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A Very Special Village Square (Part 2)

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villagesquare

To start the year I’m taking a short break from the news to introduce some of my favorite writers from the board game community.

— Continued from Part 1! —

[fifth width=”70px”][/fifth][three_quarters][plain]One week ago a gathering was held in the Village Square. Little did they know what evil stirred in their midst. Now the town lies in ruins after an unthinkable catastrophe. Only two survivors remain, one at the brink of death.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”80px”][/fifth][three_quarters][plain]I will never play another game again. They made me blind to the evil that caused this devastation.[/plain][/three_quarters][fifth width=”10px”][/fifth][fifth width=”50px”]Village Square (Avatar) - Batman[/fifth][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Portrait - Andrew[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]You could not have forseen this. I regret only that I didn’t play more games. My time grows short. *cough* *cough*[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”80px”][/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Isn’t there something you can do? You wrote this whole thing after all, didn’t you? Aren’t you ultimately responsible for what happens?[/plain][/three_quarters][fifth width=”10px”][/fifth][fifth width=”50px”]Village Square (Avatar) - Batman[/fifth][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Portrait - Andrew[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]It’s complicated. I can’t interfere directly but perhaps I can send you back in time to save the village. Find Teale Fristoe, he’s our only hope.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”80px”][/fifth][three_quarters][plain]You can’t change the past….. *poof*[/plain][/three_quarters][fifth width=”10px”][/fifth][fifth width=”50px”]Village Square (Avatar) - Batman[/fifth][full][/full]

— One Week Earlier —

[fifth width=”60px”]Portrait - Andrew[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]That’s what we’re all gathered here for! But it seems like we’ve run out of time. Make sure to check back next week to meet more of the folks around town.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full]

[fifth width=”60px”]Village Square Avatar Batman 2[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]*poof* Ladies. Gentlemen. You have eaten well. You’ve eaten the Village Square’s wealth. Its spirit. Your feast is nearly over. From this moment on — none of you are safe.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full]

[fifth width=”80px”][/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Who’s this joker?[/plain][/three_quarters][fifth width=”10px”][/fifth][fifth width=”50px”]Village Square (Avatar) - Batman[/fifth][full][/full]

[fifth width=”60px”]Village Square Avatar Batman 2[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]I am the Batman. This is my city. Get me Teale.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full]

[fifth width=”60px”]Portrait - Andrew[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]He’s right over there. Does anyone else see two Batmans? Batmen? Batsman?[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full]

[fifth width=”60px”]Village Square Avatar Batman 2[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]It’s Batsmen. Teale, tell me everything you know about board games. Now![/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full]

Teale Fristoe (Nothing Sacred GamesCommunity (Avatar) - Nothing Sacred Games

[fifth width=”80px”][/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Hi Batman! I don’t think we have enough time to discuss everything I know about board games, but I do know this: they’re lots of fun and a great way to spend your final moments with family and friends! They’re also a great way to meet new friends… do you have time for a game now?[/plain][/three_quarters][fifth width=”10px”][/fifth][fifth width=”50px”]Community (Avatar) - Teale Fristoe[/fifth][full][/full]

[fifth width=”80px”][/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Yes.[/plain][/three_quarters][fifth width=”10px”][/fifth][fifth width=”50px”]Village Square (Avatar) - Batman[/fifth][full][/full]

[fifth width=”60px”]Village Square Avatar Batman 2[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]No! It’s your obsession with games that will cause you to drop your guard and allow the coming disaster. We must be ever vigilant.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full]

[fifth width=”60px”]Villager 1[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]What terrible thing is going to happen anyway?[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full]

[fifth width=”60px”]Village Square Avatar Batman 2[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]There’s no time to explain. Teale, perhaps some insight into what you do can shed some light on how to save this village.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full]

[fifth width=”80px”][/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Oh sure! I design and publish games. Over the past few years I’ve built up Nothing Sacred Games, published Corporate America and Shadow Throne, and designed many more, including the upcoming Birds of a Feather. I’ve also shared many of the lessons I’ve learned along the way through my blog. Studying, playing, and making games is what I’m all about!

