Tuesday 4 December 2007

Fortress: Ameritrash Super Happy Fun Time 200th Blog Post

Sorry, I don't have any confetti to mark the occasion. Feel free to tear some Post-Its with great vigor and toss them in the air about you. Make gutteral noises when your co-workers stop to stare at you.


So we've made it to post 200 of Fortress: Ameritrash. A lot of folks said we'd flame out in a month, and to be honest we all attacked this thing in the beginning as though we were on pace to do just that. Matt had the prescience to make this a team effort; a lot of gaming/hobbyist bloggers take off into the blogosphere on their own only to burn out for a short period of time...during which their readership promptly forgets about the blog entirely. Fortunately for us, we tend to take things in waves, covering for each other when some of us are burned out or just mulling over what our next blog entry should be. And we've had a lot of great reader contributions (like the "mostly" weekly Snapshots) that also keep things hoppin' around here.



Personally, I'm at a weird equilibrium right now...that burning ember to keep acquiring games has subdued, and I'm left staring at a pile of games that I really ought to get to know better. I've got some holiday vacation time coming up and I intend to do just that...the guys have vowed to fit in a massive Twilight Imperium session the week after Christmas, and we'll have our traditional Mall of Horror game at my brother's Christmas party. Mall of Horror is just one of those games that seems to be a hit with everyone we've played it with. It's a great combination of plastic, theme, backstabbing, and yet nicely approachable rules that don't take half an hour to explain. Of course, we've talked that one to death on this blog already, so we'll just leave it at that...but if you don't have a copy of this, get Santa to bring you a copy.



Speaking of "Santa", one of the local stores just got Starcraft in, and it taunts me. I'll have to get this very soon. I'm so behind on 2007 it's really crazy. Then again, I try to think of how far just a fraction of the games I own now would have carried us through high school. Hell, even first year college where we played Nightmare (aka Atmosfear) almost weekly.




It is really weird when you hit that "collecting plateu"...you sort of 'shut the door' so to speak and really take inventory of what you've gotten yourself into. Then you open your War of the Ring, pour plastic figures all over you, get drunk on cheap rum and then start calling all of your ex-girlfriends in alphabetical order, telling them how you'd like some of their "Lembas Bread".



The holidays are always a crazy time, so I don't expect to post too much during this month. I'll keep posting Snapshots if you guys and gals send them (fortressat at gmail dot com). I wanted to put together some web comics, but after taking blurry picture after blurry picture of Ameritrash game bits in various compromising positions, I had a newfound respect for those folks who take those crystal clear photos you find on BGG. Turns out it ain't as easy as it looks! I've also got another interview or two that are taking forever to wrap up, so maybe after a gaming-heavy Christmas break I'll be back in the saddle again.


So Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Groovy Hannukah, Krazy Kwaanza, and whatever to all you'uns. And here's a tip: stepping on a War Sun with your bare foot HURTS LIKE A MOFO.

68 comments:

Mr Skeletor said...

What the fuck is up with that font?

Ken B. said...

I'm trying to fix that now, that looks awful.

Anonymous said...

A bare foot stepping on a War Sun sounds like a Terry Gilliam animation.

Anonymous said...

Congrats on post 200. This site continues to be a refreshing and fun alternative to the other leading boardgame site.

I'm right there with you on that collecting plateau. Some of my buddies have vowed to help me get EVERYTHING played in 2008. I think I'm gonna print a list of my collection and anytime theres no strong opinion on what to play, we'll pull something from the list.

Juniper said...

Congratulations. In just 200 posts, the F:At team has made this the best website about boardgames.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations all round. So what happened to post 100? You lot too drunk to remember to celebrate that one?

vandemonium said...

Cheers Ken!

I hope you get in some fun games over the holidays and are able to rest up for 08.
Van

NeonPeon said...

Congrats dudes. Isn't this site only like, 10 months old? 200 posts is pretty impressive.

Unknown said...

Congratulations gentlemen. This is the last place on the Internet that I can call MrSkeletor an obnoxious asshole without getting banned for a week.

Ken B. said...

Right, then--off to the brig with ya, Mr. Walberg.

Unknown said...

A bare foot stepping on a War Sun is art.

Juniper said...

Someone on BGG recently called Steve Weeks an "arrogant asshole," and then carried on to post a song about AGRICOLA. Another BGG user called Michael Barnes a "worthless asshole" the other day -- apparently with impunity.

