I know I'm in the minority here, but Alan Moon's designs are so approachable, and playable by anybody, that he has to get my vote over Wallace. Wallace games are great, but you do need a certain kind of group to play them, and me having such irregular groups, his games are usually not really a good option. Moon's always are.

Agreed. Out of curiosity I checked when the latest game of his that I really like was published. It was way back 2006, Blue Moon City. Beowulf the Movie was more recent, but that was a re-implementation of his earlier design Kingdoms.

While I'm not a huge fan of Knizia, isn't this about the designer and not about new releases?

I didn't see that the criteria was 'what's your favorite designer that has put out a game in the year year?' He has put out a ton of retreads, but he has also done some great designs. It's like comparing two movie actors. One that only does 'quality' movies and one that has done the same (or better) 'quality' movies and a TON of movies that weren't so good and knocking the second because the career includes that extra stuff. They are actors, they get paid to do movies. Tom Hanks is still considered a good actor, but when is the last time he's done anything 'great'?

Should Sid Jackson be excluded (or his designs be considered less) because they are 'new'?

Designers get paid for getting games out. A designer has still designed a game whether it's 1 year old or 10 years old.

... I voted for Knizia in this match-up, but if he faces someone who has more momentum right now as far as great designs go, like Wallace, that would be a much tougher call...

That's precisely my point. Also, see Hera and Zeus (basically Stratego with cards).

I've loved Magic the Gathering before, but I'm not sure about it lately. It has become too combo oriented, my "one card of a kind because I like the different pictures and surprises when drawing" decks can't win anymore.

Garfleld has very little to do with modern MtG design. Of course the current team builds upon the foundation he laid down, but they can take it forwards however they wish, without his approval.

He was a 'guest designer' for Innistrad, but to all intents and purposes, he's no longer part of MtG.

Two very competent game designers.

Although I'm a big Dominant Species fan, Vladda's game are simply more unique and creative. No contest.

Which of Chad's games have you played besides DS?

Wow the guy with the #1 game on the geek is getting blown out by the designer of Shogun/Wallenstein (basically the same design) and Alhambra? This is pretty surprising.

Wow the guy with the #1 game on the geek is getting blown out by the designer of Shogun/Wallenstein (basically the same design) and Alhambra? This is pretty surprising.

I voted for Henn because I know nearly all his designs and I havent played pne that I truly dislike. His body of work stretched beyond Wallenstein Great game BTW) and Alhambra and his track record is flawless imho