When I am bored...
I was bored a few days ago (around 8am when I came back from work), and was starting to feel the withdrawal pangs from not having played anything in a while. Usually going to this site, or BGG, or catching up with my gaming podcasts, etc. takes the edge off this urge to play. But those weren't helping anymore. I knew that only one thing comes closer to actually playing than the aforementioned. ....Buying new games...So I was reading online that Wizards was discontinuing Hecatomb TCG. Unfortunate because I was interested in one day trying it out. Using a more streamlined formula based on the tried and tested and highly succesful MtG in a dark evil setting sounded just perfect. Then the bulb lit up in my head. I went to ebay, and lo and behold, the boxes of booster packs are being sold like candy (with prices that low too!). I quickly logged in and ordered 1 booster box of the only 3 sets that came out. Being a master rationalizer I thought that by discontinuing the series, the game turned from TCG to a regular card game (well, almost) with lots of cards. I got the three sets for cheap ($45 with shipping when each box usually sold for ~$50 or more). I just finished organizing 936 cards, and the game simply looks great. Very dark theme, great art, cool mechanics. All kinds of different strategies popped up in my head as I opened each pack. I was pleased. If anyone wants to play sometime, let me know. I'll make you a deck. It can also be multiplayer.
So how about you fellow gamer... what do you do to calm your thirst when you can't play?
BTW, this morning when I came from work, I preordered Samurai Lords AND Barbarossa to Berlin....joining my long list of wargaming preorders.
posted by Rob @ 11:46 PM
18 comments
18 Comments:
Woo hoo! Another copy of Barbarossa to Berlin winging its way to SABG.
Rob, I would be happy to try the card game.
My current gaming-related (i.e., besides running, cycling, and woodworking) diversions are: World of Warcraft; other PC games (now have my eye on Heroes of Might and Magic V); rulebook reading; burning through the A Game of Thrones books...
When I can't play games with people, I like to play them solo. This works better with some games than others. Traditional wargames are pretty good, multi-players euros...not so much.
Also, I endlessly study games on the web.
All in all, my fantasy-game-life is probably more exciting than my real-game-life. Sort of sad, but I bet it's true of many geeks.
Sometimes I wonder if the real hobby isn't thinking about games with playing games being an add-on.
Despite massive temptation, I try to keep my actual purchases under control.
Rulebook reading...check. Recent readings? World of Warcraft board game, Lock and Load, and Hecatomb.
Computer gaming...check (although I did cancel my World of Warcraft account again).
Analizing games? Check. Writing Crusader Rex reports took me about an hr and a half each time, and it was very engrossing every time.
Soloing games... well, not as much. I've tried it before, mainly to see what a game looks like on setup, but playing it solo...there's just something missing.... something... like the opponent.
Well, for gaming I have BrettSpielWelt, the various web sites, and solo-ing games (that's usually only when I have a new game, though. To get the rules down).
Shadowfist also absorbs time deck building. I spent an hour this week tearing a deck apart and rebuilding it. The strong point of CCGs (and, to a lesser extent, RPGs) is that they give you a good 'background' (solo) activity. Deckbuilding (or character/world building for RPGs).
And Rob, check out my ebay auctions if you feel any itching over the next day or two.
Deckbuilding...yes... I have that once again with a new ccg. It can be a time sponge.
LOL...I'll get a scratch by taking a look at your ebay stuff.
Barbarossa to berlin... For the People.... unplayed?
Well, I hope that changes when Ben and I get the newer versions (I like the counter trays). I hope I won't be selling them in a year or so unplayed.
Solo gaming... check! Heck, that's how I've played wargames most of my life. I'm getting pretty spoiled recently by SABG.
Today, I'm playing Wellington solo to get the rules down... card-driven games really need opponents though...
Old school games age great solo, since most are pretty simple. Panzer Blitz/Leader are great solo.
I'm up for Hecatomb, Rob. You may recall a conversation we had about interest in that very game so many moons ago.
As for boredom...I enjoy sleeping, eating, and staring blankly at walls...
I do recall mon frère. I was already counting on you. Seeing that you enjoy Doom (computer and board, and rpg games), you'll definitively like Hecatomb.
☺
Non-gaming time? Hmmm...
I spend it pondering what games to buy, reading whatever on BGG, designing games, reading GOT series (finishing off Storm of Swords, Ben) and replaying games in my head. Eating and sleeping are also personal favorites, Simon. And, I'm looking into staring at the wall...it sounds intriguing.
Actually, part of the reason to sell my CDGs (which I've owned for several years, unplayed) is that if we ever do get around to playing them, 2d edition will be out, so I may as well sell them now before the price drops. I'm keeping Wilderness War and Paths of Glory ... (For the People is supposedly one of the longest, and the rules are quite complex).
After July, I will have more time to play all that CDG goodness.
CDG's, eh? Then next Monday should be all CDG night! Nothing else!
...I kid, I kid.
I tend to spend my non-gaming time reading BGG, blogging and designing games. Although at the moment it's mostly going on producing my first game.
Which game? What is it about?Publisher?
Assuming you were talking to me Rob, the game is called Border Reivers and I'm publishing a limited edition version myself in the next couple of months :-)
I may be mad. Only time will tell...
Yes Jack. Hey, anything with (insert Sean Connery voice) Scottish and English in that time period sounds interesting. Good Luck.
Thanks! I may well need it. Any offers to buy 200 copies off me at $600 a time are much appreciated ;-)
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