Arctic Scavengers Joins Pile of Shame

new arrivals, tabletop

According to recent news reports scientists are predicting that in the 2030's the planet earth will enter into a new mini ice age. Which means that things are going to get pretty tough for us survivors after the zombie apocalypse hits.

I've been preparing for the impending zombie apocalypse by playing the likes of Zombicide and Run,Fight or Die! on the tabletop. Naturally Plants vs Zombies, Project Zomboid, Left 4 Dead, Dead Rising and Resident Evil (whatever you would class the zombie like infected as) have trained me on the consoles and PC over the years along with numerous zombie movies since the eighties video nasty boom.

I have Dead of Winter sitting in my tabletop pile of shame which also should (and will) be part of this training regime. The nice thing about this game is the hidden role/traitor element which will help encourage me to be suspicious of everyone. This part of the game is also great for preparing for the workplace.

But after reading that article and having survived the last ice age to hit Wisbech and the fens (photos taken above by my dad at the time – late seventies iirc). I thought I need to up my training regime to improve my skills for this situation.

So when Arctic Scavengers came up for sale at a good price on that Facebook selling group, how could I resist?

Arctic Scavengers is a two to five player deck building game set in the year 2097 when the world has been plunged into another ice age. You build your tribe, search for scarce resources, attack other tribes (the other players), perfect training I think you will agree.

Ok I liked the sound of the theme, Shut Up and Sit Down had sung it's praises, as had The Dice Tower. And I love deck building games. My most played game is a deck builder after all. This game is ticking a lot of boxes for me.

So a new bargain addition to my pile of shame has been added, and another game to dream about getting to the table.

 

Weekend Regrets

imperial assault, star wars

Can you believe after being so adamant that I would get to play Star Wars Imperial Assault on my visit to see Nath last weekend, guess what?

Yep, we didn't get to play it. Well I guess some of you may have worked that out from the couple of posts over the weekend from said visit down South.

However just before leaving yesterday I did get a chance to at least show Nath the awesome, nah amazing miniatures that are used in the game.

Nath was impressed with the miniatures, especially the AT-ST models. And then rightly so he asked if I had considered painting them. Der! Yep but at the moment that is not where I have any skills.

For those with a better memory than me, will remember painting miniatures is one of the skills I want to develop this year. Which to my shame I haven't made any progress on yet.

I agree with Nath that the miniatures would look good painted. In fact I think they would be taken to an even higher level of awesome painted. Which has been proven online with all the painted ones I have seen.

Now I just need to get this game to the table again, and hopefully on a regular basis.

 

Gaming with Nath – Sunday

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The saying goes “let sleeping dogs lie” (which Loki seems to think doesn't apply to Strider but that's another story for another day) and it also applies to teenagers and Nath. So despite me being awake earlier today than the previous day, Nath didn't rise from his resurrection pit until after midday once more.

By the time he'd had a nicotine fix (which he kindly had after making me a caffeine fix), his extremely long shower (a habit he has never ever grown out of) we sat down to play another game of Roll for the Galaxy.

Well it made sense considering I'd left it set up still from playing our first game of it last night.

Once more Nath won but by a smaller margin this time, just a couple of points.

Imperial Settlers

Nath didn't enjoy this game, he hadn't got his head round it before it was time to drop him off to work.

We were both learning the game at the same time. Which didn't help. I had found time to watch a couple of videos earlier on playing the game. They helped a little, especially in the setup.

We had barely enough time to play the first round and start a second, before it was time to run Nath to work.

I did like the card drafting mechanic the game has, that stops the last player choosing from being at too much of a disadvantage and having the first player having a big advantage. Basically the game has two drafts. In the first draft the first player chooses first. While in the second draft the last player to choose in the previous draft gets to choose first, meaning the previous first player chooses last. I think that explains it!

I really need to play a game or two now to the end. But this made a great intro for me to the game despite and sadly Nath not enjoying it. I do hope he will give the game another chance.

