Author Archives: huzonfirst

This is the last article in the three-part series on the designers responsible for the innovations found in so many of today’s games.  New mechanisms are great, but what about the ideas that are so influential that an entirely new … Continue reading →

Yesterday, we began our look at innovative mechanisms that have been introduced in gaming over the years and which designers first created them.  Today, we finish our look at these familiar concepts, beginning with the early 90’s and continuing up … Continue reading →

The great scientist Isaac Newton once said, in reference to his discoveries, “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants”.  This concept no doubt applies to all forms of creativity. Nothing is created in … Continue reading →

The voting for the Meeples Choice Awards has ended and the following three games were chosen by the Spielfrieks user group: AZUL HEAVEN & ALE GAIA PROJECT The first two games were designed (or co-designed) by Michael Kiesling, making him … Continue reading →

The Spielfrieks user group has finished their first week of voting for the Meeples Choice Awards.  27 games have received nominations.  During the coming week, the voters will select their favorites from that group and the top three vote getters … Continue reading →

Just wanted to spread the word that the Spielfrieks user group has started the two-week process of conducting the Meeples Choice Awards, in which we select our three favorite games of the previous calendar year.  Right now, we’re choosing our … Continue reading →

Suppose you wanted to determine what your best meal from all of last year was.  Would you base it on the entirety of the meal—the appetizer, salad, entrée, sides, drink, and dessert?  Or would you rank it according to the … Continue reading →

Designer:  Stefan Risthaus Publisher:  Spielworxx Players:  2-4 Ages:  12+ Duration:  75-120 minutes Times Played:  3 I have something of a love/hate relationship with the publisher Spielworxx.  On the plus side, they tend to release the reasonably heavy Eurogames that hit … Continue reading →

Designers:  Flaminia Brasini, Virginio Gigli, Simone Luciani Publisher:  Cranio Creations Players:  2-5 Ages:  12+ Time:  60-150 minutes Times played:  One partial game For me, the first expansion to last year’s Lorenzo il Magnifico represents the proverbial irresistible force meeting the … Continue reading →

The results of the Deutscher Spielepreis award were announced a couple of days ago.  This is the German game award which focuses more on heavier games than the SdJ does.  Terraforming Mars, designed by Jacob Fryxelius and published by FryxGames, emerged … Continue reading →