Striving for Achievements - the difference between achievement play and striving play (Topic Discussion)

Striving for Achievements - the difference between achievement play and striving play (Topic Discussion)

Author: Tabletop Games Blog September 1, 2026 Duration: 11:51

When I play a board game with my friends, I know that they have the same intention: to win. Yet, they actually all want quite different things. One friend is happiest when they find a strategy that works and keeps working. Another wants to take a game apart until they understand the most efficient route to victory. I want to win too, but as a reviewer, I am usually more interested in understanding what a game is trying to do, how its mechanisms produce an experience and how the people around the table respond. Listening to episode 673 of the 99% Invisible podcast, I found that C. Thi Nguyen, a philosophy lecturer at the University of Utah and author of the book "The Score", has really well described these differing expectations of wanting to win a board game.

Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2026/09/01/striving-for-achievements-the-difference-between-achievement-play-and-striving-play-topic-discussion/

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(Photo by Eunice De Guzman on Unsplash)


Dive into the world of modern board gaming with the Tabletop Games Blog-board game reviews and discussions with a personal touch. This isn't a formal critique from afar; it's a conversation at the table. Each episode unpacks a specific game, whether it's a brain-burning strategy title, a clever indie gem, or a chaotic party favourite that gets everyone laughing. The discussion goes beyond simple rules explanations to consider how a game feels to play, the artistry of its components and table presence, and the unique experiences it creates around the table. Since starting in 2018, the podcast has built a library covering everything from dexterity challenges and card games to expansive hobby board games, always with an accessible, personal perspective. The focus is on genuine insight over a rigid schedule, so from 2025 onwards, episodes arrive when they're fully ready, ensuring every review and thought piece is thoughtful and complete. It’s crafted for players of all types, from those just discovering modern games to seasoned enthusiasts looking for their next favourite. You'll find honest reflections on gameplay and design, making this podcast a reliable companion for deciding what to bring to your next game night.
Author: Language: en-gb Episodes: 50

Tabletop Games Blog - board game reviews and discussions with a personal touch
Podcast Episodes
Bus & Stop (Saturday Review) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:15
The morning rush is already gathering. Passengers wait patiently at the stop, each with somewhere to be, while your little bus rolls into position. You have room for ten, perhaps eleven if you are feeling optimistic, alt…
Obsession (Digital Eyes) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:17
The morning begins with the sound of servants moving furniture. The dining room needs preparing, invitations need sending, and someone has decided that the garden requires attention before our guests arrive. Money is fin…
Let's Make a Bus Route: The Dice Game (Saturday Review) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:32
Bus headquarters was busy. We were still trying to figure out the best route to pick up passengers and deliver them to their destinations. The job was made harder because our competitors were vying for the same customers…
Magic Tricks - what makes trick-taking games great (Topic Discussion) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:08
Trick-taking games have been around for centuries, and they continue to inspire new designs. Everyone has their own idea of what makes for a great trick-taking game, but mine was shaped by growing up in Germany playing S…
Korpi (Saturday Review) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:45
The forest seems to close behind you with every step. Pine needles soften your footsteps, branches catch at your clothes, and the trail you followed an hour ago has somehow disappeared. You have been searching for the la…
The New Old - classic games vs the cult of the new (Topic Discussion) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:26
Like a lot of people, the board game hotness excites me because it potentially offers new mechanisms or clever twists on something familiar. Sometimes a new game draws me in because it has my favourite setting. When I fi…
Meow Tiles (Saturday Review) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:52
The first pair of hands reached the table before the pattern card had settled. Nine cardboard cats were flipped, swapped and turned over in a frantic blur, followed by an excited slap that brought everything to a sudden…
Score! - in-game vs end-game scoring (Topic Discussion) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:55
Imagine playing your very first indoor bowls game, but there is no jack. Everyone simply rolls a bowl towards an imaginary target. Somehow, your experienced opponent seems remarkably confident, while you try to copy what…