Feel free to join our growing open OSR @ LGG Facebook group here.
News of Conventions and Gamedays as well as pictures
from those I have attended and games I have played.
Please Like, Share, Plus, Tweet, Follow, and Comment!
Showing posts with label Boardgames. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Boardgames. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 6, 2019
Events & Play Wednesday - Second Sunday - The OSR @ LGG
We started a new Old School Gaming group at Lake Geneva Games. This new effort is kicking off Sunday, November 10th from Noon to 10 PM. If you're local, or not local but planning a trip to the area, perhaps try to make it on Second Sunday!
Feel free to join our growing open OSR @ LGG Facebook group here.
Feel free to join our growing open OSR @ LGG Facebook group here.
Wednesday, October 16, 2019
Events & Play Wednesday - Dune Food
As many will know, there is a remake of the Dune boardgame in the works. In fact, it has been delayed. Rest assured, some copies are on preorder at Lake Geneva Games and some of us await it with great anticipation.
Meanwhile, over on kitchenoverlord.com, they shared a recipe for "Spiced Stuffed Sandworm Bread" which we suspect will be enjoyed by many players of the re-release. Check it out here!
Meanwhile, over on kitchenoverlord.com, they shared a recipe for "Spiced Stuffed Sandworm Bread" which we suspect will be enjoyed by many players of the re-release. Check it out here!
News of Conventions and Gamedays as well as pictures
from those I have attended and games I have played.
Please Like, Share, Plus, Tweet, Follow, and Comment!
Thursday, September 19, 2019
Throwback Thursday - Talk Like a Pirate Day!
Have a Happy International Talk Like a Pirate Day!
It's been two and a half decades since it all began. Read more here!
As far as gaming options, if you've already got the base game of Catan, you could add on the Catan: Explorers & Pirates Expansion (and the Extension if you want 5-6 players).
Pirate Fluxx is a fun, quick, addictive card game that never plays the same way twice. The rules change as the game progresses, offering uniquely high replay value. Now grab your cutlass, pirates have taken over Fluxx. There will be times ye must Talk Like a Pirate, and rules about how ye can Plunder from yer mates - even cards that let you play out of turn to take your enemies by Surprise. Playing the Captain's Hat gives ye certain privileges but watch out for Mutiny amongst the crew.
Come aboard and sail to Pirate's Cove, the legendary hideaway of thieving pirates and cutthroat buccaneers. The tales of those legendary pirates of old who've fought and survived these mysterious waters still haunt all those who yearn for a life at sea. Armed with a secret map and starting with a modestly outfitted sloop salvaged from last winter's storm, you set sail to Pirate's Cove, your eyes filled with visions of treasure and fame, your lungs filled with the salty air of the high seas.
Merchants & Marauders lets you live the life of an influential merchant or a dreaded pirate in the Caribbean during the Golden Age of Piracy. Seek your fortune through trade, rumor hunting, missions, and of course, plundering. The game features a unique trade system and a thematic combat system, allowing for critical decisions and intense excitement. Modify your ship, buy impressive vessels, load deadly special ammunition, and hire specialist crew members. Will your captain gain eternal glory and immense wealth - or find his wet grave under the stormy surface of the Caribbean Sea?
It's been two and a half decades since it all began. Read more here!
As far as gaming options, if you've already got the base game of Catan, you could add on the Catan: Explorers & Pirates Expansion (and the Extension if you want 5-6 players).
Come aboard and sail to Pirate's Cove, the legendary hideaway of thieving pirates and cutthroat buccaneers. The tales of those legendary pirates of old who've fought and survived these mysterious waters still haunt all those who yearn for a life at sea. Armed with a secret map and starting with a modestly outfitted sloop salvaged from last winter's storm, you set sail to Pirate's Cove, your eyes filled with visions of treasure and fame, your lungs filled with the salty air of the high seas.
