Monthly Archives: February 2019

Queen Games, Escape, & RECON!

A huge thank you to Queen Games!

Last summer at Origins I met Travis from Queen Games and we started discussing the class. I showed him a list of games we used. His response: “I see a big problem with the games you have…none of ours are listed.” I told him I wanted to add Escape: Curse of the the Temple for the class but didn’t have enough money in my grant I received to purchase it. Fast forward to today and the copies arrived in my office!

Queen Games: Escape: Curse of the Temple

Escape is a game I wanted for the class because I think it shows many key aspects of leadership. One I want to focus on right now is the urgency and quick decision making that are often required in leadership. Frequently in leadership snap decisions must be made. With those decisions come consequences. Escape simulates that with the real-time frantic dice rolling mechanic and the decisions that must be made. “Should I dive deeper to get more treasure? Should we all stick together or split up? What will be best for the team to succeed?” Tied to that is a risk taking element which is also critical to leadership.

They also donated a copy for RECON. RECON is the annual convention for the League of Geeks. The League is an umbrella student organization working with 16 other student organizations to bring together people of many different geeky interests. RECON celebrates all things that make being a geek awesome. There will be board game areas (including a Play-and-Win section, video games, anime, pro wrestling games and viewings and much, much more! The highlight of the weekend for many will be a performance by hit musician Jonathan Coulton. RECON will be held Friday, February 22 through Sunday, February 24th in the Armstrong Student Center on Miami’s campus and is free for all to attend!

290T: Avalon

First day of classes are always interesting, but you never really meet anyone. Being able to play a game was a very new feel for meeting strangers, but I enjoyed it.

This class we played Avalon, a hidden role game which I have never played. However, My friends and I have been really into Secret Hitler recently because its a quick and very social game. It was interesting to play a similar style game with people I did not know, I personally think it is more fun with those you know.

As a very observant person at first, I was quick to pick up on the leadership and gameplay styles of those around me, which varied immensely. The easiest personality to find was the emerging leader, who was fantastic at getting the ball rolling with strangers and often helped others strategize, but instantly had a target on their back for the game. I found it very interesting to see this target taken on so quickly when I had not seen the same in my group of friends who know each other. I guess the game truly depends on judgements of others actions and when there is no baseline, it makes the game that much more difficult.

Overall I enjoyed the game, although I did get lost quickly in the technicalities of who had seen who. Personally I really enjoy social games as a whole because it keeps everyones attention for the time and is the only topic people are discussing. It shows the investment people are willing to make for a well-designed game.