Board Game Arena

Sometimes I meet people who are keen to play board games on BGA, but don't know any or don't want to play any specific ones. Sometimes they're shy or unsure of their ability to play. What would be your game choice(s) to help people get accustomed with online board games and BGA as a whole?

My first thought are simple games with easy rules or some elements of luck involved. Super Mega Lucky Box, Cat Cafe, Carcassonne, 6 Nimmt come to mind.

I'm curious about other players' opinions. What would be your pick? And then, what would you use to transition into something more complicated?

For a first game, that is only meant to familiarize someone with the platform, I would probably go with a game they know in real life.
Even if your friends haven't played many board games until know, they have probably played a game of Yahtzee or Chinese Checkers in the past.

I haven't played with friends, who are new to board games immediately on boardgamearnea, but when it comes to introducing people IRL to board games, I usually start with a family game. My personal go to is Elfenland, but Carcassonne is a good one too.

When it comes to transitioning to something more complicated, I think games with expansions/ different game options are good. Start with the base game and then add complexity. Cooperative games also work, as long as you are the type of person, that can be a bit hands off, even if new players make non-ideal choices.

When I recommended the site to my boyfriend we played Go Fish. A simple card game we played in real life.. I think the best first game is one that

• Doesn't have too many mechanics

• The person already knows

• Works well on mobile (if the player uses a mobile)

When it comes to more complex games most of the time I struggle myself with the tutorials on BGA. So I would show someone a video from a channel such as Watch it Played.. once they understand the board game by itself, the BGA version makes much more visual sense!

Thanks for responses! Both of you made good points!