Beyond the Bank Account: What Actually Makes Me Hit “Add to Cart”?

Besides your bank balance, what really influences your purchase decisions? Is it shelf space? Theme? FOMO? All of the above? For me, the itch starts right about now. Convention season is upon us. I am not a fan of massive crowds. The odds of seeing me physically wandering a convention hall are slim to none. But I follow the releases like a hawk. It all starts with UKGE buzz. There is something about that first wave of games hitting the wild like the UKGE Preview that gets me going

I start looking for designers I love (anything Knizia or Phil Walker-Harding is an immediate tell me more). I look for publishers that already take up half my shelf space. It is also about the new-new. I love seeing a fresh mechanic or a breathtaking artist or designer I have never heard of. By the time the Spiel des Jahres nominations come out, the Gen Con and PAX hype follow. My Short List becomes a mile long. There is a specific kind of thrill in seeing a game you already played like Flip 7 get that nomination. It is like being the first person to discover a band before they go mainstream

That is when I start getting excited about the holidays. I am always dreaming of the next trip. I joke to my family that I am a Delta window seat kinda person. I truly believe experiences are the best gifts. If you are not willing to come on a trip with me, get me a game. And for the love of my dogs, please let me buy the game. A board game gift card is a perfect substitute. We can explore those new worlds from the comfort of a table. It is a way for us to create a new experience together. Plus, it avoids the awkwardness of a duplicate game or something I don't actually care about

Even with all that expert validation, I still judge a book by its cover. If the art is stunning, it goes on the list. I want components that make me want to reach through the screen and touch them. Whether I am scrolling through a new Kickstarter or wandering the aisles of Millennium Games, here is what really influences my purchase decisions:

The Shelfie Space Audit

We’ve all been there. You see a beautiful box, sometimes too big for comfort (Galactic Cruise comes to mind). Your first thought isn’t how to play it. Instead it’s, where on the Kallax does this fit? Lately, I’ve been leaning heavily toward small box energy. There is something so satisfying about a game that packs a bunch without requiring a new Kallax unit. If a game is compact enough to travel or fit into a tiny corner, it is halfway into my cart. But even small boxes add up. To keep that small box energy from turning into a big room problem, I am continually cleaning house. I gift, resell, and donate games at least twice a year

We have a 500-game maximum rule. I want to go crazy and shrink that number to 400. That means being ruthless. If a game hasn't hit the table in a year, it is usually time to say goodbye. Of course, some games are safe forever. Some, like Catan, are rarely even looked at. But they were a huge part of my journey as a gamer. They represent the experiences that got me here, and we’ve packed 4 expansions with 3d printed components into the original box, so this one and others will never be removed

The Used Gem Exhilaration

I am a board game thriftaholic (read my full ramble). Sometimes the decision to buy is just about the thrill of the find. I believe board games do not have to be new to be legendary. When I see a masterpiece like Dominion or Jump Drive in the used bin for a steal, my finger moves on its own. I love giving a vintage classic a second chance. I already own those two. But if one of my friends does not have it, I immediately grab them as gifts. Otherwise, I just stand in the used aisle having an irrational, quiet rant. Who would get rid of these? What a shame! 

My strategy for the used section is simple. Take your time. I pull the game off the shelf and start counting. I check the cards and inspect the tokens. I want to feel the vibe of the game. Most importantly, I try not to look at BoardGameGeek. If the art, tokens, or cards drew me in, I don’t want a rating to deter me from a really good find. Sometimes you just have to trust the box. You can always curse yourself out later if you made a grave mistake

The Two-Player Compatibility

It is no secret that my favorite gaming partner is my wife. I am always looking for how a game scales. A 1-5 player count is fine. But if the community says it is best at two, my interest triples. I want games that feel intentional for our dynamic. I do not want multiplayer solitaire where we just happen to be sitting across from each other. I still refuse to play Codenames Duet because it drives me up a wall. I would get rid of it. She loves it, so we play that game occasionally. Furthermore, that game will probably be on my shelf FOREVER! It is just another argument I am destined to lose

Components and Aesthetic

I am a tactile gamer. Deluxe editions are my kryptonite if they have superb components. The click of a thick poker chip matters. The snap of a card and the weight of a metal coin is exhilarating. If a publisher puts love into production, it shows they care about the player. If it includes a yellow meeple (my go-to) or a purple or red one (her favorites), it feels made for our next adventure. Whoops. Added to cart!

Trusting the Gut, Not the Geek

I have stopped obsessing over BoardGameGeek ratings. If I took every rating below 7 as gospel, I would have missed many hidden gems. Sometimes you have to trust the box art and your own intuition. If it looks like a good time, it probably is

The Super Discounted "Why Not?"

There is something about trying to hit a free shipping minimum. Or I am walking the aisles of my favorite store and see 70% off. A game for less than 20 bucks with potential? I am in. We have been surprised many times. We have also started the rulebook, played one round, and realized we made a mistake. Burn it! Just kidding. But mistakes have definitely been made

What about you? 

When you are looking at that complete order button, or are ready to check out, what tips the scales? Is it the designer? The player count? Or are you just looking for a game that fits in your bag for the next trip?