WBC - Best Damn Boardgaming Con on the Planet!
Ahh summer, here in Maryland the humidity is up, the cicadas are singing and its about time we head on up to the land of bad roads and bad teeth to play some board games.
Thats right, it is time for the World Boardgaming Championships, the best gaming con there is.
Its got that old school we come to play games flavor, everything from Titan to Gaylus is there, and the focus is on playing not selling games, pimping games or being part of a secret elite society.
I plan to attend Tuesday - Saturday and will be providing updates to what I see, and the level of smell in the wargame room as the week progresses. So stay tuned faithful reader it is going to be a wild ride.
I spend most of my time goofing off in the open gaming area and drinking beer, but there are a few tournaments I will play poorly in. These are:
Gangsters
Stock Car Championship
We the People
And the best game at the event.....
Slapshot
Stay Tuned!
-M
58 comments:
Looks like a rather promising event. However, I must make a rather stern objection to your choice of spelling for one of the best games of the last century.
CAYLUS
It is spelled with a "C" sir.
Caylus has been attacked unfairly by your confederates on this blog. Give the game its due sir. A masterpiece of which it has no equal!
Are you going to enter the Slapshot costume contest?
Thaad has set that bar pretty high, can you mount a challenge?
I was under the assumption that the WBC was more about serious competition and less about having fun. Am I wrong? Nothing is more agonzing to me than enduring an hour of people staring at the board trying to make the 'optimal' move.OR is this event some hellraising games with a few tournaments thrown in? Inquiring minds want to know...
Good Ol' Steve "Kickass" Avery
CAYLUS
It is spelled with a "C" sir.
I can think of another word spelt with a 'C'...
Carcassonne?
sir euro debest = One Carcass
Gentlemen,
I was under the assumption that this was a forum to discuss games, yet I am feeling some rather unwelcome hostility.
If you want to cross swords with Sir Euro deBest, I will certainly grant your request but please let us remain civilized for even pirate's have a code do they not?
I was under the assumption that the WBC was more about serious competition and less about having fun. Am I wrong?
Every con has its jackasses. There are a few people there who should not be allowed to associate with others. I guess it depends on your outlook. I go to have fun. I play to have fun and If i see an asshole I offer the jackass a beer and start playing against them.
I tend not to play eurogames there, since
A) people take the too seriously
B) The suck
C) they do not lend themselves well to competition in that all things being equal the winner is usually the guy with the built in advantage or the one who gains an advantage via a mistake made by others.
anyway I like the 2 player wargames where I can control my fate a little better and the lighter more fun games like Slapshot or SCC.
-M
Are you going to enter the Slapshot costume contest?
I play naked.
-M
I was under the assumption that this was a forum to discuss games, yet I am feeling some rather unwelcome hostility.
You are welcome to comment and to your own opinion.
The Gaylus was a reference to an earlier article, and well reflects the fact that the game sucks. (IMHO)
You may not fells the same and I am comfortable with that.
Euro Overlord is just an Idiot.
-M
Don't think that your veiled swipes in another post went un-noticed. Quit being a moron debest or EO whoever the hell you are and no one will blast you.
Eo - isn't there a pride parade this summer in your area where you can take your ass fetish out? Might hear some good music while you're at it.
Nuff said
Sir Euro....
FYI
http://fortressameritrash.blogspot.com
/2007/05/weekly-at-snapshot-542007.html
What sort of wargames are represented t this con malloc?
"Are you going to enter the Slapshot costume contest?
I play naked."
So it's a horror them then?
Good luck, Malloc--give 'em hell.
Nah. The At-ers don't really go in for civil. You should see Barnes' reaction to people playing an RPG...general mocking, shock, and +1 sword jokes.
I think his inner child might be dead.
Although in that RPG game, the guy whose Space Marines apparently ran and hid in the corner did manage to valiantly slay a defenseless raven.
Hello,
I have friends that go to the WBC but it never really interested me. However, I was thinking of trying some of these games you guys keep talking about. What is a good place to start?
