August 01, 2003

The Workspace of U.S. Games Founder

According to the Journal article, Kaplan's office is filled with "hundreds of antique cards and books on their origin," in addition to "a mahogany game compendium... probably crafted in Victorian England."

The U.S. Games Systems founder has been collecting antique card games for 35 years. He says, accurately, "There's tremendous history in playing cards."

Smarty Party - Game Review

Buzzword - Game Review

Trivial Pursuit Unhinged - Video Game

According to a press release, the video game version of the trivia board game will feature questions from six celebrity hosts:

Former Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw, sports and leisure; television personality Brooke Burke, people and places; comedian John Cleese, history; comedian Whoopi Goldberg, arts and entertainment; actor John Ratzenberger, wild card; and Bill Nye "The Science Guy," science and nature.

"Bringing the Trivial Pursuit Unhinged game to next-generation console platforms will allow us to take everything people love about the board game even further by offering more ways to interact with other players, exciting new game play features and entertaining multimedia questions," said Nancy MacIntyre, vice president of marketing for Atari. "The Trivial Pursuit Unhinged game will stay true to the spirit and essence of the classic board game while also fully embracing the pace and distinctive style of console game play."

Trivial Pursuit Unhinged will include three game modes: Classic, Flash and Unhinged, which features bonus points and special board moves. In Unhinged mode, players can steal wedges, bet as to whether other players will answer correctly, earn and spend bonus points, and more.

Developed by Artech Studios, Trivial Pursuit Unhinged game is expected to be available in time for the 2003 holiday season with a suggested retail price of $19.95 for the PC, and $29.95 for PlayStation 2 and Xbox.

Game Tables a Hot Furniture Item

The article, which also appeared in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, says: "The game room is morphing into the new family room. And the game table is becoming the hot home furnishing du jour. Elegant versions of game tables are showing up in upscale catalogs like Gumps by Mail and Horchow, often harbingers of new trends.

"Game tables also were ubiquitous at the April International Home Furnishings Market in High Point, N. C. Almost every showroom had a game table or game-related accents, according to Eryn McGary, assistant editor of the trade magazine Accessory Merchandising."

Some of the tables mentioned in the article:

• Gumps by Mail
  
• Horchow
  
• Bassett
  
• Burton-Ching 1
  
• Burton-Ching 2
  

Rumba Games Growing Fast

2003 World Scrabble Championship in Kuala Lumpur

According to the National Scrabble Association, the United States will be represented in the competition by Dave Wiegand, Jim Kramer, Sam Kantimathi, Tim Adamson, Rich Baker, Randy Hersom, Robert Linn, Iffy Onyeonwu, Jim Geary, Walker Willingham, John O'Laughlin, Bob Lipton, Ben Withers, Steve Polatnick and Amit Chakrabarti.

In all, 102 players from 45 countries will compete, including some hometown favorites.

Although it has many pages which need to be updated, the official 2003 World Scrabble Championship web site has more information.

Can Playing Games Help Treat Alzheimer's?

According to an article in the Florida Sun-Sentinel, 10 people are participating in a program designed "to see whether board games, puzzles and story telling can retrain their brains" and help to "retain their memories and mental functioning longer."

All of the participants have Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, or some other neurological problem. They take part in twice-weekly sessions coordinated by FAU's Memory and Wellness Center.

Discuss games and Alzheimer's

Games Day Planning Discussion Group

The GDP discussion group includes members from a variety of locations who are experienced at organizing gaming events with a couple of dozen participants up to a couple of hundred participants.

Some of the events they've scheduled are single-day; others are multi-day gatherings that include special room rates at hotels.

The best part is that they're all willing to share their tips and experience to help make your event a success.

New England, High Society, More from Uberplay Games

In addition to the previously announced games The Settlers of Zarahemla (a new Settlers of Catan game), The Ark of the Covenant, and The Bridges of Shangri-La, the company plans to publish High Society (designed by Reiner Knizia) and Wildlife (designed by Wolfgang Kramer).

High Society is scheduled for publication in the fall of 2003; Wildlife is scheduled for publication in late November 2003.

