2006 Italy in Games - my personal report

Here is a kind of report (from my personal point of view) of games in Italy for 2006. I will cover new releases, publishers, events, and everything else that passes through my troubled mind. I'm deeply involved in the Italian game scene since I personally know most of the designers, editors and publishers. I have playtested several games and I have written reviews and articles, but I'm doing everything for fun so you can be sure that I haven't been paid to say what I'm saying—and probably some wish that they would have paid me for not saying what I said and what I’m going to say!

I can say for sure that 2006 was a boom year for Italians in several ways, but first a short statistical report. I was able to track:

Some Stats

• 46 games published in 2006 with one or more Italian designers
  
• 20 Italian publishers released new games/expansions in 2006 (I'm also including in this list self-publishers like Angelo Porazzi)
  
• 4 (at least) non-Italian publishers released games designed by Italians in 2006 (not counting non-Italian editions of Italian games also released by Italian companies)
  
• 2 (at least) Italian publishers released games designed by famous non-Italian designers
  
• 40 Italian designers released games in 2006

I think that this could be enough to say that 2006 has been a great year for Italy; I could agree with gamers observing that quantities and qualities not always are the same, but what is impressive in 2006 was both the quantity and quality of several releases. I think that game world would been better without some of these releases, but also it have been missing others. Anyway that is just the same problem for German or American releases. Before going in details, I want also to include some more stats:

Game Conventions

The two most important game convention in Italy, Lucca Comics and Games and ModCon, both have had a great success: over 4000 gamers in Modena in September and over 80,000 attendees in Lucca in November. Also IdeaG, the most important Italian event for game designer, has got a great success: you can read a full report here on Boardgame News and I'm almost ready to publishe the 2007 report.

Associations and Communities

The most active boardgames community in Italy, La Tana dei Goblin, in 2006 has gone from 2000 to 3500 members, with over 100,000,000 pages visited from 400,000 different IPs and 650 GB transferred. The site also has 1240 new reviews and 514 add-ons/rules translations.

The oldest and largest game association, Club TreEmme, has crossed the quarter of a century mark with more than 500 members.

Designers and Publishers

The most active designers in 2006 were:

• Leo Colovini with 10 games, 4 alone and 6 with others
  
• Dario de Toffoli with 7 games, 2 alone and 5 with others
  
• Zaccariotto with 4 games, all with others
  
• Andrea Angiolino and Pier Giorgio Paglia with 3 games
  

The most active publishers were:

• Dal Negro, with 6 games
  
• Nexus and daVinci, both with 4 games

But 2006 was also the year that saw the birth of GiochiUniti, a new distribution company, that took birth from the joint efforts of Nexus, daVinci, Stupor Mundi (ex Tilsit Italia) and Venice Connection. I think this project could really help the Italian market to grow and gamers to find more games with lower cost. Nexus has also strengthened its agreement with Fantasy Flight Games, and KDS with Days of Wonder.

On the other side, Stratelibri and Raven Distribution are doing well in supporting the gamer community and Italian events. Together with KDS, they are also publishing Game Master Magazine, which reached issue #6 in 2006 and aspires to be something more than an house organ (I hope to abel to make publish an Italian version of this article in one of the next issues).

I'm not always able to report on all of the upcoming products from Italian publishers since not all of them inform me about new releases. I know almost nothing about what is boiling in the Raven Distribution pot, and I also wasn't able to track whether some of the new Stratelibri releases will be available outside Italy. Probably they are too busy, or they don't care too much for non-conventional channels.

A List of (almost) all the 2006 releases

But, as promised, here's an alphabetical list of Italian publishers and their 2006 releases, larded with my personal consideration:

I must start with Angelo Porazzi Games, since 2006 was also the 10th year of life for WarAngel with the 10 years Edition. This is, by far, Angelo's best game and is still well-supported and extended. Angelo Porazzi Games is the emblem of self-publishing in Italy. He also released this year

• WrestAngel
• WarAngel 10 Years Edition

Clementoni, in the middle of other less interesting releases, has also published:

• Fishmarkt: M. Papini
  
• Kakuro challenge: L. Colovini, D. de Toffoli, D. Zaccariotto

I have to spend some words on Cogito Studio, a game design studio born in Modena and quickly joined with Studiogiochi. They have developed two games:

• Walhalla by Alessandro Zucchini and published by Amigo
  
• Graverobbers by Carlo A. Rossi and published by Jolly Rogers Games.
  

Dal Negro released six games (I'm considering only the games that could be of some interest for BGN readers), mostly from the Studiogiochi staff:

• Kakuro: L. Colovini, D. de Toffoli, D. Zaccariotto
  
• Nebraska: L. Colovini, D. de Toffoli
  
• Poker Cinese: D. de Toffoli
  
• Savana: A. Nove Veronesi, L. Colovini
  
• Sudoku Travel: L. Colovini, D. de Toffoli, D. Zaccariotto
  
• Tamplaria: Bertagna e Gambi

daVinci Games was another great surprise in 2006 since they have released

• Leonardo da Vinci by Acchittocca
  

that is a real gamers game with also a big box and nice materials. We all hope it will be the first of a long serie of such games from daVinci. The Italian publisher was also able to get published

• Figaro by R. Knizi<

The materials and arts was great but, IMHO, unluckily the game was not so good (at least not one of the Knizia best). As usual, daVinci also released some expansions for his games (a multi-expansion for Leonardo da Vinci, Palatinus and Fredericus was prepared for Essen), and a couple of “Bonsai games” – games on one single card, as “Look-Ka!” (by Luigi Saggese), released for the Lucca Comics & Games convention.

Finally they also released (but only Italian version)

• F.A.T.A by Martina Mealli and Gabriele Rabbini (in cooperation with Lucca Comics & Games)
  
• Lupus in Giocando
  

a themed version of the game Lupus in Tabula, produced for the National Broadcasting radio (in cooperation with RadioDue RAI and Tana dei Goblin) and

• Archeogame by Silvano Sorrentino and Lucio Fioretti
  

a game for a national archeological convention

Editrice Giochi, in the middel of not so much interesting for gamers releases has published:

• SPQRisico by S.Albertarelli

The last part of 2006 has seen the birth of

• Esagek by Claudio Gerosa
  

an interesting abstract game with lot of possibilities also available in a pre-release format at Essen 2006.

