Thomas Carlyle said, “When the oak is felled the whole forest echoes with its fall, but a hundred acorns are sown in silence by an unnoticed breeze.” The death of something great is a visceral experience. Loss does not go unnoticed, but birth and new beginnings are sometimes ignored. In this game, players will grow a forest from a single seed and discover that the life of a tree is full of close calls and pitfalls. Continue reading
Every once in a while, the Reviewer community likes to kick up the dust by having a lively debate on the pros and cons of negative reviews. The argument normally consists of two parts. The first is if a reviewer can be taken seriously if they only provide positive reviews. The second questions if a Reviewer should publish a negative review at all. To bastardize the Bard, “To be negative or not to be negative is the question.” Continue reading
Learning magic by reading dusty books and listening to long lectures can only take a young wizard and witch so far. There comes a time when the knowledge learned must be put to the test in the field. Each player is well-trained in the mystical arts and is now required to demonstrate its practical applications. The task at hand is simple: capture magical beasts using nothing more than your magic and your wits. Continue reading
Greek philosopher and mathematician, Plato, said “A good decision is based on knowledge and not on numbers.” An agreeable point of view that is not always possible to achieve. Sometimes we have to make choices based on instinct and assumptions, hoping that luck, not knowledge, is on our side. Continue reading
I grew up thinking that Trolls were big, semi-intelligent, and could only be killed using fire. Yes, I was raised on D&D. My Norwegian relatives tell me that Trolls are, in fact, not necessarily evil, but are certainly not very helpful. Everyone seems to have their own point-of-view on Trolls, but one common thread binds them all. No matter where you are from, everyone agrees that Trolls are dangerous. In this game, you will face these monsters, but not directly. Continue reading
John Wayne said (and I absolutely love this quote) “Life is tough. but it’s tougher if your stupid.” Life has a way of being tough and rough with even the smartest of individuals, not just the dumb ones. We take our hits and sometimes we can easily jump up and other times we need a helping hand. In this game, you need to like it rough if you want to enjoy yourself. Continue reading
To be the leader of the pack, you must know when to lead and when to follow. Not an easy tasks when everyone wants to be the “top dog”. Continue reading
It’s Carnival time in Venice. The sights and sounds of jubilation hide the many secret dealings among its fanfare and color. Wearing masks and cloaks to blend in with the party goers, suspicious characters move about making plans to sabotage and usurp. But the chaotic nature of the celebration makes it difficult to gleam the truth. If you are to be successful, you must learn what you can without giving yourself away in the process. Continue reading
Financial journalist and author B.C. Forbes said “Work is the meat of life, pleasure the dessert.” Dessert is often seen as the “reward” for finishing a meal and used as leverage by parents around the globe to motivate their children to eat their dinner. In this game, you will be tasked to serve desserts to a collection of finicky guests. The trick to satisfying each guest’s sweet tooth is in the cards. Continue reading
The story of the heroic outlaw, Robin Hood, tells of one man’s attempt to bring down tyranny and rescue those who are victims of it. While Robin Hood’s exploits and those of his band of followers are well-known, there is another tale that is seldom told. The merchants that seemingly went about their business everyday at the market were also waging their own war against the unjust laws set by the Sheriff. Now you can join the struggle and make some money in the process. Continue reading
Amber can be used in jewelry, perfumes, and medicines. No wonder merchants are willing to risk the open road and dark forests to bring their amber to the market. But the roads have become more dangerous as of late. Monsters and supernatural creatures can be found stalking travelers. Sighing, you start walking. No one ever said a merchant’s life was easy. Continue reading
Nerd Block is a monthly subscription service that sends a block (it’s a box – marketing is being clever) full of goodies that are reportedly hand-picked by experts. Each monthly block is themed. Nerd Block Jr. is a special offering just for the Child Geeks. Continue reading
