Board Game Arena

The game is great but I think it's possible that seeing your opponent's moves can influence you to play a certain way (like not using your worker if you see the spot that you want for the upcoming quadrant is still open). In a game with undos, theres a huge advantage if you can watch your opponent's moves first before locking in your own. Perhaps we can have an option that hides all the options until you have ended your turn / the end turn button being a hard end with no backsies so that players cant do intel on their opponent? *im guessing this wrinkle in the game might make IRL gaming a bit frustrating as well.

IRL I imagine it is more fast paced and also it is not super competitive game. I totally agree for BGA though. Especially if you play turn based it can be a huge advantage knowing which workers your opponent has locked up and where you can not get blocked. It should be the mode for arena for sure.

So I have become a bit obsessed with this game, and decided to watch a few replays to see how some people play.

After watching some games, I totally agree with you, as there are some (not all, but a decent amount) where I can see players waiting to commit their turn until others have moved. There was a table I just watched where a very good player made one move to seemingly end the game, only to then change their move entirely once their opponents had committed to what they thought was their final move. I can see how that false move won them the game, as they got a turn extra effectively (the others had spent their workers on age 3 places / resources). It’s a shame to see play like that, but it totally justifies adding a hidden move mechanic to deter people who ‘win’ that way.


Edit: I even had a case of this myself just now — my own analysis paralysis caused me to rethink, which messed up the plans for the others players. Horrible feeling, and blind moves would really prevent that from happening

I have seen it too, especially in tournament play. Perhaps keeps as-is for real-time games, allow optional visible/hidden moves until all commit in turn-based games, and make tournament/arena play mandatory hidden moves until all players commit?

I too would like that. For all ways if playing.

IRL, you can tell if someone is spending more focus on what you are doing than what they are doing. You can then choose to not play games with them. Online it could be that someone got pulled away mid-turn.