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https://wn.nr/5Q7Gcz

I've a keen interest in using boardgames or pen-and-paper RPGs to build up new communities or serve existing ones. For example, RPGs for formerly incarcerated people or adults with developmental disabilities. Or bringing a latent community of youth who don't otherwise know each together using board games.

How have you folks have done this, or how you imaging doing it?

I play a lot of solo games these days. Sure, "a lot" is subjective, but it's certainly more than I play with other living souls (human or otherwise). Have any of you played Proving Grounds from Renegade Game Studios? It's a solo-only game, it has 6 modules, and it comes with a novelette! As a writer myself, the included story almost had me more hooked than the actual game. I write board game-inspired stories, so this was certainly intriguing. But could they pull off the tie-in?

The story sets up for the big battle that the game lets you play through. And, it's a really fun game. Dice chucking and real-time, so if those aren't your jams (or peanut butters), then you may not like it. But I think it's great. Gets my heart pumping every time.

Have any of you played Proving Grounds? Regardless, what are your thoughts?

Without throwing anyone under the bus, I am curious how your spouses react to your interest/hobby/obsession. 

Mine is quite tolerant. If I would announce that we are having our family vacation at spiel and would raise her eyebrows. Or, if I would show her Glory To Rome and crow about how I got it for only $200 it might be a struggle to forgive me. But, she is very tolerant. She has bought me two of my favorite games, namely Agricola and Dominion. And she has a several games she enjoys. These include in order of most to least: Dominion, Lost Cities, Carcassonne, Forbidden Island, Race for the Galaxy, and Innovation. But the one thing she doesn't enjoy is learning new games. I have games I think she would love, but she generally just wants to play what she knows. 

I've been eyeing on this because I often enjoy a healthy dose of push your luck elements and it also seemed like a great game to play with my wife.

Ended up in second place after busting for the first time on the last round (oh well lol). Overall, it's a fantastic game that comes with simple yet heart-wrenching decisions, lovely art/theme, multiple paths in strategy, memorable moments, and quick gameplay. It left me thinking about different strategies I should try for next time, so that's always a great sign.

Oh and there's a BIG catch-up mechanic that can swing the game quite quickly. I think I'll have mixed feelings on this depending on which side I fall under, but overall, I like having that balancer and it's lighthearted/short enough that having one bad round won't be a big deal for most people.

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So... I just finished the first episode of The Mandalorian. And it’s super awesome so far. I can’t wait to see more.

Fantasy Flight Games - can you please put out a Mandalorian expansion for Outer Rim? Please? Thank you!

Has anyone else watched the first episode yet? What did you think?

Can you design a board game for The Mandalorian?

I just purchased Tapestry, Wingspan European Expansion and Paladins of the West. I'm still waiting for them to show up but I'm excited! What about you?

This post is inspired by /U/trentellingsen's post asking what game you bought last.

I am asking about the first hobby game you specifically sought out and bought. Not one that was given to you unless you chose it, not one the first one you played, the first one you sought out to own.

Mine was Castles of Burgundy. My friends had several gateway games, and I enjoyed them. But I was several before I became a gamer. So, I just did a google search for "good euro games." And Castles of Burgundy came up. It was fairly cheap in comparison to some other options, and all the reviews were glowing. I bought it. I hated it. It almost kept me from ever buying more games.

Eventually, as I have grown into the hobby I have learned to appreciate  Castles of Burgundy. I still don't enjoy it, though I have played it a number of times trying to learn to like it. I still own it. It is sitting on a bookcase of some of my books and games in a brother in laws house. I am not sure what to do with it. I should probably just get rid of it. Ah, well, I'm glad most of my other experiences went better.

Feel free to tell the story of how/why you bought or asked for that game. Did it turn out well? Was it a flop? I want to know.

Alright, who's had a chance to play Rurik: Dawn of Kiev?

I reviewed it before its launch on Kickstarter and really loved it, and I'm pretty sure my review showed that. Then I was nervous that not everyone else would like it as I did! But, since its fulfillment to backers, it has stood the tests of scrutinous  gamers everywhere.

One of the reasons I like it so much is because of the Auction Programming mechanic, in which you place a numbered worker on an action space, and everyone takes turns doing so, round and around until all their workers are placed. The workers with the lower numbers activate before the higher numbers, but the higher numbered workers push the lower numbered workers down the action track, thus giving them less ideal actions of the type they wanted. You can even drop a coin to increase your worker's number by one per coin (technically, you could drop 100 coins, but that's a bit overkill if you ask me). It's an interesting game of bluff and hope and strategy.

And then there's the actual gameplay which is marvelous. So! What are your thoughts on Rurik if you've played it?

There are some Ravensburger puzzles and game on sale at amazon.com Todays's Deals section.
Some examples:

Bugs in the Kitchen - $10.99
Scotland Yard - $16.99 (I think that is the Lowest Ever)
The Rise of Queensdale - $43.01
Castles of Burgundy - $24.99
See more...

Phil and I are learning what makes for a good podcast episode and we'd love to know what other ones you listen to! Gaming or Otherwise.

These seem to be my favorite kinds of games and I’m always looking for new ones!

So... how often are you going to refresh your e-mail and BoardGameAtlas tomorrow to see if you won the big prize? 

I am proposing that there is a automated weekly forum bot under which we can list our games for sale or trade.

I propose further, that the bot is only to post your games for sale or trade. Any offers of games for trade, or counteroffers on prices be handled via private message. It should also be the responsibility of the seller to remove the listing, or update it with a "sold" when a game is disposed of. 

Any thoughts? Is that a bad idea.