Off the Grid: Set and un-fun gaming
by Scott Jon Siegel 
{ Jan 25th 2007 at 7:25PM }
Every other week Scott Jon Siegel contributes Off the Grid, a column on gaming away from the television screen or monitor.
The card game Set has been around since 1991, but I only learned about it recently. During a recent trip to Israel, a friend introduced me to the game. He was surprised that I hadn't heard of it, so I asked him the logical question: "Is it any good?"
His answer: "It's not very fun, but it's good."
...Eh?
I must have missed something. For me, a game being "good" is all about it being "fun." I believed my friend to be mistaken in one of two ways: either the game is fun and he just had poor taste, or it wasn't good, and he still had poor taste (sorry, Daniel).
Set's biggest claim to fame is its association with Mensa International, a society exclusively for people with high IQs. In 1991, Mensa chose Set as one of their top five games of the year, and it's been riding that honor ever since. At heart, Set is a matching game, where players have to create sets of three cards, where attributes of each card must either agree or disagree completely with the other two. Trust me, it's harder than it sounds.
The trick to Set is the sheer number of attribute permutations. Each card features a shape (either an oval, a squiggle, or a diamond), of a certain color (red, green, or purple), with a certain shading (filled in, outlined, or striped), and of a certain number (with each card having either one, two, or three of the same shape on it). The image accompanying this column highlights an example set. The three glowing cards all agree on color (purple), and shading (striped), but all disagree on shape and number. For that reason, the set is successful. Player who make successful sets then collect those cards, and the player with the most cards at the end of the game wins.
On one of our last nights in Israel, my friend broke out Set for a couple of rounds over drinks. It's an easy enough game to learn, but the task of matching shapes to numbers to colors to shading quickly proved to be migraine-inducing. After a couple of rounds of play, I discovered that my friend was right: it's a very smart game, but it's not very fun to play. See for yourself.
Set's one of those rare games that actually makes you feel stupid as you play it, and maybe that's why it's just not enjoyable. Numbers and colors and shapes are things I learned when I was six. Now I'm 21 and I suck at this game. And when you suck at Set, you become a passive player. Participation in the game is dependent upon seeing sets, then declaring "Set!" and collecting your three cards. If you're bad at Set, you just sit there. Whole minutes can pass without anybody collecting cards, with the only sound being uncomfortable laughter, and the occasional "Set! Wait... never mind."
In theory, the more you play Set, the better you get. And I suppose that it's good brain exercise. But if anyone ever tells you that a good game is by definition a fun one, be sure to clue them in. Set's out there, waiting to tickle your brain, and bore the rest of you. Enjoy.
Scott Jon Siegel is a fledgling game designer, and fancies himself a bit of a writer on the topic as well. His words and games can be found at numberless, which is almost always a work in progress.
The card game Set has been around since 1991, but I only learned about it recently. During a recent trip to Israel, a friend introduced me to the game. He was surprised that I hadn't heard of it, so I asked him the logical question: "Is it any good?"His answer: "It's not very fun, but it's good."
...Eh?
I must have missed something. For me, a game being "good" is all about it being "fun." I believed my friend to be mistaken in one of two ways: either the game is fun and he just had poor taste, or it wasn't good, and he still had poor taste (sorry, Daniel).
Set's biggest claim to fame is its association with Mensa International, a society exclusively for people with high IQs. In 1991, Mensa chose Set as one of their top five games of the year, and it's been riding that honor ever since. At heart, Set is a matching game, where players have to create sets of three cards, where attributes of each card must either agree or disagree completely with the other two. Trust me, it's harder than it sounds.
The trick to Set is the sheer number of attribute permutations. Each card features a shape (either an oval, a squiggle, or a diamond), of a certain color (red, green, or purple), with a certain shading (filled in, outlined, or striped), and of a certain number (with each card having either one, two, or three of the same shape on it). The image accompanying this column highlights an example set. The three glowing cards all agree on color (purple), and shading (striped), but all disagree on shape and number. For that reason, the set is successful. Player who make successful sets then collect those cards, and the player with the most cards at the end of the game wins.
On one of our last nights in Israel, my friend broke out Set for a couple of rounds over drinks. It's an easy enough game to learn, but the task of matching shapes to numbers to colors to shading quickly proved to be migraine-inducing. After a couple of rounds of play, I discovered that my friend was right: it's a very smart game, but it's not very fun to play. See for yourself.
Set's one of those rare games that actually makes you feel stupid as you play it, and maybe that's why it's just not enjoyable. Numbers and colors and shapes are things I learned when I was six. Now I'm 21 and I suck at this game. And when you suck at Set, you become a passive player. Participation in the game is dependent upon seeing sets, then declaring "Set!" and collecting your three cards. If you're bad at Set, you just sit there. Whole minutes can pass without anybody collecting cards, with the only sound being uncomfortable laughter, and the occasional "Set! Wait... never mind."
In theory, the more you play Set, the better you get. And I suppose that it's good brain exercise. But if anyone ever tells you that a good game is by definition a fun one, be sure to clue them in. Set's out there, waiting to tickle your brain, and bore the rest of you. Enjoy.
Scott Jon Siegel is a fledgling game designer, and fancies himself a bit of a writer on the topic as well. His words and games can be found at numberless, which is almost always a work in progress.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
GhaleonQ @ Jan 26th 2007 6:49PM
I do admire the design.
ktmracer @ Jan 25th 2007 7:30PM
I've got that game. It's so much fun.