The word "asshole" doesn't seem to be a problem if you pick the right target.

I'm done with BGG for now.

the*mad*gamer said...

Juniper,

You are correct, but the exact language used was "egotistical asshole"

http://www.boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/item/540087#item540087

I flagged the post as a personal attack but nothing was done.

Thaadd said...

There are some days where I think work should issue me those chainmail gloves you see dishwashers sporting, for digging through my parts bins. War Suns have nothing on getting murloc spikes under your thumbnail.

Congrats on the longevity. You've provided me with a fair amount of (vaguely work related!) reading...

Anonymous said...

Good job, gang. You've settled into a good routine.

I still haven't seen Brady Severns in ages, and with rare exceptions, Robert Martin.

--Mike L.

vandemonium said...

FWIW

Hey guys - I have been harassing BGG in the complaint forum and what not so if Ryan and Skels both got suspended it may actually be the first time I've seen both parties actually treated fairly - so - reading between the lines here as I have 0 specifics - it might be a good sign? Sorta? Kinda? In a way?

Steve - I also flagged all the asshole comments in that thread so I am doing what I can to try keep things on an even keel. - Don't want to derail Ken's thread but I do want you guys to know that I am actively trying to engage the admins so the Skels/generalpf thing and Aldie posting in the Ultimate Podcast thread may show they are listening and trying to keep things in better order.


>shrug<

I'm trying...

Juniper said...

You're a better man than me, Van. I reacted by throwing up my hands in disgust, changing my geekbadge to read "BGG SUCKS," and then deliberately changing my password to something that I won't remember.

F:AT is more interesting now than BGG, anyway.

vandemonium said...

Dude if you give up the looney toons win. I need my wing man. I hope you change your mind.

vandemonium said...

One more thing and I'll leave it be - but right now there are very few people trying (at least of whom I am aware) who are actively trying to engage the admins - at least in public. So your voices need to be heard. Like I said - if we just shut up and go away "they" win. I love F:AT but I still like a lot of the folks at BGG too. So I would encourage everyone to make their voices and concerns heard - for Steve and Michael who can't post you can still send geek mail I believe - so do so!

the*mad*gamer said...

Van is absolutely correct.


For those that need inspiration, refer to "Bluto's" speech near the end of the movie "Animal House"

Juniper said...

Right now, my mood is such that I'd probably just incite the loony toons to resort to more name-calling and pants-wetting than ever.

I need to take a break from that place. It's an online virtual mental hospital, but there are no doctors.

NeonPeon said...

It's an online virtual mental hospital, but there are no doctors.

Welcome to the internet. :D

Juniper said...

Yeah, but at least F:At is a relatively new mental hospital, so the toilets aren't all clogged, and the corridors don't smell of urine.

Jur said...

Van, give us a hint on which threads to join in

Malloc said...

Well I for one have be urinating in the halls here for a while now but everyone seems to keep coming back.

Maybe I need to eat me asparagus.

Anyway, i am sure it help that the other bloggers here write so much better than I do. Where the 200 post happy hour?

-M

vandemonium said...

J de said...

Van, give us a hint on which threads to join in

05 December 2007 11:15


I have an active thread in the complaint department. That is the place to add support for fair treatment. It would appear that both the general and skels getting gonged out for a week may be an indication that people are paying attention. - I think that suspension is overkill but at least it was both of them... I don't recall that ever happening before.

Ken B. said...

Really doesn't count as Ryan is closer to one of us than one of them, if in spirit instead of actual gaming tastes.

Remember, this is the man who was hounded to the ends of the earth by the "Red Thumb Brigade". In fact, I'm pretty sure he was one of the examples that got that whole feature disabled.

I never had a threshold set so I'd chuckle at the absurdity of Ryan's posts having like -20 thumbs or something. It was hilarious.

I mean, we've got our little red flag users now (hello, Drew!) but you just don't get to see the running tally anymore...

Michael Barnes said...

That's right guys- 200 posts of nothing but bitching, making fun of fat people, and hurting feelings. Who would have thought that the "us versus them" mentality, the victim complex, our egomania, or my martyrdom would have carried us so far?

I do think we need a moment of silence for Brady...I just can't shake the image of him dying in that Eurosnoot concentration camp.

MWChapel said...

The word "asshole" doesn't seem to be a problem if you pick the right target.

I'm done with BGG for now.



HAHA No rights for the Ameritards! Fight the Power and Fail.

