CMON Feature Friday: Have Games, Will Travel

Sure, we love hosting game nights, but let’s face it, sometimes you have to go on the road to get your game on. Whether you’re planning on travelling to a friend’s house for a quick session, heading off to a cottage for a weekend of sun, BBQ, and of course games, or backpacking in South America, packing right will ensure you get the most out of your games!

For this week’s CMON Feature Friday, we’re giving you some tips on how to plan and pack for a gaming adventure out in the wild!

One of a Kind

When you’re pulling games off your shelf to take on the road, consider the titles you pick. You may love worker placement or dexterity games, but how many of each do you really need? Choosing selectively will help you keep your numbers lower and probably make you decide on the game you most want to play, anyway. If absolutely NEED five deckbuilders, then have at it, but limiting yourself might make your life easier.

Think Outside the Box

We love how our games look on the shelves with their pretty packaging and beautiful cover art, but occasionally there is a lot of wasted space in those boxes. Consider taking out the necessary components and repacking them in a smaller container, or even plastic bag. Another option is packing several different games into one box. It will require tapping into your Tetris-like arranging skills, but you’d be surprised how much space some creative packing can save.

Consider Your Destination

If you know the gaming situation in your final destination, then you can pack accordingly. Going to a convention or friend’s house means you can probably bring any type of game. But if you’re going to be spending time in hostels, or on beaches, or at street-side cafes, you might not be getting many rounds of Arcadia Quest: Inferno to the table. Plan to have games with you that you’ll actually get a chance to play, and the end result is that you’ll get to play them a lot more often. Another thing to consider when traveling with games is the environment of the places you’ll be visiting. Some games will do better than others in wet or humid conditions, so keep that in mind and pack accordingly.

The People on the Other Side

If you’re traveling to a friend’s house, chances are you know the types of games they’re going to be into, but that’s not always the case. You may be on your way to a local meetup or open game night. Maybe you’ll be in a part of the world where language can be a barrier, or local customs are different from your own. The point is, take into consideration who you’re likely to play with and what sorts of games would be appropriate.

How Are You Getting There

There’s a big difference between loading up your trunk full of games on the way to your FLGS and filling a backpack on your way to the airport. Whatever you decide to bring along, you’re going to have to lug it around. Think about the weight, size, and shape of the games you set aside, and consider if the amount of plays you’ll get out of them warrants the headache you’ll have carting them from place to place. This is not meant to discourage you from bringing as many games as possible, just a reminder that you’ll have that weight with you wherever you go. It may not seem like a lot when you first throw it in your bag, but when you’re hiking the Inca Trail or trying to squeeze on to a subway in London, you’ll be glad you made some cuts to all the games you initially wanted to have along with you.

These are just some simple, common sense tips on how to get the most out of gaming while on the road. What are your travel tips? Let us know on Facebook and Twitter using the hashtag #CMONFeatureFriday.

CMON Feature Friday: Have Games, Will Travel

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