Game: Shakespeare: The Bard Game

Thread: Re: Component List?

sumo — 2008-11-22T02:06:09+00:00

Hi

Fairly late on, it looked like this

Rulebook
Board (1)
Player Markers (5)
Player Acclaim Markers (5)
Fate Cards (80)
Drama Cards (110)
Speech Cards (55)

and coins!

Thread: Component List?

utahBGG — 2008-11-21T01:05:40+00:00

Does anyone know the exact count of the components for this game? I got a copy second hand and didn't see a component list on the box or in the instructions.

Thread: Re: Only one actor per visit?

Innovan — 2008-08-13T15:48:39+00:00

We will try this. Thank you!

Thread: Re: Only one actor per visit?

sumo — 2008-08-13T07:54:09+00:00

I could sanction a house rule on this... talk to three actors (take three chips) and recruit two.

Thread: Re: Only one actor per visit?

Innovan — 2008-06-21T19:36:56+00:00

Any idea how to get actors fast? So far it seems the best you can do is run out one turn, busk, then return back to the same Inn and recruit again.

I have no idea how there's a risk that you'd run out of actors in the cup. The problem is keeping any at all, since thanks to the Fate pile they tend to last as long as a drummer in Spinal Tap.

Thread: Re: Only one actor per visit?

freduk — 2008-06-21T17:53:29+00:00

Correct, only one actor per turn.

Thread: Only one actor per visit?

Innovan — 2008-06-21T03:18:21+00:00

We can buy up to 8 props, but only one actor per turn at the Inn?

I'm always short of actors. :-(

Thread: Re: Missing Patron Names

jimv — 2008-05-31T05:03:34+00:00

More notes for the upcoming (?) reprint, eh Mike?

Thread: Re: Optional Rule 2

jimv — 2008-05-31T04:58:56+00:00

Oops! I just assumed that was the way you intended it to be played.

Thread: Re: Anyone know what that card tray thing is for?

jimv — 2008-05-31T02:37:24+00:00

Perhaps the slanted card tray is for the reading cards, i.e. the sonnets and scenes and such? It's a much smaller stack than the question cards.

Thread: The Play's the Thing

raolsson — 2008-01-07T22:50:22+00:00

In the inaugural gaming lunch for our crew in 2008, Stephen, Sal, and I went to one of the tried and true gaming tables of the local mall with Shakespeare: The Bard Game in tow. Sal had selected it and both Stephen and I enjoy the game, so we set it up and got started.

My first play was The Taming of the Shrew, which costs ten shillings to buy and is a bargain to be dealt. Requiring three actors, three props, and a patron, I quickly deduced that this would be a great production to put on at the Globe. My first stop was over to the prop shop to get more props than I needed, a stop over to the Great House to pick up two patron tiles (one for stopping in and one for answering an easy question), then to hover about the Saracen's Head Inn to pick up a few actors to produce the play. On a bad roll, I moved over to visit the Bard and picked up Henry the VI Part II, then made my way to the Globe and scored 40 points on my first play.

When I looked at Henry, I noticed that it required no patron tiles and my acting company was still intact. When a Fate Card had me steal a prop from my fellow gamers, it was a quick trip to the Rose to put on the second play, bringing me up to 69 points.

Sal took the opportunity to put on a play herself and Stephen did as well, but we had declared a short 45-minute game, so my lead was looking golden.

With the Fate cards and some good rolling, however, I turned my lead platinum, scoring two more plays to bring my total to 124 points. Stephen put on a second play and came in second with 66 points while Sal could never get a play in time and rounded out with 34.

Sal was plagued by missing turns due to rolling an f on the dice as well as taking hits from busking, when she would have to draw a Fate card. She must have missed four turns in the game. I, on the other hand, rolled a significant number of doubles and drew a Fate card that gave me a second turn, which enhanced my mobility. I also had a lot of good fortune in correctly guessing the medium questions at the theaters, gathering 15 shillings each time.

A fun game for me, but I think vengeance will be the main thrust of our next game, where Stephen and Sal will take me down.

Image

kathn — 2007-12-29T21:30:37+00:00

Shakespeare's Rooms...you need to land here to buy a new play from Shakespeare.

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kathn — 2007-12-29T21:29:18+00:00

The performance cards, front and back.

