Board Game Arena

We can chose flexible for all other game options. Why can't we do the same for number of players?

We used to be able to years ago. Removing that was one of the biggest steps back this site has taken.

If you use the Play Now link at the top of the screen, and then switch from Manual to Automatic, you will arrive at a more powerful game lobby.
Add the games you are interested in, and then click the gear icon next to them. You can then configure every game option exactly how you like, including number of players.

Shivaware wrote: ↑07 December 2024, 06:15 If you use the Play Now link at the top of the screen, and then switch from Manual to Automatic, you will arrive at a more powerful game lobby.
Add the games you are interested in, and then click the gear icon next to them. You can then configure every game option exactly how you like, including number of players.

That's right, I almost forgot about the more powerful options. Thanks for the tip!

Shivaware wrote: ↑07 December 2024, 06:15 If you use the Play Now link at the top of the screen, and then switch from Manual to Automatic, you will arrive at a more powerful game lobby.
Add the games you are interested in, and then click the gear icon next to them. You can then configure every game option exactly how you like, including number of players.

The fact that questions like the OP's question keep getting asked and this is the solution is the reason for my forum signature.

Meeplelowda wrote: ↑10 December 2024, 23:08

Shivaware wrote: ↑07 December 2024, 06:15 If you use the Play Now link at the top of the screen, and then switch from Manual to Automatic, you will arrive at a more powerful game lobby.
Add the games you are interested in, and then click the gear icon next to them. You can then configure every game option exactly how you like, including number of players.

The fact that questions like the OP's question keep getting asked and this is the solution is the reason for my forum signature.

I think the reason is that, at first glance, the "Play Now" lobby looks like it would provide LESS customizability.

Itap8 wrote: ↑15 July 2025, 12:07

Meeplelowda wrote: ↑10 December 2024, 23:08

Shivaware wrote: ↑07 December 2024, 06:15 If you use the Play Now link at the top of the screen, and then switch from Manual to Automatic, you will arrive at a more powerful game lobby.
Add the games you are interested in, and then click the gear icon next to them. You can then configure every game option exactly how you like, including number of players.

The fact that questions like the OP's question keep getting asked and this is the solution is the reason for my forum signature.

I think the reason is that, at first glance, the "Play Now" lobby looks like it would provide LESS customizability.

I totally get that unless your account predates the newer lobbies, many people don't know what is available under Play Now. In both overt (recently*) and subtle ways they are steering people away from the Play Now lobby. My fear is that one day it will go away entirely, but only those of us who heavily use it (almost exclusively) will know what we're missing.


*Until they undo it, I'm just going to assert that the new behavior of redirecting people to the top level of the site instead of the Play Now lobby after a game is completed is a deliberate decision to discourage the use of the Play Now lobby.

trojanrabbit wrote: ↑07 December 2024, 05:52 We used to be able to years ago. Removing that was one of the biggest steps back this site has taken.

The old game preference settings were so much better. I really hate how the site uses the "simplified" settings I feel like you lose out on so much now. It's difficult to even get more than one game up and running for real time.