Garrett's Games and Geekiness: Recent Comments

Comment on Garrett's Games and Geekiness 202

Chris Leach — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 07:11:18 GMT

Sorry don't use itunes...
But can only fully recommend your podcast for the quick fun reviews and banter.

Comment on Garrett's Games and Geekiness 200

Doug Garrett — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 17:23:16 GMT

Guy,

Thanks for the great comments. I know EXACTLY what you mean (and could commiserate with you for a lengthy stretch) about tech in the Garrett household growing up. My dad was pretty good with many things mechanical, but the 'newfangled' stuff (ie. computers and so-called 'complicated' remotes) were my domain. My mom's even worse - I'm the one who heads over and makes sure her TV functions once again when she "can't get the darn thing to change... (volume, channels, etc.).

That said, what I was really trying to get at was the 'desire' factor for lack of a better word that I see in the generation sitting in front of me at school. My students are quick to try new tech, but they NEVER read through the instructions in order to learn how to use it. To be honest, few people seem to do that anymore - relying instead on trial and error and/or friends' input to know how things work. My students are used to technology and willing to learn it in the way described, but if it doesn't work in the way they are used to, they are VERY quick to get frustrated. Usually this process of learning works (except for the whining), but they can miss out.... they know what they know, learn a bit more from friends, then stop learning.

The same can be said for games. Our culture thinks it knows what a 'game' is. Therefore, they often can't see beyond roll dice (or spin spinner) and move. I know I'm making HUGE over-generalizations here, but the problem I see with the students is that their love of tech, learning through trial and error, and/or having the gadget explained without research seems to lead to a lack of desire to learn something new on their own through research/reading.

Now that's not always the case, and I have had some great fun playing games with my students. But even my 'best and brightest' won't put up with more than a 2-3 minute rules explanation...but then that's the case with many adults too.

I guess I'm just spinning my wheels and ranting a bit.

As for Kublacon - you're right about the numbers growing, but I think they've peaked to a great extent. The event s a wonderful small convention, and as such I don't see it growing much more - and I don't know that it has grown much in the past few years. HOWEVER, there certainly has been a shift to more boardgaming at the convention! CCGs have petered out a bit, and more individuals are wandering up to the boardgaming area for open gaming.

Finally, you're right that the general populous seems to know more about the games we play. How that translates into growth in the hobby is not obvious, but it certainly seems to get more Settlers games sold! Glad to know that you have a stable of individuals at work whom you can play with. I have my students - but that means I'm limited to what I can play with them more often than not...AND when someone comes along who actually likes deeper games, he/she graduates!!!!

And now I'll stop whining - thanks again for the note.

Doug

Comment on Garrett's Games and Geekiness 200

Guy — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 06:46:19 GMT

Hi!

Just a couple things about this week's podcast (great one btw). Concerning students' eyes glazing over and technical manuals etc--this is NOT NOT NOT generation-specific. When I was a kid, *I* was the one who had to read the tech manuals when we bought our first VCR, our first remote control TV, our first microwave oven. *I* was the one who bought our first computer with money saved from recycling cans and papers (this was back in 1978). It was *not* my parents, who were both high school teachers. This is a personality-profile not a generation-thing.

And, as to the increased awareness (or lack thereof) of eurogames? It has definitely grown substantially. Back when I went to my first Kublacon, it was at the Oakland Airport Hilton--had maybe 500 people max. How many show up now? 1500, 2000, 2500...many times more any way you look at it. That's not an insignificant increase. Additionally, at the 3 jobs I've had since Settlers came out, while playing games at work, I've gone from having to scrounge to find a 2nd player to now where I easily have 8 people show up wanting to play a game at lunch...every single day--and it's not always the same people. That's from a pool of at 20+ different people, and it's growing. Just in the matte painting dept. (12 people in total) 6 own actual eurogames they play regularly, and that total goes to 8 if you count card games like Tichu and Sticheln. So is it the new 'appletini' sweeping the general media and populace by storm? Probably not, but then I never had an appletini, either. It is, however growing strongly in the segment of the population which is prone to be interested in such things--you know, those folks who not only CAN read the technical manuals, but are expected to by those around them who count on them to 'explain the rules.'

Comment on Garrett's Games and Geekiness 173

tracey — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 22:45:59 GMT

Yes, but Valdora will soon find its way to the USA not too long. Its all a matter of time my friend

--------

Actually it's out here (as of January 2010) and definitely worth picking up!

Comment on Garrett's Games and Geekiness 194

Antti Koskinen — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 08:49:59 GMT

Looking forward on the episode and the discussion on Epäillyt!

Happy New Year to you and game on!

Comment on Garrett's Games and Geekiness 193

Chris — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 07:53:17 GMT

Just one note on an Archaeology rule - At 6 minutes in you say you can only put down one set per round but the rules state "The player may sell to the museum multiple times in one turn." Quite handy if you clear out one of the chambers in the pyramid.

Comment on Garrett's Games and Geekiness 190

Stefano Castelli — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 11:18:22 GMT

Thanks a lot for the very detailed review of Turandot! :) I was very happy to hear it.

Comment on Garrett's Games and Geekiness 188

john — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:52:36 GMT

Nice podcast. 'Hansa Teutonica' did not explain well, at least for me, but 'Vasco de Gama' is now high on my wishlist (you listening, secret santa?)

--------

John,

I hope by "did not explain well" you mean that it wasn't something you are interested in and not that we didn't explain the game well. :-)

Vasco da Gama is fantastic - you know that a game is good when you keep thinking about it after you've played it, and that's the case with me.

Doug

Comment on Garrett's Games and Geekiness 185

Doug R — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:07:29 GMT

Hey Guys-

My wife, Patty, has some questions for Shelley:

1)What exactly are 'Magic Pants'?
2)Where can you get them?
3)Do one really need 7 pairs?

-------

Doug,

Sorry for the LONG delay in approving this comment. To answer your questions:

1) Magic Pants are these great slacks that Shelley found at Anthropologie. They fit her perfectly and (according to her) are very comfortable.

2) Anthropologie, a somewhat upscale store that Shel likes to shop at

3) Since they don't make them anymore, Shelley hunted for as many pairs as she could find!

Comment on Garrett's Games and Geekiness 175

Mark Jackson — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 16:29:00 GMT

Die Kullerbande video (from Stained Glass Games):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtPs2SUsQ7Q&feature=player_embedded