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kathn — 2007-12-29T21:26:19+00:00

The fate cards, front and back.

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kathn — 2007-12-29T21:25:32+00:00

The performance cards in the card tray that comes with the game.

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kathn — 2007-12-29T21:23:18+00:00

The front of the instruction booklet.

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kathn — 2007-12-29T21:22:16+00:00

Shakespeare, the Bard Game...detail of the back of the box.

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kathn — 2007-12-29T21:19:27+00:00

Shakespeare, The Bard Game...sides of the box.

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kathn — 2007-12-29T21:17:11+00:00

Box front detail of Shakespeare, the Bard Game.

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kathn — 2007-12-28T00:01:28+00:00

The Curtain Theatre.

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kathn — 2007-12-27T23:56:49+00:00

The Fortune Theatre.

Thread: Re: Question Cards and Fate Instructions

Randy Cox — 2007-10-24T14:42:14+00:00

Thanks. That's pretty much what I'd say (except for the NEXT turn thing on plagues etc). I figure I'd go by what the card said--if it said "next," that's what I'd go with.
ilta (emphasis mine) wrote:
2: When I play, unless the fate card does something that would end a turn, the player who drew it can continue his/her turn, including acquiring props, patrons, actors, or busking, as appropriate to his/her final landing point.Would it really apply to busking? I thought to busk, you had to forfeit your entire turn, including rolling the dice. If so, there couldn't be a fate card associated with that turn.

Thread: Re: Anyone know what that card tray thing is for?

ilta — 2007-10-24T14:34:51+00:00

The box is weird; I still haven't quite figured out how to do everything "properly" but I found something that lets me close the box and open it to not a lot of mess:

The patrons fit in the little indentation between the two card areas and the actors and scripts go in the middle square areas, on their sides. The cards go in the various card slots, with the money and props in small ziplock baggies on top, wherever they'll fit. The wooden bits go in their baggie, which is placed awkwardly in the middle section that was clearly intended for them but somehow wasn't designed properly to accommodate them all.

As for the actors in a cup thing, it's to keep them random and unknown. You can just as easily place them face down. I like to put a selection on each inn, forcing the players to move around a bit more to acquire their troupe, rather than going to the one in the center-right all the time. There's no need to place the patrons or props in a cup because they're all the same; you can draw them straight from the box.

Thread: Re: Question Cards and Fate Instructions

ilta — 2007-10-24T14:26:23+00:00

1: Yes, easy/medium/hard, although I've found a good number of questions that seem to be in the wrong category. The multiple choice makes even the hardest question a 1/3 shot, though (except the weird matching ones); a 1/2 if it's true/false.

2: When I play, unless the fate card does something that would end a turn, the player who drew it can continue his/her turn, including acquiring props, patrons, actors, or busking, as appropriate to his/her final landing point. As an additional note, people who get the plague or otherwise miss a turn should miss their NEXT turn, but can finish their current turn as normal.

The church rule Nate mentioned is for those passing through the church on their turn (thus earning an extra roll), and therefore I believe doesn't apply here, as the player is not passing through but rather being placed upon the church and continuing.

Thread: Anyone know what that card tray thing is for?

Randy Cox — 2007-10-19T20:46:05+00:00

In the box is a black card tray. I tried to put the question cards in it, but they don't really fit because the tray is at a slant (plus my cards are somewhat mis-cut, causing a ridge in the bottom end of half of them).

However, the pictures here of a game in play look much like our game in play--the cards are all in their own stack. In other words, does anyone use the card tray thingie? And if so, how?

Second question, while I'm here... Why do the rules say to put the actors in a cup? I put them on the side of the board face down. There's nothing on the face to differentiate the "great actors" from the rest, as far as I can tell. If it's just an issue of neatness, you'd think that the patrons and, particularly, the props would also be put in a cup. But if you play with a scattered merry mess all around the board, what's with the actor cup?

Thread: Re: Question Cards and Fate Instructions

jentinma — 2007-10-19T16:39:01+00:00

I haven't played this in quite a while, but I will take a stab at it.

Randy Cox wrote:
1) Is the top question on each card supposed to be the "Easy" one, followed in order by "Medium" and "Hard"? We couldn't find any indication stating this.
Yes, but those less familiar with the Bard find them all to be hard.

