Family Night

  The New Year is upon us and we have resolutions to make.  Be it more time with the family, save money, or reduce stress, we have thousands of ideas for you, all packaged neatly and ready for play. Games featured in today’s show include Rowboat (http://www.moosetachegames.com/), Tsuro (http://www.tsuro.com/), and What’s Yours Like? (http://www.patchproducts.com/product/7415)  

  Board games have evolved and are much different now than the board games we grew up with.  You will  be surprised at how much fun the entire family will have; kids and adults.  Today we share a little bit of that evolution and how games have become even better. I also made mention of a recent presentation by Liz Danforth and Don Dehm for the Arizona Library Association (http://azla.org/) called Beyond Rock Band and Monopoly (http://blog.libraryjournal.com/gamesgamersgaming/2010/11/21/starter-kits-for-games/).  We also share a great related video by Scott Nicholson of Board Games with Scott entitled Breaking Up the Monopoly (http://www.boardgameswithscott.com/?p=403).  Even the title is clever. Today’s games include Wacky Wacky West (http://mayfairgames.com/game.php?id=87&stock=MFG4104&name=Wacky+Wacky+West) and Zenith (http://www.mindware.com/p/Zenith/44003).  Enjoy the show!  

We talk about instilling gamer values into our children, what that means, and why that is important.  Games featured in today’s show include Yatzee Free for All (http://www.hasbro.com/games/en_US/shop/details.cfm?guid=941487A7-6D40-1014-8BF0-9EFBF894F9D4&product_id=22514&src=endeca) and Lemming Mafia (http://mayfairgames.com/game.php?id=342&stock=MFG4121&name=Lemming+Mafia).

Having a good time means choosing the right game for the right occasion.  This means both the place and the people.  Our featured games for today's show include Back to the Future (http://wunderland.com/LooneyLabs/BTTF/Default.html) and Lords of Vegas (http://mayfairgames.com/game.php?id=341&stock=MFG4120&name=Lords+of+Vegas).  New appearances include Pulp Gamer Media Specialist Scott Forster (http://www.pulpgamer.com/about/) and Game Daze (http://gamedaze.com/) Manager, Gerri Creason.

Make your move already.  Today's topic is about keeping the game moving and making those tough decisions in a timely manner.  The games we spotlight in today's show include Hecho (http://client205.twwebdev.com/schedule/08161019GLW_Hecho.pdf), Alibi (http://mayfairgames.com/game.php?id=10&stock=MFG0463&name=Alibi), and Tigris & Euphrates (http://mayfairgames.com/game.php?id=99&stock=MFG4116&name=Tigris+%26+Euphrates).

  Learning to win is usually the point, but learning to lose is equally important. Besides the practical learning process, we also touch on behavior. Games in today's show include Catan Histories: Settlers of America (http://mayfairgames.com/game.php?id=212&stock=MFG3203&name=Catan+Histories:+Settlers+of+America+Trails+to+Rails), Bezzerwizzer (http://www.bezzerwizzer.com/), 10 Days in the Americas (http://www.otb-games.com/americas/index.html), and Catan: Cities and Knights (http://mayfairgames.com/game.php?id=59&stock=MFG3065&name=Catan:+Cities+%26+Knights+Game+Expansion).    

There is an academic gap over the summer.  Don't let your kids loose their intellectual momentum.  Keep their minds sharp with some choice board games. Our featured games for today's show include Sounds Like a Plan (http://www.gamewright.com/gamewright/index.php?section=games&page=game&show=253), Oceania (http://mayfairgames.com/game.php?id=90&stock=MFG4107&name=Oceania), Catan: Seafarers (http://mayfairgames.com/game.php?id=57&stock=MFG3063&name=Catan:+Seafarers+Game+Expansion), and Ren Faire (http://www.atlas-games.com/product_tables/AG1320.php).

  Today we talk about gaming in the public library system.  Here to make it a special is Liz Danforth.  Liz brings a lot of experience to the table from her background in both the gaming industry and from working with the library system.  Be sure to read her blog at libraryjournal.com (http://www.libraryjournal.com/blog/1130000713.html).  References were also given in today's show to the pima county public library (http://www.library.pima.gov/) system.   Games featured in today's show include Street Car (http://mayfairgames.com/game.php?id=31&stock=MFG0479&name=Street+Car), Forbidden Island (http://gamewright.com/gamewright/index.php?section=games&page=game&show=245), and Ruin (http://www.buffalogames.com/products/party_games/?tx_ttproducts_pi1[product]=152&cHash=1369586946).  

We welcome a new co-host to the show: school teacher, Brenda Lundt.  Today's topic is cheating.  At some point, the kids will learn this valuable skill. Games featured in today's show include Nuns on the Run (http://www.mayfairgames.com/shop/product/3300-4499/pages/4117.htm), Ablaze (http://www.mayfairgames.com/shop/product/3300-4499/pages/4403.htm), and Disorder (http://rnrgames.com/Product.aspx?id=43e21ac7-de53-4822-adc3-e7e13eea67b0).

Reading People is a key skill in many board games and card games games. Today, we talk about Glenn's Gallery (http://www.mayfairgames.com/shop/product/3300-4499/pages/4108.htm), Domaine (http://www.mayfairgames.com/shop/product/3300-4499/pages/4102.htm), and Aquarius (http://wunderland.com/LooneyLabs/Aquarius/Default.html).

In a lot of great games, you have to know how hard to press your luck. Today's Games include Elixir (http://www.mayfairgames.com/shop/product/0480-0499/pages/0493.htm), Mag Blast (http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/edge_minisite.asp?eidm=44), and Can't Stop.

