We all know board video games are designed to be enjoyable, however right here we’re your responses to the query posted within the unique Desk Speak episode (right here: asking what particular methods do video games positively (or negatively) have an effect on our psychological well being? Let’s focus on!
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Kevin's story made me cry. Great stuff!
You make such wonderful videos. I'm so glad you are one of the faces of the board game hobby. Your team is amazing and brings such a welcoming and insightful community and discussion to the hobby.
Got into boardgames right before the pandemic. Playing gloomhaven with my wife, sometimes 4-5 times a week during the pandemic saved our sanity. We use board games to connect with friends. We also use board games to keep our children off screens. Mentaly board games are an important part of my families lives
Made a video on this very topic as well. Yet, I admit it was far too emotional. I have lived with depression for over 40 years now and recently found board gaming. It has been life changing. I can play solo or with others and feel lifted. It changes my thought patterns away from the negative (that damned voice that keeps telling you you're no good) and focuses me on far more positive thoughts. I am so thankful for finding this incredible hobby, with its incredible people; you among them Rodney! Much love!
Thank you for making this video about this topic. One of the toughest aspects of this hobby is meeting up with people we barely know to engage in a social interactive activity.
I too have had some difficult encounters and almost gave up this hobby a few times. But I’m glad I stick with it, and was able to find a way that has helped resolve a lot of the tension I’ve found. A great deal of it comes from someone not having a good time using a particular game. So I made a rule and I announce it at the start of every session with people who I’ve not played with much before. The rule is this: if at any time you are not having fun or feeling engaged in the game, say so. The game will then be over and we will play something you want to play. I’ve never had a bad game session since.
thank you for sharing, especially Kevin's story at the end. that one got me. 🥲
Rodney belongs on the pantheon of examples of healthy masculinity along with Levar Burton, Fred Rogers, etc.
Seriously though, thank you for these videos.
Gaming, specifically video games introduced me to Extra-Life. Eventually I learned Extra-life encompasses also tabletop/board games as well. Allowing me to have fun in this wonderful hobby we all share, while also supporting my local childrens hospital. I've raised money for them 9 years now, doing what I can for children in need. it brings me joy that I can help in such a way. it also opened the door for me to be in contact with the local hospital during the pandemic. I've always wanted to do more for them, even tried to start a gaming activity that I wished to hold for the kids. that part didn't pan out because of contamination issues. but the open door allowed me to give the hospital access to a google drive folder that I made chalk full of different kinds of coloring activities for them to print off. I hope it brought happiness and smiles to them when things were looking grim in such an unknown scary time. I continue to support Extra-Life annually. Board gaming gives me an outlet for my social activity, and friendship to all those I meet. and I am grateful for all of it.
I only wish I could do more.
I love this video with all my heart.
Board gaming has been the excuse to invite people over and to play with people who aren’t great at video games or don’t have money for a new system or computer. We’re all on a level playing field and that’s important to me.
Its brought people together like no other hobby has for me.
I’m going through a divorce and being away from my kids is devastating. Having a weekly game night on a day I never have the kids to help me get past those days are so helpful I can’t put it into words.
this is a very good video. thank you
I am a teacher and I started really getting into board gaming right before COVID. I work in a district that was very volatile during COVID. Board gaming, and finding solo board gaming really helped me escape from reality. My collection has grown a bit too big now though as I also got into KS right around the same time. I am now working through trying to back off on buying games. When we bought the place we had been renting last year I figured out a way to help cycle my solo board games through more often by doing a themed showcase wall each month. It has been great and people on my facebook pages really look forward to seeing my theme each month. Solo gaming helps me a lot because while my wife likes gaming she got gamed out and last year didn’t game as much. Hopefully I can get her to game a bit more this upcoming year, but if not I have solo gaming. I have also really got into watching YouTube videos just to see what others think about games.
I am not a social person and don’t really want to play with random people. I did start a board game club for 4th/5th graders at the elementary school I tach at and it has brought another level to my mental health as watching them enjoy something I enjoy is wonderful. Being able to teach them games and watch them teach each other is so much fun. I know that they are not necessarily playing 100% correct. But that doesn’t matter to me. What matters to me is that they are having fun. I also get to sit down and play games with the kids. I have a couple teacher friends who are helping supervise each night so more kids can participate. One of them is learning some of the games and joined me in one day of my board game club over break and is going to buy the game we played.
Thank you for making this video. I guarantee this warmed thousands of hearts around the world. Keep up the fantastic work. One question though, what is that colourful game on the left side of the screen with the rainbow box? Does anyone know?
