Three Years Of Games (Data, Data, Data!!)

That pretty much sums up my 2013!

At the beginning of 2011 I was inspired to start recording some of the things I was doing out of curiosity.  Specifically I wanted to track the games that I played and the music that I listened to.  I wouldn't exactly call it a new year's resolution but I was determined to stick with it and I have.  Now, three years later, I've recorded every single game I've played and every album I've listened to.  Since this is a board game blog I won't share my fastening music history but I will indulge you with tales of the games I've played (or at least the data I've collected).  One thing's for sure, the games you love and think you're playing are not necessarily the ones you're actually playing.  So let's start with my Nickle and Dime list, I know it has bias towards shorter games but it's still worth looking at.  Here it is presented in wonderfully abbreviated microbadge form, the number on the left is the play count.

Party Like It's 1492 (A Review of Old World New World)

There's a lot of debate about who, exactly, "discovered" the Americas - Christopher Columbus, the Vikings, the Chinese, a lost tribe of Israel, or even aliens.  Now, with one of Victory Point's latest titles, you can make sure the history books get it right - it was YOU!  It may not be the vast American continents, but a New World beckons nonetheless with all its riches, honor, renown...and dangers.  Can you survive hostile Natives, an unwelcoming environment, and competition from your Old World neighbors to claim both land and glory?

It’s A Beautiful Day In My Colorful Neighborhood (A Review of La Boca)

If you've ever seen picture of buildings that look strangely like brightly colored blocks then you'll be right at home in La Boca.  The neighborhoods are literally built by stacking blocks on top of each other to form intricate and beautifully colored structures.  They may not be the most structural sound places to live but I'm sure you'll enjoy the view!

It's Just Business (A Review of Nothing Personal)

The Capo is old.  Old enough anyways.  Time for the old fellow to move along and make room for a new leader.  And who better to be that leader than yourself? After all, haven't you done enough for the family? Haven't you put your own desires behind you long enough? Haven't you earned the respect and fear of every gangster in this town?

Well, there's only one way to find out. Just remember; it's just business.  It's Nothing Personal.

News Bits: 1/6/2014

Ah, back on track after all of the holiday slowness. This week's NEWS:

Grant Rodiek looks at new ways to teach board games [Link] As my group's usual game explainer, I'm always eager for new methods to use (or at least for aids that will make my job easier). Grant highlights some methods that specifically designers and publishers can use to make teaching their games easier, even for rules explainers. For me, I'm still fine with a rulebook (I like to learn by reading), as long as the rulebook is well written.