Survivor Amazon - Favorite Board Games

In the past, I've written a separate article about the favorite board games of the contestants on Survivor. But the Survivor Amazon contestants have such homogeneous taste in games that it doesn't seem worth it. (Let's not mention the fact that last time I chose Tanya as the likely winner based on taste in board games -- and she was the second one booted off.)

So instead of a full-blown article, here's a quick-hit take on the new Survivors and their gaming proclivities:

• Alex, 32, is a triathlon trainer who likes Monopoly and Trivial Pursuit.
• Butch, 50, is a middle school principal who plays Checkers and Monopoly.
• Christy, 24, is an adventure guide for deaf children (she herself is deaf) who enjoys Cribbage. This is the most exotic game listed by any of the players.
• Daniel, 27, is a tax accountant and he plays Hungry Hungry Hippo. (Do you want your tax accountant playing Hungry Hungry Hippo?)
• Dave, 24, is a rocket scientist who likes Monopoly and Risk.
• Deena, 25, is a deputy district attorney who enjoys Monopoly.
• Heidi, 24, is a phys ed teacher who plays Scrabble.
• Janet, 47, is a travel agent who likes Monopoly and Trivial Pursuit.
• Jeanne, 41, is a marketing director who plays Monopoly and Scrabble.
• Jenna, 21, is a swimsuit model who enjoys Monopoly and True Colors (one of only two party games on the list, not counting Trivial Pursuit).
• JoAnna Ward, 31, is a guidance counselor who likes Chess, Monopoly, Checkers and Taboo (the other party game).
• Matthew, 33, is a restaurant designer who lists the Ouija Board as his favorite game. No wonder his popularity is at 24%.
• Rob, 24, is a computer projects coordinator who likes Monopoly and Chess.
• Roger, 56, is a vice-president of estimating (!) who likes Chess.
• Ryan, 23, is a model and actor who plays Monopoly.
• Shawna, 23, is a clothing salesperson who enjoys Chess.

My prediction: Christy wins.

Games Being Unveiled at Nürnberg

The annual toy fair in Nürnberg, Germany, is always a good place to get the scoop on what games are coming out in the first half of the year. The fair takes place this month, and news of the games to be unveiled has started leaking. Here's a peek at some of the latest:

• Memo Street, Schicki Micki, More from Nürnberg
  
• Ravensburger 2-Player Games
  
• Bean Trader by Uwe Rosenberg
  
• Paris, Paris by Michael Schacht
  
• Amun Re by Reiner Knizia
  
• Clans by Leo Colovini
  

Games I'm Playing

None, although I'm thinking about downloading the Thoth play-by-email game engine to play StreetSoccer and some of the other games that have been translated for it.

About Board Games Forum Post of the Week

From Rob Cannon:

I've seen in many games a number of rules to settle a tie. In many cases they're quite arbitrary. And sometimes I see people posting questions in a forum or email list about how to settle their tied game. Does it really bother a lot of people to just say the game is tied and leave it at that?

Boardgames Poll of the Week

How many players do you most often play games with (including yourself)?

• 2 players
• 3 players
• 4 players
• 5 or more players
• It really varies too much to choose just one answer

Vote now!

Last Week's Poll Results

Will you play more games in 2003 than you did in 2003?

• Yes, probably, 50%
• Yes, definitely, 25 %
• Too hard to predict, 17%
• Probably not, 8%
• Definitely not, 0%

Three-quarters of the people responding are reasonably confident that they'll play more games in 2003 -- an excellent trend.

It's never too late to add your vote!

About Something Else Site of the Week

European History Guide Robert Wilde features an article about Charles XII of Sweden, known as the "Madman of Europe" and a contemporary of Peter the Great.

Green Bay Packers Notes of the Week

I'd love to see wide receiver Terry Glenn come back for another season, although his numbers this year were disappointing. But with Donald Driver, Glenn and two very young receivers behind them -- Robert Ferguson and Javon Walker -- I think the pack could wind up with one of the two or three best receiving crews in the league next year. (That makes the very large assumption that Ferguson and Walker continue to develop at the rate they did this year.)

On defense, if the choice has to be made between Vonnie Holliday and Cletidus Hunt, I say go with Holliday. Both are 27 years old, and Holliday's the more proven of the two. Hunt could very well become a monster, but he's not there yet -- and Holliday is, even if he had subpar stats this year (mainly due to injury).

Other Off-Topic Thoughts of the Week

Many thanks to everyone who expressed kind thoughts about Cerulean, our great cat who passed away a week ago Friday. I appreciate it very much.

Too bad Stephen Baldwin's off Celebrity Mole (the Mole is the greatest reality show ever; you are watching, right?) -- I was hoping Corbin Bernsen would leave, and Baldwin so obviously loved the game. I wasn't a fan of the fact that they shortened the game at first, but now think that seven celebrities and six weeks might be about right -- long enough (barely) to get into the show, but not so long that I'll really get sick of any of the celebrities.

I'm not sure that 24 could do anything to lose me as a viewer. No matter how outrageous and unrealistic things get, I'm absolutely attached to the television for that hour every week.

What's That You Say?

Talk back to SMG in the About Board Games Forum.

--Erik Arneson