…can that save the village?[/plain][/three_quarters][fifth width=”10px”][/fifth][fifth width=”50px”]Community (Avatar) - Teale Fristoe[/fifth][full][/full]

[fifth width=”60px”]Village Square Avatar Batman 2[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Perhaps, tell me more about your studies. What great evils have board games unleashed on our world?[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full]

[fifth width=”80px”][/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Batman, if you’re looking for evil, you’re looking in the wrong place! Board games do great things, especially when it comes to education. Board games help teach people all sorts of skills: math, reasoning, systems thinking, cooperation and teamwork, communication, bargaining, identifying deception, even history and language! Why, I know some people who have learned English in large part because they played Magic the Gathering so much! Games can also help people deal with serious issues, such as Brenda Romero’s Train.

The only way that board games MIGHT do something evil would be by distracting you while your village crumbled, but seriously, when would that ever happen?[/plain][/three_quarters][fifth width=”10px”][/fifth][fifth width=”50px”]Community (Avatar) - Teale Fristoe[/fifth][full][/full]

[fifth width=”60px”]Village Square Avatar Batman 2[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]In about one week.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full]

[fifth width=”80px”][/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Oh.[/plain][/three_quarters][fifth width=”10px”][/fifth][fifth width=”50px”]Community (Avatar) - Teale Fristoe[/fifth][full][/full]

[fifth width=”60px”]Villager 3[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]I think Teale is forgetting to mention zombies, cultists, cthulhu, aliens, dragons, steampunk, mediterranean shippers and countless other horrors unleashed on the world through board games.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full]

[fifth width=”60px”]Villager 1[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Yeah, but those things aren’t real.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full]

[fifth width=”60px”]Village Square Zombie[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]BRAINS!![/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full]

[fifth width=”60px”]Village Square Avatar Batman 2[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]My Brain’s not a nice place to be. Get me the Justice League![/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full]

[fifth width=”60px”]Portrait - Andrew[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]We don’t have one of those. How about a different kind of league?[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full]

[fifth width=”60px”]Village Square Avatar Batman 2[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]I’ll take what I can get.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full]

The League of Nonsensical Gamers

[fifth width=”80px”][/fifth][three_quarters][plain]The League of Nonsensical Gamers are a small gaming group based out of Maryland; known (at least to each other) for our marathon weekend gaming sessions, nonsensical ramblings and other random acts of randomness.[/plain][/three_quarters][fifth width=”10px”][/fifth][fifth width=”50px”]Community (Avatar) - League of Nonsensical Gamers[/fifth][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Village Square Avatar Batman 2[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Not exactly what I had in mind. What do you have to offer?[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”80px”][/fifth][three_quarters][plain]We started this site to share our (un)healthy obsession with all things games, more specifically those of the board and card variety. Our group covers the full spectrum of gamers, from the new and casual, to the hardcore strategists and lifetime collectors.[/plain][/three_quarters][fifth width=”10px”][/fifth][fifth width=”50px”]Community (Avatar) - League of Nonsensical Gamers[/fifth][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Village Square Avatar Batman 2[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]I’ve heard enough.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Portrait - Andrew[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Give them a chance Batman, you’ll need all the help you can get if you want to save this town.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Village Square Avatar Batman 2[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Fine. Go on.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”80px”][/fifth][three_quarters][plain]We hope to serve the board gaming community by providing high quality reviews, photography, news and assorted content from around the hobby. We also run a bi-weekly podcast – The Podcast of Nonsensical Gamers which covers a majority of the content we have on the site and more. Overall, we want to show people all that there is to love about the tabletop gaming.[/plain][/three_quarters][fifth width=”10px”][/fifth][fifth width=”50px”]Community (Avatar) - League of Nonsensical Gamers[/fifth][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Village Square Avatar Batman 2[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]I guess I’ll have to deal with this hoard myself.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”80px”][/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Don’t you my ourselves?[/plain][/three_quarters][fifth width=”10px”][/fifth][fifth width=”50px”]Village Square (Avatar) - Batman[/fifth][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Village Square Zombie[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]BAT-RAINS!![/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”65px”]Village Square Avatar Batman 2[/fifth][three_quarters][plain align=center]KAPOW! BAM! THUNK! WHAP! CRUNCH! THWACK![/plain][/three_quarters][fifth width=”15px”][/fifth][fifth width=”50px”]Village Square (Avatar) - Batman[/fifth][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Portrait - Andrew[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]I imagine they’ll make short work of those zombies. Time to check in with the brave souls that haven’t taken shelter in their homes yet. Here’s someone we’ve seen around here often.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full]

