2015 Xmas board game gift guide

Do you have a board game player in your life? Are they hard to buy gifts for? Have no fear, Scott is here! ...to help you choose the greatest gifts from 2015 for that special gamer.

1. Mysterium (Asmodee) $$

Mysterium is a social deduction game that plays like Clue meets Dixit. In it, players are psychic detectives seeking to learn who committed a murder. Fortunately, they have help from the ghost of the victim who can only communicate with the players via their dreams.

The dream cards are illustrated with images that (according to the ghost player) point towards whodunit which the players guess their suspect. Mysterium is a great party game for those gamers who are ready to move on from Clue and Mystery in the Abby.

http://www.amazon.com/Asmodee-MYST01ASM-Mysterium/dp/B013TJ5P80

2. Ghostbusters (Cryptozoic) $$

Speaking of ghosts, who you gonna call?

Ghostbusters  The Board Game is a light skirmish game based on the IDW comic (which is based on the movies) and pits the four ghostbuster players against spooks such as Slimer and the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man.

The game is quick to play and easy to learn. It features a great levelling system and comes with some very cool miniatures including the Ecto-1!

http://www.amazon.com/Cryptozoic-Entertainment-01968CZE-Ghostbusters-Board/dp/B00ZF09VLY

3. Castle of Mad King Ludwig (Bezier Games) $$ Secrets expansion $$

Based on the real castle built by the real mad king, players build their own castles by laying tiles to connect rooms but are driven by the whims of the King. If you like the first part of Betrayal at House on the Hill, then you'll like this game.

The game recently came out with an expansion - Secrets - which adds 30 more rooms to the base set.

http://www.amazon.com/Castles-King-Ludwig-Board-Game/dp/B00NP7E05G
http://www.amazon.com/Castles-King-Ludwig-Secrets-Board/dp/B016YCJYWW

4. Dead of Winter (Plaid Hat Games) $$

The worst part of any zombie movie has never been the zombies, but the humans. Dead of Winter gets this part right. The players are survivors of the zombie apocalypse struggling to survive their first winter.

However, the game features an unique system that puts the players at odd with each other in order to complete their own agendas. When you aren't fighting off the undead, players are wondering which other players are going to stab them in the back. Good fun!

http://www.amazon.com/Dead-of-Winter-Crossroads-Game/dp/B00HFKITJC

5. T.I.M.E. Stories (Asmodee) $$$ The Marcy Case expansion $$

T.I.M.E Stories is a story-telling game where players are time-travelling agents who attempt to unravel a mystery set in a specific time period. Along the way they'll meet strange characters and uncover clues and facts. However, the players won't solve the mystery the first time around, so they must travel back to the start of the story and follow the threads that will eventually led to the solution.

This unique game has been making a splash in the board gaming community. While the play experience is short and not repeatable, there are several other scenerios coming out soon - starting with the Marcy Case - a mystery set in the 1990's.

http://www.amazon.com/Asmodee-SCTS01US-ASM-Time-Stories-Board/dp/B013TRQLJO

http://www.amazon.com/Time-Stories-Marcy-Case-Board/dp/B014DMSR64

6. Spy Fall (Cryptozoic) $$

Spy Fall is an easy-to-learn social deduction card game in which one player is a spy and the other players are trying to deduce his location - which the spy doesn't know. It's a tense game of how to get information without tipping your hand that you are the spy. Great fun for parties!

http://www.amazon.com/Cryptozoic-Entertainment-CZE01904-Spyfall-Card/dp/B00YTHN82W

7. The Bloody Inn (Asmodee) $$

In this card game set in 1800's France, time are tough. You are an inn owner struggling to make ends meet and you discover it's much more profitable to rob and murder your wealthy guests.

The Bloody Inn's black humor might not be for everyone, but the art is beautiful and you have to admit the theme is original.

http://www.amazon.com/Bloody-Inn-The-Board-Game/dp/B018AA1ORY

8. Star Wars Imperial Assault (Fantasy Flight Games) $$$ Twin Shadows expansion $$ Ally and Villain packs $$

If you hadn't noticed, there happens to be a new Star Wars movie coming out this winter. While there aren't many games based on these new adventures (yet) there are plenty of ways to immerse yourself into the Star Wars galaxy through some great board games.

Imperial Assault uses Fantasy Flight's popular Descent game system to create adventures and campaigns. It's like playing a miniatures-based role playing game. The miniatures are top-notch and while a little complex to learn, is great fun once you get the hang of it.

This year Fantasy Flight released it's first boxed expansion for Imperial Assault - Twin Shadows - which takes the players to the desert planet of Tatooine where they can battle Tuskin Raiders and socialize with scum and villainy in the famous cantina.

