GWJ Online Boardgame Group

I'd like to get involved next time. If someone can send me an invite to the group, that would be great.

Wish I had stuck around for 7 Wonders, love that game. Sounded like you guys were having fun with Puerto Rico though! Hopefully I can get in next time.

Invite sent tuffalobuffalo!

Mantid wrote:

Invite sent tuffalobuffalo!

Thanks!

I would like to get involved in this. Though I have no idea how any of it works. Do you have to have the actual game to play? Or are these emulators? Is my Japan time zone gonna kill this for me?

StaggerLee wrote:

it would be incredibly helpful if someone could record a ~10-20 minute intro to the games for the upcoming Wednesday and post a video (maybe such a thing already exists and it can just be linked to). That way anyone who doesn't know the game could watch and have a good idea of how things work.

For almost all these games, there are great tutorials, online rulebooks, videos or episodes of the How To Play podcast that can walk you through. We just need to pick games.

I'm going to suggest we focus on the free stuff to start with, which means not GameTableOnline (as much as I love their implementations) or DaysOfWonder stuff.

For next week, how abouts folks focus on the following three games:

7 Wonders: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjO0K...
San Juan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSin1...
Pandemic: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5V8q...

You can google around for better how to videos I'm sure.

Next wed at 8?

How much would I bring down the fun if I tried to get in on this without having a mic on my computer? I've never used vent but I assume I could listen in enough to know what games are being played and where at?

I wish next wednesday worked for me, I'm extremely interested in all 3 of those games. Maybe I'll change my plans...

I must have missed you guys. I jumped on at 10PM CST and the boardgame channel was empty. I will have to plan ahead for next wednesday.

I was perusing the game list on Brettspiel, and I noticed they have Imperial, one of my favorites. And Powergrid too! If this becomes a regular thing, I'd love to show anyone interested how to play.

They have Powergrid? I didnt see that!

Updated the OP with this, and the info about the first PBEM game.

Resources to learn to play boardgames
Board Games with Scott - Video Tutorials of Board Games

The How To Play Podcast- Audio Tutorials of Board Games. Some of these are quite long, but that's because he actually goes into some basic strategy and thoughts about these games as well, which I find helpful as it goes beyond just a rules explanation.

Both are excellent resources, but both are unfortunately incomplete lists - these guys do these in their spare time so not every single game available is out there!

For games not available on those two podcasts, you will likely be able to find a PDF online by googling, or a youtube video with an explanation. There is also an iPhone app that has boardgame rulebooks on it, though I forget what its called.

I recommend that everyone interested in participating learn to play Dominion and Seven Wonders, as these are nice, short games to play while we're waiting for someone, or while some people are being explained the rules to another game.

rabbit wrote:

For almost all these games, there are great tutorials, online rulebooks, videos or episodes of the How To Play podcast that can walk you through. We just need to pick games.

I'm going to suggest we focus on the free stuff to start with, which means not GameTableOnline (as much as I love their implementations) or DaysOfWonder stuff.

For next week, how abouts folks focus on the following three games:

7 Wonders: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjO0K...
San Juan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSin1...
Pandemic: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5V8q...

You can google around for better how to videos I'm sure.

Next wed at 8?

Great suggestions Rabbit - I really appreciate your help with this BTW.

I agree with Rabbit's suggestions for next week - 7 Wonders, San Juan, and Pandemic it is.

If you're a go-getter and want to prep yourself for future sessions as well, I'm pretty confident that Puerto Rico will be played again, so you can listen to the "How to Play" episode on that (see link in OP or above). I'm also definitely confident that I'll be playing Imperial with Danyboy as I love that game, so you may want to learn that one too. (Not sure where there is an explanation for that).

Though I have to say, as much as it really, really helps when people come knowing the rules, I feel like explaining the rules for games is just part of the hobby and it might just have to be done from time to time. That being said, I think the general house rule for our group should be that in a scenario with limited spots, those who already know the rules to the game should be given priority on playing over those who don't - it will encourage people too look it up ahead of time and give more gametime for everyone.

