BGG Collections: Default To Owned Games For Better Display

by Marco 59 views

Collection Should Default to 'Owned' or Offer That as an Option

Hey everyone, let's dive into something that's been bugging a lot of us board game enthusiasts, especially when we're using tools like Jesmaster's Discord-BGG-Bot or interacting with BoardGameGeek (BGG) in general. It's about how we define our "collection." You see, the way BGG does it by default doesn't quite jive with what most of us mean when we say "my collection." And honestly, it can be a real pain, especially when you're just trying to quickly share what games you actually own.

The Problem: BGG's Broad Definition of "Collection"

So, here's the deal. When BGG talks about your "collection," it's a pretty wide net. It includes any game you've ever: played, marked as "want to play," or even just vaguely considered. This is a huge difference than what most people expect. When we're chatting on Discord, or using bots, and someone asks to see your collection, we're usually talking about the games you physically have. We're talking about the ones sitting on your shelves, the ones you can actually reach out and touch. Not the ones you played in the past, or are considering purchasing. This distinction is crucial, and the current default setup on BGG, and how it's reflected in tools like the Discord bot, often misses the mark.

Think about it. You're excitedly planning a game night and want to share your available games. You fire up the bot, or pull up your BGG profile, and BAM! A list that includes games you traded away years ago, games you're vaguely interested in, and games you may have borrowed, but never owned. Not super helpful, right? It's like trying to find your favorite shirt in a closet overflowing with clothes you've outgrown, or no longer possess. It's clutter. This means if you want to display owned games, you need to manually filter your collection. This takes time. This is not a good user experience.

This isn't just about the display of your collection, either. It affects the links and URLs that are generated. If you want to share your collection with someone, the link often defaults to this all-encompassing view. And while there are usually ways to filter, to the average user, this can be very confusing. It's a classic example of how default settings can dramatically impact the user experience. If we're all using tools that are based on BGG data, then this initial, and confusing, default carries over everywhere.

The Solution: "Owned" as the Default, or at Least, an Option

So, how do we fix this? The answer is simple: Change the Default or Offer an Option. We want a system where the default view of your "collection" is the owned games. The games you actually, physically possess. This is what most people assume. If, however, people want to see the extended version, with games they've played or are interested in, that should be a separate, selectable option. Let's give users the power to choose.

Ideally, when someone views your profile, or clicks a link generated by a bot, the default view shows your owned games. Maybe there's a clear tab or a button that says "Show All," or "Include Plays," or something similar, but the initial view should be the curated list. This would make sharing and browsing collections much more intuitive. No more accidental shares of your entire history of board game involvement. We'd get to see the games people actually want to show off. This also means we're more likely to see the games people are currently playing. A much more useful use case.

It's about streamlining the user experience, reducing confusion, and aligning the digital representation of your collection with the reality of your board game shelves. Not only would it make things easier for individual users, but it would also improve how we share, discover, and enjoy games together. This would make tools like Discord bots much more useful and also reduce the frustration. Ultimately, we would be talking about the same thing. It's a small change that could have a big impact.

Why This Matters for Discord and Other Tools

Let's get specific about why this is so important for tools like Jesmaster's Discord-BGG-Bot. These bots are amazing for connecting us board game enthusiasts. They let us quickly share collections, check game details, and organize game nights. But if the underlying data, the BGG collection data, is cluttered, then the bots become less effective. We end up with: inaccurate displays, wasted time, and a generally less enjoyable experience. This is a problem that directly impacts the bot's usability.

Imagine trying to organize a game night on Discord. You ask someone to share their collection, and the bot spits out a list that includes games they sold, games they're thinking of buying, and a bunch of games they've played once. It is not an effective way to communicate. The result is a mess. Time is wasted, and the potential game night might never get off the ground. A clearer, more focused display of owned games would save a ton of headaches.

It's not just about convenience. This is a matter of effective communication and reducing frustration. If the bot can accurately reflect the games people own, then the whole process becomes smoother and more efficient.

This same argument can be applied to websites, apps, and any other place where game collections are displayed. The common thread here is to use the data in a useful and concise manner. By changing the default view to the owned games, we can create better, more accurate lists. The value is increased when the data provided is more specific and relevant. In short, we are making the data better.

Call to Action: Let's Advocate for Change

So, guys, this is a call to action. We should advocate for this change, whether it is on BGG, or other places where people display collections. Let's spread the word, and bring attention to this issue. There are many ways to contribute:

  • Share this article: Let's get the conversation going! Share this article on forums, Discord servers, and social media. The more people who understand the problem, the more likely we are to get a solution.
  • Contact BGG directly: Let them know your thoughts and how this impacts you. Feedback is valuable, and the more specific your requests are, the better. The more we provide feedback, the more likely that BGG will change.
  • Support developers: Give thanks to the developers who create tools that use BGG data. You may give ideas on how to make these tools even better. Tell them about your pain points, and what they can do to improve. Be a valued member of the community.
  • Spread awareness: Many people might not understand why this matters. Explain what the problem is, and why it can lead to confusion and frustration. Help people understand why change is needed.

Let's work together to make the world of board games a little bit better, one collection at a time. By making it easier to showcase our actual collections, we can improve the entire gaming experience.