Merchants & Marauders lets you live the life of an influential merchant or a dreaded pirate in the Caribbean during the Golden Age of Piracy. Seek your fortune through trade, rumor hunting, missions, and of course, plundering. The game features a unique trade system and a thematic combat system, allowing for critical decisions and intense excitement. Modify your ship, buy impressive vessels, load deadly special ammunition, and hire specialist crew members. Will your captain gain eternal glory and immense wealth - or find his wet grave under the stormy surface of the Caribbean Sea?
A look back at early tabletop hobby gaming
or gaming-adjacent topics of the past.
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Wednesday, September 18, 2019
Events & Play Wednesday - September 2019 A Gathering of Gamers
Good times at the Pizza Ranch last Sunday for A Gathering of Gamers, AKA Third Sunday.
News of Conventions and Gamedays as well as pictures
from those I have attended and games I have played.
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Wednesday, August 28, 2019
Events & Play Wednesday - Lords of Waterdeep
Brad, Tom, and I broke out the store copy of Lords of Waterdeep by WotC for a fast-passed game on Tuesday. This is a game we return to time and time again with little difficulty jumping right in and keeping it moving. There was very little intrigue this time around and it became a race from an early point in the game. Three players don't tend to compete much for resource spaces and out Lords weren't too much at odds with one another. Check it out on Board Game Geek here.
News of Conventions and Gamedays as well as pictures
from those I have attended and games I have played.
Please Like, Share, Plus, Tweet, Follow, and Comment!
Saturday, August 24, 2019
Rick Loomis has Passed
Rick Loomis of Flying Buffalo, a long time stalwart game industry luminary, has passed. Condolences to his friends and family.
Friday, August 23, 2019
The Friday Grab Bag - Reykholt & Spartacus
Had a good time earlier this month trying out a new game (new for me, anyway), Reykholt, and also playing and old favorite, Spartacus.
Uwe Rosenberg never fails to design challenging games and Reykholt is no exception.
Who thought growing vegetables in Iceland could be so much fun!
Our Spartacus game included all the expansions with a full seven players.
Uwe Rosenberg never fails to design challenging games and Reykholt is no exception.
Who thought growing vegetables in Iceland could be so much fun!
Our Spartacus game included all the expansions with a full seven players.
Lots of backstabbing had this game come down to the wire!
Essentially, a clearinghouse for topics not covered
elsewhere or needing a particular focus.
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Wednesday, June 26, 2019
Events & Play Wednesday - Con of the Lakes 2019
The second annual Con of the Lakes, a small fundraising gaming convention based in Twin Lakes, WI, and hosted at the American Legion Post #544 with room for 125 gamers, took place last Saturday, June 22nd, 2019. This year it included wargaming, boardgaming, and RPGs. The 2019 convention successfully raised funds for Women's and Childrens Horizons in Kenosha, WI. It's a wonderful, one-day event run by family and friends and featuring some of the finest game designers and game masters like Nancy Hutchins and Tom Wham.
News of Conventions and Gamedays as well as pictures
from those I have attended and games I have played.
Please Like, Share, Plus, Tweet, Follow, and Comment!
Wednesday, June 12, 2019
Events & Play Wednesday - Nexus 2019 Wrap-Up!
I had quite a bit of fun at the Nexus Game Fair this year and am glad I took the time off work to go. A lot of folks ask if I ever get burnt out on gaming, since I work at a game store, so I am around games and sometimes teaching or playing while at work, and seemingly do a lot of gaming in my off time as well. This usually is the question I get asked most when I mention I went to a game convention, then say, "No," when they ask if I went there in a work capacity. I understand the question because I've seen it happen to other gamers I know but am glad to say that in three years of managing the store I have yet to feel like I need to walk away from gaming.