/Chapel!
//BGG.
///Not yours.
///Congrats on your 200 post.

Anonymous said...

Outtasite and totally righteous.

Here's to 200 more posts of hate and venom!

Anonymous said...

Posts of hate and venom?

What are you talking about caca-pal?

Southernman said...

It's been an excellent 200 - a great rollercoaster ride, with a few detours to that other site for the odd fire-fight.

There's been some great ideas and discussions, and just some great bullshitting ... may it continue with the same enthusiasm.

Southernman said...

BTW Ken, my work colleagues were wondering what the fuck I was doing this morning ... as I was sitting about 12 feet from my screen so I could read your post :-)

vandemonium said...



MWChapel said...

The word "asshole" doesn't seem to be a problem if you pick the right target.

I'm done with BGG for now.


HAHA No rights for the Ameritards! Fight the Power and Fail.

/Chapel!
//BGG.
///Not yours.
///Congrats on your 200 post.

05 December 2007 12:59


Juniper - doesn't that just want you to Mornington Crescent his ass?? ;)

Anyhow, since I sort of *did* derail this thread back on task - congrats guys. I think SouthernMan nailed -

"There's been some great ideas and discussions, and just some great bullshitting ... may it continue with the same enthusiasm."

QFT!

Mr Skeletor said...


Steve - I also flagged all the asshole comments in that thread so I am doing what I can to try keep things on an even keel. - Don't want to derail Ken's thread but I do want you guys to know that I am actively trying to engage the admins so the Skels/generalpf thing and Aldie posting in the Ultimate Podcast thread may show they are listening and trying to keep things in better order.


Umm, no.
Those posts would not have been banned if they came from anyone else - they were not that bad.

This is from Aldies own fingers:

"However, you are right that the rules do apply differently to someone like you, who has been repeatedly warned (and suspended). Once you have been warned, I would expect you to be more aware of the forum rules than posters who have never had any trouble."

If you think that's fair, more power to you. I do not.

I told Aldie to just ban me permanently but no dice. He is kidding himself if he thinks I'm willing to be subjugated to a more stringent set of rules in comparison to everyone else.

Michael Barnes said...

But you know what Frank? If you stop going over there shit like that suddenly ceases to exist.

I've always been glad that I'm not able to post over there...the temptation to get crunk up in that place, a fine art you've mastered no doubt, is far too great. But it wastes time and energy and after a while the fun it offers is just replaced by the self-righteous bellowing of the ass-masses over there.

Besides- every time you go over there you're generating revenue for the site and increasing its usage statistics. So it may very well be time for a new tactic in This Most Holy War-

Just Say No to BGG!

vandemonium said...


Mr Skeletor said...

If you think that's fair, more power to you. I do not.


No, I don't think it is fair. It is BS. I was being optimistic I guess.

Juniper said...

Van pointed this out on the Geek, but F:At is already kicking BGG's ass. This site already has the most intelligent and articulate writers, and the best articles.

The axis of the world shifted this week, because BGG suddenly became the place for folks to comment on things that were said on F:At, instead of the other way around. Obviously, BGG still has way, way more visitors, and that's unlikely to change until Aldie takes up macrame, but F:At is -- as Van observed -- consistently scooping BGG.

I was joking about this before, but I now think it's true. The best way to hurt BGG is to set up a sister blog to discuss Euros. I volunteer Van as a staff writer.* Once you start scooping BGG in their natural province they'll improve, or there will be no reason for anyone but the loons to go there anymore.

*I'd help, too, if anybody wants to read my crap.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...

Posts of hate and venom?

What are you talking about caca-pal?


Irony, baby. Irony.

Mr Skeletor said...

I was going through the 'hide' thread and came across this golden gem from Drew:
"I'm not gonna go shooting arrows in the dark, hoping to connect with the one admin that will actually address a given situation (if such an admin exists). I feel most of you take a fatally lassez-faire approach to moderating already. "

LOL! What a fucking wanker. Taking his ability to dob in other users away is like depriving him of oxygen.

There isn't much we agree on on this site, but can we all just agree Drew is the biggest fuckstick in gaming? He is like everything I hate about people and gamers rolled into one giant cockball.

Juniper said...

Seconded.

Mr Skeletor said...

I was joking about this before, but I now think it's true. The best way to hurt BGG is to set up a sister blog to discuss Euros.

Heh, this almost came to pass a while ago...

Rliyen said...

Kampai, F:AT

It's been a great ride so far.

