tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4535367891237919312.comments2023-12-24T09:37:17.116-05:00Man OverBoardPaul Owenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02260814589584723033noreply@blogger.comBlogger519125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4535367891237919312.post-65025438841912663402020-01-28T18:25:49.458-05:002020-01-28T18:25:49.458-05:00Terraforming Mars is also our favorite board game,...Terraforming Mars is also our favorite board game, which we play with my wife very, very often. Unfortunately, my wife wins very often :)) But it's nothing I like to play her and I enjoy it so much. Greetings.Gry Planszowehttp://recenzjegierplanszowych.plnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4535367891237919312.post-87481076722034989582019-11-26T07:29:32.134-05:002019-11-26T07:29:32.134-05:00Well, I think I have found that "comprehensiv...Well, I think I have found that "comprehensive list of women boardgame designers" - or at least one that is closer to the mark. Elizabeth Hargrave, designer of the <i>Spiel des Jahres</i> winner <i>Wingspan</i>, has compiled <a href="https://www.elizhargrave.com/women-nb-game-designers" rel="nofollow">Women and Non-binary Game Designers</a>, which at this writing lists over 200 non-male designers. I consider her page to be the definitive compendium on the topic.Paul Owenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02260814589584723033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4535367891237919312.post-1683173398587908442019-01-13T08:47:47.998-05:002019-01-13T08:47:47.998-05:00In her delightful review, Kim Vandenbroucke descri...In her delightful review, Kim Vandenbroucke <a href="https://www.thegameaisle.com/lemonade-shake-up/" rel="nofollow">describes</a> <i>Lemonade Shake Up!</i> (designer <a href="http://www.shanonlyon.com/" rel="nofollow">Shanon Lyon</a>, publisher <a href="https://www.mindware.orientaltrading.com/peaceable-kingdom-a1-90000+2890-1.fltr" rel="nofollow">Peaceable Kingdom</a>) as "good, quick, family fun that’s easy for the younger gamers to get and still has the pressure of a dice game for parents and older kids to enjoy." Paul Owenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02260814589584723033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4535367891237919312.post-20777177563717948962018-10-13T20:39:09.343-04:002018-10-13T20:39:09.343-04:00Yes, the correct NATO game. I tried to post the li...Yes, the correct NATO game. I tried to post the link, but the tool outsmarted me. <br />Kriegspielerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16249933193318725220noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4535367891237919312.post-10750872769407645182018-10-12T20:29:39.123-04:002018-10-12T20:29:39.123-04:00I assume you're referring to NATO: The Next Wa...I assume you're referring to <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/2079/nato-next-war-europe" rel="nofollow">NATO: The Next War in Europe</a>, which I think of as a hypothetical hot war (as you say), rather than a game set in the Cold War. (Also, not ranked in the top 1000, in any case.)<br /><br />Good point about computer skills. My exposure to computers in the 1980s consisted of a mainframe at Annapolis, a Hewlitt-Packard desktop used for sonar planning aboard our submarine, and an IBM-compatible PC used for word processing at Submarine School. Whereas computers are, I am sure, central to espionage today, they seem to have been oddities prior to the fall of the Berlin Wall.Paul Owenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02260814589584723033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4535367891237919312.post-57044782328477964222018-10-12T17:25:27.319-04:002018-10-12T17:25:27.319-04:00Cold Warrior looks intriguing. You write a great r...Cold Warrior looks intriguing. You write a great review of its strengths and weaknesses. <br /><br />My first observation was of the final skill: computer skills. For most of the cold war, 1947-1991, only a tiny fraction of scientists had ever used a computer. Most spies had probably never even seen a computer. <br /><br /><br />As for other cold war games, does NATO count? <br /><br /><br />It’s not intrigue or brinkmanship, but full up warfare – hot war, if you will. <br />Kriegspielerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16249933193318725220noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4535367891237919312.post-66510445644567235282018-09-17T22:10:57.835-04:002018-09-17T22:10:57.835-04:00All valid concerns/comments. Recall that having t...All valid concerns/comments. Recall that having that extra income from returning laborers helped because one of the other changes was that no one owned a converter (and thus didn't have one they could use for free).Keith Fergusonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11448281228327616030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4535367891237919312.post-73235970274373619832018-09-01T11:26:14.377-04:002018-09-01T11:26:14.377-04:00Yes, Casualties are another good possibility for V...Yes, Casualties are another good possibility for VC. "Excessive casualties" brings to mind the 1917 French mutinies. Kriegspielerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16249933193318725220noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4535367891237919312.post-296833917049550382018-09-01T10:58:24.435-04:002018-09-01T10:58:24.435-04:00I agree with you, especially if it's an "...I agree with you, especially if it's an "until turn <i>n</i>" kind of thing, which imposes a deadline on one side or the other. Another thought I had was an "armistice" rule similar to the "Russian Revolution" rule, whereby if certain conditions were met, one side would sue for armistice, and the victory would depend on the conditions at that point in the game.<br /><br />One thought I had was that total casualties would be a factor (although it would be difficult to track), because it would affect a nation's will to fight. In a way, that's part of what pushed the Russians out of the war. Grant G. pointed out elsewhere that a big motivation for the Kaiser's decision to extend the olive branch was that his generals warned him that they couldn't keep up against the casualty rate at the time. <br /><br />So I'm sure you're right that there's an opportunity to tailor the victory conditions in such a way that players remain historically motivated and that the game achieves a clean, plausible end.Paul Owenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02260814589584723033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4535367891237919312.post-61552651852485132742018-09-01T10:34:22.430-04:002018-09-01T10:34:22.430-04:00It was a fun game!
