Post by Whiterook on Dec 8, 2022 10:33:45 GMT -5
ME
So disclaimer here… I’ve believed for many years now, that I have a touch of OCD. I guess it would be diagnosed as super mild, as it’s not noticeable to anyone (so far as I can tell), and I don’t really notice it often. Little weird things, like having to recheck that a cat didn’t walk into the fridge by opening the door again once or twice; I have to recheck empty hotel drawers and the closet several times before check out… those are the two that I can think of offhand, so you see, it’s nothing hardcore.
I used to be a Perfectionist… probably still am to some small degree, but I’ve worked on that greatly over the years. When I went to Art School, every work needed to be perfect, and that took my entire first year to get over (but I DID get over it!). When I work on anything, I am extremely detailed and diligent… that came in handy in my work life. I expect a very high level product from myself, though I don’t transfer that on others.
I’m talking about this because, I’ve also wondered if the above — both or separate — have anything to do with how I learn games.
Take the Compass Games game I am learning now, Pacific Tide… I’ve read the rulebook cover to cover once, stepped away a day or two and read it again, cover to cover. A few more days have gone by and I’m now skimming through twice. Granted, the rules are a bit fragmented, with same mechanic items listed in different sections, and the overall writing is a bit sketch… but still, That’s a lot of reading! There’s something about the way my brain works that I almost have to memorize most of the rules, but certainly have them down substantially pat before I start playing. Is that the Perfectionist in me? Is it OCD? …probably more the former, with a touch of the latter.
It’s kinda embarrassing to talk about this actually, but perhaps someone reading this will think, “…hey, I’m not alone!”.
I used to also think, maybe the severe burn out I suffered through at work was a factor in this. I swear I have PTSD from my last position. Hard to say what role that played, though I am certain it did.
OTHERS
I’ve talked with other gamers about how they approach learning a game. Well, that’s all over the board, pun intended! It seems the majority of folks read the rules once and dive in, flipping back through the rulebook as they go, figuring out the nuisances. They admit to *playing it wrong*, and fixing that through subsequent plays. This seems the most reasonable approach to me, and perhaps something I need to work on trying/achieving.
I’ve talked to gamers that skim quickly, then set up a scenario and work through it with the rulebook and player aids. I know I can’t do this presently… I’ve never been good at skimming or speed reading; I’ve had massive issues with that back in my school days, and reading a book these days is slow going for me.
In the extreme (in my terms, anyway)… The ones that truly baffle me are the guys and gals that sit at the table and learn as they go (not having read the rules beforehand). I have NO idea how that’s even possible! One gamer friend of mind plays endless new games week after week this way… truly baffling!
Perhaps there are other *methods*. I don’t know.
And then there’s the *Learn on the Spot* situation, where you sit down and someone teaches you a game that you’ve never played, this being from scratch and on-the-fly. I see gamers have no issues with his… I feel somewhat comfortable with attempting this, but also feel like my head is going to burst open sometimes. Most gamers are VERY nice folk, that usually try and walk you though the process in an easygoing manner. Thank goodness!
It’s disconcerting me sometimes, because it feels so overwhelming… I’ll play a game like Lock ‘N Load Tactical, where a year or more will go by, and there I am, trying to relearn the whole damned system. I d9nt even want to talk about Advanced Squad Leader Starter Kit!
…but, it doesn’t dissuade be from continuing to be a gamer and wargamer. It’s just part of the journey for me.
So disclaimer here… I’ve believed for many years now, that I have a touch of OCD. I guess it would be diagnosed as super mild, as it’s not noticeable to anyone (so far as I can tell), and I don’t really notice it often. Little weird things, like having to recheck that a cat didn’t walk into the fridge by opening the door again once or twice; I have to recheck empty hotel drawers and the closet several times before check out… those are the two that I can think of offhand, so you see, it’s nothing hardcore.
I used to be a Perfectionist… probably still am to some small degree, but I’ve worked on that greatly over the years. When I went to Art School, every work needed to be perfect, and that took my entire first year to get over (but I DID get over it!). When I work on anything, I am extremely detailed and diligent… that came in handy in my work life. I expect a very high level product from myself, though I don’t transfer that on others.
I’m talking about this because, I’ve also wondered if the above — both or separate — have anything to do with how I learn games.
Take the Compass Games game I am learning now, Pacific Tide… I’ve read the rulebook cover to cover once, stepped away a day or two and read it again, cover to cover. A few more days have gone by and I’m now skimming through twice. Granted, the rules are a bit fragmented, with same mechanic items listed in different sections, and the overall writing is a bit sketch… but still, That’s a lot of reading! There’s something about the way my brain works that I almost have to memorize most of the rules, but certainly have them down substantially pat before I start playing. Is that the Perfectionist in me? Is it OCD? …probably more the former, with a touch of the latter.
It’s kinda embarrassing to talk about this actually, but perhaps someone reading this will think, “…hey, I’m not alone!”.
I used to also think, maybe the severe burn out I suffered through at work was a factor in this. I swear I have PTSD from my last position. Hard to say what role that played, though I am certain it did.
OTHERS
I’ve talked with other gamers about how they approach learning a game. Well, that’s all over the board, pun intended! It seems the majority of folks read the rules once and dive in, flipping back through the rulebook as they go, figuring out the nuisances. They admit to *playing it wrong*, and fixing that through subsequent plays. This seems the most reasonable approach to me, and perhaps something I need to work on trying/achieving.
I’ve talked to gamers that skim quickly, then set up a scenario and work through it with the rulebook and player aids. I know I can’t do this presently… I’ve never been good at skimming or speed reading; I’ve had massive issues with that back in my school days, and reading a book these days is slow going for me.
In the extreme (in my terms, anyway)… The ones that truly baffle me are the guys and gals that sit at the table and learn as they go (not having read the rules beforehand). I have NO idea how that’s even possible! One gamer friend of mind plays endless new games week after week this way… truly baffling!
Perhaps there are other *methods*. I don’t know.
And then there’s the *Learn on the Spot* situation, where you sit down and someone teaches you a game that you’ve never played, this being from scratch and on-the-fly. I see gamers have no issues with his… I feel somewhat comfortable with attempting this, but also feel like my head is going to burst open sometimes. Most gamers are VERY nice folk, that usually try and walk you though the process in an easygoing manner. Thank goodness!
It’s disconcerting me sometimes, because it feels so overwhelming… I’ll play a game like Lock ‘N Load Tactical, where a year or more will go by, and there I am, trying to relearn the whole damned system. I d9nt even want to talk about Advanced Squad Leader Starter Kit!
…but, it doesn’t dissuade be from continuing to be a gamer and wargamer. It’s just part of the journey for me.
