Ryan B.: The Popular Blog

So much more than a mere games report today!  But I will cover some thoughts on Days of Wonder’s new boardgame, Colosseum.  Additionally, I will share some thoughts about the old Gamefest columns where it all started for me and attempt to pull back the mask a bit to offer readers a bit of perspective about the writer standing before you today.  Finally, I went to a renaissance festival this weekend and I thought that was a very interesting experience—which I believe leads me to my opening for today. 

I believe it was Aristotle who once said, “Personal beauty is a greater recommendation than any letter of introduction.” So to wit, it was off to the renaissance festival this weekend where this simple statement was put to test, quite successfully.  What I like about people who do these renaissance festivals is their carefree attitude towards fun, even if it does go to another far removed age.  Chivalry, “wooing contests” and the like were the order of the day here and in this admittedly eccentric lot, there were many fascinating, endearing and interesting personalities to be met.  With a former professional wrestler who now serves as his lord’s mayor, a very large and portly “king” spreading good cheer, men in mud baths, and flirtatious “washing wenches” making hilarious overtures from the top of heaps of laundry, the ribald spirit of good fun and cheer… and perhaps a pint of good ale, was to be found everywhere.  And of course, there were the fair maidens and gypsies, of which I have enclosed a few pictures for your enjoyment.  This is also why I label this “The Popular Blog”.  (LOL)

Beauty itself doth itself persuade the eyes of men without an orator- Shakespeare

It is always interesting to talk to people and find out their joys, tribulations and personal interests, and I had many a good conversation learning about the history of this renaissance festival.  It made me think about history and wonder had I lived back in another age if I would be the chivalrous, noble knight, seeking the fair maidens attention and subtle gaze of approval?  Knowing me, however.... probably not.  My historical figure would probably be more attuned to that of Marshal Lannes, one of Napoleon’s most erstwhile and dedicated career officers, wheeling into the thick of battle, into what duty requires of the man without charge or complaint.  At least I admire him for those qualities, if nothing more.

So who would your obscure historical figure be?  And why?

Anyway, I will change topics.  I thought I would spend a moment talking about the old Gamefest website and a question that came up on BoardGameGeek.com about where all of the old Gamefest cartoon avatars came from.  I figured I would record some history for posterity:  There were only about eight to ten Gamefest Cartoon Avatars ever in existence. They were all created exclusively for the Gamefest website for the news blogs and are all designed by the same person (working for Gamefest)… except for one.

I believe these are the people who have/had them:

1. Rick Thornquist
2. Greg Schloesser
3. Patrick Korner
4. Tom Vasel
5. Jeremy Avery
6. Adam Hill (w/Gamefest)
7. Matt Horn
8. Myself

In addition there may have been one or two other people who had them because they wrote for Gamefest.  I cannot remember their names but they are fairly well-known in the industry and are well-respected. Mine is the only cartoon avatar created which did not come from the same original designer. As I was the replacement columnist for Jeremy Avery, I had to commission a good friend of the family and a very talented artist by the name of Amber LaHue to create mine to a replica of the others. I think she did a great job of mimicing the style of the other avatars and it was accepted. Rick Thornquist himself completed the final shading to finish it and viola, I had the last “cartoon avatar” ever created for the Gamefest columnist series.

I have to admit I always looked at those avatars and thought, “Is this what these people really look like?” Always a point of curiosity for me.  I also always wondered what everyone was like from beyond the avatar, so I thought I would attempt to answer the question: See for yourself...

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Now on to Colosseum:  Just when I thought that Days of Wonder was taking us further into the permanent fantasy realm of “BattleLore” and deeper into the heavier “Eurogame” type of game… along comes a surprise.  I had believed that no longer would we would be stepping back into the type of game that evokes the languid game playing ease of “Ticket to Ride”, so nothing makes me more delighted than to be possibly proven wrong, especially with Days of Wonder. 

Colosseum looks to be presented in a manner that I think males OR females will enjoy playing and the fact that it gives the inital appearance of not being too deep is something that I think a more broad-based “wine and cheese”, “beer and pretzels” audience can get behind.  Negotiation—I love it!  This means an increased likelihood for direct player-to-player interaction, which is a prerequisite for a very social evening.  Now if we can occasionally move Days of Wonder off the “historical” paths they have consistently chosen most recently and pick a theme that is light, is humorous and doesn’t take itself too seriously, we may be on to something.  And I don’t have anything against historically flavored games.  I just think a modern themed game would add diversity to Days of Wonder’s existing line-up.  Nevertheless, this game has a very, very interesting theme.... I am so happy it went beyond the tried-and-true but “limitedly themed” gladiator combat scenario. 

In Colosseum, I see some very limited similarities in minor structure points to the “Shakespeare: The Bard” boardgame.  I do see two different games, however.  The game concept in Colosseum, in terms of mechanics, seems to be tighter than “Shakesphere: The Bard” and since there is no “trivia” element to it, the focus can be better spent thinking about strategy during the game, which is a very nice upgrade.  The negotiation element in Colosseum seems to play out well but also appears, on the surface, to be somewhat constrained, which for a game like this is probably a better fit than a “free for all”.  All in all, I think this is a game that will have to be played to find out just how much fun it is.  My first impressions, however, are positive.

By the way, I liked “Shakesphere: The Bard” very much. 

I am hoping to LOVE Colosseum.

Colosseum: Gypsies not included....especially when they are not even from the same historical period!

Till next time, peace.

Ryan B.
“A fun game starts with fun people.”

© 2007 Ryan B.

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Comments:

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Hi Ryan Interested to read that there are similarities to my “Bard Game”. Assuming that is the game you are talking about? The Bard Game was designed as a family, mass market, accessible game, and it was decided to include trivia from the start. So ignoring that aspect, I am intrigued! Posted by Mike Siggins on Mar 8, 2007 at 08:42 PM | #

All, Here is the game we are referencing.  Check it out! http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/12372 Mike, I bought “Shakespeare: The Bard” for my sister.  When we all sat down to play, I thought it played very well, and I really liked the dynamics with producing the plays.  The “putting on speeches” to win acclaim was a nice touch, as it made things more interactive in the game.  What was especially nice was that you really didn’t have know all that much trivia about Shakespeare to play the game. And that is a credit to the design, certainly.  Great artwork for this game, BTW. Posted by Ryan Bretsch on Mar 10, 2007 at 08:50 AM | #

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