I must point out the really good

• All is Lost Save the Honour by Contardi for the publisher Europa Simulazioni.
  

A real nice and well done game for addicted operational wargames and, for sure, not for eurogamers.

Ghenos Games signed an agreement in 2006 that will see

• Bolide published by Rio Grande Games
  

and it has also released the first expansion,

• Tracks #1 by Alfredo Genovese.
  

Emanuele Ornella (Mind the Move) has confirmed his talent and his new release,

• Hermagor
  

has been appreciated by several gamers and also published by Rio Grande Games.

After the great success of War of the Ring, Nexus Games persevered in publishing great games:

• Marvel Heroes, by Marco Maggi and Francesco Nepitello, has been another end of 2006 hit
  
• The expansion War of the Ring: Battles of the Third Age by Marco Maggi, Francesco Nepitello and Roberto di Meglio has got great consent and is also a nominee in the 2006 International Gamers Awards
  
• Wings of War is still having great success, and Andrea Angiolino and Pier Giorgio Paglia have developed two new booster packs in 2006: Top Fighter and Recon Patrol; new releases are also ready for 2007

After the not-so-good Bausquitmiao, PS Giochi has released

• High Voltage by Giacomo Sartoretti

which is a real improvement both in term of game play, arts and materials. (Scribabs took care of graphics and arts.) We hope to see this small company keep growing and improving over the next years.

At the end of 2006, another new company, Red Glove, started to release board/card games.

• Koala by L. Moretti and M. Cortini

was also published by Amigo.

Rose & Poison has finally decided to put a big effort outside the RPG world, and its 2006 release

• Canossa by Walt Castagno
  
• Faerie Tales by Christophe Boelinger
  
• Stardust by Angiolino e Paglia
  

are all better games than their past not-so good titles. It's a real improvement for this small company, and we hope it can continue investing in the boardgames area.

Paolo Vallerga at Scribabs has released

• Hystericoach by Walter Obert

a nice soccer party game and he also took care of graphics and art for High Voltage, by PS Giochi.

Some small publishers have also had new releases: Battaglie by Falsini for Safer Giochi and Sgrauso by Virag.

Stratelibri released

• Si Oscuro Signore 2, by C. Ferlito, M. Enrico, F. Bonifacio

and two new expansions for Minimonfa are close to being published.

Tenkigames released two new games from Piero Cioni:

• SnakeLake
  
• Krumble
  

They both are quite good, with a real maniacal attention to graphics and materials. Tenkigames is one of nicest new companies in Italian market, and it's planning to keep growing and improving. The 2006 releases were mostly aimed at young players, but you need to check out the 2007 releases that as far as I know are really, really interesting also for gamers.

For boat race lovers, I must point out

• Velagiochiamo by S. Robberto and D. Troia

which is a really big game. (The box is 1 meter wide!) The game is quite nice, with good materials, but still far away from eurogamers standard in term of how the rules are wrote. I hope they will soon be able to write a new set of rules.

What's Your Game? is still working in publishing gamers games. Their 2006 top release was

• Ur by Paolo Mori

This abstract game is really nice and won the Best of Show in the boardgames category at Lucca Comics and Games. But this is one of the companies I have not easy task to get informations about.

Zugames, the Mario Papini company, has released

• Mamma

a card game. This is not as good as previous Mario releases (Siena and Feudo), but it's still interesting with really some nice ideas and mechanics.

Finally, a list of games designed by Italians and published from foreign companies:

• Justinian, by A. Saragosa, L. Colovini from Phalanx
  
• Happy Birthday by D. de Toffoli from Piatnik
  
• Sfida al Quadrato by Dario De Toffoli and D.Zaccariotto from Sperling & Kupfer
  
• Cartagena II, L. Colovini
  
• Dschingis Khan, L. Colovini
  
• Terra Nova, G. Evola, R. Leocata
  
• SPQRisko by Spartaco Albertarelli from Editrice Giochi
  
• PowHow by Spartaco Albertarelli from Ravensburger
  
• Masons by Leo Colovini from Hans Im Gluck
  
• Mauerbauer by Leo Colovini from Hans Im Gluck

I think all this data is enough to say that 2006 was a great year for Italy, and we are looking forward to 2007 with great expectations!

and what about 2007 ?

So, what we could exepct in 2007 ? I hope that small companies (and some self publishing designers) could join their efforts providing better standard games like was the case of PS Giochi and Scribabs (High Voltage). I agree that self publishing companies sometimes bring us small pearl but I'm also sure that real pubblishers and editors could help better new designers in bringing us real quality games.

We are just in the beginning of the year and so it is not too much what I can say and most of the projected realeases will appear at Nuremberg.

Angelo Porazzi told me that he is working on the 11th generation for WarAngel and we hope it will be released in 2007. He is also investing most of his energies on kids/party-games so probably his LovePigs will be ready for MiniMod (April).

daVinci has several interesting things scheduled: the international release of F.A.T.A., the great awaited BANG! deluxe and also Lupusburg.

I know (I'm so lucky to have playtested it!) Mario Papini is working on a great project, a gamers game with a great setting, but I can't say more.

KDS distribution is working on Frontier, a game from Andrea Chiarvesio and Luca Iennaco that aim to be a major release and a very good title.

TenkiGames ha several interesting game: Jungle, the sequel of Krumble (but it is a game on his alone), Chang Cheng from Walter Obert and also a party game from Piero Cioni.

I'm quite sure Emanule Ornella will have something ready for Essen, but I have no real news about.

Cogito Studio and Studiogiochi are working on several titles: Savana by A. Nove Veronesi and Leo Colovini and Poker Cinese by Dario de Tofoli will be realeased by Dal Negro and I hope to be able to say something more in the following weeks; Kakuro (A. Nove Veronesi), Alchemist (Carlo A. Rossi), Volle Wolle (Alessando Zucchini) and Trovanime (Leo Colovini, De Tofoli and Zacariotto) probably will be all presented in Nuremberg.

Scribabs will present a new Walter Obert game in Nuremberg: Star System and from the same designer also Kragmortha from Stratelibri.