Grant Rodiek (Hyperbole Games)

[fifth width=”80px”][/fifth][three_quarters][plain]I’m Grant Rodiek, a 31 year old resident of San Francisco, where I live with my fiance, Beth, and corgi, Peaches. During the day I’m a producer at Maxis, but in my spare time I’m a hobby tabletop designer and blogger.[/plain][/three_quarters][fifth width=”10px”][/fifth][fifth width=”50px”]Community (Avatar) - Hyperbole[/fifth][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Portrait - Andrew[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]What games have you worked on? And do you have any more on the way?[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”80px”][/fifth][three_quarters][plain]My first design, Farmageddon, was released in 2012 and received a Parent’s Choice Award. My second title, tentatively titled Dawn Sector, is a card driven asymmetric war game that will most likely release in 2015. I also hope to self-publish a card game tentatively titled Hocus Poker with my design partner Joshua Buergel in 2015. [/plain][/three_quarters][fifth width=”10px”][/fifth][fifth width=”50px”]Community (Avatar) - Hyperbole[/fifth][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Portrait - Andrew[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Looking forward to trying both of those![/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Villager 1[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]There sure are a lot of board game designers around here.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Portrait - Andrew[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]That’s right, it’s great to have a community that’s made up of board game enthusiasts and designers alike. Here comes a couple right now. You may know Ed from his recent game about pepper farming, Scoville.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full]

Ed Marriott (Boards & Barley)

[fifth width=”80px”][/fifth][three_quarters][plain]I’m Ed Marriott and Boards & Barley is my game design and homebrewing blog. I discuss my game designs, tips for game designers, helpful articles like How To Teach Games and Applying Playtester Feedback. Occasionally I’ll review games as well. Check out the blog for Game Design and Homebrewing awesomeness.[/plain][/three_quarters][fifth width=”10px”][/fifth][fifth width=”50px”]Community (Avatar) - Boards and Barley[/fifth][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Villager 4[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Beer and board games, now that’s a great pairing.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Portrait - Andrew[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Couldn’t agree more. And over there in the captain’s hat is Nat, designer of the highly anticipated New Bedford.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full]

Nat Levan (Oakleaf Games)

[fifth width=”80px”][/fifth][three_quarters][plain]I’ve been a boardgamer for about 4 years now. I started writing about games about a year ago. Part of my writing is sharing my experience as I design my own game. But I also want to bring a more rigorous analysis to boardgames.[/plain][/three_quarters][fifth width=”10px”][/fifth][fifth width=”50px”]Community (Avatar) - Oakleaf Games[/fifth][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Portrait - Andrew[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]It’s quite intriguing to see designers explore new and potentially uncomfortable historical topics such as whaling.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Villager 3[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]As for me, I am tormented with an everlasting itch for things remote. I love to sail forbidden seas, and land on barbarous coasts.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Villager 4[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Really? I thought you were too busy studying your dusty tomes to have an adventure on the sea.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Villager 3[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]I try all things, I achieve what I can.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Villager 4[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Sure you do.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Portrait - Andrew[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Petty boasting aside here’s someone who has traveled quite a long way in his days. Tell us about your journeys Jacob.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full]

