Twilight Imperium 3, July 28
Plans are forming for a game of Twilight Imperium 3 with the full set of expansion options in play on Saturday, July 28. Location and host (if any) is not definite yet, but somewhere in the San Antonio metropolitan area is a safe bet.If you want to play, here are some things you can do now:
- Comment on this post, communicating your commitment to play. A four player game will probably take 4 hours (not counting setup and any rules explanations needed), with an hour added for each player beyond four.
- If you haven't played before or need a refresher, watch the videos here. These are well produced and give a great introduction to the game. Take a look at the show notes to see a couple minor rules mistakes they make.
- To study a fully detailed session report of the base game, I heartily recommend this site. The three-player demo is extremely well put together.
- Of course, you probably want to actually look over the rules for the base game and its expansion, plus maybe the FAQ.
posted by Ben @ 3:25 PM
9 comments
9 Comments:
I would be up for playing.
I'll definately be there.
I have reserved a slot with the wife and will be able to be there. I can also probably host if no one is too allergic to cats. I have a friend at work who recently bought the game and already has more games under his belt than I do. I can invite him if you would like. Some of you have already met him once at DL (Jerry).
Here is an idea for the game that I would like to share and wonder how you may feel about it. Although I think that TI3 may very well be the best game I own, it is not without its problems. In my opinion the problems I speak of are mostly logistic. There are lots of cards for the players to keep track of and the tech tree is so complex that I almost never make full use of my technology and I never have a long range strategic plan for the development (or use) of my technology. And then there is table space.
So here is what I came up with. Please tell me what you think. My buddy at work who I mentioned above thinks it is a great idea.
I made high quality copies of the tech-tree which are held inside a binder. The tech-tree has all the information on the cards (Minus race specific technology), so it can replace the use of the cards and save on table space, as the binder is easily portable. When a technology is purchased, rather than getting the card, you just put a sticker on the appropriate technology. What does this method buy you?
• A “One Look” appraisal of your technology situation.
• A much clearer view of the path you need to take to get to your goals.
• Saved table space
Of course a players tech-tree is public knowledge, so at any time you must allow another player to inspect your tree. But recall that they are always able to see your cards anyway.
Now the managing of planets can also be an issue. I went ahead and put a few “Trading Card Holders” in the binder that can be used to hold and arrange your planets. These sheets cost almost nothing so I have enough in the binder so that planets can be arranged in any fashion you like. I would probably do so by tech specialty. The same stickers used in the tech tree can also be used to denote an exhausted planet. This is also public knowledge.
You could also put in Action and political cards in there if you so choose.
What do you think? This is nothing that changes the game, it is just an organizer to save space and hopefully allow for better play.
One more thing on top of Bens generous offer. In the past I once too offered to host a Twilight Imperium 101 for those of us who have not played or just needed a refresher. I can also do so again.
Here's some additional information:
The tutorial website uses pure vanilla TI:3 with the old Imperial Strategy Card, which no one seems to like. Not a huge deal, but keep in mind that the new ISC works very differently. Most people also seem to enjoy seeing all Objectives displayed at the beginning, which I agree makes the game less schizo.
One interesting thing about the tutorial is that it was played 100% in Vassal, with commentary added on the web site.
Carlos, I like the idea of having less of a tablespace requirement, though players would need to be careful not to bend the cards when sliding them in and out of the holders.
TI:3 actually now has significantly less cards than Arkham Horror or Descent, which almost blow your mind when you're looking at them in full blossom on the table.
Count me in, July 28th.
Current Tally: Carlos, Chad, Chris, Jon, Ben.
Excellent!
I am available also if you want to make it a 6 player game, but don't feel obligated to make room. 5 will make for an exciting game as it is.
As I mentioned, we can probably play at my house. My only issue is that my dinning room table is not too good for TI3 with 6+ people. I may need to move my kitchen table to use that.
As I mentioned, there is an experienced TI3 player where I work would would probably like to play. Do we dare a 7 player game?
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