While playable from the box, you can upgrade villains and allies like Boba Fett and See-Threepio and R2D2 with miniatures (sold separately) that include more abilities and adventures.

http://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Imperial-Assault-Game/dp/1616619902

http://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Imperial-Assault-Expansion/dp/1633441091

http://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Imperial-Assault-Villain/dp/B00V7IY9UG

http://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Imperial-Assault-Villain/dp/B0143X760G

9. Star Wars Armada (Fantasy Flight Games) $$$ Expansions $$

Remember the ending of Return of the Jedi? Now you can play the battle of Endor on your kitchen table!  Star Wars Armada captures all of the excitement of ship-to-ship combat with ships as large as a Star Destroyer and as small as an A-wing. It's simple to play and looks amazing on your tabletop.
The core game has been out for awhile, but there are some very cool expansions that just came out that won't break your Christmas budget.

Imperial Fighter Squadron expansion comes with a whole mess of teeny-tiny TIE fighters, Bombers and Interceptors. Plus new cards with pilots and actions.

The Rebel Fighters Squadron expansion comes with two squads of A-Wings, B-Wings, X-Wings and Y-Wings. Perfect for assaulting a Death Star or Starkiller Base.

Rogues and Villains expansion pack adds several smuggler and bounty hunters to your space-combat including the Millennium Falcon, Slave I, Hound's Tooth (Bossk!) and the Outlander.

What's a Star Wars battle without a Imperial Class Star Destroyer (or two)? Now Darth Vader can join the battle in his Star Destroyer from the original Star Wars (Episode V to you kids)!

Finally we have the "pickle ship" - the Home One expansion - as seen in Return of the Jedi. You can discover your own trap with Admiral Ackbar at the helm of this massive model!

http://www.amazon.com/Fantasy-Flight-Games-SWM01-Star/dp/1616619937
http://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Armada-Villains-Expansion/dp/1633441210
http://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Armada-Squadrons-Expansion/dp/1633440001
http://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Armada-Squadrons-Expansion/dp/1616619996
http://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Armada-Destroyer-Expansion/dp/1633441180
http://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Armada-Expansion-Board/dp/1633441202

10. Star Wars Risk (Hasbro) $$ Star Wars Black Series Risk (Hasbro) $$

If Star Wars Armada seem too daunting (and expensive) for your gamer, I suggest the new Star Wars Risk game. It also captures the excitement of the battle of Endor but also allows you to fight the ground troops too! In fact, this game is based on Star Wars: The Queen's Gambit - considered one of the best Star Wars games made before Fantasy Flight got the license.

There is a second version of this game that is slightly more expensive called the Star Wars Black Series Risk.

It plays the same as the other version but has upgraded components like models for the Millennium Falcon, Super Star Destroyer and Death Star II. Also it comes with little tiny storm troopers. This version is a little harder to find and, as far as I can tell, only available on-line.

http://www.amazon.com/Risk-Star-Wars-Edition-Game/dp/B00SDJG59K

http://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Black-Risk-Game/dp/B00SDJGDI8

There you go! A list of ten great board games for your "nice" gamer. Happy Holidays everyone!

YOU PLAY NOW! Risk Legacy

NOTE: What's done can never be undone. This is the ominous message on the sticker that seals every game of Risk Legacy. It is a warning, but also a promise of an amazing experience.

When I was in high school, me and my friends used to play weekend long sessions of Risk. We would put together two boards and try to assault this double world. Invariably by Saturday night, I would lose and spend the rest of Sunday waiting for the game to end. I never played another game of Risk again... until I heard about Risk Legacy.

 

While the heart of the game is the same - use troops to conquer the world, that's where the resemblance ends. The troops are all different and unique - there are mechs and Mad Max-esque troops on dune buggies and even barbarians who ride badgers. These troops can be upgraded with abilities and advantages every time you play.

In fact, unlike most board games, Risk Legacy is meant to be played about 12 - 15 times to get the whole experience... which starts when everyone who plays signs the board. Write on a game board!? Sacrilege! Every time a game is played, the winner writes on the board. The player with the most signatures on the board gets advantages at the start of the next game.

 

 

The designer Rob Davieau had a brilliant realization that players bring history to the table and yet games never reflect this truth. Risk Legacy does. Winners and losers, grudges and rivalries all help form the game as player add permanent stickers to the board, change rules in the rule book, even tear up cards. Seeing a life-long gamer tear up a card is worth the price of admission alone.

 

 

 The greatest innovation is the ramping of the game. There are several envelopes that are not opened until certain game conditions are met - much like achievements in video games. Once these are opened, new rules are added, factions change and the game play morphs in unpredictable ways.

 

 Risk Legacy is a masterwork and no matter what your history with Risk has been in the past, should be played. All games should try to be like Risk Legacy, even if a little bit.

1-2 hours to play (per session)
66.97 on Amazon.com

YOU PLAY THIS! Imperial Assault

Scott says YOU PLAY THIS!

