Why do people think carcassonne is a "friendly" game?

[Meeplelowda]

If they truly think so, they should contact the designer and persuade that the strategy they don't like is against the game's spirit or something.
Blocking players are playing in the boundary of rules, and blaming a valid strategy is nothing but an approach assured to fail.
For the recent example on BGA, look at Obsession: It really happened and the designer acted.

I'm fascinated, although if something depends so much on IRL politeness, then it feels like more an activity than a game. But that's just my perspective...

[fluffy-chick]

People are totally incensed by playing as you suggest and as I play. I'm constantly having people leave games and getting the message that a significant proportion of players don't want to play with me. Bugs the hell out of me. Do they play chess without taking their opponent's pieces?

[Heikai]

I like Carcassonne specifically because it's so aggressive/interactive. Rage quitting and whiny opponents have a weak-minded mentality which prevents them from learning and getting better.

[smich]

My five cents: I like when people play well and smart without pushing other players. It is for me the issue of BEAUTY of the game and some people play so well with strategic thinking and knowledge and all that without predator strategies (blocking others whenever possible)...
I don't respect predator players, but find it a challenge to play with them. Everyone brings themselves to the table...
I often just observe how some players misuse the weak players... Like in RL, no need to humiliate others... esspecially just to win points...

[Strode]

My five cents: I like when people play well and smart without pushing other players. It is for me the issue of BEAUTY of the game and some people play so well with strategic thinking and knowledge and all that without predator strategies (blocking others whenever possible)...
I don't respect predator players, but find it a challenge to play with them. Everyone brings themselves to the table...
I often just observe how some players misuse the weak players... Like in RL, no need to humiliate others... esspecially just to win points...

But what you call predator strategies isn't intended to humiliate others. And in fact, it doesn't *humiliate* others any more than me capturing your bishop in Chess would. It's an interactive, competitive game. Why think of it as humiliating?

The argument in favor of playing "unfriendly" is that it makes the game more complex. I have to anticipate whether I'm giving someone else the chance to steal a road from me. I have to think more about what others might do. the complexity comes from the players, not the game rules.

[ReblScum]

I imagine these folks trying to play football by setting up some creative offensive strategy, then becoming irate when a defender steals the ball.

[Robarkson]

My theory is that people who make these complaints are playing against players who are too strong for them. A lot of people just play casually and think they are "good" and then they get exposed to strong players and they get clobbered. It is a rude awakening and some people don't handle it well. When someone whips me I try to figure how they did it so I can return the favor.

[thx3811]

I don't agree with you. You start a game mostly to play and have fun with ppl. When you play a game you want to enjoy it. If you aggressively block every move of your opponent, your opponent finally is out of meeples and can't play any longer but the game must continue. It's not a multiple player game anymore when you're the one who can still move. Carcasonne is not chess where blocking your opponent usually means the game is immidiately or very soon over. No one wants to waste own time in a game only your opponent is allowed to play. Also you know perfectly that blocking tactic is very frustrating to your opponent. Would you treat your friend the same way playing Carcassonne, sitting across the table and watching him getting upset? Only if you were a psychopath, I guess. Also, you have to realize ppl won't likely play with you again, and get you on their thumb down list if you block agressively.
For me personally blocking is the last resort tactic, when at the end of a game you fight for a field with someone and your scores are close. Other than that I find it quite a dishonourable way of playing.

[Ceaseless]

I don't agree with you. You start a game mostly to play and have fun with ppl. When you play a game you want to enjoy it. If you aggressively block every move of your opponent, your opponent finally is out of meeples and can't play any longer but the game must continue. It's not a multiple player game anymore when you're the one who can still move. Carcasonne is not chess where blocking your opponent usually means the game is immidiately or very soon over. No one wants to waste own time in a game only your opponent is allowed to play. Also you know perfectly that blocking tactic is very frustrating to your opponent. Would you treat your friend the same way playing Carcassonne, sitting across the table and watching him getting upset? Only if you were a psychopath, I guess. Also, you have to realize ppl won't likely play with you again, and get you on their thumb down list if you block agressively.
For me personally blocking is the last resort tactic, when at the end of a game you fight for a field with someone and your scores are close. Other than that I find it quite a dishonourable way of playing.

Why indeed, Carcassonne is about having fun, meaning playing by the rules. If one player has won, the other can concede, no issues there. But trying to force your opponent to not block is against the spirit of the game. It would not be advisable to have such a pathetically underhanded cheater as a friend. Blocking is no more objectively frustrating than any other part of the game.

Naturally, I use simple methods to weed out the anti-blockers from my tables and ban them from my games, which has greatly improved my experience on the site. I would encourage all users to do the same and improve the quality of their games. Cheaters have no place at the game table.

[thx3811]

Why indeed, Carcassonne is about having fun, meaning playing by the rules. If one player has won, the other can concede, no issues there. But trying to force your opponent to not block is against the spirit of the game. It would not be advisable to have such a pathetically underhanded cheater as a friend. Blocking is no more objectively frustrating than any other part of the game.

Naturally, I use simple methods to weed out the anti-blockers from my tables and ban them from my games, which has greatly improved my experience on the site. I would encourage all users to do the same and improve the quality of their games. Cheaters have no place at the game table.

But do you really enjoy a game where you blocked your opponent at the very beginning and you know you're gonna win anyway but both of you have to pointlessly play at least till the mid of the game when your blocked opponent can concede? How this could be fun? There is no challenge for you in it. It's so boring frankly. What about situation when there are three or more players and only one of them is blocked and can't concede? You just having fun knowing one player is forced to play without any joy, just wasting his/her time? Would you play like that with your siblings or friends?