I’ve been watching your content for about 3 years it seems. I truly appreciate your gift to the community, and strive to follow your lead in teaching games. This is my first experience into your deep dives. I can tell you that it has affected me deeply. I won’t go into all the personal details, but while mental health was always a part of the hobby, I see how my play style has grown in recognition of the emotional and mental needs of those around the table. Thank you and the community for opening up discussions of this nature.
Truly thank you so much for this, I think this series is SO cool. It makes me feel heard, seen, and understood by others. What an absolutely beautiful series hosted from such a fantastic person, love this and thank you so much for all of the work that goes into everything you do!
We're also really passionate about Mental Health, especially in the board game space! Thanks for sharing these experiences and talking more about the subject Rodney <3.
Incoming team up for our next 24-hour live stream for mental health?
I've enjoyed your many videos, have learned a lot from them, and appreciate the generosity of what you do here. You provide a fantastic service. Thank you!
I belong to two board game groups. Attending game nights and playing games with such great people has been a wonderful experience for me; game night is something I truly look forward to. I go there for the social interaction, laughs, and the challenge of learning new, often complicated games, with very, very smart players. For me, participating is a largely uplifting experience and good for my mental health; I feel better and the excitement of the evening doesn't leave for hours afterward.
Competitiveness, at least for me, isn't such an issue. I usually have to spend way too much energy trying to figure out even halfway decent strategies just to get by in a game, let alone being able to compete. I have learned, though, that in order to stay in parity with other, better players, I often tend to "target" them, just to slow their progress, to give me more time to figure things out. This has the unfortunate, but well deserved, effect of having to take as much as I give. But that's perfectly OK: sauce for the goose, and all that. I learn from it.
As for emotional regulation, I find it is important to bear in mind that while winning a game is often seen to be the only goal, my opinion is that the real goal is to enjoy the experience, whether or not the outcome is what one has desired. I can't tell you how many of my favorite games that I've played are ones in which I've never won the game. People I've played with sometimes get very frustrated and outwardly emotional when playing if things don't go their way, even wanting to leave a game in-progress, but it is important to be open, non-judgmental (as their outward expression might be the result of unrelated issues they are experiencing that are not obvious) and to reassure the player that their participation is important to everyone involved – not just because it could cause a problem for the continued playing of that game -, but because the group wants to share the board game playing experience inclusive of everyone and without them it wouldn't be as fun. Reassurance that fortunes change, that things will eventually go their way has always been proven correct.
thank you for bring up this topic, having suffered with depression and anxiety, board games are an amazing release and a chance to meet friends as you described. They help me to push myself and even to build up the courage to make some gifts for the watch it played team at Airecon and manage to hand them over. While super nervous meeting the team and trying to sound confident while speaking to the team. It is because of the community and the ethos around the board game community that even though I could hardly speak the whole team were super grateful and friendly. Rodney even took a selfie with me and the team. Which I proudly display on my wall now. I can look at that picture now and remind myself that even though I suffer I know that I can be welcomed no matter how nervous or awkward I am. Really sad I can make Aircon this year but know next time I can everyone will be super welcoming. To all those that have issues whatever they may know you are not alone and there is a community that welcomes you regardless. Just wish i had more opportunity's to play more games. Merry Christmas everyone.
Thanks for sharing these experiences and for the larger conversation – it's important to remember we're human and even play can make us feel so many ways.
This is my favorite christmas video, even though it was not meant to be a christmas themed video.
Keep up the great work, without this channel the hobby wouldn't be the same.
Thank you for this video Rodney, it's very helpful content. Merry Christmas from Southern Ontario.
Great video! I think it's especially important that we STRIVE to make these connections to whatever degree we can. Our very soul NEEDS these connections and what you said Rodney about the first response you read is key: make a reason for the connection (board games). Life is not that much different: we truly connect with those that share an interest with us. The other interactions with people is just to learn how we might be connected! Sometimes, you meet someone that you just don't connect with and that should be expected. Just like there are also people that you will connect right away with your personalities and become fast friends.
Wow, this is a video I didn't know I needed.
I am a huge introvert and really want to get "out there" to play with others, but my own self-doubt and OCD make it so hard. Maybe one day I'll take the red pill.
I own around 120 boardgames. I went to a boardgames club about 3 times 7 years ago. Didn't enjoy it and have only ever played solo in 20 years of the hobby. Trouble is, my depression is so bad, I don't even play anymore. I'll waste money on games and never play them. I have zero family or friends. For example, it's Christmas day and I haven't a single gift to unwrap or give. No special food or drink. It's just another day in isolation. I barely sleep or eat. I have multiple health problems and deal with chronic pain and addiction to painkillers that stopped helping years ago. When depression gets to That state, boardgames become completely irrelevant.