Excellent points all. In this...It was a fun game! <br /><br />Excellent points all. In this case, I think a tweak to the VC might be the solution. Possibilities include:<br />- Central take *any* two Allied capitals. <br />- Central take *any* two Allied capitals AND have at least x IPCs. <br />- Central have at least x IPCs. <br />- Allies hold all Allied capitals until turn n. <br />- Central control their own capitals AND at least any x lands. <br />- Allies hold at least any x lands on turn n. <br /><br />These are just a few possibilities to get the discussion started. <br />Kriegspielerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16249933193318725220noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4535367891237919312.post-60625715173786390172017-05-20T15:00:20.048-04:002017-05-20T15:00:20.048-04:00There are also fewer total projects to back during...There are also fewer total projects to back during those first two months of each year. We've noticed that creators tend to avoid starting any campaigns during January. It would appear that this is largely due to January's reputation as a poor month for retail sales (due not only to Christmas effects but also to northern-hemisphere wintry weather and such that encourages people to stay home), although the same trends that affect American brick-and-mortar retail sales don't necessarily affect worldwide Internet crowdfunding pledges as much. In any case, the number of live campaigns usually falls throughout January and then slowly rebounds during February. Fewer live campaigns naturally result in fewer finishes, both successful and unsuccessful. And some data suggests that success rates (not tallies) during January are about the same as rates for February through June. So, you might want to try analyzing the rates along with the tallies.David Garberhttps://www.facebook.com/DaveGarber1975FTnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4535367891237919312.post-26038795660154141822017-05-06T14:38:02.658-04:002017-05-06T14:38:02.658-04:00Indeed, Professor Avinash Dixit is a (retired) pro...Indeed, <a href="https://www.princeton.edu/~dixitak/home/" rel="nofollow">Professor Avinash Dixit</a> is a (retired) professor of economics at Princeton.<br /><br />People often ask, but there is no association between Prof. Dixit and the name of the card game <i>Dixit</i>, which (according to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dixit_(card_game)" rel="nofollow">Wikipedia</a>) got its name from the Latin word for "he said." Paul Owenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02260814589584723033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4535367891237919312.post-65607721611095354402017-05-06T11:02:46.972-04:002017-05-06T11:02:46.972-04:00Well, if this is Professor Dixit is behind the boo...Well, if this is Professor Dixit is behind the book on games, it is a must read. ;)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02459778786456358704noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4535367891237919312.post-32960402036368172552017-04-01T16:15:03.636-04:002017-04-01T16:15:03.636-04:00Excellent discussion! Nice listing and definition ...Excellent discussion! Nice listing and definition of variables. Kriegspielerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16249933193318725220noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4535367891237919312.post-10376128022566105932016-10-26T22:23:13.700-04:002016-10-26T22:23:13.700-04:00Well, you've convinced me to read it! Hopefull...Well, you've convinced me to read it! Hopefully, I'll find an edition without all the typos.<br /><br />Meghttp://simpsonsparadox.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4535367891237919312.post-72674037546245782292016-10-01T23:52:19.576-04:002016-10-01T23:52:19.576-04:00It really is. It's remarkably stark and abstr...It really is. It's remarkably stark and abstracted, a very pure treatment of the nation-building construct.Paul Owenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02260814589584723033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4535367891237919312.post-67088374685199096172016-10-01T19:48:35.528-04:002016-10-01T19:48:35.528-04:00From their web page, Empire sounds interesting.