Jacob Coon (Whose Turn Is It Anyway?Community (Avatar) - Whose Turn Is It Anyway

[fifth width=”80px”][/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Well, I’m an Ohioan living in Germany working as an instructional designer missionary. When I’m not working I’m thinking about board games. I mostly write for Whose Turn Is It Anyway, but I’ve also written for Indie Cardboard and do Under 5 Minute Review videos.[/plain][/three_quarters][fifth width=”10px”][/fifth][fifth width=”50px”]Community (Avatar) - Jacob Coon[/fifth][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Villager 4[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Sounds like you’re quite a popular guy.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”80px”][/fifth][three_quarters][plain]I mostly cover solo variants of games, because unlike me, most of my friends don’t want to play games daily, but I’ll write about anything really.[/plain][/three_quarters][fifth width=”10px”][/fifth][fifth width=”50px”]Community (Avatar) - Jacob Coon[/fifth][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Villager 3[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Have you considering writing about a brave wizard that sails the seas in pursuit of a beast just beyond his grasp? I’d read that.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Villager 4[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]I think you’d be better off sticking to board games. Do you have any insights to share from your travels?[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”80px”][/fifth][three_quarters][plain]My favorite thing about board gaming beyond the games themselves is the community, especially on Twitter. It is awesome to see the variety of people talking about games from all over the world.[/plain][/three_quarters][fifth width=”10px”][/fifth][fifth width=”50px”]Community (Avatar) - Jacob Coon[/fifth][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Village Square Avatar Batman 2[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Threat neutralized. The village is safe for now but we must not rest until all evil has been vanquished from this place.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Villager 2[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]I sense a more sinister presence in our midst.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full]

[fifth width=”60px”]Portrait - Andrew[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Are you talking about Filip? I wouldn’t consider someone who’s house is still on fire to be much of a threat.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full]

[fifth width=”60px”]Dragon Avatar[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]My bad, it’s not my fault his place is extra flammable[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full]