Ken B. said...

Well, it would appear Drew has some competition.


Anyone get a load of this Ryan Bretsch guy (translation: who?) during the "Ultimate Podcast Christmas Special" forum post? Like Drew, he spent most of his time insulting Weeks, blasting his lack of merit or talent (say what you want about Weeks, but it takes talent to put together a podcast that sounds that good).


I ended my 'vacation' from BGG temporarily so I could comment on it. I'm sure it will be flagged (Hi, Drew!) and/or deleted, so I'm archiving my comments here:


"Okay...let me get this straight.


Steve Weeks is doing a lot lately to change his image, admitting where he's been wrong in the past, making genuine overtures of peace towards those who would likely have been "harmed" by statements made in any of his podcasts.

Tom Vasel agrees to accept the peace offering and be on his show. Classy on both sides, to be sure.


And yet...


All YOU can do is insult Weeks some more (who can't defend himself) and click your tongue and chastise Tom for "deigning" to appear on the show?


Excuse me for asking but....who the hell are you again?


No, wait, don't answer that. "Brother", you're everything that is wrong with this website right now. You don't seem to have done an ounce for the hobby in comparison to even Weeks (who put out a quality podcast talking about games and gaming personalities), much less Vasel, and yet you feel empowered to sit around tossing out little judgemental bon mots as your cartoon-head avatar smiles self-assuredly on the scene.


Will I get suspended for this (or likely have this comment deleted?) It's hard to say. But the days of guys like you who fancy yourselves on the "right" side of things getting away with blasting, belittling, and attempting to intimidate other users while those others say nothing...those days are gone, "brother".




This shit has got to stop, man. Either everybody gets to swing their privates around like fools, or lay the smackdown on EVERYBODY.

Such a double-standard...not one of the Eurogoofs bothered to chastise Ryan Whosit for his comments, the way they "just shake their head" and something that Skeletor says (before clicking THA BIG RED FLAG).

CLASSY~! to the max. You don't happen to like Agricola, do you Brian Retchset?



Hey, in other news, at least BGG is one douchebag lighter. Seems as though SteinThompson games pulled up their stakes in a Cardchess-inspired huff and asked for content about their games to be removed.

Real classy guy there, who spent his time flaming and insulting users who rated his game with a low score, going so far as to geekmail people who just happened to rate the game low in their profiles. His rantings and insults on bad reviews would get out of control and the bad reviews would get locked...which is what I'm sure he wanted.

Y'know, I might've tried that silly little Ninja Galaxy game, but DOUCHEBAGGERY~! wins ya no fans. Good riddance, yo

Anonymous said...

Oh MAN I hate it when these numbers are put up! Have I REALLY read 200 articles here?!? Thank god you don't have a "comment" count tracker or it would be even worse!

Congrats though...but no need to keep counting. Just keep writing them and we will read.

Oh...stepping on a War Sun WHILE it is on a portable table located on overheated pool tiles...THAT results in some pain!

Mr Skeletor said...

Well, it would appear Drew has some competition.
Anyone get a load of this Ryan Bretsch guy (translation: who?)


If I'm not mistaken Bretsch was actually the first person to recognize AT and us over at Board game news. He certainly hates Weeks, and I think his comments on that thread were not fair, but apart from that I have no problem with him. He has written some good stuff and normally thinks before he types. I think you are mijudging him here based on this one event.

No way this guy is even in Drew's league. I could write a book on Drew's douchbaggery.

I still thumbed your post though because I love seeing you hulk out Franklin. Plus your post seems to have broken BGG.

Juniper said...

This shit has got to stop, man. Either everybody gets to swing their privates around like fools, or lay the smackdown on EVERYBODY.

Yeah, I don't think that the site needs more intrusive moderation so much as it needs a clear statement from Aldie about what is or is not permitted. The statement can be folksy and fun and include humorous examples, but it's also necessary.

Setting a different standard for Skeletor and GeneralPF is not only unfair, but it makes it impossible for Aldie to explain what the rules really are. Who are the people to whom the special rules are being applied, and why don't they know they're on the list?

The site's policy seems disorganized and arbitrary, and I think that the quality of the discussion on BGG has suffered as a result. F:At has come out the clear winner, by comparison.

steinley said...

Congrats on the 200th post. This is the first time I have decided to comment, but I think I have read everything hear.

I just have to say that this is a very refreshing site that really gives the best info on games (especially games that I care about).