You have to keep in mind that WBC used to be AH's gig. Along with a lot of wargamers, WBC gets a large group of old school AH fans. I have never seen so many copies of DUNE, MAGIC REALMS and MERCHANT of VENUS in one room in my life. The wargame room has a serious vibe, however the open gaming room is like a big AT party. There's a cooler under every table, and either an AH or FFG on top of most of the tables. Last year some stuffy Euro players complained that the table playing CASH & GUNS was making too much noise, and about 4 tables worth of gamers told the whiners to either quit their moaning or move Jay's Cafe downstairs.
You can see all the games at the event here:
http://www.boardgamers.org/yearbkex/
Ubarose has it right. WBC is about having a good time. My favorite is watching the guys play a 5 day long war game (world in flames i think) in the open gaming area.
These guys travel across the country to play this game, and spend the whole week doing it. They have a great time, and BS with the other folks in the open gaming room.
To me thats why we do what we do, to have fun and create memories, not to maximize the amount of corn shipped on a boat.
-M
I was thinking of trying some of these games you guys keep talking about. What is a good place to start?
Well that depends on how much free time you have and what you like.
You can start small with nexus ops or something light, and thats where I would start.
The nice thing about the WBC is there are a lot of intro events where rules are explained and coached games of all new players are setup.
-M
Shit - that sounds like a good Con. I haven't bothered attending any of the cons near me since I've been back in the gaming scene (about 6 years) as the reports back from gamers here seem to make them sound like what you have described previously - optimum move euro weekends.
These guys travel across the country to play this game, and spend the whole week doing it. They have a great time, and BS with the other folks in the open gaming room.
I think that sentiment spills over to the non-wargamers as well. It's like people have a standing, annual date to meet up with a certain group of distant friends and play some long ass, old school, AT game that they never get to play at home. The convention planners understand that, and allow games to be left in progress over night.
There seems to be less focus on "what's the hot new game" or trying to play as many different games as you can.
There are a lot of tournaments, and many people do come because they are interested in serious competition, but they are all off in the tournament rooms, so you hardly ever see them. Also many of the tournaments are less serious. For example, THE MERCHANT OF VENUS tournament is kind of hoot.
Although in that RPG game, the guy whose Space Marines apparently ran and hid in the corner did manage to valiantly slay a defenseless raven.
I'll have you know that was a defenseless were-Raven and I wasn't even using my Bow of WereRaven Slaying...
Steve "Murderer of Murders" Avery
Last year some stuffy Euro players complained that the table playing CASH & GUNS was making too much noise, and about 4 tables worth of gamers told the whiners to either quit their moaning or move Jay's Cafe downstairs.
Nice. This might be something fun to try next year. We might even get an ATL contigintent to do a road trip.
Sorry to interupt but I got a work order here for some brick repair to your outer Fortress wall requested by M. Barnes.
He requested MAUVE colored bricks, is this a fucking joke?
Can I speak to a F:AT Admin?
I spend at least 2 hours composing each post. That is a lot of work just to have them deleted by those who don't want to hear an opossing view!
(Hail)
I'm really looking forward to the play by play Malloc.
I've been interested in the WBC for the pat few years, but none of my fellow miscreants/gaming buddies want to give it a wack.
Any con that features players bold enough to tell whiners to shut the fuck up sounds like my kind of party.
Keep us posted!
Can I speak to a F:AT Admin?
I spend at least 2 hours composing each post. That is a lot of work just to have them deleted by those who don't want to hear an opossing view!
(Hail)
There's giving an opposing view, and then there's spamming and being a dick.
You, my friend, were the latter. If you have constructive criticism, fine. But, adding the "ass brandings" like some gay cowboy fresh from a Reverend Horton Heat song, made you lose any credibility or point you were trying to make.
Spamming the board after being warned? A definite no no.
Am I saddened that you lost your precious posts? Not in the least, but Uba may have some mercy for you and give your special, nominal "content" back to you.
But in doing so, that's like shoving shit back into an asshole, which you definitely are.
Euro dude, this isn't the place to have this conversation. Take it Off the Board
rliyen,
You are a class act! You couldn't dispute my arguments if you tried! All you can do is spew that vile filth.
