how BIG should your game be

There are several discussion lately about what size (points) games should be played. I believe that all sizes have their merits, but if you actually stop and thing about it, rather than defaulting to something, you can reap the advantages of picking your game size.

Small Games- BLITZ!

(BMG/Infinity- smaller than 200 points. Warmachine- smaller than 25 points. 40k- smaller than 1000. WHFB- smaller than 1000.)

FAST. FURIOUS. FUN!

This size of game tends to be the ABSOLUTE minimum game size- typically a "starter" worth of models. These games are super fast, and easy to manage, which means more games can be played, and a loss in not as excruciating. With so few models, there is much less information to remember and track as well, making it much easier (and accessible to beginners)

There is not much choice when it comes to these lists, many construction choices are forced (either by model availability, or by balance issues (in Infinity- the value of a full Battle Group is overwhelming, forcing the decision to many more cheaper troops). Many units are just not viable to take at this game size, as they require resources or support that cannot be provided. It can sometimes even get a basic army composition.

Small games can be quite fun, but many players find it hard to get properly invested in a game that is so small. The game swings so wildly and is over so quickly, nuanced play and strategy is useless. Because the games are so short it is a great way to try new models and tactics, or figure out what went wrong.


"Standard"Size
BMG/INFINITY- 300 points Warmachine- 25-35 points. 
This is the standard size. This is the game value the game is "meant" to be played at. Models, and their rules, should behave as they are balanced to be (in smaller games, solos shine, in larger games force multipliers are overpowered). You can accommodate for early losses, and have more than one line of defence.

For this reason "Standard games" are sometimes seen as "boring" (or "hard to write too much about")- but they should never be discounted- they are the "best", and are the best for earning a solid playstyle


Big GAMES

(BMG/Infinity- larger than 300 points. Warmachine- larger than 35 points. 40k- larger than 1850. WHFB- larger than 2400.)

I WANT TO PLAY WITH ALL MY MODELS!
These games are larger than the standard size format, stretching the limitations of the game.

Like the "small" games, Big games are outside the spectrum of perfect balance, so some things may seem outside the standard levels of balance. this is mitigated a bit by the scale and availability caps- but it can be exploited.

My issue with a BIG sized game is it gives very little choice. With a huge point value to work with-  players are taking all the units they NEED, all the units they WANT, and even some units they don't. It is the most expensive game, obviously, as it is larger than any other.

Another major factor in BIG games is the time. The size of a game has an exponential effect on the length of a game- where even a 50% increase in size (from 200 to 300 points) can TRIPLE or QUADRUPLE the length of a game- making a big game take anywhere from 3 to 5 hours to play. Some players do prefer this, as it allows them to have a greater investment in their game, and a larger sway of strategy.


So, what size games do you prefer, and why?