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Solamar goes a Gathering
Sterling Babcock
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Solamar goes to the Gathering of Friends (April 5-13, 2008)

Here is a report of the games I played at this years Gathering. I removed the scores, and any information about prototypes. I believe that I obfuscated the prototypes enough. Let me know if I made an error.

Please let me know if I have a name misspelled. Also let me know if you would rather not have your name listed and I can remove them.

Highlights:
- I managed to get a copy of Botts and Balls from Ann Lesnik! Woo Hoo! :meeple::meeple::meeple::meeple:
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Posted Tue Apr 15, 2008 8:20 am
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1. Board Game: Stone Age [Average Rating:7.78 Overall Rank:29]
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Sterling Babcock
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Stone Age 4/5/2008, 6:30 PM, Length: 1:14
Interesting game. I liked it a lot.
Sterling Babcock (#1) Win
Roger Cox (#4)
Brian Stallings (#3)
Bobby LaBoon (#2)

Stone Age 4/11/2008
Marcia Babcock (#2)
Seanna Miller (#3)
Bruce Linsey (#1) Win
Lisbet Williams (#4)
0 comments
Edited Sat Apr 19, 2008 6:11 pm
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2. Board Game: Agricola [Average Rating:8.37 Overall Rank:1]
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Agricola 4/5/2008, 8:49 PM, Length: 3:06
5 Player a bit chaotic. Tough game for first time players. BestWith:3>4>5?
Sterling Babcock (#2)
Steven Lesnik (#5)
Ann Lesnik (#3)
Julie Luxenberg (#3)
Dan Luxenberg (#1) Win

Agricola 4/7/2008, 3:52 PM, Length: 2:28
Although I like this game, I don't like the I deck at first. It is hard to keep track of all 5 players and what effects are going on. Oh, I'll take that 4 wood - But you get one of them, and someone else buys 1 for a food. Well, if I was only going to get 2 wood I would not have taken that! Perhaps the I deck would be best with fewer players.
Sterling Babcock (#4)
Mark Geary (#5)
Markus Welbourne (#3)
Zack Boatman (#2)
Jacob Davenport (#1) Win

Agricola 4/11/2008, 10:04 PM, Length: 2:25
I like the E Deck.
Sterling Babcock (#1) Win
Marcia Babcock (#2)
Richard Glanzer (#3)
3 comments [Hide]
Edited Tue Apr 15, 2008 6:09 pm
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The Seal of Approval
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The manual notes that if you decide to take wood, and then someone makes you hand over some of it, you can undo your move.
Sterling Babcock
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Thank you for that clarification.

All the same, the point I was trying to get across with the I deck is that it is hard to keep track of what cards affect what actions.
The Seal of Approval
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Yes, that can be tricky. It's also the stated reason in the manual WHY you can undo the move.
3. Board Game: Tichu [Average Rating:7.73 Overall Rank:37]
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Tichu 4/5/2008
Sterling Babcock (#1) Win
Ted Alspach (toulouse) (#1) Win
Tom Lehmann (#3)
Tom McCory (#3)

Tichu 4/6/2008
Sterling Babcock (#1) Win
Scott Simon (#1) Win
Tom Lehmann (#3)
Eric Martin (#3)

Tichu 4/9/2008
Tournament. I got very few special cards.
Sterling Babcock (#3)
Dave Jones (#3)
Corbin Nash (#1) Win
Bryan Bowe (#1) Win

Tichu 4/11/2008
Sterling Babcock (#3)
Marcia Babcock (#3)
Dave Jones (#1) Win
Travis Reynolds (#1) Win

