Journey to the Community
Blogs like the one I am about to write are always tricky, at least for me. Trying to come up with the right words and trying to portray the feeling I have when I recall a certain moment in time. Sometimes it seems a little too dry, but let’s give it a shot.
If you read the ABOUT section on my website, you would learn that the game that brought me into the hobby game community was Betrayal at the House on the Hill (2nd edition) published by Avalon Hill Games. I recall sitting in the living room area of my friend's dorm at college and being amazed at how random the game can be with secrets behind every door and darkness down every hall. We played it twice that night and had a blast with each game.
After graduating from college and moving to a new city, I needed something to pass the time. I went into my local game shop and sitting on the shelf was Scythe published by Stonemaier Games. The concept of the game intrigued me and so I made the purchase. I opened up the box, went through all the components, and began reading the rulebook. I only made it about halfway when I got tired, packed everything away, and set the game on my bookshelf. I didn’t touch it for a while afterward. I had the most fun playing game with friends, I didn’t want to learn this big and dense game just for the solo Automa play.
Shortly after being consumed by videos online and reading/watching reviews, I decided to look for Wingspan also published by Stonemaier Games. On August 19th, 2019 I received a “back-in-stock” alert for Wingspan on the Stonemaier webstore. I successfully placed my order and went online to share my excitement and hope that I receive the game before my birthday on August 29th. Shortly after, I received a comment from Jamey Stegmaier. I will never forget his comment.
He followed through and a mere 8 days later, the game was on my front porch. That was the moment, Stonemaier became my favorite publishing company. Jamey didn’t have to go out of his way and do whatever he did to make it happen, but he did. To, at the time, an average consumer, he went out of his way to make something special happen. That’s when I finally understood the community, everything it has to offer, and the importance of board gaming.
This was just the tip of the iceberg. I have collected various games thanks to recommendations from others through videos on YouTube, discussions in Facebook groups, and just roaming around BoardGameGeek. In the years that followed, I have played many games that I absolutely fell in love with that are still in my collection to this day, and games that just didn’t click with me and have been traded off or sold.
I have been a part of some fantastic projects! I have run game demos from various publishers, been/am a part of affiliate/ambassador programs, and playtest new and upcoming games.
Let’s not forget the people I have met as well. My buddy Mike introduced me to hosting demos of games and to my in-person gaming group. I met Jamey and Joe from Stonemaier Games this past year at Geekway. Met my good friend Corey of Blue Falcon Board Gaming there as well. I’ll never forget the interactions I have had with people throughout the community and the amazing artists, designers, and publishers that work diligently behind the scenes.
Happy 10th anniversary to Stonemaier Games! Thank you for everything you do for this community!
Thank you for being a part of my board game journey, in the past, present, and future!
What is your journey? Let me know in the comments below, on Facebook, or by direct message/email. I’d love to hear from you! I try my hardest to respond to all messages and comments.
