As I was opening my copy of "Neuroshima Hex" last night, I noticed that Greg Schloesser was quoted on the back of the box praising the game along with Bruno Fauiduti and Frank Branham.
I have to ask if this is a wise marketing move? If your average gamer picked up a copy of the game and saw these endorsements would this help or hinder sales of the game?
Why was Michael Barnes not quoted on the back of the box? Was "Softball" Schloesser a safer marketing choice? Really?
I beg to differ. Just take a look at that tie! I hope to God he is at least wearing pleated pants!
I have to ask if this is a wise marketing move? If your average gamer picked up a copy of the game and saw these endorsements would this help or hinder sales of the game?
That's common practice on book backs and movie ad posters, too.
I bet your average gamer doesn't know Greg Schloesser and what goofy ties he wears.
Why was Michael Barnes not quoted on the back of the box? Was "Softball" Schloesser a safer marketing choice? Really?
At their booth in Essen only Branham and Barnes were quoted.
As I was opening my copy of "Neuroshima Hex" last night, I noticed that Greg Schloesser was quoted on the back of the box praising the game along with Bruno Fauiduti and Frank Branham.
I have to ask if this is a wise marketing move? If your average gamer picked up a copy of the game and saw these endorsements would this help or hinder sales of the game?
At their booth in Essen only Branham and Barnes were quoted.
That's what I thought! Yet when the game went to print Schloesser's quote edged out Barnes.
No doubt because they felt Greg less controversial but in fact he is more controversial with his famous softball reviews that in my opinion was a leading factor in the sinking of "Knucklebones" Magazine.
And what of this Branham character? To me, Branham has always been a mystery. He seems to be accepted as a game Titan but no one questions or knows why.
His writings are sparse and he attends the GOF and participates here.
A Mysterious and shadowy figure in the Boardgaming world.
Branham predates ALL of these self-appointed internet boardgaming pundits, myself included. I've known him since 1992 or so and he's always been in and around the Atlanta board gaming scene. Didn't really become friends/regular gaming partners until AGF. He used to do this Gaming Dumpster site that went on to become the basis for one of the more popular board gaming sites. He's designed a couple of games (WARHAMSTER RALLY, DIA DE LOS MUERTOS/FOUR DRAGONS, and the criminally unpublished BATTLE BEYOND SPACE) and worked on a bunch more. He's definitely got credibility out the wazoo.
The man owns thousands of games, he knows probably more about games than anybody I've ever met, and he's probably the most open-minded gamer I've ever met (until he throws dice at a game, and then it's banished from the table forever).
He's also our resident ROCK BAND southern rock specialist. He can tear up some Molly Hatchet.
The man owns thousands of games, he knows probably more about games than anybody I've ever met, and he's probably the most open-minded gamer I've ever met (until he throws dice at a game, and then it's banished from the table forever).
You are so lucky to have access to his collection. He has some of the coolest and weirdest games I've ever seen. Because of him, I had to go to great lengths and expense to track down copies of The Gothic Game and Die Schlacht der Dinosaurier.
The whole notion of gaming "personalities" gaining some sort of cult-like status is just laughable. I wonder if someone like Tom Vasel would be surprised to learn that the vast majority of people who play boardgames have never heard of him?
Getting away from BGG has helped me a lot in re-establishing some perspective. A lot of people play games; most have never spent any time at all at BGG.
Dia Die Los Muertos / Four Dragons is the really good game. It helps if you grok trick taking games, but it reverses and screws up just about every accepted convention. It is also quite staggeringly deep and wildly chaotic at the same time. Again, you have to be into trick taking games, and not so hung up on Bridge that you won't try something odd. So it has a pretty narrowly defined fanbase.
Warhamster Rally (And Nodwick) are...games. Rally is effectively an elaborate Robo Rally variant. It is more puzzle-like, and think-y.
.....
And everyone keeps leaving out my most influential gaming moment. I helped create and write that Live Vampire game, and am personally responsible for the crossing your arms in front of your chest and pretending you are invisible Schtick.
The games will vanish, but that thing we're probably stuck with forever....
Games
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