| Saturday Morning Gamer | |
|
2003 Games 100
The 2003 Games 100, a list of the best games of the year as chosen by Games magazine, has been made public at Funagain Games.
It's an interesting list:
Dvonn is a beautiful game with elegant gameplay. Still, I'm not sure I'd choose it as Game of the Year. (Which of course is not the same as saying it doesn't deserve to be Game of the Year.)
Games that may have deserved more recognition:
TransAmerica, the popularity of which continues to surprise me, made the Family Games list but not even as runner-up (that position went to The Touch from Anthony Innovations).
Too Many Cooks by Reiner Knizia is a better Family Card Game than Vom Kap bis Kairo, in my opinion. Tin Soldiers and Where's Bob's Hat? would have been good choices here as well.
Pizarro & Co., an auction game I love, could have been chosen over Mexica in the Family Strategy category.
Squint, although perhaps not deserving to be Party Game of the Year, I think should have at least made the list.
Be sure to vote in this week's poll -- scroll down to voice your opinion on which game should have won the 2003 Games 100 Game of the Year award.
Games I'm Playing
What a pathetic week. Zero games. Got busy last weekend and didn't get anything in. This is when I get really jealous of people who have a regular gaming group.
The good news is that a three-day weekend is underway for those of us here in the U.S. (As a Norwegian, I cannot officially support Columbus Day, but I will not take my protest so far as to go in to work that day.) And a three-day weekend means plenty of time for playing games.
Games I Can See While Sitting At My Computer
Not much activity around the computer this week. As always, these games are listed in alphabetical order:
From Kate Jones:
Hi, Erik, it's great to see how your boardgames site has grown. Much success to you. I notice that your Game Publishers listings do not include Kadon Enterprises, Inc., who have been making abstract strategy games and puzzles for 23 years, with 29 "Games 100" selections to their credit. Kadon designs, develops, publishes and sells their games online, at exhibits, WorldCons, gaming conventions, and math conferences. Please take a look and consider including this company in your Publishers list. Thanks.
Future Emails of the Week can be sent to boardgames.guide@about.com.
Boardgame Top Picks List of the Week
Having learned the winner of the 2003 Games magazine Game of the Year, SMG presents the Top 5 Games Magazine Games of the Year -- although the list definitely has to be redone. I'm going to pencil in Dvonn at number 3, although it might be good enough to deserve number 2.
The list (click the link above to read a bit about each game):
Werewolf got tossed into the ocean this week, leaving us with 12 games to go.
The big surprise is that Settlers of Catan was precipitously close to being tossed into the ocean. We've already lost Princes of Florence, people!
About Something Else Site of the Week
I remain stunned that That '80s Show didn't last. (Let's ignore the fact that it wasn't very good.) The '80s were a fun time to be in middle school and high school... mostly because of great bands and musicians like a-ha (speaking of Norway), Nena, Twisted Sister and Dexy's Midnight Runners.
So if you want to throw a great party, make it an '80s-themed party. About's Guide to '80s Music, Dawn Marie, has all the tips you need. Get ready to wear your parachute pants again, and don't invite your non-dancing friends. ('Cause your friends don't dance, and if they don't dance, well, they're no friends of mine.)
Green Bay Packers Notes of the Week
Ah, things are good again in Green Bay. Terry Glenn catching 8 passes for 154 yards last week against Chicago? The rest of the NFL should be shuddering. He is the most talented receiver Favre has ever had to work with -- and he'll be pumped for this week's showdown with his old team, the New England Patriots.
Prediction: Packers, 27; Patriots, 21.
Other Off-Topic Thoughts of the Week
Birds of Prey, the new superhero show on the WB, was a disappointment. Slow-moving and too many cliches in the dialogue. I'll stick with Smallville for my superhero fix.
Boardgames Poll of the Week
Last Week's Poll Results
What's the best political-themed board game?
What's That You Say?
Talk back to SMG in the About Board Games Forum.
--Erik Arneson
12 October 2002
Email of the Week
Board Games Survivor Island Update