About the major events I'll post soon the IdeaG 2007 report. ModCon will be in the end of September in Modena and about Lucca Comics and Games here few world form Emanuele Vietina, the Chief Coordinator:

“Lucca Comics & Games will be held again in the historical heart of the ancient town after the huge success of the 40th Anniversary Edition. The new area has allowed to have more space to play, to read and to live better the convention between the incomparable setting of a Renaissance and Medieval buildings. The Show will run from the 1st of November to the 4th, with great guests, super events and exciting previews! As usually, the first press release about the Program will come out on next July. Stay tuned!”

I will soon post a IdeaG 2007 Report by Paolo Mori.

good play and I hope you could enjoy this report. I'm Italian, I love my country and my games but I have tried to be as much objective as possibile.

Liga

Wednesday of Playtest at TreEmme

Hi gamers

yesterday was a nice evening of playtest at Club TreEmme Modena. Me, Jappo and Paolo (Senso) helped the Cogito Studio Team (Carlo A. Rossi, Alessandro Zucchini and Alf) in playtesting a new Alessandro Zucchini game.

As usual is not too much what I can say about the game. It is a nice majority game with clever new ideas. The theme is, at the moment, nice and quite well related with the mechanics. All the players have a fixed number of tokens. every turn they compete for both taking cards and placing tokens in the map. Every time an area is completed there is a score phase where the cards are used. Cards are also used for many other things, including end game scoring.

OK, that is not too much and not really new but I must keep my finger blocked in writing more. I really enjoyed the game and, we some necessary fixing and balancing, I think it could be an OK game.

After the playtesting session me, Jappo and Senso played a Factory Fun game. It is always nice to play that game. I was able to win, placing all 10 factories in the maps and undertaking only 1 minor (1 factory) and 1 major (2 factory) rearrangement during the game. Paolo was second and since it was for him the first game I think he could really be an hard opponent in the future.

good play
Liga

Marvel Heroes at home!

Hi all

yesterday night was time for a new Marvel Heroes game. We was four: me (X-man), my brother Stefano (Avengers), Gianluca (Marvel Knights) and Glauco (FF).

The mission was the fight against Galactus.

The first round was quite nice for me because I was playing third and so there was not so much possibilities. I got a good X-man ally (2 trama point for 3 armor 4 rolls) and sent Cyclops with Wolverine in support in a mission for 5 VP. I took also 2 story action and I used the Wolverine support point ending third and letting Cyclops in Manatthan.

Stefano was quite unlucky and did n0t complete his mission; Glauco and Gianluca both also completed mission; Glauco also got 2 story cards and Gianluca none. I was first together with Glauco.

The second round started with Stefano and so I was fourth. I have also to fight my arcinemesis. The second round was a quite round and really bad for me: I got a second X-Man ally but I was able to complete only a 2 VP mission and Glauco finished 2 points ahead me. Gianluca was quite behind and also Stefano that has been beaten again.

In the third round Glauco was able to reach 15 points while I was 13 and Gianluca far behind. So the 4th round was the last and Galactus appears in the city!. I was always playing last, since my brother has been always the last in VP cause a really bad dice-night! I was able to complete a 5 VP mission while Glauco was only completing a 3 VP almost closgin the gap but, since he was moving before me, he ran for Galactus. The final fight (Galactus) was Mr. Fantastic and the Human Torch against the Sentinel with great support: no allies for the FF and also another KO to prevent. Glauco was indeed really lucky and was able to score 2 times with the special Human Torch attack and win the game since he also won both the outfit tests.

I really enjoyed the game again: I think it is one of the best 2006 releases ... another great hit for Maggi-Nepitello and Nexus Games: sometimes the dices could really play against you but it is not at all a random driven game.

good play
Liga

My Holidays are over

I'm finally back at work after a long holiday. I spent most time taking care of my two kids but also I have got time (especially during the long night wake) for reading some rulement and try some new games.

I have been able to play-test the prototype of the new Mario Papini game. It is really nice but I can't say nothing more.

I have been also able to get the rules and a prototype of Frontier, the new A. Chiarvesio game that will be published by KDS: it is also really full of promise and I'm sure it will be a great hit.

The game I have played most during this holiday was Villa Paletti: but also I have played several times the WinX collecting card games with my daughter.

It is really bad to see that there are no good games for a so nice trademark: it could be really a great opportunity to introduce young girls in good boardgaming but all the WinX games I have tried are really below the average.

Tomorrow evening I'll have a Marvel Heroes session at my home (I hope to upload soon pictures) and also the opportunity to see Tannhauser, the new Take on You game.

I'm also working on a big and deep article concerning what is going on in Italy, regarding boardgames, in 2006. I hope to be able to post it on BoardGame News before the end of the month.

Finally a list of game I got for Christmas:

- Villa Paletti
- Mykerinos
- Hammer of the Scots
- Wizard Kings + all the maps and armies
- Battlelore (still waiting!)
- Twillight Imperium 3ed: Shattered Galaxies

After packing all the basic and expansion staff of TI3 in the same box I was curious and I weigh it: it was 5 kg of game!Blogger: liga3m - Crea post

I have also finished to translate my review of football tactics 2006. You can find it on BGG or here in my blog

Good play and I hope to start soon to post again regularly

Liga

X-mas bingo at TreEmme

Friday 22 was a particular evening at TreEmme. Instead of the usual games we played the traditional X-mas Bingo, thanks to the effort of Viki (X-mas elf) and Busso (Santa Claus).

Was nice to be at the club with families and children. This year we had 9 kids and I think that will come a nice tradition for Club TreEmme

good play and happy Christmas
Liga

Some days after ...

I'm still alive but I have not too much time for myself in these days. Francesco and all the Christmas staff are taking from me all the time. But are nice days!

Here is me with my two sons, Francesco and Caterina


And here is Francesco one week after


good play to all
Liga

Monday Evening at Home

Monday evening I was alone at home with my daughter, since Serena and Francesco were yet at the hospital. So why not an evening of games with a friend, while Caterina was sleeping ?

We started with Marvel Hereos: was the first time we played it in two and was a good game! We miss the rules about plying only in 4 area so the only complain (too few competition for the missions) was caused by our fault!


