Modern Art is one of the real classic games. Another genuine classic is Acquire. And it also has an aspect that takes some people a while to get their heads around (especially 1st time playing). Money is important, but you have to purchase shares and that sinks your liquidity, and when mergers happen you have a reverse expectation of how "winning" a merger will feel. If you come out on top in a merger your shares skyrocket in value, but you still feel cash poor (no liquidity), whereas the player who was forced to sell (got bought out) suddenly has a lot of cash on hand. It's a weird feeling, the game always seems to have a slow-down after the start where everyone feels strapped for cash until mergers start kicking in, but everyone can see by the end how your stock values are paying off (even if you didn't feel like you had a lot of money to play with during phases of the game).
For me, the biggest challenge with Modern Art is that new players are often wildcards in the game because they don't realize that paying $100 for something that earns them $10 in profit still requires *giving $100 to another player*. It takes a while for people to realize that it isn't great to overspend for items, and I usually make an example of this by winning the game without ever winning a single auction. The game can tighten up and become far more interesting over repeated plays, though.
I'm about to buy this game. Great review btw. My thoughts about the biggest issue are, if there are no graphics on the inside of the paper sheet you hide your money behind, why not take a picture of the icon sheet from the rulebook and scale it down to a proper size, print it and glue it to the paper sheet. Could work and look great with very little effort.
The few times I've played Modern Art it fell flat for us and just established I don't like auction games that much. We played with poker chips so I don't know if there's a currency limit that changes things. There is always the chance that I played it wrong, though, so I still want to play it a few more times.
Awesome game if you can gather up a set of suitable personalities (and some alcohol) and roleplay the auctions. My version has small cheatsheet for the auction type icons on the "player screen".
The insert is balls, however the best addition to this game to "upgrade" it is a tiny little bamboo easel you can buy on ebay for about £2. Put the auction cards on those get a gavel and go all bargain hunt. Great Times
Phew, if you had dissed Modern Art, I would... fortunately I know that in spite of some dodgy tastes in SLEUGS you have not reached the brain-deadiness that would make you disparage THIS CLASSIC. Like Doctor Who, we are bonded to the version of MA that we first met so for me it’s all about Karl Gitter, Crypto, Yoko etc and the associated artwork but I concede that the new cards are not at all bad and there is a gavel. If you don’t have MA, get it play it treasure it - and Ra too. Before you ask, Troughton.
I concur. I've owned various versions of this since it was first published (was it really 30 years ago?) and Gitter and the gang were the best. Also, the icons on the cards were far easier to remember than the current ones.
one of the last honest channels in board gaming!
Modern Art is one of the real classic games.
Another genuine classic is Acquire. And it also has an aspect that takes some people a while to get their heads around (especially 1st time playing). Money is important, but you have to purchase shares and that sinks your liquidity, and when mergers happen you have a reverse expectation of how "winning" a merger will feel. If you come out on top in a merger your shares skyrocket in value, but you still feel cash poor (no liquidity), whereas the player who was forced to sell (got bought out) suddenly has a lot of cash on hand. It's a weird feeling, the game always seems to have a slow-down after the start where everyone feels strapped for cash until mergers start kicking in, but everyone can see by the end how your stock values are paying off (even if you didn't feel like you had a lot of money to play with during phases of the game).
I’ve been watching your channel for a bit now and it’s quickly become one of my favourites! Love it!
Cheers mate. 👍🏻
My first exposure to Knizia's style, and I think the Doc nailed it here. Others may have more mechanics, but aren't better.
For me, the biggest challenge with Modern Art is that new players are often wildcards in the game because they don't realize that paying $100 for something that earns them $10 in profit still requires *giving $100 to another player*. It takes a while for people to realize that it isn't great to overspend for items, and I usually make an example of this by winning the game without ever winning a single auction. The game can tighten up and become far more interesting over repeated plays, though.
Never heard of it. Sounds amazing! Will have to check out 👊😎
Fantastic review as always. Thinking of picking this one up for the next family game night.
We’ll worth it 👍🏻
I'm about to buy this game. Great review btw. My thoughts about the biggest issue are, if there are no graphics on the inside of the paper sheet you hide your money behind, why not take a picture of the icon sheet from the rulebook and scale it down to a proper size, print it and glue it to the paper sheet.
Could work and look great with very little effort.
The few times I've played Modern Art it fell flat for us and just established I don't like auction games that much. We played with poker chips so I don't know if there's a currency limit that changes things. There is always the chance that I played it wrong, though, so I still want to play it a few more times.
Awesome game if you can gather up a set of suitable personalities (and some alcohol) and roleplay the auctions. My version has small cheatsheet for the auction type icons on the "player screen".
I don’t drink and my mates are robots but it’s still a great game
The insert is balls, however the best addition to this game to "upgrade" it is a tiny little bamboo easel you can buy on ebay for about £2. Put the auction cards on those get a gavel and go all bargain hunt. Great Times
Nice idea
It is said a picture is worth a thousand words. I can say it in one: Bullocks!
Phew, if you had dissed Modern Art, I would... fortunately I know that in spite of some dodgy tastes in SLEUGS you have not reached the brain-deadiness that would make you disparage THIS CLASSIC.
Like Doctor Who, we are bonded to the version of MA that we first met so for me it’s all about Karl Gitter, Crypto, Yoko etc and the associated artwork but I concede that the new cards are not at all bad and there is a gavel.
If you don’t have MA, get it play it treasure it - and Ra too.
Before you ask, Troughton.
Pertwee then Baker. Dr Who was a direct descendant of Theatre of the Absurd in the 70s
I concur. I've owned various versions of this since it was first published (was it really 30 years ago?) and Gitter and the gang were the best. Also, the icons on the cards were far easier to remember than the current ones.
Modern Art is the game to have if bidding is your favorite mechanics, and not an alternative for balance instead of draft
1:45 - hmmm tiny gavel or big hands
Big hands, big…
Looking for an auction game, nit the art theme does not appeal to me. How would you compare this to Ra?
Not played it mate. Hard to get hold of.
You should own and play Ra, mate. PM me with a postal address.
How do I do that, Peter? Send me an email boardgamebollocks@gmail.com
@@BoardGameBollocks game found campaign starting very soon…
👍🏻
I cant even find anywhere to buy this game. Out of stock everywhere.