If you've ever played Fantasy Flight's fantasy adventure game Descent, then you'll have no trouble with Star Wars Imperial Assault.

Intrepid Rebel heroes battle against the ceaseless forces of the Empire in this action strategy game. Can be scaled from a simple skirmish game to a complex multi-session campaign.

 

Includes a two-player skirmish battle game too! Lots of great miniatures available with more on the way.

 

$64.99 on Amazon.com
Takes 2 to 4 hours to play

YOU PLAY THIS! Guillotine

Scott says YOU PLAY THIS!

GUILLOTINE. A mean-spirited and hilarious card game where you screw with your fellow players to chop the most heads off of French aristocrats.

Takes about 15 - 30 minutes to play...
$11.99 on Amazon.com

https://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/116/guillotine

YOU PLAY THIS! Formula D

Scott says YOU PLAY THIS!

Formula D is the best roll and move game I've ever played and it has the best use for polyhedronal die since D&D. Check out these awesome little shifter that you use with the dice!

I don't even like auto racing and I love this game. (Although I've been thinking about reskinning it as the Star Wars Pod Race)

There are tons of expansion race tracks available too.

Plays in an hour. ...
$38.99 @ amazon.com

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/37904/formula-d
 

YOU PLAY THIS! Betrayal At House on the Hill

I've had a life-long love affair with boardgames, but the recent boom in board gaming (thanks to the internet, Kickstarter and the recession) has fired my obsession into hyper-space.

To share my obsession, I've been posting recommendations on Facebook. But why should Facebook have all of the fun?

Scott says YOU PLAY THIS!
Betrayal at House on the Hill. You are ghost investigators exploring a haunted house. What is it haunted by? One of FIFTY different endings where one of your companions becomes the betrayer.

2 hours to play. $34.45 on amazon.com

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/10547/betrayal-house-hill

The Six Card Games in One Year Challenge!

Hey all,

Last year I challenged myself to create 12 playable games in one year. I created 7 (and got a start on three more) so I'm hoping to do better this year. You can read all about them here: http://mrbossdesign.blogspot.com/2015/01/a-board-game-month-one-year-later-how.html

Ever since I discovered PrinterStudio (http://www.printerstudio.com/), I've fallen in love with making quick and fast card games. So this time, I'm shooting for six card games within the year.

Now I realize the year is already half-over, but I think this could be a do-able goal. I've already got the start on three games, so I'll let you know how this turns out!

Wish me luck!

A board game a month - one year later, how did I do?

At the beginning of 2014, I set out to create a board game a month. I didn't quite hit that target, but I did get several games done and started several others. Here's what I made:

Schwarma King (playable) - A cooperative card game where each player is a waiter serving Middle Eastern food to Marvel's Avengers. Will everyone get served before the Hulk gets mad? Created during a playtest at GameHaus Café.

Esearch (playable) - A competitive party game in which players use Google Search to find a picture that best matches a description. Created at an IGDA board gaming prototyping event.

Scram! (playable) - A competitive strategy game where players try to keep tokens on their color while forcing other player's tokens off. Easy to learn, hard to master.

 

Rayguns and Rocketships (playable) - I continued play testing and refining my action game based in a 1930's pulp sci-fi universe. This one is playable complete with 3D printed miniatures.

 

 

Colorwise: Colorful Characters (playable) - Designed a party game where players have to guess the identities of pop culture characters based only on their colors. It's like "Pictionary" with pixels.

 

 

Séance (playable) - A competitive cooperative card game based in Victorian times. Players work against and with each other to summon spirits for points.

 

 

Diamonds and Dinosaurs (playable) - A fun take-that game about treasure seekers on a lost island filled with hostile dinosaurs. Uses a deck of cards, plastic dinosaurs and all the jewels you can find.

 

 

Bedbug - Worked on a cooperative/competitive game based on my comic book superhero character. Uses an innovative design where all of the players control a single Bedbug and try to balance being a single father while battling the villains of Silicon City.

 

 

Office Zombie - Continued designing a worker placement game about white collar workers trying to earn a living during the zombie apocalypse.

 

 

 

Space Station Phobos - my love letter to Betrayal at House on the Hill. A cooperative story-telling game set on a space station where something has gone horribly, horribly wrong.

 

Well, I didn't hit a dozen, but seven playable games in a year isn't bad, right?

 

Let's see how I do in 2015!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Happy Day After Halloween!

 

One of my talks in my level design class is about making scary level design - the same lessons I learned from making physical haunted houses. I thought I'd share these lessons with you for your own scary levels (and haunts)!

 

 

1. Set up the scary - the line in is just as important as the haunted house. If you build a scary environment that leads up to the haunted house, you are giving the player the message that this location will be scary. Use lighting, sound and very simple atmospheric effects to build tension. Make sure the player sees the weenie of the Haunted House, so they always know where they are headed - into danger.

