This is the pilot episode for a new series on the channel. And as a pilot, it's a little rough in places. But we will make improvements to the format based on feedback. Such as no dark suit on a dark background, and perhaps i should be less worried about framing so i don't hunch over as much. Any other constructive feedback, let me know here.

“Low player interaction and low luck” catan: *laughs*

Maybe you could mention categorization of games based on the mechanics as well: deck builder, cube pusher, card drafting, dice drafting, worker placement etc. And of course, few examples for each. Examples are always good. Either way, I like your content, keep up the good work! Greetings from Serbia! :)

Hey look its that guy with that 3 minute voice!

Campaign and Legacy games should be in that list as well in my opinion

This is a great idea for a series! One of the funnest things about getting into any hobby is learning the lingo, so for future installments I’d love to hear definitions of terms like “engine builder,” “quarterbacking,” “analysis paralysis,” and the like. My only feedback is that using well-known examples is important, and I’m not huge on the chalkboard font, but that’s just my preference. :)

Catan: We are the start of the gaming trend. We come in peace. Cosmic Encounter: Get off my intergalactic lawn.

10:35 So I guess this answers the question "will Twister ever be reviewed on this channel"

Great video, looking forward to the following episodes. Clear, crisp and with a little topping of usual flair!

Just found your channel thanks to this video. Seeing your definitions does help me understand and explain my own game collection to friends.

Thanks for the video. I just get into the hobby this year, and your video is a great help, I think now understand those categories much better. Also your suit is a great idea for this kind of video.

Thanks for this video. I’m currently easing two colleagues slowly into the hobby with some of the gateway games in my collection. I think I’ll show them this video to get a feel for the board game landscape, so they get a better frame of reference for what they might like and what I should bring to our next game night. By the way: proud Patreon supporter of the channel. To anyone reading this, go to Patreon and support as well.

I think the history of why Euros developed distinct from Ameritrash is itself worthy of an entire video. I always find it odd (but not) that one of the most classic ameritrash games, Risk, was developed by a European. 3:40 Luke Laurie calls hybrids, “trans-atlantic.” 6:10 counterinsurgency set on Mars. Is that a self-promotion? 9:59 Would like to see a future video where you talk about mechanics terminology: roll-and-write, deck builder, dice/cards drafting, worker placement, legacy, campaign, take-that, area control, bidding, engine building, etc. (I would have saved roll and write for here). Btw, why are Teffy and John in detention?

THANK YOU so much for this video!!! Wish I had it when I joined the hobby... It will be very useful to show it so my casual friends!

Thanks. This video was a good start. I consider myself new to board games overall as I've wanted to get into them for year and am not familiar with all the terminology and information out there. And there was some nostalgia to the video. I remember my childhood collecting and painting skeletons and zombies for warhammer fantasy and my neighbor and I used to play 3rd edition of Magic the gathering after school most days.

Really enjoyed the video. Loved the background and subtle jokes on the chalk board. Great presentation and subject matter. I also like the foundation games term and will start using it. Since you asked for constructive criticism my only thought was to have the game category you're talking about written above the terms and styles you list for it to help find what your talking about easier if scrubbing through the video. Looking forward to more of this series.

You had the dice odds chart displayed behind you, but never mentioned dice games as a category. Other categories: Big Box Games (games sold at big box stores and usually target a wide range of non-serious gamers). Yahtzee type game (main mechanic is rolling 5 or 6 dice with the option to re-roll some dice) Card drafting games (like Sushi Go). Deck building games (like Dominion). Roll and move (like Talisman). Legacy games. Tile placing games. Role playing games (RPG). Solo games. Chess games (any 2-player strategy game). Strategy games (like Risk). Card game (a game that main utilizes a standard 52 deck of playing cards) Worker placement games. Economic games. Resource Management Games. Digital games. App assisted games. That's all I can think of at the moment, but I'm sure there's more...🤔

Thank you for sitting down and bothering! Love your channel, it has seriously fed my hobby, and wishlist!

As part of the concept of an Abstract game( with capital A), I find to be crucial to emphasize those tend to be about spacial movement, confrontation and/or occupation. Many games have abstracted (adjetive) themes but are not considered Abstracts (noun). On the flip side, some games pretend to have theme (and kind of succeed on that) but would still be called Abstracts by me (e.g. Photosynthesis), because they still have that spacial element.