Filip Wiltgren (Wiltgren MediaCommunity (Avatar) - Wiltgren Media

[fifth width=”80px”][/fifth][three_quarters][plain]I’m a born procrastinator with a creative addiction a mile wide – if I don’t barf out my incomplete ideas on all and sundry my muse takes a powersaw to my brain.[/plain][/three_quarters][fifth width=”10px”][/fifth][fifth width=”50px”]Community (Avatar) - Filip Wiltgren[/fifth][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Villager 2[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Sounds like our wizard.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”80px”][/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Sounds like a nice chap to meet.[/plain][/three_quarters][fifth width=”10px”][/fifth][fifth width=”50px”]Community (Avatar) - Filip Wiltgren[/fifth][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Villager 2[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Empty pockets though.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”80px”][/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Same here.[/plain][/three_quarters][fifth width=”10px”][/fifth][fifth width=”50px”]Community (Avatar) - Filip Wiltgren[/fifth][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Villager 2[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]I noticed.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”80px”][/fifth][three_quarters][plain]I started Playtesting as a way to get some structure to what I do, figuring that if I’ve got to write about it once a week I’ll get more designing and writing done. Strangely enough it worked and now I’m starting to get positive replies on my pitches from publishers. So in the future there will be gold and goats for all.[/plain][/three_quarters][fifth width=”10px”][/fifth][fifth width=”50px”]Community (Avatar) - Filip Wiltgren[/fifth][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Villager 4[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Gold! Hooray![/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Dragon Avatar[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Goats! Yummy![/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Villager 2[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]I’ll believe it when I see it.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”80px”][/fifth][three_quarters][plain]In my day life I’m a copywriter and project leader. I’ve also been a professional journalist, a martial arts instructor and a nail counter.[/plain][/three_quarters][fifth width=”10px”][/fifth][fifth width=”50px”]Community (Avatar) - Filip Wiltgren[/fifth][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Villager 1[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]What’s a nail counter?[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Villager 4[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Sounds dirty.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”80px”][/fifth][three_quarters][plain]A nail counter is a person who counts nails. 100 nails to a bag, 10 bags to a box. Pays $0.04 per bag.[/plain][/three_quarters][fifth width=”10px”][/fifth][fifth width=”50px”]Community (Avatar) - Filip Wiltgren[/fifth][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Villager 4[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]When can I start?[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”80px”][/fifth][three_quarters][plain]You’ll have to make the packing robot unemployed first.[/plain][/three_quarters][fifth width=”10px”][/fifth][fifth width=”50px”]Community (Avatar) - Filip Wiltgren[/fifth][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Villager 4[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]I’m on it.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”80px”][/fifth][three_quarters][plain]I’m also a fiction writer (with about as much luck getting published as my games).[/plain][/three_quarters][fifth width=”10px”][/fifth][fifth width=”50px”]Community (Avatar) - Filip Wiltgren[/fifth][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Village Square Cultist[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]I hear you, oh, lost soul, oh, mortal flesh, oh, pale flower, oh, cruel world.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”80px”][/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Riiiight…[/plain][/three_quarters][fifth width=”10px”][/fifth][fifth width=”50px”]Community (Avatar) - Filip Wiltgren[/fifth][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Village Square Cultist[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Thy thorns in my side, thy D4’s under my feet, thy pewter in my tea.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”80px”][/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Err… Andrew?[/plain][/three_quarters][fifth width=”10px”][/fifth][fifth width=”50px”]Community (Avatar) - Filip Wiltgren[/fifth][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Village Square Cultist[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Our love shall smite the heavens, our hatred shall drive armies along the shores of Abholos, let the Devourer in the Mists devour.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”80px”][/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Help?[/plain][/three_quarters][fifth width=”10px”][/fifth][fifth width=”50px”]Community (Avatar) - Filip Wiltgren[/fifth][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Dragon Avatar[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]*Chomp*[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”80px”][/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Thanks.[/plain][/three_quarters][fifth width=”10px”][/fifth][fifth width=”50px”]Community (Avatar) - Filip Wiltgren[/fifth][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Village Square Cultist[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]You don’t think one dragon can stop us do you? You know there are, like, a million of us. Right?[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Dragon Avatar[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Perfect, I’m starving and just ran out of goats![/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Village Square Cultist[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Come to think of it we have a dark ritual to perform somewhere far away from that hungry dragon. Gotta go![/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Village Square Avatar Batman 2[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]We have to find them before that ritual can be completed.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”80px”][/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Let’s go.[/plain][/three_quarters][fifth width=”10px”][/fifth][fifth width=”50px”]Village Square (Avatar) - Batman[/fifth][full][/full]

[fifth width=”60px”]Portrait - Andrew[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]I guess we’ll just have to wait and see if some terrible monstrosity gets summoned. In the mean time let’s see who’s brave enough to hang around through zombies and cultists. I see one of our town’s hardest working scholars is keeping a detailed record of this strange day.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full]

Chris Renshall (TGIK Games)

[fifth width=”80px”][/fifth][three_quarters][plain]My name is Chris Renshall. I am one half of TGIK Games with my co-designer Aidan Short. We have been designing games since January of 2013. My background is in finance. I currently work as a securities analyst for a money management firm.[/plain][/three_quarters][fifth width=”10px”][/fifth][fifth width=”50px”]Community (Avatar) - TGIK Games 2[/fifth][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Dragon Avatar[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]I’ve got a pretty large hoard back in my cave. Can you make me rich?[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Portrait - Andrew[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]I’m not sure he deals with that kind of wealth.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”80px”][/fifth][three_quarters][plain]I started our blog because I wanted to share the lessons we had learned along the long path that is game design. I also like to write about the greater meaning of games not only for the people who play them, but the benefits games can provide to people who have yet to get into the hobby. I also like to add my personal opinion on larger topics the in games industry and I like to sprinkle in a few updates on the games we are working on. Ultimately, I want the blog to be helpful to our fellow designers, interesting to non-designer gamers and a potential gateway blog for those new to or interested in the hobby.[/plain][/three_quarters][fifth width=”10px”][/fifth][fifth width=”50px”]Community (Avatar) - TGIK Games 2[/fifth][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Portrait - Andrew[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Another insightful and hardworking team with an acronym in their name are the folks over at MVP Boardgames.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Dragon Avatar[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Mmmmmm, Acronyms.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Portrait - Andrew[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]I think you might be confused. And hungry.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Dragon Avatar[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]You know what they say about cultists. Bet you can’t eat just one.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Village Square Cultist[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]*Gulp*[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Portrait - Andrew[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Man, there sure are a lot of those guys. Back to business, tell us about your team Peter.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full]

