Do You Have Games That Need Sprucing Up?
Some call it “pimping” a board game. Some say they’re “sprucing up” their games. Some just tell you they like their miniatures to look more realistic. No matter how you express it, making game components more visually appealing really does appeal to a lot of gamers. And it’s not only the younger lads and lasses who appreciate the artistic efforts of the older ladies and gents.
There are some gamers who prefer not to pimp their games, and that, of course, is fine. They may have decided that it detracts from the game play or is too expensive or want to keep their games in like-new condition or have some other reason for leaving their games as they came out of the box. I have the feeling these folks might be in the minority, at least when it comes to Eurogames.
The Costs and Benefits of Pimping a Game
While it does increase your personal cost for a game, if done well, I think the benefits are worth it in the end. Making a game more attractive by replacing existing bits with your own baked clay creations, creating and/or printing and applying colorful stickers, or brushing on some paint in appropriate places does just that — attracts people to the game.
If you liked the game enough in the first place to take the time and make the effort to spruce it up, making it “pretty” so that others will first be attracted by the visuals and later be hooked by the game play is an appropriate way to bring more players to the game and into gaming in general.
In some cases, pimping a game can make it easier to play by making bits more recognizable for what they really are or what they represent. This, in turn, can speed a player’s turn since they have to think just a bit less about the components and have more time for the strategy, tactics, and mechanics. Everyone appreciates players spending less time taking their turns, right?
I’ll have more on this topic later, along with some concrete examples of ways you can spruce up your games.