51st State: Rebuild, Reshape, Reclaim

[HelenRB]

I don't really care what the game is about. I think releasing a game with this title under the current political climate is a bad idea. Now whenever people open the BGA app they have to see in big letters the sentence they're trying to avoid on the news.

Same.

I fully understand that this game is several years old, been fairly popular. I know Zee of the Dice Tower is a big fan. Igancy is polish (I believe), and that it has nothing to do with Canada as a 51 state.

However, this is horrible timing on the part of BGA, and they should be more aware of the current political climate. All this does is remind Canadian players of Trump's hurtful and aggressive Rhetoric. I don't feel that the game needs to be remade, re-themed, etc. But it was really poor judgement on those in charge at BGA to push this through. It's ignorance plain and simple. A lot of Americans view Trump's 51st state comments as "ah, whatever, he's just trolling" and they forget about it.

For Canada, it's a direct threat against our existence, it's not a game, it's not funny, it's not trolling. It's serious. At the very least, BGA should issue an apology.

I understand BGA's desire to try to remain strictly apolitical, but I didn't know how far they would go....until today.

Occasionally a newspaper will publish some content (a cartoon, a game/puzzle, etc.) that takes on an unintended meaning after it is released due to an unforeseen world event. They often apologize and acknowledge the unfortunate timing and even remove it from the online version.

This was likely an unforeseen circumstance when BGA negotiated the development of this title, but they were fully aware of the context in which they were releasing it. And while they may be contractually obligated to go forward with the release, they could have at least exhibited the smallest bit of self-awareness with their own statement acknowledging the awkward timing.

If they wanted to remain apolitical, they'd have postponed this.

[HelenRB]

Some things we can probably all agree on:

1. The publisher created and named this game years ago, long before its title could be triggering.

2. This release, was months (years?) in the making.

3. Given Bga’s history regarding inclusivity (think many translations, games from all over the world, not having an issue like this before, the ability to play so many free games on a standard account, the ability to gain a month at a time of free premium membership), one would think that bga did not intend to offend… I hope we can all get behind this one.

4. This release, at this time, with its title, in big letters, on the Home Screen, is notable. Unpleasant emotions were provoked. Feelings of many people are/were hurt. If you are someone whose emotions were not triggered, please continue enjoying your day, but it does *not* negate the fact that the emotions of many people were, in fact, engaged. Bga serves as an escape for many. As I’ve read in these comments, it did not function in that desired capacity today.

5. Assumptions about intent can, and often do, cause issues.

6. There are far better ways to communicate than name calling. Be it calling bga “tone deaf” or calling people “too sensitive” or “snowflakes”. We are all intelligent (an assumption I feel is safe to make - we can read rules and understand games) people here - calling someone a name says more about the offender’s ability to communicate than the target.

7. bga has, for as long as I’ve been a member (1 year), seemed to be apolitical. So it *is* surprising that - after so many comments regarding hurt feelings and shock - bga has not done something to address the situation.

8. While bga’s non-response is surprising… we don’t know what reason they have for holding off. There’s a multitude of possibilities. Maybe their PR team is helping them draft something. Maybe the person receiving these notifications is on vacation or has an emergency. Maybe their contract legally binds them to go through some hoops first. Maybe a drafted response is going through channels before being posted. Who knows, but I’d like to give bga the benefit of the doubt, for now at least.

9. Whatever the reason - I hope they’ll address it. For those who aren’t bothered by the title of this game, I’m going to give you the benefit of the doubt here (yikes, me assuming things - I’ll call myself a hypocrite before you can!) and assume that you don’t *enjoy* knowing others are hurting. So let’s all be kind to each other and hope that bga puts something out to address any of the negative emotions and feelings to which this release contributed.

10. We all love games here. Most of us are decent people. This game is probably a great game. The timing was unfortunate. Publishers, developers, volunteers, etc. spent lots of time and effort making it.
For those who enjoy this type of game, we should still give it a chance and try it.

For my opinion - I’m sorry to all those who felt any sort of way upon seeing this title. I’m sure it’s not how you wanted to start your day or evening or whatever else. It’s crappy and I hope you get a thoughtful response from bga.

Just because someone didn't mean to cause any harm doesn't mean they are absolved of any harm they caused.

[Meeplelowda]

If they wanted to remain apolitical, they'd have postponed this.

Perhaps, but remember that for many people the world over, if it doesn't affect them directly they are apathetic. Look at all the other posts in this thread saying "the world doesn't revolve around the US and Canada." Maybe someone from Ukraine can empathize, but clearly many others don't.

[Chester_Cheetah]

I realize this board game predates current issues, but this is a poor choice to feature at this particular point in time.

[MackMook]

There is always conflict in our world. the term 51st state has been used many times, including with regards the UK (my home). If you dont like it, don't play it. I support having something new to do, and if i were of a political bent then highlighting what the current president of the USA is pushing for actually supports awareness and resistance across the rest of the audience.

[suzer tulip]

This is inappropriate and I want this game removed. I am a Canadian and a premium subscriber. Canada will never be the 51st state. Respect our sovereignty. This game title is morally disgusting.

[suzer tulip]

A game called 51 state was always about Canada. Otherwise it would have been called the 100 state or the 78 state or the 11 state. As a premium subscriber, I want it removed. Or perhaps the game developer will rename it. Why did he say 51? Continental divide? This play has been happening for several years.

Change the title or remove the game.

[EllieK]

In a futuristic, dystopian fashion, discussing the 51st state is forbidden. If you Canadians think it somehow refers to you, you must wise up. You will never be the 51st state. We already have one. Don't fall for Donny's promise of 51. You would be the 52nd state. The good news is -- discussing the 52nd is encouraged. You can say whatever you want, make outlandish accusations, and completely miss the point. There are no guardrails. Have at it!

If Ignacy changed the title to "The 52nd State" would that be OK? Or now that I've pointed this out would the ire just move to the next number?

[TheNameWasTaken]

A game called 51 state was always about Canada.

Citation needed. You do realize the game is 15 years old, right?

[Gracjan]

There is always conflict in our world. the term 51st state has been used many times, including with regards the UK (my home). (...)

There is an excellent New Model Army song titled "51st state" back from 80's. Sadly the original video clip is no longer available on YT (or at least I can not trace it). The song has not lost any bit of its relevance, the only difference now is the target.

As to the game itselt. It has a successor titled "New Era" https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/96007/the-new-era
Both games share the same mechanics, New Era being just polished a bit. To avoid or at least reduce the scale of turmoil, I would consider changing the name of the one actually published on BGA (which should not be a legal issue as both games have the same copyright, ownership ect).

Anyway - keep on boardgaming in a free world!