Felber& #39;s rant à la listicle is worth reading for those of you within the industry as a demonstration of how not to use your voice. Like others have noticed, it is (perhaps intentionally) inflammatory and gatekeeping, and somewhat incoherent. Good writing it is not. https://twitter.com/BoardGameGeek/status/1248946148649418755">https://twitter.com/BoardGame...

It masks itself as a state-of-the-hobby address, but focuses mostly Felber& #39;s personal, frustrating experiences with an open gaming table. People who struggle with rules. People who bring greasy food. Other breaches of etiquette.

The only valid point I can find is the opening one- that many games aren’t adequately playtested. Felber says this is a new issue that didn’t exist in the “great era of German games.” But it’s always been an issue. There’s always updates, edits, FAQs.

Even that point, however, is better understood as a veiled attack on “Ameritrash” games like Eldritch Horror or Gloomhaven. It’s a remark of bias, not observation or honest criticism.

Felber’s main message, as I understand it, is that there are too many games being made and too many people are playing them, and he’s had enough. This message is not just gatekeepery, it’s elitist and ableist. You might find subtle misogynistic and racist overtones as well.

So, yes, as Efka said, good riddance to Felber and those like him. Games are for everyone. And there should be all types of them. You should play, design, discuss, and review whatever is fun, honest, and feeds your soul.