Alan R Moon (Credit: Douglas Morse - Tabletop Movie)

WHO IS ALAN R MOON?

Alan R Moon is a British-born board game designer who now lives in America. His first role within the industry was with Avalon Hill, after writing some articles for the company house magazine: The General. His first published game was Black Spy, with the backing from Avalon Hill in 1981.

Following a brief stint within the video game industry, Alan R Moon tried to design games for a living. The board game Airlines, published by Abacus in 1990, is considered to be the first of Moon's game to gain attention.

Several years later, following the creation of his own company, he was approached by Amigo Spiele regarding his game Elfenroads. The game was reworked to match their requirements, and was then published in 1998 as Elfenland. The game would win the prestigious Spiel des Jahres Award.

Since then, Moon has worked with several other designers and in 2001 had three games nominated for the Spiel des Jahres. Of course, his biggest game is Ticket to Ride, which won the 2004 award.

The Ticket to Ride series has gained mainstream coverage around the world, appearing in the New York Times and on hit TV show, The Big Bang Theory. It's seen by many as a gateway game.

THE TICKET TO RIDE GAME SERIES

The Ticket to Ride series is arguably what Alan R Moon is most well-known for. It was published by Days of Wonder in 2004 and has won several awards since then. The publisher now says that they've sold more than three million copies.

There have been several different expansions and sequels to the original game and there are now editions specifically for younger players (First Journey) and those looking for a quick game fix (New York).

It doesn't look like the series will slow down anytime soon either. Ticket to Ride Europe is constantly inside the top 10 selling games here at Zatu Games. There is also a London version of the game in the works, which is a sequel to the short New York game.

 

WHO IS ALAN R MOON?

Alan R Moon is a British-born board game designer who now lives in America. His first role within the industry was with Avalon Hill, after writing some articles for the company house magazine: The General. His first published game was Black Spy, with the backing from Avalon Hill in 1981.

Following a brief stint within the video game industry, Alan R Moon tried to design games for a living. The board game Airlines, published by Abacus in 1990, is considered to be the first of Moon's game to gain attention.

Several years later, following the creation of his own company, he was approached by Amigo Spiele regarding his game Elfenroads. The game was reworked to match their requirements, and was then published in 1998 as Elfenland. The game would win the prestigious Spiel des Jahres Award.

Since then, Moon has worked with several other designers and in 2001 had three games nominated for the Spiel des Jahres. Of course, his biggest game is Ticket to Ride, which won the 2004 award.

The Ticket to Ride series has gained mainstream coverage around the world, appearing in the New York Times and on hit TV show, The Big Bang Theory. It's seen by many as a gateway game.

Alan R Moon (Credit: Douglas Morse - Tabletop Movie)

THE TICKET TO RIDE GAME SERIES

The Ticket to Ride series is arguably what Alan R Moon is most well-known for. It was published by Days of Wonder in 2004 and has won several awards since then. The publisher now says that they've sold more than three million copies.

There have been several different expansions and sequels to the original game and there are now editions specifically for younger players (First Journey) and those looking for a quick game fix (New York).

It doesn't look like the series will slow down anytime soon either. Ticket to Ride Europe is constantly inside the top 10 selling games here at Zatu Games. There is also a London version of the game in the works, which is a sequel to the short New York game.

DID YOU KNOW?

Alan R Moon served in the United States Air Force between 1970 and 1974. He started as a radio operator in Vietnam, before working as an administrative clerk at Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, Nebraska. He also served as an administrative inspector at a recruiting detachment in New Jersey.

READ ABOUT THE GAMES

Ticket To Ride: Volume 3 – The Heart of Africa Review

By Tom Harrod | 05/01/2022

The Heart of Africa is an expansion for the original Ticket to Ride game from Days of Wonder. Alongside new components you’ll find stunning African terrain.

Ticket to Ride: Asia Review

By John Dorney | 17/05/2018

Ticket to Ride Asia is a part of the map collection expansion series. How does this stack up against the other Ticket to Rides? Find out in our review.

Ticket to Ride First Journey – Review

By Louise Rogers | 30/10/2018

Ticket to Ride: First Journey is the children’s version of the popular gateway board game from Days of Wonder; Ticket to Ride.

Ticket To Ride Europe Review

By Chad Wilkinson | 19/10/2021

An essential addition to a growing game collection, Ticket to Ride Europe is sure to bring plenty of fun to your game table for years to come.