Is it that time of the month rliyen? You can't get a boyfriend so you revert back to childhood and play with your army men? or is it barbies? Are you one of these girls that has a butch haircut and tries to act tough by being an Ameritrasher?
(branded)
(mild thunder)
"Euro dude, this isn't the place to have this conversation. Take it Off the Board "
No thanks Ubarose. I am quite comfortable here. Of course, if you really want me to go, you do have one option, and only one. A rematch with Barnes in the Blood Arena.
(Thunder)
BO, you couldn't come up with a cohesive argument to save your life.
Euro dude,
You asked to speak to the F:AT admin. You have been given several options: email us, start your own blog, or Take it Off the Board. The conversation isn't going to happen here. The topic of this discussion is WBC. This article belongs to Malloc and he has already demonstrated his level of tolerance for off topic discussion. I suspect both your posts and this one have only a few minutes before they are out of here. So quit your moaning an make your choice.
My dear Ubarose I was on topic until one of your vile posters insulted me...
Now back to the WBC. I understand there is a group called the Puffing Billys that go every year, lock themselves in a room and play train games is this true?
I don't know about the Puffing Billys, but there are groups who play in private hotel rooms. We reserve a room with a table and a fridge so we always have the option of playing in our hotel room if we want.
I was looking over the scheduled events of the WBC. I am very sad to see that "Attila" by Karl-Heinz
Schmiel is not being played in a tournament.
This in my opinion is one of the most under rated Euro's on the planet. It takes heat for the color scheme but that is overblown in my opinion. Most of the AT people seem to complain most about the colors used in games. I suspect this has to do with most of them are really "interior designers" at heart.
Just tried checking out World Boardgaming Championships at Wikipedia (having only vaguely heard of it before!) and saw the Wikipedia article is a stub.
Someone should send some TLC in it's direction.
I envy the European gaming folks (by this I mean any flavor of gamer, electronic to CCG) in the fact that they can get to cool things without having to drive for two freaking days to get there. Plenty of East Coast things I would love to see/attend but I can't because my car is a POS that I don't trust. Lancaster is 1100miles from here :P
Can I speak to a F:AT Admin?
Dear Euro Overlord,
Your complaint has been noted and duly ignored.
Thank you for reading Fortress Ameritrash.
Marthew Mornin
But, but, How can this be the greatest con ever when there are no celebrities! And no hundred and one geeklists about what you played there!
Mr Skeletor said...
But, but, How can this be the greatest con ever when there are no celebrities! And no hundred and one geeklists about what you played there!
Because what happens in the Lancaster Host Resort stays in the Lancaster Host Resort.
You know, if I ever go to the WBC, I have a ready-made room for me. My wife has some relatives that live in Lancaster, so we'd probably pack everybody up and they'd go see their great-aunt and great-uncle.
Wouldn't be conducive to long days worth of wargaming, I'm afraid...
--Mike L.
jack hill: "Although in that RPG game, the guy whose Space Marines apparently ran and hid in the corner did manage to valiantly slay a defenseless raven."
I heard that he slipped on something deposited by one of the orcs and fell on the raven!
ubarose: "Last year some stuffy Euro players complained that the table playing CASH & GUNS was making too much noise, and about 4 tables worth of gamers told the whiners to either quit their moaning or move Jay's Cafe downstairs."
Heaven forbid any players be heard to be enjoying themselves!! And large convention halls are always so quiet. Unless Euro-conventions have a 'must be able to hear a pin drop at all times' regulation?
stephenavery: "This might be something fun to try next year. We might even get an ATL contigintent to do a road trip."
What might be nice, playing Cash & Guns or tormenting whiners? Tough call which is best, I know. (Cue the grammar police!)
Why tormenting whiners of course...
Barbaram, some of the games listed by malloc are only available via eBay. We The People is a prime example of a game that is stuck in limbo while Hasbro hangs onto the license. I've seen We The People command high prices on eBay, which makes me want to hoard my copy a bit longer.
There might be some hope for some of these to be reprinted - Slapshot is being reprinted by Columbia Games, for example, and if Titan and Hannibal: Rome vs. Carthage can get licensed from Hasbro, then some of these other ones can too.