A couple of quick ideas here: 1. Do a video going more in-depth on how co-op games work. I'm a solo gamer myself, so those are what I play, and the #1 question I get from people is "how can a board game work without an opponent?" Any attempt from me to explain just makes things more confusing. Alot of people think of board games, and they think of freaking Monopoly or whatever, those older games, and seem to think that all board games must be competitive and involve alot of "screw you" moments. I know it sure surprised me to learn about these the first time. 2. Or do one talking about how games have evolved over time. Again, everyone just thinks of Monopoly, so explain how the whole "roll and move" and other bad mechanics are phased out, and the sorts of things that replace them to make sure that games are actually strategic and interesting. That's the #2 thing I always hear when someone finds out I'm into board games: "But why would you play those? They're so boring! All you do is roll dice and move and hope not to lose!" Those older "family" games really didnt do this hobby any favors, did they...

And there I was, for two years now, thinking "kiora koto" or whatever I was hearing in the intro was your name.

As a newcomer to the hobby I found this very helpful. I'm currently loving Arkham Horror LCG and Onirim. Looking to eventually get into a legacy or campaign type game like Tainted Grail or Jaws of the Lion, but AH:LCG obsesses me enough as it is. Keep up the good work and I'm looking forward to more of your videos.

YESSSSSSS. My brother sometimes says "oh you like X" and I'm like "I dunno I just like it when I can do Y". "Yeah those are x games" but I'd like to know what he's talking about!

I 100% agree with the term Foundation games. I'd love to see a follow up basics video covering foundation games you like or would recommend to people interested in the hobby

Great idea and a solid pilot episode. Maybe, in the spirit of times and in line with the theme of the channel, it is worth making episodes shorter, more bite-sized-like. Also, illustrating your points by combining showing both edited images and real-life objects is neat and surprisingly refreshing. Gl with the series and keep up the good work!

I love your channel! Keep up the good work

Very clear and succinct definitions. Well done. Thanks.

"filler" is one definition that would have been nice to have here. In any case, excellent video and excellent idea to help the people beginning in the hobby!

As someone who has only started getting into this hobby (from a history in GW games), this was a fantastic source of easy-to-consume info. Thanks! Subscribed!

I want to know what Teffy and John did? ..also I love a kiwi in black. It just seems right.. ..and I usually wear colours. ~ smiles ~

This was really great! I can't wait to see more. Could you also cover boardgame terminology?

Love the Starship Troopers music for WH40K, perfect

Awesome video Man! The best one ever!

What about Dungeon Crawlers? Dexterity Games? Games that involve lying (e.g. card game Coup); that involve negotiating; that involve ‘whatever Cryptid is’; I loved this video and I kept looking for more, to see all the known/most common game categories.

Your videos are so enjoyable !!! thanks for sharing.... i believe this is great for people that have decided to get into board gaming ... i would not recommend it for bringing people into the hobby but definitively to know what to look for once you are in. Regards from Mexico again....

Great video! Loved it!

It's not just that you're expert in board games and extremely proficient in telling a story, but that your presentation is so hilarious. I personally hope that you've already compiled your top 100 board games list with links to purchase the individual games themselves to your sponsors that sell them. I just want to click "add all" to my cart and buy them. We've tried three of your recommendations so far, absolutely loved them, and now have a weekly Friday game night. Who knew board games could be such a great obsession?

Really good, well explained, video!

Great video! You make me want to reorganize my game shelf by category 😀

2d6 probabilities 2: 1/36 3: 2/36 4: 3/36 5: 4/36 6: 5/36 7: 6/36 8: 5/36 9: 4/36 10: 3/36 11: 2/36 12: 1/36

You read my mind; this is what we needed.

So what is the image at 6:06 from? Something something a "counter insurgency on mars?" Sounds kind of like a rumored game design by a notable board game reviewer from Aotearoa.

I think a key point in the euro vs ameritrash is that euro games commonly use very abstract iconography because unlike the US, Europe has 44 countries speaking different languages and creating dozens of localised versions for dozens of very small markets is usually not feasible. Most of the time euro games are language-free and companies only localise the rulebooks.

Can you make an episode about gaming terms please. For example what is meant but simultaneous game play etc This would really help when trying to decide which games are for you based on descriptions of how the game plays. Would be a great sequel to this eposode Thank you

5/36, 4/36, 3/36, 2/36, 1/36. Ummm... am I the only one who did my homework?

Nice video, I am interested to see more. I want to add some types: dexterity games, 18xx, lifestyle games (Magic Realm, ASL, KDM, World in Flames), Legacy Games, Filler Games and maybe Event Games (very long games up to 12h+) and campaign games (Middara Tainted Grail etc). Also I would have distinct Family Games to Euro Games. And maybe Heavy Board Games in contrast to Gateway Games.

