Man Who Spent $400 On Board Game Has Played It Once And Describes It As 'Essential'

A board game enthusiast in Minneapolis has described a $400 Kickstarter-exclusive game that he has played exactly once as "essential to any serious collection," a claim his wife has described as "a creative use of the word essential." Graham Cardboard, 37, backed the game — a cooperative campaign adventure with 847 components and a rulebook the length of a novella — during its crowdfunding campaign eighteen months ago. It arrived in March, was punched and organized over a weekend, played once in April, and has occupied an entire shelf since. "The play we had was incredible," Graham insisted. "We only got through the tutorial scenario, but the potential is obvious. It's a game you invest in. Like fine wine, it needs time." The game's 847 components are stored in a custom organizer insert that Graham purchased separately for $65, bringing his total investment in one evening of entertainment to $465. "I've calculated the value per potential play," Graham explained, producing a spreadsheet. "If I play it the recommended 47 times over the campaign, that's $9.89 per session. Very reasonable." His wife noted that $9.89 per session requires 46 more plays, and that the family's gaming group has already moved on to a card game that costs $15 and fits in a pocket. Graham's collection currently contains 312 games, of which he estimates approximately 40 have been played more than twice. He describes the remaining 272 as "aspirational acquisitions" and maintains that he will get to them, eventually, possibly after retirement.