The game is nice also in two, since there is not direct interaction anyway and there is really no down-time! We played the Galactus scenario.

I play with the X-Man and in the first turn I sent Cyclops together with Wolverine in a 3 points mission and spent the remaining 2 trama points for an ally!

I completed the mission and I got also 1 story card. Gianluca was playing with the Avengers and at the end of the 1st turn we was tied at 4. I was first and got the Arcinemesis since my enemy has more followers than his.

I sent wolverine in mission with Cyclops in support and also set in support Jgrey. I completed a 5 points mission and got another story.

I was able to knock down hulk with my nemesis and I finished the 2nd turn 10 to 7.

In the 3rd turn I was able to complete a 5 points mission just in the 4th round and I won the game!

After Marvel Heroes I shown Gianluca Space Hulk (1st edition). We play the 1st mission and I used the Genestealer. Was an easy victory since he left behind the Sergent and 2 marines to cover the back and I was able to kill the flamer bringer. was a long time since I played Space Hulk and I think it is always a great game!


Finally we play Football Tactics 2006 for 20 minutes: 1-1. I still find this game a nice light soccer game but Gianluca didn't agree with me and find it boring.

good play
Liga

Welcome Francesco!

This morning at 01:03 Francesco is arrived! He is very well: 48 cm and 2,950 Kg. Also Serene is very well. I'm still alive: I was able to stay up without passing out during the birth and also without bothering too much Serena and the obstetricians! Father are really funny characters during the birth!

Here I'm with Francesco!

Monday at TreEmme

After the surprises of the first evening (Scuro, one of the best player, defeated!) also yesterday evening was really amazing: the old beaten by new players

the firs two tournament scenarios in the Barbarossa Campaign was not so good: the first one was a bloody bath for the Russian players and the second one was really static.

Here are the results:

1st Scenario


Gianluca (Italian champion in charge) against Davide (also an expert player).

axis allied

gianluca davide 6-1
davide gianluca 4-6

Liga against Carlo Lucca

CarloL Liga 6-4
Liga CarloL 6-0

Glauco against Ponz (two old friends use to play against each other since in the teens)

Glauco Ponz 6-2
Ponz Glauco 4-6

Salvo (a new entry) against Fede "the Bovaz"

Salvo Fede 6-4
Fede Salvo 4-5

Non we go to the 2nd Scenario and a lot of surprise: Salvo, really a good player (and really an expert in rolling dices!) beat Liga two times. Glauco beta Gianluca in the first game and concede a marginal victory in the second. Ponz beta two times Davide but is not enough to reach the final since CarloL win 2 marginal victories against Federico.

2nd Scenario


Salvo Liga 4-3
Glauco Gianluca 6-1
Ponz Davide 6-2
CarloL Fede 4-2
Davide Ponz 4-6
Gianluca Glauco 4-1
Liga Salvo 5-6
Fede CarloL 2-4

and here the final ranking

Salvo 10 21-16
Glauco 9 19-11
Gianluca 8 17-12
CarloL 7 14-14
Ponz 6 18-18
Liga 3 18-16
Fede 0 12-19
Davide 0 8-24

Combined with the Friday evening games, here the Final Ranking

Salvo 10 21-16
Misu 9 20-15
Glauco 9 19-11
Jordan 8 19-12
Gianluca 8 17-12
CarloL 7 14-14

Saverio 6 18-15
Ponz 6 18-18
Marco 4 18-20
Liga 3 18-16
Jappo 3 12-19
Scuro 1 15-12
Fede 0 12-19
Davide 0 8-24

So, are going to the final stage (next Monday): Salvo, Misu, Glauco, Jordan, Gianluca, CarloL

Good play
Liga

PS. I forgot at home my camera so no pictures!

[Review] Yspahan

Yspahan
by Andrea “Liga” Ligabue


Voto: 4/5

"Un gioco semplice ma non banale, che può essere giocato in un'ora e con un bellissimo modo di utilizzare i dadi. Uno dei titoli leggeri migliori di questo 2006"

Premessa "Storica"

Dopo l'interesse suscitato da Ys e lo strepitoso successo di Caylus la Ystari si è ritrovata ad essere una delle case editrici da cui i giocatori si aspettano di più. Dopo l'uscita quest'anno di Mykerinos, che non conosco, con Yspahan secondo me ha confermato la sua capacità di produrre giochi divertenti e belli. L'autore è un nome nuovo ma un ottimo debutto per lui. Tra l'altro Ysaphan è un gioco piuttosto veloce (una partita raramente dura più di un'ora) e semplice da spiegare, adatto quindi anche a compagnie non solo di appassionati (a differenza di Caylus ed Ys). Sebbene nel gioco si usino dei dadi, quasi un sacrilegio per i puristi dei German Games, il gioco è tutt'altro che banale e non è certo dominato dal fattore fortuna.

Descrizione Generale

In Yspahan i giocatori si contendono la vittoria tramite l'occupazione dei diversi sobborghi nei quattro quartieri della città. Ogni turno di gioco dura un giorno ed alla fine di ogni settimana si calcolano i punti e poi i sobborghi vengono di nuovo svuotati. La partita dura 3 settimane. I giocatori hanno però altre maniere per fare punti: costruire edifici, che tra l'altro danno anche abilità speciali, e inviare merci sulla carovana.

Nel gioco esistono due tipi di risorse che i giocatori devono gestire ed ottimizzare per vincere la partita: i soldi e i cammelli.

Svolgimento dei Gioco

Il giocatore di turno lancia 9 dadi e li dispone, raggruppando i dadi che hanno conseguito lo stesso risultato, su una apposita plancia nelle 6 possibile aree. Le aree vanno occupate partendo dal basso (l'area dei cammelli) e salendo man mano nei quattro quartieri fino ad arrivare all'area più alta, quella dei soldi. E' ovvio che quando nel lancio dei nove dadi mancano dei numeri sono le aree più altre che restano vuote, ad esclusione dell'area dei soldi che deve sempre essere occupata.

Dopo questo lancio, partendo dal giocatore di turno e man mano proseguendo in senso orario, ogni giocatore sceglie un gruppo di dadi ed esegue una delle azioni possibili in quell'area.