I started a bit dubious, after the Euro game definition, but in general this video seems sensible and useful. As for Euro games: in my mind there are a couple of key mechanics that seem like the core of the definition. Primarily accumulating and spending various resources, and secondarily worker placement mechanics. Low luck, mechanics over theme, and limited conflict/interaction don't seem like quite enough for an unfamiliar person to start understanding the genre.

By 1:23 I started taking notes. You could even turn this in to how to create a great board game on those training sites LOL. Or have some sort of website board game configurator that lists board game features and then makes recommendations, has your personal ratings for each, and of course acquisition links.

Great video

"I don't cover party games on the channel, because I don't dam well play them." LOL

If you play Twister in California, it's an Ameritrash game since you're using mostly plastic pieces.

I find it hilarious that Food Chain Magnate was used as an example of a euro and then right after euros were categorized as having low player interaction 😂. No complaints here though, it’s one of my favorites. Just found that funny but like you said it’s impossible to categorize games strictly with all the blurred lines now a days.

Duuuuuude THANKYOU SO MUCH 🔥🔥🔥

This is brilliant stuff. Maybe will be taught in schools one day :)

In my opinion the definition of Ameritrash and Eurogame is a little bit off. Having wooden pices doesn't make it euro, having miniatures doesn't make it ameritrash. Having both doesn't make it hybrid. For example catan, it uses plastic pices and in the addons they use miniatures. There is a luck based system (rolling dice for resources) as well. The winner is the person that reaches first a certain amount of victory points. And there is a lot of player interaction because the players trade goods all the time. Using meeples instead of miniatures doesn't make Vast or Root a euro game. Usind miniatures doesn't make Dogs of War an ameritrash game. So for me they are defined as following: Ameritrash: Use a luck based core mechanic and an unlucky person will never win. It might have some kind of knockout system so that sometimes players drop out early. Eurogame: There is no knockout system for players. Everyone is part of the game until it is over. The core system uses only a low amout of luck, means that a very unlucky person can win the game. Now to Scythe: The core is an engine builder with no/low luck. There are luck based systems like cards, but getting a good card vs getting a bad card doesn't change anything in the game. You may win with every factory card, you won't lose because of a bad encounter card and so on... There is only a low amount of user interaction. Often the game is played without a single fight, often its more about the fear that an interaction might happen. It has resource management and victory points. The end of the game is defined by reaching 6 Stars. The only thing that makes it NOT a euro game is the violation of the knockout rule. In Scythe a player might be knocked out (very unlikely but I guess possible) this is the only thing that states that it can't be a 100% euro game. All the other mechanics can also be in a euro game.

Yay Megagames! Boo! I am not in that picture. I think the term Ameritrash came about because of the TV show Eurotrash and swapping the name about. Hybrids are not very new - Twilight Imperium 3e took role selection from eg Puerto Rico and added to its dudes (well spaceships) on a map. What's Root? Euroey Ameritrash wargame? Cool start to a series I look forward to more!

Excellent and succinct

Are you going to talk in another episode about Legacy games? Thanks for your help and keep up the great work!

Thanks - very useful! Love that you suited up too :D

About miniatures, not everyone enjoys the painting part (i sometimes don't). Sure I can paint them well but takes a long time and playing an unpainted army in the meantime doesn't feel just as good. That's why i like more prepainted models like xwing

Keyforge is one of a kind, being the only Unique Deck Game, maybe it's worth mentioning in a follow up.

Great summary.. thanks.... any plans to do a Board Game mechanic list?

Love your stuff. Top marks. I’m surprised you didn’t mention dexterity games and Legacy games tho?

I don't know much about classification of games, thanks for this video. I have a board game called 'Wooden Ships and Iron Men' and I call it a "Hex Game". My cousin had many war games also in this Hexagon board layout. These games have many flat pieces with a picture and number for item reference. What would their category be called?

This is super helpful to someone just deep diving into the hobby - thank you! Also, just curious what's the story behind your logo?

I think role-playing games could have had their own segment in a list like this. Having tried to explain what D&D is to someone completely outside the world of hobby gaming, even as recently as in the last week, it’s not as understood as I’d expected. Great list, though. I’m curious to see where this series is going.

I just watched the how to play for World of Tanks, and it seems similar to X-Wing but a bit simpler, seeing you obviously have and enjoy X-Wing, I'd be interested in your thoughts on the two?

THHANK YOU!!!!!

You didnt mention deck building games?

Hi, great video! One another difference between ameritrash and euros, that speaks about typical europe and american way of live. Euro normally have catch up mechanics to help the players that are getting behind in points during gameplay. And ameritrashs rewards the player that is winning and punishes really hard who is losing in points during the game. In america

“I don’t cover party games on the channel because I don’t damn well play them.” Well said! Neither do I.

