Casual Games

Several games are making their debut at this year’s Origins Game Fair, and two companies announce mergers.

There is a little something for everyone this month with campaigns running for dexterity, dice, board, card, and party games. With such an eclectic mix, there’s something for just about every type of casual game fan.

Most people are familiar with Bingo, having learned it as a child. However, since it is based fully on chance, many casual gamers may want to check out these alternatives that offer a similar feel but add a layer of strategy.

Despite record temperatures, fans of all ages enjoyed four days of unadulterated geekdom during Phoenix Comic Con (PCC) this year, and gaming seemed bigger than ever. Nestled in the wide expanse of the Hyatt Regency’s main Atrium sat the central hub of PCC’s tabletop gaming space. Ascending the escalator as it emptied into the gaming hall where new demos, development companies, and play experiences waited, always brought with it a feeling of excitement mixed with anticipation.

Take on the role of a medieval king, conquer Europe and beyond, wage deadly wars, and build an empire…all in this casual 45 minute card game.

Gamewright has announced a new party game, King of Tokyo will be getting some new artwork, and Harry Potter Hogwarts Battle: A Cooperative Deck-Building Game has been officially announced.

For game designer and publisher Julia Schiller, success with her newest Kickstarter venture Hoard would mean more than just simply acquiring the funds to produce thousands of copies. Originally born in America, Schiller moved to New Zealand back in 2000 and has been there ever since.

All games have an element of chance to them. Your path to victory or defeat always depends to some extent on the moves of your opponent, after all. But some games are more reliant on chance than others. With a game like Yahtzee, the goal is to minimize chance’s influence on the outcome, and that’s what I’m here to get you thinking about.

Games which accommodate both solo and cooperative play seem to be especially valued in the market these days. This trend was noticed by developer Chris Cieslik of Asmadi Games, and inspired the new Kickstarter game One Deck Dungeon. Whether it’s the straightforward mechanics, solo play support, or the deliberate decision making behind the character artwork, the project has already accumulated over $85,000 in backer support.

Mayfair has announced Oh My Goods!, a look at some of the games at this year’s BGG.CON, and a sneak peek for Origins.