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From Glory to Glory: Development of a Block Gamer
John Owen
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05060708
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There has been much talk/shouting/debate lately regarding "Ameritrashers" and "Eurosnoots."

This list is here to outline what is available as a "third way."

Block gaming.

I am an unabashed block lover, and I'm speaking up now, because I know that I'm not alone!

Blockheads can move freely between the worlds of Ameritrash and Eurosnoot, enjoying what is good in each. We even like and appreciate the Grognards, though we don't always share their fondness for 80-page rulebooks and endless levels of complexity.

As Blockheads, I'm certain that we all feel that, sooner or later, all gamers will convert to blocks.
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Posted On: 2006-10-30 16:21:45
Edited On: 2006-10-30 16:21:45

1. Blockhead! [Average Rating:5.35 Overall Rank:3949]
John Owen
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A Relationship With Blocks Begins at an Early Age

Most of us have grown up playing with some sort of blocks.

The National Association for the Education of Young Children
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Posted On: 2006-10-28 21:11:02
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2. Jenga [Average Rating:5.37 Overall Rank:4362]
John Owen
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Exploration

So, you spent a lot of your childhood playing with blocks. AND you spent most of your childhood playing bad mass market American games. Unfortunately, you wouldn't have come across very many games featuring wood at all. Some lucky child may have stumbled across Napoleon , but most of us had to settle for Jenga.
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Posted On: 2006-10-28 21:11:02
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3. Axis and Allies [Average Rating:6.59 Overall Rank:630]
John Owen
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Regression

As we got older, we discovered "better" boardgames, loaded with plastic. Others may have discovered cardboard chits at this time. It doesn't matter too much which. What matters is that we began to forget the pleasures of block play. Eventually, an emptiness is felt that cannot be ignored.
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Posted On: 2006-10-28 21:11:02
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James Krolak
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How the heck is this a block game, John?
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What matters is that we began to forget the pleasures of block play. Eventually, an emptiness is felt that cannot be ignored.


It's not. He wandered from the true path for a time, apparently. :)
4. Carcassonne [Average Rating:7.57 Overall Rank:52]
John Owen
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Taking the Long Way Home

Sooner or later, someone introduces you to a Euro. Maybe it’s Settlers, maybe it’s Carcasonne, it doesn’t really matter. What matters is that these games have lovely wooden components. Your mind and your heart experience a glimmer of recognition and are beginning to feel satisfied once more.
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Posted On: 2006-10-28 21:11:02
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5. War of 1812 [Average Rating:7.14 Overall Rank:536]
John Owen
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Recognition

BGG is discovered. It doesn’t take long to discover the wide array of games available, including something called “block games” You read lots of "Geeklists" devoted to this "new" type of game. You pick one up. Maybe it's War of 1812. Maybe it's something else. The beginning of a great reconciliation has begun. You find yourself a bit less interested in other sorts of games.
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Posted On: 2006-10-28 21:11:02
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6. Hammer of the Scots [Average Rating:7.85 Overall Rank:34]
John Owen
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Surprised by Joy

Then, you move on to the middleweights like Hammer of the Scots or Crusader Rex. It doesn't take long (no longer than reading the rulebook) to realize that you've found your heart's desire. As far as gaming goes, it doesn't get much better than this.
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Posted On: 2006-10-28 21:11:02
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Mighty Loggy
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Have you managed to win a game of this yet, John? :D

SNAP!
7. Europe Engulfed [Average Rating:7.93 Overall Rank:76]
John Owen
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Commitment

It’s not long before you’re fighting most of WWII over the course of an entire day. With blocks, all things are possible.
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Posted On: 2006-10-28 21:11:02
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Tom Hancock
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060708
I'm considering getting my wife to order this one for me for christmas. You might have another chit-to-block convert.
Josh Wolf
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This game unleashes a veritable block orgy- a lot of units in play at once, and no restrictions on how many units can move or be in a given spot. Stickering a new set, though, is not for the feint of heart (fortunately, I got my copy pre-stickered :arrrh:).
Joseph Noll