Games added to my wish list

  • Dark Moon – a hidden traitor dice game which gives the Battlestar Galactica experience but in a much shorter time frame.
  • Spectre Ops – which has been described as Metal Gear Solid the board game. I've watched a couple of vids recently about the game and I have to admit it has grown on me a lot.

 

Endings

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Sometimes it's sad to see some-one put up a collection for sale of a game they loved playing over the years. But you know it is right for them to do so. The spark has gone, it's not fun any more for them. They have moved on to pastures new, while their old love sits at home unloved hidden away.

It's better in this situation that they both call it a day and move on. The loved game deserves a new loving home. A home where they will get the love and attention they deserve.

This way the split can be amicable and part on good terms. Even remain friends with memories of the good times together. Maybe sometime in the future they will bump into each other and reminisce about the good times over a friendly drink. Before they know it they are embracing, fumbling around, rolling dice and moving counters.

The next morning the horror of the previous night hits. The gamete of emotions, guilt, revulsion, denial, blame, regret, hit both. Sure it had been fun. However that spark they once had was still missing. They go their separate ways head hung low, skulking back to their current partners.

At the opposite end is when you know it's the wrong thing to do. Yeah both sides have hit a rough spot, but they just need to work it out. Sit down and talk. Communicate how they are feeling.

If they go their separate ways you know both will be filled with regret and a deep depressing sadness. Knowing that the one, that soul mate has gone from their lives.

Sure they will find new games and players. But there will always be that something missing. Nothing will compare to what they both had. They will go through life as if it was a dream, wondering what could of been. Regretting not being with their soul mate.

Decades later they will meet up by chance both weathered by time. The magic spark is still there. They chat about the separate paths taken to this point in time. Deep sorrow hits when they both realise how wasted the years have been without each other.

What short remaining time they have left will be spent together, but it's a shadow of the happiness they could have had.

 

This post is dedicated to Todd and Android:Netrunner may you work out your differences

Gaming With Nath – Saturday

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After eventually waking up at 11:30, finally convincing Nath to get some milk for a coffee, we actually were up and ready to play games around 1:30.

I know the above makes it sound like we have been extremely lazy. However the mitigating circumstances I'm about to give to go to excuse this slothiness. Nath had been working yesterday from 5pm until 2am. Guess who gladly dropped Nath off at work and picked him up (once the call came through saying he was ready to be picked up)? Yep me. Nath then watched a little bit of TV while finishing off the remains of Dominos pizza that I had ordered for tea.

So final getting to sleep time was more like 3am. Which means our final crawling from the depths of sleep isn't as bad as it had initially seemed.

I won't go into the txt wars between us for who would make the coffee. But it was a moot victory because Nath had no milk. I only drink black coffee when I don't want to share my drink!

Star Realms

Our first game of the day and the big hit of the day with Nath. We've played several games of this today. Including mixing in the Heroes and Events from the Crisis expansion.

Nath wants Star Realms for his birthday in October. That is how much he likes the game. That will give me time to track down the Gambits expansion for him. He won't get the promos I have, but he will get the base game, Crisis, Gambit and the deck box and a play mat. I'll call this the ultimate Star Realms gift box.

I'm now pushing Nath to also get the awesome app so we can play between visits.

Run, Fight or Die!

Nathan was enjoying this push your luck zombie dice game. Until his evil dad (played by me) killed him playing an event card dealing the final wound point to kill him and get the win with a single follower worth two victory points.

For me the game really does build the tension up, and force you to push your luck to clear zombies away before they kill you.

Nations the Dice Game

I think Nath was indifferent to this game. It was really quick to play and I think Nath was surprised at how quick.

I enjoyed the game we played a lot, and think this will make an excellent game for my non-gamer friends.

Roll for the Galaxy

A slow start while we got to grips with the rules and what was going on. Which meant that Nath didn't like it at that point. But once the learning curve had been passed Nath started to enjoy the game and get into it. I think Naths further enjoyment was increased by the fact he beat me by a good margin.

