Could President Obama Become a Gamer?

My BF and I talk about how we think President Obama could become a gamer. Politics aside (not that I'm against talking about it, but because this is a gaming blog and a celebration of nerdom we'll avoid it), President Obama does represent nerdom well being that he is an intellectual president. He's interest in Harry Potter and other nerdy things does make me want to launch a campaign to teach him a board game or two (Then the question is which one? Small World? Carcassonne? Ticket to Ride?).

Of course there are some logistical issues behind trying to get the President into to gaming. For one how would you get him a game or two? If you send it to the White House, I doubt he'll get it. (DC Area people know these things; he wouldn't get it). Maybe the best way is to get a Senator involved in gaming first and then have them teach the President? Maybe Wil Wheaton needs to meet the President! Who knows?! Clearly we haven't figured out all the details yet.

If anyone has any ideas on how to introduce the President into gaming, let me know! I am certain once we taught him a game or two, he would be hooked!

What's in a Theme?

How much does the theme really matter in a game? Short answer is it depends on the game.

The theme really matters when the game is built around the game. In this case the game is theme dependent. If the theme is a secondary characteristic that can be swapped out with another and the game still works as is, then the theme does not matter as much.

Examples.
1. Dominion. It's medieval theme is really independent of the game play. In this case the them doesn't matter as much whether it's medieval or pirates.

2. Agricola. It's farming them is so intwined with the game, that if you switched the theme to pirates, it wouldn't work.

3. Vinci/ Small World. As evident by the updated version, Vinci/ Small World can transcend its theme reality/ fantasy war game.

4. TV Wars. Again another game, where if you change the theme to say pirates, the game play would fall apart.

5. St. Petersburg. This game, although theme oriented, is not theme dependent.

6. Vinhos. Wine making just would not work as a pirate game. (What pirates are awesome!) ... Even if it was a pirate rum-making game.

Furthermore, a game that is built around a theme must be more detail-oriented towards the theme. Example: If you're playing a French game, the money should Francs or Euros, not Dollars. The game should also feature uniquely French things like the Eiffel Tower, wine, French phrases, etc.

Learning History Through Board Gaming

Although board gaming is a fun hobby, it can also be educational. Below are some games I'm sure helped me get into History. There are many more historical games out there than the ones listed here. Check out Board Game Geek for more historical games!

Full Disclosure: I love the History Channel and have been known to watch their multi-part series numerous times! I also minored in History. Probably would have double-majored in it if I wasn't so intent on graduating early.

History of the World
Overview. This game covers major historical civilizations in an conquer region / area control game. The original game spanned 7 epochs from 3000 BC to 1914 AD. It also happens to be a long game, especially if you play in a tournament.
What did it teach me? Players will gain a greater appreciation for military and civilization history, especially for those lesser known ones to American students - Chinese and Indian ancient civilizations.
Credit. World History to 1914. Non- Western Civilizations.

Chrononauts
Overview. Chrononauts is an alternate history game with an element of time travel. Players try to rearrange historical events to meet their mission. All events are real events in US History. The original game covers US history from 1865 Lincoln Assassination to 1999 Columbine shooting. The Early American expansion covers 1770 Tea Exempted in Tax Repeal to 1916 Star Spangled Banner becomes National Anthem. Gore Years Expansion covers 2000 G.W. Bush winning the Presidency to 2008 1st Black President elected.
What did it teach me? The game will give you a grasp of how historical events are connected to one another.
Credit. American History.

Founding Fathers
Overview. Become a Founding Father by being a delegate at the Constitutional Convention. Win by getting items into the Constitution that personally get you points.
What did it teach me? Players will learn more about those lesser known Founding Fathers. (Shout out to my main man George Mason!)
Credit. Political & US Founding History.

D Day Dice
Overview. Experience D Day through this intense cooperative game. Make it up the beach, and beat the Germans for Victory!
What did it teach me? Players can learn about the different beach battles took place.
Credit. WWII military history.

Of course there are a multitude of games that more or less serve as mini-reenactments. I say mini-reenactments because they focus mainly on historical battles where each player plays a side. The main focus of these games are on the American Revolution (1776, Liberty, etc), American Civil War (Gettysburg, Battle Cry, etc), WWII (Memoir 44, Axis & Allies, etc), etc.

Note: I wrote this blog post mostly on moving transportation (metro & bus) on my iPhone, so hopefully I didn't get autocorrected too much.

