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Month: October 2014

THE HALL OF FAME

As the year draws to a close, we are flooded with Dice Towers Top 100 Games of All Time Lists along with Board Game Geek having dozens of Top 10, 25, 50 and 100 Games of All Time Lists. So why not throw my $.005 cents worth?

So I drew up a list of my Favorite 100 Games. Then I refined the list to my 50 Favorite Games, and a Hall of Fame.

Most lists rank games from least favorite to favorite. I did not do that. My 50 Favorite Games are in alphabetical order. Do I like some of the games better than others, sure. But I like some games better in different situations. Who is playing, how many are playing, how much time we have to play, how much light is available to see the text on the cards, are all factors which cause games to move up and down the list. As an example, I really like Mage Wars, I think it is a great game. But I only like it two player. At three or four, it doesn’t make the list. So my list is in alphabetical order, also because it is my list and I can do it anyway I want to.

One other thing I did was the opposite of what most have done, and that is add games to the list that have nostalgic value. I think that is important. As an example, the first game I remember playing, other than peek-a-boo, is Monopoly. And Monopoly has been one of my top 5 played games in each decade of my life other than the 1950’s, (the decade ended when I was 3), and the current decade, the 2010’s. So how can I leave it off the list? But how can I put Monopoly on the list when I have a couple of hundred games I would rather play now? Will I play Monopoly today, sure, but not several games in a row. So I decided to create a Hall of Fame, for those games that had a big impact on my gaming life, and even my life.

So on to THE GAME HALL OF FAME!

AUTHORS
-This is the second game I remember playing, and we played the heck out of it during the 1960’s. It is basically Old Maid. The cards that have famous authors on them and their most famous works. Fun game when you are seven! And 57 with the right people!

AVALON HILL/SIMULATIONS PUBLICATIONS WARGAMES
-I was introduced to three game types in college, Dungeons and Dragons, Miniatures, and Wargames. During the 1970’s and 1980’s, I played wargames quite a bit, and I bought quite a few wargames. I still have several copies of the old Avalon Hill and SPI games. I have a soft spot in my heart for a game with 7 maps and 3000 counters, even if they are basically unplayable. Some were very playable, my most played wargame is Winter War, having played it over 50 times, followed closely by Panzer 44. Great memories pouring over rules and looking at counter sheets!

AXIS AND ALLIES
-Top five game played in the 1990’s and 2000’s. Marathon games that went on for days, trash talking, no sleep and horrible dice rolls all go with this classic. I would still play this anytime, well, when I have the time!

DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS
-The number one game in the 1980’s, 1990’s, and 2000’s. The second game I picked up in college. Without a doubt, more time has been spent playing this game, and getting ready to play this game, than any other game in my life. In the 1980’s, D&D playing time was greater than ALL other games combined. We have an ongoing campaign I started in 1980 when I got married, and it is still going on today. Granted, most of the players have changed, as we moved 6 times since then, leaving gamers behind each time, but my wife still plays her first character, Valda, a Thief. She does have some really neat stuff! After all she is the Dungeon Masters Wife! I have lost some of my passion for D&D in the last 5 years or so, as it is becoming a chore instead of fun for me as the DM. But it is still a great game, and the game has had a huge impact on my life.

MINIATURES
-The third game I picked up in college. Top five game in the 1980’s, 1990’s, and 2000’s. I have played several different rules sets, different time periods, historical, fantasy and science fiction. I have close to 200 pounds of unpainted lead and plastic. Great eye candy, great fun. The time spent painting and the cash outlay is enormous. But I wouldn’t change anything, as the time and money is worth it when your Visigoth DBA army runs roughshod over a puny Roman army!

MODERN NAVAL BATTLES
-This was huge in our family from 1990 to 1993. During that time, it was the number one game played by my family. I bought Jane’s Fighting Ships of the World so I could make up cards of more ships not available with the game and its two expansions. I still play the latest version by Dan Verssen Games.

MONOPOLY
-Top five game in the 1960’s, 1970’s, 1980’s, 1990’s, and 2000’s. Monopoly is the first game I remember playing. Many a summer days was spent playing this classic. I still think it is a very good game when played by the rules, and I am still up for playing it on occasion. I am sure when 90% of Americans are asked to name a board game, the first answer from their lips would be Monopoly, and mine too!

OTHELLO
-I love this game! Othello is the game I have won the most, at one time during the 1970’s I won 34 times in a row. A classic, that I still play occasionally, just not as well.

RISK
-This game is responsible for me getting into miniatures, Avalon Hill/SPI Wargames, and Dungeons and Dragons. During the mid 1970’s, we played this game weekly, and for a two year span, we had an ongoing game day most Sunday afternoons, with myself, my two brothers, my Mom, my Dad, and my boss, Jim Davis from Burger Chef. Every Sunday afternoon at 2, we would all get together in our dining room to roll as many 6’s as possible. My boss scheduled me to work on Sunday mornings so we could play on Sunday afternoons. I was the only night shift employee that got to work on Sunday mornings. My first week at Eastern Kentucky University, a guy from across the hall, John Gilbert, asked me if I like games like Risk. When I said yes, a whole new world of gaming opened up for me. All because of Risk.

