A game is something that can be enjoyable and played by all ages regardless of what genre, type, and environment is required. Or to put it more academically, a game is following a base set of rules, and would not be present without these rules. (Cambridge University).
In class, we played lots of board games, exploring all different types of niche games. However, the two games that stuck out to me was Throw the Burrito and Sheriff of Nottingham.
Throw Throw Burrito
The game is as random as it sounds! The main theme of the game is burritos, as told by the title, and is better played in a setting that is outside or has lots of room. The main mechanic of the game is clearly the burrito and trying to get as many trios of cards as possible. Yes, I called it ‘Throw the Burrito’ in the video, whoops!
Games do really affect our behaviour, and as it took forever to understand the concept of the game, our behaviour shifted towards the game. The instructions were too convoluted and a visual presentation was the way in which the game concept was understood.
The idea of a soft burrito and being able to throw it at your mates made for a more enjoyable experience once the rules were fully grasped. The design and having those burritos standing in the middle of the table, staring at you intently really made you want to get those ‘burrito cards’ so that you could throw them at your friends. The idea was corroborated by the games mechanics to ultimately produce that feeling of angst of throwing those burritos.
Another emotion which was encountered during the game was anxiety, in a good way. Your brain has to pick up cards, making sure there is a certain amount of cards in your hand, as well as making sure you put down the trios, and ensuring you are ready in case there is a burrito battle. The game mechanics makes it work as a fast paced game, and one that is quick and easy to do, you can get 10 rounds in, in the same time it takes to finish ONE game of Monopoly.
This fast-paced feeling means that while playing I did not even feel bad that I lost, but would feel even better when I hit a burrito at someone, even though I would also feel bad at the same time.
The target audience is definitely for young adults. It can even be played after a late night and a few drinks, it does definitely feel like that would be the type of setting in which this game would be played. On top of that, the game is so niche, but it fits best under the category of a ‘party game’. Board Game Geeks sides with the genre being that of ‘party’ and even describes the game as ‘what happens when you cross a card game with dodgeball’. This description is definitely fitting once the game has started and everyone is in full swing ready to throw things at your friends.
Sheriff of Nottingham
This is a game in which it affects our behaviour. The Sheriff of Nottingham’s main theme is to deceive your way into making the most money, and believing the lies or not when you are Sheriff. The main setting of the game can be indoors and the theme definitely falls under fantasy, with the key game mechanic being the main pieces and cards that are involved with the game.
This game does require time, and once understood the game was very quick and easy to play. Seeing that the average board game duration is 30-60 minutes it is no wonder this was a quick game (CBR). The game even accounts for 3 players and has set instructions for a three player game.
I looked at the box, and instantly thought, as well as those playing “oh this looks complicated” and I felt like this game does not tick my box of niche. However, once playing, and seeing that big number of contraband that could be smuggled made me come up with a plan in my head. This plan had to be strategic and intricate in order to get passed the Sheriff and the more rounds you play the more you understand everyone’s bluff. This statement coincides with Y. Hsu and Y. Huang’s argument that lies are a part of our lives and when we understand lies it helps with relationships, but in this instance, the board game.
The fast-paced game went even quicker with communication with other team mates and seeing how much fake money you really have. It made you feel good, even though you could be getting absolutely thrashed in the game. The mechanics of adding fake money corroborated with the idea of bargaining and bluffing which are the main actions which are done within the game, as the fake money motivates you to get more money.
The board games definitely targets those who are intrigued with fantasy, and Robin Hood fans as the Sheriff of Nottingham is a character within the Robin Hood world.
Board Game Geeks describes this game as a family/party game, which definitely rings true, as the more people that are playing the longer it would last and the more fun it would be. Ultimately, having a family affair in a board game leads to a better experience as a whole as one sibling will catch another sibling out and a rivalry is formed. This can be especially true within this board game.
Conclusively, board games have the ability to shape emotions based on the progression of the player within the game. This allows for a real connections between the board game and the player as they become interested and one with the board game itself. Time is also a key factor in board games, as time needs to endured in order to complete these games. The games Throw the Burrito and Sheriff of Nottingham are games that once grasped, are fun to play and interact with their audiences without the standard ‘roll and go’ procedure that is seen in many board games. One game is luck based on cards, and one is luck based on how good the player can lie.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
M, Musso, 2023, 15 Best Board Games That Take A Long Time To Play, CBR.com, viewed 21st March 2023, https://www.cbr.com/best-long-board-games/
Sheriff of Nottingham, Board Game Geek, viewed 21 March 2023, https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/157969/sheriff-nottingham
Throw Throw Burrito, Board Game Geek, viewed 21 March 2023, https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/274533/throw-throw-burrito
Y, Hsu, Y, Huang, Verbal Behaviour in Digital Board Game: The Association between Personality Traits and Lying Behaviour, IEEE,
What is a Game?,1967, Cambridge, Philosophy of Science, Cambridge Care, https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/philosophy-of-science/article/abs/what-is-a-game/40F5E5452EDEEDC5EF5BADB99E2225FD
Mavro Productions 