tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811769968708731746.post3443579385384766741..comments2023-11-03T02:44:56.790-07:00Comments on Fortress: Ameritrash: Putting My Money Where My Mouth IsMatt Throwerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04426055092986158446noreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811769968708731746.post-9623426029538126462013-04-14T10:00:44.882-07:002013-04-14T10:00:44.882-07:00Do you mind if I quote a couple of your posts as l...Do you mind if I quote a couple of your posts as long as I provide credit and sources back to your site?<br />My blog site is in the very same niche as yours and my visitors <br />would really benefit from some of the information you provide here.<br />Please let me know if this alright with you. Appreciate it!<br /><br /><br />Visit my webpage - <a href="http://www.livingwithrheumatoidarthritis.org/rheumatoid-arthritis-facts/" rel="nofollow">http://www.livingwithrheumatoidarthritis.org/rheumatoid-arthritis-facts/</a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811769968708731746.post-53303418156482209082007-07-06T14:42:00.000-07:002007-07-06T14:42:00.000-07:00Great second column - enjoyed it. I think you were...Great second column - enjoyed it. I think you were fine with all of the last four choices as they should appeal to a diverse range of video gamers for reasons of genre, mechanics, and game length ... a lot of them should find something that looks interesting that they may at least research about.<BR/><BR/>I know it will make most of us choke, but - you probably need a link to some online source for boardgame reviews or data (and if you have included one and I missed it then I'll do the smack-in-the-mouth treatment to me myself) for those who can't wait until next week.Southernmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03254183843277088157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811769968708731746.post-13170928212363167832007-07-06T06:53:00.000-07:002007-07-06T06:53:00.000-07:00Well, we can do it right here...I specfically chos...Well, we can do it right here...<BR/><BR/>I specfically chose things that were for one thing, in print and easy to get, and for another that I thought had direct analogues to video games and other matters of "geek appeal". <BR/><BR/>I figured the most "controversial" would be DESCENT and ZOMBIES...DESCENT because it's long and complex, ZOMBIES because it's really kind of crappy. But I think gamers inclined to enjoy fantasy video games are already acclimated to a degree of complexity in their entertainment choices and the overwhelming "coolness" of DESCENT would likely win over even new gamers- who might go on to play nothing but DESCENT for years to come. ZOMBIES is a great example of the same appeal that really trashy movies have...I don't watch DRACULA, PRISONER OF FRANKENSTEIN for great filmmaking (although it has its moments) but I love it and in the right mood I'd rather watch it over a Tarkovsky picture. I think it's very immediate, it's something people can pick up and play and enjoy without having to really dig into it, and it's fun.<BR/><BR/>Next week it's "Games to Avoid"!Michael Barneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01465993224831900150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811769968708731746.post-33394757242022101312007-07-05T20:59:00.000-07:002007-07-05T20:59:00.000-07:00Yeah, some interesting choices. I'd love to get a ...Yeah, some interesting choices. I'd love to get a discussion going on this one. Hopefully Michael will blog about it so we can start a new thread of sorts.bill abnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12557904727767952205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811769968708731746.post-65551734843270783502007-07-05T18:17:00.000-07:002007-07-05T18:17:00.000-07:00Yikes! I only got one of the five right (Nexus Op...Yikes! I only got one of the five right (Nexus Ops).<BR/><BR/>--Mike L.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811769968708731746.post-82575507282192649012007-07-05T06:59:00.000-07:002007-07-05T06:59:00.000-07:00Probably more than you got in Federation severance...Probably more than you got in Federation severance pay!Michael Barneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01465993224831900150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811769968708731746.post-74550761652739651662007-07-04T11:23:00.000-07:002007-07-04T11:23:00.000-07:00Putting your money where your mouth is? I didn't r...Putting your money where your mouth is? I didn't realize you had that much money!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811769968708731746.post-13604690021805229362007-07-03T09:18:00.000-07:002007-07-03T09:18:00.000-07:00Michael,Will you be getting feedback on your Gamer...Michael,<BR/><BR/>Will you be getting feedback on your Gamershark article via their email feedback system? It would be interesting to see here what, if any, reaction you receive from regular users of that site.