GenCon has always set a high standard for me when it comes to board gaming conventions. During my first-ever GenCon, I met Matt Mercer (before he got uber-famous), solved elven riddles in True Dungeon, and got first dibs on new releases in the exhibition hall. Plus, with nerdy burlesque, 60,000 attendees, and an electric atmosphere, it's quite a scene.

Over the years, I’ve been interested in exploring non-GenCon events, and so this year, my partner and I decided to check out Dice Tower West (DTW), held in Las Vegas, Nevada, in early March.

The friendliest board game convention
DTW is touted as the friendliest board game convention, and true to its promise, every day, I felt at home. I either ran into people from my gaming circle in the San Francisco Bay Area or connected with OBG (Oaklandish Board Gamers) I don’t get to game with frequently. The warm and welcoming vibe made it easy to strike up conversation and fill seats for a game.

The inner circle
In addition to gaming with local friends and acquaintances, I was honored to play games with influencers I’ve been following on Instagram and YouTube, including Kenan of the Punchboard Cathedral podcast, Reggie of Rolling Reggie, Taylor Reiner of Taylor’s Trick-Taking Table, and the Brothers Murph from BoardGameGeek. It was such a treat to sit down at a table with people whose content I’ve admired from afar and enjoy silly games like Dro Polter and the Downfall of Pompeii together.

On Thursday and Saturday, Taylor hosted the Vegas Game Market, showcasing self-published games. I snagged copies of Mike DiLisio's On the Clock, Taylor Reiner's Sound Wavelength Monikers card game, and 30 to Go by Ben Kearns.

Highlights of the convention

• Daitoishi (Dani Garcia) – A clever euro with an innovative movement mechanism set in the Bitoku universe.
• SETI (Czech Games Edition) – A space-themed game where players scan the skies, launch probes, and analyze data in the quest for finding extraterrestrial life.
• Galactic Cruise (Kinson Key Games) – A fantastic economic game where players build luxury space cruises for interstellar travelers.
• Shackleton Base – A tight survival and resource management game featuring the colonization of the moon.
• Planet Unknown (with the Supermoon expansion) – A fun polyomino game that combines puzzle efficiency with player interaction, made even better with the new expansion.

Other games I played

• Critter Kitchen – A charming set collection and recipe-fulfilling game featuring adorable animal chefs.
• Floresta – A beautiful nature-themed game with mini games including area control and set collection. 
• Fishing (Friedmann Friese) – A quirky, deck building tricktaker that always makes us laugh. 
• Bora Bora (Stefan Feld) – A classic Feldian point salad with dice placement.
• Balconia – An interesting 2-player Castle Combo-like game focused on designing the perfect apartment facade.
• Marvel Dice Throne – A fast-paced, dice-rolling combat 2v2 game with Marvel heroes battling it out for supremacy.
• Fresh Fish (Friedmann Friese) – A quirky Friedmann Friese game whose art reminded me of Word Art from Microsoft Word 1994. 
• Castle Combo – A quick and tactical card drafting game where players play characters into their feudums to score the most points. 
  
• Fromage – A cheese-making game featuring simultaneous action and four mini games.
• Dro Polter – An Oink dexterity game of ghostly mischief and fast hands.
• Rajas of the Ganges: Cards and Karma – A streamlined, card-based version of the beloved dice-and-tile placement game.
• We Need to Talk – A charming tricktaking and shedding game by our very own Brendon Fong.
• Downfall of Pompeii – A thematic and chaotic game where players race to escape an erupting volcano while ensuring their rivals don’t make it out.

This month, a few of us will be attending Dice Tower West in Las Vegas from March 5 to 9. If you'll be there, please find us! In the meantime, here's what we're up to:

Sat, March 1: "Racing Games": 🔥 Rev your engines, chart your course, and race to victory! 🌍
From navigating treacherous jungles, speeding through intense circuits, or riding the rapids to fortune, there’s a game for every thrill-seeker.

📍 Location: The Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St, Berkeley
⏰ Time: 12:30-6:00pm

We’ll be featuring an exciting lineup of racing-themed board games, including:

• 🏎️ Heat: Pedal to the Metal – A high-intensity card-driven racing game where timing and risk-taking lead to victory.
• 🗺️ The Quest for El Dorado – A deck-building race through dense jungles in search of legendary treasure.
• 🌊 River of Gold – Ride the rapids and outmaneuver opponents to claim the riches.
• ...and more thrilling games to test your speed and tactics!

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🎟️ All skill levels welcome!

