Thread

1. SwellJoe · 1790971326 · focus · HN ↗

   I loved Stratego so much as a kid. But, I eventually couldn't find anyone to play with me because I crushed everyone, including my dad who was much better than me at chess. But, I never would have thought it'd be a game that models would have a hard time with. It feels relatively simple. And, inexplicably, I never even thought that there might be serious players...I've kept the board game, one of the very few things I have from young childhood, but it's been twenty years since I played. I guess it's time to find an online Stratego. Surely someone in the whole world can beat me.

   Too bad I never played against an AI before they cracked it.

   1. m463 · 1790981061 · focus · HN ↗

      > But, I eventually couldn't find anyone to play with me because I crushed everyone

      I think this is a problem with many deeper games. I remember going over to other people's houses and they would pull out obscure-board-game-xyz. The rest of the night for me was trying to figure out how to play, while others were 30 steps ahead of me.

      I think you need something like chess club - stratego club - where people have all gotten to the nuance level and you can play with people of appropriate level.

      1. ew-dev · 1791010815 · focus · HN ↗

         Digital Board Games solve this imho very elegantly, since the rules are tracked by the engine for the players (and is always impartial). It also can avoid the onboarding friction.

         Just a pity it does not come close to the haptic pleasure of playing with a real cardboard, polished resin figures, and sturdy cards with dice (or whatever accessories are supplied) :-)

         1. distances · 1791012946 · focus · HN ↗

            Indeed. Online games, Board Game Arena especially, are great for the ease of the rules enforcement and getting together with remote friends. But if given an option, I would always choose the in-person physical version. I'm spending enough hours in front of a monitor already.

            1. thaumasiotes · 1791047268 · focus · HN ↗

               > Online games, Board Game Arena especially, are great for the ease of the rules enforcement

               That's true, but it has the odd side effect that the entire play group may be just plain unaware of important rules.

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