<BR/><BR/>As far as not understanding your articles, I don't see that as a problem. They might not understand why I and others want to sit around for 5 hours playing a game about the German election system, or more to the point why I would rather play Doom the boardgame than whip ass (or get my ass handed to me) in a game of Doom/Quake/Battlefield, etc...I think your article pointed out some reasons why that may be the case.<BR/><BR/>BTW, I've done my share of ass whippin on line, but not lately!<BR/><BR/>As a side note, I have a copy of Gladiator (Avalon Hill) for trade. Noticed on that other Boardgame site that its on your want list.dgilliganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05246414416075343144noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811769968708731746.post-13401296096299999882007-07-03T07:37:00.000-07:002007-07-03T07:37:00.000-07:00First off, thanks for all the kind comments and su...First off, thanks for all the kind comments and support- it really means a lot to me that you guys appreciate what I'm trying to do with the column. I love boardgaming with all my black little heart and I derive a lot of satisfaction knowing that maybe some kid in Dubuque, Iowa might read the column and find his way into the hobby. I've really gotten tired of these people who claim that they're somehow game "evangelists" yet couch all of their podcasts, articles, reviews, and so forth in the sort of esoteric, in-crowdish language that alienates new people and makes the hobby feel inapproachable. Further, I'm tired of seeing people suggest games like TICKET TO RIDE to kids who play GRAND THEFT AUTO. And beyond that, I'm tired of every "newbie" gamer I meet being over 35 years old.<BR/><BR/>Of course, it wasn't long before a BGG user piped up and made comments about how the "average Gameshark reader" wouldn't be able to understand anything I wrote and that there'd be no reaching the "minds of mush" over there...I think it's hysterical how boardgamers have this arrogant, "sophisticated" attitude...about playing board games. Ha!Michael Barneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01465993224831900150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811769968708731746.post-45406156615954087792007-07-03T06:26:00.000-07:002007-07-03T06:26:00.000-07:00Excellent read Mr Barnes. Good Luck with your col...Excellent read Mr Barnes. Good Luck with your column!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811769968708731746.post-32527998632128447352007-07-02T12:51:00.000-07:002007-07-02T12:51:00.000-07:00Excellent article over on Gameshark, Michael. I n...Excellent article over on Gameshark, Michael. I never had reason to go to that site but will probably take the time to do so on a weekly basis to see what you have to say on the hobby.<BR/><BR/>I also have to say I like BGG and use that site almost every day to read about games, find the hot deals, etc... The whole issue about the images is rather ludicrous as it seems that a mutually beneficial arrangement could have been reached. Cross-promotion can be a great thing.<BR/><BR/>I also think that your banning on BGG is the best thing that could have happened. I didn't follow your writing much on BGG mainly because it got lost in the noise. This forum and the Gamershark forums are much better for the type of writing you do. I come here to read your's and other's articles.<BR/><BR/>Loved the article about Duel in the Dark and I'm looking forward to seeing it this week at Origins. A buddy of mine has already asked Zev to hold a copy for him (which no doubt he will since my friend has a game published through Z-Man games.)<BR/><BR/>In any case, keep up the good work.dgilliganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05246414416075343144noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811769968708731746.post-88092159644917062752007-07-02T12:10:00.000-07:002007-07-02T12:10:00.000-07:00Michael,Well written first article, I enjoyed it v...Michael,<BR/><BR/>Well written first article, I enjoyed it very much. I'll be curious to hear as you begin to get feedback from GameShark readers, what things that you said caught their attention, what did they apparently completely ignore.<BR/><BR/>As a father of two teenagers (when did I get old?), I've enjoyed introducing boardgaming not only to them, but to their friends as well. I'm convinced some of them think I'm totally unbalanced (and I'm not sure I could prove them wrong), but most that have been willing to sit down and try a game or two seem have enjoyed themselves.<BR/><BR/>Oh, and I agree with you, I don't think we do anyone any good by trying to dumb articles down to what we "think" a teenager can handle. Hasn't every generation be absolutely convinced that the younger generations just weren't as smart, were ruder, and had far worse taste in music? :)<BR/><BR/>DanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811769968708731746.post-88948625214277521512007-07-01T20:20:00.000-07:002007-07-01T20:20:00.000-07:00Your premise in each column should be "Board Games...Your premise in each column should be "Board Games have all the action, all the fun of video games --with the added bonus of being able to play them with friends live --and see their face expressions."