Not Playing By The Rules

Have you ever modified the rules, or made up new ones for a game? I am not talking minor modified rules, or House Rules, but significantly changed or brand new ones.

I just created a new solo version of Agricola: All Creatures Big & Small (ACBS) & it's expansion All Buildings Big & Small (ABBS). Why make up a solo version when Agricola has a solo version? Per my previous post I have, let's call them issues with regular Agricola. Plus I don't own regular Agricola.

Any ways as you can see below I assigned each spot on the board a number based on the roll of three six-sided dice, since I don't have have a D20 (I know I'm a bad gamer!). I decided it would be most annoying if the easiest rolls to make (9-12) should be on the animals. Animals are the point (and worth the most points) of ACBS, so it makes sense.

Each round the player with the start goes first. Yes the "other player" (aka Dirk) can go first. On my turn I take it as normal; pick a space and take the stuff/ do the action. On Dirk's turn I roll the dice and take the stuff/ do the action unless the action has already been taken. Then I re-roll. Refill & Repeat for the usual 8 rounds, with 3 actions per round.

The solo version is better than the first that I first created. That one is play the 8 round game with 3 actions each round. Because there was no competition the resources and animals would easily build up, making the game easier. But that first solo version was a great introduction to how to play Agricola (all flavors) well by conserving actions.

The addition of ABBS did not really change either solo version that much, since there are still only 4 special buildings still available (2 from ACBS & 2 ABBS; all randomly chosen).

Secret Gaming Project

Today there was a giant box blocking my door when I got home. I was so excited to open it and reveal my secret project to all of you.

My secret project was to finally come up with a suitable storage option for my Small World Collection (Small World, Underground, Realms, and all the mini expansions and promos). Alas my project has FAILED (for now...[dun dun dun]).

My requirements were that all of my Small World Collection had to fit in 1 box with the races, powers and other bits properly secured and divided. I refuse to condense my collection into either the the Small World or Underground, or use bags for the races. To me that is just wrong.

Hearing other gamers raving about Plano fishing tackle boxes, I did some investigating. I found this lovely Plano tackle box that had an open top and 4( !) divided boxes that pull out for use. I opened my package to open my tackle box and pulled out my Small World game board.

The board DID NOT fit!

It was about a quarter inch too big :( The measurements I had taken I compared to the outside measurements listed on Amazon. They didn't listen the interior measurements. Plus where the box closes the clasp takes a bit of the top's open space where I would have put the game boards. It takes up at least a quarter inch that I need. (Insert size does matter joke here.)

I am not giving up. I will be going to the sporting goods store with my game to measure the inside of the box versus the game board. If that doesn't work, perhaps a trip to the Container Store is in order.