Collecting and buying board games is a bit like getting your first tattoo. You don’t know what you are doing, odds are you’ll invest in something silly, and you’ll feel obligated to show it off. After a bit, you’ll get a hankering to get another one (be it a board game, tattoo or even both) and the next thing you know, you’ve spent a small fortune on that which you love. Continue reading
As the Elven Kingdom slept, shadows moved in the dark. Goblins had found a way into the kingdom’s walls and were quietly making their way through the empty streets to the treasury. The elite goblins made quick work of the surprised guards and made off with the Elven King’s treasure! The next morning, the alarm was raised and you were summoned before the King. He charges you to get back that which was stolen. Success will only be possible if each hero works together! Continue reading
Gamification is the use of game thinking and game mechanics in a non-game context in order to engage users and solve problems. For this game, solving problems is focused on group cooperative team play to tackle some of life’s most difficult and personal issues. Physical, social, and psychological problems will be presented to the players to address as a group. No one player can do it all alone, however, and only by working together can all the problems be successfully solved. Continue reading
A simple deck of cards has been used as the cornerstone of countless games and for some of the earliest. The first playing cards appeared in the ninth century during the Tang dynasty in China and have been part of just about every culture in the world since. Many of our first game experiences involve a standard deck of playing cards, but the thrill of 52 cards is long since gone for most gaming enthusiast. Can we find love for our decks of plain old cards again? What a conundrum! Continue reading
Myths and legends always have a seed of truth in them. Our stories of dragons and knights, princesses and floating castles, might seem mystical and make-believe but there is a land where they exist. In the Worlds of Wonder, magic is common place and reality is not like our own. And yet, this world set apart, is dependent on us. For it’s from Earth dreams are born and fly to populate and empower the rulers of the mystical lands. They now ask for your help to build their kingdom! Continue reading
It is the age of the dinosaur. Both small and large varieties walk the earth, swim the oceans, and fly the skies. They are the rulers of the world and their domain is fraught with the constant struggle for survival. Meat-eaters hunt the plant-eaters and the plant-eaters hunt for the perfect salad. This is a game of survival and only a player with a logical mind can save the hunted from the hunters! Continue reading
For many rational individuals, the idea of being dropped into the middle of a jungle with limited supplies sounds like an idiotic idea. Then again, most individuals don’t know about the treasures to be found. Hidden in the jungle are relics from an ancient and long-lost civilization. Rumors abound of the wealth that is available under the dense green canopy and many seek it. Few return. The jungle awaits the brave and the foolish, luring them with promises of riches. Continue reading
After several days of bombardment from nearby U.S. naval battleships, the 2nd Division of the United States Marine Corps made their way to the small island of Tarawa. The objective was simple: take the island, but Tarawa was heavily fortified by the Japanese forces that occupied it with 500 pillboxes and many machine gun nests. The Top Brass knew the assault was risky and dangerous. They were right. During the 76 hours of combat, nearly 6,000 Japanese and Americans died. Continue reading
The great sailing ship cuts through the water like a wooden behemoth. Below deck, cannons are being cleaned and prepped as the officers above deck look to the horizon for signs of their adversary. At first, nothing but the blue upon endless blue of the ocean. Then…yes! There! Look to starboard! A black spot! For a moment, all is still as if the ship is holding its breath. “Prepare to engage the enemy, Mr. Smith”, the captain calmly states. Moments later, the ship bristles with guns ready for war. Continue reading
Thought to be extinct and nothing more than Cybertronian legend, the Decepticons have found fossil remains of dragons! Using their technology, they have secured enough fragments to clone the mythical beasts and enlist them into the Decepticon ranks. Now Optimus Prime and his brave Autobots must not only fight the Decepticons, but a living nightmare, as well! The Autobots will never sleep again once Predaking arrives! Continue reading
The story of how we came to this land is known by every child and retold by the elders again and again. We do this so we do not forget the challenges and sacrifices so many made. For some, they followed a dream. For others, it was pure ambition. Regardless of how or why the explorers came to the new land – what we now call home – every generation that comes after is part of their story, as they are a part of ours. Continue reading
Legends speak of a lost temple filled with unimaginable wealth. Treasure hunters have come from around the world to search the surrounding jungle in hopes of finding the lost temple, and in doing so, earning fame and fortune. But many have tried and few have returned. Nevertheless, the draw of riches and prestige keeps adventurers arriving at the small village in large numbers. The local villagers are only too happy to assist…for a price. Continue reading
