Was bedeutet es? Ich weiß nicht.
In my role as uber-convention lacky for the company I will be flying out to Spiel Essen the world's largets Gaming convention in October. While Gen Con Indy is large with 30,000 attendies or so, it pales in scope so I am told to the 100,000 - 250,000 attendies of the german convention.
Far from just sci-fi and fantasy miniatures, RPG, and CCG, just about every kind of game is represented at Spiel Essen, or Essen Spiel or whatever its official title is. So from Ravensburger kids games with their big primary colored blocks to hard-core WWII tactical simulation boardgames with their inscrutable counters, all are represented there. Why Germany? Because the Germans are serious about their games - it's a nation past-time, and a passionate one at that. Kinda like watching TV or eating buffet is here.
For those that don't know their Kartenspiel from their Kartoffelsalat, here is a nice German game FAQ that is only a little outdated. Basically most interesting board games, and 'family strategy' games in the market, or on my game table, have come from german designers and puts to shame the crap that Hasbro puts out. And for those that haven't been paying attention Hasbro owns Parker Brothers, Avalon Hill, Milton Bradley, Tonka, Playschool, etc etc. More is less when it comes to being innovative in game design I guess. Does Trivial Pursuit and Monopoly still make money for them? Or will they go the way of Sorry!? It is hard for the goliath's games to contend with the innovative slings of fortunate independent designers.
You know I don't even know what that last sentence even means.
But to wrap up, I am flying off to Germany for a week in October. So I am renewing my passport and brushing up on my language skills. Which is to say i am learning the stuff for the first time, since I only passed my language requirements in college by the kind hearts of my instructors. As far as the foreign language center of my brain: Jener Hund jagt nicht. That dog don't hunt.
Far from just sci-fi and fantasy miniatures, RPG, and CCG, just about every kind of game is represented at Spiel Essen, or Essen Spiel or whatever its official title is. So from Ravensburger kids games with their big primary colored blocks to hard-core WWII tactical simulation boardgames with their inscrutable counters, all are represented there. Why Germany? Because the Germans are serious about their games - it's a nation past-time, and a passionate one at that. Kinda like watching TV or eating buffet is here.
For those that don't know their Kartenspiel from their Kartoffelsalat, here is a nice German game FAQ that is only a little outdated. Basically most interesting board games, and 'family strategy' games in the market, or on my game table, have come from german designers and puts to shame the crap that Hasbro puts out. And for those that haven't been paying attention Hasbro owns Parker Brothers, Avalon Hill, Milton Bradley, Tonka, Playschool, etc etc. More is less when it comes to being innovative in game design I guess. Does Trivial Pursuit and Monopoly still make money for them? Or will they go the way of Sorry!? It is hard for the goliath's games to contend with the innovative slings of fortunate independent designers.
You know I don't even know what that last sentence even means.
But to wrap up, I am flying off to Germany for a week in October. So I am renewing my passport and brushing up on my language skills. Which is to say i am learning the stuff for the first time, since I only passed my language requirements in college by the kind hearts of my instructors. As far as the foreign language center of my brain: Jener Hund jagt nicht. That dog don't hunt.
posted by Natebot at
2:29 PM
Email This!
3 Comments:
Congratulations Nate! That's fantastic you'll be sent halfway around the globe on the company dime! Good luck with dusting off the language skills, just remember "Nutella" sounds the same in English.
Der Kommisar is in town,
Amanda
By
Anonymous, at 7:30 AM
Wow! It seems like you are getting your travel bug out all within a few short months! Yay! Once again - living vicariously through, I wouls love to see pictures!!
Hope everything is still going well and that you are having as much fun as it seems!
Have a wonderful trip!
Chus!
Brandie
By
Anonymous, at 5:02 PM
Dear Nate,
My ever-informed Uncle has alerted me that you were skipping the country. I imagine that brushing up on your German is taking quite a bit of time out of your busy schedule, so I am volunteering to accompany you as your translator/interpretor, provided I find a carry-on large enough that I can fit into. I have taken the liberty of enclosing my transcripts and resume, which I am sure you will find suitable. I am also having a tin of peanut butter fudge shipped UPS direct to your home.
Your Favorite Cousin On the Letsinger Side, Beth
Sein oder nicht sein? Das ist die Frage.
By
Anonymous, at 12:00 PM
Post a Comment
<< Home