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Mark JohnsonUnited States
Santa Clarita
California
That's a Palm Pilot on the left, and a pink iPod mini on the right. Yes, I've been doing BGTG that long!
http://www.WargamesToGo.com
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Mark Johnson's occasional & opinionated podcast about family strategy boardgames
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I'm still on my break, but coming out of my hermit's cave to post daily mini-podcasts from BGG.con, like I did last year. The first one (kind of a test while I'm still home) is posted. It and further daily updates can be found at my season 11 geeklist entry. Hope you enjoy them.
-Mark
Boardgames To Go
Mark Johnson's occasional and opinionated podcast, Boardgames To Go, now has its own blog on Boardgamegeek.
Archive for BGG.con
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Mark JohnsonUnited States
Santa Clarita
California
That's a Palm Pilot on the left, and a pink iPod mini on the right. Yes, I've been doing BGTG that long!
http://www.WargamesToGo.com
-
Mark Johnson's occasional & opinionated podcast about family strategy boardgames
__________________________________________________________________________________________
SubscribeBlogGuildArchivesContactButton giveaway winners!
(I'll contact you to get your mailing addresses)
I've also learned that in the UK these are called badges, not buttons.
Russell CollinghamUnited Kingdom
Durham
County Durham
Fubar Awol (mofo/ that mofo)United States
Albuquerque
NM
ANOTHER episode related to BGG.con?! Well...yeah. But really, this is about a bunch of new games. In fact, this is as close as I get to joining the Cult of the New! Listeners know that's not really my style or preference, yet every year after Essen I would interview Greg Pettit about the new titles he played at BGG.con. This time, of course, I get to contribute to the conversation, too. (Actually I always do--we've been doing these shows for years--this year I just to say more.)
With both of us having plenty to say, this is a longer episode. Lots of very topical games to discuss. At the very end, though, we also do one of my favorite segments, a "where are they now?" look back at the games discussed 12 months ago. Are we still excited about them? Are you?
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- Gunslinger
- Spinball
- Yspahan
- Tajemnicze Domostwo
- Hyperborea
- Lap Dance
- Pax Porfiriana
- Rondo
- Panamax
- Roll for the Galaxy
- BANG! The Dice Game
- La Granja
- Pandemic: The Cure
- Camel Up
- Imperial Settlers
- Castles of Mad King Ludwig
- Port Royal
- Nations: The Dice Game
- Isaribi
- Colt Express
- Red7
- Timeline: Americana
- Deus
- Doodle City
- Rolling Japan
- McJohny's
- Wir sind das Volk!
- Orongo
- Hellweg westfalicus
- Cubo
- Villainous Vikings (Second Edition)
Fri Jan 30, 2015 6:12 am
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BGTG 155 - BGG.con 2014 Planning For NEXT Year, plus button giveaways (with Davebo Gullett)
23
Dec
2014
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Mark JohnsonUnited States
Santa Clarita
California
That's a Palm Pilot on the left, and a pink iPod mini on the right. Yes, I've been doing BGTG that long!
http://www.WargamesToGo.com
-
Mark Johnson's occasional & opinionated podcast about family strategy boardgames
__________________________________________________________________________________________
SubscribeBlogGuildArchivesContact
I'm glad I've received good feedback about all of these BGG.con episodes, because I have TWO more. There's this one with Davebo, a look back on the con after I'd been home for a while (which also serves as a look forward to next year--I hope to return). Then a little later I'll record my traditional post-BGG.con episode with Greg Pettit where we talk about the new Essen titles we played. We kind of did that already in the daily episodes during the con, but we've each had more time to play other titles, refine our opinions, and also look back a year to consider what happened to the 2013 titles.
In this one, Dave & I reflect on what we enjoyed, what we want to do again next year, and what we would wish to do differently. Some of those I have a clear idea about, and others I'm still not sure about. In particular, I can't quite figure out what I want to do about meeting new, random people and playing new games with them. Perhaps old games with new people can be a good combo (like the Entdecker-with-BGTG-listeners idea), and new games with old friends (who can do the teaching) can also be good. I'm not sure I'll do new games with new people again. Maybe.
Hey! I'm really asking for feedback this time. Dave & I asked several questions, and we want your feedback. I'm giving away podcast buttons as little prizes. If you win, you get a Boardgames To Go button, a Wargames To Go button, or both if you want!