Tichu 4/12/2008
Sterling Babcock (#3)
Jim Fairchild (#3)
Tom Lehmann (#1) Win
Jeff Goldsmith (#1) Win
1
2 comments [Hide]
Edited Tue Apr 15, 2008 8:00 am
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Twinge
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What, only 5 games? ;)
Sterling Babcock
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Well, I could have easily played twice as much. Tichu was going on constantly and it was a staple after midnight. But I was wandering around trying other games as well. I would say at least 25-50 games were played, plus 20 or so games in the tournament.
4. Board Game: Chicago Express [Average Rating:7.52 Overall Rank:84]
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Wabash Cannonball 4/5/2008, 10:33 AM, Length: 1:10
Sterling Babcock (#5)
Jeff Anderson (#1) Win
Dan Baden (#2)
Frank Branham (#4)
Rhonda Bender (#3)
5 comments [Hide]
Edited Tue Apr 15, 2008 8:01 am
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J C Lawrence
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Oh dear, 5 players? I'm sorry. 3 or 4 only...
Sterling Babcock
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Yes, I should have known not to play 5. I was pretty much shut out from the beginning.
John Bohrer
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That game is all luck.
J C Lawrence
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Ha!
Jeff Anderson
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I beg to differ... ninja
5. Board Game: Pandemic [Average Rating:7.78 Overall Rank:23]
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Pandemic 4/6/2008, 11:54 AM, Length: 0:53
5 Epidemics, no dispatcher. Pretty interesing, but need to play more
Sterling Babcock (#1) Win
Jeff Anderson (#1) Win
Dan Baden (#1) Win
Frank Branham (#1) Win
1 comment [Hide]
Edited Tue Apr 15, 2008 8:01 am
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6. Board Game: Through the Ages: A Story of Civilization [Average Rating:8.34 Overall Rank:5]
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Through the Ages: A Story of Civilization 4/6/2008, 2:23 PM, Length: 3:36
BestWith:3,2.4. Played 2 ages. Difficult to play well. A great game.
Sterling Babcock (#1) Win
Jeff Anderson (#3)
Travis Reynolds (#1) Win
4 comments [Hide]
Edited Tue Apr 15, 2008 8:08 am
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Twinge
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Only 3 and a half hours? (And with rules explanation I assume?) Maybe I could play this after all; I figured it'd be 5 odd. And there IS a Tesla card... hmm...
Sterling Babcock
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We were in a time crunch, and only played 2 ages. It can be longer with all 3 ages. But we were playing the advanced game.
Dave Eisen
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3.5 hours is about right with 3 players for a full game, once the players know what they're doing. The game has a bad rep for length which is based entirely on how long it takes for your first few plays --- it is very reasonable once the players have internalized the fiddly mechanics and know all the cards.
Twinge
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dkeisen wrote:
3.5 hours is about right with 3 players for a full game, once the players know what they're doing. The game has a bad rep for length which is based entirely on how long it takes for your first few plays --- it is very reasonable once the players have internalized the fiddly mechanics and know all the cards.


The groups I game with don't really play the same thing very often, so I imagine a full game would be... probably 5 hours with my moderate AP factored in, and it would probably be the only game of this I played ;) I'd still be willing to try it, but in general I don't like the longer stuff.
7. Board Game: Brass [Average Rating:8.11 Overall Rank:12]
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Brass 4/6/2008, 6:29 PM, Length: 2:56
Interesting. I think I could do better next time. 2nd printing will have a player aid.
Sterling Babcock (#3)
Zev Shlasinger (#4)
Ralph Anderson (#2)
Matt Ackerson (#1) Win
0 comments
Edited Tue Apr 15, 2008 8:02 am
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8. Board Game: Change Horses [Average Rating:4.94 Overall Rank:5142]
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Change Horses 4/7/2008
This game did not inspire me much and I did not like using the carrots.
Sterling Babcock (#4)
Trond Braut (#3)
Martin Leathwood (#4)
Mik Svellov (#1) Win
Paul Jeffries (#1) Win
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Edited Tue Apr 15, 2008 8:02 am
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9. Board Game: Race for the Galaxy [Average Rating:8.00 Overall Rank:11]
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Race for the Galaxy 4/7/2008
Tournament round 1
Sterling Babcock (#1) Win
Dan Luxenberg (#3)
Kevin O'Brian (#2)

Race for the Galaxy 4/7/2008
Tournament round 2
Sterling Babcock (#2)
K C Humphrey (#3)
Anthony Rubbo (#1) Win
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Edited Tue Apr 15, 2008 6:09 pm
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10. Board Game: Unpublished Prototype [Average Rating:7.11 Overall Rank:745]
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Race for the Galaxy: Prototype 4/9/2008
Wow! It just keeps getting better. (Is that vague enough?)
Face it. I will never beat the designer at this!

