The Tao of Gaming

Larry (in his 2008 Designer of the Year article) writes:

Age of Scheme’s reception can’t really be easily determined, due to the firestorm over its extremely unfortunate name, but again, there are mostly positive reviews.

Earthquakes are unfortunate. Snake eyes are unfortunate. It's tough to evaluate competing legal claims. But the designer/publisher named Age of Scheme, not random chance.

As for Larry's pick for DoY (Martin Wallace), I haven't played any of his recent games...

Pick and Pack is another two person complete information abstract. I played it anyway. It has a clever idea, both players control a claw to grab apples. from a grid. One player gets to move it horizontally, the other vertically. Besides taking the item on the grid where you land, you can take one of two special action abilities tied to that row/column.

Another cromulent abstract that seems playable. If you like that kind of thing.