World Board Gaming Championship: A Look Back

Last week I attended the World Board Gaming Championship in Lancaster, PA.  If my math is correct, this was my 16^th or 17^th year.  Impressive given I am not even 30 (…nor will I ever be)!  Here’s what I spent my week:

Tournaments

This year I only entered into two tournaments, St. Petersburg and 7 Wonders.  Throughout the years I have entered fewer and fewer tournaments, mostly due to timing and/or I did not want to end a pick up game early.

St. Pete Results: I won my board in the first heat, and then sucked for the next three heats (2 3^rdth).  Despite my rocky start, I was the last person given a semi-final spot. In my semi-final game, I missed 1^st place by two points. Unfortunately, there was some king making at my table.  I was insulated from it, but my BF was not. places and a 4

7 Wonders: The tournament consisted of two games. I honestly don’t remember how well I did in both games, other than to say I did not make the next round.

New Games

I learned the following new games:

Alea Iacta Est:  This made for a good filler game.  This is an interesting dice placement game that reminded me of Castles of Burgundy, but not as good.  It does seem to have some issues in mechanics.  This could have been because my table of 5 had a large number of dice ending up in the Latrina. 

Castle Panic:  I first learned of Castle Panic through Geek and Sundry’s Table Top webseries with Wil Wheaton.   This cooperative game was engaging.  I felt it was true to its portrayal on Table Top.   Much like Pandemic, there is an element of panic… but in a good way. 

D Day Dice:  D Day Dice, a Kickstarter cooperative game, also reflects the element of panic and reality of D Day.  There was a major team feeling throughout the game as we worked our way up the beach fighting the Nazis. Although though we managed to win on our first try, but apparently that is not the norm.  

Dixit:  I previously wrote about hating “Party Games”.  Dixit is a party game, but one I actually like.  Players take turns “telling a story” about one of their cards (their words; I say describe the card) by using a word, sentence, lyrics, movie quotes, etc.  Then other players look in their hand and pick a card they think fits the description.  The Story Teller then mixes all the cards and the other players vote on which card they think is the Story Teller’s.  The artwork on the cards is awesomely weird. Yet at the same time there are some cards I want to frame in my house. Unlike Apples to Apple, you do not necessarily need to know the other players well, although it does help.  It is a great family game that spans the ages. Additionally there are a lot of expansions, so you can expand your horizons.

Le Havre:  I had heard that the iOS app was out, but did not want to purchase it until I actually had played the board game once. It is one of the Uwe Rosenberg’s “Harvest Trilogy” (Agricola, which I hate with a fiery passion, and At the Gates of Loylang, which I like).  I ended up liking the game a lot, although I did not win. Much like Agricola you must feed your people.  It is far less annoying than Agricola’s food requirement and far more forgiving overall.  I just recently played an awesome iOS game winning with ship buying strategy. 

Navegador:  This is a Portuguese themed explorer and discovery game.  I enjoyed exploring the waters, founding colonies, and making money. It had an interesting element of how to determine your actions through movement along an action wheel.  Definitely a game that requires planning ahead. 

Undermining:  Undermining is space mining game that has more than meets the eye.   Mined resources can be turned in for craft upgrades or complete contracts for points.  One annoying and effective technique is to sit upon the transportation portal. 

Ra the Dice Game:  This dice game was less than thrilling.  I think we either played it wrong, or we missed something.  I have never played Ra, but I played Priests of Ra last year.   After my Ra-like experiences, I doubt Ra is my game.

Small World Realms:  Despite wanting to play SW Realms before the tournament, I did not manage to do so.  We ended up playing two games of Realms; 1 of each Scenarios 1 (My Precious World) and 3 (Go East).  I enjoyed that each scenario added a new element without radically altering the game (which is my main complain with the Tales and Legends Expansion).  I would love to play these scenarios, as well as the others more.  I would also like to try my hand at coming up with my own scenarios. Of course this is all contingent on convincing the BF to play more Small World.   

Old Games

I also played a number of games that I had previously played before. These include Ascension: Chronicles of the Godslayer; Kingdom Builder; London; Alhambra; Castles of Burgundy; Galaxy Trucker and Lost Cities: The Board Game.

New Purchases

This year I only purchased two games! Shocking… I know.  

First is Ticket to Ride: Nordic Countries.  I bought this one because it is a 2-3-player game. Since I do not have a regular gaming group, I am always looking for 2 player games that I can play with the BF.  Although the Original and Europe Ticket to Ride are good with 2 players, but the board always seems a little too big. 

Second is Trollhalla.  This troll pirate game focuses on collecting the most valuable plunder.  I got it mostly because it looked interesting.  I know you can’t judge a game by its box, but still.  When I punched out the bits, I discovered it has lady trolls. Girl Power!

