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Monthly Archives: June 2010
Review: Race for the Galaxy
Stats
Type: Card game (non-collectible)
Players: 2-4 (1-6 with expansion sets)
Suggested Ages: 12 and up
Play Time: 60 minutes
Cost: $34.95
Extra Info
Play Style: Competitive, economy, empire-building, shared phases
Complexity: 3 out of 5
Learning Curve: Moderate
Similar To: Dominion, Puerto Rico
My Rating: 4 out of 5
Summary
Build a galactic civilization using cards for planets and developments, which grant special actions or rules exceptions. RftG is fun for thinkers and strategists; the randomness of drawing cards can mildly frustrate strategic planning.
The Power Is Yours!
I am regularly impressed by how many folks have offered to help. Seriously, give yourselves a high five.
So maybe you’ve offered, or you would but each time you try an attic whisperer steals your voice. What can you do?
Important Things
We’re the kind of people who see value in all kinds of things, but we have our priorities. What are yours?
Loading ...The Kids’ Area
There’s a lot of curiosity about what we’re up to, so we want to try to post at least weekly on some part of our plan. Leave your questions in the comments, and we’ll work on tackling them. We lead off with an odd piece, a kids’ area…in a gaming store?!? (To be known as +1 Kids, or perhaps the Itty Bitty Gamer Committee?) It might help to read the About page for an overall view of where we’re coming from.
On Trolls
I got a very honest email from someone asking how we plan to deal with “shop trolls” as this person put it – antagonistic behavior. It’s not the first time I’ve heard the concern, so I thought I’d give it a public answer.
Some of you may have peeked at our About page. The last item there is our store mission, “to create and sustain a hub for gamer community.” At the very end is a two-item list with the first draft of our conduct policy. This will be posted visibly on-premises, probably in the gaming area. It counts online, too.
The short version is, don’t act like a jerk. Alternatively, act civil.
I know there’s probably a game you hate, or even a person (or type of person) you can’t stand being around. I get that; We’re not going to tell you what you’re allowed to like or dislike. Just keep it to yourself. That’s all.
We’ll give you a warning the first time. Debates get passionate sometimes, I know. If it keeps up, you’ll be asked to leave for the day. No ban-hammers or anything; just take a day to cool off.
We’re not thrilled to do it, but we’re not scared to, either. It doesn’t matter how well we know you, or how much you spend, or how much I don’t like that game either. This is about the health of the whole community, and that will include people you don’t get along with.
It’ll be a big store. Plenty of tables for everyone.
Bulletin Board Options
Someone brought up bulletin boards on the Facebook page, and I thought it’d make a good poll – or pair of polls, as it turns out. The first poll is limited to 2 choices to tease out your favorites, because all of the above would spread things out too far.
Important note on that second poll: I’m looking for what you’d want to be able to find, not what you’d want to post. I’m assuming you’d want a few open discussion choices on a digital board, too.
And as always, post any extra thoughts in the comments.
Loading ... Loading ...Review: Obsidian Portal
The Short Answer
If you keep a pile of notes and a laptop open behind the GM screen, this site is the answer to your gaming dreams. Obsidian Portal gives you every digital tool you could hope for to keep track of all the information about your game and campaign setting. Plus it’s free, and ridiculously easy to use. Read More
Potential Store Layout
We’re working toward signing our lease on our potential space at Independence Mall. To get ready, I put together a mock-up of the inside with Google SketchUp. We’ve been using it to arrange furniture and try color schemes.
Tell us what you think in the comments.
What’s Your Game?
While we’re getting things set up here, let’s do a little get-to-know-you. Check off every game that you regularly play, buy stuff for, etc. In other words, your games. If I missed anything, post it in the comments.
Also, if you want to connect with folks who play your game, try the Discussions over at our Facebook page.
Loading ...Welcome! (Also: Bugs)
The site just got launched. There’s probably bugs, and of course it’s pretty barren. We’ll get there.
Check out the Facebook page for now.