Gamers Alliance REPORT 

Winter 2006 Vol. 2 No. 17

EDITORIAL

Resolute Resolutions

   As this issue kicks off another new year, thoughts of improving upon the old one come to mind. After all, one of the staples of New Year celebrations are New Year's resolutions. So, turning towards games, I have a few resolutions to make.

   I play games virtually all the time. I game with a regular group of friends and it's a great kick to play the new releases as they come. We also have "retro" nights when we dig out those not-so-recent great games that come to the table far less frequently than we'd like. (So many games, so little time!) Now that's the good news. The bad news appears when schizoid personalities inhabit my gaming realm, sometimes appearing at my own table! (This is particularly annoying if these personalities emerge from ME!) My resolution is to avoid these personalities, specifically:

1. The Over Analyzer - Mr. OA not only views every game as a struggle to the death but EVERY TURN as a struggle to the death! He (or she) will deliberate, tentatively lean over the board, draw back, lean over again, study cards held in his/her hand, stare fixedly at a point on the board (or in space!) before, finally, committing to a move. I can understand this practice to a certain extent in an involved, demanding, multi-level game of strategy. But for Mr. OA, it doesn't matter. Candyland gets the same treatment! The response? I'm trying to win. My response? I'm trying to have a good time. While Mr. OA is transfixed, the fun of the game is being sucked into another dimension. It's certainly nowhere to be found at the table.

2. Perry Mason - I've read lots of the Erle Stanley Gardner novels and grew up on the wonderful TV series with Raymond Burr portraying the brilliant defense attorney. It's exciting watching Perry defend the innocent and bring evildoers to justice. That's what a defense lawyer does. But when RULES lawyers debate and argue minute facets of game rules, a game comes to a screeching halt and fun, as we know it, ceases to exist. (What do you call 1000 rules lawyers at the bottom of the ocean? A good start!)

3. Love Birds - Challenging yourself to do your best is part of a game's appeal. It's bad enough when other players outplay you. What's worse is when their (or your) significant other demands special treatment. "If you love me, you won't do that" is a cry that is a rough, gaming, equivalent to chalk on a blackboard. Now, where's the fun in that?

   Winning is great. Hall of Fame football coach Vince Lombardi was quoted as saying, "Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing!". But that's how he made his living. When I get together with friends, I'm not playing for money or tournament prizes. Winning comes in second to the fun and laughs and general good times to be had by all. With that in mind, I resolutely resolve to not allow Mr. OA, Perry Mason or any Love Birds to manifest themselves within my reach. I strongly recommend, fellow gamers, that you resolutely resolve to remove these personalities from your gaming universe too. 

   In this issue of GA REPORT, we follow the King and act like a Prince, go wild in Las Vegas, and film in Hollywood. Greg Schloesser takes a trip down Catan way while Ben Baldanza visits ancient civilizations. Plus an exclusive interview with game designer Richard Garfield! And, of course, much more. Until next time, Good Gaming!

                                                                                                Herb Levy, President