this post was submitted on 15 Apr 2024
0 points (NaN% liked)
boardgames
5853 readers
1 users here now
Everything boardgames
Please stick to English for posts and comments
founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
view the rest of the comments
Games usually say how long they take on the box. If it's too long just decline. If it goes over that usually in my experience it's because people are fucking around and making it take longer than it should instead of focusing on the game. Which is even more rude than leaving if it gets too late.
I say this as someone who's a fan of big, complicated, hours long games; 90% of the time, the numbers listed on the box are a total fucking lie.
OK, to be more precise, they typically measure how long the designers - who know every rule, never deliberate over what action to take, always pass priority when they're done, and never stop to grab a glass of water - think the game should take. And probably don't include set up time.
I use the times on BGG, as they are submitted by users.
In my experience, game time estimates on boxes are similar to gas consumption of a car given by the manufacturer. Multiply by at least 1.5.
Also double that number if anyone is learning the game. Then if the box lists a per player time of 90 minutes or higher add another half hour per player.
YMMV. In my experience 90% of game time estimates on the box are utter nonsense.