Azioni sempre possibili sono: pescare una carta o muovere il mercante del numero di caselle pari al valore del dado in quell'area.

Nella riga dei cammelli è possibile prendere tanti cammelli quanti sono i dadi, stessa cosa per i soldi. Nelle aree corrispondenti ai 4 quartieri invece si possono andare ad occupare tante case nei sobborghi quanti sono i dadi. Ogni casa può avere al massimo un occupante e un giocatore non può andare ad occupare case in sobborghi diversi nello stesso quartiere fin tanto che non ne ha riempito uno.

Dopo avere scelto i dadi ed eseguito l'azione il giocatore ha poi la possibilità di acquistare un edificio. Gli edifici si pagano in cammelli e soldi, da un minimo di due fino ad un massimo di cinque. Gli edifici danno dei benefici che vanno da cammelli e soldi extra fino a punti vittoria. costruire edifici conferisce comunque punti vittoria, a partire dal terzo edificio.

Alla fine di ogni settimana i giocatori ottengono punti vittoria in base ai sobborghi che controllano (occupano completamente).

Una nota particolare merita il movimento del mercante e i cammelli. Quando il mercante si muove, percorre una strada in mezzo alle casupole di Yspanha e può terminare il suo movimento davanti ad alcune case: in questo caso l'occupante della casa deve rimuovere da li' la sua merce e porla sulla carovana a meno che non disponga di un cammello da scartare, nel qual caso manda una merce sulla carovana senza rimuoverla dal sobborgo.

La carovana conferisce punti vittoria ad ogni giocatore alla fine di ogni settimana in base al numero di beni (e alla loro posizione).

Conclusioni

Il gioco è davvero divertente e a discapito dell'indubbia casualità nel tiro di dadi e anche molto strategico. Per vincere occorre sapere gestire bene soldi e cammelli e al tempo stesso andare ad occupare i sobborghi. La Carovona è una via alternativa per fare punti che può o non può premiare a seconda dell'evolvere della partita. Le carte aggiungono un ulteriore casualità al gioco: alcune sono in effetti molto forti e altre meno, ma nel complesso non rovinano il meccanismo ed anzi danno un qualcosa in più

Sunday of games

Hi all

yesterday was another good day because I have introduced at gaming hobby two new friends. Yesterday we was at lunch at some friend home. They have two daughters, one 5 years old like Caterina (they are in the same kindergarten) and a 8 years old.

After lunch the two little girls was playing together and the oldest one was a bit tired. Luckily I had with me Ticket to Ride: Europe (just in case!) so we play a game!

Was really nice because both the girl and her parents was really happy about the games and asked me to bring games again the next time! Really a good Sunday! (I also won the game and that was good because usually my wife beat me at Ticket to Ride: Europe).

good play
Liga

[Review] Football Tactics 2006

(for the english version of this review look at the end of the page)

Voto: 3/5

"Un gioco veloce e divertente che senza pretese di voler essere una simulazione ricrea a tratti le atmosfere del calcio. La fortuna è un aspetto senz'altro importante ma per vincere occorre anche un pizzico di strategia. Consigliato sopratutto per i giocatori non abituali"


Premessa “Storica”

(da questa mia recensione voglio soffermarmi a scrivere un trafiletto per ogni gioco che lo inquadri un po' nel contesto in cui è uscito)

Fare un gioco sul calcio è sempre un'impresa ardua perché è uno degli sport più seguiti, tutti lo conoscono (almeno in Italia) e tutti nutrono quindi grandi aspettative. Per quel che ne so io ancora nessuno è riuscito ad inventare una bella simulazione del calcio che sia al tempo stesso giocabile e divertente. Ricordo il “Supermundial” uscito in occasione dei mondiali del 1982, con tanto di esagoni e un aspetto decisamente wargamistico; il “Gioca Goal” e tanti altri più o meno sfortunati progetti. Ogni volta che ci sono i Campionati del Mondo, proliferano i titoli su questo sport: quest'anno ad esempio, degno di nota, HysteryCoach della Scribabs.

Football Tactics non ha la pretesa di essere una simulazione; è un gioco leggero, veloce e divertente che riesce a darti belle emozioni. Pur essendo la casualità un tratto dominante in questo gioco (si tira il dado per fare ogni cosa!), occorre anche un briciolo di strategia e nel complesso, a mio parere, il mix è perfettamente riuscito.

L'autore/editore è lo stesso di Ninja Galaxy, da cui Football Tactics ha anche “ereditato” i simpatici ometti di legno, cosa che contribuisce certamente a dare un tono allegro e scanzonato al gioco.

Descrizione generale

Ogni giocatore è alla guida di una squadra di 11 omini: 1 portiere (più grande), 4 anonimi difensori e 6 centrocampisti/attaccanti. Il campo di gioco è una griglia quadrettata con al centro la rotella per i tiri in porta. Nel proprio turno il possessore di palla cercherà di posizionare uno dei suoi omini appropriatamente, muoverà la palla e poi tenterà di raggiungerla con un altro dei suoi omini; cosa che farà anche il difensore. Risolto il contrasto si determinerà il nuovo possessore di palla e si continuerà in questa maniera fin tanto che uno dei due non avrà occasione di segnare. Come in tutti i giochi del calcio degni di questo nome ci saranno calci d'angolo, falli, ammonizioni e rigori. Senza essere frenetico il regolamento prevede anche un tempo limite per eseguire la propria mossa e quindi non si corre il rischio di degenerare in una lenta e noiosa partita a scacchi, visto che il gioco è tutt'altro che scacchistico.

Il turno di gioco

Il possessore di palla, come prima cosa, deve lanciare un dado e muovere uno dei suoi omini dell'esatto ammontare del tiro, in orizzontale, verticale o diagonale. Durante il movimento il giocatore potrà cambiare direzione solo una volta e non potrà transitare (ma solo terminare) sopra caselle occupate dagli avversari: in questa maniera è possibile ostruire e bloccare i movimenti degli avversari con uno schieramento sagace dei proprio difensori.
Dopo aver mosso un giocatore è la volta della palla: anch'essa si deve muovere dell'esatto ammontare del lancio di un dado e può cambiare direzione solo una volta (e per giunta non può mai tornare indietro su colonne o righe già percorse ... niente tiri con effetti spettacolari quindi). Se la palla termina su una casella contenente un proprio omino si può subito effettuare un altro passaggio (ma solo una volta); se si è in area di rigore o in una delle caselle speciali per il tiro da fuori area si può subito tirare!
Dopo il movimento della palla entrambi i giocatori possono muovere un loro omino (sempre dell'ammontare del tiro del dado) per raggiungere la palla.

