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.
Showing posts with label News Bits. Show all posts
Showing posts with label News Bits. Show all posts
Monday, January 6, 2014
Monday, December 30, 2013
News Bits: 12/30/2013
I think everyone (including most of our writers) were on hiatus last week. In any case, we're back, and here is the NEWS:
Z-Man Games releases Government Shutdown scenario for Pandemic [Link] For those who want to relive the events of this past October (any takers? huh? huh?), Z-Man Games has released a new government shutdown scenario for Pandemic.
Z-Man Games releases Government Shutdown scenario for Pandemic [Link] For those who want to relive the events of this past October (any takers? huh? huh?), Z-Man Games has released a new government shutdown scenario for Pandemic.
Monday, December 23, 2013
News Bits: 12/23/2013
Greetings on this holiday week. Here is the NEWS:
The secret history of The Cones of Dunshire on Parks and Recreation [Link] I don't watch it often, but I think Parks and Recreation is one of the best shows on TV, and their recent "Cones of Dunshire" bit helps cement that perception in my mind. The show's producers and some people from Mayfair Games (Settlers of Catan) talk about what went into creating this beast that may make an appearance at Gen Con 2014 (?).
The secret history of The Cones of Dunshire on Parks and Recreation [Link] I don't watch it often, but I think Parks and Recreation is one of the best shows on TV, and their recent "Cones of Dunshire" bit helps cement that perception in my mind. The show's producers and some people from Mayfair Games (Settlers of Catan) talk about what went into creating this beast that may make an appearance at Gen Con 2014 (?).
Monday, December 16, 2013
News Bits: 12/16/2013
Another week, and here's the NEWS:
Hanabi Extra released in Germany [Link] Bigger cards (Dixit size) and card racks. This is the kind of Hanabi Deluxe I'd be willing to shell out for. I'm not sure it's coming to the US, though.
Hanabi Extra released in Germany [Link] Bigger cards (Dixit size) and card racks. This is the kind of Hanabi Deluxe I'd be willing to shell out for. I'm not sure it's coming to the US, though.
Monday, December 9, 2013
News Bits: 12/9/2013
As promised, this week's NEWS is back to business and bursting at the seams. Without further ado, the NEWS:
Gravwell release date set for December 20 [Link] This according to the game's designer, Corey Young. For those not in the know, Gravwell was one of the best games I played at Gen Con. I've played it several times since on Futurewolfie's copy he purchased there, and I still like it quite a bit. Review forthcoming, closer to the release date, and it will be a nemesis review (that is, Wolfie and I will both provide an opinion). In the meantime, set phasers to "preorder."
Gravwell release date set for December 20 [Link] This according to the game's designer, Corey Young. For those not in the know, Gravwell was one of the best games I played at Gen Con. I've played it several times since on Futurewolfie's copy he purchased there, and I still like it quite a bit. Review forthcoming, closer to the release date, and it will be a nemesis review (that is, Wolfie and I will both provide an opinion). In the meantime, set phasers to "preorder."
Monday, December 2, 2013
News Bits: 12/2/2013
The NEWS is a little sparse this week (Thanksgiving holiday, over which my family celebrated Christmas). We should return to business as usual next week. In the meantime, the NEWS:
Stonemaier Games offers charity auction for special edition of Viticulture [Link] Stonemaier Games has "made it about others" by auctioning several copies of Viticulture for charity. They reached out to various gaming blogs to choose which charities get donations, and we chose Children's Relief.
Stonemaier Games offers charity auction for special edition of Viticulture [Link] Stonemaier Games has "made it about others" by auctioning several copies of Viticulture for charity. They reached out to various gaming blogs to choose which charities get donations, and we chose Children's Relief.
Monday, November 25, 2013
News Bits: 11/25/2013
"It's the holiday season..." Or at least it's coming. And that's probably why this was a slow week. (That, or everyone was at BGG.Con.) In any case, here's this week's NEWS:
Race for the Galaxy: Alien Artifacts coming soon [Link] The news has to be legit this time, since the designer diary was posted on Board Game Geek. Also, Tom Lehman comments that it is in transit now to the Rio Grande warehouses. Alien Artifacts takes Race for the Galaxy in a new direction, beginning a new arc for the game. It may be time to jump back in...
Race for the Galaxy: Alien Artifacts coming soon [Link] The news has to be legit this time, since the designer diary was posted on Board Game Geek. Also, Tom Lehman comments that it is in transit now to the Rio Grande warehouses. Alien Artifacts takes Race for the Galaxy in a new direction, beginning a new arc for the game. It may be time to jump back in...
Monday, November 18, 2013
News Bits: 11/18/2013
This week's NEWS is a little light, unless you follow the rabbit holes in the first link (which is what I did...):
Board Game Geek posts Essen coverage [Link] Here's a list of the videos in one spot. I'm not gonna lie: I've come away with more than a few games added to my wishlist after watching some of these. I'm very grateful for this service since I was unable to attend.