As I have said previously the nice thing is that these games are new to both of us, so we are at an equal starting point playing them. Well except Star Realms which Nath has picked up very fast.

Right time to play more Star Realms…

 

Final final list for visit

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Cypher a small pocket cyberpunk themed card game from the same publisher that bought you Love Letter arrived today. This looks like it has the potential to be another game for the students, and added to the library of games I can use with them.

I'm getting excited about tomorrow. I'm going to be visiting Nathan for a couple of days.

The final list of games I'm going to be taking with me to play with Nath will be the following:

  • Star Wars Imperial Assault – there is no way I'm not playing this amazingly great Star Wars game with Nath. Skirmish mode, Imperials v Rebels, Father v Son, Vader v Luke
  • Run Fight or Die! This push your luck zombie dice game will be right up Naths alley I think.
  • Roll For The Galaxy
  • Nations the Dice Game
  • Imperial Settlers
  • Star Realms – as if I wasn't going to teach Nath this game. It's my most played game, thanks to the amazing app.
  • AGES – I love the game, it's fun to play. However I do value Naths opinion (more than anyone's) so having him play this and give me his feedback is important.

 

I think the above is a nice selection of games that are not too heavy but at the same time not too light. They all have themes that will appeal to Nath. Plus the majority are all new and we will both be at the same level of experience playing the game – ie none what so ever.

I may throw in Hive, not sure whether this abstract game would appeal to him. I'm tempted to take Formula D but in the small amount of time we will have together (there is never enough time) there is only so much we can play in that limited resource. I'd be surprised if we got to play half of the ones in the list above.

Plus I know until I'm on the road to Naths I will change my mind. Then on the journey I'll be like “I should have bought …”

So one more sleep ^_^

 

Racing to the pile of shame

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You wouldn't it would be safe to say, describe me as a formula one racing fan. I find the sport and especially the TV/radio coverage boring. It's about as exciting as watching washing going round in a tumble drier for me. The commentators make it even worse because they try and make it sound exciting.

So why then have I gone and bought a boardgame that recreates the formula one driving experience? Was the Tabletop episode with Wil Wheaton and friends really that good an advert for the game? Er Yes.

There are some nice touches to the game like how it uses different sided dice to simulate using different gears. Or how a car has to stop in a marked area round each of the corners or the car takes damage.

And the game does seem much more fun than actually watching the sport. So another game removed off my “to buy” list and added to my pile of shame of games I really must get to the table.

Thought I would end today's post with a Nico and Loki photo. I just love the evil look on Nicos face as he plots some act of evil to get the chew off Loki.

 

Gaming Day

game night, love letter, netrunner, new arrivals

We had an induction event at work today for students starting in September. I had been put down to “entertain” a group of them for a couple of hours in the morning.

Recently it has come to light that I have a little bit of a Love Letter addiction and own eight copies of the game in various editions.

My plan was simple, I would utilise my Love Letter problem and hold a little Love Letter tournament with the students.

This was this first time the students had played the game. Plus for this group the first time that they had played a game that would not be considered “mainstream”. Sadly none of the group play tabletops, and most would say their last experience was playing the likes of Monopoly or Frustration.

The way I organised the tournament was that the winners from each table would be playing against each other in the next round. And then mix the other tables up based on how many tokens each remaining player had scored that round. To have consistent scoring between the versions we used the Batman Love Letter scoring, which meant that the guard card or equivalent when played and the player guesses correctly they get a token. Which is in addition to a token for winning the round.

This proved a great way of getting the students to mix, because this was the first time they had met.

Next time I run a Love Letter tournament (which will most likely be September) I’m hoping to get some prizes in place for the students to win. The only reason there wasn’t anything this time is because I had very little notice that I would be doing this today, let alone time to think about how I would fill the time slot.

The students had a good time playing the game. Which is the important thing.

At the end of the session I ended up showing one group an example of a “modern” boardgame by taking my copy of Run Fight or Die! out (I just happened to have a copy in my bag!) and quickly setting it up and explaining how the game is played.