 

 

2. Empty rooms build tension - Haunted Houses are like roller coasters - you need to go up before you drop down. Not every room needs a scare, put a room or two between each scare to really ratchet things up. Alternate between big and small rooms to create changes in mood - tight, narrow rooms and hallways create mystery and tension, big rooms create relief, but can also cause unease due to scale. The scariest room I ever went through in a haunted house was a closet filled with hanging clothing. There were no scares, but because I had to push through the clothes and into the darkness to get through, it was terrifying - creating an environment that preyed on childhood fears.

 

 

3. Create unease with lighting - Many games forget to use basic lighting stage effects like gobos and cookies to create interesting patterns and textures. These lighting effects can be very effective to create mood. Strobes are also good but use them too much and you'll make people dizzy

 

 

4. Shadows make monsters scarier - The best monsters are the ones you can't quite see. Think about how little of the beast you saw in the movie "Alien" - that's what made it scary. However, you want to be careful with pitch darkness because that causes people to stop. You want to keep them moving by giving them something to move towards however if you want a monster to jump out of the dark, precede it with light so the darkness seems darker when they get to it

 

 

5. Use all available sense - There are two types of scary environments: Terror and Horror. Terror works on fear - fear of the unknown, of darkness of mystery. Horror works on revulsion - fear of death, fear of body, fear of filth. Terror is easy to do with lighting, sound and sight, however horror - gross things - requires touch and smell - trickier to do and not often done. In a physical haunted house, you can try simple things like alternating the textures of the surfaces on the floor or the hanging partitions (I recently went through a haunted house where the "drapes" that you passed through to get into a slaughterhouse felt like rough leather or beef jerky - it was very effective in giving the room some "feeling") - maybe once haptic controls become common, horror will be more effective.

 

 

6. Don't overdo the gross - this is my personal opinion, but too much guts and blood becomes numbing. In video games, we don't have the two senses - smell and touch - available that makes horror gross. After a while all those severed hanging torsos start to look like macabre Christmas decorations. To have a greater effect, use gore sparingly.

 

 

7. Corners are the scariest places - Corners not only obscure vision but hide things. It's a spot where the player will slow down, but you will also build the tension. It's even better if you can have a sound or a shadow cast on the wall to let the player know their worst fears are confirmed and there IS something lurking around the corner.

 

 

 

8. Let them know it's coming - jump scares are fine, but they tend to wear down victims... er players. I find it's just as scary to have something sitting in the middle of the room that the player thinks might do something, but they are not quite sure if it will or not. These are things like beds or chairs with figures sitting in them. The player knows the character is going to sprung up and the tension of having to pass by or move around it can create an excellent scare. Even better, in video games we can use alternate cameras to show what is coming from behind them or we can use alternate viewing interfaces like motion detectors (like in Alien: Isolation) or special senses (like in the Last of Us) to show us that the baddie is almost on top of us.

 

Some essential games to play: Dead Space 1 and 2, Resident Evil 2, The Last of Us, The original Alone in the Dark, Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly, Silent Hill, Haunting Ground, Luigi's Mansion

 

Second Edition of Level Up! available for pre-order!

Super-exciting! The second edition of Level Up! The Guide to Great Video Game Design is now available for PRE-ORDER at Amazon.com.

 

You'll notice right away something different about Level Up! 2nd Edition - that's right, the cover is ORANGE!

 

Why the color change? I wanted to let Level Up! readers know that this new edition isn't just a few corrections or a couple of pages of content updates - there is a lot of NEW content throughout the entire book! The gaming industry has changed quite a bit since I wrote Level Up! in 2009 and I wanted the new edition to reflect that. Here's a few of the new topics covered in the second edition:

• Designing for mobile games
• Monetization strategies
• Free to Play and other publishing models
• Touch screen controls
• In-depth look at Game Genres
• In-depth look at combat (and non-combat) mechanics
• New illustrations!
• An introduction by God of War creative director David Jaffe
• and yes... a BRAND NEW CHILI RECIPE!!!

 

Now before you rush over to Amazon.com buy your copy of Level Up! 2nd edition, I ask that you please consider ordering through the link on this blog. You'll find it located on the right. Just look for the ORANGE cover to Level Up! 2nd edition. 

 

As a brand-spanking new member of Amazon's Author Affiliate program, I get a small percentage on every book sold this using the link. In fact, I have several links to great items sold on Amazon and I'd appreciate your business when you use the link to pre-order your copy of Level Up! 2nd edition.

Speaking of Amazon, if you like Level Up! 2nd edition and want to write a review on Amazon about the book, I would really really really appreciate it. Every review helps spread the word about the book and I was honored to receive so many great reviews for Level Up! the first time around, I hope you all do it again for Level Up! 2nd edition.

Thanks and happy reading!