Randy Cox wrote:
2) My wife rolled a fate and a '2' on her first move. The fate card said that the Sabbath was holy and all players go to the Church this turn. So, we both went there. Then the question was, "Does she now make her move of two spaces" (as is indicated in the movement rule)? It would seem she should since the card didn't say anything like "Everyone go to the church and end this turn immediately." Other interpretations?
This is the one I am less sure of. I believe there was an action associated with the church, but I don't think it was along the lines of those of the Clink. I believe that you are correct in thinking they can move the 2 spaces, but I would have to check the rules.

Thread: Re: How I packed everything away

Helenoftroy — 2007-10-19T16:32:53+00:00

Thank You!

Thread: Question Cards and Fate Instructions

Randy Cox — 2007-10-19T16:18:42+00:00

So, we played our first game last night. It was a very short session, indeed, as we chose an ending time of 11:30 p.m. and didn't finish set up and rules explanation until 11:07. Nonetheless, we ploughed ahead and enjoyed it. For the record, my wife tallied 68 acclaim points by putting on As You Like It (value = 8, 2 actors, no patrons) at The Globe (with her two great actors) and Cymbolene (value=6, 2 actors, no patrons) at The Rose (still with two great actors). The plays were worth 42 and 25, respectively. I staged only one play, the worst received King Lear (value=2, 4 actors, 2 patrons) ever seen at The Globe. I hadn't rolled a fate on a die all game long, but rolled plenty of them (1's) when evaluating this show. Acclaim: 31. And that's how it ended: 68-31 and I had 23 shillings to her 15 (but I got 20 on my last turn just because I could do nothing else and we wanted to see what a 'hard' question would be like).

Enough of that, we had two simple questions...

1) Is the top question on each card supposed to be the "Easy" one, followed in order by "Medium" and "Hard"? We couldn't find any indication stating this.

2) My wife rolled a fate and a '2' on her first move. The fate card said that the Sabbath was holy and all players go to the Church this turn. So, we both went there. Then the question was, "Does she now make her move of two spaces" (as is indicated in the movement rule)? It would seem she should since the card didn't say anything like "Everyone go to the church and end this turn immediately." Other interpretations?

Thanks in advance for any help you can give.

Thread: How I packed everything away

Randy Cox — 2007-10-19T16:02:38+00:00

People (self included) seem to wonder how in the world they can get the pieces to this Shakespeare: The Bard Game back into the box once they open it. I wondered this mostly because even in the shrinkwrap, the box top didn't fit all the way down over the box bottom (reminiscent of Big City).

Anyway, last night after our first game, I attempted to fit things back into the box and this is what I came up with.
]]>I don't know what the card-holder thing is for, not even during play, so that's where I stick the plastic baggie with all the wooden pieces in it (lower left). In the three "card" indentations, there is a well at the bottom of each. This is where I put the money. The 1 shilling pieces (top left) slightly overfill one recessed area. The 5s and 10s fill in the bottom of the card areas and then some (right side of image).

The Scripts fit in the two large slots, on edge (top middle of picture). Beneath the scripts is obviously where Uberplay figured you'd put the wooden pieces and dice (though they won't fit). Don't know why they have that area, given that they supply a baggie for wooden components. Anyway, this section is ideal for placing the Props. The Actors go into the square slots along with the Patrons (middle of box working down from the scripts and props). For good measure, I put a few of the 1 shilling pieces next to the patrons just to make things snug and to remove excess from the card recession holding the other 1 shilling pieces.

But there are still cards to deal with.
]]>The card decks fit into the card recessions. The only trick here is to place the huge Questions deck in the 1 shilling section, as you'll need every bit of space to fit that tall stack in. The other two decks (Dialogue and Fate) cover the 5- and 10-shilling pieces).

From there, just put the board and rules on top and the box will actually close.

Thread: Re: How to Avoid all that Shakespeare Stuff

Liumas — 2007-10-19T05:24:07+00:00

Sounds cool!

I can't remember 'brawling' in this game. Maybe it happened... more likely it was the 'threat' that mattered, if at all.

We've never seen people determined to give the minimum value for recitals. You've probably got your 'other game head' on when you think that through. That other game head hasn't mattered for us in this game... and no one has ever won by being voted a *ton of cash*. It's really not enough cash to win. And if everyone is either stingy or generous - it evens out either way.

