Just got alerted to this - thanks for the kudos! You did indeed remember my name (and hair colour) correctly. It was indeed my first con demoing, although it's not my first rodeo of explaining games - I had an absolute blast and it was a pleasure. It was definitely an experience to see a group of men running towards me at 9am on a Friday morning 🤣
Thanks for commenting and making yourself known! Glad i got it correct, my memory is so bad and I don't take written notes! :P Glad you had fun and survived the ordeal! I hope maybe to ask CGE nicely if they want me to demo at Essen.
SETI was a "take my money" moment when I saw the release info a few months back. It's probably the new game I'm most interested in. I'm glad to hear it had your interest as well!
Was nice to finally meet you in person Luke. We always take drinks and snacks but find some of the places in the resort world not to badly priced for food. Haven't got Dog Park to the table for a while but we find it a good family game and the solo isn't bad either. Luthier looks interesting, might end up backing that one.
The Ada in Ada's Dream is Ada Lovelace, one of the pioneers of the modern computer. Those in software instantly recognise the name. She has an entire programming language named after her.
I am very familiar with her after 100's of games of Lovelace and Babbage. One my students (happens to be a whiz at chemistry) loves the game and would play it every week if I let her. Love to see the STEM themes and love to see woman being recognized.
Great coverage of the Expo! Windmill Valley was my #1 anticipated release from it. My FLGS should be getting it soon and I'm going to pick up a copy there. I'm looking forward to your full review, as well as knowing your thoughts on the solo mode. Luthier looks like it could be really good and while I was intrigued by SETI (Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence) before I'm now very much interested! Thanks for the video! Can't wait for Part 2.
Nice Video Luke. Keep up the great work. All members of my family call you Jucie Lukie. Not sure what they are going on about - either way I'd assume its a compliment.
Glad you had some fun with Luthier and apologise that I couldn't get you to the second round quicker. It is a bit of a thinky game in comparason to Distilled. Was a pleasure meeting you as well :)
Ha ha, it's totally OK, I got the gist from the first round nicely! :-) Great to meet you and I look forward to checking out Luthier in more detail when it's nearing full release.
Thanks for sharing about your experiences at UKGE 👍 I hope I get to try Windmill Valley, Ada's Dream and SETI some time this year. I'll be moving from the LA to the Seattle area in about a month so I'll need to find new gaming friends. There are quite a few good game stores there, so I'm sure I'll have access to the games. I look forward to hearing about Black Forest in the next video!
Thanks very much! I bought Arnak on sale, and my friend taught it to me and two other people this week It was a satisfying game, but felt like zero theme, a lot of do this to get that. I'm looking forward to one day trying SETI if it has similar mechanisms but an enhanced theme. Also very much looking forward to one day playing the tulip game after seeing it on Paul's channel. And I really love tile laying and tableau building, so the house is a possibility, but I already have several of that kind of game so am not about to run out and look for it.
I believe that the dogs in the extra packs have some new abilities so definitely shuffle them in. I pre-ordered Windmill Valley, I've been hyped for it since Essen.
It amazes me that Canada’s biggest online store has had zero new game releases in the last 3 months. Usually they have new titles every couple weeks at least. I have never seen that before. Is it just a slow year or is everyone now saving releases for last few months of 2024?
Funny to hear your take on Paverson Games’ scripted demo. We demo’d it early on Friday, and the guy running it was clearly shaky on the rules, and continuously had us missing resources we were meant o get from bonuses, and had to check the resources. Was painfully slow, and confusing. Was so much better when we were left to our own devices. Glad to hear your impression was much better.
He was a little shaky yes in my experience, but I've demoed before and it's easy to make odd little mistakes when subjected to noise and constant mental adrenaline. I think also it's because I got a perfect idea of how this game would play from just the first round that a second full round wouldn't have changed much.