Button giveaways!!
1. Best answer: What game SHOULD I have played (geeklist)
2. Best answer: Suggestions for the upcoming (March!) BGTG 10-year anniversary (geeklist)
3. Randomly chosen: A commenter on this blog (below)
4. Randomly chosen: A commenter on Facebook (facebook.com/BoardgamesToGo)
5. Randomly chosen: A commenter on Twitter (@BoardgamesToGo)
Plus a couple more for Dave's questions:
a. Best answer: How did you make the convention shuttle work for you? (comment below)
b. Randomly chosen: When did you listen to the daily episodes? Right away or later? (geekmail to Dave):strip_icc()/pic2314937.jpg)
-Mark
Links
How to get started on "free" Frequent Flyer miles
Geeklists for games Mark and Dave played at BGG.con 2014
Geeklist for games you think Mark should've played
Geeklist for BGTG 10-year anniversary suggestions
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Mark JohnsonUnited States
Santa Clarita
California
That's a Palm Pilot on the left, and a pink iPod mini on the right. Yes, I've been doing BGTG that long!
http://www.WargamesToGo.com
-
Mark Johnson's occasional & opinionated podcast about family strategy boardgames
__________________________________________________________________________________________
SubscribeBlogGuildArchivesContact
Today isn't even really a "day" at BGG.con. Most people sleep in (after late nights), then wake up, check out, and are heading home. That might have been me, too. The thing is, I'm not really a late night/sleep in kind of person. Definitely not the up-til-5am, sleep-til-noon variety. Not even the 2am/9am type of gamer, which was my pattern for most of the week. This time, on the last day, I wanted to try two new things, as a trial run for how I'd try to do more of BGG.con next year, if I'm lucky enough to return.
First, I got up "early." At a convention, that means 8am. I was in the main game room by 8:30, where a small subset of gamers were already playing games. (Some guessed they were STILL playing games, but this didn't look like the allnighter crowd.)
Second, I sat down at a table, set my game up (Hellweg westfalicus), and put up one of those "players wanted" flags the convention provides to help you get a game started. Within 5 minutes I had one player, and before I'd even really started the rules explanation we had a third. That was a good number, so off we went. I'm sure we could've gotten a fourth to fill out the game if we'd wanted to, but three is usually a good number for Schacht's games. Neither guy knew me or my podcast, we just sat down to learn a game together. I liked it quite a bit, another liked it, too, while our third player was less enthused. I think of it as a cousin to Hansa, overland in theme, and with a little more going on. (I really love Hansa, but understand how it can be pretty spare for some folks.)
In this last episode from the actual BGG.con, Greg prompted me to write down five things that I felt were highlights of the event. My own personal highlights. If you've been listening over the past few days, they probably won't surprise you. Thinking about it (and in no particular order), I thought mine were
1. The friends
2. The library
3. The BBQ
4. The Flea Markets (both kinds)
5. The Spiel des Jahres seminar
I hope to go back again! Thanks to all who told me they enjoyed my podcasts. That really meant a lot to me. Thanks to those NOT at BGG.con that listened and/or commented during the week. It's no exaggeration to say that feedback from listeners is the reason I'm still doing this.
-Mark
P.S. Here's a geeklist with the games I played & some opinions about them.:strip_icc()/pic2318059.jpg)
Here was the main room (same as last night's view of the closing ceremony), but at 8:30am on Sunday. Lots of open tables. To be fair, there might have been more gamers on the mornings of Thursday, Friday, and even Saturday.
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I set up Hellweg westfalicus facing my new players, which is why it's upside down in this view. (I was new, too, but I had read the rules, at least.) This is a good game!
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Just before we all headed out, here were some of those friends. Greg Pettit, Dave Gullett, Dave Arnott, and me. Or, as you may know us...Mark JohnsonUnited States
Santa Clarita
California
That's a Palm Pilot on the left, and a pink iPod mini on the right. Yes, I've been doing BGTG that long!
http://www.WargamesToGo.com
- [+] Dice rolls
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Mark JohnsonUnited States
Santa Clarita
California
That's a Palm Pilot on the left, and a pink iPod mini on the right. Yes, I've been doing BGTG that long!
http://www.WargamesToGo.com
-
Mark Johnson's occasional & opinionated podcast about family strategy boardgames
__________________________________________________________________________________________
SubscribeBlogGuildArchivesContact
Last full day of BGG.con. Last day at all, really, since tomorrow I check out of the hotel & head to my airport terminal/gate around noon. Apparently the Library will be closed. Though I have a few games of my own on-hand, it may not work out for me to play any games. Might just be saying my goodbyes and having last conversations with friends.