<BR/><BR/>Bring us there. Put us in your game. Give us the experience of how these games are supposed to be played.<BR/><BR/>Bring up the trashing table talk, the silly character talking, the unbelievable odds, the heroric reverses, the sneaky backstabbing, the plans made that succeeded ...and failed.<BR/><BR/>And the food and drinks consumed among friends!<BR/><BR/>Recommend avoid bringing up the other faction even to put them down. They're boring. The risk is people stop reading at boring. Every time you mention them, you lose readers who saw boring: Middle managers, church youth directors, math teachers who hold game clubs after school --you drop readers at every mention. <BR/><BR/>While putting down computer programmers on a *video game* site shows YOU DON'T GET IT. Who exactly, if not programmers, wrote all those cool titles on the rest of gameshark, Barnes? Ensemble Studios programmers are gawds to be awed and worshipped, even if they are led by Bruce Shelley.<BR/><BR/>You'll lose all cred on video game sites ...and all readers ...if you can't avoid making that mistake again.<BR/><BR/>Once you find your voice, I believe you could be excellent. Tell us what you enjoy. Tell us that, and help us to feel it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811769968708731746.post-14044716299078971222007-06-30T16:40:00.000-07:002007-06-30T16:40:00.000-07:00here i am coming late to the party again. Well don...here i am coming late to the party again. Well done for taking your show on the road as it were. For all the flapping that SOOOO many people do on the internet about the hobby etc. it is amazing that what they really mean is them and their 4 friends. Bravo.<BR/><BR/>Can Octavian please post as anonymous so I can skip his posts next time? Whats up with that guy? Seems like he's "doing a Healey" and just making a twat of himself. Anyway keep up the good work..Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811769968708731746.post-31836747290799606162007-06-30T13:25:00.000-07:002007-06-30T13:25:00.000-07:00I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that yo...<I>I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that you dislike Michael Barnes, but that's not our problem.</I><BR/><BR/>Not true at all. Octavian and the others at BGG love Barnes so much that they had to Ban him from their site. They were afraid their hearts would explode . . . explode with LOVE . . . if they didn't send him away. <BR/><BR/>It's a much nicer site now, too. Everyone is SOOO polite there. Just the other day, as I was reading about Caylus, someone reached through my PC monitor and KISSED me!! French style! Was that you, Ocatavian, you rascal? I love BGG!<BR/><BR/>I'm glad you got your pictures back.RK Fadehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12064574805169644535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811769968708731746.post-7977290849364263692007-06-30T08:25:00.000-07:002007-06-30T08:25:00.000-07:00Mike said... "As a teacher of teenagers might I s...Mike said...<BR/> <BR/>"As a teacher of teenagers might I suggest you refrain from the following words:<BR/><BR/>visceral<BR/>logistics<BR/>paradigms (which, might I add is a word that dumb people use to make themselves sound smart, so avoid this anyway)<BR/>impetus<BR/>renege"<BR/><BR/>No, no, no, no! Please don't tell me kids are dumber today than when when we were in high school (in my case in the 1980s). I don't buy it. I went to a regular high school in North America without too many bells & whistles, but had dedicated teachers (a few of them anyway) who pushed us beyond our limits, whether they were teaching the Greek playwrights, or Shakespeare or Harold Pinter. Even if we didn't understand everything we were taught (and we didn't) we were at least made aware that a different world existed out there beyond our small high school lives of homework and chores and teenage angst. Learning new language and concepts and not getting them dumbed down in the Coles Notes version was pretty important, at least for me, and many friends I went to school with.<BR/><BR/>"Paradigm is aword I might I add is a word that dumb people use to make themselves sound smart."<BR/><BR/>No it bloody well isn't.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811769968708731746.post-43141201668667227452007-06-30T06:20:00.000-07:002007-06-30T06:20:00.000-07:00Maybe Octavian can be the site's first banning ......Maybe Octavian can be the site's first banning ...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811769968708731746.post-69087443172863600832007-06-30T06:12:00.000-07:002007-06-30T06:12:00.000-07:00"I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that y..."I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that you dislike Michael Barnes, but that's not our problem. He's a good writer with some great insight and he has our full support. I hope you will support the great work he's doing."