What do I look for in a game to use with me students?

It has to be quick to teach, ideally in five to ten minutes. Lessons are one hour twenty (a two hour session like today is a rarity), so playtime for the game should be under an hour. Ideally the game should support four to six players, and not be expensive to buy (funnily enough I don’t have a budget for this sort of thing).

So what games do I currently use with the students:

  • Love Letter
  • Resistance
  • Fluxx
  • Munchkin
  • Zombie Dice

 

And here is a list of games I’m looking to try/introduce:

  • Coup
  • Sushi Go!
  • One Night Resistance (or I think it’s changed to Rebellion)
  • Age of War

Tuesday Night Netrunner

Well I was at the Kings Head at 7pm. Sadly a grand total of zero people turned up. I hung around for forty odd minutes. But I must have looked pretty sad nursing my orange and lemonade (with ice) while reading the rules to Hive. Then again I was the only customer there.

I will get this off the ground. So here is looking to next Tuesday and hopefully a bigger turnout.

New Arrivals

Well after last night and my complaint with Amazon where I cancelled the order and got a refund, that Imperial Settlers was delivered today was rather surprising. I wasn’t expecting that at all, especially when the Royal Mail told the Amazon support person the earliest they could attempt to redeliver was Wednesday! So my logic went I’ll cancel the order, get refund, reorder the game. While I’m doing that Amazon tell the Royal Mail to return the package. And life and the universe are at peace with one another once more.

The day had gone as planned, the manager from the local Royal Mail didn’t call me as promised. Royal Mail customer support is so shitty. I’m too drained to follow this up. Apparently Royal Mail managers finish at 2pm so I can’t even pop round after work to catch them.

I wonder why the Royal Mail is losing business to competition?

Finally Boss Monster 2 arrived, this is the kickstarter Collectors Editon that I went for which is made up of the limited edition game and a special lunchbox to store the cards of the game, plus stretch goals. I’ll get the special lunchbox later in the year. So excited about that. If you are remotely interested you can get the full list of the rewards I’ll be getting here on the this page.

The second hand copy of Hive Pocket is in good condition, I’m looking forward to learning this game. It’s potentially a game for trips.

Finally Nations the Dice Game also arrived. I really want to get this and Roll for the Galaxy to the table very very soon.

 

 

 

 

About Last Night

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So last night using the power of the internets, webcams and other bits of magic that I couldn't even imagine back in the early eighties as a young teenage me, I played a game of Android:Netrunner. This gave me a chance to play my Noise deck against Jinteki. It needs some adjustment, especially on the economy side. Sadly for me the majority of my viruses had migrated to the bottom half of my deck. I didn't do too badly, I scored six points before dieing from a snare. I had been reduced to a hand size of two after taking three brain damage earlier.

New Royal Mail Uniform announced – the saga continues

So called in the Royal Mail depot today. Firstly told they couldn't give me my parcel without a card!! When I pointed out that one was never left, I gave them the tracking number, but conviently they are upgrading their computer system and wasn't able to find it, although they were sure it was on the premises. They even tried saying that they had tried delivering the game, and tried neighbours as well. I pointed out that it wasn't possible, and that their person on delivery was lying but they wouldn't have it. Honestly this is starting to smell like they have stolen my game.

I spoke to Amazon and complained about all this, and have ended up cancelling the order and got a refund. Time to source from elsewhere I think.

Finally after teaching Love Letter to my friend at work, ready for tomorrow's Love Letter tournament, we had a quick look at Run Fight or Die!

Sadly there was only time for a couple of turns each, but wow! We really liked it. Although my friend could do with being a bit luckier rolling dice. I'm now very very keen to get this to the table for a full play ASAP.

PS currently have Formula D (an F1 racing game on its way), along with a copy of Hive Pocket (an abstract game). When they arrive that will be two more off my list of games to get, and two more on my pile of shame.