Game: Hobby Games: The 100 Best

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ackmondual — 2008-10-07T01:03:38+00:00

spine of first printing

Thread: Re: My experience of reading the book

Hendal — 2008-03-22T00:27:05+00:00

Never heard of it, will look for it, thanks for sharing.

Sounds like Cosmic Encounters represents those good times back in college when we had more time for games, and long games at that..................

Very good point.

Thread: Re: My experience of reading the book

Lothartvni — 2008-03-20T14:24:38+00:00

I'm about halfway through it myself. I think the thing is we're hearing from a lot of people who have been in the industry since way before Eurogames were widely available or available at all.

It is as you said though a great insight into the industry and its history.

Thread: My experience of reading the book

gmcnish — 2008-03-20T13:34:52+00:00

This is more a session report, being an experience with the book, than an attempt at a comprehensive review.

I ordered the book sight unseen. I read it pretty much from the time I got it. It's a hundred short pieces on favourite games, mostly by Americans involved in the hobby game industry.

Initially I was a bit disappointed-- I tend more towards eurosnootiness, and only about a dozen of the games were euros. Most are war games, with a solid smattering of RPGs, CCGs and miniatures.

What's great about the book is that the writers are all passionate about the games they've picked. The editors allowed a lot of latitude in defining "best", so what we get is games that people all really care about.

Even, and perhaps especially, when the contributors are writing about genres I'm not really interested in (like RPGs) it makes for very interesting reading.

The most interesting thing to me is that most of these games have been played by their champions hundreds of times. Even when they don't play the game any more, playing that game defined a chapter of their life. This makes for good reading -- people trying to work out what made their favourite game so compelling.

And I think this is why euros aren't as well represented. Most eurogames don't get played 100s of times. I (and I'm sure many, if not most, eurogamers) tend to prefer to play many different games rather than playing one title again and again. The only game in my collection that is worse for wear is Cosmic Encounter, which I played through university. (CE is the topic of the chapter by Bruno Faduitti.)

It's a good read. Recommended.

Thread: Re: A fantastic book

BROG — 2008-01-28T10:09:39+00:00

oneoldgamer wrote:
Richard,

I didn't mean to misrepresent you. I did state in the review that each reviewer decided for themselves what "best" meant. In the sentence you quoted, I was trying to get across the fact that these essays were written about games that had some kind of strong impact on the writers--whatever that impact might be--and were different for this reason from the average BGG review. And different from many BGG reviews for the other reasons I noted. Not that there's anything wrong with BGG reviews--they're just different.

No problem . . . just one of my pet peeves, the use of the word "best" in a sense that implies quality rather than "likedness" (if that's a word). I never miss an opportunity to shill that position . . .

RHB

Thread: Re: A fantastic book

Narmer — 2008-01-28T04:33:55+00:00

I checked this out from my local library and have read it over and over. I've really enjoyed it. I'm also trying to figure out which of the games (that are still available) I want to buy first, then second....

Thread: Re: A fantastic book

oneoldgamer — 2008-01-28T02:46:22+00:00

Richard,

I didn't mean to misrepresent you. I did state in the review that each reviewer decided for themselves what "best" meant. In the sentence you quoted, I was trying to get across the fact that these essays were written about games that had some kind of strong impact on the writers--whatever that impact might be--and were different for this reason from the average BGG review. And different from many BGG reviews for the other reasons I noted. Not that there's anything wrong with BGG reviews--they're just different.

Thread: Re: A fantastic book

Kaiser Xavier — 2008-01-28T02:16:27+00:00

Well, for someone like me who innocently is jumping into designing games this book is not only good, but actually something I can re-read and re-read and be able to gain inspiration to solve problems or get new ideas.

Also, reading how authors like Pondsmith, Kenson, Garfield and Gygax (just to name a few) talk about their favorite games and how they were influenced by them (or saw how they took their ideas and created something new and different with them) is great.

For me, this book is a classic.

Hope you enjoy it as I keep doing,

KX.

Thread: Re: A fantastic book

BROG — 2008-01-27T16:36:10+00:00

"The fact that these contributors are writing about games they think are the BEST GAMES OF THEIR LIVES, ..."

