20 for 20: Dan Bass's Beijing Gambit

In 20 for 20, we profile 20 movers and shakers who, like The Beijinger, have called the capital home for 20 years or more.

The first time I met Dan Bass was at the 2020 Board Game Khan, which took place last October in Beijing. Incidentally, this was also when I learned that he is the founder of the largest Chinese board game archive and social platform, Gstone, where tabletop game gurus can share their opinions about games, as well as organize offline gatherings and online discussions. But what I didn't know is that Bass had lived in Beijing for more than 20 years, during which time he transformed from an exchange student majoring in Chinese Studies into a successful gaming entrepreneur. For him, this ancient yet ever-evolving metropolis is like a chaotic but fun game he'll never get bored with. Although he had to hit pause on Beijing when he left for Vietnam to reunite with his wife at the end of last year, Bass is hoping to return to the capital as soon as he can, and resume his Beijing game after international travel restrictions are eased.

When did you arrive in China for the first time? 
August 1992.

Do you still remember your first day in China? And was it in Beijing?
Yes, it was amazing. I got a shaobing on the street. Yum….but lots of bikes, not so many cars.

Have you lived in any other cities in China for more than three months? How did that experience differ from your time in Beijing? 
Shanghai...liked it less, seemed more like living in New York. I prefer the history of Beijing more.

What brought you to Beijing? 
Originally, I was an exchange student who majored in Chinese studies, and there happened to be an exchange program between my school and Peking University.

How many times have you moved while living in Beijing? Which districts have you resided in? 
So so so many times. Mainly lived in Chaoyangmen, but that is a huge area. Also, lived in Haidian, Shunyi, Dongcheng….maybe Xicheng? Wangjing...

What was your motivation to establish Gstone, the biggest and most recognized platform for board games and players in mainland China? 
I have been a hardcore gamer since I was a teenager and am fascinated by the offline socializing that tabletop games can provide.

Back in the '90s, it was really hard to find people to play games with you. Basically, mahjong is the only thing we get to play from time to time at uni. With the advent of the 21st century, the tabletop community started to grow at a faster pace, however, still quite spread out in the geographical sense. My friend brought up the idea to establish a platform where gamers can not only evaluate the games but also organize gatherings, game tests, and even conventions on the go, which completely aligned with my own thinking. We want to make it easier for peeps to gather and play games. It is an ongoing project, still want it to do more but it is doing a lot of what I originally envisioned it doing. Now it went from how to find someone to play a game to OMG too many games going on!

Name 20 board games you like.
Haha, Only 20?

TI4, Gloomhaven, Altarquest, AHTCG, MTG, Rising Sun, Village, Space Alert, Dominion, WH40K, DND, Dungeon Twister, Blood Rage, Chaos in the Old World, Scythe, Summoner Wars, Bridge, X-Wing, Path of Light, and Shadow, Roll Player, 强国梦,  Tokaido Road, whoops, too many!

Which years do you consider the best and the worst during your time in Beijing? 
All of them. The best year would be the first year, always. It was all brand new and both I and Beijing were so full of innocence and potential. The worst year easily was 2020, being trapped in Beijing/China and not able to be with my wife in Vietnam.

Do you prefer the current Beijing or the one from 20 years ago? 
That is hard to say. I really prefer the Beijing of 30 years ago, but that wasn’t your question. Current Beijing sucks due to Covid, but that is a worldwide problem, not a Beijing problem. But if I was forced to choose, which is the point of this question I guess, I probably would prefer the one 20 years ago.

What’s the thing you miss the most that Beijing used to have but isn't so common anymore? 
Street food. Those little stalls on the side of the road, with stools about six inches high...cheap and awesome food, plus a real chance to hang out with other people.

What was your reason for leaving Beijing, and are you planning to come back anytime soon? 
To be with my wife. I can’t plan my return yet, as international travel is so restricted. I cannot return if it means not being able to be with my wife again.

How would you summarize the last 20 years of your life, and your expectations for the next 20 to come?
Chaotic yet fun! (in response to both questions).

Read: 20 for 20: French Dog Whisperer Adrien Macera

Images: Dan Bass