Stealth Education is the practice of presenting opportunities for learning and growth in a venue of entertainment in a way that makes the participants unaware or distracted from the educational intents. That is just a fancy way of saying, kids don't know their learning. They're just playing games. (http://images.pulpgamer.com/webart/sorrysliders.gif) We first take a look at Sorry Sliders (http://www.hasbro.com/shop/details.cfm?guid=9418000E-6D40-1014-8BF0-9EFBF894F9D4&product_id=22571&src=endeca#). This is an exciting game of table-top shuffleboard with a “Sorry” twist. This is a game of dexterity and strategy that quickly became a hit with our crew. We then take a look at Abandon Ship (http://store.alderac.com/abandon-ship-p-1164.html). Move rats quickly off the ship before it sinks. The secrecy around your choice of rats and the entertaining theme make this one a lot of fun for a wide audience. (http://images.pulpgamer.com/webart/abandonship.gif) (http://images.pulpgamer.com/webart/worldwithoutend.jpg) World Without End (http://www.mayfairgames.com/shop/product/3300-4499/pages/4118.htm) is a sequel of Pillars of the Earth with a similar feel but new opportunities and mechanics to explore. This resource management game has a healthy bit of play to it, providing a fulfilling experience to anyone that likes strategy within a reasonable play time.

Its easy for everyone to go their separate ways after dinner. Today we talk about the joy of keeping the family at the table with some great family games. (http://images.pulpgamer.com/webart/blunders.jpg) After discussion, we introduce you to the board game, Blunders (http://www.blundersmania.com). This one was specifically designed to teach manners and etiquette to young children. Topics range from table settings to just being nice. The kids liked the completive nature of the game and came away learning a bit about being polite. We then play the board game, Emira (http://www.mayfairgames.com/shop/product/phalanx/pages/pha6019.htm). This one is actually for an older crowd and a great one to play with neighbors and friends. Attract the princesses to your estate that will best compliment your needs. We had a great time playing with this ancient Middle Eastern Theme. (http://images.pulpgamer.com/webart/emira.jpg) (http://images.pulpgamer.com/webart/dosrios.jpg) Finally, we manipulate the hydrology and everyone effected in the board game, Dos Rios (http://www.mayfairgames.com/shop/product/3300-4499/pages/3303.htm). Use your dams to move the river, and try to keep your people next to it. This one was truly unique and a lot of fun.

A couple of today's games are about apocalypse, but the real theme is about planning. Games encourage forethought and strategy. This is a skill that has helped us all archive our goals on and away from the game table. (http://images.pulpgamer.com/webart/sticksandstones.jpg) Our first look is at the card game, Sticks & Stones (http://www.peginc.com/games.html). Use the cards in your hand to accomplish your quests. Its about survival, diplomacy, beasts, shamans, and shiny rocks. What you don't have yet is the ability to speak, save a few grunts. This game got a lot of love around the table. Atlantis (http://www.mayfairgames.com/shop/product/amigo/pages/asi5753.htm) is sinking and you have to get your people off the island and carry as much treasure as you can on your way out. As tiles are removed from the path, you really get the feel of the sinking bridge connecting you to safety. Create holes for your opponents to cross, maximize every move, and balance that with a safe speed to claim victory. (http://images.pulpgamer.com/webart/atlantis.jpg) (http://images.pulpgamer.com/webart/pompeii.jpg) It is said that Pompeii (http://www.mayfairgames.com/shop/product/amigo/pages/asi5771.htm) was once a thriving city, but it had one fatal flaw. It was under the shadow of a volcano. The one that gets the most of their people out of the city wins. Fist, you must populate the city with as many people as you can to maximize your chances. The best part that everyone loved about this one is the actually physical volcano that comes with the board game and throwing your opponents pieces into it. Then we all played with rubber bathtub ducks with the board game, Duck Duck Go (http://www.apegames.com/duck/duckduckgo.html). Use as much forethought and planning as you can, but you are going to be bouncing around the board and off of other ducks in the tub to archive your goal. The ducks are adorable and collectible. This one will be a sure-fire hit for many families. (http://images.pulpgamer.com/webart/duckduckgo.jpg)

Sometimes you entertain kids with a game, and sometimes you are equally entertained. Today, we talk about age gaps and how to interpret the ages printed on the box. (http://images.pulpgamer.com/webart/ringoflamingo.jpg) We first flip rings across the table and try to catch them around the necks of some adorable plastic flamingos. Ring-O Flamingo (http://www.gamewright.com/gamewright/index.php?section=games&page=game&show=228) is a fun one for the kids but we couldn't help but to get a little addicted ourselves. We certainly weren't at much of an advantage. The young ones could easily score ahead of us. We then went to the Heart of Africa (http://www.mayfairgames.com/shop/product/phalanx/pages/pha0653.htm). This one has some fascinating strategy work around auctions, bidding, and value recognition. Bid for your turn order, manipulate the market, and secure the most valuable goods across the African continent. (http://images.pulpgamer.com/webart/heartofafrica.jpg) (http://images.pulpgamer.com/webart/witchofsalem.jpg) We leave the day with a cooperative play board game called Witch of Salem (http://www.mayfairgames.com/shop/product/3300-4499/pages/3309.htm). Everyone works together to close portals across the city and keep the monsters at bay. When you have beaten the last great old one, you can all pat yourselves on the back and count yourselves lucky or brilliant.