Jason Pipes - Jun 25, 2008 9:55 am (#3943 Total: 3982) Got in line at 7am to register today and I was 4th in the special registration booth. Even so it ended up taking 2.5 hours to get everything done. That's 2.5 hours of my life I will never get back. The only good news is that I got a discount on the ribbons for my wait, but one would think they would have had the computer issues resolved before they started the con. Wishful thinking I guess... John Loy - Jun 25, 2008 11:40 am (#3944 Total: 3982) When I want your opinion, I'll give it to you. >computer issues They just carry them over from year to year John Martin Sample - Jun 25, 2008 11:48 am (#3945 Total: 3982) "Kent, meltdown is one of those ugly buzzwords . I prefer to use the term unrequested fission surplus" - C. Montgomery Burns >Got in line at 7am to register today and I was 4th in the special registration booth. Even so it ended up taking 2.5 hours to get everything done. Nice to see that the GAMAtards still refuse to learn from prior years . 2.5 hours to get into the fucking place ???? Uli Blennemann - Jun 25, 2008 5:18 pm (#3946 Total: 3982) Checked in at about noon today - needed about 5 minutes... Bud was already handing out tons of Rio Grande Games -I got Puerto Rico and Powergrid. Uli Steven Bucey - Jun 25, 2008 10:07 pm (#3947 Total: 3982) "I can neither confirm nor deny that I agree or disagree with you." >I got Puerto Rico and Powergrid. Bummer man, two games I might actually have wanted. About 5pm after we dropped off the boxes Adam and I went to get our badges, which took took about 10 minutes, but I had to get ribbons and maybe a couple of generics for Adam and THAT line took 50 minutes. One of the games I picked out of Bud's pile was Dragonriders, as it looked like Something Adam might like to play. We tried a game with Gary but all of us decided it was a bit to fiddly for our taste. Adam hasn't picked any of his free games yet, as the ones he was interested in were not out yet, so I'll try to catch them tomorrow since he won't be back until Saturday. The other games I picked up where Fiji, Knights, and Euprates & Tigris card game. The Knights I'm immediately regretting as I can't stand Yathzee, but maybe I can find a different way to use the cards. Brant Guillory - Jun 25, 2008 11:37 pm (#3948 Total: 3982) Orange Crush, Asian Thunder, World of Conflict now on p500. I was hoping for "Masons" as it looks like something we could play at lunch at work. Instead, I have Knights and Euphrates & Tigris, and Chris got E&T and Fiji - all of which we'll take with us to work, but none would've been our first choice. Still, well worth the $16 I was going to spend on a ribbon anyway. Brad Stock - Jun 25, 2008 11:56 pm (#3949 Total: 3982) Pursuit of Glory (Paths of Glory 2): The Great War in the Near East I am actually surprised to see Masons in the give away -- it is a fun game. Not perfectly balanced, but fun. Brant Guillory - Jun 26, 2008 12:18 am (#3950 Total: 3982) Orange Crush, Asian Thunder, World of Conflict now on p500. apparently it wasn't actually in the giveaway, which caused some confusion. Quickly rectified by the CABieS on staff, but still threw me for a loop. Kevin Rohrer - Jun 26, 2008 8:21 am (#3951 Total: 3982) anna play a multiplayer wargame? Come to the Origins War Room, June 25-29! Wednesday Had a great time yesterday, hosting Thru the Ages (great!) and two games of Pacific Typhoon, although the latter game was derailed by a Columbus tornado. Who would have thought that a tornado could beat a Typhoon? Brant Guillory - Jun 26, 2008 6:38 pm (#3952 Total: 3982) Orange Crush, Asian Thunder, World of Conflict now on p500. Great conversation this morning over the BayonetGames table, followed by a pair of great sessions over at the Origins War College. Bryan Mulvihill - Jun 26, 2008 9:33 pm (#3953 Total: 3982) ...couldn't make it this year...any new releases worth checking out? Steven Bucey - Jun 27, 2008 1:08 am (#3954 Total: 3982) "I can neither confirm nor deny that I agree or disagree with you." Good day for me today (or was it yesterday). Combat Commander: Europe with Mike, Caesar XL with Peter, and Panzer Grenadier: Road to Berlin with John. Unfortunately, due to technical difficulties at home, I won't be able to make it till later tomorrow (or is it today?) brian stouder - Jun 28, 2008 1:33 pm (#3958 Total: 3982) got myself a mansion, then I gave it away; It's not the world that's heavy, its just the things that you save; and I'm drifting, drifting away (from Drifting by Pearl Jam) Three other fellows and I spent all day Friday doing the convention. I've been there three times over the years; this was the first time I came for a weekday instead of a Saturday. It was tremendous; played Portabello and Euphrate & Tigris, and spent a fair amount of time at the auction. In fact, I got a James Bond