Board Game Geek posts Essen coverage [Link] Here's a list of the videos in one spot. I'm not gonna lie: I've come away with more than a few games added to my wishlist after watching some of these. I'm very grateful for this service since I was unable to attend.
Monday, November 11, 2013
News Bits: 11/11/2013
This was a packed week for the NEWS:
Annual Jack Vasel Fund Memorial Auction begins on Board Game Geek [Link] This is Tom Vasel's annual auction in honor of his son, Jack, who passed away shortly after birth. All proceeds from this auction go to the Jack Vasel Fund to help gamers in need. The generosity of the gaming community is truly astounding sometimes, and there are some incredible (and unique) items available.
Annual Jack Vasel Fund Memorial Auction begins on Board Game Geek [Link] This is Tom Vasel's annual auction in honor of his son, Jack, who passed away shortly after birth. All proceeds from this auction go to the Jack Vasel Fund to help gamers in need. The generosity of the gaming community is truly astounding sometimes, and there are some incredible (and unique) items available.
Monday, November 4, 2013
News Bits: 11/4/2013
This week's NEWS:
Asmadi Games opens prerelease preorders for Impulse [Link] This is very exciting news for me. This was one of the best games I demoed at Gen Con. It combines Carl Chudyk's multi-use cards we've come to know and love with the spatial elements of an epic space board game. This is a print-on-demand title, and the components will be better in the final published version, but those who preorder this edition will get 50% off the final version. I preordered mine...
Asmadi Games opens prerelease preorders for Impulse [Link] This is very exciting news for me. This was one of the best games I demoed at Gen Con. It combines Carl Chudyk's multi-use cards we've come to know and love with the spatial elements of an epic space board game. This is a print-on-demand title, and the components will be better in the final published version, but those who preorder this edition will get 50% off the final version. I preordered mine...
Monday, October 28, 2013
News Bits: 10/28/2013
News! This week was the big game fair in Essen, Germany. I'm sure we'll be getting more news this week. And I'll pass along what I find out to you.
Essen, Essen, Essen! [Opinionated Gamers, MetaGames] This week was the world's largest board game fair in Essen, Germany. As much as I would have loved to go, alas! I was stuck at home. However, several writers for the Opinionated Gamers blog were able to be there, and they have detailed their experiences (some are more about the games than others). Also, James from the MetaGames blog has been posting periodic tweets about games from Essen and usually posts fuller reviews on his blog a little later. And I will be watching for more news as it's revealed this week. (And be sure to check out the GeekBuzz list on BGG.)
Essen, Essen, Essen! [Opinionated Gamers, MetaGames] This week was the world's largest board game fair in Essen, Germany. As much as I would have loved to go, alas! I was stuck at home. However, several writers for the Opinionated Gamers blog were able to be there, and they have detailed their experiences (some are more about the games than others). Also, James from the MetaGames blog has been posting periodic tweets about games from Essen and usually posts fuller reviews on his blog a little later. And I will be watching for more news as it's revealed this week. (And be sure to check out the GeekBuzz list on BGG.)
Monday, October 21, 2013
News Bits: 10/21/2013
The NEWS:
Ticket to Ride joins Android 7 humble bundle [Link] I paid the recommended contribution just for the Android app. This seems like a great deal, if you like this sort of thing.
Ticket to Ride joins Android 7 humble bundle [Link] I paid the recommended contribution just for the Android app. This seems like a great deal, if you like this sort of thing.
Monday, October 14, 2013
News Bits: 10/14/2013
This week's NEWS:
Terra Mystica, Le Havre: Inland Port win International Gamers Awards [Link] The International Gamers Awards focus on gamer games rather than the Spiel des Jahres' (and to some extent the Kennerspiel des Jahres') more family-oriented games. And the results look like two big wins for Z-Man Games in the US. I know supply problems have hampered the first, and I've not played either. Anyone have any thoughts on these winners?
Terra Mystica, Le Havre: Inland Port win International Gamers Awards [Link] The International Gamers Awards focus on gamer games rather than the Spiel des Jahres' (and to some extent the Kennerspiel des Jahres') more family-oriented games. And the results look like two big wins for Z-Man Games in the US. I know supply problems have hampered the first, and I've not played either. Anyone have any thoughts on these winners?
Monday, October 7, 2013
News Bits: 10/7/2013
Monday, September 30, 2013
News Bits: 9/30/2013
This week's NEWS:
SeaFall, new "Legacy" game, coming in 2014 from Plaid Hat Games and Rob Daviau [Link] I thought the idea behind Risk: Legacy was awesome (if cringe-inducing to this collector), but I don't like the underlying game enough to give it a go. This new game looks fantastic: a 4x game set in an alternate age of discovery that remembers grudges and evolves as you play. This one I would love to try.