I have been reading both F:AT and BGG since about July, and I have to say that I enjoy this community more. Thanks for all of the hard work.

steinley said...

by "hear" I mean "here" -- not that I suppose anyone here is going to give a shit about a little grammar mistake

Ken B. said...

Great, so you're telling me that I've used my sparingly-dispensed Holy Justice on the wrong guy?

SRSLY, I've never heard of him before that thread...but I didn't like what I saw there. If he was having an "off" day, it sure was a doozy. We're talking "TURN THE JUDGEMENTAL ASSHOLE LEVER TO 11, BOYZ!"




And as for you, Steinley, we take grammar VERY SERIOUSLY around here. You must now walk across the "Bed of Hot War Suns" in your bare feet as atonement.

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the 200th post and thanks for keeping this place going. My time spent over at BGG has pretty much ceased for two reasons:

1) I'm at a collectors plateau too. I've been culling the games I never play and haven't bought anything new in 4 months. I'll be getting just 1 boardgame for Christmas that I'm aware of- Combat Commander: Europe. So if I'm not buying, there's not much need to be over there researching.

2) More and more stupidity and political correctness over there.

Juniper said...

Posting guidelines:

1.0 Anyone that posts a joke -- even a well-meaning one -- on BGG must first ask the permission of all interested parties. Anyone that doesn't understand your joke is entitled to call you a douchebag, a bully, an asshole, and or/a shit-eater

1.1 Exception A: certain individuals are not permitted to use the terms douchebag, bully, asshole, and shit-eater. The names of these individuals are known to the BGG Admins, and NO ONE ELSE, not even the individuals in question.

1.2 Exception B: BGG users with "GAME DESIGNER" GeekBadges can say damn near anything they want. Suck it up.

1.2.1 Corollary to Exception B: Design a game, publish it as a PDF on a website, and get your GeekBadge. Carte Blanche!

1.2.2 Exception to Corollary to Exception B:
Your game had better be a Euro, or all bets are off.

2.0 Calling someone "talentless" does not constitute a personal attack. Even if the accusation of talentlessness is obviously false.

2.1 Hypothetical Example: It is OK to dismiss as "talentless" a very capable and prolific musician who consistently produces the only listenable podcast about boardgames.

2.2 Corollary to 2.0: Personal attacks that don't use bad language seem to be OK.

3.0 BGG Admins can't possibly read everything that gets posted to the site, so expect some inconsistency in the application of these rules.

3.1 They seem to read everything that MrSkeletor posts, though.

Anonymous said...

ken b. said. . . the "Bed of Hot War Suns"
I'd much rather have some Hot Warm Buns in my bed!

Have you noticed how the new BGG 'thumb' and 'hide' buttons look like the 'publish your comment' and 'preview' buttons here?

Ken B. said...

Sorry, Adrian...MONGO STRAIGHT~!

vandemonium said...


Ken B. said...

Great, so you're telling me that I've used my sparingly-dispensed Holy Justice on the wrong guy?

SRSLY, I've never heard of him before that thread...but I didn't like what I saw there. If he was having an "off" day, it sure was a doozy. We're talking "TURN THE JUDGEMENTAL ASSHOLE LEVER TO 11, BOYZ!"


Yea - I read that as a bit of an over reaction man. He dissed Steve but I don't read what he said as much beyond that. >shrug<

If he swore at him I'd be all over Octavian to do something but I don't think that post merits the BGG Commissioner for Fairness and Justice (me) to make annoying buzzing sounds in the admins ears.

If you disagree let me know. Actually guys, in general let me know where things are wrong and I will generally make a nuisance of myself over there.

As far as a "sister site" blog - Juniper you should definitely contribute more man your writing is top notch. I would argue why not just do it here where there is a well established support base. Maybe there can be a Eurotrash Corner or something. I'd be happy to contribute what I can but I don't think I am in the same class as far as quality of writing.

Cheers,
Van

ninjadiz said...

200 posts deserve a congratulations. Thanks for creating a community where people care more about games than their own egos.

Unknown said...

1. Why isn't Juniper a F:AT writer already?
2. BGG has done some stupid things in the past, but granting Stein-Thompson's request to pull their content is the dumbest decision ever.

Anonymous said...

ken b. said... Sorry, Adrian...MONGO STRAIGHT~!
Ha, ha, that makes two of us. Though with all the MotU and Gaylus comments, search engines probably have a different impression of F:AT!