Incan Gold Review

By Sam | 03/05/2018

Incan Gold you play as a group of explorers delving into an Incan temple in an attempt to outlast your opponents and gain as many gems as possible.

Ticket To Ride Review

By Robert Edmonds | 05/01/2022

Ticket to Ride looks stunning, plays really well with so much replay ability and is just a great way to spend an evening.

Ticket to Ride: United Kingdom Review

By Hayley Divers | 01/02/2022

Ticket to Ride: United Kingdom makes the original game even better, more interesting ,strategic and challenging. Find out more today.

Ticket to Ride: New York – Review

By Nick Welford | 15/08/2018

Ticket to Ride: New York attempts to condense the classic formula into a 15 minute board game, will it succeed? Will it be worth it? Find out in our review.

TOP GAMES FROM ALAN R MOON

TICKET TO RIDE

£35.89Add to basket

Ticket to Ride has been labelled as one of the best board games to use as an introduction to the hobby. Players compete against each other to earn the most victory points, by placing train routes across the United States of America.  Points depend on the length of the train route played, the longer the better.

DIAMANT

£20.35Add to basket

Designed alongside Bruno Faidutti, Diamant (also known as Incan Gold) is a push your luck game where you are trying to stay in a cave full of goodies longer than anyone else. If you do, the rewards can be plentiful, but of course there is no pleasure without pain. Diamant is fun, fast, funny and easy to learn.

TTR EUROPE

£35.89Add to basket

The sequal to the original Ticket to Ride game. Not only does it keep the fun, fast-paced gameplay rooted in its core, it also brings three brand-new elements to the table - Tunnels, Ferries and Stations! You'll need to become even more strategic as you  journey across Europe in the quest to build the longest railroads!

TTR NEW YORK

£18.45Add to basket

Ticket to Ride New York is the streamlined version of the original. It comes with a smaller box, cards and game length - lasting around 10-15 minutes. In this edition, points are now totted up at the end of the game, rather than as you go along. Also, landmarks on the map will give you a small amount of bonus points.

TTR GERMANY

£38.99Add to basket

This is a standalone title in the Ticket to Ride series. Over the course of the game, players collect cards in order to then claim routes on the game board between two cities. There are also passengers, positioned in cities before the start of the game. Players score points for claiming routes and for completing tickets.

TTR RAILS & SAILS

£50.95Add to basket

Rails & Sails expands the familiar Ticket to Ride gameplay, taking it to a global scale. Over the course of the game they try to collect coloured cards and then claim routes on the playing board with their coloured train and ship tokens  - scoring points by doing so. There are also a few new twists to watch out for.

TICKET TO RIDE

£35.89Add to basket

Ticket to Ride has been labelled as one of the best board games to use as an introduction to the hobby. Players compete against each other to earn the most victory points, by placing train routes across the United States of America.  Points depend on the length of the train route played, the longer the better.

£35.89Add to basket

DIAMANT

£20.35Add to basket

Designed alongside Bruno Faidutti, Diamant (also known as Incan Gold) is a push your luck game where you are trying to stay in a cave full of goodies longer than anyone else. If you do, the rewards can be plentiful, but of course there is no pleasure without pain. Diamant is fun, fast, funny and easy to learn.

£20.35Add to basket

TTR EUROPE

£35.89Add to basket

The sequel to the original Ticket to Ride game. Not only does it keep the fun, fast-paced gameplay rooted in its core, it also brings three brand-new elements to the table - Tunnels, Ferries and Stations! You'll need to become even more strategic as you  journey across Europe in the quest to build the longest railroads!

£35.89Add to basket

TTR NEW YORK

£18.45Add to basket

Ticket to Ride New York is the streamlined version of the original. It comes with a smaller box, cards and game length - lasting around 10-15 minutes. In this edition, points are now totted up at the end of the game, rather than as you go along. Also, landmarks on the map will give you a small amount of bonus points.

£18.45Add to basket

TTR GERMANY

£38.99Add to basket

This is a standalone title in the Ticket to Ride series. Over the course of the game, players collect cards in order to then claim routes on the game board between two cities. There are also passengers, positioned in cities before the start of the game. Players score points for claiming routes and for completing tickets.

£38.99Add to basket

TTR RAILS & SAILS

£50.95Add to basket

Rails & Sails expands the familiar Ticket to Ride gameplay, taking it to a global scale. Over the course of the game they try to collect coloured cards and then claim routes on the playing board with their coloured train and ship tokens  - scoring points by doing so. There are also a few new twists to watch out for.

£50.95Add to basket