From their web page, Empire sounds interesting. <br />Kriegspielerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16249933193318725220noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4535367891237919312.post-15774838028734464532016-08-07T17:08:07.071-04:002016-08-07T17:08:07.071-04:003rd vote for Tikal :)3rd vote for Tikal :)Tashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06461232444386009706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4535367891237919312.post-26251527837787510542016-06-28T00:56:47.645-04:002016-06-28T00:56:47.645-04:00Well, the good news is that we still have a few co...Well, the good news is that we still have a few copies of Swinging Jivecat Voodoo Lounge left after Origins, so check with when your game-buying budget refreshes. :-)<br /><br />DavidAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08336119158984035341noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4535367891237919312.post-49175002074574505192016-06-06T21:53:59.894-04:002016-06-06T21:53:59.894-04:00The rules require that the die be released from be...The rules require that the die be released from behind the firing unit, but otherwise enforcement is presumably by the eyeball of the opponent. If this game were in a tournament competition, there would probably have to be a referee watching every throw to rule on disputed shots.<br /><br />I think there's a fundamental difference between tossing a polyhedron to land it on a particular spot and rolling a die to determine a randomized result. But regardless, it is certainly true that there is a certain physical skill in getting the die to land where you want it. Also, the cards can slide on the board. More than once a die would land on a card, and both die and card would slide some small distance. What matters is the location of the die's final resting place on the board, regardless of any cards getting shifted (which are restored to their original positions). I hadn't thought about bent card corners; I don't think that would significantly affect where the die ends up, though.<br /><br />The game would definitely disadvantage any player with a handicap that inhibited throwing a die, or moving around the table to get to a throwing position.<br /><br />Unlike Stratego, (1) all units are visible and (2) combat results are not automatic. Ultimately, I don't think there are many similarities to Stratego in gameplay and tactics. I don't remember Disk Wars well enough to comment on that.<br /><br />Yeah, there's a running joke with a few people I know that every time I bring a game, they have to get out their reading glasses. :-)Paul Owenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02260814589584723033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4535367891237919312.post-65827175461017026432016-06-06T21:24:15.793-04:002016-06-06T21:24:15.793-04:00Intriguing.
Accuracy of where a die lands is lar...Intriguing. <br /><br />Accuracy of where a die lands is largely a function of velocity, height of release, and lateral release point. How is the location of release point enforced in the rules? Even in the demo videos, it appears the players release late. <br /><br />Range fire might disfavor gamers who are not good at rolling dice in a controlled manner without using a container of some sort (such as a box lid or dice tower). What about players who 'snap' cards down, bending the corners slightly? <br /><br />Would this game disadvantage gamers with physical handicaps? <br /><br />Is the play a bit like Stratego? Is it a bit like Disk Wars without nation-race-faction specific flavor? <br /><br />Certainly an intriguing change of pace. <br /><br />"terribly small font" -- that alone could be the subject of a blog or podcast. :-) Kriegspielerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16249933193318725220noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4535367891237919312.post-75727122059315851462016-04-21T22:16:28.398-04:002016-04-21T22:16:28.398-04:00And I look forward to playing Barrage Battle!And I look forward to playing <i>Barrage Battle</i>!Paul Owenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02260814589584723033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4535367891237919312.post-44260413053237279072016-04-21T11:34:53.869-04:002016-04-21T11:34:53.869-04:00Interesting article. I recently formed my own boar...Interesting article. I recently formed my own board game company, my partner and I plan to release our first original game, Barrage Battle next month! It is encouraging to read about successful female game designers and I look forward to learning more about them and their games!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4535367891237919312.post-14106391152616688842016-04-16T15:58:58.466-04:002016-04-16T15:58:58.466-04:00Keith, you might be right about the start player m...Keith, you might be right about the start player mechanic. We'll have to see how it works, and whether it's better.Paul Owenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02260814589584723033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4535367891237919312.post-34711248321484054182016-04-15T21:54:44.890-04:002016-04-15T21:54:44.890-04:00At first blush, I like the idea of cannons, and ge...At first blush, I like the idea of cannons, and getting rid of the insurance mechanism - I think you're right in that it will take out one decision, and potentially speed up the game - maybe...you'll have to see if people agonize over the canon decision.<br /><br />I'm not so sure about the new start player mechanic. I fear that may add more time form the current auction, as you have to go around the table and see if each player will purchase it. However, the fact that the start player will have to pay something to keep it is intriguing. That may cause some indecision as the start player hems and haws about what to set the price at. I see it as being a bit similar to arranging the rooms at the start of each round of "Castles of Mad King Ludwig"Keith Fergusonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11448281228327616030noreply@blogger.com