Discuss these Uberplay Games releases

2003 International Gamers Award Nominees Announced

In the General Strategy Games Multi-Player Category, the nominees are:

Ad Acta by Andrea Meyer (Bewitched Games)
Age of Steam by Martin Wallace (Warfrog)
Alhambra by Dirk Henn (Queen Games)
Amun-Re by Reiner Knizia (Hans im Gluck)
Coloretto by Michael Schacht (Abacus Spiele)
Domaine by Klaus Teuber (Kosmos)
Edel, Stein & Reich by Reinhard Staupe (Alea)
Magna Grecia by Leo Colovini and Michael Schacht (Clementoni)
Mare Nostrum by Serge Laget (Euro Games)
Mammoth Hunters by Alan R. Moon and Aaron Weissblum (Alea)
New England by Alan R. Moon and Aaron Weissblum (Gold Sieber)
Paris Paris by Michael Schacht (Abacus Spiele)
Settlers of the Stone Age by Klaus Teuber (Kosmos)

In the General Strategy Games 2-Player Category, the nominees are:

Avalon by Leo Colovini (Kosmos)
Balloon Cup by Stephen Glenn (Kosmos)
Hive by John Yianni (Gen Four Two Games)
Lord of the Rings: The Confrontation by Reiner Knizia (Kosmos)
Odin's Ravens by Thorsten Gimmler (Kosmos)
Street Soccer by Corne van Moorsel (Cwali)
For a detailed look at the nominated games, as well as the committee members and their qualifications, visit the International Gamers Awards web site.

Discuss the 2003 IGA nominees

Jacob Marley Esquire - Game Preview

Long before Jacob Marley warned his partner Ebenezer Scrooge that he would be visited by the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future, he was a struggling London lender trying to reach prosperity.

In Jacob Marley, Esquire, players are underpaid clerks in his firm, trying to spread as much misery as possible. The winner, according to the Cheapass web site, is the clerk who becomes Marley's lifelong friend.

PDQ - Pretty Darn Quick Word Game - Review

Chief Herman's Next Big Thing - Game Preview

The new games, scheduled for publication in November 2003, include Short Bus to Paradise, Break the Bank, Board Game Project #55, Fight the Power, 10-Die Poker, Penniless and Insane, and Dungeon Crawl, according to the Cheapass web site.

Chief Herman's Next Big Thing will feature a 32-page booklet filled with game rules, a section of poker variants, and more.

Discuss Chief Herman's Next Big Thing

Ninja Burger - Game Preview

The Ninja Burger company's motto is this: "No matter how secure your office, how deep your bunker, how dedicated your guards... we deliver your burger in 30 minutes or less."

According to the Steve Jackson Games web site, this card game, scheduled for publication in November 2003 and based on the www.ninjaburger.com web site, will include 144 oversized cards, three dice, and a rulesheet. A preview of some of the game's artwork is available.

Discuss Ninja Burger

Deadwood: On Location - Expansion Preview

The expansion, a set of six boards, will replace the original game's boards with new locations like the Burning Building, the Dismal Swamp, and the Deserted Road.

This new Deadwood expansion will be compatible with the previously released Another Day, Another Dollar expansion sets. It requires the original game to play.

Discuss Deadwood: On Location

Lord of the Rings Risk - New Edition - Game Preview

In Europe, gamers will be able to purchase an expansion to the existing game. But in the United States, the new release will be a new, self-contained game.

"The new game will replace the [2002] game on [the] shelf," according to Hasbro's Rob Daviau, who posted information on the newsgroup rec.games.board.

"It will have two more panels to the game to incorporate Gondor and Mordor. It will have a third deck of territory/adventure cards. It has a totally rewritten rulebook. It has new rules for 'Alliance Play' and 'Team Play.' It cleans up confusion on the cards. It clarifies rules in the game. It contains more pieces to account for the larger number of spaces."

According to Daviau, the game -- which, like last year's, will be for 2 to 4 players -- should be available in December 2003.

Daviau indicated that U.S. players not interested in buying the complete new game might be able to use the expansion from the United Kingdom, but he was somewhat concerned that variations in manufacturing would make that option unworkable. He also added that, "I made great progress yesterday [August 15] into devising a way for people to get the additional parts necessary to play the full game without having to buy it again." Daviau promised an update on this possibility as soon as possible.

Playing Games During the Blackout

There's no doubt the blackout reminded many people that playing board games and card games can be a great way to bring your family closer together.

If you're looking for some new games to play with your family and friends, start with our game reviews, our top 10 games for family gatherings, and the rest of our top picks lists.

Discuss Playing Games During the Blackout

Timeline - Game Preview

As described on the Cheapass web site, Timeline players have invented a time machine. Their first idea on how to use it? Make money by playing the market, of course!

Timeline "starts with a row of cards depicting crisscrossing paths, which represent the values of commodities. By connecting a starting point, which never moves, to a 'market' at the other end of the board, the lines connect four commodities to four values. As time changes, these values change. And they change a lot."

The goal in Timeline is to pick up commodities while traveling through time, selling them at market and earning the most money.

