Dating and Dice

Become a Patron!

Not-So-Lonely Hearts Club Band

So, not all of the women I've loved in the past have had the exposure to my hobby as my wife has.  I am incredibly lucky that Mrs. Meeple puts up with all the paint, the empty sprues, the torn cellophane, and as I'm writing this, I'm realizing that maybe I just need to clean up after myself a little better.

But with Valentine's Day around the corner, it got me thinking about the best ways to incorporate our wonderful hobby into your love life.  Obviously, if you met your loved one at your Friendly Local Game Store, you can bust out just about anything.  But if you're dating a muggle, you know, non-gaming folk, you might want to strategize how you shatter this particular glass.

So, I thought about some great decent ideas for some date night games based on the stage of your relationship.  What makes me an expert on this subject?  Well, nothing really.  I just thought it'd be kind of a fun little thing to talk about.  That and my wife says that I dated a lot of girls before I settled down with her.  Seriously, she calls them my "Parade of Hoes"...

Godspeed, good sirs and madams.

First Date: NOTHING

I love games.  I love them.  But not everybody does, and that's okay.  In spite of the relative mainstream exposure that our hobby has been seeing lately, the general public still views tabletop gaming as something that is for losers, man-children, or psychopaths.

I know that this isn't the case.  You know that this isn't the case.  But that girl from Starbucks you've had a crush on for a few months and FINALLY asked out on a date?  She probably doesn't.

First dates should be on neutral ground anyway, to make both of you feel comfortable.  And even if it DOES end up back at your place, it's one thing if she sees your dedicated wall of games, it's completely something else to make her play her way through your top shelf.

A Few Dates In: Potion Explosion

by CMON Games

Once you get to the third of fourth date, however, that's a completely different story.  Potion Explosion is a great little game with a fun theme that can easily be played with two players.  The whole thing takes about a half hour to play and it has the familiar look of the popular gem-matching mobile games, like Candy Crush.  In my original review of it, I said that I felt that Potion Explosion was one of the best gateway games I've ever played, and I still believe it to be so.  Give it a try with your special someone.  I bet they'll like it.

For extra thematic fun, try also having a "Make Your Own Potion" bar with root beer floats and toppings and such, though if either of you are lactose intolerant, prepare for another kind of explosion.

Honorable Mention: King of Tokyo

Starting to Get Serious: Pandemic

by Z-Man Games

So, it's starting to get to that dangerous DTR point (Define The Relationship), and you want to see just how compatible you really are.  Well, nothing is going to show how well you two can work as a team like a game by Matt Leacock, and none of them are as good as Pandemic.  Are they an Alpha Gamer (someone who just tells everyone else what to do and how to spend their turn)?  Are YOU an Alpha Gamer and never knew it?  Are you two going to be able to discuss your differing opinions about what to do in a cool and collected manner, while dealing with crisis after crisis after crisis?

Well, you'll definitely know after a game of Pandemic, and if you're lucky, you might be able to play a little doctor of your own...

Honorable Mention: Mice & Mystics

First Time Meeting Their People: Codenames

by Czech Games Edition

Whether it's their parents, extended family, a double date, or their besties, when you meet your loved one's people for the first time, the conversation will inevitably turn to this question: "What do you like to do for fun?"  Even if they don't, it's still good to bring something with you to allow you to overcome the incredible anxiety caused by having to meet the most important people in your significant other's life.  

Codenames is a quick, fun, game that'll focuses on communication and can help show everyone just how well you know the object of your affection.  You can play it in teams, with large amounts of people, and when you can look like a hero for providing raucous entertainment.

Honorable Mention: Mysterium

Thinking About the Future: Pursuit of Happiness

by Artipia Games

Are you starting to think "Where is this going?"  Wondering if you and your partner really have aspirations that line up with each other?  Well, bust open this bad boy by Artipia Games and get those conversations going!

In this little known worker placement game, you spend your time cultivating as much happiness as you can by advancing in jobs, starting a family, or even by just buying a bunch of stuff!  It all depends on what makes your character happy!

Now, the way your loved one chooses to play does not necessarily mean that's what they'd want to pursue in real life (they're handed objectives in the beginning of the game) but it may START a conversation that you're too chicken to have.

"Oh, so you're gonna spend some more time at work, huh?  I guess having a family's not really that important to you..."

Honorable Mention: Agricola

Thinking About Putting a Ring on It: A Song of Ice & Fire Miniatures Game

by CMON Games

If you are thinking about taking the next big step in your relationship (moving in together, getting married, etc.) your partner deserves to see JUST HOW DEEP the rabbit hole goes.  For this, I suggest the A Song of Ice & Fire Miniatures Game.  I really love this game.  I think it's a great tactical miniatures game with fantastic components, but most importantly, this game is LARGE.  It DOES NOT fit in a single box.  It is SPRAWLING.  Between the Kickstarter Exclusives, the extra Unit Boxes, the new Free Folk and Night's Watch Starter Sets, this game takes up SIGNIFICANT SPACE in your house.

Your significant other needs to understand that there will be limited space for all of their clothes and things, because you need all of the tiny plastic warriors.  This slot could easily be taken by Warhammer, but the "Easy to Learn, Difficult to Master" gameplay and the fact that this is Game of Thrones related makes this title a little more mainstream, and that increases the odds of your partner enjoying the game, therefore A Song of Ice & Fire edges out the Games Workshop goliath.

Honorable Mention: Star Wars Imperial Assault

They Ask "What Do You Want to Play Tonight?": WHATEVER THE HELL YOU WANT

Congratulations!  You've done it!  You have birthed a gamer!  Mark the date this happens and make sure you celebrate it ANNUALLY, as if it were a birthday or anniversary, because honestly, it'll be one of the rarest occasions of all time.

You Want to END It: Catan

by Mayfair Games

Not all relationships end in a fairy tale wedding.  In fact, most don't.  And when you're ready for your romantic relationship to end, there's nothing better than a game of Catan.  Invite over your friend, you know the one, and force those two to bicker, trade, backstab, and generally have a miserable time together.  As the night starts to down in flames, catalogue all of the HORRIBLE things your partner says to both you AND your friend, and USE THEM as a good reason to break up.  60% of the time, it works EVERY TIME.

Even if you're unsure whether to break up with them or not, Catan reveals a person's true character.  You don't REALLY know someone until someone else has blocked them into a TINY corner of the map with their longest road and they have no chance of actually winning the game...

Honorable Mention: Risk

Happy Valentine's Day!

That's a wrap for me, guys!  Obviously I'm not being TOO serious with most of these, but I hope you enjoyed it, whether it gave you some legitimate ideas, or just a few chuckles.  I hope you get to celebrate this Valentine's Day with all the people, meeples, miniatures, dice, and tokens in your life!

Remember to Share, Comment, and Subscribe!
If you like what I have to say, consider becoming a Patron, 
and make sure you follow me on Twitter or on Facebook!