Today, though, started & ended (for me) with big events. At the start of the day was the Flea Market. Greg had 4+ tubs of games to sell there, and I got to be his assistant. We were up relatively early (alarm clock required) in order to set up in the hour before the doors were opened to buyers. Then THEY have one hour to shop, haggle, and purchase before everything has to be closed up again.
The end of the day had the "closing ceremonies" for BGG.con, including lots of well-earned thank-yous, prize giveaways, and some announcements for BGG.con's future. You've probably seen this already. In addition to BGG.con (which will continue unchanged for next year & beyond, when I hope to return), they've now added BGG<3FAM--meaning something like BGG Loves Families)--a family-friendly (spouses & kids) version of the convention. The first one of these is next Memorial Day Weekend. This is in addition to the previously announced BGG game cruise, BGG@SEA. The empire grows...
In between, I got to play some more games and go out for BBQ one more time. Greg & I were finally able to successfully play Isaribi. Still thinking about it, but I think I like it quite a bit. I already like Hayashi's Sail to India, so he's definitely a designer for me to watch. Also, I wanted to get some recent Knizia titles to the table, which we did with both Orongo and Rondo. I think the latter is a pleasant pastime or family game (for two), while Orongo is an unfortunate miss for me. We also played the older (but still good!) title, Yspahan.
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The morning's Flea Market, in full swing. (This is about half of the room.)
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This sign absolutely sets the tone of the Flea Market. Though sellers are really keen to sell items for a good pice, and buyers are keen to get a bargain.
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Isaribi has a great look, and I was also impressed with the gameplay
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I was happy to try Orongo, and it had some nice, Knizia-style light theming around the compelling topic of Easter Island, but also had some problems.
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Another recent Knizia was Rondo, which was more successful as a pastime game, but I'm still not sure about it
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One last trip to Hard Eight more more Texas BBQ
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The closing ceremonies in the big room, with seemingly everyone there
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Mark JohnsonUnited States
Santa Clarita
California
That's a Palm Pilot on the left, and a pink iPod mini on the right. Yes, I've been doing BGTG that long!
http://www.WargamesToGo.com
-
Mark Johnson's occasional & opinionated podcast about family strategy boardgames
__________________________________________________________________________________________
SubscribeBlogGuildArchivesContact
Today was a full day where I'd planned almost nothing ahead of time. A full day of gaming, right? Actually, it turned out that I played very FEW games today, but had a whole day of fun nonetheless. We had our little BGTG/WGTG lunch at the hotel, I watched Artemis, went out for Texas BBQ dinner, watched the "World Series," and spent some time relaxing with friends at the hotel bar. Oh, and I also got to play Deus, Doodle City, Port Royal, and almost a game of Isaribi. (Hope to get in a real of game of that last one tomorrow.)
-Mark:strip_icc()/pic2315857.jpg)
Deus with Dave Gullett and Brian Murray. Remember Brian's claim that "Mark hates games"?
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Doodle City, which was a disappointment, unfortunately
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Dexterity games are in the main hallway
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Texas BBQ at Hard Eight (that's not a hazy photo, that's woodsmoke in the air!)
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World Series of Harry's Grand Slam Baseball Game, with Dave and champion Chris Booth (SybotCB)
Sat Nov 22, 2014 8:37 am
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Mark JohnsonUnited States
Santa Clarita
California
That's a Palm Pilot on the left, and a pink iPod mini on the right. Yes, I've been doing BGTG that long!
http://www.WargamesToGo.com
-
Mark Johnson's occasional & opinionated podcast about family strategy boardgames
__________________________________________________________________________________________
SubscribeBlogGuildArchivesContact
My first full day at BGG.con, and it was a good one. This was the only day I had several scheduled activities, some wargame-ish titles early in the day (Gunslinger, then Pax Porfiriana), as well as the Virtual Flea Market, a Spiel des Jahres seminar by jury chairman Tom Felber, and finally (for me) a game of Panamax. Greg & I recorded this episode, and I'm about to collapse at 1am. I am not a late-night gamer. Meanwhile, Greg headed back down to the convention for the Werewolf games...