Gaming is Everywhere YouTube Video

I have finally posted another YouTube video starring my production assistant, Yellow Meeple! His latest adventure is about how gamers see their games everywhere!

Carcassonne Realty

Enjoy!

Achievement Unlocked?!

Although I have played some video and computer games, I am super excited about the PS3 Trophy App. Why?! (Warning: Nerd Alert.) So I can make my own achievements. I like this app better than Xbox based Achievement Generator App because it allows you to add your own picture. I am having way too much fun with it!

Board games don't really have "achievements" unless you are playing in an tournament or you have a high score list as part of some House Rules. I like the idea of coming up with achievements. For hardcore gamers, we want more than just to win the game. Achievements are the next level after winning.

Now I know some people are not keen on the iOS Game Center achievements. A lot the games I play on my iPhone are games I started out playing in actual board game form. The achievements allow me to experience these in a different way.

Board gamers, what is your take on achievements.

WBC Preparations- How many tournaments is too many?

Some people come to WBC to play intournaments.  Others come just toplay games, either in the tournaments or in open gaming.

There is no limit to how many tournaments in whichyou are allowed to play.  The onlylimit is that you can’t play in more than one tournament at the exact sametime.

Now with the expanded open gaming area, playing intournaments is not the only way to play games at WBC.

Personally I began attending this conventionplaying in more tournaments. As the open gaming space grew, so did my interestin open gaming.  It is a great wayto learn new games, play newly bought games, or beat someone in an oldfavorite.

WBC Preparations- What Games Should I bring?

Even as a veteran attendee, I still find it hard to decide what games to bring.

1. Bring any games that you plan to play in the tournament.  This is critical! If they run out of boards to play on, you will not be able to play in the tournament. Bringing a game is the best way to guarantee you will get to play in the tournament.

2. Any games that you love to play, but usually do not have enough players to play at home.

3. Any games that you love to play in general.

4. Leave space for new games! Seriously! Don’t bring too many games that you can’t fit new games in your car.

WBC Preparations- Background & Tournaments

A week from now there the World Boardgaming Championship (WBC) begins!!!

WBC is a tournament hosted by the Boardgame Players Association every year since 1999.  WBC first began as Avalon Con from 1991 to 1998 by the Avalon Hill game publisher. Although mainly East coasters attend WBC, there are gamers from CA, Canada and even Europe who attend. Total number of attendees is usually around 1,500.

WBC is a tournament where gamers compete for a wooden plaque (insert wood jokes here) in their favorite games. There are usually about 100 different gaming events. This is in addition to open gaming space.  The open gaming space includes a game library, where gamers can borrow a game. There are also kiosks where you can advertise that you need more gamers, want to learn a new game, etc.  The convention also includes a demo area where Rio Grande Games has staff on hand to teach you their latest games.  Starting on Saturday, vendors are available to sell you the latest games, as well as old favorites. 

Expansions

Back in the day games didn’t have expansions. There was just the game. Sure you could modify the rules, make your own cards, etc. but there was nothing official. The game maker may even have a theme to their games, but the game was what it was.

In more recent times (starting with perhaps Settlers of Catan and Carcassonne?), expansions have basically become a requirement.   Sure for some games this can be good, but in the end there are always expansions that seem half-assed, too outrageous, break the game, etc.

One good example of this would be St. Petersburg, specifically the Banquet mini-expansion more so than the New Society.   The Banquet added special powers to the game, which I think broke the game. St. Petersburg did not need special powers. This modifies the game too much. At least the New Society’s additional cards attempted to fix some broken elements of the base game by replacing some of the cards like the Mistress.  Allowing for a fifth player was unnecessary though.

On the flip side, I love the Small World expansions… mostly.  (Partly I love the expansions, because I love the game itself so much.) The expansions with the new Races and Powers, like Be Not Afraid, Cursed! And the Grand Dames, are fantastic.  Tales and Legends were interesting, but adding event cards added a new element to the game that was unnecessary.

My theory on game expansions is they should expand, but not over extend the original game.  Expansions should also be limiting. A new game with a similar theme should be created.

Yes all game maker want to create an empire, but endless expansions are over done.  Case in point is Dominion.  There have been so many expansions, so quickly. It’s too much.  Then again I wouldn’t mind more Small World expansions, but maybe that’s just because I love the game.

What are your views on expansions?

