Developing a board game - punishments

[donkshow]

Hi everyone,

This is my first post, but I'm addicted to board games and am in the VERY early stages of developing my own. Before I get too far along, I wanted to ask a simple question or at least gauge the general opinion on one aspect of it.

What are everyone's thoughts on "punishments" in board games. Are most veteran players at this point more than comfortable and accepting of these? Or, are there still a lot of people that want to enjoy the forward progress of a position board game without having to deal with the hindrances of punishment cards?

Thanks for any advice you have!

[TheInquisitor]

This is a very open-ended question. I suggest you provide examples of "acceptable" punishments and "excessive" punishments in board game from your own experience. What some may call a "punishment" may be a "risk vs reward" thing.

In Lost Ruins of Arnak you may get a Fear Card but in return get some "more valuable" resource. Would that be considered a "punishment" for you in that context?

[Hervor]

It very much depends on the style of game you are trying to make. Are you trying to make Mario Kart or Forza Motorsport? In the first one, punishments are part of the experience, in the latter players would be (rightly) outraged.