It's Fun to Be a Board-Game Sociopath

This article delves into the author's enjoyment of deceptive and manipulative tactics in board games like Werewolf, Settlers of Catan, and Risk. The author, who admits to a "ruthless game persona," consults experts such as Shane Tilton, Tobias Otterbring, and Rachel Kowert. They explain that the thrill of deception in low-stakes game environments can be a form of "cheater's high" and may even help develop real-world social skills like persuasion and reading people, without negative repercussions. The piece also discusses how aspects of one's real personality can manifest in games and how in-game behavior can still influence real-life relationships, though people generally distinguish between game and reality.