Well ,not so in my case . . .i wrote about a game that I truly enjoyed playing (among many). i tend not to think of games in terms of "best", because what is good or A is boring for B. Neither opinion reflects whether the game is "good" or not. It reflects enjoyment.

RHB

Thread: Re: A fantastic book

loiosh13 — 2008-01-27T15:37:52+00:00

I'll second OneOldGamer's review - this is a very enjoyable book, and definitely worth picking up. It's fun to read about the games you know, and even MORE fun to read about games you don't!

And the writing is, as mentioned, quite good throughout.

Thread: Re: A fantastic book

HRune — 2008-01-27T12:45:50+00:00

Just ordered the book on Friday and cannot wait for it to arrive. Your review just heightened my anticipation of it.

Thread: A fantastic book

oneoldgamer — 2008-01-27T04:54:12+00:00

Hobby Games: The 100 Best intrigued me from the first time I heard about it. Though BGG supplies me with more game information than I could ever hope to read, there’s something about reading about this hobby in a book that fascinated me. I finally got hold of a copy and read it…no…consumed it, in a few sittings. I had a great time reading it, and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in the boardgaming, CCG, or roleplaying hobbies.

The premise of the book has been described elsewhere, but I’ll recap. One hundred important people in the game industry—mostly game designers, but also writers, publishers, editors—were asked to write a brief (3-5 page) essay about their choice for the best “hobby game” and why they loved it. Contributors were asked for a list of 3 possible games they would like to write about, so evidently not everyone got to write about their number one choice. The definition of “best” was left up to the individual contributors. Different writers used different criteria. Some reviews stress the innovation of a particular game—like Dungeons and Dragons, or Magic: The Gathering. Others focus on a game that had a huge personal impact. Still others focus on elegant game mechanics, or quality of gameplay, or the melding of theme and game systems.

The other review of this book stated that these essays don’t read like BGG game reviews. This is very true. The fact that these contributors are writing about games they think are the BEST GAMES OF THEIR LIVES, means you won’t get a lot of nitpicking about the lack of examples of play in the rulebook, or the size of the box relative to the components. Instead you get something more in the line of a tribute, a Valentine, in some cases elegies for long out of print masterpieces. Many are touched by nostalgia—remembering great times with long gone game groups. Some are very witty—I loved the Illuminati review which took the form of a report from within the vast worldwide conspiracy. Perhaps the best quality of all the reviews is how deeply felt and personal they are. One comes away from the book feeling like this isn’t such a strange hobby after all. These games provide so many hours of pleasure—in some cases producing memories that last a lifetime—that everyone who makes them, sells them, and plays them can be proud to be involved.

Another quality that all the essays share is that they are really well-written. (Well, there’s one exception early on, but one out of 100 isn’t bad.) This made more sense to me as I read the contributor bios. So many of the folks had either written RPG modules, or written novels, or edited magazines. Clearly gamers are a literate bunch.

Some other interesting bits of information from the bios: A lot of the important people in the computer and video games industry got their start in RPGs or boardgames or CCGs. It seems that everyone either worked at FASA or TSR or GDW. Or all three. People have eclectic tastes—wargame designers like euros, euro designers like RPGs, RPG creators like CCGs. There are other revelations in the bios—but I’ll leave a few for you to discover.

The book was great fun to read. The nostalgia hit me hard at times—the essay on Traveller had me misty eyed thinking about a sci fi RPG campaign that got me through grad school. And the articles about Avalon Hill classics reminded me of all those afternoons gaming with my neighborhood friends, and reminded me of what we lost when Hasbro assimilated AH. But the book did more than take me down memory lane. There were plenty of recent games in the list, and older games I’ve never played. I came away with a decent list of games to hunt down.

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in boardgames, RPGs or CCGs. It is well-written, informative, and fun.

Thread: Rules

sjthomp — 2007-11-16T18:09:44+00:00

A group of words is a sentence. A group of sentences is a paragraph. Take aspirin for any headaches, Midol for any cramps.

