I like
paper money in games. Its tactile, and I think it makes it easier to
see not only what you have yourself, but also what other people have
at their disposal, at a glance. I admit that it can wear out and is
prone to drink and food spillage, but that should not be a problem if
you excersise a bit of care when you are gaming, after all these
games can cost in excess of 40.00 each.
What are
the alternatives to paper money? Well I see people arguing poker
chips. They say you can buy a set of poker chips, and subtitute them
in games where you use paper money. They are easier to stack, and
less prone to damage. OK, I can see the benefits of not being easily
damaged, especially if you game with excitable people. What I don't
see is that for every game you need to give each chip a value, one
that I could see people getting confused with how much each chip is
valued at.
Along with
poker chips, any other marker could be used, stones, beads, glass
discs, you name it, it could be substituted.
Another
option is what the makers of Monopoly went with, and that was to
dispense with all money, and use fake plastic credit cards and a
credit card machine. A nice gimmick, it can still be cheated however,
and you have to use the card machine to even check how much you have.
I found it got tiresome after a few games, and dislike how only one
transaction at a time can be made.
Call me
old fashioned, but I really like paper money. It been around in games
for a long time, and fits themes nicely. I cannot imagine playing
Railways of the World with poker chips, it just would not feel right
to me. I can see the arguments from the side of practicality and
durability, but the people that I play with are careful with games,
especially if it is not their game.
What are
you thoughts on this topic? Should paper money stay, or should we
move with the times? Discuss in the comments below or over at our
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