As you may have noticed, the web site for the game shop has changed a lot in the last month. Now that I'm home, it made a lot of sense for me to take over managing the site. We've tried several new things and we'd like your feedback. What things do you like on the new site? What things don't work for you? What would you like to see in addition to what's up there, or instead of something?

The forums are back up again, but you will have to register again to access them. We hope to make them an active part of life at Paddy's.

I have to admit I was a bit apprehensive when we made this decision. What did I know about building or maintaining a web site? We bought a template program and I started playing. This is the third template I tried, and it took some time to figure out how to change the pictures out, but I found it. Then there were parts that seemed like they should quite easily work that didn't! Luckily GoDaddy has some great customer support, and they were able to help me find acceptable work arounds. You can't believe how proud of myself I was when I hit "Publish" for the first time, and it was there! On the web! Three weeks later, I'm logging in, making changes, adding events (I need to go put in the days we're closed!) and changing content.

I've also taken on our web advertising, and while it's new and intimidating, I'm getting a thrill out of seeing how many times our site comes up. It may seem like something minor to people that are used to it, but boy did I step out of my comfort zone to design and maintain the web site. It felt pretty good too. I've been getting in to a rut, and that always seems to bring me a bit down. Learning something new, trying something new, and having it be useful is always a lift for me.

Future plans? well yes, I do have a few! First thing, I'd like to get a newsletter going for the store. Nothing fancy, just a short update on what's going on, what's new, and what's upcoming. We also have some great ideas for events for the store, and for those you'll just have to stay tuned in order to find out what's coming.

So what is a gamer?

I admit it, I identify myself as a gamer. I have for years and I plan on doing so for quite some years to come. I know I’m not alone. I meet people all the time that consider themself a gamer. Turns out we sometimes have differant ideas of what a gamer is. MerriamWebster.com identifies a gamer like this:

                gam·er noun \ˈgā-mər\

Definition of GAMER

1: a player who is game; especially : an athlete who relishes competition

2: a person who plays games; especially : a person who regularly plays computer or video games

We can throw definition one out for this discussion. Definition two is getting closer, but I’m not really thrilled with the “especially” part. Especially when I scroll down and see this bit of information: 

First Known Use of GAMER circa 1630. Explain that computer/video part to me again?

It’s also too narrow for me. Off to Wiki to see what they have to say. “Historically, the term "gamer" usually referred to someone who played role-playing games and wargames.^{[citation needed]} More recently, the term has grown to include players of video games. While the term nominally includes those who do not necessarily consider themselves to be gamers (i.e., casual gamers),^[1] it is commonly used to identify those who spend much of their leisure time playing or learning about games.”

Now we’re getting somewhere. I’d like to add a plug, there is a nice summary of a lot of gamer terms, including some really fascinating, to me, information on girl gamers. I advise you take the time to plug “Gamer” into Wiki and read it.

The key parts to this definition for me start in the first line. Role-playing games AND wargames. The implication is that they play more than one game. Next key issue is in the last line, we’re not talking about people that play Monopoly once a month, or throw in LIFE for variety. Gamers are people who consider gaming their hobby in the same way people consider woodworking, car restoration or scrapboking their hobby.

Here’s the rub, if you play Magic or D&D, and that’s the only game you play, I have a harder time thinking of you as a gamer. You play a game, but you’re a Magic player or a Roleplayer, but that’s not a gamer. I’m going to use Magic as an example, but remember this applies equally to dedicated D&D’ers as well, and let’s give a shout out to the WOW players, but down the keyboard, get off Vent and check this out.

I get it. It’s fun to play Magic. There are new cards, new combinations, new rules, the game changes constantly. But it’s not the only game out there. In fact, Magic is relatively new to the gaming world. It’s only been around for just under 20 years. We have a replica of a chess set that was found that dates from the 12^th century.  Games have been part of human culture since, well human culture!

You walk past hundreds of them on the way to the tables to play Magic. There are bookshelves in the play area with samples of others. Each style of game has its own skill set and strategy. But they all offer a few things in common. In each game, with a few exceptions, “House on Haunted Hill” being the first that comes to mind, and any one of the many Role Playing systems, you match your wits against one or more opponents. You manipulate the pieces, cards, pawns, etc in order to achieve an advantage over the other guy. There is a set goal, whether it’s accomplishing tasks, accumulating wealth, or a more race style, cross the finish line first. Sound familiar? It should. The basics of games are the same, it’s only the window dressings that change.

But why? You ask again. I like Magic, if they are all the same, why not stay with the same one? For the same reason you order a cheeseburger one day, pick up Taco’s the next and you’re planning on pizza. Variety is the spice of life! Not just in the style of game, but even in the people you play with. You may find yourself gaming with people you’ve seen around, but never talked to. You may find that you like some of the other games as much as Magic. Maybe even one you like better….

It’s not like it’s going to hurt to try something else. You may miss out on a few Magic games, but with how many you play, is missing 3-4 games really that devastating for the opportunity to try something new? D&D players don’t need to get too smug, you can stand to branch out as well.

Become a gamer, check out the other games out there. Let me recommend a few. I like Carcasonne, a simple strategy game, placing cards and earning points. The Stars Are Right is a great game of trying to complete your set’s while making it more difficult for others. For big complex games, give me Titan and Advanced Civilization. And for a first step for Magic players, let me throw in a new game, Dominion. It can have those wonderful combo’s that Magic players love, card after card going down creating new actions and causing reactions of pain and angst in your opponent!

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