I mentioned in an earlier post how I kicked off Nexus with their Wednesday evening gaming, playing Between Two Cities (2015), The Builders: Middle Ages (2013), and Five-Minute Dungeon (2017). Most of my gaming at Nexus was going to be boardgaming with just a bit of RPGing. With conventions like Gary Con, I like to get in as much Old School wargaming as I can, along with some Old School RPGing. With Nexus a few years ago, I was also able to do just that but there's not a lot of pre-gunpowder wargaming, which is what I prefer. I'm a fan of Ancients and Medievals, but also enjoy Medieval Fantasy (Chainmail, HOTT, etc). For my RPGing, I tend to sign on for 1E AD&D and (O)D&D, but will also jump in retroclone games like AS&SOH and a few others. There wasn't much of either on the schedule at Nexus this year but there were a few 4X wargamey boardgames as well as some other I don't get to play in too often.
My Thursday began with a game of Concordia (2013). I haven't played this much but find it very engaging. I really love the artwork, the Roman theme is well-integrated, and the shifting markets that drive gameplay. Scott Ward did a pretty good job explaining enough of the game to get us started fairly quickly. The number of expansion maps available for this game have tempted me to become an owner of it though I am not sure how often I would get to play.
Later that afternoon, I played in a raucous game of Xia: Legends of a Drift System (2014). Expansions were included this time and Charles Boyung was wise getting the game shifted to a large round table. It was a fun bunch playing this game and one of the delights of Nexus for me this year.
Nancy stopped by to see what all the laughing was about. She is one of the busiest gamemasters of Nexus but still finds time to see what else is being played.
Although there was no miniatures wargaming built into my own Nexus schedule, I made sure to pop by and see what Steve Fratt had going. His 6 mm figures fighting it out at The Battle of Antietam was a spectacular sight!
Although the only RPGing I had scheduled, when I was wandering the convention to check out the various game spaces I ran across my friend Wendy who told me there was an open seat in Harold Johnson's 1E AD&D game. I don't tend to sign up for the Old School celebrity DM games since I've played with these guys before and I don't want to take a seat away from someone who hasn't had the opportunity yet. With some of the conventions, these openings are at a premium but Nexus seems to be more about the boardgaming with a smattering a wargaming and newer RPG experiences.
Just because I didn't sign up in advance for this 1E AD&D game doesn't mean I wasn't ready should the opportunity arise. Plus, I did sign up for one of the hour-long Tower of Gaxx slots for Saturday. I have since relegated that PC to NPC status in my own game and the players have run into him. I LOVE recycling PCs from convention games into my own setting!
Friday began with George Henion's slot of Britannia (1986). This was the original version from 1986, so it was about as wargamey as boardgames get at Nexus, though we weren't quite moving the chits from hex to hex. George had procured this copy some time ago but hadn't gotten it to the table yet, so some of it was unpunched and we handled this as we went along. We got about half the game played in the allotted time, and it was fun, but I had some other things to do and had to go. I found out a bit later that several of the players stuck around for an hour or so more and managed to get through to almost the full game. It was a real treat playing this classic.
Terraforming Mars (2018) was the first of two games I would play with Mike Staub as the gamemaster at Nexus this year. He had included the expansions and I have to say that sitting down the end of a long table and not being able to easily see what everyone was doing put me on the back foot for this game. It had been a while since I last played and then only with the base game so I was more than a bit at sea when it came to following other people's turns. My opening cards were also all much too high-cost to give me early options, so it took a few turns for me to get my own engine started. Still, I found a strategy to keep me occupied and managed to enjoy building what I could.
Sadly, the MtG booster draft I meant to play Friday evening didn't fire, which is a shame but I know how frustrating that can be for the organizers, so I sympathize. There was other fun to be and, though, so I spent a little more time checking out what else was happening and ran across Nancy Hutchins running her session of Are You Mental (2017) in one of the RPG conference rooms. The premise of the game is that all players have a character with some sort of superpower, though it might not be quite what the player expects it to be.