I'll be interested to hear your thoughts on Dog Park, I had a really bad time with the base game...the others that I'm really looking forward to is Luthier and Ada's Dream
Windmill Valley looks very interesting to me. As always big fella love the content. I really want to try and go one year to the expo. Being from OZ makes it not an easy time 😁.
I only got to play one game - SETI, on Thursday evening. I was too tired to play anything else. I saw quite a bit of SETI though, and I’m looking forward to its release. I also only bought one game (totally blind) - Windmill Valley. I have my fingers crossed for it, and I’m printing an insert right now.
Super excited to hear Seti was a hit! Can't wait to see the actual review. How does it compare to Kutna Hora because that also has my interest. Arcs will have to hold me over when that arrives Saturday. Hope you get a chance to check that out eventually. Cheers!
I looked out for you Luke at the expo, but alas, I couldn't spot you. My loss. Hope to maybe see you next year. I got myself a solo game called resist! Haven't had time to play it yet.
Sorry I didn't get to see you - hopefully at another con! Essen and Gridcon this year, Expo and other small cons like Handycon and Baycon should be on my list. Just not Airecon.......for reasons.
SETI - you said that you had no idea how we get to Neptune? Voyager 2 says "hold my beer ..." - and it was launched in '77. And much like in the game, there are only occasional planetary alignments of planets (and cards in hand) that make such a mission worthwhile. Launch at the wrong time, and you'll just be burning energy for little return. As I was telling people on the stand, SETI is based on 20th/21st century technology in its search for extraterrestrial intelligence - it's not a game where you get to fly halfway across the galaxy to meet new alien species, it's a game where you get to land the Perseverance rover on Mars, or launch the ISS. You're using modern, current kit we have available to us to find signs of possible extra-terrestrial life in a way that humanity is attempting to do so right now.
50 pounds a night for a hotel room is a steal, especially if it includes parking. Particularly if there's some areas you can convert over to play areas or if you're getting a meal each day. Edit: Especially at the almost 200 quid of the hotels right at the convention.
They need to sort out the halls and not be so greedy when it comes to space. It was so unpleasant on Sat that I'll question going on that day again. Also got Windmill Valley. Very colourful and has some nice mechanics but not played so it could go either way, the worst being that it falls into the dreaded soup of middling Euros. But I have hope that it'll be better than that.
honestly... I was already saying this last year, but I think I'm gonna leave the expo until they get an extra Hall. It's just shit to spend that much time and money to go to an unenjoyable space where you can't get demos it's too packed
@@TheBrokenMeeple My point is that our choice of words says as much about us as it says about the subject of those words. If we actively want to change bias/prejudice we need to consciously change our choice of words.
Just got alerted to this - thanks for the kudos! You did indeed remember my name (and hair colour) correctly. It was indeed my first con demoing, although it's not my first rodeo of explaining games - I had an absolute blast and it was a pleasure. It was definitely an experience to see a group of men running towards me at 9am on a Friday morning 🤣
Thanks for commenting and making yourself known! Glad i got it correct, my memory is so bad and I don't take written notes! :P Glad you had fun and survived the ordeal! I hope maybe to ask CGE nicely if they want me to demo at Essen.
SETI was a "take my money" moment when I saw the release info a few months back. It's probably the new game I'm most interested in. I'm glad to hear it had your interest as well!
Good to hear this about SETI. It is one of the few I was looking forward to based on the great theme.
You and me both!
Alex - who demo'd SETI - was doing it for the first time! First con working on a stand, AND that morning was his first demo of SETI! Kudos to him.
Thanks Richard, it was a blast :)
Indeed!
Was nice to finally meet you in person Luke. We always take drinks and snacks but find some of the places in the resort world not to badly priced for food. Haven't got Dog Park to the table for a while but we find it a good family game and the solo isn't bad either. Luthier looks interesting, might end up backing that one.
Good to meet you too :-)
The Ada in Ada's Dream is Ada Lovelace, one of the pioneers of the modern computer. Those in software instantly recognise the name. She has an entire programming language named after her.
