The Immersionist
“Why, R’lyeh is beautiful this time of year!”

 

 

Immersionists adore games with lots of character. Intricate pieces, beautiful boards, and clever flavor text are details the Immersionist looks for when choosing a game. These players come to the table to engage in an alternate life – whether they’re fighting a troll or building an island, they dive into that game world. They enjoy rich games that drip with theme, and though it is easy to see them enjoying a traditional role-playing game, that is hardly the only setting they are attracted to.

Any game that allows an Immersionist to delve deep into the landscape being presented to them will be highly sought after. Traditionally this is been the domain of tabletop games, such as Dungeons & Dragons, where the entire experience is played out solely through expansive and verdant imaginary scenarios. In these, there are no boundaries to what is possible, and the game is as complex and fulfilling as what the Immersionist contributes to and receives from it. However, though they may enjoy role-playing games, they approach other games in similar ways. Games that provide a specific hero or faction to play are also popular, as are those that convey a game’s back story and intent. If they have a set character, they’re going to try to play it well within the confines of the genre and rules. For an Immersionist, the more of these factors, the better.

Because flavor trumps mechanics, Immersionists don’t necessarily have any subtype of game that they enjoy or should avoid. However, games that don’t allow for any engrossing experience, such as traditional card games, are unlikely to hold an Immersionist’s interest. Additionally, because of their reliance on flavor and theme, they’re unlikely to enjoy games whose setting they just don’t find attractive. A player who has no interest in the railroad, then, will not want to play Ticket to Ride, just as a player with a love of economics would greatly enjoy Power Grid. Conversely, some Immersionists may not enjoy games that force them to repeatedly change their identity as the game progresses, as it allows little time for depth or world building. As such, the specific tastes of Immersionists can be difficult to generalize, but if they find a game’s setting favorable, they’ll most certainly want to go back again.

 

Recommended Games:

• Arkham Horror
• Dungeons & Dragons
• Reiner Knizia’s Lord of the Rings