What is the difference between deckbuilding and drafting, as applies to games?

What about dexterity games, such as Jenga, kerplunk, Ice cool, Tokyo highway.

Also Bad Religion for the hybrid good choice!!!

Hi, really enjoyed the video and the love your channel. I feel like you missed a lot of game types here there was no way you are going to cover all the game types in an 11 minute video, and I know the idea wasn't to cover ALL types of board game but still I feel like you missed many major types of games. Legacy games should definitely be apart of this list, app driven games is another big one as we are starting to see more and more pop up. And what about family games? How can monopoly/trouble not get a mention. Another thing I found confusing as that you seem to be making this series very informative/factual and I think saying thing like I'm not going to cover certain game because you don't like them is going against what you are trying to achieve. Sorry if it sounds like I'm ranting. Keep up the good work mate!

Uh oh. He sung a bit of imperial march. And Disney owns star wars. RIP 3 Minute Board Games. Real talk, you look a bit like San Healey.

What was that mars counter insurgency game he referred to?

I avoid the CCG and LCG and just play Keyforge.

There aren’t any wooden bits in Gaia Project and it’s about as Euro as a Euro gets.

I missed Dungeon Crawlers... 😢

What was the song introducing Ameritrash games?

I find interesting how Euro Games really do not have proper conceptual explanation... It is one of those weird concepts which the best we can do is list on example characteristics and hope the other person gets it.

Ave Imperator, gloria en excelus Terra!

Using Settlers as the starting point for Euro Games seems weird, as it flies against many of the traits mentioned (having high luck and player conflict).

Wow, havent heard about Euro-Ameritrash debate for like 10 years. It was very prominent though when i was properly getting into the hobby, what i noticed though is that (counter intuitively to some ) eurogamers are much more agressive about their preferences. For example Ameritrash player: oh, catan? Im not that much into wooden pieces and trade mechanics, but to each their own, you have fun playing it - Eurogamer : OMG how can you play this ovepriced piece of s**t, it has no depth and is pure commercialism! Also i found it amusing how eurogamers had blogs, debates and all over "serious" approach while us Ameritrashers sat in the basement playing Descent the whole weekend :D

ok great video looking for more :) well J my friend - I didn't even know a KS game definition is also about the hype of a game even if it didn't came out of KS... a wierd defenition for me that I think will just confuse the other people... me: " Hi look what I have - a Wingspan game!" (not really, hate this game lol) other: "well good for you, it's just a KS game you know" me: ? it didn't came out in the KS I think, or did you just refer the hype around it? well as you see... KS game defenition in this case is just wierd to talk or explain so I really don't know who came up with this "type" of game... maybe just define a "hype game" instead. there are a ton of games that are out there (for me at least...) just for the hype (hmmmm wingspan again is an example... hmmmm) :)

and last comment sorry for the multiple ones: I think you should make a vido in the series about the differences between tactical games vs stratigic games. also symetric vs asymetric, filler vs gateway,and any other defentions that sounds the same but are defently not. yeah a filler is not a mechanic it is also a type of games... so part 2 soon I guess? since you missed a lot of other type (not mechanics this is another video... but types)

Could you cover some more party games?

I wish I had friends to play something with

Where does Concordia fit in?

well also forgot to say: I hate the term gateway as well... every game can be a game to start with as long as you fit it to the group. for example one of my first games that I played with friends was Game Of Thrones the Board Game... it is totally not a gateway game by defenition but after a turn or two we got the main idea and run with it... so this defenition is just a huge bullshit in my opinion... as a gateway games I played Magic the gathering which is complex, GOT the board game and the card game which are also complex, and even the other great games that made me to come to the hobby like Catan, Avalon, Munchkin, Fluxx, Coup, Secret Hitler - mainly those (party game and "gateway" games). but non of this list made me open my own solo/card games moslty collection - it was due to Friday and Onirim which again I'm not sure they are even a gateway games they have theirt own "complexcity" not in the rules but in the tactical/startigic gameplay

You didn't address Deck Building, Deck Construction, &/or Drafting

You also have dungeon crawlers and real time games

What's a "dry" euro game?

Damn I like your accent

What about 4x Games?

Euro games don't have to be low interaction. The good ones are low luck.

Is it not called Amerithrash

Is that what you look like? Its about what i expected to be honest. Good video as always you handsome person you. I prefer Ameritrash - Player interaction is what it's about! It's why im hanging out with my friends!

Why hybrid, and not Eurotrash?