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!

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.

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.

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!

iOS Games

As some of you may know some great Euro Games are available to play on your iPhone...and Android too, though I don't have one so I'll stick to iOS games. I am also going to only a few of my favorite iOS Euro Games since I currently have 18 (!) Apps in this category.

The first, and one of the best designed iOS games is Carcassonne. The App offered online play before Game Center, though now it uses it. The AIs are challenging and allow for solo play. There are also In-App Expansions available for purchase. The Solitaire game offers another dimension of replayablility. I would appreciate offering more expansions and even more AIs, but maybe that's because I play Carcassonne a lot. The Carcassonne is also a universal App, which is a big plus!

Another one of my favorites are the Ticket to Ride Pocket App (Original & Europe). Although it will be annoying I'll have to by a separate app if, and when, I get an iPad. Both Pocket Apps offer In-App Expansion purchases available. It's Game Center supported which means you can challenge your friends to an online game.

I recently started playing Le Havre on my phone. For a more complicated game the designers did a good job of making everything easy to find and use. I recently discovered that you can enlarge the goods you're currently holding. It also has Game Center support.

My final favorite iOS Euro game I'll mention is Ascension. Even on the iPhone it is easy to use. Game Center support and Expansions add other dimensions to playability.

In general all iOS Euro Games (and all iOS games for that matter) should have the following features:

1. Game Center Support. No other system will do since Game Center is now default on the iPhone.

2. Excellent sophisticated multi-level AIs. I don't want too easy, or too hard AIs. I want them to have multiple strategies. I also don't want to beat up on just the human players.

3. Replayablility. This can be achieved from special solitaire games, multiple variants and/ or expansions. This is key if you want me to spent more than 99 cents on your app!

4. Universal App. As someone who is considering at some point (hopefully) purchasing an iPad I don't want to have to buy another app just for the iPad.

5. True to Original Euro Game. I don't want a "dumbed-down" version of an awesome game.

iOS gaming will not replace my board gaming, but it does solve my problem of lack enough people for a regular gaming group. This is especially true for Small World... That is whenever I buy an iPad since there is only an iPad only App. Sad. I think it could be on the iPhone. They manage to do it with Tikal. So I would think Small World wouldn't be that much harder.

What's your favorite iOS Euro Game App? Looking for a gaming buddy- leave a comment with your Game Center Screen Name and I'll connect with you.

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.

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.