Gamers Alliance REPORT
Fall 2008 Vol. 2 No. 28
EDITORIAL
Reiner, have you meet Henry?
By now, everyone who cares about gaming awards knows that Reiner Knizia has won the Spiel des Jahres for Keltis, a re-working of his two player Lost Cities game. It is a long overdue honor for Knizia, a game designer of many outstanding games. This situation reminded me of another one where the parallels are striking.
I was thinking of a great actor of the silver screen. This actor received many well deserved accolades in his time as he created many memorable characters in powerful performances throughout his long career. He was Tom Joad in the film adaptation of the Nobel prize winning novel by John Steinbeck: The Grapes of Wrath. A powerful performance but no Oscar. He portrayed the title character Mr. Roberts in the film of the same name. He was nominated but did not win an Academy Award as the lone hold-out juror in 12 Angry Men. The oversight was noted and he received an Honorary Award for his impressive body of work. But only a year later, when, in poor health, he completed a starring turn in On Golden Pond, that excellent performance (this actor couldn't help but give excellent performances) netted a long deserved Academy Award for Henry Fonda.
Kniza has had a bunch of SdJ nominations worthy of the honor including such fare as Euphrat & Tigris aka Tigris & Euphrates (featured in the Spring 1998 issue of GA REPORT), Blue Moon City (Summer 2006 GA REPORT) and Einfach Genial (better known on this side of the Atlantic as Ingenious and featured in the Summer 2004 GA REPORT)). A win is a win is a win. But of all the remarkable games in his portfolio, it is mildly surprising that Keltis brings home the prize. Sure, the game has received some respect, coming in eighth place in the voting for this year's DSP (German Game Awards) and it has a solid pedigree as this multi-layer design has roots in Knizia's wonderful two player Lost Cities game (featured way back in the Summer 1999 issue of Gamers Alliance Report and "flashbacked" in this issue). But while a decent and solid game, this game is not on the same level, at least in my opinion, as some of Knizia's previous nominees. I congratulate Reiner Knizia on receiving the award and I applaud the SdJ jury for acknowledging a designer long overdue for such recognition. At the same time, I have to marvel at the inexplicable workings of the SdJ jury and wonder what took so long?
In this issue of Gamers Alliance Report, we mark the start of our 23rd consecutive year by taking a closer look at this year's SdJ winner as well as a few that made it to the "short list", battle in ancient Japan, trade goods in ancient Egypt and in Marrakech and say anything for a good time! Meanwhile, Joe Huber does some mining, Pevans visits a monastery, Chris Kovac is conflicted and Kban gets lost in a "flashack". And, of course, much more!
Until next time, Good Gaming!
Herb Levy, President
KELTIS MARRAKECH MONASTERY NEFERTITI
PARASITES UNLEASHED SAY ANYTHING SENJI
TIKI TOPPLE TINNERS' TRAIL VINETA