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Ryan B.: Putting the Wonder into Days of Wonder
Next week will be a scratch for writing. I have taken on some heavy but exciting work responsibilities leading an entire department for the new company I work for. So my dedication needs to be total until things are operating smoothly.
I will briefly take the time to change tracks and talk about Days of Wonder for 2006.
Last column, I had alluded to expanding the discussion about the Ticket to Ride: Marklin Edition board game, but I feel much less the need to do so given Eric Hautemont’s comments that Days of Wonder will be producing two additional games in 2006 besides TtR: Marklin.
I admit I was going to elicit concern if another Ticket to Ride edition was going to be counted towards Days of Wonder’s stated goal of producing roughly two new games per year, but that is not the case. Nevertheless, while I don’t begrudge Days of Wonder for getting everything out of a wonderful game engine that is Ticket to Ride, I think this concept, in its current incarnation, has just about reached the last train station.
Pun intended.
Just my opinion, but I think Days of Wonder needs to completely reinvigorate the franchise with a bold new vision for it or move their game development energies in a new direction. These minor tweaks in the design nuances of each new version of the game do not belay the fact that the game is still running off the same basic platform. Now I fully realize Ticket to Ride: Marklin will be a well-designed game. It is designed by Alan Moon after all. But to do less than a complete rethinking of the concept in subsequent editions of the Ticket to Ride genre is a disservice to the considerable talent and design efforts of Mr. Moon, who could probably still yet produce something absolutely magical for the platform that could also have the same impact as the original.
Still, mark my words, Days of Wonder is nothing if not an innovator. For the better part of a year fans of their games have had to sate themselves on the various expansions of their existing stock of boardgames. And through all this waiting for the next big game, the buzz around Days of Wonder has lost some of its hard edge.
My reasonably safe prediction for 2006 is that very soon, however, Days of Wonder will quickly recover their former luster and the buzz that goes along with it.
Days of Wonder is notoriously tight-lipped about upcoming releases, which can sometimes be a little frustrating. I often wonder myself why that is. But at least the most minor of hints came on the Days of Wonder website in late December, when Eric Hautemont alluded to this single hint on the DOW forums: “Crocodile Rock.” It definitely sounds intriguing.
I can tell you if it turns out to be a remake of Crocodile Pool Party, I know of one person who will be extremely disappointed. But I’m sure it is not, so rest easy, our good friend, Mr. Vasel. : )
Anyway, here’s to hoping the Days of Wonder information campaign in 2006 cranks into gear sooner rather than later.
Till next time… Peace.
Ryan B.
“A fun game starts with fun people”
Posted by Ryan B. on Jan 4, 2006 at 03:00 AM in Columnists, Ryan B. / 1145
Comments:
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Days of Wonder or not, it would take a miracle to rescue Crocodile Pool Party! Posted by Tom Vasel on Jan 4, 2006 at 06:58 AM | #
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So Days of Wonder releases one new game (Shadows) and several expansions (TtR:Europe, Memoir) in a year and therefore they lose their luster? I for one love the fact that Eric and Mark avoid adhering to a rushed production schedule of x games per year and try to ensure that what they ship is high quality and lasting. I’d rather see 1-2 games a year that are long-term keepers than 5 ho-hum games. Posted by Chris Brooks on Jan 4, 2006 at 02:13 PM | #
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I am in agreement with you Chris about how they produce their games. It’s a very good strategy. And no one is saying their luster is forever gone. In fact, as I mentioned, once they do release, they will soon be the name on everyone’s lips once again. I’m almost sure of it. And we both know the likelihood of Days of Wonder releasing a “ho-hum” game is somewhere between slim and none. These gentlemen have their act together. But I think it is also fair to say that things have been reasonably quiet on the Days of Wonder front as of late and you know how the old saying goes… “out of sight, out of mind.” Just ask Cher. Anyway… and it is just my lone opinion, after all… I like the idea of maintaining some consistent level of buzz throughout the year. When you release both your new games in 2005 about two or three months apart, the “buzz factor” does tend to be concentrated within a shorter time frame. Posted by Ryan Bretsch on Jan 4, 2006 at 02:27 PM | #
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Crocodile rock is not a good title, I think, but I’ve played the game and it’s great. I can’t say more… As for Ticket to Ride, I have exactly the opposite point. What I dream of is a box with three or four new maps and the corresponding ticket cards for the original TtR game. No new rules, just something if you want to play the same game with a somewhat different feel and with tickets and strategies that everybody doesn’t know by know by heart. Posted by bruno faidutti on Jan 11, 2006 at 05:59 AM | #
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Bruno, Crocodile rock ain’t a title - well, at least not of a game, just of a song. ;-) I was just giving a long overdue nod to an obscure comment I made a while back referring to our next new game being tied to an old British band. Turns out it was a singer, Sir Elton John. Eric @ DoW Posted by Eric Hautemont on Jan 11, 2006 at 01:13 PM | #
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