Sterling Babcock (#1) Win
Dan Blum (#2)
Ted Cheatham (#3)

Sterling Babcock (#4)
Brian Bankler (#3)
Lou Wainwright (#5)
Josh Brody (#2)
Tom Lehmann (#1) Win

Sterling Babcock (#4)
Brian Bankler (#5)
Lou Wainwright (#3)
Josh Brody (#2)
Tom Lehmann (#1) Win

Sterling Babcock (#3)
Anthony Rubbo (#1) Win
Roger Breitenstein (#4)
Tom Lehmann (#2)

Sterling Babcock (#3)
Tom Lehmann (#1) Win
Piet Skjaeveland (#4)
Thomas Provoost (#2)
0 comments
Edited Tue Apr 15, 2008 8:09 am
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11. Board Game: Roads and Boats [Average Rating:7.78 Overall Rank:72]
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Roads and Boats 4/7/2008, 10:37 PM, Length: 3:28
Mike Kollross wanted to learn the game. This was one of the highest scoring games I have seen (407 for me) and very friendly. I am sure we could have even scored more.
Sterling Babcock (#1) Win
Mike Kollross (#3)
Adam Ruprecht (#2)
0 comments
Edited Tue Apr 15, 2008 8:04 am
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12. Board Game: Unpublished Prototype [Average Rating:7.11 Overall Rank:745]
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Prototype from Dan Weaver I brought to test
Many thanks to those who were willing to try the games!

Sterling Babcock (#1) Win
Marion Adam (#2)
Kurt Adam (#5)
Ann Lesnik (#4)
Bill Masek (#3)

Sterling Babcock (#2)
Marion Adam (#5)
Kurt Adam (#2)
Ann Lesnik (#1) Win
Bill Masek (#4)

Sterling Babcock (#1) Win
Greg Schloesser (#2)
Rhonda Baden (#5)
Friedemann Friese (#4)
Stephen Glenn (#5)
Mary Prasad (#2)

Sterling Babcock (#2)
Rhonda Baden (#1) Win

Sterling Babcock (#4)
Dan Blum (#2)
Jacob Davenport (#1) Win
Ingrid Tegner (#3)

Sterling Babcock (#1) Win
Dan Blum (#4)
Jacob Davenport (#3)
Ingrid Tegner (#2)
1
5 comments [Hide]
Edited Tue Apr 15, 2008 8:04 am
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Twinge
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How'd this go over? Did you try all 3... flavors?

Or, er... maybe I should just ask on Saturday, seeing as 'mum's the word' and all that.
Jason Spears
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Twinge wrote:
How'd this go over? Did you try all 3... flavors?

Chocolate, Vanilla and Pistachio?
W Shubert
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spearjr wrote:
Twinge wrote:
How'd this go over? Did you try all 3... flavors?

Chocolate, Vanilla and Pistachio?
It's chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry.
Wade
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Wouldn't you want a little press on the game? I'm sure others like me would be intrigued, since you've already reported on his protypes on other Colorado lists I think.
Sterling Babcock
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Yes, we played all 3, with many notes from each game. Dan Weaver came over last light to meet Andrea Meyer, and we played again, and discussed the notes.

I think that Daniel Weaver would not mind this game being discussed somewhat. I mostly cannot discuss other prototypes that are going to be published soon from the major publishers.
Edited Tue Apr 15, 2008 6:20 pm
13. Board Game: Time Agent [Average Rating:6.79 Overall Rank:1372]
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Time Agent 4/8/2008, 3:09 PM, Length: 1:30
I finally got to play this game! Many thanks for Jon Ferro for teaching us. One more turn and I would have won at 38 points (38,14,20,30,30)
Sterling Babcock (#4)
Jon Ferro (#3)
Ralph Anderson (#5)
Josh Brody (#2)
Mark Delano (#1) Win
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Edited Tue Apr 15, 2008 8:05 am
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14. Board Game: Homesteaders [Average Rating:7.61 Unranked]
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Prototype 4/8/2008
Pretty cool game, and I am looking forward to it coming out.
Sterling Babcock (#1) Win
June King (Ludocrazy) (#4)
Kevin Wood (#3)
Tom Powers (#2)
Teaching: Jay Tummelson
1 comment [Hide]
Edited Tue Apr 15, 2008 8:05 am
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Seth Jaffee
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I'm working with the designer to try and get this game published, so I'm really interested to know how it went. If any of the players want to geekmail me personally I'd appreciate it.

