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I was very fortunate to attend Gen Con just over two weeks ago, and with over 500 exhibitors this sold out mega event was huge ground to cover. So, for this post I have summarised some of my personal board game related highlights from the four days I spent at Gen Con 2017.
Coaster Park
Announced at the Dice Tower Live show, this was one of ‘the big ones’ of Gen Con, and it quite literally is a big game in every possibly sense. You are building a roller coaster (well not actually, think more ‘model’ roller coaster) by assembling your best crew (in the form of cards) and accumulating top-notch 3D track pieces for construction.
The clever twist is that winning the game means combining wise decisions and physics, if your ‘test’ marble doesn’t make it to the end of your coaster safely then your potential thrill seeking customers definitely won’t!
Coaster Park is brought to us by Pandasaurus Games, is designed by Scott Almes (Tiny Epic, Starfall), with artwork by Kwanchai Moriya (Catacombs, Captial Lux) and it just looks fantastic. Coaster Park is due for release later this year.
The X-Files Legendary Encounters
The announcement of a new Legendary Encounters installment had fans of the game system (and the cult sci-fi show) buzzing. Upper Deck has consistently surprised fans every summer with their cool choice of franchise, from Big Trouble in Little China in 2015 to Buffy The Vampire Slayer last year.
I am a long time fan of TXF and I also enjoy the Legendary line very much. I am looking forward to some more information coming in, seeing some of the artwork, and discovering what the in-game campaigns will be.
Restoration Games
I was perhaps going to mention the announcement of Restoration Games' Fireball Island rejig, or discuss some of their new releases. But actually, Restoration Games is just a highlight in and of itself. The company started last year and pledged to remake popular games of previous decades, with the modern board game enthusiast in mind.
I haven’t been terribly familiar with the catalogue so far, so perhaps I haven’t had the same excitement for the nostalgia aspect of the games. But do I love what they are doing, we all have those games we remember and loved as child, which we just know could be so much cooler if remade in the present.
My lack of Downforce nostalgia did not stop me having a blast when I played it over the Gen Con 2017 weekend, a super cool betting/racing game with awesome miniature cars. Stop Thief! and Indulgence have also come by the way of Board Game Exposure, so hopefully I’ll get the chance to play and review them in due course.
Their major announcement at Gen Con was Fireball Island: The Curse of Vul-Kar, a 80's game originally published by MB Games. The original gameplay was concerned with exploring a volcanic terrain that could potentially unleash a fiery ball of fury (i.e.- red marble) at any minute. Restoration Games have been working on a sequel of sorts, with a promise of fresher mechanics whilst keeping the awesome 3D ‘board’ (and marbles!) I really can’t wait to see more of this.
I haven’t being terribly familiar with the catalogue so far, so perhaps I haven’t had the same excitement for the nostalgia aspect of the games. But I love what they are doing, we all have those games we remember and loved as child, which we just know could be so much cooler if remade in the present.
My lack of Downforce nostalgia did not stop me having a blast when I played it over the Gen Con 2017 weekend, a super cool betting/racing game with awesome miniature cars. Stop Thief! and Indulgence have also come by the way of Board Game Exposure, so hopefully I’ll get the chance to play and review them in due course.
Their major announcement at Gen Con was Fireball Island: The Curse of Vul-Kar, a 80's game originally published by MB Games. The original gameplay was concerned with exploring a volcanic terrain that could potentially unleash a fiery ball of fury (i.e.- red marble) at any minute. Restoration Games have been working on a sequel of sorts, with a promise of fresher mechanics whilst keeping the awesome 3D ‘board’ (and marbles!) I really can’t wait to see more of this.
Renegade Game Studios
Another publisher that deserves a highlight of it’s own is Renegade Games, who have regularly put out a fantastic range of games in the last 18 months. Gen Con 2017 was all about Ex Libris, Sentient, and Clank!: Sunken Treasures.
Their booth was packed with punters looking to get in on the action (and throw large sums of money at them) and deservedly so. I love that all of their games are unique in theme, diverse and explore a range of mechanics. Their presence at Gen Con was pretty phenomenal and I’m glad to see this company doing so well.
Jack’s Friends
I found happiness in a game not actually for sale at GenCon, but was brought along by some friends that I made. Jack’s Friends is a card game where one player (the giant) is pitted against the other players (Jack’s friends) using simultaneous actions and bluffing.
I loved playing it so much that I was determined to snag myself a copy to review, which will hopefully arrive with me soon. I really enjoyed the ‘one vs. all’ set up, how easy it was to learn and how quick and fun it is to play. Check it out and watch out for a review from me in the near future!
Doomtown: Reloaded
One of the Western themed games that got me excited - it’s the weird west and the game is Doomtown: Reloaded.
I’m a huge fan of the 2014 Doomtown, as oppose to the original 90s Deadlands: Doomtown (which I’ve never played). I was so glad to hear that the rights to the game were passed back to Pinnacle after AEG ceased publishing last year. The game is still very much the same and all previous expansions can be used with it, only we are now seeing new factions, characters and abilities.
If Kickstarter is anything to go by they’ll be even more fancy goodies thrown in as well. Pinnacle had a presence at Gen Con 2017, promoting the Kickstarter and I was given some promo cards to take away with me.
Outlaws: Last Man Standing
Finally we have another Wild West themed, two-player game with elements of deduction, bluffing and memory. With your 10 characters you aim to win a presidential election, by either eliminating the opposing governor, arresting your opponent’s hitman, or aligning your Govenror with the vote token, but only if you’ve collected enough from the ballot box first.
It caught by eye at Gen Con with its interesting set up and theme, and I was fortunate to take home a demo copy. It’s launching on Kickstarter on September 7, and I have made a preview video for my YouTube channel.
Closing Thoughts on Gen Con 2017
I had an amazing time at Gen Con, I felt very privileged to have been able to attend. Hopefully (maybe, if I’m lucky…) I’ll be getting to more large conventions in the future and will be able to share further news and stories with you all.
Thanks for reading!
This post was brought to you by Lindsay Miller. You can find more information on Lindsay by visiting on her YouTube channel and blog.