Games we love and love to hate

Everyone has their favorite game. It’s that game you just “get”. The strategy was just made for your mind. It could also be the pieces, the art, etc. clicks with you.  Or in the case of a video or phone game, maybe the app or game was really well executed in terms of design. It could even be a game you just love playing even if you do not always win.

Currently that game is Small World.  I loved Vinci and would play it. Small World is definitely more challenging and has more replayability thanks to all the expansions. I just feel like I “get” the game.  Plus it’s a little less dry than Vinci. And now, with Small World Realms (I have, but have not played yet), the game is a lot more customizable. If you are like me, your favorite game changes or evolves over time too.  I used to love Saint Petersburg. Still like it, but my love has faded. It’s also hard for me to just name one favorite game, but I try to keep it at a minimum just for the sake of time. 

There are also games you just don’t “get”. For me this game is Agricola. Yes I have played it a few times. I understand the strategies but cannot execute them at all. Usually a few plays into the game I feel as if I have already lost. I don’t want to feel that. It makes me want to cry. It is not that the game is too hard, it’s just it’s not for me. It’s like dating. Sometimes people are nice but they just are not for you. It happens. The worse is when it happens to a game that is the hot “it” game everyone loves. Gamers in general go through game phases where everyone wants to play the “it” game. It sucks when you are not a fan of the “it” game.

Childhood Game Memories

What are your first gaming memories? Candy Land? Monopoly? Risk? Stratego?

For me it was Survive. Don’t get me wrong. I played those other games too. I might have even played them before I learned Survive. And I am not talking about the cool new edition, but the old school one with those little plastic people that looked like candy and the green Loch Ness serpent monster on the box.  We use to play that game all the time. I hated it when I would get eaten by the monsters.

In fact I was so happy when they reprinted it. Not because I thought it was the best game in the world. (Though now it has beautiful wooden pieces and a Squeeples (Squid Meeples) expansion! It was more for nostalgic reasons. Survive was one of my “gateway” games.  I guess I should start saving money now. The 1982 edition of Survive is currently going on Ebay for $45-100! But how could I not?! Especially for nostalgia. 

The reason why Survive sticks in my head is because it was the first game none of my friends had heard of or played. Everyone has at least heard of Candy Land, Monopoly, Risk and Stratego even if they have not played it. I remember kids at school going “Survive… what is that?!”  Maybe that’s also when I first realized I was different – that I was a gamer?! Who knows? At any rate it is a good childhood gaming memory and might be better if I had an original copy.

Why I hate “party games”

Hi. My name is Lady of Carcassonne and I hate “party games”. They are not really games. There is no real strategic aspect to them. They are fluff. Not even filler games, but pure fluff. I think they are a waste of the title of game. Most of them are silly, forced interactions with people.  I am fine with people not being as into strategic and Euro games as I am, but please don’t pretend these are real games.

Examples.

Apples to Apples. I use to like this game. I never loved it. I would never offer to play it, but it did not turn me off as much as it does now. Now whenever anyone wants to play it I want to run the other way.  Unless you play with people you know well, it’s hard to “play to the person”.  I don’t get the point in just throwing something out there just to see if they like it the best (no really Helen Keller isn’t as funny as you think it is). Also this is a game people want to play FOREVER. No please stop this game after you get 10 cards or whatever it says in the rule. This game is so intellectually boring to me, I often play total random card draw unless I really know the people. Even among hardcore gamers, there is a thought of “Hey, I know you aren’t a gamer, but you’ll love Apples to Apples.” Do not fall into this trap. No. No. NO. If your friends, acquaintances, coworkers, and/or whomevers are not gamers try to start them off with Carcassonne or Settlers. Or just accept they are not gamers.

Trivial Pursuit. I consider myself a smart person, but just straight answering trivia questions is not fun for me. Yes it isn’t fun even if I know the answer.  Seriously there is not strategy here. You just answer the questions. No betting on the answers or anything. I guess that’s why I never really got into Jeopardy.  Yes this game is more intellectual. But really what is the point?!

Honestly I’d rather play Candy Land or Monopoly with a little kid than a party game. Why? I can use it as a teaching experience. That’s what the intellectual part of those games are for me. Yes the games might not be hard for a twenty something year old who loves strategic games, but I can teach the kids the importance of counting, thinking ahead, etc. If I can’t play a real strategic or Euro game, I consider teaching kids about games a better use of my time than some silly party game with a bunch of adults.