Se alla fine di questa sequenza due giocatori avversari occupano la stessa casella avviene un contrasto: chi ottiene il numero più alto col dado diventa il nuovo possessore di palla. I difensori (i segnalini anonimi) hanno un +1 nei contrasti ma non possono mai uscire dalla propria metà campo. Il portiere ha un +2!

Se un giocatore attaccante vince un contrasto in area di rigore o in una delle caselle speciali per il tiro da fuori area, ha diritto ad effettuare un tiro in porto. Si fa girare l'apposita freccia speciale (reminiscenza di vecchi giochi MB!); circa la meta' degli spazi rappresentano il goal! Poi ci sono parate e calcio d'angolo.

Come nel calcio c'è la regola del fuori gioco. Inoltre se in un contrasto un giocatore ottiene un 6 e l'altro un 1 è fallo! E il giocatore che ha ottenuto 1 è anche ammonito!

Ci sono poi alcune piccole regole di posizionamento che impediscono il verificarsi di situazioni troppo paradossali o un gioco troppo “chiuso”: al massimo 3 giocatori possono stare in colonna uno dietro l'altro e al massimo 4 in riga. Non ci possono essere più di 4 giocatori per squadra in area di rigore e al massimo un giocatore per squadra in ogni casella.

Conclusioni

Senza davvero nessuna pretesa questo gioco riesce ad essere divertente ed avvincente, oltre ad avere materiali buoni. Sicuramente non è un titolo per il palato fine dei giocatori esperti ma può essere un simpatico diversivo, un bello strumento per far divertire i più piccini o per mettere al tavolo persone lontane dal mondo e dalla culutra dei giochi.

English Version

Historical Background

Design a football game is not an easy task since everyone (at least in Italy) knows something about football and there is always a lot of expectation about it. As far as I know no one has been able to make a nice football simulation that is both accurate and fun. I remember, in Italy, "Supermundial" (was out in 1982 and inherited most of the classical wargames mechanics, hexes included!) and many others more or less lucky projects. And every four years, for the World Championship, come out a lot of games.

Football tactics doesn't pretend to be a simulation: it is light, quick and fun and it is able to arouse emotions. Randomness is a dominant aspect of the game (you roll dices for everything) but you also need strategy to win and the mix works well.

The designer/publisher is the same of Ninja Galaxy and you use the same pawns: that helps in giving the game the right fun atmosphere.

Overview

The players are leading one team of 11 men: 1 goalkeeper (larger), 4 defending anonymous pawns and 6 midfielders/attackers.

The game field is a squared grid with a small wheel used for the shooting in the middle.

During the turn the ball owner will move one of pawns, than the ball and then it will try to catch it up with another pawn and than also the defender will move a pawn to catch the ball. Resolved the contrast the new owner of ball will be the new offender and the game will be continued in this way until a goal will be scored. As in all soccer games there will be corner kicks, faults, admonitions and penalties.

Without been an "hurry up" game, the rules fix a time limit in order to execute the moves and therefore it does not run the risk to degenerate in a slow and boring chess game,

The game turn

The owner of ball must first roll a dice and move one of its pawn of the exact amount in horizontal, vertical or diagonal. During the movement the player will be able to change direction only once and he will not be able to cross (but only finish) over square occupied by adversaries: in this way it is possible to obstruct and to block the movements of the adversaries with one shrewd alignment of the pawns. After moved a player it is time to move the ball: roll a dice and it must be moved of the exact amount and can change direction only once (and it cannot never return behind on columns or lines already covered). If the ball finishes just on a square occupied by own pawn it can moved again (but only once); if the pawn is in the penalty area or on one of the special square for shooting from outside area it is time to shoot!

After the movement of the ball both players can move a pawn (always of the amount of a rolled dice) in order to catch up the ball. If at the end of this sequence two opposing players occupy the same square a tackle happens: who obtains the higher number with the dice becomes the new owner of ball. The defenders (the anonymous pawns) have +1 in the tackle but they cannot never exit from the own half field. The goalkeeper has +2!

If a player win a contrast in the opposing penalty area or in one of the special square for the shooting from outside area, he has the opportunity to try to score. Like in old MB games, you have to turn the special arrow; approximately half of the spaces represent the goal! As in real soccer there are rules for outside. Moreover if in a tackle a player obtains 6 and the other a 1 it is fault!
And the player who has obtained 1 also is admonished!

There are then some small rules of positioning that prevent too much paradoxical situations or a game too much "closed": maximum 3 players can be in column one behind the other and maximum 4 in line. Cannot be more than 4 players in penalty.

Conclusions

Without pretending to be a real simulation this game succeeds to being amusing and fascinating, beyond to having good materials. Sure it is not a title for the fine palate of the expert players but it can be a likable alternative and a good game to play also with kids or peoples not too much introduced in the game world

Friday Evening at Club TreEmme

I was not there Friday but I want just to post the results of the first group for the Memoir'44 Tournament. Tuesday I'll post the report of the second evening (Monday) of the tournament, the one I'll partecipate, including pictures and comments.

Friday Evening Results

Final Ranking
(was 3 points for a win, 2 points for a win cause end of the time, 1 point for a tie)

Player Point Medals

Misu 9 20-15
Jordan 8 19-12
Saverio 6 18-15
Marco 4 18-20
Jappo 3 12-19
Scuro 1 15-12

1o scenario: [Barbarossa] Russian Breaktrough

German Russian Results

Saverio Scuro 6-3
Jappo Jordan 6-2
Marco Misu 5-6
Scuro Saverio 4-5
Jordan Jappo 6-3
Misu Marco 6-3

2o scenario: [Barbarossa] Lipovec

Misu Saverio 5-4
Jordan Jappo 6-2
Marco Scuro 6-4
Saverio Misu 3-3
Jappo Jordan 1-5
Scuso Marco 4-4

Memoir'44 at Club TreEmme Modena

This evening will start the Club TreEmme Modena Memoir'44 Tournament.

