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Thursday, February 3, 2011

Just Gaming Around - "Antiquity" by Splotter Spellen (Review)

Yes, I know Splotter Spellen is actually the publishing company and not the designer, but it's the name people recognize so I put it in the title. The REAL designers are Jeroen Douman and Joris Wiersinga. And, in reality, they ARE the publishers (or rather part of the self-publishing team of Splotter Spellen), so they are effectively one in the same.

If you don't know about 'Splotter' games then you're missing something.

Splotter Spellen actually has a full range of games, but the games that get the most attention tend to be the longer, more involved games such as Bus, IndonesiaRoads & Boats, Duck Dealer and Greed, Inc, of which I have played the latter 3 at least once each. Roads & Boats is my ultimate favorite and I'm regretting not having purchased a copy of it when it was 'cheap' and available...if you call a game cheap at $80. It's at least twice as expensive now. Antiquity is at least another factor more expensive.

Why are they so expensive? First, they are quality games. Second, they are produced in limited runs. Third, they have a ton of components in them (some have 100's, even 1000's of components). Fourth, they are terrific games to play. Well, at least, if you like long, deep games. Fifth, they make the games themselves! By hand (well, with some machinery of course)! At least from what I understand from their website.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Timely Topics - 1 Month Blog Anniversary!

Well, today it's been exactly 1 month since I started this blog. So far I'm pretty happy with it. I've spent some time tweaking the layout a bit, started pulling in data from BGG and added a separate page counter.

I've had people from at least 17 different countries visit the site and had over 500 hits. I think it's helped that I've cross-pollinated to BGG in posts and my profile there as well as to Facebook via Twitterfeed (even though I don't twitter). As to staying power for the same people coming back, I have no idea. Ultimately, I'm just happy that SOMEONE is reading it and hopefully getting something out of my blatherings.

I've done some reviews and posted some topics of interest that have come to mind. I even have a few half-written entries of topic ideas and a half-written review of Antiquity which I got to play this weekend with my friend Robert. And any number of half-written reviews rattling around in my head.

I have some friends that read the blog and I've received some good advice from them (sometimes conflicting) but helps me think about how I want to write about things.

Monday, January 31, 2011

Timely Topics: What Kind of Game Buyer are YOU?

Ok, the word 'buy' also relates to trading, but you get the idea.


I was thinking about how I buy games now and how that compares to how my attitudes were when I first  started acquiring games them in the past. It also made me start thinking of the different ways I see game acquisitions occuring for other people I know or observe online. When I was first getting into gaming, I was a Frantic Newbie - everything looked awesome and I had to have it all! I went on buying binges and quickly accumulated a lot of games.

Here are the terms and definitions I have invented and then included some additional details about my attitudes now and in the past. Later, you can take the POLL at BGG to see how you stack up to other gamers and their acquisition habits...


Frantic Newbie - Found an interesting game in the store (maybe thrifted, maybe new) and bought it on impulse, or was introduced to a terrific game and 'had' to have it. Did a web search for more information and discovered an overwhelming selection available that they didn't know existed. They start buying furiously to 'catch up'

When I was a board game newbie I couldn't stop reading BGG and learning about all these 'new' and exciting games I'd never heard of. I would spend HOURS and HOURS reading the information and reviews. Many games went onto my 'wishlish' and I soon started buying a lot of games. LOTS of games! Unfortunately, my wishlist hasn't stopped shrinking.....