For anyone here at the con who wants to join us for lunch tomorrow, we'll just go to the hotel restaurant right around noon. Hope to meet more listeners and hand out more buttons.
-Mark
Buttons I'm giving to listeners I meet Hope to meet more at lunch on Friday:strip_icc()/pic2314930.jpg)
Gunslinger, before...:strip_icc()/pic2314931.jpg)
Gunslinger, after. That's me, dead on the ground.:strip_icc()/pic2314932.jpg)
What's missing from the library? Why, the better (older) version of Entdecker, of course!:strip_icc()/pic2314934.jpg)
Our Panamax game, near the end
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Mark JohnsonUnited States
Santa Clarita
California
That's a Palm Pilot on the left, and a pink iPod mini on the right. Yes, I've been doing BGTG that long!
http://www.WargamesToGo.com
-
Mark Johnson's occasional & opinionated podcast about family strategy boardgames
__________________________________________________________________________________________
SubscribeBlogGuildArchivesContact
A long day, starting with a 4am alarm clock in Santa Clarita, California, ending with a 2am bedtime in Dallas, Texas. I'm here, and taking it in. My roommate is Gregarius, the same Greg Pettit you've heard on the podcast. He's a native Texan (Houston), and has made it to EVERY BGG.con. Besides my roommate, he's also my able guide for this event.
On my plane I saw Dave Arnott, Mike Schwerdtfeger, and met some other SoCal gamers. Maybe next year(!) I'll plan to sit by someone. I thought about playing a game on the flight, but decided I'd have more than enough when I go to DFW.
I got registered, Greg toured me around the various ballrooms, library, and other venues. Today I played La Granja, Rolling Japan, Pandemic: The Cure, Spinball, and Port Royal.
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Ill-fated La Granja, a perfectly fine game I screwed up with a rules error!:strip_icc()/pic2313812.jpg)
Pandemic: The Cure with some SoCal gamers
Thu Nov 20, 2014 8:11 am
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Mark JohnsonUnited States
Santa Clarita
California
That's a Palm Pilot on the left, and a pink iPod mini on the right. Yes, I've been doing BGTG that long!
http://www.WargamesToGo.com
-
Mark Johnson's occasional & opinionated podcast about family strategy boardgames
__________________________________________________________________________________________
SubscribeBlogGuildArchivesContact
Ok, this first one is just a test recording. If it works, I'll be doing more recordings, with other people, when I actually get to the convention. Maybe I can even snap a few pics and post them here on the blog.
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Mobile podcasting rig:strip_icc()/pic2312280.jpg)
Tickets, maps, and schedules!
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Mark JohnsonUnited States
Santa Clarita
California
That's a Palm Pilot on the left, and a pink iPod mini on the right. Yes, I've been doing BGTG that long!
http://www.WargamesToGo.com
-
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Friday lunch! Anyone who wants to join should meet at the hotel restaurant at noon. See you there.
BGG.con is just around the corner, and I'm excited to be going back after a long hiatus. Is there interest in a low-key "meetup" for podcast listeners while we're there? I'm just talking about going out to lunch together on Friday, something really easy. Besides myself, some of my frequent guests on the podcast will also be around. So if you want to ask Greg Pettit about his Theme as Metaphor/Narrative ideas, or Dave Gullett about Harry's Grand Slam Baseball, those guys should be around. Of course, those guys have been on other episodes, too. My road trip buddy Dave Arnott will also be at BGG.con, but he's so busy running the Puzzle Hunt that I'm not sure if he can join us. I hope so!
Regardless of the lunch/meetup, if you spot me at the con you should say hi. I guess we all have badges with our familiar avatars on them, but a day or two I'll also be wearing my podcast shirt. I've got the one for BGTG, and expect to have the WGTG one by then, too.
(By the way, I don't always wear glasses. You can also see me in some of the Gamenight! videos with Lincoln, Nikki, Dave, and Aaron. Like this episode for Blueprints, a great game!)
-Mark
P.S. For as long as they last, I'll also have these buttons to give away.:strip_icc()/pic2306119.jpg)
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