Unlock the Magic of Games - A Journey of Connection and Growth

Childhood and Board Games

As a child, board games were the author's haven from a confusing and often hostile world. Spending hours opening boxes and poring over components, they found solace in games like Buccaneer with its wooden barrels of rum. Each game promised a mystery intertwined with a deep, reassuring grammar.

Board games also provided quiet, structured time with family and friends. In pickup sticks, the author witnessed their grandpa's grace as he used two sticks to extract a third from the pile. A well-played turn was all the conversation needed.

The Return to Games

After a hiatus, the author's return to games came after quitting drinking. Twilight Struggle, a tense retelling of the Cold War, hooked them. Sitting with their dad for hours, absorbed in the game, they experienced a pure tension that kept them on their feet.

Tabletop games, with their vast diversity, offer different ways to unmask and connect. German designer Uwe Rosenberg's games, like Caverna and Cottage Garden, provide unique experiences that engage players deeply.

Modern Games and Their Complexity

While modern games have a reputation for being complex, not all are. Games like Coconuts, where players try to get rubber coconuts into cups via monkey catapults, have simple rules that are easy to understand and play.

Playing these games allows the author to step out of the daily chaos of life. Conversations become easier, and they feel like a person who can exist and make sense.

The Impact of Games on Connection

For the author, games function as an accessibility tool that enables them to connect with people. They offer structure, shared goals, and an alibi if conversation dwindles.

In an age of busyness, games ask us to sit and commit to working together on something that will disappear at the end. They are a pure form of community.

Family and Games

Now, when the author's dad asks about their life, a game is often the answer. Their daughter joins them, dancing with joy when she wins at Uno. Games have become a part of their family life, offering a reprieve from the tough realities of life.

Tim Clare's "The Game Changers" explores how playing games can change the world and us too. It's a journey that shows the power and importance of games in our lives.