Like a low opinion, not like a ghost.
Today, a friend taught me the board game Brass Birmingham. There’s one rule in the game – the rule that you can sell any and all of your items in one fell swoop – that I forgot. And my friend mentioned it specifically! During his beginning explanation, he had specifically said, “The first few times we played the game, we got this rule wrong.”
And the explainer video had mentioned it.
And I just… forgot.
It was a pivotal rule. I would have played entirely differently.
The culprit?
- Me. I was told: fair play.
- The tiny little reference card that the game gives each player. If they phrased the card differently, it would be obvious!
I used to playtest games. I don’t know how this one slipped by them. A simple rephrasing would have changed the whole game.
In a game that’s essentially just minutiae, way to tank the whole thing.
Harrumph.
I didn’t like this one rule mistake. I liked the rest of the game. In a large, intricate system, one small mistake can sink the ship.
(Apparently, in reprints they have rephrased it. Grumble grumble.)
—
Also, a humorous exchange while Parnter and I packed up our apartment ahead of renovations:
Me: “Our relationship is really grating on me.”
Partner: “Our relationship is really great!”
Communication is the key to all good relationships.
Julian Wise 