Game Session

It has arrived, and we played! The game Eclipse, which I first played at SaltCon in February, has been in high demand and selling out its first two printings quickly. I had placed a pre-order, and got one of the 2nd printing copies. It is a massive space game that has everything in it: economy, technology, cutomizing ships, exploration, space battles, colonizing, managing resources, diplomacy. We only played with three players (can take six), and the first game learning curve is high so it took us quite a few hours to play, but it is an awesome game. I know it is good, because I enjoyed it and got my trash kicked in the game just like the first time I played it. Playing is a fun experience, I just need to adjust some strategies. There is some randomness to exploration and the resources/obstacles that appear, and with some combat rolls, but not unbalanced. It is a game that definitely seems to favor combat and aggressive play, as you are rewarded with victory points for just participating in battles, and when you defeat ancients (neutral opposition) you are rewarded with resources or new technology.

Our "universe", I'm yellow.

Eclipse
1- Tyler H, 2- Nathan J, 3- Brett H

Brittany to the 10th Degree

Maybe its just because she is the oldest, but Brittany is amazing/shocking me in everything that she does. Living on her own, engaged, and now she completes her Associates Degree at BYUIdaho! We packed the car and did the road trip up to Utah and then Idaho to pick her up. Her college degree isn't the only think that is hot, as the thermometer is hitting triple digits in four states after Cali: Arizona, Nevada, Utah & Idaho! But it is way cool to see Brittany in her element at school and helping her move out of her apartment. We got to go to lunch with her at one of her hangouts, and just see how grown-up she is in checking out of school. She even got a college graduation tassle for 2012 that we are hanging from the mirror! I cannot believe what a mature woman she is, and I see how much her sisters Hannah & Sarah look up to her. So many changes going on for her right now, and this is going to be the last few weeks that we have her before I need to "give her away." She is so classy, and I am so proud of her. Here's to you Brippy!

My gorgeous girls . . .

. . . who can put away the food!

Shell's Idaho "moment"

Brit's last Idaho apartment

The boys came with us to Utah, but we didn't have room for them up to Idaho!

Happy endings leaving Idaho

Game Session

We got to play a few really good games tonight. For the first time I got to play a full game of Power Grid: Factory Manager and teach it to the others. It has auctioning similar to Power Grid, but is a much shorter game and auctions in a different way. You auction turn order (balancing first pick of factory parts with discounts on your purchase), everyone selects factory parts (machines, robotic arms, storage capacity & modernization tech) to put in the market, and then items are purchased in turn order. It has a good balance for that with decisions that may leave you out of purchasing what you want. Then you need to balance those parts in your factory to be profitable. Each part can add/subtract to your production, storage, manpower and energy power that is used. The manpower is also needed for the initial auction and ability to get parts, and can augmented by hiring a day worker. You also get no benfit from production greater than your storage capability. And THEN, once you determine your production and earn money, you must pay energy power costs that are multiplied by the current power market, whch can go up each turn. It is not that complex, but requires thought and decisions, and in only five turns! That keeps the game short which is also nice. I definitely liked it.

We started the evening by playing a four player game of Castles of Burgundy which was way more intense than the two player game. Turn order seemed to matter alot, and early on it looked like I had not much to select from in my actions for my estate. So I concentrated on what others were NOT doing, namely mines and knowledge, and so although I was far behind in the beginning, I made a surge at the end due to the multiplying effect of some of my knowledge and almost caught the leader. But Nate really wiped us out, mainly becasue of his "pig farming". He was able to fill an entire 5 spot field with all pigs (which multiplied) and on one turn nearly netted 40 pints. If we thought about it, we could have stopped him somewhat, but we could not overcome his huge lead. I saw some great balancing mechanics between the 2 & 4 player games that are really smart with regards to shipping. CoB is a great game that I really want to play again.

Castles of Burgundy
1- Nate J, 2- Brett H, 3- Matt N, 4- Josh D

Power Grid: Factory Manager
1- Brett H, 2- Dallin E, 3- Bro J, 4- Nate J

Game Session

Only Tyler and I showed up tonight, so we decided to learn Castles of Burgundy by doing a few turns and ended up playing the whole game. It is really a good game, and even played well as a two player as it scales very nicely. I would liken it unto Puerto Rico, except even better. It is euro in nature, but the theme, strategies and components fit together better than most. It would obviously be better with 3-4 players, but we gave it a thumbs up. Tyler capitalized on the shipping strategy and castles, while I completed the farms, mines and knowledge. There is great variability with different player boards and different ways the goods and tiles emerge in the game. It is another game that uses dice uniquely. There are some times when rolls seem random and can frustrate a plan, but there are other elements that can help you modify that. 

On my estate I was able to complete mines, knowledge and farms.

Castles of Burgundy

1- Brett, 2- Tyler



Rockets Red Glare

Our family has always enjoyed doing our own fireworks show. It reminds me of when I was young and we did them in front of our house. We have made it a tradition since we moved back to California to do a family fireworks show in my work parking lot in Costa Mesa. We did it mainly because fireworks have been illegal in HB/FV, but even though they are legal in HB this year, we like our traditions. A few families join us for our small celebration, and as our kids get older they have taken the reigns from dad in lighting up the event. So I got to sit back and take a few pictures:

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