Valerie Putman: Prose on Cons—Gathering of Friends 2008, Part I

The fun has just begun here in Columbus, Ohio at the Gathering of Friends but I have a few new games to tell you about…

Code Omega Like Ubongo, players race to complete puzzles in simultaneous play.  Instead of working odd-shaped pieces into an odd-shaped box, players are lining up strips and match up a stripe of codes.  The linear pieces are easier to methodically try in every orientation permutation and so play might be a bit more algorithmic than Ubongo.  Scoring is still unnecessarily convoluted. 

Ubongo Das Duell This two-player Ubongo game is more similar to the original, but with 21 different shapes to be arranged in the playing area.  Both players are working on the same puzzle with the same shapes at the same time, which I like very much.  When one player solves it, the other player can stop and still see what the solution should have been.  Also, the winner simply wins a point and the first player to five points wins.

Since I really like speed puzzle games, Code Omega and Ubongo Das Duell were both instant hits for me.

Einfach Genial (new version…it’s not even in the Geek yet) This might be fun with Dale’s kids, but adults should steer clear of this snoozefest.  The game has very little in common with the original.

Stone Age Since this is really the only full length non-abstract game that I’ve played so far, it was a nice change of pace.  But if it was pitted against a game night full cousins like Die Saulen der Erde and Leonardo DaVinci it might not get a second glance.  I’ll really have to see how much the game deepens with repeated play.

Prototypes Lots of them, but only one that I’m going to mention specifically….

Game X After the comments in last week’s column, I think I’ve adopted Game X as the working title for the prototype that I am developing for Rio Grande Games.  After 9 months of careful playtesting in small groups and countless emails to and from the game’s designer, the Gathering of Friends has been my first chance to really gage the interest that the game might foster.  While any mother tends to hear the compliments of her baby far louder than the criticisms, I still feel comfortable saying that it has been received quite well so far.  In fact, I’m on cloud nine. 

Back to the gaming,
Valerie Putman

© 2008 Valerie Putman

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Comments:

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If I run into you again, possibly at Origins, I would love for you to test out something I have that might be up your alley. I didn’t have it even in concept form when I met you at Dale’s, but if you like speed puzzle games, it might be something you would like. As of now I intend to be in the CABS room on most of Saturday and all of Sunday. I hope to be showing a few prototypes there if they are ready, but I know I will have at least that one. Glad you are having fun and I am so envious of everyone there. Posted by William Baldwin on Apr 6, 2008 at 10:28 AM | #

I’ll be there on Wednesday and even I’m jealous! One of these years I’ll figure out how to go for the full ten days.  I figure it’ll be right after I invent cold fusion, a cure for ebola and a way to ensure your socks never get separated in the wash again… I’m also a puzzle freak so it sounds like I guessed right when ordering Code Omega and Das Duell.  Hooray! pk Posted by Patrick Korner on Apr 6, 2008 at 11:21 PM | #

Some of us can’t sneak in for 30 seconds :-( Posted by Peter Stein on Apr 7, 2008 at 08:03 AM | #

I brought Friedemann Friese by CABS Friday night when we were out for dinner!  That has to count for something, Pete! Posted by Valerie Putman on Apr 7, 2008 at 09:16 AM | #

I’m guessing that Game X is Ra - The Dice Game.  I don’t expect confirmation one way or the other anytime soon, but do I at least get gloating rights if it turns out I’m correct? Posted by Eric Clark on Apr 7, 2008 at 01:25 PM | #

Hmmm...upon further reflection, I suppose answering “yes” would be indirect confirmation of a sort.  Sorry.  Pay me no mind. Posted by Eric Clark on Apr 7, 2008 at 01:26 PM | #

I saw an interesting pair of prototypes from a guy in California at the CABS room at ORIGINS last year that Rio took. The one is a sure hit, probably for younger audiences, IMO. The other I couldn’t say from the couple of plays I got in on it… It was definitely a different mousetrap. Thought they both could work with tweaks and I will watch out for new game announcements to see if they come out. Posted by William Baldwin on Apr 7, 2008 at 08:39 PM | #

Friedemann Friese- Is his hair always like that? :-) Posted by Peter Stein on Apr 8, 2008 at 07:26 AM | #

I love Game X! :-) I take the market - I take the market - I take the cellar - I change 4 cards - I take the Witch - I buy a province. :-) Posted by Christian Hildenbrand on Apr 11, 2008 at 05:45 PM | #

Eric - Game X is not Ra- the Dice Game.  Peter - yes, it is always green. Christian - make sure you give your copy of the game to Peter later this week! Posted by Dale Yu on Apr 14, 2008 at 01:52 PM | #

Of course I will. ;-) Just landed in Frankfurt! Posted by Christian Hildenbrand on Apr 14, 2008 at 11:24 PM | #

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