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!

Essen: The Gaming Mothership

The Internationale Spieltag SPIEL this year is Oct 18th to 21st. This four day game trade fair is usually just called Essen after it's German host city. This trade show features game designers and publishers and is open to consumers. Nuremberg also holds an International Toy Fair; however, general consumers are not allowed. Essen holds the title of the world's biggest gaming convention, followed by Gen Con and Origins.

Although I have yet to attend Essen, I know from my sister's BF and the Board Game Geek that a big appeal of Essen is not only the new games that are introduced, but also the promo items available. Of course Essen features Euro Games or German-style games. Another highlight are the gaming awards awarded during the trade show.

Someday I will get to Essen. First I have to save up lots money so I can buy all the new games, so I can get them all signed. Surprisingly I have been to Germany before, but failed to go in Oct. Perhaps someday I will be able to go.

A gamer girl can dream!

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.

Deciding On Games To Purchase

If you're like me and don't have unlimited funds for games, often times you must decide which games to buy. Personally I like to play games before purchasing them. If that isn't possible then I use word of mouth, Board Game Geek and/ or vendor recommendations. Although I prefer to buy my games from a physical store/ vendor, the Internet has made it easier to have access to a wider variety of games. The best stores are the independent ones with gaming space, like the Game Parlor in Chantilly, VA. Every year at WBC

At least in my family we get games (or gift certificates for games) as presents for Xmas and birthdays! This does help ease the lack of game funding problem.

Game Review: Ticket to Ride: Nordic Countries

This afternoon I played Ticket to Ride: Nordic Countries (TTR: NC). Full disclosure, both my BF and I have played Ticket to Ride (TTR) many times as a board and iOS game, as well as TTR Europe (TTR: E). We are also experienced gamers.

Much like the Switzerland (TTR: S) map I have played just in the iOS game, this version of TTR accommodates 2-3 players. This is what attracted me to purchase the game since I just have one gaming partner. The rules for Tunnels and Ferries are the same as TTR: E & TTR: S. Locomotive cards can be used for routes with Tunnels or Ferries, but not regular ones. The Ticket drawing is the same as TTR:S whereby returned ticket cards from your initial selection and any previous drawing actions are removed from the game.

If you know how to play any other TTR version, this will be an easy game to learn. You may have an initial minor issue with the Nordic geography , unless you know the cities in their native languages. Much like Europe, this does not detract from the game. Plus the ticket cards have little maps on them, do worse case is you find the destination cities that way.

The art and production value is of the same calibre as the other Days of Wonder and TTR games.

There is a fair amount of replayability to TTR: NC given there are 46 Destination (Ticket) Cards, but in my game we barely saw half of them.

The best part about this version of TTR verses the Original one and Europe is that the map is scaled to be more contentious with 2-3 players. (Again much like Switzerland).

Overall I would definitely play Ticket to Ride: Nordic Countries again ... Especially since I ended up winning! Bonus!

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.

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!

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.

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