From the Journal RSS
The importance of world-building and setting
Does a theme define play experience as much as game mechanics do? Would you go as far as saying that the setting is maybe more important and can compensate for forgettable or generic rules? Or is world-building only ever fancy packaging? Is it something to help sell but, in the end, only superficial in comparison to what makes the game work?This month, I look at a variety of games that have made me wonder about the necessity for strong visuals and the presence of a world, or setting, for the play experience to exist in. Can a powerful concept sometimes...
Good times in good company
Polyhedral paper cutouts
As the end of the year nears, most of us are hopefully looking to spend some well deserved quality time with friends and family. In places that have snowy winters, this often means good parts of the day spent indoors - unless you are lucky enough to find a mountain and enjoy some winter sports!It is with this in mind, as well as a means to give my kids something to do that they will enjoy, that I have created another fun PDF for all to download. It comes in the shape of paper cutouts of your favourite polyhedral dice:...
Do you board game?
A good question that someone who is looking to discover boardgames might ask. While the answer is straightforward - it’s either yes or no - helping a friend to get started can sometimes be a challenge. It’s often related to taste and interest, but also to personality and what type of gameplay one is responsive to. Where do you start as a new gamer? How do you learn a new game? How do you find people to play with?
Join me as I walk you through my path of board gaming discovery!
Knight Games - Winter 2019
Straight from your own backyard or your neighbourhood, the greatest tournaments of the imagination are celebrated in this special winter collection! In the olden days of legend, snowmen used to joust and battle for fun, with blunt wooden weapons. In between games, you could find them warming by a fire, sipping on cups of piping hot cider! The Knight Games were not for the faint hearted but, year after year, brave men and women of snow participate until only one is left standing; in the sun.Commemorate the old traditions of snow games by going out and building a snowman of...