Discuss Timeline

Diceland: Extra Space - New Expansion

Diceland: Extra Space can be played by itself, as two four-ship armies fighting each other, or these ships can be added to your existing Diceland armies.

The entire Diceland universe now includes:

Diceland: Deep White Sea
Diceland: Space (Garthans vs. Muktians)
Diceland: Space (Terrans vs. Urluquai)
Diceland: Ogre

A set of Diceland Button Men also is available.

Discuss Diceland: Extra Space

One False Step for Mankind - Game Preview

According to the Cheapass web site, One False Step for Mankind "is a board game about Gold Rush towns with vast resources and only one thing to spend them on: shooting a rocket to the Moon. This is a complex game, taking upwards of three hours to play, but we thoroughly enjoy it and we think you will too."

Players take the role of a city mayor, controlling one or more towns in the Old West. Managing gold mines, farms and cities, players earn political influence by building and firing off moon rockets. Successful moon shots earn points, and the first player to earn 30 points wins the game.

One False Step is the first boxed Cheapass board game to come with a color board and color cards. It's listed for 3 to 6 players.

Discuss One False Step for Mankind

Top Trumps - Game Preview

The game, licensed from Winning Moves in Europe, is a beefed-up version of the children's card game War. And although War is completely random and mindless, Top Trumps offers some level of thought and strategy.

Each deck includes 30 cards, which are shuffled and distributed to the players (it's my guess that the game would work with up to six players).

Each card has a number of statistics on it. For example, the Simpsons cards have most lovable, smartest, fattest, biggest nerd, greatese anarchist, and Walk of Fame rating. The Star Wars cards have age, height, force, fighting, humility, and appearances. The military jets cards have max speed, max height, range, max take-off weight, and wingspan.

The cards feature various characters, jets, dinosaurs or animals. The Simpsons deck includes everyone from Homer Simpson to Groundskeeper Willie.

The first player looks at his top card and chooses one statistic to read out loud (e.g. "Homer Simpson, fattest, 47"). The other players read the same statistic; the player with the highest number gets all of the cards. (Only Chief Wiggum and Barney Gumble are fatter than Homer.)

Eventually, one player will have all of the cards -- that player is the winner.

It's not a deep strategy game by any stretch of the imagination, but Top Trumps works well for what it is -- an updated, more intelligent version of War. Perhaps best of all, it can be played easily in the back of a vehicle on long trips.

Each game comes in a convenient hard plastic case, offering good protection from damage between plays.

Discuss Top Trumps

Colditz Castle Becomes Tourist Destination

According to a recent BBC news article, the castle has undergone a renovation costing the equivalent of about $14.4 million.

For more information about the board game Escape from Colditz, visit BoardgameGeek.com and read a review by Spelmagazijn.

Discuss Colditz Castle

Playing Chess Improves Life Skills

In a recent Washington Post article, founder Eugene Brown said the purpose of the house is "to teach chess not just as a board game, but as life skills."

The Deanwood Chess House has been open since 2000, teaching young players the game and why it's important to think before you move. It also was featured in a January 2000 article in the Washington City paper.

Discuss Chess and Life Skills

Board Games Selling Well in United States

The growth is attributed in part to the overall slow economy -- when the economy is bad, Americans turn to board games as an affordable way to have fun.

The article mentions Cranium, Settlers of Catan, Trivial Pursuit, Twister, and other popular games.

Discuss U.S. Game Sales

Vintage Games

The first of his articles focuses on a simple, public domain strategy game: Mill, also known as Morris.

The second article features some great back-stabbing games: Diplomacy, Junta, Rette Sich Wer Kann (Every Man for Himself) and a newly discovered favorite of mine, Intrige (Intrigue).

The third article in the series looks at games that have been printed in various editions (Cosmic Encounter, Acquire, etc.), and some that have been reprinted but also reworked (Inner Circle, Santa Fe, etc.).

In the fourth article, Korner takes a look at HeroQuest.

Article five takes a look at Camelot, in addition to two-player abstract games from the 1980s like Pente, Barrier, Domination (aka Focus), and Black Box.

And in the most recent entry, article six, Korner looks at the games published in the 1970s and 1980s by the British company Waddingtons, including Project KGB, Project CIA, Crisis, Addiction, and The Great Downhill Ski Game.

Termination Incorporated - Game Preview

The game is set in 3001, a futuristic hand-to-hand combat game in which no one actually dies. The goal of Termination Incorporated is to be the first to earn 61 points by scoring hits with your "electric pulse discharge guns."

According to the article, designer Andy Wood first came up with the idea for Termination Incorporated about 13 years ago.