Sat, March 15: Hegemony Mega Game Day! 🏛️ Power. Politics. Strategy. Who will rule the nation? 💼⚒️
Step into the world of Hegemony: Lead Your Class to Victory, the ultimate game of political maneuvering, economic control, and social influence! In this mega board game event, multiple groups will play simultaneously, shaping their own nations while competing for dominance. Will the working class rise, the middle class thrive, the capitalists reign supreme, or the state hold it all together?
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📍 Location: Faction Brewing, 2501 Monarch, Alameda
⏰ Time: 12:30-5pm
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🔹 How it works:

• Players will be divided into groups of 4, each playing a full session of Hegemony.
• Compete within your game while also seeing how other groups shape their nations!
• Special prizes for best leaders, wildest political swings, etc.

🎭 Pick your role:

• 💼 Capitalist Class – Control industry, maximize profits, and influence policy.
• ⚒️ Working Class – Rally the people, demand fair wages, and push for social change.
• 🏢 Middle Class – Balance ambition and security while navigating both sides.
• 🏛️ The State – Manage crises, and (try to) keep the peace.

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🎟️ All skill levels welcome!

Sat, March 22: "Kawaii (cute) and cozy games:🐻🍯 Step into a world of charming creatures, magical places, and heartwarming adventures! 🦊✨

From managing a bustling critter café, crafting enchanting spells, or tending to a vibrant ecosystem, these games are as fun to play as they are beautiful to look at!

📍 Location: Oakland United Beerworks, 262 2nd St, Oakland
⏰ Time: 12-5pm
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We’ll be featuring a selection of kawaii, cute, and cozy board games, including:

• 🍰 Critter Kitchen – Help adorable animal chefs create the most delicious dishes!
• 🍯 Honey Buzz – A bee-autiful game of managing a honey-making business.
• 🐉 Flamecraft – Befriend tiny artisan dragons and build the coziest town ever.
• 🌳 Everdell – Create a bustling woodland city filled with charming critters.
• 🦄 Wondrous Creatures – Race through a whimsical world as magical beings.
• 🌿 Life of the Amazonia – Design a lush rainforest teeming with vibrant wildlife.
• 🎶 Harmonies – Arrange stunning landscapes in a relaxing and artistic puzzle game.
• ...and many more delightful titles to explore!

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🎟️ All are welcome!

Sat, March 29: 🌊🎲 Set Sail for Strategy: High-seas games🎣⚓

​Whether you're casting your net for the biggest catch, managing a bustling harbor, or navigating treacherous waters as a daring merchant, there's a game for every sea-faring enthusiast.

📍 Location: Almanac Beer Co, 651 W Tower, Alameda
⏰ Time: 12-5pm

We’ll be featuring a variety of ocean-themed and fishing board games, including:

• 🐟 Fishing by Friedmann Friese – A light and fun card game about reeling in the best catch!
• 🛶 Nusfjord – Manage a Norwegian fishing village and grow your fleet.
• ⚓ Le Havre – Build a port empire and keep your economy afloat.
• 🍽️ A Feast for Odin – Lead a Viking tribe through exploration and feasting.
• 🚢 Fleet – A card-based game of commercial fishing and economic strategy.
• 🏴‍☠️ Merchants & Marauders – Trade, plunder, or pirate your way to glory!
• ...and many more!

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🎟️ All skill levels welcome!651b W Tower Ave, Alameda, CA, 94501

Want to play some board games? Here are our upcoming events in February 2025:

• Sat, Feb 1: "Point Salad" games: 12-5pm at Oakland United Beerworks, Oakland. Get ready to flex your strategic muscles at our “Point Salad” game meetup, where every move counts and every decision leads to victory (or delicious defeat)! This event celebrates the art of optimization, featuring beloved games like Castles of Burgundy, Barcelona, Wondrous Creatures, and more. Whether you’re a fan of building the perfect combo, outsmarting your friends with clever strategies, or just love the thrill of scoring big, this is the day for you. New to point salad games? Don’t worry! Our friendly community is happy to teach and guide you.
• Sat, Feb 8: "The Spice Must Flow": 12-5pm at Faction Brewing, Alameda. Love the "Dune" movies or books? There are a ton of games dedicated to this IP and the most popular is Dune Imperium, Dune Uprising, and the classic, Dune. Join us at Faction Brewing in Alameda for a multi-table, simultaneous play of Dune games. No experience necessary!
• Sat, Feb 15: "Italian Masters": 12-5pm at Oakland United Beerworks, