“Players engaging in the first Neopets ’03 Championship in over 20 years at Call to Arms 2025!”
Getting into gaming!
Hi everyone! It’s me, Ben with SETGO and I love gaming. When I was a kid, I was BIG on videogames. Like, always going through strategy guides, and looking up the new releases, renting bunches of them every week. It was a big deal! Weirdly enough, I wasn’t huge on board games back then. My social circles were somewhat limited for awhile, so maybe I just didn’t have the right people to play them with. Who knows?
When I was in elementary school, POGs were all the range so I always had a ton of those, playing for keeps out at the community pool and at school. And then, whenI was in middle school, the Pokemon Trading Card Game released so I got addicted. I’m pretty certain that it was a combination of those two things that solidified my desire to collect things and trade things for more things to collect.
It wasn’t until high school that I finally got introduced to Magic the Gathering, and then college before I got into Dungeons & Dragons and Warhammer. Now I’m pushing the big “4-0” and I’m still being introduced to new games regularly and it’s STILL exciting!
Now I spend a good deal of time and effort to give people opportunities to try and see new games for themselves: Running events, game days, demo sessions, conventions, etc etc.
I’m SO ingrained in the gaming habit and its communities that I can take it for granted just how lucky I am and how EASY I have it now. I’m blessed to have numerous circles of friends that they’re always getting me into games and likewise, are always up for trying something that I may be interested in. I forget sometimes that it can be difficult to even get started and that, my friends, is the real purpose of this post.
So what’s the trick? How does one actually get INTO these crazy games? Here are some random thoughts, tips and resources for you!
Tips & Tricks!
First and foremost, take your time, do your homework, and don’t bite off more than you can chew.
Anyone reading that statement coming from me knows that I’ve learned that lesson numerous times! If something is interesting to you, do a little research. Ask friends, ask game store employees, or maybe watch a “how to play” on youtube. Try to get a demo from someone who’s familiar with it.
High end board games or miniatures games can be weird, complex, or require a lot of work outside of the actual gaming (like building and painting minis which requires extra thought and purchases). Not to mention that there can be substantial price tags associated here.
Before you pull the trigger, make sure you know what you’re getting into as best you can.
Ben playing a game with Jacob Tury. A few snacks, some Marvel Crisis Protocol, and Jacob Timm (painting) there to make a few comments every now and then…perfection!”
01
Game Night!
Easily one of our groups favorite things is the Humble Game night. Get a group of friends together to enjoy an evening together trying new games. It’s a low stakes event in a comfortable environment. Though it helps to have someone with some experience to lead a new game session, that’s not a necessity. Sometimes a good deal of the fun is just smashing your face into it until you figure it out.
It’s ok to mess it up and fumble through! You can always do it again.
02
Public Libraries & School Clubs
As Tabletop RPG’s, board games, and mini’s games have become more popular, you’re seeing them pop up in a lot of places. If you’re still in school, check to see if there are any clubs or groups that meet up to play. If you’re particularly motivated, start one yourself. You could end up helping out others who are interested in trying it out.
Note: Some publishers will actually send a school group gaming materials for their clubs to use. It doesn’t hurt to ask!
Public Libraries often have gaming groups that meet on a regular basis. My local system has MANY board game and TTRPG offerings throughout the year and it’s FREE
03
Local Groups/Clubs
Same idea, just for adults. There are a lot of social clubs and gaming groups that are welcoming of new people. Check out facebook, or meetup, or even places like Barnes & noble or your local breweries.
04
FLGS!
Learn the acronym and all it stands for! Your Friendly Local Game Store is the new age Community Center and social hang out for people into games. These are a WEALTH of information and resources. Not only do they sell the stuff you’re looking for, but they are likely to have first hand knowledge of the product. Some even have game libraries that you can borrow and play while you’re there. How awesome is that?
05
The Digital Age
Want to dip your toes into the hobby without leaving your house? There are numerous options for enjoying these games Online!
Magic the Gathering can be collected and played through an official app called Arena.
Many board games have an official digital version that can be played exactly like the physical version with friends online.
For Dungeons and Dragons, you can play through Roll20.net. Heck, you can even do it completely through Discord or zoom!
Tabletop Simulator is an inexpensive piece of software that can let you play TONS of games online with others. Including very complicated games like Warhammer and Battletech. It’s basically a physics engine sandbox, so it may not automate things, but you’ll have all the tools you need.
This isn’t an exhaustive list, by ANY means, but hopefully it gives you some ideas. If YOU have some thoughts, let us know! Get out there, roll some dice, throw some fireballs, go on an adventure. A life spent gaming with friends is a life well spent.
“Gaming is the perfect hobby. It can be whatever you need at any time you need it.”
Ben Marsh
SETGO Chairman