Game German

My family's first copy of Settlers of Catan was in German.  Fortunately one of my uncles knows German, so we had a personal translator for all our imported games. From that time onwards I started to pick up what I like to call Game German- German words like Spiel, StartSpieler, Spiel des Jahres or Straße. As time went on I began to pick up more and more of these words. Of course I am not [yet?] fluent in German, but I joke with my uncle that he should teach a continuing education course in Game German.  I think I at least know enough German to play Settlers entirely in German... though I might need a refresher on the Development Cards given they are a little bit more complex German for me.  Of course when I actually do need to play a German game with Germans in Germany, they will probably all speak English. Or at least that is what my sister's boyfriend reported when he went to Essen (OMG so jealous).  Maybe that's what I will do when I retire (in hopefully 30ish years), is move to Germany and play German board games all the time!      

Gaming Websites & Forums

Some of you may be wondering why I don’t post these posts somewhere on Board Game Geek.  It is mainly due to I find BGG hard to use.  I only have my game collection on there because the iPhone app makes that easy. I forget (and are not super excited) about recording every game play on there, since that seems too tedious. It would be a nice statistic to have all the games I play if I had the patience that to keep up with it.  The rest of the website is just too busy and overwhelming. I wish the app and website were more user (ie ME) friendly because I would like to engage with gamers on BGG more.

I did, however, just join the GeekandSundry community (as LadyofCarcassonne, who else?!)! I am a big Table Top Fan, so it seemed like a good place to check out. Plus maybe Wil Wheaton will read my suggestions and stop by the World Board Gaming Championship in a few weeks! One can only hope, right?

2012 Spiel des Jahres

All you gamers know about the Spiel des Jahres.  For those who don’t know, this is a big deal. It is the Acadamy Awards of board and card gaming!

Here’s some background quoted from the Spiel des Jahres English translation for those who are unfamiliar with the Game of the Year Award.

[It is] an award for board and card games in German-speaking countries that started in 1979. Eligible are German-speaking games of the present year and the year before. In the year 2001 the award “Kinderspiel des Jahres” (children’s game of the year) and since 2011 "Kennerspiel des Jahres" were established as other principal awards. The awards do not come with pecuniary grants. Awards, i.e. corresponding logos, may be used for advertising purposes and are subject to licence fees. These serve for defraying expenses. “Spiel des Jahres” works as a registered association with its office based in Düren.

Today they announced this year’s Spiel des Jahres winner is Kingdom Builder by Donald X. Vaccarino of Queen Games.  The other nominees were Vegas by Rüdiger Dorn of alea/Ravensburger, and Eselsbrücke by Stefan Dorra and Ralf zur Linde of Schmidt Spiele.

The first time I played Kingdom Builder was at the Xmas Edition of Club Fed.  I instantly fell in love with this complex game. Not only does it have a high replayability, but it had different terrain control mechanics.  The randomly generated board and cards add to the fun.  To me it was the perfect mix of strategy and luck. I have only played this game a few times total.  It still makes my buy list.  There are two expansions, Capitol and Nomads, available. I have yet to play either of those.

2 New YouTube Posts!

I just uploaded 2 YouTube Videos. 

Small World: Realms UNWRAPPED is a celebration of what all gamers hold dear, the unwrapping of a new game! 

World Board Gaming Championship (WBC) is a promo video for WBC, which is a gaming  convention I attend every year.  If you are interested in gaming and want to hang out with a whole bunch of people who game basically 24/7 for a week straight, come check it out!


Enjoy!

New Games

I am still awaiting the arrival of my copy of Small World: Realms, which should come soon in the mail. There is something poetic about opening a new, shrink-wrapped game. It's like Christmas. You up wrap it to find a bunch of bits for play! Punching out the cardboard pieces, and/or unwrapping the cards, is your first look at the game. How do you play with these bits? 

I can't wait. 

The Lady, The Myth, The Legend

The Lady: I have been board gaming every since I was born. Well I'm pretty sure that is not quite the case, but ever since I could roll dice. I have attended a board gaming convention every year since I was young. My father and my uncles are the ones who got me into board gaming.  I have already requested to have my father's games willed to me when he dies. (Morbid... I know). Board Gamer for Life... and Death!

The Myth: There are many gaming myths in my family.  My favorite is the story that I am a board gamer because when I was a baby my father would read my the rules to games (new and loved) while I sat in the crook of his knee. It's a cute story. And it's probably true. (I only say probably because I don't remember it.)

The Legend: As with family gaming myths, there are also many family gaming legends. I like the one where my first year of attending the board gaming convention I came in second to the designer of the game in the tournament. That's pretty damn good for a kid.

Administrative

In an attempt to create an empire and spread the word of gaming you should follow me everywhere! 

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