Yeah I've heard of her, just not in great detail.
I am very familiar with her after 100's of games of Lovelace and Babbage. One my students (happens to be a whiz at chemistry) loves the game and would play it every week if I let her. Love to see the STEM themes and love to see woman being recognized.
Great coverage of the Expo! Windmill Valley was my #1 anticipated release from it. My FLGS should be getting it soon and I'm going to pick up a copy there. I'm looking forward to your full review, as well as knowing your thoughts on the solo mode. Luthier looks like it could be really good and while I was intrigued by SETI (Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence) before I'm now very much interested! Thanks for the video! Can't wait for Part 2.
Hope you enjoyed both parts!
Glad I signed up for a SETI demo at GenCon.
Nice Video Luke. Keep up the great work. All members of my family call you Jucie Lukie. Not sure what they are going on about - either way I'd assume its a compliment.
Lol, errrr, I guess it is! :P
Glad you had some fun with Luthier and apologise that I couldn't get you to the second round quicker. It is a bit of a thinky game in comparason to Distilled. Was a pleasure meeting you as well :)
Ha ha, it's totally OK, I got the gist from the first round nicely! :-) Great to meet you and I look forward to checking out Luthier in more detail when it's nearing full release.
Great overview. Do you think SETI would play well at the 2 player count?
I guess that depends on whether the board scales, perhaps there will be reduction in spots or something
Ada's Dream looks just my thing.A board where you think 'crikey, where to start'.
Same comment applies to Luthier.
Thanks for sharing about your experiences at UKGE 👍 I hope I get to try Windmill Valley, Ada's Dream and SETI some time this year. I'll be moving from the LA to the Seattle area in about a month so I'll need to find new gaming friends. There are quite a few good game stores there, so I'm sure I'll have access to the games. I look forward to hearing about Black Forest in the next video!
In the US I'm sure you'll have no issue at all finding gamers!
Thanks very much! I bought Arnak on sale, and my friend taught it to me and two other people this week It was a satisfying game, but felt like zero theme, a lot of do this to get that. I'm looking forward to one day trying SETI if it has similar mechanisms but an enhanced theme. Also very much looking forward to one day playing the tulip game after seeing it on Paul's channel. And I really love tile laying and tableau building, so the house is a possibility, but I already have several of that kind of game so am not about to run out and look for it.
Review for Windmill Valley coming tonight!
I believe that the dogs in the extra packs have some new abilities so definitely shuffle them in. I pre-ordered Windmill Valley, I've been hyped for it since Essen.
Review coming tonight for Windmill Valley ;-)
It amazes me that Canada’s biggest online store has had zero new game releases in the last 3 months. Usually they have new titles every couple weeks at least. I have never seen that before. Is it just a slow year or is everyone now saving releases for last few months of 2024?
I just pre-ordered SETI. I'm hoping I find it to be as great as you did!
Funny to hear your take on Paverson Games’ scripted demo. We demo’d it early on Friday, and the guy running it was clearly shaky on the rules, and continuously had us missing resources we were meant o get from bonuses, and had to check the resources. Was painfully slow, and confusing. Was so much better when we were left to our own devices. Glad to hear your impression was much better.
He was a little shaky yes in my experience, but I've demoed before and it's easy to make odd little mistakes when subjected to noise and constant mental adrenaline. I think also it's because I got a perfect idea of how this game would play from just the first round that a second full round wouldn't have changed much.
Good to hear that SETI is good, I am looking forward for trying it one day. Looks nice and have interesting theme.
I had the same impression of Ironwood from watching playthroughs. I was waiting for the wow moment but just couldn’t find it anywhere
Yeah it's just "another 2 player game" loved to death mainly by those who love everything by MC.
Wow, as an American the hotel prices you paid actually sound really affordable. 😅
Ha ha yeah your hotels for conventions scare me....
Sand is definitely a 3 ring circus, maybe even a two ring.
Oh.... Ugh. 😩 Well have to try and see.
