It’s a few days after Christmas and you and your friends and family are sitting down for a fun evening by the fire. You’ve decided to play that new board game you received for Christmas. Oh, the joy in ripping the cellophane off the box and digging into the new board and pieces! Then, you look at the directions, and hope fades fast. You need to find your reading glasses because the type is so tiny, so that takes a good 15 minutes. But then, they seem to be written in another language; it looks like English, but it certainly doesn’t make any sense. Finally, in utter frustration, you toss the instructions into the fire and decide you all will figure it out and make up the rules as you go along, setting yourself up for arguments over using a “Draw 4” card .
Why does it seem that these labyrinthine rules are written by people who have never played a board game in their lives? Why are board game rules often so bewilderingly bad? And how can we save ourselves from the tyranny of incomprehensible instructions? Let’s dive into this conundrum and explore how we can bring clarity to the chaos.
The Mystery of the Badly Written Rules
It’s a phenomenon as old as the games themselves: you unwrap a new board game, excited to dive in, only to find yourself staring at a rulebook that reads like a Kafkaesque novel. Why do so many rulebooks seem like they were translated from Ancient Greek by someone with a very limited vocabulary?
- The Disappearing Glossary: The game’s glossary of terms often feels like it was an afterthought. You’re expected to intuitively understand the meanings of phrases like “token of destiny” and “fortitude multiplier” without any explanation. It’s like being thrown into a foreign country and expected to understand the local dialect instantly.
- The Puzzle of Ambiguity: Instructions often read like a riddle wrapped in an enigma. Phrases such as “then place the card into the special zone and proceed with the activation phase” might sound clear in theory, but what on earth is a “special zone,” and how do you “activate” something without blowing up the game board?
- The Flowchart Fiasco: Ever tried to follow a flowchart that seems to have been designed by a mad scientist? You’ll find yourself making decisions based on whether a card is red or blue, whether it’s a Monday or a Wednesday, and whether the moon is in the seventh house of Jupiter. All this while trying to remember if you’re still on step 7a or 5b.
The Alternative Strategies: Avoiding the Rulebook
Instead of wading through the murky waters of rulebooks, many players take more… creative approaches:
- The Rulebook Skim-and-Fake: Many players skim through the rules, hoping to glean the essential bits, and then make up the rest. This leads to wildly inaccurate gameplay that usually ends with someone declaring, “I’m sure that’s not how it works, but let’s go with it!”
- The YouTube Savior: With countless “How to Play” videos online, many players skip the rulebook entirely, opting for a quick visual guide. These videos can be a lifesaver, though occasionally, players find themselves learning from a host with an unusual flair for dramatics—turning the rules into an unforgettable (if slightly unconventional) experience.
- The Group Consensus: This method involves a democratic process where everyone agrees on the rules as they go along. This approach often results in a modified game that bears little resemblance to the original, usually because someone insisted that their way of playing was “clearly the best.”
Making Rules Better: A Call to Action
It’s time to put an end to the reign of chaotic rulebooks and bring clarity to the gaming table. Here’s how companies can make their instructions less of a mystery and more of a masterpiece:
- Clear and Concise Language: Use straightforward language and avoid jargon unless it’s explained. Imagine you’re explaining the rules to a 10-year-old. If they can understand it, so can the rest of us!
- Step-by-Step Instructions: Break down the rules into simple, sequential steps. Use bullet points or numbered lists. If it feels like a cooking recipe, you’re on the right track.
- Visual Aids: Incorporate diagrams, illustrations, and examples. Pictures are worth a thousand words, and when it comes to rules, they can prevent a thousand arguments.
- Rulebook Testers: Before finalizing the rules, have people who have never played the game try to understand them. If they get it without calling for a life preserver, you’re good to go.
- FAQs and Troubleshooting: Include a section for common questions and problems. It’s like having a friend who can step in and say, “Don’t worry, we’ve all made that mistake!”
Final Thoughts
Board game rules don’t have to be so difficult. With a little effort and a lot of clarity, game manufacturers can save players from the torment of deciphering convoluted instructions. In the meantime, if you find yourself lost in the rulebook, remember there’s always YouTube, and the rulebook skimming strategy is a time-honored tradition. So, roll the dice, draw the cards, and may the odds be ever in your favor—no matter how questionable the rules may be.
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Resources
Backe, Chris. “How to Write a Rulebook for Your Board Game.” Entro Games. Accessed 11/8/24. https://entrogames.com/how-to-write-a-rulebook-for-your-board-game
Digvijay. “Unexpected UNO Rule Stirs Controversy Are You Playing It Correctly?” India Times. 12/24/23. Accessed 11/11/24. https://www.indiatimes.com/trending/wtf/unexpected-uno-rule-triggers-debate-online-624100.html
Rollins, Brandon. “How to Make Board Game Rules.” Brandon The Game Dev. 9/4/19. Accessed 11/8/24. https://brandonthegamedev.com/how-to-make-board-game-rules-dev-diary-050517
Stenhouse, Henry. “4 terrible board game rulebooks that really don’t rule.” Going Analog Show. Accessed 11/8/24. https://www.goinganalogshow.com/article/230/worst-board-game-rulebooks-manuals