Peter Gousis (MVP Boardgames)

[fifth width=”80px”][/fifth][three_quarters][plain]I am Peter Gousis and I am 1/2 of the design team for MVP Boardgames.  Our goal is to design games with strong theme emersion and streamlined mechanics. I work closely with my co-designer Michael Kelley and his wife Venessa does our art and graphic design.[/plain][/three_quarters][fifth width=”10px”][/fifth][fifth width=”50px”]Community (Avatar) - MVP Boardgames[/fifth][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Portrait - Andrew[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Sounds like a talented crew, what do you guys write about?[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”80px”][/fifth][three_quarters][plain]The point of the blog is to share some lessons we have learned along the way, as well as give motivation to new designers looking to get their first game published. We also give tips and tricks for prototyping. The reason I started doing the blog is because all the designers I have met are just so nice and welcoming. I wanted to do my part to share my lessons with other designers.[/plain][/three_quarters][fifth width=”10px”][/fifth][fifth width=”50px”]Community (Avatar) - MVP Boardgames[/fifth][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Portrait - Andrew[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]I bet that’s very helpful for all the aspiring game designers out there.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”80px”][/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Design is often lonely work. Most of it is done by yourself, even if you work with a partner. I figured having a resource that showed that other people are going through their same struggles could be inspirational to designers.[/plain][/three_quarters][fifth width=”10px”][/fifth][fifth width=”50px”]Community (Avatar) - MVP Boardgames[/fifth][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Village Square Cultist[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]I used to be lonely too until I found my true purpose.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Portrait - Andrew[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]These guys are everywhere, I thought the Batsmen were taking care of them.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Village Square Avatar Batman 2[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]We’ve located the ritual, it’ll all be over soon.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Village Square Cultist[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Yes it will.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Portrait - Andrew[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Anyway, I’m sure a lot of designers could use the encouragement. Any plans for the coming year?[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”80px”][/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Our first game, Salvation Road, coming to Kickstarter early this year. It is being published by Van Ryder Games.[/plain][/three_quarters][fifth width=”10px”][/fifth][fifth width=”50px”]Community (Avatar) - MVP Boardgames[/fifth][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Portrait - Andrew[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Best of luck![/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Village Square Cultist[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]You are the ones that will need all the luck. Your doom is at hand![/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Village Square Fanatic[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Meet our master![/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Village Square Cthulhu[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]HEY GUYS.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Village Square Fanatic[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Destroy them and their ridiculous games![/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Village Square Cthulhu[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]I LOVE BOARD GAMES![/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Portrait - Andrew[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]What do you know, I guess nobody told them they were in the cult of the new.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Village Square Avatar Batman 2[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Indeed. Another crisis averted. Yet, we must remain ever watchful.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Portrait - Andrew[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]I know just the place where you can see the whole town.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full]

Alex Harkey (Games Precipice)

[fifth width=”80px”][/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Hey Andrew! Games Precipice is an effort to help new and experienced game designers identify what makes board games great. We emphasize game design thought but we write to a general audience so even if you’re not working on a game of your own, there is hopefully something you’ll find entertaining and informative.[/plain][/three_quarters][fifth width=”10px”][/fifth][fifth width=”50px”]Community (Avatar) - Game Precipice[/fifth][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Village Square Avatar Batman 2[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]You can return to town. We will remain here until a time of need arises. Just light the Bat-Signal.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”80px”][/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Hopefully that time will not come.[/plain][/three_quarters][fifth width=”10px”][/fifth][fifth width=”50px”]Village Square (Avatar) - Batman[/fifth][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Portrait - Andrew[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Perhaps the village will once again be at peace. Maybe our local theologians can share some of their wisdom in the midst of all this evil.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full]

