Gamers Alliance REPORT
Spring 2006 Vol. 2 No. 18
EDITORIAL
Weather? Whether or Not?
In the aftermath of the 2006 New York International Toy Fair, I found myself faced with two questions: Whether? and Whether or Not?
As the Fair opened this year, there was a lot of uncertainty as to its future. Some Fair participants had voiced a wish to move the Fair, which called New York City home for over 100 years, to a different venue. Weather was one factor. It gets awfully cold in New York in February. Cost was another. No one has ever accused New York of being inexpensive. But others argued that New York was the right fit for the Fair. This tug of war had been going on for quite awhile with a decision having to be made this year. On Friday, just before the Fair's scheduled Sunday opening at Javits Center, a vote was taken. New York was again chosen to be the site for Toy Fair. Ironically, two days later, on Sunday, the opening day for Javits Center no less, New York was hit with the biggest snowstorm in its history - 26.9 inches of snow recorded in Central Park! Did someone call for a recount? In any case, the die was cast and the deed done. (And there was second level of irony here too. Turns out that this winter, despite the record snowstorm, was the fourth WARMEST winter in New York City history! Go figure.) Despite the snow and, forgetting for the moment my own personal bias as a proud New Yorker who wanted to see the Fair stay here, it really is the right decision.
New York City is THE hub. It's still the financial center of the world. When money talks, it talks here! And New York is still the nation's media center. Having the Fair here, guarantees publicity that money can't buy. Do you think the Today Show or Good Morning America or The Early Show would do live features on Toy Fair, resulting in incredible buzz and interest if it was anywhere else? Don't think so. So did weather do the Toy Fair in? Fortunately, no. Now what about "whether or not"?
As gamers, we enjoy spreading good news about games almost as much as we enjoy playing them. There was good news on that front too. Out of the Box Games and Rio Grande Games announced a partnership of sorts whereby Out of the Box would distribute Rio Grande Games into markets that had rarely (if ever) seen games like the ones we play.
I've always believed the huge American game market has been largely untapped. Sure, there is Monopoly and Scrabble in seemingly every household. But I know from my own experience that many assume that those are the only games in town. When people look at the wide variety and styles of games available, they are intrigued and amazed. I wish I had a nickel for every time I heard people say that they didn't know these games existed! The Out of the Box/Rio Grande partnership means more exposure for a different style of play - and vive la difference! WHETHER OR NOT this move will bring more gamers to the table and create new ones is a question that remains to be answered but certainly this is an exciting move in the right direction.
In this issue of GA REPORT, we battle in the Roman Empire, build kingdoms in the cradle of civilization, railroad through Germany, crack codes and panic! Ben Baldanza heads to California and we get a blast from the past from Kban. We welcome first time contributors Chris Kovac (who visits Byzantium) and Jon Waddington (facing a twilight struggle). And, of course, much more. Until next time, Good Gaming!
Herb Levy, President
Anachronism Byzantium California Crystal Faire
Das Ende Des Triumvirat Da Vinci Code Boardgame
Euphrat & Tigris:Contest of Kings Flashback: Euphrat & Tigris Boardgame
Pentago Roundabout Shear Panic Ticket to Ride: Marklin Edition