ROOK
-My most played game of all time. Yes, I have spent more time playing D&D, and more time painting miniatures, I have played more games of Rook than any other game. Easily over 3000 plays. Not a week went by from 1971 to 1975 that we didn’t play a dozen games, and during the summer, this was played a dozen times a day. I’ve got three 14’s, the Red One and The Rook, I’m gonna Shoot the Moon!

SOLAR QUEST
-Again, during the early 1990’s, if we weren’t playing Modern Naval Battles, we were playing Solar Quest. Monopoly with a space theme. A beautiful board, cool retro ships, metal fuel cells, a great looking game that is fun for the family….and me!

So there you have it, my Hall of Fame Games. Look me up, bring one of these fine games with you, and in some cases a boat load of time, and I will battle you in these games that will always have a place in my heart.

What are your Hall of Fame Games?

Jeff Chattin
Great Gaming Gang!

Coming soon, My 50 Favorite Games.

October Gaming Extravaganza – Event Report

On October 18, the Peabody Public Library played host to Non Boring Board Games’s second Gaming Extravaganza. Thirteen attendees were present, with the main event of the day being a Magic: the Gathering booster draft.

We had a few new faces at the event this time, including Brian, Ashley, and Nick. We had 7 people for the booster draft, and Kris won the event, playing for Sam, who could not attend due to his work schedule.

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New attendees Brian and Ashley learned Sentinels of the Multiverse, and played a few games with Jason and Martin. Rolling Freight was opened and unpacked, but more players were available, and Fortune and Glory came out instead.

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The magic players wrapped up the day with One Night Ultimate Werewolf, and the game of Fortune and Glory ended dramatically just before the event was about to end.

All in all, a great event. The turnout was a bit lower than expected, but it was great to meet some new gamers, and learn some new games, as well!

Back to the Collection

When I started writing here, I decided to go through my collection, alphabetically, and review each title, though occasionally, I’d back up into the list to catch a title I’d recently acquired.

I stopped writing them when I moved, and cut my collection in half. I left half of it behind with the shop when I passed on the torch.  Also, I had only managed to get most of the way through the “A”s.  I’m not sure I ever would have gotten far.

When we moved to northeast Indiana, most of my stuff stayed in storage, except my board games.  I kept them handy, though I didn’t get to play much for the first year.

In June, we moved again, into town.  I now have a place, mostly, for my stuff.  I’m still unpacking it, and probably will be until we find ourselves moving again.   I’m finding myself playing more often, as well.  Between Non-Boring Board Games, evening gaming with my wife, monthly events at the library, and getting together with friends, my games are seeing more play than ever.

My goal is to start doing weekly wrap ups of local gaming, as well as get back to reviewing my collection.  I reorganized my shelves today, though I didn’t leave room for the games I have in the car.  I’ve added a few pictures of the collection, as it stands now.

2014-10-13 14.24.18

 

I took a separate picture of JUST the Fantasy Flight Games stuff, because part of me thinks this is kinda sad.  But an awesome kind of sad.

2014-10-13 14.24.39

 

Fort Sackville, a Primer

I’ve been working a bit to bring a bit more traffic to Fort Sackville, so if you’re here for the first time, I’d like to tell you a little bit about what we are.

Fort Sackville Gaming Society began as a handful of friends who got together multiple times a week to play various tabletop games. We began to write short articles, either reviewing the games in our collections or reporting on the newest game we’ve tried out. The idea was for us to be able to share our thoughts about games between gaming sessions, giving us a chance to decide what to play next, or discuss what we liked and didn’t like about the games we’d played thus far.

Our group is no longer a single unit. I moved away from the Vincennes area (which is where the Fort Sackville name comes from. Fort Sackville was the military fort that the town of Vincennes sprung up around) and have been working to build up my own gaming circle again. Jeff and Travis have both continued to get together to play, and Jeff has become instrumental in getting other groups going in the area. I’ve started a weekly event at the local library, which the library staff dubbed “Non-Boring Board Games”, and we’ve begun to do monthly all-day gaming events at the library as well.

Jeff, Travis and I have continued to post articles and review, though my own contributions have lapsed a bit. I plan to change this, though. In addition to resuming my reviews of the games in my collection, I plan to give some updates on the events that I am coordinating in Northeastern Indiana.

So, if you’re new to Fort Sackville, welcome! If you’re interested in contributing to the tabletop gaming discussion, shoot me a message.

Thanks for stopping by!

