Gamers Alliance REPORT
Summer 2008 Vol. 2 No. 27
EDITORIAL
The Pool
This is the summer issue of Gamers Alliance Report so it's only fitting that we talk about some of the things people do during the steamy, sweltering summertime. Some of us stay indoors and crank up the air conditioning. Some of us take advantage of the hot weather and hit the golf greens or ball fields, both as active participants and avid spectators. And some of us dive into the pool. From a gaming perspective, there's another pool to consider.
The World of Games is an expanding world. It wasn't that long ago that it seemed all of the games were made by one or the other of the giants in the United States: Parker Brothers or Milton Bradley. That began to change. Other outfits, although mainly American entities, joined the mix, folks like Avalon Hill or SPI. But as the years wore on, horizons expanded. It seemed that England (outfits like Ariel and Intellect joining such venerable companies such as Waddingtons) and Germany (Ravensburger and others) were taking a very active role in expanding the role of games. This expansion has continued - and even drifted back into the USA - with more German companies sprouting up and American companies (such as Rio Grande Games) bringing the Euro style of gaming into the relatively unexplored (at least, for that style of gaming) American market. And now, even more recently, that pool of talent has expanded again.
Over the last few years, we have seen quality games and quality game designers almost miraculously appear from countries that many have not normally associated with games. Take for example, Poland (Neuroshima Hex!), the Czech Republic (League of Six, Galaxy Trucker etc.) and Taiwan (The Hanging Gardens, featured in this issue), all have made a splash in the world community of games with first class entries.
So, when you're looking for something to do on a hot summer night, there's no better way to spend some time by experiencing some of the work of that new pool of talent out there. So take a leap. Dive into the pool. The water's fine!
In this issue of GA REPORT, we do some traveling - on the rails and then back in time to Spain, to ancient Babylon and even further back to the days of early man! Meanwhile, Joe Huber takes to the air, Chris Kovac explores a teeming metropolis while game designer Al Newman pays tribute to a great design! Plus the latest installment of our Game Classics series! And, of course, much more!
Until next time, Good Gaming!
Herb Levy, President
AIRSHIPS GAME CLASSICS: VECTOR
HANGING GARDENS JAMAICA JISHAKU
TICKET TO RIDE: THE CARD GAME TOLEDO