Saturday. Last day on the fair

Posted on October 10, 2015 by Dale Yu

Just entered the fair for the last time this year.  Spent a lot of time packing last night.  Right now, I’m pretty much at capacity. So, of course, I have a list of four or five games still to get.  And then once I get them, I’ll have to figure out how to make both the weight and volume fit.

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Father in the Messe 2015: Day 2

Posted on October 9, 2015 by Andrea "Liga" Ligabue

We met the Spiele des Jahres itself! It was so thrilling! Anything else is nothing compared to that! We just played good game, met friends, bought something, attended the International Gamers Awards ceremony but everything fade in front of a picture of the Spiele des Jahres itself.

spiele_des_jahres

(Caterina suggest me to write that I’m the one on the left since she says there is not too much difference from me and the SDJ).

Anyway I’ll keep writing about Caterina and me day two in the Messe … have a nice read …

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Essen Day Two: Thoughts from a First Time Attendee

Posted on October 9, 2015 by Chris Wray

Note: This is my first time attending Essen, so in my entries this week I’m discussing the convention from the perspective of a first time attendee.  I’m also providing snap reviews of games: below I talk about 504, 7 Wonders Duel, and Mombasa.  These are just first impressions: I’m sure the OG will follow-up with full reviews in the coming weeks.  

Today was all about playing new games and gauging the hotness.  I played about a dozen different games today, and three really stood out: 7 Wonders Duel, Mombasa, and 504.  All are doing phenomenally well at the convention: on the BGG hotness list, 7 Wonders Duel is #1, 504 is #2, and Mombasa is #26.  On the Fair Play list, Mombasa is tied for #2, 7 Wonders Duel is tied for # 7, and 504 is not currently ranked (although it was earlier in the day, so I suspect it is just outside of the Top 12).  

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Essen 2015: Select Promos & Mini-Expansions from Days 1 & 2

Posted on October 9, 2015 by Chris Wray

I’m by no means a completionist, but when something cool comes out for a game I love, I try to pick it up.  And I’ve had fun hunting for promos at Essen.  Below are the promos and mini-expansions I picked up from my first two days.

Of course, the big news for completionists at this year’s Essen is the Advent Calendar.  I saw the breakdown of it by Opinionated Gamer John P. and there are some cool promos in there.  But breakdown is necessary for those traveling back to the US: it comes in an enormous box.  I’m going to try to order one from Spiele Offensive.

Game: Ticket to Ride Europe

What: Orient Express Mini-Expansion.  It adds a few routes to the game.

How: Free with purchase of either Ticket to Ride United Kingdom or Zug um Zug 1902 from Days of Wonder.  I did ask, and DoW said they would be available for purchase on their website.  

Orient Express

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Friday report

Posted on October 9, 2015 by Dale Yu

Pretty tired today.  All the travel is catching up to me.  Or maybe it was too much Jaeger schnitzel.

Anyways, back to the halls for another day. Got in early and tested a few games. 
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Father in the Messe 2015: Day 1

Posted on October 9, 2015 by Andrea "Liga" Ligabue

Here we are! Essen Messe day 1. Thousands gamers gathering in the north of Germany, despite the bad weather and the terrible food. Thousands of gamers crushing their pigs full of money to buy almost everything publishers and designers are promoting in stand every year more appealing. Does the nice looking girls and the expert gamers, with long beards, demonstrators succeed in getting a sold out before Saturday of a small print-run game no one will remember in two years from now ? Who will be the stars of the 2015 edition ? Will be BGG Buzz or Fairplay a good thermometer of what’s going on ? The man selling the spiral potatos will be able to survive the horde of hungry people at his small barrack ? We will be able to resist to the compulsive desire to buy everything is looking more than average in the fear of not getting home the hottest games ? (Probably no!)

Keep reading Father in the Messe report if you want to know something more but remember, the only real answer is always 42!

Everything started in the press office where me and Caterina were suggesting to the girl working there a nice Italian restaurant with very good “gnocchi al tartufo” sadly discovering, later in the evening, it doesn’t exist anymore …

It was 9:45 when we met Dale in the hall 3. It was a very nice beginning. I’m always surprised how it is possible to meet each other ever year without any appointment.

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