Gamers Alliance REPORT
Spring 2009 Vol. 2 No. 30
EDITORIAL
It's Pretty but is it ART...?
Everyone is familiar with the age old question: Which came first, the chicken or the egg? An interesting debate no doubt and one that can keep you scratching your head for the answer. But when it comes to games, the question morphs into another puzzler: which comes first, the art or the game play?
Art is an intrinsic and valuable part of any game from the box cover to the board to the cards and other components, even to the rulebook. Good art on a box lid can make a game virtually jump off the store shelf (or the internet page) and make you want to discover more about the game. That can translate into a purchase which is exactly what the game publisher wants. Opening up a game board that is both colorful and attractive can put you into the proper frame of mind where you can't wait to push those cubes or counters from space to space. Touching attractive game components can be a tactile treat worth the cost of the game all by itself. A well designed rulebook, filled with colorful pictures and examples of play, can generate a lot of enthusiasm too. And enthusiasm for the game is what the designer wants. All of this is very pretty. But is it art? Not always. The gaming shelves are filled with examples of artwork not serving a game well and even great designers are not immune to the pain. Consider a few.
Medici from Reiner Knizia is a brilliant auction game, arguably the best of its type. The game has gone through no less than THREE editions - and STILL the artwork (colors, fonts) aren't right and detract from the gameplay. Wolfgang Kramer's and Horst-Rainer Rösner's brilliant Tycoon received a recent make-over as El Capitan. Lots of good things added in the new version. But the new "dark" look made the game difficult to play. This issue's Heads of State is a terrific design that manages to overcome unattractive and unhelpful graphics.
From my chair at the gaming table, the artistic merits of a game lie with how well they aid in making the game work. I'm more than willing to give "points for presentation" for a game's graphic excellence that shows time, thought, effort and talent in presenting a powerful package. Of course, the ideal is when excellence of graphic design meets excellence of game design. Then you really have something. But the key question is (and has always been) "How does the game PLAY?" It may be pretty but is it ART that makes the game? Afraid not. As Shakespeare once wrote (and the Bard and I most certainly agree): "The play's the thing."
In this issue of GA REPORT, we roll through civilization, fight for Texas independence and, believe me, heads will roll! Meanwhile, Pevans visits ancient China, Kban remembers what it was like to have money, Andrea "Liga" Ligabue feels the need for speed, Greg Schloesser gets centered, Joe Huber gets steamed and Chris Kovac gets snowed And, of course, much more!
Until next time, Good Gaming!
Herb Levy, President
GEM DEALER HEADS OF STATE HIGH SOCIETY
JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH MONEY PLANET STEAM
ROLL THROUGH THE AGES SNOW TAILS TELEPATHY TEXAS GLORY