I'm a BIG fan of Homesteaders, and I hope to see it on the shelf at my FLGS at some point.

- Seth
15. Board Game: Ticket to Ride: Switzerland [Average Rating:7.62 Unranked] [Average Rating:7.62 Unranked]
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Ticket to Ride: Switzerland 4/8/2008
Tournament. I made a fatal error on taking one ticket.
Sterling Babcock (#2)
Dan Blum (#1) Win
Don Dodge (#3)
7 comments [Hide]
Edited Tue Apr 15, 2008 8:05 am
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Squeeker
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Who is this Dan Blum and why does he have my last name? And why are you playing so many games with him? I don't trust it... ninja
Sterling Babcock
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arielle wrote:
That doesn't make me trust him even MORE!
He is one of the more trustworthy people here.
Dan Blum
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One of the great things about Sterling is how he can deliver this kind of massive group insult so offhandedly.
Sterling Babcock
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tool wrote:
One of the great things about Sterling is how he can deliver this kind of massive group insult so offhandedly.
Wow. I cannot possibly say anything that would not be misinterpreted, so I am going to cut my losses.
Dan Blum
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Solamar wrote:
tool wrote:
One of the great things about Sterling is how he can deliver this kind of massive group insult so offhandedly.
Wow. I cannot possibly say anything that would not be misinterpreted, so I am going to cut my losses.


Sorry, man. But you lobbed that one right over the plate!
16. Board Game: Unpublished Prototype [Average Rating:7.11 Overall Rank:745]
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Rio Grande Prototype
Can not say anything, but I did like it!
Sterling Babcock (#2)
Anthony Rubbo (#3)
Valerie Putman (#1) Win

Sterling Babcock (#2)
Marcia Babcock (#3)
Need to find notesheet (#1) Win
3 comments [Hide]
Edited Tue Apr 15, 2008 6:21 pm
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Jeff Wolfe
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Solamar wrote:
Please let me know if I have a name misspelled.


Valerie Putman's first name.
Sterling Babcock
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Thank you! I knew I would get some wrong!
Eric Brosius
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jeffwolfe wrote:
Solamar wrote:
Please let me know if I have a name misspelled.


Valerie Putman's first name.


That's a new one. I imagine the classical way to misspell Valerie's name is to misspell her last name.
17. Board Game: Neuland [Average Rating:6.80 Overall Rank:628]
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Sterling Babcock
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Neuland 4/8/2008, 11:10 PM, Length: 2:04
Nice box, Made in Germany, More of a puzzle than a game. Seemed like there was a lot of downtime unless everyone works to solve the puzzle.
Sterling Babcock (#1) Win
Jesse McGatha (#2)
Matthew Frederick (#2)
3 comments [Hide]
Edited Tue Apr 15, 2008 8:06 am
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J C Lawrence
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Really not a puzzle. This is a game of using turn order and logistical offence to break other players.
Sterling Babcock
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I see. I think I need to play it a few more times to get it.
Matthew Frederick
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It may not only be a puzzle, but it's a puzzle. Way, way, way too much downtime, and a very serious letdown. JC's been pushing this as a favorite since it came out, so I really wanted to give it a try, but there's no way I'd play it again.
18. Board Game: Unpublished Prototype [Average Rating:7.11 Overall Rank:745]
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Tom Lehmann Prototype 4/9/2008
Must not say anything, but I really liked it!
Sterling Babcock (#4)
Marcia Babcock (#3)
Tom Lehmann (#1) Win
Joe Huber (#2)
0 comments
Edited Tue Apr 15, 2008 8:11 am
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19. Board Game: Poker [Average Rating:6.79 Overall Rank:356]
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Sterling Babcock
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Poker
4/9/2008
I finished 6th in Poker tournament.
Additionally, a place holder for about 3 poker games, the puzzle hunt (team finished 3rd, almost 2nd!)