Jeremiah Isley, Scott Firestone IV (Theology of Games)

[fifth width=”80px”][/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Thanks Andrew! We’re Jeremiah Isley and Scott Firestone IV, two guys who connected over a shared passion for youth ministry, and then found out we also liked board games. We decided to start a board game blog together, and we’re still going strong nearly three years later. We both have elementary-aged kids, so many of our reviews include thoughts from our game groups, but also our families.[/plain][/three_quarters][fifth width=”10px”][/fifth][fifth width=”50px”]Community (Avatar) - Theology of Games[/fifth][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Portrait - Andrew[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]We should all go and be with our families at times like these. In fact, it looks like there’s just one person left in the Village Square now.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Villager 2[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Sounds like he’s muttering something to himself. We might want to keep our distance.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full]

Oliver Kiley (Big Game Theory)

[fifth width=”80px”][/fifth][three_quarters][plain]The Big Game Theory!? It goes like this: Start with a self-appointed game designer with a passion for theory crafting, pontificating, and exploring the inner workings of games.[/plain][/three_quarters][fifth width=”10px”][/fifth][fifth width=”50px”]Community (Avatar) - Big Game Theory[/fifth][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Portrait - Andrew[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]He seems alright to me. Maybe just a little bit passionate, but aren’t we all?[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”80px”][/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Then mix in a hearty dose of game criticism and conjecture with an eye towards exploring games as a medium of communication (i.e. games need not always be for fun) and their cultural implications.[/plain][/three_quarters][fifth width=”10px”][/fifth][fifth width=”50px”]Community (Avatar) - Big Game Theory[/fifth][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Villager 2[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Who’s he talking to?[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Portrait - Andrew[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]I’m not really sure.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”80px”][/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Last, I like to subject my fellow adventurers to my opinions and reflections on the games I play.[/plain][/three_quarters][fifth width=”10px”][/fifth][fifth width=”50px”]Community (Avatar) - Big Game Theory[/fifth][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Portrait - Andrew[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Hey buddy, who are you talking to?[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”80px”][/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Through all this, I am hoping to find the grand unification theory of games, so that I can make the one true game to rule them all. Muahhhahahw![/plain][/three_quarters][fifth width=”10px”][/fifth][fifth width=”50px”]Community (Avatar) - Big Game Theory[/fifth][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Villager 2[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]That doesn’t sound good.[/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full]

Sauron, Dark Lord of Mordor

[fifth width=”80px”][/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Everyone will play my game of die![/plain][/three_quarters][fifth width=”10px”][/fifth][fifth width=”50px”]Village Square Sauron[/fifth][full][/full] [fifth width=”60px”]Portrait - Andrew[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]I will not sacrifice the Village Square. We’ve made too many compromises already; too many retreats. Not again. The line must be drawn here! This far, no further![/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full] [fifth width=”80px”][/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Then I will destroy this whole village![/plain][/three_quarters][fifth width=”10px”][/fifth][fifth width=”50px”]Village Square Sauron[/fifth][full][/full] [fifth width=”65px”]Village Square Avatar Batman 2[/fifth][three_quarters][plain align=center]Not if we have anything to say about it![/plain][/three_quarters][fifth width=”15px”][/fifth][fifth width=”50px”]Village Square (Avatar) - Batman[/fifth][full][/full] [fifth width=”70px”][/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Will the Batsmen defeat Sauron and cleanse all evil from the board gaming community once and for all? Or is history doomed to repeat itself and rein devastation on the village once again? Tune in next episode for the exciting conclusion![/plain][/three_quarters][full][/full]

 

Dragon Slayer Roundup

[fifth width=”30px”][/fifth][fifth width=”70px”]Portrait - Wolfie[/fifth][three_quarters][plain]Tiny Epic Kingdoms - Thumb Review: Tiny Epic Kingdoms[/plain][/three_quarters] [full][/full]

I love optimization and engine games with tableau builders and card driven ones being my favorite. This usually means medium-heavy euros and medium-light card games.

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