Author Archives: jeffinberlin

By Jeffrey D. Allers Germany’s prestigious game of the year award, the Spiel des Jahres, is weeks away from announcing its annual winner, and yet it is another game that has captured the attention of the country and most of … Continue reading →

Jeffrey D. Allers Summer is approaching, which means that Berlin, like most other European metropolises, will be swarming with tourists again.  Unlike many cities, however, Berlin’s wide sidewalks and vast public spaces absorb visitors quite well, so that the boost … Continue reading →

By Jeffrey D. Allers and friends Berlin had mild weather this year, and although my sons were disappointed in the lack of snow, it allowed us to keep our bicycles out from Autumn through Spring.  Not that bad weather would … Continue reading →

By Jeffrey D. Allers When you enter a foreign culture for the first time, it is inevitable that you will find yourself inadvertently breaking the rules, no matter how much you may have prepared beforehand.  Even simple, everyday tasks need … Continue reading →

By Jeffrey D. Allers During the summer of ’94, Berlin was still a frontier for me, and each day was an expedition into new territory. I stayed in a youth hostel, contacted architectural offices on street-side pay phones, and criss-crossed … Continue reading →

By Jeffrey D. Allers There’s something funny about watching oversized toys lay waste to Chicago as they battle it out on the big screen, while the actors who probably grew up playing with them are reduced to the supporting cast.  … Continue reading →

By Jeffrey D. Allers After a three-year absence, my family and I are vacationing in America, the land of my childhood and youth, and  I find myself returning to a country that, for most of my adult life, has primarily … Continue reading →

By Jeffrey D. Allers The most successful artistic expressions are those that start with something familiar, then take it in a new, unexpected direction.  John Coltrane did this with the tune, My Favorite Things, from the popular Rogers and Hammerstein … Continue reading →

Mainstream journalists can have a difficult time covering modern boardgames and the gaming culture. In fact, their experiences are usually so limited that they are probably tempted to relegate their pieces to the “foreign news” section. But the curious existence … Continue reading →