We require a 'recital' at least once per game in order to win at all. It often happens that a player only does that once and not more - but this *is* Shakespeare The Bard Game, after all.

Thread: Re: How to Avoid all that Shakespeare Stuff

Randy Cox — 2007-10-19T04:08:32+00:00

We played a quick game tonight (2-player, 23 minutes--really). Worked out well, though being that short it meant luck had a lot to do with it. We never recited, always going for the "easy" questions and doing reasonably well at it. We never brawled (only passed one another once).

I like the game. My wife tempered my notion of avoiding recitals and questions, pointing out that the game really is a niche game for Shakespeare folk and that gives it the feel. She also compared the recitals to How to Host a Murder games (which I love), so I guess it's all a matter of perspective. We both agreed, though, that allowing the opponents to determine recital values won't work with a lot of gamers--they'll give the minimum every time (whether that's 5 or 1).

Anyway, it was a fine game and I look forward to playing again.

Thread: Re: How to Avoid all that Shakespeare Stuff

Liumas — 2007-10-19T03:30:28+00:00

Cool Randy! I don't see it - it all sounds very sad to me. Have fun with this game "As You Like It", then. Good luck!

Here's a good option that even Mike Siggins liked:

Minimum Speech Wage
Recite Speech action is now worth 5–10 shillings, as awarded by the other managers (instead of 1–10 shillings). A base of 5 shillings is in line with the value of other awards and, making speeches more likely, more in keeping with the spirit of the game.

So... Randy, these 'performances' don't have to be 'performed'. Just read the speech out loud. Heck, with the above, you're guaranteed 5 coins, and your shy gamers can easily agree amongst themselves to be generous with each other, right? They do normally speak out loud, right?

We've found that more people know more about Shakespeare than they would have guessed. And also, if people are smart, there is a little bit of 'gaming the game' here, where you answer a multiple choice question based on how it is asked. But that won't always work here - in which case you've a 1-in-3 chance of being correct for an A-B-C answer, just like rolling the dice. True/False questions are like rolling a 50% chance.

Thread: Re: How to Avoid all that Shakespeare Stuff

Randy Cox — 2007-10-19T00:39:23+00:00

Liumas wrote:
This is not the game for you then, Randy!But that's my point--it is a game for me. Hell, I'm an English major and I like games. I don't hate roll and move, I don't mind a little luck, I like the build-a-troup features of Premier/ShowManager. It all sounds great...except for that role playing/trivia aspect (well, and the thuggery).

More importantly, most of the people I know who game are quite shy and wouldn't dare perform--so they'd only take the question option and many of them know precious little Shakespeare. So I was just trying to find a way to play the game without ROLE playing the game (or answering trivia).

Thread: Re: How to Avoid all that Shakespeare Stuff

Liumas — 2007-10-18T23:31:26+00:00

This is not the game for you then, Randy!

While I appreciate Edward's post here, I can't see any point to what you suggest at all. It sounds awful.

Being 'Shakespeare Knowledgeable' doesn't guarantee a win (being a Pro would go a long way, though). The questions tend towards multiple guess, so a correct answer is just a die roll away as it stands now. You can play a game without being absolutely required to Recite and Emote. We wouldn't bother, but you could.

Maybe you'll find some ideas in these player aids more to your liking:

http://www.boardgamegeek.com/file/info/24831
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/file/info/24695

Thread: Re: How to Avoid all that Shakespeare Stuff

runiago — 2007-10-18T22:35:03+00:00

Randy,

If I had to guess, I would say yes. What you describe for rules would probably make the game play out, mechanics-wise, much like it would if you actually answered questions or performed recitals.

But from my own point of view, I would think the players would miss out on the fun of doing such things. Especially the recitations. We went so far as to declare a house rule that all recitations had to be done on the "Stage of Life", that is a chair in the middle of the room and using as many props as could be gathered from common household objects.

But of course gaming is all about having fun and if such things are more toward your tastes, well then game on!

Regards,

Ed

Thread: Re: La Fée Verte, a bottle of bourbon, and Orson

runiago — 2007-10-18T22:11:00+00:00

Thanks much. And let me say again that setting and attitude really help this game. We had another session which included an English Lit professor and a person who knows his way around Shakespeare the way I know the way around my house. Before the game neither of them believed that someone could make a game about Shakespeare fun. Afterwards, they could not sing the praises of it enough. And if anything, that session was more raucous than the one described above.