Toy and Game Inventors Forum

According to the TGIF web site, The Toy and Game Inventors Forum "is the first and only toy, game and entertainment based development conference in the world. Each year it brings together inventors, entrepreneurs and industry leaders in a relaxed, noncompetitive atmosphere."

The first TGIF conference was held in 1997. This year's event features three tracks: one for inventors and newcomers, one for returning inventors and entrepreneurs, and a third for industry professionals.

Interview with Fantasy Flight CEO

In the interview, Peterson indicates that FFG's schedule for 2003 include "a deduction game, a pirate game, a chariot racing game, and a 'car warriors' game." The company also plans to release the Warcraft board gamein October.

Magic: the Gathering World Championship

Here's the official press release from Wizards of the Coast / Hasbro announcing the tournament:

In a testament to the global popularity of the Magic: The Gathering trading card game, published by Wizards of the Coast, a division of Hasbro, players from more than 50 countries will participate in the 2003 Magic: The Gathering World Championship.

For the first time in the event's 10-year history, the Magic: The Gathering World Championship will be held in Germany, at Berlin's Estrel Convention Center, August 6-10. This year's World Championship also coincides with the 10th anniversary of the Magic game.

More than 300 qualified players -- winners of national tournaments held in their countries prior to the World Championship -- will compete for individual and team titles and an aggregate prize purse of $400,000 (USD).

In addition, an estimated 1,000+ fans of the Magic game are expected to turn out for an array of public events happening concurrently with the World Championship. Among the side events open to the public will be tournaments for product prizes as well as informal tournaments, card trading and artist card-signings.

The Magic: The Gathering game celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. Widely recognized as the premier trading card game, the Magic game is played by an estimated six million players in 52 countries, with more than 100,000 official tournaments sanctioned each year by the DCI players' organization.

"The Magic: The Gathering game created a whole new genre of games when it debuted a decade ago," commented Wizards of the Coast Chief Executive Officer Chuck Huebner.

"The Magic game continues to set the standard for trading card games, with the best game play and the most vigorous schedule of events for players to participate in, including the prestigious Magic Pro Tour and World Championship. The 10th anniversary makes this year's World Championship an especially exciting one."

The World Championship is the culmination of the 2002-2003 Magic: The Gathering Pro Tour season. The Magic: The Gathering Pro Tour is the most established competition in the trading card game world. Players who have qualified for the World Championship will be competing for an individual first-place prize of $35,000 (USD) and a team first-place prize of $30,000 (USD), with each player on the three-person team taking home $10,000 (USD).

Reigning World Champion Carlos Romao, a Brazil native and the first Latin American player to capture the World Championship title, is expected to compete in this year's event, as is top-ranked Kai Budde, a computer science student at the University of Hamburg, who is sure to be the local favorite in Berlin.

Budde and German national teammates Mark Ziegner and Felix Schneiders prevailed at the 2002 World Championship, which was held in Sydney, Australia. But it's been four years since Budde won the individual event. No doubt the field will be packed with the creme de la creme of Magic players, hailing from every corner of the world.

For more information on the 2003 Magic: The Gathering World Championship, visit www.magicworldchampionship.com.

Dot Boom - Free Card Game

Here's a description of the game from the rules introduction: "In Dot Boom, you play a vulture [uh...] venture capital firm, trying to make as much money as possible before the Internet bubble bursts. You invest in companies, take them public -- and the player with the most money at the end of the game wins."

You can download the rules and the cards for Dot Boom from Costikyan's site.

The Games Journal - August 2003

The articles include "Shortening Long Games," in which Anthony Simons plays 25 games in four and a half minutes; "The Space Hulk Saga," in which Greg Aleknevicus spends a ridiculous amount of time on a game he never plays; and "To Boldly Go...," in which Dave Shapiro ruminates on the history of popular boardgames.

There are also reviews of the games Balloon Cup and Quicksand, in addition to the monthly letters section.

Pirate's Cove - Game Preview

Pirate's Cove is an English- and French-language version of the German game Piratenbucht, designed by Daniel Stahl and Paul Randles.

Days of Wonder has commissioned all-new art for their edition of the game, in addition to some modified rules and completely rewritten instructions.

Puerto Rico Card Game Preview

Mik Svellov has more information, including some images of cards from the prototype game, available at Brett and Board.

Discuss San Juan

NFL Lineman Plays Zombies

One of the first things Brzezinski did after arriving at training camp, according to an article in the Jacksonville, North Carolina, Daily News, is to introduce some of his fellow linemen to the board game Zombies!!!.