Welcome to 2025—the year where I combine my board gaming obsession with my love for tracking and lists. This isn’t just about playing more games; it’s about making every session count, every challenge exciting, and every purchase intentional. With big goals, fun challenges, and a budget that’s keeping me accountable (for once), this is going to be a year to remember. Let’s break it down.
The goals
- Play 250 games – Whether it’s a sprawling campaign or a quick solo run, my table is going to stay busy. The goal isn’t just hitting numbers but truly experiencing the games I own. This number is a bit higher than the games I played in 2024 but not unreasonable.
- Tackle the unplayed games – No more shelf of shame. Every game in my collection has earned its place, and it’s time to give them all their moment.
- Boost my H-index – Instead of constantly chasing the next new thing, I want to deepen my experience with games I already love and explore their nuances.
- Solo spotlight – Conquering the alphabetical playlist with as many solo games as I can is just the beginning. This year, I’ll push my limits with automa, AI-driven games, and intricate solo modes with the me, myself and (A)I challenge.
- Explore the cosmos – Space-themed games have always fascinated me, so I’m dedicating at least 15 sessions to interstellar adventures.
- Mindful spending – I’m capping my spending at €300 to keep my collection curated and intentional. No more impulsive late-night Kickstarter pledges! (Okay, maybe just one or two…)
The budget rules
Starting Budget: €300. But let’s make it interesting—I can earn more by playing smart:
- +€10 for every unplayed game that finally gets its time on the table.
- +€5 for each new game that hits 5 plays, proving its worth.
- +€20 for every step my H-Index increases, rewarding deeper play.
- +Sale Price for any games I sell, giving me more room for intentional purchases.
- +€5 for each game I donate to spread the love of gaming.
Other Rules:
- Gifts are fair game—I can request and receive games, but I can’t cheat and buy them for myself.
- Gifts for others don’t count against the budget (but no sneaky self-gifting disguised as generosity!).
- Expansions are a gray area, so I’ll track them separately to see if they should count.
Every month, I’ll track my spending, earnings, and balance to keep myself honest. If I run out of funds, I’ll have to earn more by completing challenges or making tough choices about what stays in my collection.
The challenges
Because goals are great, but adding some spice makes them even better.
Redemption arc: play every unplayed game in my collection. If it doesn’t excite me, it’s out—sold, donated, or traded.
- Why? No game deserves eternal shelf purgatory, and I refuse to let my collection turn into a museum.
- Examples: Anno 1800, Apiary, Arkham Horror 3rd Ed—it’s time to see if they’re keepers or goners.
Solo domination: conquer the Alphabetical Playlist and test my skills against AI and automa challenges.
- Why? Solo gaming is my jam, and it’s time to level up.
- Examples: Aerion for A, Black Sonata for B… the rest will reveal themselves along the way.
Cosmic conquest: 15 space-themed gaming sessions.
- Why? Because deep space adventures deserve their moment, and my sci-fi collection is waiting.
- Examples: Voidfall, Star Wars Outer Rim, Jump Drive.
Deep dive: play 10 games at least 5 times to boost my H-Index.
- Why? More plays = more mastery, and I want to understand my favorite games inside and out.
- Examples: Wingspan, Everdell—let’s see if they hold up after repeated sessions.
Monthly reflections
Each month, I’ll check in on:
- Games played, goals smashed, and challenges tackled.
- My budget: Did I stick to it, or did temptation win?
- Standouts and duds—what’s staying, and what’s getting kicked out?
Reflection isn’t just about accountability; it’s about learning what truly makes me excited to play. I want every game night to feel meaningful, whether I’m revisiting an old favorite or taking on something new.
Tracking my challenges
Solo challenges:
- 2025 Cartographers Challenge – January to December
- 2025 Cascadia Challenge – January to December
- 2025 GROVE Solo Challenge – January to December
- 2025 Spirit Island Challenge – January to December
- 2025 Railroad Ink Challenge – January to December
- 2025 Rolling Realms Challenge – January to December
- 2025 Nusfjord Challenge – January to December
- 2025 Roll Player Challenge – January to December
- 2025 Three Sisters Challenge – January to December
- 2025 Dinosaur Island Rawr and Write Challenge – January to December
- 2025 The Search for Planet X Challene – January to December
Variety solo challenge: Me, Myself and (A)I
- Me: Solitaire games designed for solo play.
- Myself: Multi-player games that can be played solo.
- (A)I: Games with AI-driven opponents.
Achievement Levels:
- Easy: 10 solo games across all categories
- Normal: 5 games in each category or 20 total
- Difficult: 10 games in each category or 35 total
- Hard: 15 games in each category or 50 total
- Obsessed: 25 games in each category or 100 total
2025 Outer space challenge
Tracking different cosmic-themed elements in board games.
Mindful spending tracker
2025 purchases:
- Sum purchases: €0.00
Sold games:
- Sum sold: €0.00
Collection changes:
- Games added: 0
- Games left: 0
Crowdfundings/Preorders:
1.
Why this matters
This isn’t about mindless number-crunching. It’s about rediscovering my love for gaming, making better use of my collection, and keeping things fun, challenging, and rewarding. I want every roll of the dice, every strategic decision, and every unexpected twist to matter.
By the end of the year, I want to look back and see a gaming journey that was thoughtful, exciting, and filled with great moments. This isn’t just a resolution—it’s an adventure.
So, here’s to 2025. Let the quest begin! 🚀🎲
