How do you learn games?

Sammy McSam · Post by **Sammy McSam** » 19 July 2025, 21:47

Just curious

Jellby · Post by **Jellby** » 20 July 2025, 07:55

Does a PDF count as "physical rules"?

cigma · Post by **cigma** » 20 July 2025, 09:08

I use BGA rules summary / wiki only, If I can't learn the game by a video / tutorial / friend / rulebook, so I didn't mark it. I sometimes use replays to learn more about the strategy, but not for getting familar with the game itself. So I didn't mark that one either.

Sammy McSam · Post by **Sammy McSam** » 20 July 2025, 18:09

Jellby wrote: ↑20 July 2025, 07:55 Does a PDF count as "physical rules"?

How did you get the PDF?
I think I'd choose the "BoardGameGeek.com / other games website" option.
I only read physical rules when I have a physical game in front of me.

cigma wrote: ↑20 July 2025, 09:08 I use BGA rules summary / wiki only, If I can't learn the game by a video / tutorial / friend / rulebook, so I didn't mark it. I sometimes use replays to learn more about the strategy, but not for getting familar with the game itself. So I didn't mark that one either.

I'm similar. There's no right or wrong here

Strode · Post by **Strode** » 21 July 2025, 00:07

I would count PDFs as physical rules because they are replications of the rule book.

But it depends on what we're trying to learn with the survey:
Do people prefer learning digitally versus the traditional way?
Or, do people like reading the rule book directly (regardless of format) versus getting their rules second hand?

PDF is digital but first hand. I always prefer first hand, whether a physical rule book or PDF. But it's sometimes harder to understand the rules without the board set-up in front of me, so PDF often goes with watching a video for me.

DoctorFianchetto · Post by **DoctorFianchetto** » 31 July 2025, 18:53

Depends on the complexity of the game.

The majority of the time, the BGA tutorial is enough. For moderate complexity games I may check out the PDF rulebook after the tutorial if I am unsure about certain things. Actually playing the game after completing the tutorial may reveal more mechanics in which I need to consult the rulebook.

For more complex games, the tutorial and rulebook may not be enough, in which case I head to YouTube. I did this for Ark Nova.

Meeplelowda · Post by **Meeplelowda** » 31 July 2025, 22:44

DoctorFianchetto wrote: ↑31 July 2025, 18:53 For more complex games, the tutorial and rulebook may not be enough, in which case I head to YouTube. I did this for Ark Nova.

Same for Anachrony. I think I even watched the same video twice.

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