Board games aren't as fun online

While celebrating thanksgiving with friends we played a insanely fun & competitive board game, Settlers of Catan. I have not played in years and I never do all that well and I have never even won (Don't get excited because I did not win on Thanksgiving either). But I was reminded of how much fun the game can be and how much I enjoy playing it.

Today while avoiding items on my to do list I found the game online. It is free so I signed up for an account and played a few games. It took me a while to figure out all the controls & the maps are small online (When I played the board game at Thanksgiving we used an expansion pack we basically makes the playing board larger which allows for more room per player). I enjoy playing it but it is different when it is played online. I missed the feel of the cards in my hands, seeing the actual board & touching the game pieces. When it is played as a board game you enjoy the companionship of people you know around you. When I was playing against other people online I could not see them and interaction is limited in that I can type & to send them messages but usually there is not much communication & I don't know the people.

Maybe this is why I have not bought any electronic reading device, taken online classes, don't like texting or using facebook all that much? There is something about the touch & feel of an event when it is live that cannot be duplicated. It is nice to know I can jump online to play the game when I have the urge to play but I would rather play with friends. Maybe I should use this to start a board game night at my house & open it up to friends? HHHHHHmmmmmmmmmmmmm...............