Ainul is in but Emil's not able to make it (closing financial month end)

 

Any idea if Emil or Ainul going to join us this time, outside the signed up list?

 

- Damien

 

Cool, good to know he's joining.

Anyway, I know this will be finalized when the date draws nearer, but what's the gaming format like? I'm assuming it's contest oriented like the previous retreat, and not free/open gaming (i.e. you can't come and go as you please, except for after 8pm session), right?

- Damien

EDITED

Will be in same format as usual ie last year with a semi competitive mode. It's really more friendly than competitive except "competitive" means we are keeping scores from round to round - but not "competitive" as in our previous Power Grid tournament.

There won't be free open gaming and we do expect the gamers to sit thru all sessions - since if one or two gamers opted out of a game, it unbalances the player number and other planning. Which affects the experience for other gamers.

After8 is as usual free-as-you-go. Participants do not need even have to do any gaming if they are already exhausted after the days' gaming.

Cool, good to know he's joining.

 

 

Anyway, I know this will be finalized when the date draws nearer, but what's the gaming format like? I'm assuming it's contest oriented like the previous retreat, and not free/open gaming (i.e. you can come and go as you please, except for after 8pm session), right?

 

- Damien

 

I really like the game format! It's competitive but the "points don't matter". Sort of at least.

Lets you play with many different people and at the same time keeps you on table with those that are able to keep up with the weight of games. 

Okay, sounds good to me!

I don't play games competitively, and that format should work for me. Just play normally and see how it goes! Maybe swoop for the loser's prize as I don't really win that often (at least based on experience). :p

Hoping to meet and play more with new people in the hobby!

I'm psyched already. Just look at the ESSEN '13 titles, I kept waiting for new rules or previews to come out.

- Damien

Vlaada's new game just announced. Tash-Kalar: Arena of Legends.

Tzolkin expansion with addition for 5th player announced at Czech's page

http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgameexpansion/143065/tzolkin-the-mayan-calendar-tribes-prophecies'>http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgameexpansion/143065/tzolkin-the-mayan-calendar-tribes-prophecies

Perfect! So many 4p games these few years. 

Even the 5p games are usually very playable as 4p; and 4p games are good for Retreat due to timewise.

Bumping this thread up to buzz about the Retreat. Here's the booty list from our Essen trip. Obviously it won't be all new Essen games as we'll mix it up with some recent releases. Will be having preview of the Essen new games @ OTK next few Fridays. Feel free to drop by and learn the new Essen games to help you challenge for the summit!

http://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/164634/boardgamecafe-nets-essen-spiel-2013-loot'>http://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/164634/boardgamecafe-nets-essen-spiel-2013-loot

Grand prize for the Retreat Winner this year will be the latest Mount Everest game from Rebel.