6-8 players this evening (Friday) and 6-8 players Monday will fight on the Barbarossa Campaign scenarios. I'll play Monday Evening so I hope to write a report Tuesday.

Here are (Italian) the Tournament Rules

Regolamento torneo di Memoir'44 Club TreEmme Modena 2006

Numero di partite giocate

Il torneo si svolge in due fasi. Nella prima fase (serata) verranno giocate da ogni giocatore 4 partite: due scenari ognuno giocato sia con l'asse che con l'alleato.

Nella seconda searata, il cui accesso sarà limitato secondo modalità da determinare in base al numero degli iscritti, si giocheranno altre 4 partite: due scenari ognuno giocato sia con l'asse che con l'alleato.

Abbinamenti

Prima serata di gioco:

1a partita: scenario 1

Il sorteggio degli abbinamenti verrà fatto pubblicamente davanti ai partecipanti il giorno stesso della competizione. Vewrrà determinato casualmente sia l'avversario che la fazione con cui ognuno giocherà la prima partita

2a partita: scenario 1

alla fine della prima partita verrà stipulata una classifica (vedi sezione punteggi). Salvo restando che ognuno dovrà giocare lo scenario con la fazione opposta rispetto a quella della prima partita, gli abbinamenti verranno fatti alla svizzera (il primo incontra il secondo, il terzo incontra il quarto, ...).

3a partita: scenario 2

Alla fine delle prime due partite verrà fatta una classifica totale fra i giocatori. Gli abbinamenti vengono fatti alla svizzera (il primo incontra il secondo, il terzo il quarto, ...). Il giocatore con il punteggio più altro decide con quale fazione giocare lo scanario.

4a partita: scenario 2

Alla fine della terza partita verrà stipulata una classifica. Salvo restando che ognuno dovrà giocare lo scenario con la fazione opposta rispetto a quella della usata nella terza partita, gli abbinamenti verranno fatti alla svizzera (il primo incontra il secondo, il terzo incontra il quarto, ...).

Seconda serata di gioco:

Lo schema degli abbinamenti è lo stesso, tranne che anche gli abbinamenti per la prima partita vengono fatti in base alla classifica delle prime 4 partite e in ogni coppia, il giocatore con il punteggio più altro, decide ccon che fazione giocare.

Vincitore

Alla fine delle 8 partite il giocatore con il punteggio più alto (vedi sezione punteggi) sarà il vincitore.

Punteggi

Al vincitore di ogni partita, che ottiene la vottoria conseguendo il numero di medagli previsto dallo scenario vengono assegnati 3 punti. In caso il tempo finisca prima della fine regolare dello scenario il vincitreo (il giocatore con il maggior numero di medaglie) otterrà 2 punti di vittoria. In caso il tempo finisca con i giocatori in parità ognuno conseguirà 1 punto vittoria.
In caso di parità in classifica vince il giocatore che ha conseguito il maggior numero di medaglie; se la parità sussiste vince il giocatore che ha concesso il minor numero di medaglie. Se la parità sussiste si sorteggia.

Tempo a disposizione per ogni scenario

Suggerisco di lasciare un tempo di gioco di 35 minuti per ognuno dei primi due scenari. Allo scadere del tempo i giocatori avranno diritto di giocare un ultimo turno. In ogni caso la partita deve terminare con i gicoatori che hanno disputato lo stesso numero di turni (se inizia la partita l'asse deve finire l'alleato e viceversa).

L'arbitro può decidere di penalizzare (o anche squlificare) un giocatore che perda tempo in maniera vistosa.

Dubbi e contenziosi

Per ogni dubbio l'arbitro è giudice inappellabile ma può decidere di rimandare la decisione ad un voto di maggioranza tra i partecipanti al torneo

Ricordatevi che per i primi due scenari sono in uso la regola del Blitz e la regola del commando russo. Per chi non conoscesse l'espnasione Esatern Front può leggere queste due regole

I'm now a member if the IGA

I'm now a member of the International Gamers Awards committee for General Strategy Games.


That is really a great news for me and I think it is also a great news for Italy. I'm a bit worried but I'm happy: I'll have to play more games (and that's not so bad!) and keep my eyes open on the new release (but actually that is what I was doing already in the last 3 years!).

What I was wondering about is: I'm already so old ? Usually peoples are elected members in committee late in their walk in this world but I'm only 34. I think that living in a city with the largest and greatest Italian game association, Club TreEmme Modena, really helps. I started my game career early , when I was 16, playing everything was avaible in the late 80s: Avalon Hill Games, World in Flames, Star Fleet Battles, RPGs, Battletech and Games Workshop Games. In my gaming association there was players that are used to play games since the beginning of the 80s and teach me a lot. They teach me the pleasure to learn and play new games and I keep doing that during the years also trying to teach new members new games.

So, I'm ready for this new challenge: play must go on!
Liga

Yesterday Evening

Yesterday evening I was sick so I wasn't able to attend my usual Monday Evening game session.

I spent the evening at home playing with my wife and my daughter and finishing to watch The Chronicles of Narnia, really a nice movie both for my daughter and me!

I got this week a new pack with two new armies of Battleground: Fantasy Warfare. So now I can start to play with Dwarfs and Orcs.

I have taken advantage of Thanksgiving offer at Columbia to order all the armies and the maps for Wizard Kings and Hammer of the Scots. I'm still waiting also a pack with Shear Panic and my copy of Battlelore. I'll be quite busy in December since I have still to play a lot of Essen games.

But the greatest present I'll have in December will be Francesco, my son, that probably will land here in our world in the middle of December. Serena's belly is really big and we are all looking for him.

good play
Liga

Friday Evening at Club TreEmme

Friday evening was my first time playing Tempus. I had great expectation about this game both because is a Martin Wallace game, and usually I like a lot his games, and second because on the net a lot of people talk about Tempus as a light civilization game.