Let us know how your first game plays!

Regards,

Ed

Thread: Re: La Fée Verte, a bottle of bourbon, and Orson

Randy Cox — 2007-10-18T20:41:43+00:00

Fun write-up. I've only read the rules so far, but one of my first thoughts was to use the dilly-dally delaying tactic strategy.

Thread: How to Avoid all that Shakespeare Stuff

Randy Cox — 2007-10-18T20:27:56+00:00

Well, I have my copy and have read the rules and will likely play 2-player soon with my wife. But in reading the rules, I see the main stumbling block in getting this to the table with other participants (ie, more than must my wife and I)...The questions and recitations.

I know this game must have been commissioned specifically as a "Shakespeare tool," but it's obvious that there's a normal game lurking underneath the trivia/acting part.

How does this sound as a means of turning this into a standard family/light gamer game:

1) When you'd normally answer a question or recite something, simply roll two dice and receive that amount of shillings, with a maximum of 10. That, to me, simulates what would happen if you performed and your tablemates actually judged you--many people I play with wouldn't give Laurence Olivier more than a couple of shillings if it means better positioning in a game.

2) When attempting to get extra money from a patron by answering a question, simply roll two dice and if you roll more than 7, get your 10 shillings. Otherwise, no.

By using these two rules, do you think that the game would play as it normally plays, albeit without the questions or recitals? Or did I miss something else integral.

I love the sound of the game (except for the thuggery/flirt/etc showdowns on the street), just don't think the "trivia/acting" aspect would go over well with most people I know, let alone most gamers I know.

Thread: Re: Rules Online

Liumas — 2007-06-19T18:53:24+00:00

I uploaded what I call my Gamer Rules.

http://www.boardgamegeek.com/fileinfo.php?fileid=24695

Tons of options, including a Seasons variant.

And a nice player mat as well.

http://www.boardgamegeek.com/fileinfo.php?fileid=24831

Thread: Re: Putting back in box?

UbiDubi — 2007-05-23T18:47:18+00:00

I have the same question. So consider this a "Bump".

Thread: Re: Rules Online

virre — 2007-04-10T22:28:52+00:00

Ah and how about a Swedish translation.

(Well that will take time. But I have todo one, so I can explain the rules better for people. (Well not the part that tells the synopsis of the plays, that would be plain impossible)

Thread: Re: Rules Online

sumo — 2007-03-09T02:38:57+00:00

I am okay with it, to be honest, but I need to check with the publisher.

Thread: Re: Optional Rules

Liumas — 2007-02-21T06:09:28+00:00

We figured out our own 'seasons' rule, based on way too much reading of posts.

Mike's rules (above) will work well also, for sure.

For us, the game ends when:
1) the 3rd season completes
2) any company (player, troupe) achieves 100 or more Acclaim
3) the fate deck runs out

Thread: Re: Rules Online

virre — 2007-02-09T19:37:54+00:00

sumo wrote:
I haven't seen a set on line.

Anything I can help you with?

If one would be online, how would you react. I mean with the legal stuff and such like?

Thread: Re: Shakespeare microbadge now available

virre — 2007-01-26T10:44:29+00:00

Oh man, Now I both need to get gold for an avatar and for that microbadge. And I thought I had all I needed.

Thread: Shakespeare microbadge now available

bill_andel — 2007-01-24T03:02:34+00:00

A microbadge for Shakespeare fans is now available. To purchase, please click the link:

http://www.boardgamegeek.com/browse/microbadge/1335

Thread: Re: Putting back in box?

virre — 2007-01-20T01:36:29+00:00

Well Zippies solved that trouble, but honostly one of the 1 shillings had got stuck in the game box before that.

So it still would be nice to know how it was thought that the game should be placed?

Thread: Re: Rules Online

Liumas — 2007-01-15T08:02:21+00:00

No thanks, I don't have any rules questions.

I like to read rules online when possible - it's easier to bookmark, for example, and makes it easier for me to do my usual 3 things at once.

And this game would benefit from player aids, which is rarely worth the time and trouble without a soft copy reference.

Thread: Re: Rules Online

sumo — 2007-01-15T01:51:31+00:00

I haven't seen a set on line.