I also caught up with some of the Nexus core folk in the GM lounge. It's a wonderful reminder that gaming, and Nexus Game Fair, is a family affair. I picked up a fair amount of swag this year, perhaps overcompensating for only getting out one day each of the last two years. The Jeff Easley dragon t-shirts for this year were especially nice and the Nexus messenger bag perfectly replaces a somewhat smaller messenger bag I recently planned to retire due to a faulty zipper and some unfortunate rips.
Saturday started with my second Mike Staub event, Star Trek: Ascendancy (2016). I've been dying to try this one out for some time now and was glad to be able to get it on my Nexus schedule. I love the way the universe gets built during gameplay, and I mean that both figuratively and literally. It's just a very neat bit of design and it makes it feel like it's both expansive and far more vast than the huge areas being depicted during the game. That's quite an accomplishment, in and of itself, but the rest of the game is elegantly crafted too. I'm going to have to play this one again soon.
On Saturday afternoon, I found my way to Orleans (2014) which was being run by fellow Lake Geneva resident, Scott Halvorson. I failed to grab a picture at our game but here's one of Scott later in the day running I boxed myself out of one of the victory point multipliers early on but still enjoyed the game.
Finally, I got to play in a slot and a half of the Tower of Gaxx, and ongoing event that runs continuously but in one-hour sessions. It was a very good time but with my schedule, I had to head back to Lake Geneva Saturday evening and some storms were rolling in. All in all, it was a wonderful convention and I can't wait to go again next year!
I mentioned in an earlier post how I kicked off Nexus with their Wednesday evening gaming, playing Between Two Cities (2015), The Builders: Middle Ages (2013), and Five-Minute Dungeon (2017). Most of my gaming at Nexus was going to be boardgaming with just a bit of RPGing. With conventions like Gary Con, I like to get in as much Old School wargaming as I can, along with some Old School RPGing. With Nexus a few years ago, I was also able to do just that but there's not a lot of pre-gunpowder wargaming, which is what I prefer. I'm a fan of Ancients and Medievals, but also enjoy Medieval Fantasy (Chainmail, HOTT, etc). For my RPGing, I tend to sign on for 1E AD&D and (O)D&D, but will also jump in retroclone games like AS&SOH and a few others. There wasn't much of either on the schedule at Nexus this year but there were a few 4X wargamey boardgames as well as some other I don't get to play in too often.
My Thursday began with a game of Concordia (2013). I haven't played this much but find it very engaging. I really love the artwork, the Roman theme is well-integrated, and the shifting markets that drive gameplay. Scott Ward did a pretty good job explaining enough of the game to get us started fairly quickly. The number of expansion maps available for this game have tempted me to become an owner of it though I am not sure how often I would get to play.
Later that afternoon, I played in a raucous game of Xia: Legends of a Drift System (2014). Expansions were included this time and Charles Boyung was wise getting the game shifted to a large round table. It was a fun bunch playing this game and one of the delights of Nexus for me this year.
Nancy stopped by to see what all the laughing was about. She is one of the busiest gamemasters of Nexus but still finds time to see what else is being played.
Although there was no miniatures wargaming built into my own Nexus schedule, I made sure to pop by and see what Steve Fratt had going. His 6 mm figures fighting it out at The Battle of Antietam was a spectacular sight!
Although the only RPGing I had scheduled, when I was wandering the convention to check out the various game spaces I ran across my friend Wendy who told me there was an open seat in Harold Johnson's 1E AD&D game. I don't tend to sign up for the Old School celebrity DM games since I've played with these guys before and I don't want to take a seat away from someone who hasn't had the opportunity yet. With some of the conventions, these openings are at a premium but Nexus seems to be more about the boardgaming with a smattering a wargaming and newer RPG experiences.
Just because I didn't sign up in advance for this 1E AD&D game doesn't mean I wasn't ready should the opportunity arise. Plus, I did sign up for one of the hour-long Tower of Gaxx slots for Saturday. I have since relegated that PC to NPC status in my own game and the players have run into him. I LOVE recycling PCs from convention games into my own setting!
