EGG (Eugene Games Gala) 2011 - My EGGxperience (Part 2)

Ok, that was a bit too long of a break. Sorry, it's been a busy week. Gaming and all - no time for writing. Oh, and a little travelling.

Day 1 - still....
Anyhow, about part of the way through Terra Prime I was hungry for lunch. My usual lunch time is in the 11am-12pm range and we started in the middle of that range already so I was definitely hungry.

Now, here's something important that I've learned about myself and conventions. I know that if I don't eat regularly, it really starts to affect me and I cannot think properly or function well. Some people can go all day without eating. Not me.

Therefore, I have learned to make sure I have food available and not to rely on anyone else. I had made 2 PB&J sandwiches and also brought some crackers and a banana when I left from home. I kept this in an insulated lunch bag with ice packs in it. I find 2 does just swell - keeps everything nice and cool. Those ice packs you can get from the grocery store for 99 cents are REALLY GREAT! Not those cheap pillowy looking ones but the ones that look like little rectangular water canteens like you see on the back of a jeep. They keep things cold all day long! Perfect for all-day gaming!

EGG (Eugene Games Gala) 2011 - My EGGxperience (Part 1)

Hello! Glad you could come over today to the Board Game Back Room. I was worried I'd be a bit tired today but I seem to have recovered well from gaming all weekend (and going on a scout snow trip to the mountains). Yesterday was the last day of the 3-day EGG convention here in beautiful Eugene, Oregon and when I got home I was pretty tired, plus I had one of those wake-up-with-a-headache-due-to-too-little-sleep days - the kind of headache that sticks with you all day despite taking Advil every 2-4 hours. But nothing was going to stop me from attending of course! But, that was Day 3. I should start with Day 1.

So, let me tell you about the convention! In fact, let me take you along!

DAY 1 - Friday, Feb 4, 2011 - 11:40am

Arrival at the Red Lion Inn! In through the lobby and down the stairs to the underground convention room. Just outside the door is the traditional EGG sign:

Yes, you have arrived.

EGG (Eugene Games Gala) - Days 2 & 3 quick update

Again, it is late and I am tired after a terrific weekend of gaming. So, I logged my plays with some text and am reproducing here. Sorry, lazy and tired today. I'll try to do a good writeup of EGG (from my point of view) in a couple of days.

SATURDAY, FEB 5TH - EGG Day 2

Sun, Sea & Sand

This game: All plays | User plays

I joined last minute after finishing Merchants & Marauders - excited I made it! I've read the rules before so quick rule coverage and I was ready to go. This is a game of timing but timing is tough to get down when you haven't played before. Loved the way you commit workers that take more or less time depending on what you commit them to (i.e. don't get them back until later). Not a super heavy game but I really like this interesting worker placement game. Looking forward to playing it again.

EGG (Eugene Games Gala) - Day 1 quick update

It's late. I'm in a hurry. So I can get to bed. And get up to play. More games. Will try to take more pictures and post later. Here's a quick update swiped from my quickly drafted play log from BGG.

3 new games for me, but the others I've only played 1-2 times each so love getting in more plays of games I haven't played much before.

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, Indonesia, Roads & 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.

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.

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.....