Anything I can help you with?

Thread: Re: Rules Online

virre — 2007-01-11T02:58:36+00:00

acctualy what is the legal status of posting such things?

And rules translations? Will I be sued, or at least glanced at as a bad person if I posted my translation of the rules (but just the rules mind you. I have no desire to try translating Shakespeare, not yet anyway. I'm not that suicidal)

Thread: Re: Optional Rules

Liumas — 2007-01-10T06:47:36+00:00

Lhowser wrote:
My wife and I have been playing with the "seasons" rule

Can you elaborate on your "seasons" rule?

Thread: Rules Online

Liumas — 2007-01-10T05:29:07+00:00

Anyone got the rules to this game online?

Soft copy?

PDF with pics???

Thread: Re: Shall I compare thee to a Summer's Day

virre — 2007-01-08T20:15:49+00:00

acctually the rules aren't that hard to translate. If one takes a way all quotes and such like that is. I am as I think I said doing this too be able to explain it to others a bit easier. (I might post it here if there is intrest, and em that is legal and so on)

edit: Some realy bad spelling fixed (the clock was 02 am when I first posted...)

Thread: Re: Shall I compare thee to a Summer's Day

Helenoftroy — 2007-01-03T02:40:35+00:00

virre wrote:
So, with how many people have you played it?

I got the feel that you really need at least 3 to get a good game going, with flow and everybody dareing to acctualy do stuff.

I am sure that a three player would probably work best because the game is much like a party game but I have only played with two-players and it worked well.

This game would be very difficult to translate completely because of the performances involved in the game. So, I could understand the confusion.

Thread: Re: Shall I compare thee to a Summer's Day

virre — 2007-01-03T01:15:04+00:00

So, with how many people have you played it? Because I found when playing it, just with a friend from school ( and as systems are quite diffrent, that would be around high school age... 16-19 years old we were). This really didn't work, and not just because his grasp of both English and , well The Bard was quite low.

I got the feel that you really need at least 3 to get a good game going, with flow and everybody dareing to acctualy do stuff.

Then we also missread/translated[0] the rules on tradeing and flirting. I feel that might be the case as giving away your 0 point actors seemed wrong.

I wonder if I ever will find more persons to play it with me in this country, through.

/Virre

[0] = Well, not exactly I had done a good serious kind of translation of the rules, but just half of them. I most finnish them off. So private translated rules to Swedish is on my harddrive, but...

Thread: Re: Shall I compare thee to a Summer's Day

Helenoftroy — 2007-01-02T13:52:06+00:00

Bill,

That is an awesome story. Shakespeare rocks wherever you go!

Thread: Re: Shall I compare thee to a Summer's Day

Shijuro — 2007-01-02T07:07:56+00:00

Helenoftroy wrote:
Shakespeare recited is very hot
Tangentially-related story:

Twenty years ago a friend and I were queued outside a stadium for the Rolling Stones amidst a group of bikers. Ahead of us, one of them in a tubetop and tiny jean shorts was standing with her hand down the back of her pants (not sure how, they looked awfully tight).

I had just re-read "Romeo and Juliet" a couple days before, and said "See how she leans her cheek upon her hand? Oh, that I were a glove upon that hand that I might touch that cheek!" It amused those around us who knew right away who I was talking about.

Then my friend, who apparently was quite a fan of the Bard and R & J in particular (and perhaps waiting for a moment like this for years), burst into an enthusiastic Juliet. I stumbled through Romeo's lines, still fairly fresh in my mind, while she did an excellent rendition of hers (and silently prompted me when I ran dry) and we got scattered applause from the bikers (including Tubetop) when we finished our little scene.

When we got inside the stadium, they happened to be seated in the next section and invited us over. We had brought a big bag of snacks, they had sandwiches and wine, and we all had a merry picnic in the sun listening to the Stones, united by an appreciation of Shakespeare.

Thread: Re: Shall I compare thee to a Summer's Day

kieron — 2007-01-02T03:01:50+00:00

Helenoftroy wrote:
[snip]

Conclusion: I love this game. Yes, I’m bias. I’m an English major...[snip]

Thanks for the review! I'm surprised that, as an English major, you are bias. I don't find you bias at all! I think you are completely unbias.