Richard (David Spade) - From "Tommy Boy"

Thread: Re: Release Date

mark_biggar — 2007-10-23T17:48:02+00:00

lewpuls wrote:
I received a copy from Amazon on 22 October.

Got mine yesterday as well.

Thread: Re: Release Date

lewpuls — 2007-10-23T13:34:42+00:00

I received a copy from Amazon on 22 October.

Thread: Re: Release Date

jvdv — 2007-10-19T06:34:20+00:00

My Amazon UK order was dispatched on October 12th, so it should arrive any day now!

Thread: Re: Release Date

Stephen Glenn — 2007-10-19T01:32:54+00:00

My Amazon order has shipped :-)

Thread: Re: Release Date

MacBeth — 2007-10-18T22:34:37+00:00

It looks like good news on the Amazon front. They now list it as in stock. My order is also is the shipping soon phase (so I can no longer cancel it), so hopefully it will ship tomorrow.

Thread: Re: Release Date

Colorado_Jeff — 2007-10-18T16:24:52+00:00

I have one on order from Funagain. It should be coming with my Mr. Jack expansion in a few weeks! I'm looking forward to both.

Thread: Re: Release Date

JLowder — 2007-10-18T16:03:59+00:00

Hobby Games: The 100 Best is now listed as "in stock" over at Amazon.com.

whew

Hope everyone enjoys the book!

Cheers,
Jim

Thread: Re: Release Date

JLowder — 2007-10-16T03:43:22+00:00

Hi:

I was at the Alliance warehouse in Fort Wayne over the weekend, and they had several boxes of Hobby Games: The 100 Best on hand. I've heard from one local comics/game retailer that their copies finally arrived this past week.

The book is also listed as available within 24 hours over at bn.com:
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?...

We are still working on Amazon.com. The books are available; we are still trying to figure out why Amazon has them listed as shipping (at the moment) in 1 to 4 months.

Cheers,
Jim Lowder

Thread: Re: [Review] A Wonderful Book

Gav Thorpe — 2007-10-14T13:38:24+00:00

[q="PhilReed

I think a conversational tone was definitely the best way to approach the book. I know I rewrote my essay a couple of times trying to balance "fun" with "informative."

I found I had similar issues. With something as conceptual as great gameplay, trying to get across why a game was so good whilst explaining the basics of the game (within the word count!) was challenging - in a good way, because it made me really think about what it is I like so much about the game I chose.

I've really enjoyed browsing my copy of the book and I feel privaleged that I was invited to participate.

Cheers,

Gav

Thread: Re: In stock at Time Well Spent

Sir Loin o Beef — 2007-10-10T10:31:21+00:00

Mine arrived yesterday from TimeWellSpent. Great looking book (though I'd love a hardback). I read the forward (Dr. Knizia) and Richard Berg's offering on the game Plague! before going to bed.

Thread: Re: In stock at Time Well Spent

manhattandoctor — 2007-10-08T15:30:37+00:00

out of stock for now...

Thread: Re: Game / Author Listing

UnluckyNumber — 2007-10-08T00:51:41+00:00

Oooooooooh, Space Hulk, Silent Death, Battletech, Formula De', Robo Rally, Car Wars, Amber, and Champions? Even Ogre? All with their own chapters under the same book cover? I'm seriously going to have to check this book out.

Thread: Re: Release Date

JLowder — 2007-10-05T19:56:17+00:00

Thanks, Jeroen. I'll let the publish know, and we can continue to lean on the distributor.

Jim

Thread: Re: Release Date

jvdv — 2007-10-05T19:25:04+00:00

To keep you posted on the European side of things: this is my order status at Amazon UK, from an order dated October 5th -

Items not yet dispatched:
Delivery estimate: 19 Oct 2007 - 26 Oct 2007 1 of: Hobby Games: The 100 Best
Sold by: Amazon EU S.a.r.L.

Thread: Re: For sale at Time Well Spent

Sir Loin o Beef — 2007-10-03T10:12:31+00:00

I don't see it at Boards and Bits.