We was five: me, Marco, Sassa, Dante and his friend. The map comes out with a big peninsula on the right, a lake and a big continent on the left. I started first occupying a grassland close to two fields: Dante start close to me, Sassa take the north and Marco and Dante's friend share the peninsula.

I got the first civilization advance, since I was occupying already two fields. Dante's friend started building city soon; Dante and Sassa was expanding slowing while Marco take a reproduction tactic: no city until it was at the end of tokens.

we play the game (and now I think was not the right way) fighting hard to be the first to make the civilization advance. I built 3 town (2,3,3) in the south and let Dante enough space to expand, trying to avoid as much as possible the war.

The game plays in a good equilibrium and I was enough smart to get the trains advancement. I was controlling Sassa (that was the strongest on the map, with a lot of cities) and in the last turn I was able to build a 4 points town and use the 3-5 movement to spread in the map.

The game ended with me and Sassa both at 20 and Marco at 19 (in the last two turns he built a lot of cities). Dante's friends got the flight advance bonus but wasn't enough for him to reach us.

The game is nice and you need a good strategy to win but, at least from this first game, is not at all a civilization game. The theme is just a little part of the game and I never got the feeling to be a civilization evolving: it is quite abstract at the end. The mechanics are good and the game plays well in less than 2 hours. I think I would like to play it again but is not the "light civilization game" I was waiting for.

After Tempus was the time for Yspanha that is one of the game I like to play most in these days: it is quick, it is easy to teach and it is fun. And, until now, I always won!

We was four: me, Sassa, Marco and Dante's friend.

Me and Sassa have already played, the other two was at their first game. Since I got a lot of money in the first three days I try to play running for the building. I was lucky and I got enough camels to pursue my strategy. At the end of the first week I was last, since I got no points for tokens in the map but I was able to build 3 building (extra camels, extra money and extra tokens). The second days I played using 3 golds and I got a really lucky roll: I was able to full occupy all the suburbs in the richest neighborhood.

I won the game, in the end, with more than 25 points on the second. I got all 6 buildings.

I find Yspanha a great game: just a bit random driven but not too much. It could happens (like in this game happened to Sassa) that you are blocked since you are not able to get camels, but is not a common problem. At the moment one of the best Essen 2006 hits.

Finally there was time for a Football Tactics against Sassa. I loose the game 1-0 (but we played just half an hour). I confirm my impression: it is a funny soccer game, with a lot of randomness but funny. I like it

good play to all
Liga

Monday Evening at Club TreEmme

Yesterday evening was a nice night of game at Club TreEmme Modena. In the first part of the evening we have had our annual renew of the Club TreEmme Modena council. The new council will be:

President: Marcello "Piffy"
Secretary-treasurer: Enrico "Ribot"
Advisors: Andrea "Ciuffo", Roberto "Viki", Antonio "Jappo", Federico "The_bovaz", "Lok"

After that I played again two times Factory Fun. I like this game more and more every-time I play it (now I have played more than 5 times). We was four: me, Franz, Marco and Jappo. The first game was for me an easy win since all the other players was at their first game. The second one was an hard fight and I won only because Franz decided to try to get a machine also in the last turn and was not able to deploy it.

I think this game works really well in 2,3 and 4 player and it is a really good game experience.

After that we play Yspahan. we was four: me, Jappo, Zhu and Gianluca. Was the first time for everyone. the game is nice, quick and easy to teach. It is not too much lucky driven but good dices rolls could sometimes really help. I was lucky in the first week and I got a really luck 8 1s roll (so I got enough camels for all the game) and, thanks to the right card, I bought the building that let you place an extra cube. At the end of the first week I was last but I was first at the end of the 2nd. No one of us really play in the caravan until the last week. I was able to put there 4 cube (one in the 2n row) and win the game. Zhu and Jappo was second.

I hope to play it again soon; I think it is really a nice game

good play
Liga

My Game Collection

Far from being a real game collector I'm quite happy about my games collection (something close to 500 titles). In the new house I was able to fit almost all in the same room (I miss all my RPG manuals that are still in the old house). Cards games and games without boxes (like the old TFG games) are all fitted in the wooden boxes.

Here you can see my full collection: I think I still need to buy one more IKEA expedit bookshelf because, you know, we are close to Christmas!





(a special thanks to Sdp that helped me in making the join of the pictures)

good play
Liga

Week end at home: Football Tactics

After the conference in Rome I spent the week end with my wife and my daughter. Sunday afternoon my cousin's family come to visit me and while the children are playing together we take time to try Football Tactics. I was really well impressed by how this game plays easily and funny: it is not a football simulation but you really have a good feeling playing it and it is really funny.

In few minutes me and Lillo (my cousin) was totally involved in the game: Of course, since you have to throw dices almost for everything, the game is a bit luck drive ... but not too much, since you have to play well and think how to move your pawns over the field.

Here you can see my cousin Lillo exulting for a perfect action


And here I'm going through the (simple) rules



During the turn the Offending Team (O-team), the one with the ball, first throw a dice to move a pawn, than throw a dice and move the ball and finally, move a pawn to take the ball (if it is in an empty space) or just move the ball again. After that the Defence team (D-team) move a pawn to try to get the ball. If the ball is contended there is a tackle: if the D-team win, becomes the O-team and the turn start again, if the O-team win and the pawn is eligible to score, roll to see if there is a score.

The game is really simple. The pawns have to move the full a mount of the dice thrown and can change direction only one time during the movement: they can't pass through opponents pawn (so you can block your opponent with your men) and can't stop on a space already occupied by a friendly pawn. The ball move in the same way but changing the direction it can go back in an already passed column or row but it can pass through any space.

There are other little rules but very clever that make the game more tactic: the defender are better in tackling (+1 on the dice rolls) but can't cross the midfield line; you can't have 4 ore more pawns in a row or 3 or more pawn in a column (just one adjacent to the other): there are fault, corner kick and so on.

Included in the box there is a timer.

We really enjoyed the game (we play it half an hour) and I won 1-0 scoring from the long distance after defending for the most of the game.

Here the action where I scored


After the match was over we discovered that my goal was not legal since In the preceding defending action I violate a rule letting 4 pawn adjacent in a row.

I'm sure I'll play it again.

good play
Liga