Diversity in Gaming groups

GOF4 was a demonstration of diversity in gaming gatherings. For example:

* Three different congregations, separated by 80+ miles
* Range of ages, 40+ years (?)
* 47% girls (9 ladies, 10 guys)
* 14 different games played
* Long time serious gamers (Dave, Kevin, Doug, Mike S., Trudy), newbies (Mary, Rosanne, Nikki, Kate, Mike J.), and recent Euro-gamers (Al, Pat, Kim, Ben, Jared, Kyle, Marci, Caleb)
* 2-player abstract, dexterity, cards, city-building/trading, auction/building, area control and train games were all represented

There is no doubt in my mind that the diversity of the players and the games is a key to sustainment of boardgaming as a regular event at get-togethers. The more that you can involve wives, parents, kids, for example, the more the whole family can participate and encourage more play.

German-style games encourages diversity of players, by providing a few key elements:

Most German-style games have building, trading, or auctioning as key elements
Most German-style games are not conflict simulations
Most German-style games do not include elimination of players from play as a goal
Almost all German-style games include excellent quality components (often wood, and usually colorful)

Almost all German-style games can be completed in about 90 minutes
German style games generally have all players involved all the time
Just my thoughts - why do you think these types of games are so successful at our events?

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I'd also like to get your thoughts on a number of other topics, which we can talk about soon. Included in this list are: When shall we have our next event? How do we simplify the scorekeeping? Did we have too many folks, or too few, or just right? Was our event too long? etc. etc.!