Thread: Re: For sale at Time Well Spent

autumnweave — 2007-10-03T03:32:00+00:00

This book is also available at Boards&Bits.

Thread: Re: Release Date

JLowder — 2007-10-03T02:16:12+00:00

We're expecting the Amazon dates to shift back to reality just as soon as they get copies in hand at their warehouse. Or they might have copies, but they have yet to be entered into the system there. Since Time Well Spent has theirs, and the books are shipping from the same place, it should be a matter of days, not weeks, before Amazon gets it right.

Thanks for the update!

Jim

Thread: Re: Release Date

Stephen Glenn — 2007-10-03T01:18:19+00:00

Amazon still says my delivery date is Nov 28, but Time Well Spent is indicating that it has five in stock.

Thread: In stock at Time Well Spent

manhattandoctor — 2007-10-03T01:08:06+00:00

http://www.timewellspent.org/html/gamepage.php?id=1851

Last check, 5 copies at $16 and change..

Thread: Re: Release Date

JLowder — 2007-09-27T20:01:35+00:00

Wow, Glen, thanks so much for going to all that trouble to get the local library to consider the book. We think the book should be of interest to libraries; we've sent review copies to Library Journal and other magazines that libraries use to acquire titles. But it's great to hear a library that took a look at the title snapped it up so quickly! That's a really good sign.

Thanks again!
Jim Lowder

Thread: Re: Release Date

JLowder — 2007-09-27T19:57:05+00:00

Happy to keep everyone up-to-date, Ray. Green Ronin has really appreciated posters here letting us know what was going on--it allowed us to contact the distributor and Amazon, and (we hope) get things moving toward resolution.

We believe that the latest note at Amazon (the book "ships in 1 to 3 months") means that they do not have copies yet in their warehouse. Once they get the copies, they should update that note again to reflect actual ship times. And those copies are on their way from the distributor, so that date should change very, very soon, and people who pre-ordered (thank you) should get copies soon, too.

Cheers,
Jim Lowder

Thread: Re: Release Date

manhattandoctor — 2007-09-27T14:56:00+00:00

I will likely buy this book, but I always like to get a look at books from my local library when possible. Alas, my library did not have "Hobby Games" in their database. Fortunately, my library has an easy way to recommend books for their collection. I filled out the info for "Hobby Games" and expected the librarians to respond with a "Yeah, right." To my surprise, they ordered 3 copies for their collection, and I'm first in line to borrow the book! I suggest others ask their local library to buy the book for their collection.

Thread: Re: Release Date

MacBeth — 2007-09-26T13:02:28+00:00

Jim, thanks for the constant updates. Amazon again updated their release info. Now they have it listed as shipping in 1 to 3 months. Eventually they will get it right, I hope.

Thread: Re: Release Date

JLowder — 2007-09-26T03:46:52+00:00

Hrrrmmmm. Green Ronin's books are regularly available through Amazon, so I am surprised to see this listed as a special order. I've let the publisher know.

Cheers,
Jim Lowder

Thread: Re: Release Date

MacBeth — 2007-09-26T02:30:33+00:00

Amazon now has this listed as a special order and this is now on their page:

Availability: This title usually ships within 2 to 3 days. Please note that special order titles occasionally go out of print, or publishers run out of stock. These hard-to-find titles are not discounted and are subject to an additional charge of $1.99 per book due to the extra cost of ordering them. We will notify you within 2-3 weeks if we have trouble obtaining this title. Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.

Hopefully this means those of us who have pre-ordered will be getting ours shipped soon.

Thread: Re: Release Date

Stephen Glenn — 2007-09-24T16:03:04+00:00

I just got the same letter from Amazon, stating that the new shipping date was late November. I'll keep my eyes posted to this thread for new developments.

On the other hand, Amazon sent me a similar letter last month regarding another entirely different item. They projected the shipping date would be sometime in January 2008, yet I rec'd the item a few weeks later. Weird.

Thread: Re: Release Date

JLowder — 2007-09-23T04:25:31+00:00

BN.com has it.

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?...

