Game On! Understanding Tabletop Board Game Lexicon

Figure 1: Jeremy & Josh, Tabletop Board Gamers, at RAGECon 2014

Today's post is dedicated to understanding the complex lexicon, or vocabulary, of tabletop board gamers.  Tabletop board gamers, for the purposes of this post, are board game enthusiasts who typically focus their interests in complex board games that involve a great deal of strategy, thinking, and complex fun (Figure 1).  Tabletop board gamers are differentiated from other board gamers in two primary ways: first, by the board games they opt to play, which are typically referred to by these individuals as European style board games (complex style of board games, such as Carcassonne, Smallworld, Arkham Horror, Alhambra, King of Tokyo, many more [Figure 2]), and second, by their focal vocabulary, a specific lexicon that is recognizable and important to specific groups and serves as a way of uniting the group members and differentiating nonmembers.

Figure 2: A small sample of the various types of European Style Board Games that Tabletop Board Gamers Play

A member of the Tabletop Board Game community is most often familiar with the focal vocabulary, which is often indiscernible to nonmembers.  A small sample of the words, terms, and phrases are as follows:

1. RPG (Roleplaying game): a game in which players take on specific roles and character types in order to complete the game)
2. Meeple: a small person shaped figure used in board games
3. XP: experience point(s).  Many games require players earn experience points, which are used to determine the winner(s) of the game.
4. Sleeves: thin plastic coverings for cards utilized in board games.
5. Dice tower: a device used to roll dice fairly.
6. D-6, D-12, D-20...: D refers to die or dice and the number refers to the number of sides on the die or dice.  Various types of multi-sided dice may be used in games, typically dependent on the style of game or the purpose the dice serve in the game.
7. Natural #: in reference to a die roll that led to a specific number to be face up.  Some games require natural rolls versus game modifiers that allow die rolls to be artificially changed.  
8. Mechanic: system of rules for playing games.  Various game mechanics exist, each of which are unique and preferentially desirable among specific gamers.
9. Worker Placement: game mechanic that mandates players to make individual actions from a set of actions 
10. Playtest: term for board game developers to test or try out board games on a group of volunteers who test the mechanics of the game and determine if the rules or other aspects of the game require clarification or revision. 

Tabletop Board Gamers at RAGECon 2014

Phrases such as RPG and meeple  can leave nonmembers confused, but they seek to demonstrate not only instruction or direction to Tabletop Board Gamers but also inclusion.  The act of recognizing the language spoken by other Board Gamers solidifies the bonds among members and creates and fosters a sense of community.  Nonmembers often are confused and feel isolated in the midst of Tabletop Board Gamers, and nonmembers may react negatively as a result.  Typically, however, most Tabletop Board Gamers are very friendly and open and willing to teach games to genuinely interested individuals, including other members of the community.

Individuals in the Reno-area who are interested in learning more about the local Tabletop Board Game community should check out Comic Kingdom, Merwin's Game Shoppe, the Reno Area Tabletop Meetup Group, and RAGECon 2015 for opportunities to participate in and learn about European style board games and more.