Great topic and of course the great Rodney is always worth watching. For myself and several of us in our group, games are not only great for community and hanging out, laughing, telling stories and listening to each other problems, but as our group is of the older older generation is stimulates that part of our brain which I believe helps in the long term. We now have over 320 games in our collection and several in our group, but we would be lost without hearing the words "Does Rodney have a video about it?" Love all you do and as always keep up the outstanding work.
Thank you for all that you do Rodney it is greatly appreciated
Rodney, you are a gift to the board gaming community.
Dune Imperium saved my life and i cant thank you guys enough for teaching me how to play it!
Hi Rodney. Love your channel. I have watched it since I first got into serious hobby gaming around 10 years ago. In that time I've watched many different YouTubers to try and figure out what type of games I like from their reviews and thoughts. Recently, I unsubscribed from one of my favourite board game YouTubers because I realised his general thoughts on games were half glass empty and negative more often than not. I even unfollowed him on social media because of his general negativity with life. It's unfortunate because I like a lot of the games he likes and I enjoy his videos. I just found that his content was giving me anxiety and was generally upsetting me. I suffer from anxiety and panic attacks so I felt the less negativity in my board gaming life the better, because there's enough anxiety in every day life. That last story about the guy who moved in with his mum that had dementia brought a tear to my eye. All the best Ben.
I never broken a game out of frustration or anything. However I had people rage quit a competitive game I was in, people who betrayed my kindness and friendship in the hobby. I helped another gamer moved and bought a place because it was his first time and US was not his home country. In the end he friend dump me for unknown reasons. I originally started this hobby because I was shy and needed a way to make friends. I have been heart broken and I have grown stronger. Thank you for making this important video!
This is by far one of the most meaningful videos about board games I have ever watched. Thanks for sharing those stories and your thoughts. And happy 2024!
GREAT video. Thanks Rodney. After the last one, my eye is leaking……
Relating a story in my life. My brother is challenged in a way. He has a hard time making friendships but really needs people. He is an extreme introvert and quite socially awkward. For him to be part of the group, he needs a role to play in the real world. He was in 2 club and was the guy handling the food and/or the guy handling the finances.
With Covid, he didn’t have a way to make this work, so I asked him to come visit more often. He helped me and I helped him. He was pretty much the only person that I would play board games with in person during Covid, and he got the social structure he needed.
My brother is not a board gamer. So, I slowly taught my brother board games. Started with a bunch of lighter games and slowly moved to heavier games. It made me so happy when he beat me at Architects of the West Kingdom.
Thank you Rodney for this video, it is an important topic to discuss and for me, board gaming definitely helps me with my mental well-being. BTW – you are my favorite "how to play" guy ! Thank you for what you do.
I have several chronic illnesses, most of which have no cure. In the last couple of years, I was diagnosed with a new illness that has a long, but transformative treatment. As I’ve been feeling better, board games have been a great way for me to get off of the couch/bed and away from screens.
I'm another IT person, I work and live in this digital world with cell phones computers and moving at those nanosecond style speeds.
I phrased the need as "I don't care what it is, as long as it is analog." Gardening, cooking, hiking…and board games.
Board games feed the programmer in me, a set of rules that define a recipe for hopeful success if not actual success in a social environment. All that are the keys.
Board games (or miniature games) are presented with a social contract, with the idea that everyone has fun.
I personally find them exhausting and rewarding, but the things they bring are that human interaction and a fun analog experience.
Good videos! Got me thinking in the frame of gaming and mental state!!
Well done.
It gives you something to do like a hobby on a good strategy game. I have solo games myself, no one to play with. Axis and Allies as well. B17 leader is good, teaches history. Also like Patton solo game, Arkahm Horror etc.
Hey Rodny, I really like your videos and enjoy all game rules explaination you post. Also often not even looking for the game rules in the box just search for your video. Thank you very, very, much for the content you put online. However I would like to ask you what is your favorite board game? 🙂
It’s hard for me to imagine you don’t always have a joyful temperament during games Rodney.
To the families with small children, I have found it to be a boon of confidence when it comes to reading comprehension, strategic planning, and critical thinking… as well as overcoming adversity and the ever-important learning to win/lose with grace & humility. I still remember when my 8-year-old son was playing Return to Dark Tower and began thinking out loud about what he was planning for this turn, the next turn, and the turn thereafter – and then implementing it all to draw the adversary out of the Tower (with the assistance of my 11-year-old son) and eventually defeating the Lingering Rot single-handedly. The determination, excitement, and then joy that was on his face was exceptional (especially since the previous attempts at the Tower had been unsuccessful).