10/3/07

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It has been a little sketchy getting together lately with various work schedules but, we were back on strong with 8 players for this evening. In an effort to keep the group together for a while, we played a couple of games that stretched to 8 players.

Being Halloween month, we had to try a Halloween game. I find this Atlantic Storm clone a fun little romp although a bit too long. I always recommend removing about 15 - 20 cards from the house deck.

We tried this new "werewolf" style game from R & R games. None of the group are avid "werewolf" fans and this game fell very flat. I will be interested to see how this game goes over with those style of players at CharCon.

This is the only real game worth reporting on as we finished the night with it with the remaining 6 players. Travis had been asking about it for several weeks and we finally brought it out to close the evening. Those that know me realize I like a lot of variety in my games and do not care for playing the same game every week. My fears started to bubble up as several people suggested we bring this game out every game night and there was even a suggestion that we keep track of life points over several sessions as a campaign variant. I have actually canceled game night next week in hopes that they may get over this game's obsession. More to the subtle game play.

Early on the game was pretty mild as the players got the feel for each others unique strategy. Dave decided to make the first move by brutally taxing Travis and Charlie for 1/2 of their cash and then jumping out to become the first smoker and insidiously attempting to pull others to the dark side of the demon weed. Michelle, believing she was lagging behind decided she should become a smoker as well and jumped to a 5 pack a day habit quickly. With a lot of influence and jocking, she was voted the sexiest smoker although she spent a lot of advertising collateral to get there. Before long, all players decided it was time to opt in to the smoking strategy until Dave got lung cancer. Travis would not be out done by Dave, remembering the earlier taxation event, and decided have a lung removed. This turned out to be a rather poor decision in the long run as his attempts to quit and operational cost took a toll by advancing his life quickly. Seeing Travis aging quickly, Tom decided it would be best to spend all of his money and try to catch up with aging Travis. Ted and Charlie decided it was best to alter strategies and become non smokers as Michelle happily puffed away for the win.

What can one say but, strategic, tactical, tense, in your face gaming with a social theme. The theme ties so well to the complex, historically accurate events at times you feel you are right there.....smoking. Next time we should probably use some real cigarettes for the added effect but, it is so realistic I am not sure anyone noticed.