One reason I can play overly complex games

I decided to spin a blog post out of this because I find it interesting and in some ways liberating.   I was responding to Barnes in the Triumph of Chaos thread when he said he couldn't play this because it was a dinosaur and too complex--he'd never get it on the table.

You know, it's funny.    People tell me how they'll never get this or that on the table, etc.  Almost always because it's too complex or too long.  It may not be a style their group prefers.  I definitely appreciate what they're saying, but my situation is odd and unlike that.

I know any game I buy I won't play in person.  Ever.  I don't really have a game group.  The few people who would play games with me left town (grad students).  My wife isn't really into games but will play really light euros, which aren't a huge favorite of mine so we don't play that often.  This may sound very depressing...

..but really, in some ways, it's liberating.  I pretty much only play by e-mail.  As a result, I never really consider anyone else when buying my games.  I don't consider if I'll ever play it in person with anyone.  I won't.  I don't think about if my buddy Bruce will play it with me or if my euro group will find this too heavy.  I don't have a buddy Bruce.  Fuck euro players.  I don't think about how often it will hit the table, or if it will be worth it.  It won't hit the table, and I'll be able to play it as much as I care to online depending on how good it is.  It's actually kind of nice.  My purchases are independent of anyone else's sense of good, bad, euro, wargame, card driven wargame, etc.

There are huge drawbacks.  Don't get me wrong.  In the end I'd prefer to have a game group or local people I like to play with.  I've played some of my games in person and it's a good time.  I'm not a fucking autistic shut in.  Oftentimes it doesn't make sense to play short games online PBEM, the start up cost is too high.  On the other hand wargameroom and VASSAL live play can make up for that (play a short one in an evening live w/someone).  Do I miss the fun parts of gaming?  Probably.  I don't get to have a beer or crack my shit up when someone does or says something funny.  But there are some nice things about being a lone gamer/wargamer.