EDWIN WONG: My 2007 Spiel: PART 1 - The five days of Spiel.

While everybody was busy working on their Spiel/Essen articles, I was sleeping and adjusting to the time difference, having only arrived back in Kuala Lumpur last night.

Well, I’m wide awake now, so here is my 2007 Spiel Highlights.

Stay tuned over the next couple of days as I will be writing specifically on the growing Asian presence in Spiel, and featuring exhibitors and their latest releases.

For now, here’s my 2007 experience-in-a-nutshell…

PRESS CONFERENCE
For the first time since 2005 (when I first came to Spiel), there was a press release in English! Thanks to the organizers who have finally responded to my pleas over the last two years!

The press conference traditionally takes place at 11.00am sharp on the Wednesday before the fair, and always serves a great soup, tasty sandwiches and a variety of drinks!

Since last year, a video clip of the highlights of the previous year’s fair is played. Last year, my son actually had his 2 seconds of fame as he somehow ended up in the clip! No such luck this year though.

Also since last year, the organizers have stopped presenting the Deutscher Spiele Preis award to the winner during this press conference.

Other than the cursory speeches about the growth of exhibitors and visitors, the highlight of the conference is actually the endof it, as it signals the start of the press presentation, where the media get to see all the new releases in the next room!

PRESS PRESENTATION
By noon, everyone has already moved to the next room to see all the new releases!

As always, here is where you separate the men and the boys… The men have big booths, impressive displays (including audio visual in some cases), and of course, very attractive promoters! As Rackham’s AT-43 & Confrontation ladies stole the thunder last year; this year, it was Goldsieber’s Liebe & Intrige. Great eye candy!

And the boys? Unmanned table (due to lack of resources, due to the promoter being busy unpacking his/her goods at the halls), hastily opened game box, box of business cards. Quite impossible for any media to ask any questions!

After an hour, many of the media could be seen disappearing to the halls, hoping to grab some good deals from the used game sellers. Good luck. I have stopped looking for used games 2 years ago as I just like the smell of new games!

DAYS 1-2; THURSDAY & FRIDAY
Undisputably the best days to try games! The crowd is manageable, so you are quite likely to get a table, and more importantly, promoters to acutally teach you how to play! To get more mileage, just play 2-3 rounds of each game, or until you get a good feel of the game. There is really no need to play every game until its end.

Other than some Starfarers miniature figures leftover from last year, Kosmos were no longer giving away any free Settlers expansions as they traditionally have. This year, its a minimum EUR2 donation for an expansion map. Still worth it. Another map was available for free in Hall 9, though you have to wear their sticker badge in exchange. Definitely worth it!

The free Zooloretto expansion was going fast, as were tons of great freebies at the Panini Comics booth in Hall 9! I picked up Magneto miniature figures, card cases, etc, and my most favorite freebie - Spy vs Spy standees!

The first two days are also the best days if you want to join any workshops. My favorites were the crazy speed painting workshop by Pegasus Spiele (where we got to keep the lovely metal miniature figure we painted on) and “build your own terrain” by Zeiterdes.

DAY 3; SATURDAY
The craziest day of the fair! Fortunately, I was resting and feasting at the Catan World Championship booth in Hall 4, as it represents the first day in the World Finals. This year, the organizer saw the largest field ever - 58 participants from more than 30 countries! After the first round, where each participant plays four games, taking the whole of Saturday, only the top 16 players will qualify for the final rounds on Sunday.

I know many people who just don’t turn up on Saturday, prefering to explore Essen town instead. I don’t disagree with them as it is almost impossible to try any games on Saturdays.

DAY 4; SUNDAY
Before you know it, it’s the last day of the fair! Not as crowded, especially after 3pm, but busy nevertheless for me as I have to shuttle between the Catan final rounds and Carcassonne World Championship, which is played on Sunday. It turned out to be a great year for Malaysia, as our Catan representative finished the first day in 6th place, and became the first female to ever grace the grand finals (top 4 players)! Our Carcassonne representative improved by two positions, but did not make the finals.

The Catan final rounds also saw the unveiling of the brand new version of Mayfair’s Settlers of Catan set, which will hit he stores only in November! Very nice! And the four finalists get to keep a set before anyone else in the world! Yes! We have one in Malaysia now, as our representative ended 4th overall!

Once again, as the fair draws to a close, there are many freebies and bargains to be gotten, as exhibitors prefer to go home lighter! This is the time for free Halo miniatures, discounted games and even exhibition stuff like posters, etc for collectors!

Next > PART 2 - The games I played.

© 2007 Edwin Wong

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"and my most favorite freebie - Spy vs Spy standees” What is this?? Posted by Lee Fisher on Oct 26, 2007 at 01:20 PM | #

Hi Edwin, I hear you met my mate Phil Davies in Essen. Look forward to hearing more about your experiences! Posted by Melissa Rogerson on Oct 26, 2007 at 06:05 PM | #

Hi Lee, Spy v Spy standees are really flat cardboard prints of the 2 spys that you can assemble to stand-up on your tabletop! I love them and even have the excellent Pre-SC (Pre Settlers of Catan) Spy v Spy game! Hi Melissa, YES! I met Phil while eating sausages in curry sauce at the kiosk in Hall 11!!! Please say hello to him (I will of course be doing that once I sort out all the cards I collected at the fair!), and again at the Carcassonne tournament, and promised to help your next game do next year! Posted by Edwin Wong on Oct 27, 2007 at 09:20 AM | #

Wow spy vs. spy standees sound awesome.  I wish I could see a picture.  Nice writeup Edwin.  I look forward to the future parts. Posted by Lee Fisher on Oct 27, 2007 at 09:49 AM | #

Thanks much! I’m still trying to get some help on how to load images onto my article from a MAC… any help welcome! Posted by Edwin Wong on Oct 27, 2007 at 02:00 PM | #

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