I am modifying the original post here to ask about the game of chess:

http://gamrconnect.vgchartz.com/thread.php?id=125041&page=1

really gamers, thats all chess does? Oh sure you can say combined with all the sets out there version it has millions player, but man this should be the ish (it was in the 1970s). Its pretty much the top strategy game, I mean that in a good way and that game has a long and storied history. Are we too cool for turn-based strategy games, because such is seen as "nerdy"?  Does it take too long to play?  I know the game may be seen as having issues and maybe use an update (i know there is an issue with draws at the highest level, but thats another rant). Is it too hard??? Gamers are supposed to want a challenge, FYI  i still am NOT to the Master level, even after playing it for years. Speed chess and adjusting time per side addresses lots of issues.  Those two problems i just mentioned should not be an excuse, so for the most part, IMHO chess is in a strong state, the online community is still there.

Ok, so in light of this, why don't you play chess?  If someone can ask about ModNation Racer lacking in sales, I can ask about why people here don't play chess.  Why not?  Or, if not chess, why not play Go?  Go is even less mastered than chess, and issues of handicapping and elegance of rules aren't a problem.  And it is a deep and challenging game, that would take a lifetime, and a VERY beautiful game.  But apparently you can't watch any of these games on TV in the United States, because there aren't enough players.  So, why not?  Why not play chess or Go?

Settlers of Catan came out.

Chess is awesome. Unfortunately I hardly find anyone to play it with nowadays. 

You know, I could do the exact same thing regarding Catan.  How many people here play it?  Catan is a brilliant game, but why not have it sell millions of copies?  I believe it, lifetime, may of sold less than ModNation across all platforms.  Among boardgames, it is a success, but in the big picture?  They actually sell more chess sets than Catan games annually.  That doesn't mean people play chess though.

Because chess requires the utilization of something called the 'brain'.

There are plenty of places to play online that decent numbers of people hang out at.  May run into finding the right level of skill.

Myself, I used chess as an example.  I am more into chess variants and trying different games.  One site I would do stuff on is here: http://www.iggamecenter.com

Also, if anyone is interested, there is an online leaderboard for games besides chess here: http://leaderboard.iagoweb.com

No cost to be part of it either.

Hmm... is that a slight at people on this site?

Not quite, because that would get me moderated/banned, and because it's a broad generalization...it's a jab at people I know IRL.

Chess carries the image of a "geek" with it. I personally love it, but haven't really played it in years except for a game every now and then. Tbfh, it's a really simple game but with complex mechanics, the only time that you can trully be challenged is when you meet an opponent that is advanced in the art of chessfare. I only met a few. I am talking about people that would literally see behind your every move and cockblock you at the last possible instance or early in advance. Nowadays people would much rather preffer battle their way out on COD instead of a chess board, I like both but chess just seems outdated, to me personally now x), maybe i'll indulge when I am older.

I blame my dad, he played chess against me for years when I was a kid/teen and never let me win once.

Though I've been meaning to get Chessmaster off Steam.