Friday began with George Henion's slot of Britannia (1986). This was the original version from 1986, so it was about as wargamey as boardgames get at Nexus, though we weren't quite moving the chits from hex to hex. George had procured this copy some time ago but hadn't gotten it to the table yet, so some of it was unpunched and we handled this as we went along. We got about half the game played in the allotted time, and it was fun, but I had some other things to do and had to go. I found out a bit later that several of the players stuck around for an hour or so more and managed to get through to almost the full game. It was a real treat playing this classic.
Terraforming Mars (2018) was the first of two games I would play with Mike Staub as the gamemaster at Nexus this year. He had included the expansions and I have to say that sitting down the end of a long table and not being able to easily see what everyone was doing put me on the back foot for this game. It had been a while since I last played and then only with the base game so I was more than a bit at sea when it came to following other people's turns. My opening cards were also all much too high-cost to give me early options, so it took a few turns for me to get my own engine started. Still, I found a strategy to keep me occupied and managed to enjoy building what I could.
Sadly, the MtG booster draft I meant to play Friday evening didn't fire, which is a shame but I know how frustrating that can be for the organizers, so I sympathize. There was other fun to be and, though, so I spent a little more time checking out what else was happening and ran across Nancy Hutchins running her session of Are You Mental (2017) in one of the RPG conference rooms. The premise of the game is that all players have a character with some sort of superpower, though it might not be quite what the player expects it to be.
I also caught up with some of the Nexus core folk in the GM lounge. It's a wonderful reminder that gaming, and Nexus Game Fair, is a family affair. I picked up a fair amount of swag this year, perhaps overcompensating for only getting out one day each of the last two years. The Jeff Easley dragon t-shirts for this year were especially nice and the Nexus messenger bag perfectly replaces a somewhat smaller messenger bag I recently planned to retire due to a faulty zipper and some unfortunate rips.
Saturday started with my second Mike Staub event, Star Trek: Ascendancy (2016). I've been dying to try this one out for some time now and was glad to be able to get it on my Nexus schedule. I love the way the universe gets built during gameplay, and I mean that both figuratively and literally. It's just a very neat bit of design and it makes it feel like it's both expansive and far more vast than the huge areas being depicted during the game. That's quite an accomplishment, in and of itself, but the rest of the game is elegantly crafted too. I'm going to have to play this one again soon.
On Saturday afternoon, I found my way to Orleans (2014) which was being run by fellow Lake Geneva resident, Scott Halvorson. I failed to grab a picture at our game but here's one of Scott later in the day running I boxed myself out of one of the victory point multipliers early on but still enjoyed the game.
Finally, I got to play in a slot and a half of the Tower of Gaxx, and ongoing event that runs continuously but in one-hour sessions. It was a very good time but with my schedule, I had to head back to Lake Geneva Saturday evening and some storms were rolling in. All in all, it was a wonderful convention and I can't wait to go again next year!
News of Conventions and Gamedays as well as pictures
from those I have attended and games I have played.
Please Like, Share, Plus, Tweet, Follow, and Comment!
Thursday, May 30, 2019
Nexus Game Fair 2019
Nexus Game Fair takes place this weekend in Brookfield, WI, at the Sheraton and I popped up Wednesday evening for some early boardgaming. If you happen to be in the area, this is a fun convention whether you go the whole weekend or just for a day or two. Plenty to do and many great gamers to meet! (Facebook Event Link)
The excellent Jacob Clemens guided us through a seven player game of Between Two Cities (2015) which was a good time.
Four of us followed it up with a game of The Builders: Middle Ages (2013).
Afterwards, I squeezed in a game of Five-Minute Dungeon (2017) with Jolly Blackburn but failed to snap a picture.
The excellent Jacob Clemens guided us through a seven player game of Between Two Cities (2015) which was a good time.
Four of us followed it up with a game of The Builders: Middle Ages (2013).
Afterwards, I squeezed in a game of Five-Minute Dungeon (2017) with Jolly Blackburn but failed to snap a picture.
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