Thread: Return to Elizabethan London

raolsson — 2006-10-26T19:23:44+00:00

Malloc popped into my cube for our lunch game selection and he decided that he would like to break out Shakespeare the Bard Game. VuduJoie was back for more, as was Stephen. We made our way to the mall, set up, and began the game. We set our play time to one hour, which is a very convenient portion of the rules.

The last time I had played this game, we went with a two player contest, so I was curious as to how four players would affect game play. My first play was Anthony and Cleopatra, a point magnet with a cost of 12, two patrons, four actors, and four props. I knew already which play I needed to land at the Globe, but first I would need to get the right equipment (and cash) to put the play on.

Stephen, the youngest, started us off and was able to produce the first play after a number of turns. He made his way to the Crown and put on one of the Henry's for thirty points. His acting troop was all made up of three-point actors, which helped his numbers along.

Malloc was beset by fate throughout the game, easily rolling an F on his first six turns. The Fate cards are not as bad as all that, however, but they do tend to limit your moves. Malloc was able to get off a play at the Globe for 43 points, but by that time Stephen had a second play out and managed 44 points.

A fate card game be Henry the IV part II, which I was able to produce at the Crown for 28 points, then gain another 44 points when I put on Anthony and Cleopatra at the Globe. With 72 points, I was sitting pretty with about ten minutes left in the game as we all rushed back to Shakespeare's rooms to pick up another play.

VuduJoie did not join our game until we were five turns in, but he was interested in brawling. He lost both of them, which benefited me with an actor while his brawl with Stephen merely satisfied honor as no one rolled over 8. Vudu slipped into the Globe and managed a performance, although the points were not enough to put him into contention.

As the minutes ticked away, Stephen slipped once more into the Crown as brought his total to 76 points. I had a play, but needed too many things to pull it off and there was not enough time.

Everyone agreed that Shakespeare the Bard Game will see plenty of play on our lunch time tables. I shall try to report the sessions here as we play them.

Thread: A Good Beginning

raolsson — 2006-08-28T18:57:38+00:00

I had purchased Sharespeare: The Bard Game many months ago, but it had not seen the gaming table. VuduJoie and I were both English literature majors in our college days, so when he and I were heading out to lunch, we decided to give this game a try. And thus began the great tug of war that was our first game of S: TBG!

VuduJoie took over reviewing the rules while I punched out the shillings, plays, actors, props, patron, and other counters. High-quality bits in this Uberplay box, by the way. Three sheets worth, mind you. And as Vudu passed on the wisdom gathered from his detailed perusal of the rules, I asked the inevitable question, now that we have started playing more wargames. "Is there any combat?"

"Surprisingly, yes," he replied. That was when we knew that we were ready to begin.

We were uncertain as to whether we should display our actors and plays of keep them hidden, so we split the decision by keeping our actors hidden and revealing the manuscripts we had. Since the game was two-player, we elected to have it run for an hour. My rolling seemed to send me to the Fate cards a little more often than I would have liked, but overall I had better luck with that deck than VuduJoie did. For example, I drew a free manuscript on a Fate card. VuduJoie busked for five shillings, then lost his five shillings to bail out a drunk actor. We both lost turns and moved around the board.

VuDu was able to smack me down and steal a play when we landed on the same space on his turn. I look forward to the opportunity to avenge this slight!

I have to admit that I was looking forward to the Shakespeare trivia questions. I have a master's degree in English literature and like to think I know more than I do about Shakespeare's plays, but this game taught me that I have been away from the Bard for far too long. We both produced two plays during the game, and VuDu spent most of the game ahead. As we were coming down to the wire, I was sitting in the Globe theater asking for the difficult trivia in hopes of collecting 20 shillings and producing my big play, which required four actors, four props, and two patrons. On the third try, I was able to guess Othello for the source of a quote, so that I could produce the play for a total of 50 points and a win.

My first impressions of this game are very positive: so positive that I plan to write a review on it when the time presents itself. I think it would be more fun with more than two players. It had the Trivial Pursuit feel to it as you answer your Shakespeare questions, your Monopoly feel as you gather together the actors, props, and patrons you need (and the money for all of these things) and yet it is clearly its own game. It has enough of a familiar feel that it is easy to get started and enough of its own individuality to make me want to try another game.

Which I will be happy to write up here the next time I get this game out on the table. Stay tuned!