The Tao of Gaming

Reading the gamewire about Essen, I'm feeling a nice, warm curmudgeony glow. Oh, there are a few games that I wouldn't mind having right now, but it sounds like Rio Grande will have them soon enough. And there are a few limited edition games I'd like, but just how many Age of Steam maps do I need? ("All of them!"). Many of the limited edition games from last year were reprinted or picked up -- I like that trend. It means that the truely good games make it out, eventually. I do see another large purchasing spree in the future. By not blowing $X thousand dollars going to Essen, that leaves more for games! (And gifts for my patient wife).

Which is another way of saying, No news here. Back soon, I may play some games!

I know that everyone's made the pilgrimage to Mecca Essen (or eagerly casting their gaze towards the Messe), but a bit further north the Nobel prize for Economics went to Schelling and Aumann for Game Theory. Schelling's work is actually very approachable (after he won the Nobel I read up a bit). In any case, this has kicked off a discussion in the economics (and political) blogosphere on the utility of Game Theory.

Slate posted an anti-Schelling article, Daniel Drezner defends him here.

There's discussion on just how useful game theory is. Check out this post on Marginal Revolution and follow the trackbacks.

Mark Kleiman has a nice roundup of links, and a great quote: "If you doubt the utility of game theory, just ask an evolutionary biologist."

Or anyone whose been to Mordor or had to convert a point after attempt.

Like Iain, I never really got El Caballero. I played it a few times and then sold it. Too bad, if I had held onto it for a few years, it would have really appreciated in value when I sold it. So I'm told.

Unlike many other gamebloggers, I don't abandon you to go to Essen. My posting hiatus isn't something to inspire jealousy! {We aim to please at the Tao). They'll probably have something interesting to say on Monday, though.

Alfred posts about college football and notes:

I adopted the quasi-religious fervor of UT football rootership (which is different from Texas A&M football rootership, which drops the "quasi-")

Grandfather went to A&M. Several of his kids went to UT. You have no idea. I remain a neutral faction, having gone to a college without a (respectable) football team.

Remember all of our talks about how expectations set the experiences? Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit is a perfectly fine movie, but there was absolutely no way it could meet expectations. It's also spoofing horror movies this time (as you may have guessed) which can make it a touch intense for the birthday-boy three year old. But it was worth it to hear him complain (loudly) during the previews ("Another one! Where's Wallace?") I should have put down a tip jar for the other movie goers. I could have turned a tidy profit.

Ah, who am I kidding, I'm just surfing the web for Essen news right now, like the rest of you. I have none. See you later.