Things I’ve been thinking about, in no particular order: Hour of Glory looked interesting. Of course, it would be even cooler if I spent hundreds of dollars (and hours) making a nice set.
Although I gamble, I worry about the poker craze. Gambling is a zero-sum (or worse) activity. Wouldn’t we all be better off if all those smart guys (like Computer Science PhD Chris ‘Jesus’ Ferguson) were generating value – new products, tools, ideas? Even just teaching others? Instead they earn more money playing a game. [This is the old chestnut, “Anyone less religious than you is a pagan, anyone more religious, a fanatic” applied to gambling]. I realize that gambling is probably just rebounding from a historic low (with it only being legal in Vegas) and that it’s a constant of life. And that ESPN has way too many channels and they’re desperate for something better than curling. Still, I wish prediction markets were legal. At least they provide (or reveal) information in the process. I’ve heard the siren call of professional gambling, from time to time. For me, at least, she just whispers in my ear.
Now that I think about it, why did I lump Glory to Rome with San Juan? You don’t buy buildings with cards … ok, you do, but the cards aren’t necessarily from your hand. I think the role selection made me say it. [I had three unsatisfying games of G2R tonight. I've got to get the full errata before playing again].
I bought a copy of Civ. Now I have to read the rules. The punishment fits the crime. (Is this another Don Greenwood special?)
On an admin note, I’m pulling down my sitemeter since they’ve started obnoxiously tracking what ya’ll are doing. If anyone wants to know which game (and, ahem, other) sites you visit, they have to pay me!
The "I can do better" impulse drives much of my creative output. How much is actually better is open to debate.