This your story reminded me of the first time I went with my dad and younger brother to IEM Katowice, which is the biggest e-sports event in Poland, hosting large-scale tournaments in various games, as well as expo with games and computer gear. It was in March of 2018 and we had early entrance tickets for Friday and Sunday (on Saturday we had to be on a family gathering). On Friday we watched some play-off games in Spodek and wandered across the EXPO, where all of us entered the giveaway competition on Razer stand, which meant writing name on a card and putting it into the box, so that on Sunday they would draw participants of quiz that will determine the winners of their gaming gear. When we returned on Sunday it was announced there will be five quiz duels of three questions regarding Razer brand and esports, between two people drawn from the box. In the fifth one I was selected and battled for the Razer bag to carry laptops, which I won after narrowly edging out my opponent in the extra question. At first I was a bit disappointed, hoping to win computer gear, but given the bag was worth a lot of money and serves me to this day, I'm happy and lucky to get it the way I did.
There’s a huge gaming convention in my city every year. Best part of my year. I do actually sign up for games and play but no matter what I tell myself I end up buying more dice. I can’t see dice and not buy.
A money saving tip: see if the convention needs volunteers and what perks volunteers get. I volunteer for 8 hours every year to get my ticket price refunded. It also keeps me away from the dealer’s room during downtime between games.
Good idea on volunteering. As for dice, I definitely wanted to buy all of them, even though I don't need any. They're so pretty. Like diamonds, but way more functional.
PS. Most of our family (5 peeps without drop ins) favorites were relatively smaller in box size. Racko, Rat a Cat, Pick Two, Pass Word, Pictionary, Outburst, Quiddler, and TriBond.
If the crowd was larger, we doubled the decks. Further, in response to the popular brain numbing game of Bunko, my lady friends created a game night group where the host would choose the game and the guest would bring the refreshments. This was always new and fun!
Dear Sir (because we all know your real name isn’t James Breakwell):
As an old, grouchy recluse, I must tell you how much I enjoy your readings of your work. It is probably the one thing that brings a smile to this old, grouchy face.
It recalls my younger days, gleefully listening to “Wrong and Wronger”. Why I even own one of the T-shirts!
Do try to take better care of yourself. You have surely reached your maximum health insurance benefit payout for this calendar year. Your next hospital visit may be very pricey, preventing the purchase of any further bargains on FB.
I can't believe you own a shirt! I don't even have one of those. We're back to making Wrong and Wronger episodes, if you haven't heard. We use our time very poorly.
I can once again be happy I live in a country with the population of an American city 🤣 Our biggest convention broke the attendance record again, with ~7100 visitors. It's wonderful, I only bought one board game (plus a gazillion stickers and a lucky toad from artists alley) and mostly just hung out with friends I get to see there once a year. I do also volunteer there so my attendance doesn't cost me anything, but I had to save up for the hotel for the entire year. There is free accommodation too, but I'm too old to sleep in a giant hall with a few thousand other people.
Pretty much 😁 It's one of the few conventions here that offers accommodation anymore. It's a combined RPG/LARP/Wargaming/board gaming/other geeky things convention and it's entirely run by volunteers.
Did Seth, Greg or Lola go to any cool events or did they also just walk the convention floor? I've always thought this event sounded so cool, but I do NOT need more board games with both kids grown up and in other states now and hubby not fond of board games.
They went along with my terrible plan and followed me around. I was the driver, so I had leverage. I offered to let Seth and Greg use my awesome parking spot if they wanted to go back to the convention on their own for the other days, but they elected to stay at my place for drinking and board games. The free alcohol was a decisive factor.
My son Alex and his wife are HUGE board game addicts. Well, online too, but they have dozens of real games. I hadn’t played a game since candyland when my kiddo’s were small , so when I visited them in Chicago last year and they insisted I play one I was very reluctant. There were four of us and they picked “Ticket to Ride.” I have a feeling you know that game. I had a BLAST. Didn’t win the two times we played but laughed a lot. When your online playing you don’t have that same sense of closeness. Now that I think about it in Spain, besides card games, we played Risk. Hard core. Haven’t played in 30 years and I bet I could still beat anyone’s ass today, lol.
I despise Risk. Too many long games of it in my childhood, and too much luck. I love Ticket to Ride, though. Your guess was correct. It's right behind me in my display case. It's a great game for people who aren't sure if they will like games. It's the gateway drug to filling your house with cardboard.
My husband should join you for your next Frendscation. He is also a huuuuuge fan of board games, and owns many we've never had a chance to play! He also grasps the concepts quickly, so he's very good at winning board games, even if it's his first time playing.
I lack his talent. I'm very good at having fun while playing board games. I'm very bad at winning them. I best avoid your husband lest he destroy the shred of dignity I have left.
Wow! I couldn’t balance those blocks to save my life! Regarding your 22,000 steps, that was my average when I was still teaching elementary school. After retirement I’m happy if I get 3,000, and my shoes are lasting more than ever. I think you had a great day ( minus the spending more money than intended) . Now you just need to stay stationary for a few months and the money you spent and the excessive steps will average on their own. Cheers!