action figure for $2 - it is in the likeness of Sean Connery from Dr No, and has him dressed in a tux and smiling. Also included (seriously!) is a scaled down Smirnoff vodka bottle, martini glass, and shaker ("shaken, not stirred") and two Walther PPKs! 007 stands about 12" tall....the thing got a laugh out of my wife, when I brought it home and presented it to her. The great thing about Origins (to me) is that one can see/play all sorts of games - new and intriguing or old favorites; and one can snap up bargains. I bought several games from the Mayfair clearance rack that you simply could not go wrong on (priced $2 to $6), as did my buddies. Additionally, I was very tempted to pick up Die Macher for $35 - but I failed to get back to the expo area before the 6pm shutoff. I think the other fellows in my group each bought 4-6 games, too Honestly, I never did really understand the whole badge/ribbon/token thing. I bought a badge and bought into the scheduled E&T game and the Portabello game (both of which were over-sold, as it turned out!)...and then later saw that Mayfair gave out different ribbons for playing different games (some of which were on the expo floor), so that if you turned in a set (ala Carcossone) you would get something (a 50% discount? something). But whatever. It was a very pleasant - and surprisingly fast-moving! - day in Columbus. PS - I heard that Renier Kinizia was possibly going to be at the convention. Didn't run across him, but that's a fellow who I would definitely express sincere admiration for; what a great game designer! David Gray - Jun 28, 2008 5:42 pm (#3959 Total: 3982) Dean Steacy, Canadian Human Rights Commission: "Freedom of speech is an American concept, so I don't give it any value." >I heard that Renier Kinizia was possibly going to be at the convention. Didn't run across him, but that's a fellow who I would definitely express sincere admiration for; what a great game designer! I saw him on Thursday... dave Steven Bucey - Jun 29, 2008 5:58 pm (#3960 Total: 3982) "I can neither confirm nor deny that I agree or disagree with you." Total games played at Origins: Caesar XL Combat Commander: Europe, Panzer Grenadier: Road to Berlin. 5 games of Paul Koening's D-Day (Victory Point Games play-test) TransEuropa 3 games of Khet I had a good time. Steven Bucey - Jun 29, 2008 6:01 pm (#3961 Total: 3982) "I can neither confirm nor deny that I agree or disagree with you." Honestly, I never did really understand the whole badge/ribbon/token thing. You have to know the history of how GAMA originally made you pay for playing games and was lobbied for mainly by the wargaming crowd but also helped out the boardgaming crowd. The problem was that you could easily spend $10 a day, and often more, in tickets to play a game. Now, for $15, I can play wargames all weekend without bothering to keep track of tickets or cost. It's much easier and cheaper. Once this started, the other venues started to use variations on the idea. Steven Bucey - Jun 29, 2008 6:02 pm (#3962 Total: 3982) "I can neither confirm nor deny that I agree or disagree with you." My one big complaint was the number of exhibitors was WAY down, and I understand that the main cause may be the cost. Whatever the reason, the exhibitor area was not nearly as interesting as it used to be. Brant Guillory - Jun 29, 2008 8:55 pm (#3963 Total: 3982) Orange Crush, Asian Thunder, World of Conflict now on p500. >My one big complaint was the number of exhibitors was WAY down, and I understand that the main cause may be the cost. Whatever the reason, the exhibitor area was not nearly as interesting as it used to be. Well... I'm hoping to help rectify that some next year. I found some interesting things there, but it is smaller than before, and I'll collect my 'why' thoughts and get back to y'all... Jeff Petraska - Jun 29, 2008 9:56 pm (#3964 Total: 3982) There's no such word as "boardgame" - look it up! >My one big complaint was the number of exhibitors was WAY down, and I understand that the main cause may be the cost. Whatever the reason, the exhibitor area was not nearly as interesting as it used to be. I was there on Friday, and I thought the number of attendees was WAY down as well. There was plenty of room in the Exhibit Hall to walk around, and even the couple times I took a stroll through the Board Room and War Room I didn't see too many people. And to answer Bryan Mulvihill's question, no, there were no new game releases worthy of mention at Origins this year (that I saw, anyway). Mark Pitcavage - Jun 29, 2008 11:08 pm (#3965 Total: 3982) The Sockdologizer The new version of Highway to the Reich would seem to me to be worthy of mention, among others. Jason Pipes - Jun 30, 2008 1:13 am (#3966 Total: 3982) >And to answer Bryan Mulvihill's question, no, there were no new game releases worthy of mention at