence a la Pictionary, then folds the paper so only the drawing is visible and passes it to their left. The next player looks at the drawing and writes a sentence that they think the drawing represents. This continues until all players have their original paper back. At the end, all players unfold their paper, and much hilarity ensues as "I am the Walrus, koo-koo-ca-choo" becomes "Hitler and I danced the night away in a disco."
The game continues until everyone runs out of paper or everyone has added something to each paper, always ending on a sentence.
Eat Poop You Cat does not comport with the BGG guidelines for what constitutes a game, but is kept in the database by popular demand and administrative fiat.
"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." — P. J. O'Rourke
- hentzau
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Re: Looking for game recommendations for a large, diverse gr
Telestrations might be a big hit with this group. I've seen it, never played it, now I think I need to get it. Good suggestion!
“We can never allow Murania to become desecrated by the presence of surface people. Our lives are serene, our minds are superior, our accomplishments greater. Gene Autry must be captured!!!” - Queen Tika, The Phantom Empire
- Zarathud
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Re: Looking for game recommendations for a large, diverse gr
Two Rooms and a Boom?
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"I don't stand by anything." - Trump
“Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing.” - John Stuart Mill, Inaugural Address Delivered to the University of St Andrews, 2/1/1867
“It is the impractical things in this tumultuous hell-scape of a world that matter most. A book, a name, chicken soup. They help us remember that, even in our darkest hour, life is still to be savored.” - Poe, Altered Carbon
- hepcat
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Re: Looking for game recommendations for a large, diverse gr
If I remember correctly, he wasn't all that impressed with it. Although to be fair, I was running it when he tried it. So a better teacher might make him love it.
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- Anonymous Bosch
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Re: Looking for game recommendations for a large, diverse gr
BTW, have you tried playing your Deluxe Edition of Ultimate Werewolf yet?
Because that's practically tailor-made for an occassion such as this, when you'll be hanging out with a large eclectic group that has a flair for the dramatic (i.e. performers from a musical). All the moreso if you've never hosted a Werewolf game before, as there's a wealth of great tips and advice to be found in the manual. Also, the excellent artwork and components makes for a superb way to introduce the game, and firmly establish the theme, for newbs.
Because that's practically tailor-made for an occassion such as this, when you'll be hanging out with a large eclectic group that has a flair for the dramatic (i.e. performers from a musical). All the moreso if you've never hosted a Werewolf game before, as there's a wealth of great tips and advice to be found in the manual. Also, the excellent artwork and components makes for a superb way to introduce the game, and firmly establish the theme, for newbs.
"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." — P. J. O'Rourke
- hentzau
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Re: Looking for game recommendations for a large, diverse gr
I never have broken out out. It actually was on my list of games to bring, but I forgot to put it on there.Anonymous Bosch wrote:BTW, have you tried playing your Deluxe Edition of Ultimate Werewolf yet?
Because that's practically tailor-made for an occassion such as this, when you'll be hanging out with a large eclectic group that has a flair for the dramatic (i.e. performers from a musical). All the moreso if you've never hosted a Werewolf game before, as there's a wealth of great tips and advice to be found in the manual. Also, the excellent artwork and components makes for a superb way to introduce the game, and firmly establish the theme, for newbs.
“We can never allow Murania to become desecrated by the presence of surface people. Our lives are serene, our minds are superior, our accomplishments greater. Gene Autry must be captured!!!” - Queen Tika, The Phantom Empire
- Anonymous Bosch
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Re: Looking for game recommendations for a large, diverse gr
hentzau wrote:I never have broken out out. It actually was on my list of games to bring, but I forgot to put it on there.Anonymous Bosch wrote:BTW, have you tried playing your Deluxe Edition of Ultimate Werewolf yet?
Because that's practically tailor-made for an occassion such as this, when you'll be hanging out with a large eclectic group that has a flair for the dramatic (i.e. performers from a musical). All the moreso if you've never hosted a Werewolf game before, as there's a wealth of great tips and advice to be found in the manual. Also, the excellent artwork and components makes for a superb way to introduce the game, and firmly establish the theme, for newbs.
BTW, don't forget to grab the free Ultimate Werewolf Timer App for your phone/tablet (you can see how it works here). It definitely helps simplify moderation and keep gameplay flowing smoothly, while also adding some additional thematic flavour.
"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." — P. J. O'Rourke
- hentzau
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Re: Looking for game recommendations for a large, diverse gr
So another aspect of this that I forgot to remember to add is that the group will by and large be fairly drunk once we get going.
The first night there the only thing that we played was Telestrations, and that was a pretty big hit. Everyone seemed to really enjoy that one, although I'm not 100% sure that I got the sequencing down correct. But everyone had fun with it.
Second night, after the eating and the drinking, the inevitable game of CAH came out, and I good naturedly played along, but man it was torture. There were way too many people, and we had a 13 and 14 year old playing as well, and I was really uncomfortable with that.
But after that was done, I broke out Werewolf. It was really late, so we only got one game in, but everyone seemed to really take to that one, so we're going to dig into it earlier next weekend and hopefully get a few games in.
