Kickstarter's Impact on Board Gaming

As with other industries, Kickstarter has left it's mark on the gaming community. Through Kickstarter, emerging game designers and games are given a chance to be published and circulated among a wide audience.

What impresses me the most about these Kickstarter games is the quality and professionalism of the product. I would have never known games like D Day Dice and Carnival were Kickstarter games by looking at them. These are real professional games, not some half-assed attempt. The rules are well thought out and thoroughly play-tested. The pieces, cards, boards, etc. are made out of quality materials and feature great artwork.

Thanks to Kickstarter, anyone with a good game idea can fund its publishing.

All By Myself: Solo Games

Love gaming but can never find any willing victims, I mean players, to play with you? Maybe you should try solo games.

Recently I just purchased Friedemann Friese's Friday. This "solo adventure" is the first game I've played just for one player, rather than a multi-player game that has a solo option. So far I've enjoy my attempts to defeat the islsnd's hazards as well as the pirates. This game is hard. And has multiple levels for maximum play.

I have also played the solo variants of multi-player games. In the case of most - D Day Dice; At the Gates of Loyang; Agricola; and, Dinosaurs of the Lost World - the rules already had a solo variant included. In the case of Small World, I found a solo variant on Board Game Geek. Even iOS Carcassonne has a solo option, which was not part of the original game. Either way, all of these games are just as challenging as as a solo game. Though with Agricola I find it easier, but maybe because I suck at the game no matter how I play.

To me solo game play can be just as fun as if you are playing with, or against friends. Even with the rise in iOS, video and computer gaming, it is still nice to sit down and play an actual, real life game against yourself. It can actually be a great way to relax!

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.