Board Game Arena

Why do so many games that offer an official in-the-box solo mode, have it missing on BGA? Even if it's a simple beat your own score variant, it's often not offered here. Is this intentional or does it comes down to whoever is putting together the module for BGA? Using those modes would be my preferred manner to learn and get accustomed to a game before jumping into public matches, as currently it feels like you're expected to jump in blind beyond the tutorial here and there.

In some cases it may be due to the license not covering the solo mode.

In most cases, I guess it's lack of interest or motivation for the developer. Even if it's a relatively simple variant, it's not a negligible programming effort, and an additional piece of code to debug and maintain. For some games it would be quite a bit of additional work, with special rules and components. And in general, I don't think BGA prioritizes solo games.

Mathew_Williamson wrote: ↑15 June 2024, 19:28 Using those modes would be my preferred manner to learn and get accustomed to a game before jumping into public matches, as currently it feels like you're expected to jump in blind beyond the tutorial here and there.

I see that you are Premium. Premium users can start unranked games in Hotseat mode which would allow you to control multiple players to learn a game. I've only ever used it for that purpose, not to actually play against another person.

You can find the Hotseat option at the bottom of the list of friends after you click the button to invite specific people to the table.

Meeplelowda wrote: ↑15 June 2024, 21:42

Mathew_Williamson wrote: ↑15 June 2024, 19:28 Using those modes would be my preferred manner to learn and get accustomed to a game before jumping into public matches, as currently it feels like you're expected to jump in blind beyond the tutorial here and there.

I see that you are Premium. Premium users can start unranked games in Hotseat mode which would allow you to control multiple players to learn a game. I've only ever used it for that purpose, not to actually play against another person.

You can find the Hotseat option at the bottom of the list of friends after you click the button to invite specific people to the table.

Thank you for that advice, I did not know that I could do that!

Jellby wrote: ↑15 June 2024, 19:56 In some cases it may be due to the license not covering the solo mode.

In most cases, I guess it's lack of interest or motivation for the developer. Even if it's a relatively simple variant, it's not a negligible programming effort, and an additional piece of code to debug and maintain. For some games it would be quite a bit of additional work, with special rules and components. And in general, I don't think BGA prioritizes solo games.

What you're saying is correct, except 'I don't think BGA prioritizes solo games'.
Publishers grant the licenses and developers develop games, not BGA themselves.

When the game is developed under a freelance contract, developing solo mode costs more money, obviously.
So, the solo mode is more likely to be omitted during development process.
However, solo players have a fair share of the audience, so I always develop solo modes whenever possible.