Gamers Alliance REPORT
Spring 2008 Vol. 2 No. 26
EDITORIAL
On Any Given Sunday
According to the National Football League, "on any given Sunday" so the saying goes, "any team can beat any other team". That saying was certainly proven by the 2008 Super Bowl when the New York Giants beat the impressive and seemingly invincible New England Patriots in what was certainly the most exciting football game I ever saw.
I have a friend who is a big time sports fan and I was lucky enough to be invited to his home to watch the big game. But not just watch it. To experience it. You see, my friend is something of a media maniac. To fuel his passion, he had constructed a media room unlike any I've ever seen outside of a movie star's palatial residence. Within the bowels of his home is a room fitted with a 12 FOOT screen, high definition reception and extremely comfortable theater seating. There is even a popcorn machine in the corner! I was about to say it was just like being at the event but no, it wasn't. It was better!
New England was on the verge of history. They had managed to power through the regular football season and the postseason playoffs with a perfect record: 18 wins without a loss. Perfection was their goal with the season to be capped by a 19th victory: a Super Bowl win. The Giants were considered underdogs and a team with a very slim chance to upset New England with the Patriots favored by 12 points according to those who are supposed to know these things. On paper, the Patriots were a given. On the field, it was a very different story. In the midst of a roomful of Giant fans, it was time to root for the home team. The game was incredible. What made it more incredible was the result. The unexpected happened. The formidable New England Patriots were upended by the New York Giants in a last minute 3 point victory. Unbelievable!
This is the sort of event that has a parallel to our world of gaming and this illustrates what makes our hobby so interesting. You can analyze, you can ponder. You can calculate, you can guess. You can take a chance or play it safe. But, whatever you do, whatever your style, you still have to play the game. And while it's true that the more experienced player, the more astute player, the luckier player has an edge and will win more often than not, there is always the chance for the magical upset, that something will click with the underdog that will give him the upper hand. That, my friends, is what makes it fun - whatever and whenever you play. Knowing that there is always a chance, you can just have a good time, whether it's a bunch of guys getting together on a Friday night for a gaming session or a couples game night on Saturday or just a circle of good friends gathering around the gaming table ON ANY GIVEN SUNDAY!
In this issue, we settle in the West, harvest tea, face disaster and take yet another risk. Meanwhile, Ben Baldanze finds paradise, Andrea "Liga" Ligabue gives a prophecy, Jeff Feuer serves up something dicey, Pevans gets religion and Joe Huber keeps on truckin'. Plus, the return of "The Gamer's Bookshelf". And, of course, much more. Until next time, Good Gaming!
Herb Levy, President
CONQUEST OF PARADISE DARJEELING
GALAXY TRUCKER HAMBURGUM HISTORY OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE
IN THE YEAR OF THE DRAGON KINGSBURG OREGON
PATRICIAN PROPHECY RISK: BLACK OPS
GAMERS' BOOKSHELF: 15 GREATEST BOARD GAMES IN THE WORLD