Andrea “Liga” Ligabue: Happy Birthday Boardgame News!

Two years ago I was embarked in a nice project called Boardgame News. Rick Thornquist decided to try to invent a website about boardgames, thanks to his great experience with Gamewire. I was recruited, through a strange successions of events, into the staff to give an insider view of the Italian game community and more or less that’s what I have done in these two years. We were not sure about the possibility of this website but thanks to Rick’s great energy, the ability of the people included in the staff (apart from me, all the others were great and respected gamers), and great support from publishers and gamers, BGN became what is it now.

Some thought that there was no need for another BG website since almost everything could be found on BGG: That is partially true. I use BGG daily and it is great for getting info about games, but what make also BGN special is the focus on the news (releases and previews) and the presence of an editor and an editorial staff: people that you can start to know, to trust, who are responsible for BGN’s content. Also one of the greatest BGN feature was the omni-comprehensive Essen preview! So, when one year ago Rick decided to let his creature alone and start a new project, we were all worried about the future of BGN: What is a realm without a king? A ship without a captain? A kitchen without a cook? A coffee without caffeine? Games without a gamer? ... we needed a new editor who was competent and enthusiastic like Rick and also with the energy and ideas to put BGN ahead. We were lucky since W. Eric Martin is that kind of person and also he was able to arrange a fantastic Essen preview! So after one year under Rick’s guide, the second year, Eric’s kingdom, was also great for us and for readers!

So, singing “happy new year” to BGN we move into the third year. What is the editor preparing for us? Where will BGN go this year? Will there be still enough games to preview/review ? Will the English version of Agricola be printed soon enough to save the lives of game addicts?

For me also this two years was great: I was able to interview more than 30 Italian designers—at the beginning I wasn’t sure there were more than 30 Italian designers!—and preview almost everything nice that was released in Italy (everything not so nice was released as well, but that’s part of the job!) and I hope to continue in this adventure!

Happy birthday BGN. Good luck King Eric! ... and good play to all!
Liga

© 2007 Andrea Liga Ligabue

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