Developing your game brain

When the covid lockdowns began, the most dire issue for me was being unable to have my friends over for board games. I feel that the youth of today miss out on much of the fond memories I associate with gaming. With the prevalence of online lobbies against strangers, and developers who prioritize preying on the addictive aspects of the human brain, warping an otherwise healthy hobby. The focus of a game should be about escapism, story telling and engaging mechanics. Something that is only enhanced when experienced with friends and family. Growing up with these games stirred in me a sense of achievement not tied to a loot box or having to purchase the latest character cosmetic to keep up. Whilst slow burn, creative, story driven games still exist, I often wonder if the vast majority of young gamers miss out on ever experiencing these. Having been conditioned to seek products that offer instant gratification. As a parent, helping to foster in your child an interest in a variety of game genres, and educating them on the addictive techniques utilized, can assist in training their brains to discern what is healthy and what is not.

Encouraging your child to get involved in groups of like minded gamers can be an important tool, not just for building social skills, but to gently direct them away from anti-social gaming habits. Unless of course you are stuck in lock down. Fortunately for my group of friends, during that time a new game was released; Table Top Simulator.

It's arrival could not have been better timed! My friends and I were now able to hop on voice chat and play our wargame together. As time progressed we now live too far from each other, so we meet regularly online to play. The only drawback being that I can not show off some of my painted miniatures.

Guess I will have to force it upon you instead.

"Primarch-Progenitor, to your glory and the glory of Him on Earth!"