I'm a board game guy too - a mate has just bought a legacy game we are about to try but I think it will take longer to learn the rules than to play the game. I also bought games thinking they were an investment - yeah, nah.
We played My City which was great and the latest one is called Betrayal Legacy which sounds exactly like the kind of game to play with friends and family but it does look pretty complex!
I have regular Betrayal at the House on the Hill Game. I'm a big fan, but not everyone in my group is, so I sometimes have trouble getting it the table. You'll have to let me know how you like it.
Next time, check and see if the convention has a Play and Win library. You play the game, and if you like it, you can put your name in a drawing to win it. Then, if you don’t win, you still have the option to spend all the money for it, but if you DO win, you get it for free! One of the crowning achievements of my life was when I won the most popular game of the year at the St. Louis board game convention, Geekway to the West.
Oo, that was written misleadingly; sorry! The game is called Azul, and I’m fairly certain it was so popular because it was very easy for a wide variety of people to understand and enjoy. I definitely recommend it!
It's so much reading. I feel like I'm cramming for a final exam every time I learn a new game to teach the group. And then I always forget one rule that ruins everything. It's kind of my thing.
Can I request a newsletter solely focused on game reviews? We have a handful of basic ones, but most (like Risk) my kids normally think take too long (or reading/learning the rules does!). Maybe you can advise re how long a normal game play lasts, and what’s interesting for teenagers, etc.?
Thank you for this newsletter! I never know what to give my grown kids for Christmas. Azul and Ticket to Ride are now on my list and recommended by James Breakwell! Anymore recommendations? We played a game recently, I think it was called, Mind the Gap. It took us forever to get around that board. We learned if you play in teams make sure each team has someone from each generation or you’ll be playing that game forever.
This your story reminded me of the first time I went with my dad and younger brother to IEM Katowice, which is the biggest e-sports event in Poland, hosting large-scale tournaments in various games, as well as expo with games and computer gear. It was in March of 2018 and we had early entrance tickets for Friday and Sunday (on Saturday we had to be on a family gathering). On Friday we watched some play-off games in Spodek and wandered across the EXPO, where all of us entered the giveaway competition on Razer stand, which meant writing name on a card and putting it into the box, so that on Sunday they would draw participants of quiz that will determine the winners of their gaming gear. When we returned on Sunday it was announced there will be five quiz duels of three questions regarding Razer brand and esports, between two people drawn from the box. In the fifth one I was selected and battled for the Razer bag to carry laptops, which I won after narrowly edging out my opponent in the extra question. At first I was a bit disappointed, hoping to win computer gear, but given the bag was worth a lot of money and serves me to this day, I'm happy and lucky to get it the way I did.
A free bag is a free bag, and a free bag that comes with a memorable story is even better!
There’s a huge gaming convention in my city every year. Best part of my year. I do actually sign up for games and play but no matter what I tell myself I end up buying more dice. I can’t see dice and not buy.
A money saving tip: see if the convention needs volunteers and what perks volunteers get. I volunteer for 8 hours every year to get my ticket price refunded. It also keeps me away from the dealer’s room during downtime between games.
Good idea on volunteering. As for dice, I definitely wanted to buy all of them, even though I don't need any. They're so pretty. Like diamonds, but way more functional.
Good recap. I laughed out loud at the first paragraph and repeatedly throughout.
PS. Most of our family (5 peeps without drop ins) favorites were relatively smaller in box size. Racko, Rat a Cat, Pick Two, Pass Word, Pictionary, Outburst, Quiddler, and TriBond.
If the crowd was larger, we doubled the decks. Further, in response to the popular brain numbing game of Bunko, my lady friends created a game night group where the host would choose the game and the guest would bring the refreshments. This was always new and fun!
Those games are all classics. People who bring food are ALWAYS welcome. It's the surest way to get invited back.
Ok, they are witches. That thing has no discernible foundation
Gravity has no authority here.
Dear Sir (because we all know your real name isn’t James Breakwell):
As an old, grouchy recluse, I must tell you how much I enjoy your readings of your work. It is probably the one thing that brings a smile to this old, grouchy face.
It recalls my younger days, gleefully listening to “Wrong and Wronger”. Why I even own one of the T-shirts!
Do try to take better care of yourself. You have surely reached your maximum health insurance benefit payout for this calendar year. Your next hospital visit may be very pricey, preventing the purchase of any further bargains on FB.
Best regards,
🐝💨
I can't believe you own a shirt! I don't even have one of those. We're back to making Wrong and Wronger episodes, if you haven't heard. We use our time very poorly.
His real name isn’t James Breakwell? Gasp! What else is he lying about???
My kids are all just holograms.
