Board games have greatly evolved from the Snakes and Ladders you might have played as a child. Earl Robinson has started the Overton Gaming Group for like-minded people to come together and have a good time.
CommunityAd spoke to Earl to find out more.
What inspired you to start a gaming group in Overton?
It’s something I’ve wanted to do for quite some time and my friend Jason and I had a conversation about doing one. This conversation happened just before lockdown so we had to sit on the idea for quite a while. Now with restrictions lifted and life returning to normal it seemed a good idea to hatch the plan.
What kind of games does the group play?
Modern board games, which is to say games other than just Monopoly or Cluedo. Board gaming has become a huge industry with so many interesting, creative and fun games to play, the possibilities are endless. Some of the games that we have available right now are; 7 Wonders, Sushi Go, Lotus, Ticket to Ride, King of Tokyo, Dominion, Codenames Duet, and that’s just a starter.
Who is the group open to?
It’s open to anyone aged 18+ that would like to come along and play.
How are the group meetings structured?
We say hello, get a coffee or a snack, and see how many are present. From there it’s the decision of what to play and who’s going to play it. We’ve finished the evenings with a bigger game that most or all can play together, but depending on numbers this may not be possible.
What if someone wants to join but they don’t know how to play many games?
That is not a problem as there are games of all levels and we have people there who are able to teach the games too. Many games have the same mechanics and once you learn one, the next one comes easier. If you were into video games at some point or used to play board games, then you’re very likely to pick up on the games we have and others which are likely to turn up on the table.
What’s your favourite game to play?
I have so many that choosing one is almost impossible and of course it matters who I’m playing with too. The game I’ve played the most is Carcassonne and it has so many wonderful expansions so I’d say that but closer runners up are Baseball Highlights 2045, The Making of the President, Pandemic Legacy to name a couple.
What message would you send to anyone thinking of joining the group?
Come along and have a go, board gaming is so much fun, you can meet new people, learn new things, enjoy a great cup of coffee and walk away with a smile… whether you win or lose.