--Mike L.
Are any of the FAT crew going to GenCon?
I am. Athough, whether or not I am officially part of the " FAT crew" is questionable given my lack of continuous posting due to a severe case of lazy-assedness.
But, with all that being said, it'd be cool if some of us could hook up and play some games.
Come to think of it... are any of you bastards that are goin' to GenCon willing to tutor me in the art of playing Magic Realm? I'll read the rules and everything--I just need a head start so I can actually play a game within the next year or so...
OH YEAH!
Up Front. Someone has to teach me how to play Up Front...
... Titan, Gunslinger, Circus Maximus, Dune and Gangsters.
What?
It doesn't hurt to ask... (insert sheepish grin here)
"Poor Ol' Puddin'" Steve Avery is your guy. The guy from Resident Evil calls him a "Master of Rules Unlocking".
Wonderful.
Two questions:
1) Is Steve Avery goin' to GenCon?
2)Will beer or any other alcoholic beveradge convince him to make the 6 hour drive from Hotlanta to Indy?
Even "Puddin'" has a price, I'm sure.
Did Some one mention Circus Imperium the best game ever?!
Previous complaints about the chincy playing pieces have wounded me deeply. So in honor of Ken, I am building a lifesize version using real lions.
Just like last time Ken will be run over, trampled, whipped, and then consumed by beasts. His death will be a terrible blow to the gaming community but a neccesary sacrifice to maintain the high gaming standards that this lofty instutition has set.
I'm totally up for a road trip to Indiana. I am a consumate hedonist so the lure of just about any vice will draw me like a moth to a flame. Unfortunately I also suffer from a severe case of lazy-assedness which means I hardly ever read the rules and am too lazy to explain all of them if I do :D
Steve "encyclopedia" Avery
Well Steve, if you can manage to get your lazy ass to GenCon I promise to (figuratively) kick it as hard I possibly can at any game you can name.
I will then do the gentlemanly thing and buy you a beer--to better drown out the sound of my laughter.
Ahhh, I'm just shitting you Steve.
I wouldn't actually buy you a beer.
To all of you going to GenCon: Let the smack-talking commence!
I'll be in the open boardgaming hall. Look for a fat guy with a beard ...
Even better, lets unite against Rob Martin. He's going to launch right into his swarmy weasle double talk but if you don't look him in the eyes and keep garlic and holy water on your person you should be able to overcome his attempts to cloud your mind.
Steve"pluswun"Avery
I'm married, so swarmy weasle double-talk don't affect me none.
I've developped an immunity over the years.
I'll gladly join in on any effort that keeps bad things happening to other people--the fact that you have a particular person on mind just makes it all the more rewarding.
Hey Malloc,
Can you or Robert Martin elaborate on the tips he gave you for playing TI3 with expansion with a bunch of new players that you talked about back in March? I'll be playing the game with all new players (myself included) and wanted to get your suggestions on which strategy cards to use, which optional rules, which house rules (if any), etc to use. Thanks.
Well, having played with and without the expansion, I'll tell you what I suggest:
1.) Use the fast setup, pre-con map, and "simulated early turns". Shaves a ton of time and really gets you into the heart of the game much faster. Without the random set-up newbies won't get screwed because they don't know wherre to place their planets.
2.) Use the artifacts. Holy crap do those add a dimension to the game. Now you have up three different victory points that can be held militarily. All close to Rex in the center, drawing everyone closer to the conflict instead of turtling.
3.) Use the alternate "ISC II". Still a useful card, but not "must take". This made the entire game feel much more wide-open.
4.) Play with revealed public objectives and use a counter to track turns (as suggested in the rulebook). Now everyone knows right from the start where points can be scored for the rest of the game. HUGE.
And...that's it. Sounds like a lot but those are relatively minor changes that will add tons to your enjoyment.
thanks. Other than ISC II would you use the original strategy cards or the Shattered Empire ones? Or a combination of the two?
We used the original strategy cards and it worked great. Haven't given the second set a go but ISC II + originals was very good indeed.
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