SeaFall, new "Legacy" game, coming in 2014 from Plaid Hat Games and Rob Daviau [Link] I thought the idea behind Risk: Legacy was awesome (if cringe-inducing to this collector), but I don't like the underlying game enough to give it a go. This new game looks fantastic: a 4x game set in an alternate age of discovery that remembers grudges and evolves as you play. This one I would love to try.
Monday, September 23, 2013
News Bits: 9/23/2013
Summer is gone; fall is here. The seasons change, but the NEWS stays the same:
Terra Mystica wins Deutscher Spiele Preis [Link] And surprises...no one. Other top winners are Tzolk'in, Bruges, and Bora Bora (yes, two Stefan Feld games in the top 4). Congratulations to the winners!
Terra Mystica wins Deutscher Spiele Preis [Link] And surprises...no one. Other top winners are Tzolk'in, Bruges, and Bora Bora (yes, two Stefan Feld games in the top 4). Congratulations to the winners!
Monday, September 16, 2013
News Bits: 9/16/2013
Lots of good stuff in this week's NEWS.
Chris Handy interviews Alan Moon [Link] This is a fantastic interview. Seriously. I planned to watch a few minutes and watched the whole thing. (A brief note: this was supposed to be a Kickstarter reward for the Adventures on the Tabletop documentary. If you feel so inclined, you can still support the project here.) When I wrote the guide on Carl Chudyk a few weeks ago, I mentioned that he was the only designer with two games in my top ten. That, however, was not true (whoops!). Alan Moon shares that title with him (for Ticket to Ride: Europe and Airlines Europe). Check this out.
Chris Handy interviews Alan Moon [Link] This is a fantastic interview. Seriously. I planned to watch a few minutes and watched the whole thing. (A brief note: this was supposed to be a Kickstarter reward for the Adventures on the Tabletop documentary. If you feel so inclined, you can still support the project here.) When I wrote the guide on Carl Chudyk a few weeks ago, I mentioned that he was the only designer with two games in my top ten. That, however, was not true (whoops!). Alan Moon shares that title with him (for Ticket to Ride: Europe and Airlines Europe). Check this out.
Monday, September 9, 2013
News Bits: 9/9/2013
Another week that begins with the NEWS:
Spielbox teases deluxe edition of Hanabi [Link] Well, this looks awesome...though nearly $80 is more than I'd be willing to pay, considering the basic version is $10. (Of course, the problem is finding a copy, with the initial print run sold out.) But still: stylish.
Spielbox teases deluxe edition of Hanabi [Link] Well, this looks awesome...though nearly $80 is more than I'd be willing to pay, considering the basic version is $10. (Of course, the problem is finding a copy, with the initial print run sold out.) But still: stylish.
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
News Bits: 9/3/2013
I hope you had a good holiday. Here is the NEWS:
MeepleTown's Gen Con recap looks at 7 Wonders: Babel [Link] This was not out on the main floor at Gen Con, as far as I'm aware, so I was glad to see someone's take on the expansion. (First, a quick note: the author is absolutely right that Asmodee was on the ball with both great games and great people to show them off. They almost sold me several games...and made me wish I had indeed bought them. Kudos to Asmodee!) I had said before that I probably wouldn't buy any more 7 Wonders expansions, but this one might change my mind...
MeepleTown's Gen Con recap looks at 7 Wonders: Babel [Link] This was not out on the main floor at Gen Con, as far as I'm aware, so I was glad to see someone's take on the expansion. (First, a quick note: the author is absolutely right that Asmodee was on the ball with both great games and great people to show them off. They almost sold me several games...and made me wish I had indeed bought them. Kudos to Asmodee!) I had said before that I probably wouldn't buy any more 7 Wonders expansions, but this one might change my mind...
Monday, August 26, 2013
News Bits: 8/26/2013
Lots of good stuff this week, including gamers' recaps of Gen Con. Also, be sure to check out our contest (you could win Spyrium, Sentinels of the Multiverse: Enhanced Edition, or Jungle Speed). And now, the NEWS:
Gamers recap Gen Con [Link] Yes, it's true: if you were on Twitter and not at the con, you realize that everyone you knew in the hobby was probably in Indianapolis. And now all the recaps are rolling in. Kim Vandenbroucke of The Game Aisle has done a fantastic job rounding up the coverage. Check out her website at the link above. And if you want to read our perspectives, Wolfie and I wrote recaps last week.
Gamers recap Gen Con [Link] Yes, it's true: if you were on Twitter and not at the con, you realize that everyone you knew in the hobby was probably in Indianapolis. And now all the recaps are rolling in. Kim Vandenbroucke of The Game Aisle has done a fantastic job rounding up the coverage. Check out her website at the link above. And if you want to read our perspectives, Wolfie and I wrote recaps last week.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)