Rliyen said...

1.2 Exception B: BGG users with "GAME DESIGNER" GeekBadges can say damn near anything they want. Suck it up.

QFT.

The duplicitous nature of the admins over there never ceases to amaze me.

It makes me want to design a DIY game, so I can get the GD badge and be able to call people egotistical assholes and tell them to eat shit at will!

Game Designers Badge: Like diplomatic immunity, in a way.

vandemonium said...

@ I don't know where else to post this:

:blinky lights:
*********************
- News Flash -
*********************
:blinky lights:

Agricola Controversy hits Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agricola_%28boardgame%29

Secret Origins:
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/250718

WTF? We've made wikipedia now? No shit?

Who wants to help me fill out the controversy section hmmm?

*WITHOUT* getting anyone banned from Wikipedia.

Frank, put the keyboard down...

I mean a well thought out paragraph. Crafted by the rabble, the rousers, the trash.

I'll try and start us off.

:clears throat: Ahem

(is there an ominous music option in ye olde Wikipedia BTW?)

On November 16, 2007 - a day that will go down in the annals of
gaming history as its darkest hour - Agricola had its pants pulled down by a bunch of juvenile asshats who bully and pick on others due to their extreme hatred of games. The so called "prank" caused an epidemic of spazmatic finger quakes amongst the enlighten few who rose up in glorious unity to repel the savagery heaped upon the game.

Juniper to you man, go cat go...

Juniper said...

I'm just disappointed that AGRICOLA has a Wikipedia entry while anal blockage does not.

Anonymous said...

First off congrats on the 200th post!

Now that that's been said why not grow bigger.. Keep the blogposting up but I would like to see F:AT grow to a full website for ameritrash games.


I need an AT alternative to BGG.
BGG is boring me to bits, I seriously had it with this circlejerking over this overhyped overpriced pile of steaming manure that is Agricola. Go read for yourself: http://www.boardgamegeek.com/article/1911628

vandemonium said...

My post:
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/article/1911814#1911814

is not hyperbole...

Shellhead said...

Juniper,

Speaking of anal blockage, did you notice that the wikipedia entry for Agricola shows only part of the box cover. Apparently that smiling farmer pressed up against the hind quarters of that innocent farm animal was too much for Wikipedia to handle.

Rliyen said...

Juniper,

Speaking of anal blockage, did you notice that the wikipedia entry for Agricola shows only part of the box cover. Apparently that smiling farmer pressed up against the hind quarters of that innocent farm animal was too much for Wikipedia to handle.


Shellhead, I thought the exact same thing when I saw the photo crop. I thought, "Where's the Sheep lovin' farmer?"

Juniper said...

The AGRICOLA illustration that we've all seen is meant to wrap around the left side of the box.

If you were to line up your games like books on a shelf, the sheep lovin' farmer will be staring at you from AGRICOLA's spine, kind of like the way that each ALEA game has an unfortunate ethnic stereotype smiling out from beneath the ALEA series number.

I guess that the AGRICOLA box was specifically designed for display as part of an ALEA collection. Are the box dimensions the same?

Remember when ALEA collectors were affixing numbers to their RGG editions of MAMMOTH HUNTERS, or specfically buying the German edition just to get the box with the number on it? Ridiculous.

Maybe we can help the BGG "community" that was so harmed by the 'COLA wars. We can upload to BGG a paste-up for the AGRICOLA box so that it can have a number of its own. But what would be an appropriate number for this game, and how can we pick a number that ALEA is not likely to use, itself? Fortunately, we have a perfect answer. MAMMOTH HUNTERS does not represent the only gap -- in the English-speaking world -- in the ALEA numbering scheme. In fact, RIO GRANDE GAMES skipped a couple of the early ALEA titles entirely; CHINATOWN and ADEL VERPFLICHTET. If we simply use the number that would have been assigned to CHINATOWN, we secure for AGRICOLA a number to which it is perfectly suited, considering the latter's unforgettable association(thanks to Hanno) with scatology:

NUMBER TWO.

MWChapel said...

WTF? We've made wikipedia now? No shit?

"We"? When did you sneak into this panther party and proclaimed yourself as one of these "We" Vand? Don't think you were nominated into the Ameritard national convention there.

vandemonium said...

I'm a Eurotard Chapel. I was one of the first to rate Agricola a "1" - after Randy. The AT guys came to the party late and then got blamed for it... So I've declared myself to be Eurotrash ;)