The book has been submitted to the buyers for the brick & mortar B&N and Borders, but we have not yet had a reply on whether or not they'll stock it. HG100 should be available at any bookstore as a special order until its fate is decided by the chain buyers. Hobby stores and comics stores should be able to get it, too, through Diamond.

Cheers,
Jim Lowder

Thread: Re: Release Date

TGov — 2007-09-23T04:18:08+00:00

will B&N carry this?

Thread: Re: Release Date

JLowder — 2007-09-23T03:22:09+00:00

Thanks for the info, Ray. Somehow Amazon has either received some bad information or someone there generated some bad information. The books have been printed and the distributor has them. Perhaps they can straighten this out with Amazon on Monday.

Cheers,
Jim Lowder

Thread: Re: Release Date

MacBeth — 2007-09-23T02:11:28+00:00

I haven't received the email, but the ship date for the book is now Nov. 28 - Nov. 30.

Thread: Re: Release Date

JLowder — 2007-09-23T01:35:52+00:00

Thanks, Mark. I've sent the publisher the details of the note Amazon is sending out, and the publisher has already contacted its distributor, requesting someone there straighten out Amazon as to the book's availability. Let me know if you get an updated note.

Jim Lowder

Thread: Re: Release Date

mark_biggar — 2007-09-22T18:28:42+00:00

Here's what I got from Amazon:

Hello from Amazon.com.

We're writing about the order you placed on August 22 2007 16:02 PDT
(Order# 104-4115792-1408705). Unfortunately, the release date for the item(s) listed below has
changed, and we need to provide you with a new delivery estimate based on the new release date:

James Lowder (Editor) "Hobby Games: The 100 Best" [Paperback]
Estimated arrival date: 11/28/2007 - 11/30/2007

We need you to approve the new delivery day by September 29 2007, or we
will cancel the item(s) from your order if they have not shipped by then. Please visit the
Order Update page in Your Account at the address below to approve the delay for the
unavailable item(s):

Thread: Re: Release Date

JLowder — 2007-09-22T18:20:45+00:00

I asked the publisher, Green Ronin, about the book and they noted that the distributors have it now, which means that Amazon should be able to start shipping it on the 24th. If Amazon has moved the release date beyond that, it's the internal workings at Amazon. The publisher has no idea where Amazon would get the 11/30 delay from.

If you get anything else from them, let me know.

Jim

Thread: Re: Release Date

JLowder — 2007-09-22T17:09:32+00:00

Wow. First I've heard of any of this. I'll check with the publisher and post what I hear. Last I was told, the books were making their way into the distribution channels and should be available any time now.

Cheers,
Jim Lowder

Thread: Re: Release Date

mark_biggar — 2007-09-22T14:56:15+00:00

I just got an e-mail from Amazon saying the release data has changed again to 11/30/2007.

Thread: Re: Release Date

Stephen Glenn — 2007-09-22T13:51:39+00:00

According to an e-mail from Amazon I rec'd on Sept 18:

"Unfortunately, the release date for the item(s) listed below has
changed, and we need to provide you with a new delivery estimate based on the new release date:

James Lowder (Editor) "Hobby Games: The 100 Best" [Paperback]
Estimated arrival date: 09/26/2007 - 09/28/2007"

Thread: Release Date

MacBeth — 2007-09-22T13:15:29+00:00

Does anyone have any information when this is going to be released? I pre-ordered off of Amazon who had an initial date of Sept. 15th. I got an e-mail yesterday saying it got pushed back, but not to when.
I am really looking forward to reading this book.

Thread: Re: [Review] A Wonderful Book

PhilReed — 2007-09-05T12:22:54+00:00

Mr Freedly wrote:
The essays are written as if you were sitting in the Big Bar on 2 at Origins or, if you prefer, the Ram at Gencon and were just listening to talented people talking about their favorite games over a cold beverage.

I think a conversational tone was definitely the best way to approach the book. I know I rewrote my essay a couple of times trying to balance "fun" with "informative."

Image

JLowder — 2007-08-22T22:35:20+00:00

First printing, back cover.

Image

JLowder — 2007-08-22T22:34:44+00:00

Front cover, first printing.