Why I’ve Grown to Appreciate Games Without Luck

For a long time, I didn’t really think about luck in games. I just played. But looking back, I realize how often luck became a scapegoat for why things didn’t go my way.

If someone was dealt the right cards, they usually won.If someone kept rolling doubles, they moved further ahead.

And when I won because of those things, I’d usually say out loud: “Wow, I got lucky.” Because deep down, I knew it had very little to do with my skill or my decisions.

I never really felt like I earned those wins. And on the flip side, when I lost, it was easy to blame bad cards or an unlucky roll instead of looking at myself.

That’s probably why I’ve grown to appreciate games like chess.

In chess, I win or lose based entirely on my own choices. If I lose, it’s because I was outplayed or I made a bad decision. There’s no dice, no random draw, no luck to point at. Just me, my thinking, and the consequences of my moves.

Don’t get me wrong… losing still hurts. But I can live with those results because they are mine.

Over time, I realized that kind of personal accountability is something I really value. Owning your decisions. Learning from “mistakes”. Understanding that outcomes are connected to the choices you make.

Watching kids play games without luck, I see those same moments happening in real time. They learn how to win without rubbing it in. How to lose without blaming everything else. How to reflect, adjust, and try again… all while still having fun.

That’s why these types of games stick with me.

Not because they’re “better,” but because they quietly teach sportsmanship, responsibility, and resilience without ever needing a lecture.

And seeing that play out at A New School reminds me why creating the right environment matters. Creating a place where kids can explore, make choices, and learn from them, all at their own pace.

Why I Believe Community Matters More Than “Programs”

Growing up, I was a big gamer. Nintendo, computer games, card games… if it involved people, I was in. Winning was never the point for me. What actually mattered was playing WITH people.

Almost every game I loved had some kind of team element. I used to say to my friend often that, “there wasn’t enough TEAM aspects” to a game. If the game didn’t let me work with others, I wasn’t really interested. Maybe that’s why solo RPGs never clicked for me. Playing alone just didn’t feel the same.

Looking back, it wasn’t the games that made those years fun; it was the people. My friends, my family, the little community we built around whatever we were playing. That’s what stuck with me.

And honestly, that’s the feeling I want A New School to create. Not just “programs,” not just activities but a place where people come together. A place where kids meet new friends, build connections, and create real bonds that exist outside of a screen.

Because at the end of the day, the games are fun… but the community is what matters!

Hello world

Welcome to A New School!