issue 28// vol 45 Rolling with the group >» Board game etiquette and making it fun for everyone Caroline Ho Assistant Editor A far as social activities go, board games can definitely be a blast. Of course, they do require you to first pick up on the rules of the game—and some rules of behaviour. Disclaimer: I’ve tried my hand at a share of board games but I’m definitely no connoisseur, nor do I have a dedicated group with whom I play regularly. However—and perhaps because my board gaming tends to be spread out across several social circles—I like to pretend I’m familiar with some basics of social interaction and tabletop etiquette that sometimes seem to get lost when you're in the icy depths of cutthroat competition. Second disclaimer: Please keep in mind that the guidelines below are suggestions and very situationally dependent. What is appropriate in terms of competition depends a lot on group dynamics, the age and relationships of the players, and the nature of the game itself. Do you and your fellow players prioritize competitiveness or casual fun? Do you value your friendship over the sweet, sweet glory of merciless victory? Stay engaged and keep others engaged Having a single person at a table who is clearly not into a game can bring down the entire mood. If you've got one or two players who are barely paying attention, picking up the dice for a perfunctory roll on their turn, then going right back to scrolling through their Twitter feeds, it’s disrespectful to those who are actually engaged and trying to enjoy this as a group activity—so don't be that person. At the same time, it’s hard to have fun when youre losing horribly and seem to have no chance of catching up. This situation can be hard for other players to prevent, but at least try not to gang up on someone too badly unless youre sure they can take it. If you're in the lead yourself, keep the gloating to a sufferable level and don't get too upset if everyone suddenly turns on you. It’s healthy competition, not a personal attack. Respect the game This should be embarrassingly obvious, but I think it’s also important enough to state anyway. Please do not bend the cards. Please do not spill water on the gorgeously illustrated board. Please do not spread your pizza grease stains and chip dust all over the painfully expensive playing pieces. Don‘ be too nice The goal of every board game out there is to win—and if you're not trying to do that, or you're otherwise skewing the competition, what’s the point? It’s really frustrating to play in a group when one player is explicitly going out of their way to be extra-nice to another—especially with significant others. Informally teaming up for mutual benefits is one thing; refusing to make any move that would negatively affect your SO because you don’t want to hurt their feelings, even when it’s strategically the best move, is another beast entirely. This favouritism is unfair to the other players and patronizing to your own partner. There are two sides to this scenario however: Don’t give special treatment to your own partner, but also don’t expect any special treatment from them and throw a hissy fit if they don’t give it to you. Winning by your own merit (or at least the whims of RNG) is more satisfying for everyone. Know when to call it quits Even the most patient group has its limits. Sure, finally reaching a gruelling victory according to the as-written win conditions can be so satisfying. But what’s the point of continuing to play if no one is still having fun after you've been at it for seven hours and everyone's tolerance with one another has worn down to nothing? Dont be afraid to call it a day early and set an end point to the game—say, if no one’s won within the next two turns or next 10 minutes, the player who's winning at that time will be declared victor. Or just call it a draw and agree it’s been a well- fought match. As long as the call to end prematurely is a group decision, then the real victory is getting to go home without resenting your fellow players this time. Photo by Valentin Gorbunov via Wikimedia Commons Eh Rw AA CO A cinematic galaxy of Star-Lords » AChris Pratt redemption Sonam Kaloti Arts Editor There are Marvel-related spoilers in here— so if you haven’t watched Endgame but are planning to, go do that first and I'll meet you back here in three hours! hris Pratt is an icon. You can challenge me on this, but you will lose. In fact, this is exactly the headspace I was in when I realized I should write this article. Lately he’s been getting a lot of hate, and what's the best way to fight hate? No, silly, not pitch forks (just yet)—the best way is love, obviously! Infinity War spurred a lot of conversation, including the question: “Who is to blame for all of this?” Agonizingly, my friends would target my boy Peter “Star-Lord” Quill for all the losses suffered after his emotionally driven outburst kept the good guys from capturing the Infinity Gauntlet from Thanos’ grip. By now everyone and their mother has heard every possible argument as to why Star- Lord doesn’t (or does—whatever) deserve the ruthless hate, so I will not bother with my take. Instead of hammering you with more Marvel debate in this post-Avengers: Endgame world, here are some other cinematic works where Chris Pratt shines, or at the very least doesn’t make you want to snap him out of existence. Parks and Recreation In Parks and Rec, Pratt plays snuggly and lovable Andrew “Andy” Dwyer. He’s like an exuberant child, delighted at the simplest things. From being a couch potato deadbeat boyfriend, he goes through major developmental arcs that see him create a whole new life while staying true to his cheerful personality. Andy seems to be a foundation for many major characters Pratt would go on to play, tying most of them together with the Andy original quote: “I have no idea what I’m doing but I know I do it really, really well.” Whether he be a hallway shoe-shiner, children’s performer Johnny Karate, FB] agent Burt Macklin, a rock star, camp leader Brother Nature, or just himself, he will steal your heart (and probably all nearby toys). The show itself is a hilarious, fun- loving sitcom following a group of unlikely bureaucrats running the local government parks and recreation department of fictional city Pawnee, Indiana. The Lego Movie There’s not much to say here, since fun- loving Emmet is only voiced by Pratt, but I will say that the character fits the bill for Pratt’s personality as well. Super bubbly and almost obnoxiously giddy, The Lego Movie is like an infectious laugh, but two hours long. Love or hate the “Everything is Awesome” theme, the movie offers heartwarming messages of friendship and trying your best, which will never be outdated. Guardians of the Galaxy By now it is clear that Pratt tends to land major goofball roles. Peter Quill is absolutely no exception. He's an idiot all right, but he’s an idiot with an unparalleled music taste in the MCU. I don’t see Captain America shaking his groove thing anywhere, thank you very much. Besides, having watched his mother die, watched his father-figure die in his arms, and killed his own biological father, the poor guy’s had a rough life (especially if you take into account the events of Infinity War and Endgame). For such a mercilessly war-torn world, it is refreshing to have an average dopey “superhero” (lacking superpowers) with not much besides some dubious leadership skills and compassion helping him find his way. Jurassic World lll admit, he isn’t as goofy here as the rest. Pratt plays Owen Grady, a US Navy veteran and ethologist in charge of researching and training four velociraptors. His wit, however, is greater than ever. Overall, he’s much more of a smooth-talking, tactful, and cunning protagonist. Perhaps those are some qualities that Peter Quill should be taking notes on. I hope you've put your Infinity Gauntlet on your nightstand and switched it for a remote because I assure you that at least one of these will keep you from snapping.