Rio Grande Games Design Contest: Finals

After much discussion and deliberation we have decided to nominate two of the games tested for the finals. Anyone attending this meetup will be expected to play both games as their evaluations will determine the winner.

Before the details, first let me thank both those people brave enough to submit a game as everyone else for playing and helping us get to this point. Whereas the "Skins Cards" game was quite enjoyable and would no doubt be a hit for for anyone who needed something fun to do in an icehouse, it really doesn't match the mechanics and gameplay of the line of Rio Grande Games. It is a really good game for what it is - not just a Rio Grande game. Also the Spectra Forma game is a fine game as well, but we just didn't have as much fun with it as the other games.

So the two finalist games are Keys to the Czar by Scott Peterson and Master of the Elements by Abe Burson and Blaine Haagenson. Both games have compelling aspects that are present in all good games. However, my opinions here don't mean anything as Nadine and I will leave it up to our group to determine the winner.

This gathering will be unlike others as those who come will playtest just these games. We'll be here to answer questions on rules and set up the games and such but will go out of our way not to sway attendees one way or the other. Think of yourself as playtesting a new fun product.

Speaking of that, as a bonus we just got a new party game from Buffalo Games called Truth be Told and will be playing that at the end of the evaluation as a fun way to end the day. For those who have played and enjoyed Likewise, this is another fun party game.

So we hope to see many of you this Friday evening. If you are going to attend, please remember that we would like your feedback in order to determine a winner. If we don't get enough attendees or feedback, then we'll schedule another one of these next week.