Sterling Babcock (#6)
20. Board Game: Werewolf [Average Rating:7.09 Overall Rank:213]
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Werewolf 4/9/2008, more

Several games of werewolf
Sterling Babcock ()
Marcia Babcock ()
John Mitchell
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2 player werewolf? "It isn't me... hang on, it must be you!"
:laugh:
Sterling Babcock
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Your right, that does look wierd. No about 15-30 people per game.
21. Board Game: HysteriCoach [Average Rating:6.11 Overall Rank:2459]
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HysteriCoach 4/10/2008
A light and fun game, if a little partyish.
Sterling Babcock (#4)
Marcia Babcock (#4)
Shiela Davis (#4)
James Davis (#1) Win
Mik Svellov (#1) Win
Martin Leathwood (#1) Win
Ted Cheatham (#4)
And Many more players!
3 comments [Hide]
Edited Tue Apr 15, 2008 8:06 am
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Twinge
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Weeeirrddd. But that actually looks like a lot of fun.
Gil Hova
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I got this game blind last year, and played it once. It went down like a dead dog. I wonder if I should dust it off and give it another try.
Sterling Babcock
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A lot of it is having a group of friends who are ready to get excited about it. We had about 12 people, so it was pretty chaotic.
22. Board Game: Tales of the Arabian Nights [Average Rating:7.45 Overall Rank:286]
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Tales of the Arabian Nights 4/11/2008
Sterling Babcock (#2)
Jeff Anderson (#2)
Ted Cheatham (#1) Win
Michael Weston (#2)
0 comments
Edited Tue Apr 15, 2008 8:06 am
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23. Board Game: Perry Rhodan: Die Kosmische Hanse [Average Rating:6.74 Overall Rank:1150]
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Perry Rhodan: Die Kosmische Hanse 4/11/2008
I wish Rio Grande would print this in English.
Sterling Babcock (#1) Win
Marcia Babcock (#2)
1 comment [Hide]
Edited Tue Apr 15, 2008 8:06 am
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Ken Shogren
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Quote:
I wish Rio Grande would print this in English.


It would be odd if they printed it in a different language...

[/sarcasm]

Supposedly, RGG is planning to have this one out (in English no less!) later this year (2008).
24. Board Game: Liar's Dice [Average Rating:7.07 Overall Rank:195]
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Liar's Dice 4/12/2008
Sterling Babcock (#2)
Frank Branham (#2)
Tom DeMarco (#1) Win
Mario Pawlowski (#2)
Michael Roberts (#2)
2 comments [Hide]
Edited Wed Apr 16, 2008 7:29 am
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Tom DeMarco
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Mario's last name is Pawlowski.

My records show that I won the first game, yes, but then I sat out the second game waiting for the semis and you came in. I think that maybe it was Rob Simons who won your game, as he was 2nd in the game I won and you played with the other four who had played in the first game.
Sterling Babcock
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Thanks, Tom. My records were incomplete on that one.
25. Board Game: The Hanging Gardens [Average Rating:6.86 Overall Rank:477]
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Hanging Gardens 4/12/2008
Cute, light. I kind of liked it as a light filler.
Sterling Babcock (#2)
Marcia Babcock (#3)
Dan Blum (#4)
Patrick Korner (#1) Win
0 comments
Edited Tue Apr 15, 2008 8:12 am
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Bobby Warren
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Wow, I didn't play a game with you this year. It's something I need to remedy next year, even if you are trying to avoid me like all sane people do! :)
Sterling Babcock
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I am sorry I missed you!

Every year I am looking forward to seeing all my old friends at the Gathering. I now know so many that it is difficult to play with them all.

There are often 2 strategies: Make sure you play with everyone you know, no matter the game, or play the games you need to try out, and hope to cover the people you know.

This year, I actually did a combo. Making sure to play the games I wanted, but then setting aside non-game time to socialize when I could. Even so, I did not get a chance to talk to everyone!
Dave VanderArk
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Bobby4th wrote:
Wow, I didn't play a game with you this year. It's something I need to remedy next year, even if you are trying to avoid me like all sane people do! :)


Wait a minute, I played a lot of games with you.

Uh oh...