jcesare
Well-known member
Since most on this forum seems to "geek out" on all things electrical, I'd thought I'd expose everyone to something fun on this Friday.
Lately, I've been playing the board game "Power Grid."
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/2651/power-grid" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
It's a fun "designer" game where players build an electric grid and power it by building energy plants and buying resources to fuel them. Over the course of the game, technology changes, plant become more efficient, and eventually wind and solar becomes available. It's a fun game for family and friends and might even be a little educational for the kids.
For those not familiar with "designer" games here is a brief history.
Most people, especially in North America, think of Monopoly, Life, Clue and Sorry when they think of board games. Unfortunately, they also think "bored" games. In the 1980s, when America was distracted by video games, Germany began publishing "designer" games that set them apart from traditional board games. Designer games (also referred to as German-style games or Eurogames) offer shorter game length (many last between 20-60 minutes with time estimates for game play printed right on the box), more strategy, thoughtful gameplay, less dependence on random events (no dice rolls), superior quality game components and mechanics designed by world renowned board game designers. These games leave you wanting more, rather than wishing it would end. In fact, after you've played a few designer games, you may never play Monopoly again.
Some of my favorite designer games:
Thebes
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/30869" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Ticket To Ride
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/9209" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Mr. Jack
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/21763/mr-jack" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Empire Builder
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/168" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The Pillars of the Earth
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/24480" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
1960: The Making of the President
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/27708/1960-the-making-of-the-president" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Cuba
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/30380/cuba" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Lately, I've been playing the board game "Power Grid."
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/2651/power-grid" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
It's a fun "designer" game where players build an electric grid and power it by building energy plants and buying resources to fuel them. Over the course of the game, technology changes, plant become more efficient, and eventually wind and solar becomes available. It's a fun game for family and friends and might even be a little educational for the kids.
For those not familiar with "designer" games here is a brief history.
Most people, especially in North America, think of Monopoly, Life, Clue and Sorry when they think of board games. Unfortunately, they also think "bored" games. In the 1980s, when America was distracted by video games, Germany began publishing "designer" games that set them apart from traditional board games. Designer games (also referred to as German-style games or Eurogames) offer shorter game length (many last between 20-60 minutes with time estimates for game play printed right on the box), more strategy, thoughtful gameplay, less dependence on random events (no dice rolls), superior quality game components and mechanics designed by world renowned board game designers. These games leave you wanting more, rather than wishing it would end. In fact, after you've played a few designer games, you may never play Monopoly again.
Some of my favorite designer games:
Thebes
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/30869" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Ticket To Ride
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/9209" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Mr. Jack
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/21763/mr-jack" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Empire Builder
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/168" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The Pillars of the Earth
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/24480" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
1960: The Making of the President
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/27708/1960-the-making-of-the-president" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Cuba
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/30380/cuba" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