<BR/><BR/>I gotta agree with this as well as the statement that T Vasel wouldn't be hounded if he used the same images. The thing that makes this all seem personal is that it seems like it's always Octavian who responds to Barnes 'issues' (and not really anyone else from BGG). Correct me if I'm wrong. <BR/><BR/>Still, how about giving it a rest? Maybe BGG should owe up to the fact that Barnes shouldn't have been banned in the first place - and stop throwing obstacles in his path now that he has successfully moved on.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811769968708731746.post-785676236042113372007-06-29T20:57:00.000-07:002007-06-29T20:57:00.000-07:00Watch a movie like "Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift"...Watch a movie like "Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift" and you will see what the average video gamer's priorities are. <BR/><BR/>You may realize what a snowball's chance you have to get any of them to play boardgames. But regardless, good luck.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811769968708731746.post-90933180374261685172007-06-29T19:57:00.000-07:002007-06-29T19:57:00.000-07:00You caught me. I hate Michael Barnes. I also eat...You caught me. I hate Michael Barnes. I also eat babies, make the sign of the cross when I accidentally touch a d20, and carry a sharpie around with me to draw burkhas on all images of scantily clad fantasy game females I am forced to pass by in my FLGS when I'm trying to make my way to the wholesome and pure eurogame section.<BR/><BR/>DAMN YOU BARNES!!! YOUR EXISTENCE EATS AT MY VERY IMMORTAL SOUL!!! I CANNOT REST UNTIL THE INTERNETS HAVE BEEN CLEANSED OF YOU AND YOUR KIND!!!!<BR/><BR/>Now I must again go and bathe in the font of holy water I have in my backyard grotto for once again sullying my fingers by composing a response on this wretched and diseased site. THE GOGGLES DO NOTHING!!!Octavianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14026046308198065790noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811769968708731746.post-2225863299628164422007-06-29T18:17:00.000-07:002007-06-29T18:17:00.000-07:00Feedback's a funny thing. People love to leave fee...Feedback's a funny thing. People love to leave feedback if:<BR/><BR/>A) Their message is there for all to see..<BR/><BR/>B) They REALLY hate an article. They'll takle the time to slam you more often than they will to say, "hey good job." <BR/><BR/>GameShark (currently) doesn't have a ready-made feedback page -- just a feedback email which people rarely use. If we had something where people could leave feedback on a page...<BR/><BR/>Is it being read? Oh, yeah, without a doubt. Our traffic is pretty substantial, but I haven't seen any feedback from readers yet. I have shown the column and discussed the idea to other editor-folk and they're all in agreement that we're onto something and that Michael's pretty darn good at expressing himself. If you're a columnist, rule one is that you have to have something to say. That's not as common as you might think.<BR/><BR/>Columns also take time to gather a reader-base, which is why I'm excited about the weekly format rather than doing it monthly.bill abnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12557904727767952205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811769968708731746.post-4263085995083423152007-06-29T17:42:00.000-07:002007-06-29T17:42:00.000-07:00The distinction here is that Gameshark is a commer...<I>The distinction here is that Gameshark is a commercial site and thus need permission to use any image, regardless of if they came from BGG or elsewhere. In the case of BGG the rights of the images are retained by the user that uploads them.</I><BR/><BR/>As has been pointed out, BGG is a commercial site now too. <BR/>Now name some sites that are NOT hated by BGG (as ebay sellers are) that you have asked images to be pulled from. <BR/><BR/>James Fudge makes me wish I was into video gaming more.Mr Skeletorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17641339798508135450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811769968708731746.post-84362991815313093742007-06-29T15:49:00.000-07:002007-06-29T15:49:00.000-07:00Oh, then I OD'ed, crashed a car, killed the drumme...<I>Oh, then I OD'ed, crashed a car, killed the drummer of Hanoi Rocks, cleaned up, and then went on a reunion tour supporting an album no one bought.</I><BR/><BR/>How many GeekGold did you get for that?Juniperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05905667009014233372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811769968708731746.post-15331531343378625232007-06-29T15:48:00.000-07:002007-06-29T15:48:00.000-07:00Mike, what sort of feedback (outside of that here ...Mike, what sort of feedback (outside of that here on F:AT) are you getting?<BR/><BR/>Just curious, you know.<BR/><BR/>--Mike L.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811769968708731746.post-68791382161579757702007-06-29T15:21:00.000-07:002007-06-29T15:21:00.000-07:00Great column, Michael. Congrats, and I look forwa...Great column, Michael. Congrats, and I look forward to reading more.<BR/><BR/>Right on about not talking down to the kids, too.KenHRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11613789646908929989noreply@blogger.com