I had seen the artwork a while ago, I think at Essen, but no info on what the game was about. Seems like it could be a great game with lots going on. Looking forward!

Yup, this sounds like it could be another hit from Ystari.  Let’s see if they can keep their amazing streak going.  There is one difference with this design:  for the first time, Ystari will not be featuring a first-time designer (since Demaegd, who owns the company, also created Ys).  Let’s hope they don’t finally run afoul of the sophomore jinx!

Hey, if I were queen and had to live in the dank hole depicted on the box, I’d be depressed too! :-) Not to mention that it must be a pretty poor kingdom not to be able to afford some really queenly atire.  She looks like she’s dressed as a peasant!  I hope they’ll consider improving the box art before release.

I have to agree with Larry on this one - Ystari has had a very good run. Ys is quite good, Caylus is excellent, Mykerinos is very good (and seems to be the forgotten gem in the Ystari line), Yspahan is deservedly in the running for the SdJ and Caylus Magna Carta can’t arrive soon enough for me. I really hope that Ystari can keep their quality level up - the previews certainly make me think that this will be the case with Amyitis. I recently decided that I was impressed with Ystari’s track record to just simply add their new titles to my want list at the “must buy” level. I only have one other company that I have this level of trust (alea), so this is a great level of trust…

In thinking about the degree of trust, I hit upon a common factor: both companies limit their releases to a couple each year. The circumstances are not identical - alea is a special imprint of Ravensburger, which gives it an edge (the titles that are not perceived as being up to the alea standard can be handled by Ravensburger). Ystari, on the other hand, is a new company and has recently been been doing French-language editions of older (classic) designs. I am not surprised that two of these reprints are of classic alea titles.

Actually, Diane, I’d say she’s dressed more like a vamp than a peasant.  Evidently, the King likes his wives to be hotties!

David, we think alike.  Ystari may not be quite up there with Alea yet, but it’s getting damn close.  If Caylus Magna Carta holds its early position and becomes, say, a Top 20 game, you really might have to start considering them in the same breath.  A really impressive start for a new, small publisher.

And don’t assume that Mykerinos is totally forgotten.  Looking at the early returns on the Meeples Choice Awards nominations, Mykerinos is getting plenty of love.  It may have been overshadowed by its flashier cousins Caylus and Yspahan, but people still recognize that Mykerinos is a quality game.

Why is Ystari unable to draw a readable scoring track on any of their games? Every single one uses harsh graphics and dark thin fonts.

Jim, keep in mind that the gameboard is still being designed, so this might not be the final look.

Certainly. I was giving them ample time to consider a graphical change. But from past games it appears they like this style.

Hey Larry, you might be right about that “vamp” thing.  Now that I look closer, it kinda looks like she might even be wearing the bedsheets.  Hahaha!

Eric, I forgot to mention that I got a good laugh out of your wonderful card descriptions!  I especially enjoyed “holder of invisible wares”, though I also think that “cube picker” should be a mandatory inclusion for any Euro game. ;-)

Eric, I loved the card descriptions as well.  Thank you for making them fun!

Nice descriptions ;)

But by the way, the “invisible wares” are just coins (just take a closer look at the picture)…

Regards,
Cyril

That would be a good way to design a new game: just send four images to Eric, and by his description you can start creating a new game of cube-pickers and weird holders.  :-D