I can once again be happy I live in a country with the population of an American city 🤣 Our biggest convention broke the attendance record again, with ~7100 visitors. It's wonderful, I only bought one board game (plus a gazillion stickers and a lucky toad from artists alley) and mostly just hung out with friends I get to see there once a year. I do also volunteer there so my attendance doesn't cost me anything, but I had to save up for the hotel for the entire year. There is free accommodation too, but I'm too old to sleep in a giant hall with a few thousand other people.
I'm amazed that sleeping in a giant hall is even an option. Is it the world's biggest board game slumber party?
Pretty much 😁 It's one of the few conventions here that offers accommodation anymore. It's a combined RPG/LARP/Wargaming/board gaming/other geeky things convention and it's entirely run by volunteers.
Did Seth, Greg or Lola go to any cool events or did they also just walk the convention floor? I've always thought this event sounded so cool, but I do NOT need more board games with both kids grown up and in other states now and hubby not fond of board games.
They went along with my terrible plan and followed me around. I was the driver, so I had leverage. I offered to let Seth and Greg use my awesome parking spot if they wanted to go back to the convention on their own for the other days, but they elected to stay at my place for drinking and board games. The free alcohol was a decisive factor.
My son Alex and his wife are HUGE board game addicts. Well, online too, but they have dozens of real games. I hadn’t played a game since candyland when my kiddo’s were small , so when I visited them in Chicago last year and they insisted I play one I was very reluctant. There were four of us and they picked “Ticket to Ride.” I have a feeling you know that game. I had a BLAST. Didn’t win the two times we played but laughed a lot. When your online playing you don’t have that same sense of closeness. Now that I think about it in Spain, besides card games, we played Risk. Hard core. Haven’t played in 30 years and I bet I could still beat anyone’s ass today, lol.
I despise Risk. Too many long games of it in my childhood, and too much luck. I love Ticket to Ride, though. Your guess was correct. It's right behind me in my display case. It's a great game for people who aren't sure if they will like games. It's the gateway drug to filling your house with cardboard.
My husband should join you for your next Frendscation. He is also a huuuuuge fan of board games, and owns many we've never had a chance to play! He also grasps the concepts quickly, so he's very good at winning board games, even if it's his first time playing.
I lack his talent. I'm very good at having fun while playing board games. I'm very bad at winning them. I best avoid your husband lest he destroy the shred of dignity I have left.
Wow! I couldn’t balance those blocks to save my life! Regarding your 22,000 steps, that was my average when I was still teaching elementary school. After retirement I’m happy if I get 3,000, and my shoes are lasting more than ever. I think you had a great day ( minus the spending more money than intended) . Now you just need to stay stationary for a few months and the money you spent and the excessive steps will average on their own. Cheers!
That's so many steps. You must have had legs of steel. I'm built for sitting, not for standing. At least I was before that last hospital stay.
I'm a board game guy too - a mate has just bought a legacy game we are about to try but I think it will take longer to learn the rules than to play the game. I also bought games thinking they were an investment - yeah, nah.
Which legacy game? I've been on a legacy kick for the last half of a year.
We played My City which was great and the latest one is called Betrayal Legacy which sounds exactly like the kind of game to play with friends and family but it does look pretty complex!
I have regular Betrayal at the House on the Hill Game. I'm a big fan, but not everyone in my group is, so I sometimes have trouble getting it the table. You'll have to let me know how you like it.
Will do
Next time, check and see if the convention has a Play and Win library. You play the game, and if you like it, you can put your name in a drawing to win it. Then, if you don’t win, you still have the option to spend all the money for it, but if you DO win, you get it for free! One of the crowning achievements of my life was when I won the most popular game of the year at the St. Louis board game convention, Geekway to the West.
I googled "Geekway to the West" thinking it was the game, but it's the whole convention. Now I have to know the name of the game!
Oo, that was written misleadingly; sorry! The game is called Azul, and I’m fairly certain it was so popular because it was very easy for a wide variety of people to understand and enjoy. I definitely recommend it!
I have that! It's one of our favorites. You must have been there when it was brand new. Props for being at the start of the craze.
I see no reason why new games and new rules wouldn’t ALWAYS be ever in your favor...
It's so much reading. I feel like I'm cramming for a final exam every time I learn a new game to teach the group. And then I always forget one rule that ruins everything. It's kind of my thing.
That's why I always test new board game by playing it alone before trying to explain the rules to my family or friends.
You were limping like you got shot in the butt? Wait a minute... 🤔
No new injury, I promise. Just the old one slowing me down.
Can I request a newsletter solely focused on game reviews? We have a handful of basic ones, but most (like Risk) my kids normally think take too long (or reading/learning the rules does!). Maybe you can advise re how long a normal game play lasts, and what’s interesting for teenagers, etc.?
Thank you for this newsletter! I never know what to give my grown kids for Christmas. Azul and Ticket to Ride are now on my list and recommended by James Breakwell! Anymore recommendations? We played a game recently, I think it was called, Mind the Gap. It took us forever to get around that board. We learned if you play in teams make sure each team has someone from each generation or you’ll be playing that game forever.
Azul and Ticket to Ride are both great choices. Congratulations in advance on winning Christmas!