LEGENDS BOARD GAME GROUP – SEPTEMBER 2014

September was an interesting month with the Board Game Group. We had two of the board game nights at the Daviess County Museum due to travel issues. But we are now back to normal as we enter October.

Wednesday, September 3

Ascension – played 3 times
6 gamers participating

Wednesday, September 10

Legendary Encounters, Aliens – played twice
Geek Out – played once
10 gamers participating

Wednesday, September 17, at Daviess County Museum

Star Realms – played once
Thunderstone Advance, Starter – played twice
3 gamers participating

Wednesday, September 24, at Daviess County Museum

Star Realms – played twice
Lord of the Rings, the Deck Building Game – played twice
Love Letter – played once
Hanabi – played twice
3 gamers participating

Monthly Totals

Number of games played – 16
Number of different games played – 8
Number of different gamers participating – 12

-Friday Night Magic is having great attendance as is Magic
Commander League
-Monday nights have a Cthulu role playing game, and they
are always looking for another investigator.
-Tuesday night finds Legends putting on Werewolf at the
Vincennes University Student Union.
-D&D Role Playing Games are happening on Wednesday
Nights.
-Malifaux League is getting up to speed, with several gamers participating, but there is still room for more. If you are unfamiliar with Malifauxs but you want to try miniatures, this is the game for you. Most nights Wil is at Legends and is willing to show you a game or help you paint miniatures.

If you have a game you would like to try out but don’t have, a game you have collecting dust in the back of the closet, or just want some gaming camaraderie, join us at Legends on Wednesdays starting at 5pm.

Legends Board Game Night, held weekly on Wednesday’s from 5pm till 9pm. Legends Family and Hobby Games 314 N. Harrison St., Vincennes, Indiana 47591 Phone 812-255-0574 https://www.facebook.com/legendsgames

Jeff Chattin
Great Gaming Gang!

DC MUSEUM GAMERS UPDATE – SEPTEMBER 2014

September was a month of mixed results, gaining two new thru our new Facebook page, but generated no new gamers from our advertising with the Washington Times Herald, both in their hard copy newspaper and on their web site.

The activities:

September 6th Game Day

Attendees – 8
New Attendees – 2
Games Played – 6 games played a total of 15 times
Activity per Gamer – 6.5, 39 total plays by 6 gamers

Games Played
King of Tokyo – played once
Cardline Animals – played five times
Castle Panic – played once
Pandemic – played once
Checkers – played 6 times
Napoleonic Miniatures – played once

New Games Introduced to the Group
-Cardline Animals
-Napoleonic Miniatures

-One of our attendees just watched games being played.
-The two new attendees were both from Kentucky, but
different parts of Kentucky. They both saw our Facebook
page and decided to attend.
-Our first foray into miniatures this month, as a Napoleonic’s
Miniatures game was played, with the French defeating the
Russians.

In addition, we had three other game nights at the Museum in September. Two of the Legends Game Nights were held at the Museum due to travel issues.

Legends Board Game Night at the Museum, 2 nights

Gamers Attending – 3 both nights
New Attendees – none
Games Played – 5 games played a total of 10 times
Activity Per Gamer – 9.0, 27 total plays by 3 gamers

Games Played
-Star Realms – played three times
-Thunderstone Advanced Starter – played twice
-Lord of the Rings, the Deck Building Game – played twice
-Love Letter – Played once
-Hanabi – played twice

We have also initiated an additional game night to focus on new games, deck builders, and Living Card Games.

Game Night at the Daviess County Museum

Gamers Attending – 3
New Gamers Attending – none
Games played – 8
Activity per Gamer – 7.3, 22 total plays by 3 gamers

We have not settled on a format of scheduling our Game Night at the Daviess County Museum. Check our Facebook page for October’s date.

In other activity by Museum Gamers

-5 participated in Game Nights at Legends
-3 participated in Saint Peter’s Monthly Game Night in
Evansville, Indiana
-1 participated in Game Nights at Full Moon Games in Terre
Haute, Indiana
-2 gamers participated in ChatCon Up All Night, 24 Hours of
Gaming in Washington Indiana
-6 gamers attended GTMCon, What Gaming is Meant to Be
in Fishers, Indiana

Future plans for DC Museum Game Day (tentative)

-October’s focus is exploration games, featuring Lewis &
Clark and Francis Drake
-November’s focus horror games featuring Smash Up
-December’s focus is Children’s Games
-Ongoing, Game Night at Daviess County Museum, check
our Facebook Page for detail

Come game with us on the first Saturday of the month!

DC Museum Gamers Game Day – Held the first Saturday of each month from noon to 5 at the Daviess County Museum, 212 Main Street, Washington, Indiana 47501. For further information contact the Daviess County Museum at 812-257-0301, or contact via e-mail at dchistory@sbcglobal.net

Check out our Facebook page at Daviess County Museum Gaming Group.

Jeff Chattin

Great Gaming Gang!