I'll be interested to hear your thoughts on Dog Park, I had a really bad time with the base game...the others that I'm really looking forward to is Luthier and Ada's Dream
Noted! Still waiting for my base game copy.
Windmill Valley looks very interesting to me. As always big fella love the content. I really want to try and go one year to the expo. Being from OZ makes it not an easy time 😁.
Review is going up tonight for Windmill Valley!
I only got to play one game - SETI, on Thursday evening. I was too tired to play anything else. I saw quite a bit of SETI though, and I’m looking forward to its release.
I also only bought one game (totally blind) - Windmill Valley. I have my fingers crossed for it, and I’m printing an insert right now.
Review is going up tonight for Windmill Valley!
Super excited to hear Seti was a hit! Can't wait to see the actual review. How does it compare to Kutna Hora because that also has my interest. Arcs will have to hold me over when that arrives Saturday. Hope you get a chance to check that out eventually. Cheers!
I looked out for you Luke at the expo, but alas, I couldn't spot you. My loss. Hope to maybe see you next year. I got myself a solo game called resist! Haven't had time to play it yet.
Sorry I didn't get to see you - hopefully at another con! Essen and Gridcon this year, Expo and other small cons like Handycon and Baycon should be on my list. Just not Airecon.......for reasons.
SETI - you said that you had no idea how we get to Neptune? Voyager 2 says "hold my beer ..." - and it was launched in '77. And much like in the game, there are only occasional planetary alignments of planets (and cards in hand) that make such a mission worthwhile. Launch at the wrong time, and you'll just be burning energy for little return.
As I was telling people on the stand, SETI is based on 20th/21st century technology in its search for extraterrestrial intelligence - it's not a game where you get to fly halfway across the galaxy to meet new alien species, it's a game where you get to land the Perseverance rover on Mars, or launch the ISS. You're using modern, current kit we have available to us to find signs of possible extra-terrestrial life in a way that humanity is attempting to do so right now.
It's a theme I do respect as we haven't had many examples if any of this. But that's what draws me in more.
How does the weight of Ada’s Dream compare to Newton and Arborea? Arborea was too heavy for me, but Newton was solidly mid weight for me.
I think Ada is on Newton's level - not sure Arborea I found too heavy, just more fiddly and fathy.
Congrats, you sold SETI to me :)
Good choice!
Did you get a chance to play Black Forest?
Coming in Part 2 😉
Did you try out Arcs when you were there man?
Nope, wasn't on my radar really and not enough time anyway.
50 pounds a night for a hotel room is a steal, especially if it includes parking. Particularly if there's some areas you can convert over to play areas or if you're getting a meal each day.
Edit: Especially at the almost 200 quid of the hotels right at the convention.
Yeah I got parking and a very basic breakfast. The hotels at the convention were stupidly priced, not worth it at all.
They need to sort out the halls and not be so greedy when it comes to space. It was so unpleasant on Sat that I'll question going on that day again. Also got Windmill Valley. Very colourful and has some nice mechanics but not played so it could go either way, the worst being that it falls into the dreaded soup of middling Euros. But I have hope that it'll be better than that.
Review coming out tonight!
honestly... I was already saying this last year, but I think I'm gonna leave the expo until they get an extra Hall. It's just shit to spend that much time and money to go to an unenjoyable space where you can't get demos it's too packed
It is a big concern for sure, I'll be interested to hear what they solidify in plans. Essen has a similar Saturday problem.
"this one will be one I play with some of the more elite gamers in my group" Wow. Just Wow.
As in those who are more used to heavy strategic games.
@@TheBrokenMeeple ah, the "heavy gamers". "Elite" is such a loaded word choice.
Substitute strategy for elite.
@@TheBrokenMeeple My point is that our choice of words says as much about us as it says about the subject of those words. If we actively want to change bias/prejudice we need to consciously change our choice of words.
Fair enough but I think you might be reading too much into a random slip of the tongue.