The first night there the only thing that we played was Telestrations, and that was a pretty big hit. Everyone seemed to really enjoy that one, although I'm not 100% sure that I got the sequencing down correct. But everyone had fun with it.
Second night, after the eating and the drinking, the inevitable game of CAH came out, and I good naturedly played along, but man it was torture. There were way too many people, and we had a 13 and 14 year old playing as well, and I was really uncomfortable with that.
But after that was done, I broke out Werewolf. It was really late, so we only got one game in, but everyone seemed to really take to that one, so we're going to dig into it earlier next weekend and hopefully get a few games in.
“We can never allow Murania to become desecrated by the presence of surface people. Our lives are serene, our minds are superior, our accomplishments greater. Gene Autry must be captured!!!” - Queen Tika, The Phantom Empire
- Montag
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Re: Looking for game recommendations for a large, diverse gr
Wits and Wagers is pretty good for a party game.
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Re: Looking for game recommendations for a large, diverse gr
Qwelf is quite good for theater people. Plays nicely to their strengths. I find that most theater folks, or at least a good chunk of them, are fairly nerdy, so really any decent game that can be taught relatively quickly could work.
I brought Camel Up over to some theater friends to play, and they enjoyed it quite a bit. That said, I think Colt Express would be even better. It's a real hoot unless you're playing with a bunch of dead fish.
I brought Camel Up over to some theater friends to play, and they enjoyed it quite a bit. That said, I think Colt Express would be even better. It's a real hoot unless you're playing with a bunch of dead fish.
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- Anonymous Bosch
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Re: Looking for game recommendations for a large, diverse gr
Hey hentzau, I recently acquired a new game that I think would pair up perfectly with Colt Express, namely Flick 'em Up!:
I'm tellin' ya, if you don't already own it, it deserves to be part of your collection. ASAP.
It plays with 2 - 10, and it absolutely nails the Western theme like no other board game I've played (the components and wooden box are also top-notch). But to return to the subject of this thread, it's also incredibly newbie-friendly and easy-to-teach, and what could be cooler than a Western-themed Crokinole-style shoot-out, with a variety of different scenarios to follow (or the ability to create your own)? Have a butcher's at this Youtube vid to see how it's played.BoardGameGeek.com wrote:
The cities in the West are not the safest place to be. In the disc-flicking game Flick 'em Up!, you can become an outlaw and rob banks, free prisoners, attack innocent bystanders... or you could become the Sheriff and try to protect the people of your city from these bandits!
Relive the great adventures of the West, face your enemies in street duels, use different guns and tactics to get what you want. You can follow the scenarios or create your own—the choice is yours, cowboy!
I'm tellin' ya, if you don't already own it, it deserves to be part of your collection. ASAP.
"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." — P. J. O'Rourke
- hentzau
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Re: Looking for game recommendations for a large, diverse gr
OctoCon, fall, 2015:
“We can never allow Murania to become desecrated by the presence of surface people. Our lives are serene, our minds are superior, our accomplishments greater. Gene Autry must be captured!!!” - Queen Tika, The Phantom Empire
- Anonymous Bosch
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Re: Looking for game recommendations for a large, diverse gr
"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." — P. J. O'Rourke
- hentzau
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Re: Looking for game recommendations for a large, diverse gr
It doesn't look so good on a stark white table. But it certainly wouldn't have flicked well on my vinyl mat.Anonymous Bosch wrote:
“We can never allow Murania to become desecrated by the presence of surface people. Our lives are serene, our minds are superior, our accomplishments greater. Gene Autry must be captured!!!” - Queen Tika, The Phantom Empire
- Anonymous Bosch
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Re: Looking for game recommendations for a large, diverse gr
Another option could be felt/speed cloth tabletop covers, especially if you could find 'em in a suitably Western-themed colour (I have a custom one for my primary gaming table that I ordered several years ago, I think on eBay or Etsy, that wasn't terribly expensive). Works great for card games and such.hentzau wrote:It doesn't look so good on a stark white table. But it certainly wouldn't have flicked well on my vinyl mat.Anonymous Bosch wrote:
"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." — P. J. O'Rourke
- Archinerd
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Re: Looking for game recommendations for a large, diverse gr
Would any of these options prevented Sheriff Hentzau from gunning down my outlaws and letting them bleed out in the street?
- Anonymous Bosch
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Re: Looking for game recommendations for a large, diverse gr
Alas, if anything, it may ease Sheriff Hentzau's ferocious enforcement of the law (particularly considering his aptness for Crokinole). Dynamite or the ol' Winchester rifle are likely your best bets against such a ruthless foe.Archinerd wrote:Would any of these options prevented Sheriff Hentzau from gunning down my outlaws and letting them bleed out in the street?
"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." — P. J. O'Rourke
- hentzau
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Re: Looking for game recommendations for a large, diverse gr
Your outlaws deserved to be gunned down, like the mad dogs that they were!
“We can never allow Murania to become desecrated by the presence of surface people. Our lives are serene, our minds are superior, our accomplishments greater. Gene Autry must be captured!!!” - Queen Tika, The Phantom Empire