Jonah Falcon @ Jan 25th 2007 7:40PM
I have the card game AND there's a computer game version of it that's sold at Compleat Strategist.
Vlad discovers Settlers of Catan, and now Scott discovers Set. What's next? Who's going to "discover" Evo or Ticket to Ride now? ROTFLMAO
Jonathan Grabyan @ Jan 26th 2007 2:52AM
I love Set!
@#2: Don't forget the article about LCR last month.
Scott Jon Siegel @ Jan 25th 2007 7:47PM
Jonah: I'm not saying I discovered any of these games. Like a lot of gamers, I'm simply rediscovering classic board and card games, and sharing my "rediscoveries" with others who might not be familiar with them (trust me, they exist). As soon as I make a real discovery, I'll be sure to let you all know.
And Vlad totally stole my mojo by writing that Settlers review. He's been warned.
some person @ Jan 25th 2007 7:59PM
I actually know about this game, I thought this day would never come, BTW, is there an online version of this? you know, playing against people?
Josh L. @ Jan 25th 2007 7:59PM
Um... If I were to say I discovered a mouse in my kitchen it would meen it was the first time I saw or heared about, it doesn't mean I found this illusive fact while searching in the Easter Islands(which dissapointingly have nothing to do with chocolate eggs, although I never tried to see what is in those big heads... Maybe Gum-Gum), so leave him alone. Anyway, I think Set is as fun as Sudoku or Rubik's cube, the main difference how ever is it is for many people, and mastering it seems alot eaiser, when in is as comlex as the other two "games". It isn't necesarilly the game itself that makes you feel dumb, but the person sitting next to you kicking your ass. Just find a sparring buddy and you'll get good at it, the question is if all that is really worth it.
lucky644 @ Jan 25th 2007 7:58PM
Terrible game..
Kenofthedead @ Jan 25th 2007 8:02PM
It's rather interesting, not fun, but interesting.
It's good to play on a plane, if you have a mini-card version you can get at the airport.
It should be on Xbox Live Arcade, it can beat Uno physically and mentally.
------------
If you want other good games, try Apples to Apples (card game), Pink Godzilla (card game where you develop a video game), and Wits and Wagers (board game).
Erik @ Jan 25th 2007 8:02PM
I think the key here is that the gameplay is very solid, but it's only enjoyable in a very specific context. Sort of like Tetris or ChuChu Rocket! types of video games.
Josh L. @ Jan 25th 2007 8:04PM
OMG Spelling 3rr0rz! Sorry. From now on I will start double checking everything, not that anyone really cares. It is just a shame I started one post too late... Ooooooh God, why?!! Why God?!! Why?!!
Scott Jon Siegel @ Jan 25th 2007 8:12PM
Kenofthedead: Pink Godzilla's an awfully interesting find (to me, at least). Thanks for the tip! [/Purchases]
glitched @ Jan 25th 2007 8:16PM
I just discovered Caylus.
first "gamers boardgame" ive ever bought. the people who introduced me to it were ranting that its one of the top games on boardgamegeek.com and won a bunch of awards...
I played it and got hooked...
jchensor @ Jan 25th 2007 8:26PM
Wow. Incredibly fun game, but definitely hurt my head. I have to stop now before I lose my entire day of work staring at these things!
Gerwurztraminer @ Jan 25th 2007 9:00PM
I have Set, it's awesome. 'though, my fiancee totally kicks my butt when we play it.
NotWelshMan @ Jan 25th 2007 8:33PM
Thanks, guys. I'm at work, and am now hooked on Set.
Joe @ Jan 25th 2007 11:05PM
Yes! I love Set! I play it at all my math tourneys!
rokobungi @ Jan 25th 2007 9:40PM
I like the easy fun games like Fluxx and Chrononauts (mainly because I can win them all the time because people see how the game is played and think it's totally random haha.)
Gavin R @ Jan 25th 2007 10:27PM
Get your daily dose of SETs on their website. Its updated daily to tease your brain...
http://www.setgame.com/set/puzzle_frame.htm
Molecule @ Jan 25th 2007 10:51PM
This is absolutely my favorite card game ever! I play this game everywhere and with everyone who will sit still long enough. My room mate and I used to get into hours-long matches at the bar, which usually ended in huge fights...
AnimalTaglits @ Jan 26th 2007 12:08AM
I've only seen this game played once and I didn't get it, but now that I've played it I like it a lot.
Spinfusor @ Jan 25th 2007 11:24PM
You can play an official multiplayer (or single player in practice mode) version here:
http://www.setgame.com/company/higher_games_enterance_set.htm
l8on @ Jan 26th 2007 2:05AM
Set is an interesting game, but I can see his point about it not being fun if you suck.
But, I've never been one to quit a game just cause I was bad... isn't it fun to learn and get good at a game? Isn't that what's great about a new video game? You get a bunch of new techniques/strategy to learn and master.
But yeah, set is also a great smoking game since you can pass the piece during the lulls in the game.
x876543 @ Jan 26th 2007 8:27AM
I have the game too, it is fun for solo and for several people. Kinda hard, but once you do it a few times your mind adapts and you start to see the sets faster.
Mike @ Jan 27th 2007 2:52AM
Set would be tons of fun if I wasn't a touch colorblind. I have to move my face to roughly two inches from the cards to tell thin green lines from thin red lines. Solid colors and blue are easy to recognize though. That or I keep making guesses that are wrong a third of the time.
"Set!"
"That's two greens and red."
"Dang it!"