In terms of timing, I feel like there is some kind of consensus that a weekly Wednesday night evening seems to be ok with everyone, so I'll just go ahead and make that official for now. As for the time, 8PM EST seems like a good enough "official" start time - though if people are online and want to get some quick games in beforehand, go nuts! I think I definitely will from time to time.

I'll catch up on group invites and so on later - existing members, feel free to help me out.

Sweet - thanks for updating the OP, Dysplastic.

If I may make one small request, can you add timezone to the 8pm? I'm guessing east-coast US, but wanted to be sure.

I'm happy to explain rules to any games I know (which, at this point, is quite a few). If I can make it next week I know all three of those and will be happy to teach. Thankfully they are all easy enough to explain relatively quickly and can be picked up as we play.

If there isn't already something out there explaining how to play a game we have interest in, I would consider putting something together.

Count me in on some boardgamin'! I'd appreciate an add to the group when someone gets a chance.

http://steamcommunity.com/id/quasiChaos

Thanks to all for setting up this gaming group. Great idea!

I'm still not seeing an invite to the Steam group. I think my sig might have not had teh right Steam id. I linked my profile in the sig now, so it goes right to the page.

Not sure when I'll be able to jump in, with my occasionally chaotic and soul-destroying work schedule, but I'm definitely interested in participating at some point. My Steam ID is the same as my GWJ ID: OzymandiasAV.

Invites sent to Yoreel, Ozymandias and quasiChaos.

It's definately worth doing the readthrough on the rules ahead of time, or just watching the videos. Also, hop into BSW and watch a little of each game before next wed, and that way you'll have the art assets loaded.

Just heard Julian mention this on the podcast. I would be very interested in this. Tried to do the same thing with the in-person gaming group I had as it broke up, but it never came together. SteamID is [GWJ] Sway. I've always been frustrated by the language and interface barrier to Brettspielwelt, but could easily face my demons with the help of some friends on Vent. Really excited to see this work.

Ze invite, she is sent.

Could I get a group invite? I likes the board games.

muttonchop wrote:

Could I get a group invite? I likes the board games.

For you mutton, anything.

Tested out the Dominion through Isotropic last night and enjoyed it quite a bit.

Steam invite please? http://steamcommunity.com/id/Eldon_o...

I'm unfamiliar with any of the other listed games but am willing to learn if anyone would like to take a shot at teaching some.

Could I get an invite too?

Done and done. At this rate I'm going to give ragin_redneck a run for his money.

DanyBoy wrote:

Done and done. At this rate I'm going to give ragin_redneck a run for his money.

Yeah, but you missed all those people back on page 3! Don't worry though, while Danyboy doesn't love you, I do.

To answer a few questions asked in the thread:
Yes, it's fine on a mac. The interfaces we use are almost all web-based. You don't need to own the game to play, and only certain sites make you pay and we'll avoid those to start - though they tend to be the higher quality ones.

Time zones may indeed be a problem. Our organized nights will pretty much all fall within EST-PST time ranges. That being said, I hope to get enough people interested that people could take the initiative to start Euro or Asia-Pacific time zone games. Also, I tend to be a night owl and I know there are others like me, so you can often catch me late, which might work with your time zones better, and late nights is often when I have time for a game. Finally, for those in different time zones, I recommend Dreaded Gazebo's Play by Email games! I'm signed up for the first one - more info is in the OP.

Whoops, I thought the Boardgame Geek forum name would be the display name for SpielByWeb. I'm dumb. I'm azelener in the Tikal game.

Anyone up for some games tonight around 10PM CST? Wife normally heads off to bed by then, and I think some games and a few tasty ales are on my agenda.

Yoreel wrote:

Anyone up for some games tonight around 10PM CST? Wife normally heads off to bed by then, and I think some games and a few tasty ales are on my agenda.

Possible. If you see me on steam, ping me.