Upcoming Game Info

Review of my first ever ITTD! What do you do when everybody that was supposed to hit the FLGS (Sci-Fi City Games) bails on you? You fly solo and meet some cool people, of course! As soon as I walk in the door I meet a guy named Chris. Who proceeds to lead me around the store and talk about all different types of games, which is good because I'm a noob. He then invites me back to game night. He's a big fan of Doomtown Reloaded, btw.

Then I meander up to a table and get invited to play party games with Chris, Ken, and son. Honestly, this was working out great, because I knew no one. We started off with a game of Star Fluxx. Chris Hodge swore he never played before, but after watching him own the table I'm suspicious.

My strategy: Who had time for a strategy? Chris was winning the game while I was counting the cards in my hand.

Next up was a couple of games of No Thanks! (pictured above) Had I shuffled the cards, first game, I would have been accused of stacking the deck. The second game wasn't as ridiculous as the first but the phrase "here he goes again" was uttered a few times.

My Strategy: Go for it! It worked, could have very easily went the other way, however.

The last game we played was Ca$h n Guns. It was a highly contested game that came down to the last round with only a few thousand dollars separating the three remaining. Chris eeked out the win. I came in a close 3rd.

My Strategy: Guns! Should have focused more on the cash.

Technically this was after ITTD, but I'm counting it anyway, because life got in the way for a minute. PLUS! I bought the game specifically for ITTD. The wife and I sat down to a game of The Walking Dead, comic book version (setup pic above). The game proved to be as unforgiving as the tv show (I've never read the comics), and took my wife out on turn 2. I ended up finding a safe haven, but it was a hollow victory.

Strategy: Initially it was meet up with the wife and be a wicked zombie slaying duo, because come on that is awesome! 2 minutes later it was RUN! We'll have to get a couple more people and give this game a try again.

I got an email from another reviewer this morning.  Talk about a way to start off the day.  I saw who the email was from, and immediately steeled myself for rejection.  This wasn’t a negative outlook.  The last few emails had all been no.  Plus this reviewer has a good sized following so it was kind of expected. 

I’m learning that it’s better to actually read the response before you draw conclusions.  So without further ado, the response I received said my game was intriguing and a novel approach!

I would call the story I’m about to tell shenanigans if it did not happen to me.  A couple of weeks ago I told a co-worker about my upcoming card game Steps & Stumbles.  She’s not a big card game fan, but she was genuinely interested in the process and all the stuff that is happening.

I walk into the office the other day and bring up my upcoming podcast with STG, April 21 from 10 - 11 for anybody interested, when a guy meanders in to pick up his order.

In passing she mentions to the guy that I’m developing a card game.  I thought man that’s really nice of her to mention that.  It’s always great for a friend to help get the word out.  Then he says, “Really?  Me and a few guys I know review card games on a podcast. Send us a copy and we’ll do a review of it.”

I’ve got to give a shout out to Jon Testa of Wombat Games.  I was telling him how I sort of sucked at social media and he said right about your passion to make games.  I can do that.  I may not be able to do it eloquently, but I can definitely right about why I’m passionate about designing games.  I’ve always viewed ways in a number of ways.

1. As an escape.  You ever had the worst day in the history of ever?  Not only have you had a crappy day, but you stepped in it while getting in the car, and managed to grind it into the carpet before you realized it.  Yeah, one of those days.  It’s nice to let everything go, and play a game for a while.  Win or lose, doesn’t matter.  It’s about playing the game, getting lost in it for a short while.

2. Being or doing something you are not or don’t normally do.  This may come as a surprise but I’m not an elf, dwarf, Spartan Warrior, spaceship captain, or Jedi.  I’ve never stared down a king of the known world and told him that was the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard, either.  But I have.

3. It’s about winning when you’re not supposed to, and losing, and everything in between.  My first group of playtesters for Steps & Stumbles was the kids of the CFO where I used to work.  It was a small office, and they needed something to do as they had to be there that day.  Not sure why I was carrying the prototype, but i was and I offered to let them play it, as long as they gave me feedback of course.  So here we have a big sister facing off against her little brother in an office environment that demands professionalism.  A few minutes go by in silence.  I’m working at my desk, but I’m praying the game is enjoyable.  I like it, but I’m biased.  What if they don’t.  A few more minutes pass and OH NO YOU DIDN’T, YOU CAN’T DO THAT, YOU SUCK! came roaring through the office.  A goofy smile stretched across my face as I heard the CFO, SHHHHH!

Tonight I unveil the back of the box for Steps & Stumbles!  There is real excitement at Ice Peddler Games tonight as we are getting very close to launching our first crowd funding campaign for our first game!  The back of the box is jsut text, but it gives a good idea of how the game play works.  So without further ado ...

You’re sitting around the table with friends. Cards are dealt, anticipation builds, somebody makes a not so out of place vague movie reference, and the game begins! Everybody flips over their Step. You need two sets of three of a kind. Not to bad considering you’ve got a Wild Card in hand.

 You draw, you discard, play proceeds, you pull a card from the discard pile when it benefits you, and then things start getting nasty …