Ahh, yess.

What does the Gwami (that’s gaming swami) foresee in this year’s batch of Nuremberg niceties?

After scrying within a pentagram constructed of a Magic 8 Ball, Ouija board, Mystic Skull, Think-a-Tron, and Ka-Bala, here are the certain must buys so far:

Alchemist
Venedig
Thurn und Taxis expansion
Wikinger
Invasions (or whatever it’s being called this week)
and a resounding “fwaash� for the rerelease of Jenseits von Theben

The Gwami has spoken.

(Disclaimer: The Gwami takes no responsibility in the adverse effects to your wallet due to the misalignment of fate from a random Comet card event.)

The Gwami needs to stay far away from me if he doesn’t even have Notre Dame on his list!

By the way, it looks like Invasions’ name this week is ALSO Wikinger!  Sadly, I don’t think they’ll be a “two for the price of one” Wikinger sale!

I believe I played Alchemist at GAMA last year in prototype form.  If this is the same game, and it appears to be, then it is on my list.

Here’s hoping that Ladybohn gets picked up also, although I don’t think the previous expansions for Bohnanza did very well.  It sounds like Ladybohn will be easier to integrate than the other two.

The Gwami says . . .

Sorry Larry.  Ka-Bala’s eye is closed on Notre Dame.  Not that it doesn’t appear to be of high merit, and a good game, but nothing unique or much beyond El Grande.

The Mystic Skull is hovering over Merchants and Marauders, whatever that means.

Think-a-Tron gives Guatamala Cafe an “A”.

The vibes from Origo have Ouija spelling “K, R, A, . . .

Seems as though “Vikings” are the theme of choice this year, especially if you include Essen of last year.  Venice is making a comeback too…
(I didn’t really think I’d have too much competition designing a game set in Iowa)

Gwami update:
Still leading the pack are
Guatamala Cafe
Origo (from Parker/Hasbro!?  Egads!)
Venedig

Zeitalter der Entdecker from Phalanx has caught Ka-Bala’s eye. However, the blah-ness of HiG’s Wikinger, and apparent rehash of Medici in Alchemist elicits a spurned visage.

Magic 8 Ball comes up “Too soon to tell” on Merchants and Marauders.

Mystic Skull has met the Asmodee Wikinger/Invasions dilemma by settling upon the title Fire and Axe as the Ragnar Brothers updated rerelease.  M8B says, “Definitely yes”.

Interestingly, O Gwami, when I asked MY crystal ball about Venedig, it burst into song.  Here is the text, warbled in a catchy 2/4 time:

“With caution do proceed
When the author’s name is Wrede
And therefore I will give you this advice:
‘Tis wise, for those who scrye,
To try before you buy,
But in this case, perhaps you should try twice!”

Is Die diebische Elster from Goldsieber a direct reprint of the old Spears game of the same name?

Ray, I’ve played neither game, but a look at the game components makes me think the games merely share the same name, something that seems likely given that magpies are always thieving and never relaxing or hyperventilating.

There’s a somewhat small image of the Anja Wrede game on Superfred.de: http://www.superfred.de/n07bericht.html

This looks nothing like the Spears game shown on the Geek: http://www.boardgamegeek.com/image/137975

Hope this helps! Investigatorily yours,
Eric