Casey, Jiri, and Brian. (Brian didn't *really* have all those cities.)Someone very special to me suggested that I was a nerd for going to play Settlers of Catan last night. That meant alot to me coming from him! Sigh ... but if only I was. No matter how hard I tried I still couldn't quite see the appeal in it. I had observed my flatmates during the T4G conference week play with our friend Nikki (who adores the game!) The laughter that proceeded from the table of dull confusion boggled my mind. Had they been drinking?! What was the appeal?
But then I heard that my friend Casey had fallen in love with the game over the Summer. Sigh ... I'd give it a go ... for her. Eventually I became aware of the strategy involved ... but where was the insane laughter? Was I missing something? Am I only a wanna-be-Nerd?
Sigh.
My only feat of the evening was Jiri and I introducing the traditional nose wiggle greeting of the Czech people to the others. They caught on rather quickly.
13 comments:
lol - we played settlers yesterday too...
I tried to get everyone to play Settlers last night, but we opted for Articulate, Balderdash and Charades, all which were hilarious.
What is the appeal of Settlers? Commerce, bartering, investing, increasing one's monopoly and economic empire, cutting other people off so its impossible for them to win, and then global domination. But I think guys like playing it because of the comely (not so) Puritan maiden on the board game's cover.
Settlers is a pretty nerdy game though, since it's not much of a party game; with it's discrete no. of possible players. It also requires a lot of concentration and a bit of obsessiveness. It is more for intimate (nerdy) gatherings.
Christine, do you like Ticket to Ride?
Never played it before. It looks very similar to Settlers. You'll have to teach me when I come next year.
I must confess, I'm not a huge fan of Settlers. Klaus Teuber, who designed the game, also did Domaine, which I think is better.
There have been a couple of new co-operative games produced in recent times - I've played Shadows over Camelot, and my brother has Arkham Horror.
Beowulf (by Reiner Knizia) and Citadels are two other recent, excellent, games.
I love settlers - and had a great game of it yesterday.
The thing I like about it is that everybody can be involved in every turn. In many other games - when you have finished your turn you just watch other people have a turn, until it's your turn again.
Ticket to Ride is a great game too.
you and me, nikki ... we'll be unstoppable! maybe then we'll be welcomed into the kingdom of nerds.
JD, I'm looking for a good co-operative game to play with my ladz, though the ones you mentioned may be a little complex...
Well, you can afford a bit more complexity in the co-op games, because they're easier to teach.
Anyway, I'd recommend the Lord of the Rings game, (also written by Reiner Knizia). Have you played it before?
Coperative games are B-O-R-I-N-G!
:P
No, I haven't play LOTR. I'd heard good things about it though. Have you played it much?
AUGH! Christine! This is so great. I hope you become addicted very, very soon. I won today without a 5, 8, or a 10. Can you believe it?! Seems like you and your new guy are doing great. I'm very glad to hear it!
Oh, and I see that you showed everyone your ore when you got up to take the picture...
Ha, if the title of nerdom is given to all who play settlers than I guess I must claim my title with pride. Yep, we even play it stateside (i felt this determination was significant because this is a very international blog - or at least austrailian friendly).
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