Origins this year (that I saw, anyway). There was also Aces & Eights which is an outstanding new western RPG from Kenzer and Co which has most high quality rule book I've ever seen. The rule book is over 400 pages long, is in full color, has glossy pages, is leather bound, and has beautiful and high quality artwork thoughout. Another game released was Conflict of Heroes by Academy Games which is a brand new tactical level squad based Eastern Front game system somewhere between ASL and Combat Commander. Lastly I saw a new add-on for Duel in Dark (for those into that game, myself not included), and a new small box game by Counter Strike called Army or Ireland about the Fenian invasion of Canada in (I believe) 1867. http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/36486 http://conflictofheroes.com/ http://www.kenzerco.com/aces_n_eights/ Mark Novara - Jun 30, 2008 7:23 am (#3967 Total: 3982) The greatest happiness is to scatter your enemy, to drive him before you, to see his cities reduced to ashes, to see those who love him shrouded in tears, and to gather into your bosom his wives and daughters.- G.Khan New Game Releases Worthy of Mention In addition to Highway to the Reich, there was also Devil's Cauldron and Conflict of Heroes (this by a new game company, Academy Games). Mark N. Steven Bucey - Jun 30, 2008 11:44 am (#3975 Total: 3982) I can neither confirm nor deny that I agree or disagree with you." >There was plenty of room in the Exhibit Hall to walk around, and even the couple times I took a stroll through the Board Room and War Room I didn't see too many people. It was very crowded on Saturday, so much so that my son wanted out after about 45 minutes as he was feeling to closed in. Bob Titran - Jun 30, 2008 11:44 am (#3976 Total: 3982) Buffalo, NY DG also had the new WWI Down in Flames game out. Mike Reed - Jun 30, 2008 11:44 am (#3977 Total: 3982) Calmer than you are.... Jason writes, >Got in line at 7am to register today and I was 4th in the special registration booth. Even so it ended up taking 2.5 hours to get everything done. Marty blares, >Nice to see that the GAMAtards still refuse to learn from prior years . 2.5 hours to get into the fucking place ???? Hmm...same tune...different drummer. Static. FWIW, I showed up with my family on Thursday at about 3 pm. Got our four pre-reg'd badges within about 5 minutes of arriving at the booth. Got 10 generics for my kids at the neighboring booth, another 2 minutes. Got War Room tix for my son & I at a third, plus some event ticket for a tourney on Friday & a game on Saturday for my boy. Another 15 minutes, this one due to a slow volunteer...but still nothing to worry too much about. All in all, I found that if you pre-register for your badge, then it's nothing to worry about WRT the wait. If you don't, then it's pot luck, but nothing compared to the wait I had at GenCon a few years ago when I decided to make the day trip...zoiks! That was nearly 4 hours on a Saturday morning! Before spouting all the bile, remember that the majority of the folks working @ the con are volunteers...and should be given the benefit of the doubt. I can take a little inefficiency at times, as long as it's not deliberate. Attendance did seem to be down, and the Exhibit Hall a little emptier, but the feeling I got from talking to the exhibitors that WERE there, they seemed to have done quite well. Of course, there are some exceptions...then again, it wasn't as if there was a lack of things to do...always something happening, the agenda was always filled. Enjoyed the experience this year...it's on the family agenda for the past 4, and I've been instructed to set it up again. Bob Titran - Jun 30, 2008 11:48 am (#3978 Total: 3982) Buffalo, NY I got in late Friday afternoon and had to go to the "specials" booth to pick up my Teacher's Hall Pass & War Room Ribbon. Walked right up and my check-in was complete in less than 3 minutes. No complaints here whatsoever. Jason Pipes - Jun 30, 2008 11:58 am (#3979 Total: 3982) Overall I was pleased with the con. The SNAFU with registering on Wed AM wasn't the volunteers fault, it was a computer issue. It was frustrating regardless but I wasn't blaming anyone specifically. That sucked but the rest of the con was great. Being my first Origins I can't compare it to previous years but it was larger than any single con on the West Coast, that's for sure. The dealer area, I heard, was lighter than years past but it still took considerable effort to browse everything and hit all the booths in an hour or two. I went back multiple times as most do I imagine. Not as large as I recall GenCon being back in the day, but certainly large enough to satisfy all my gaming needs. I picked up a lot of games in the dealer area and auction that were on my want list so that was a huge bonus and I went home a very happy camper.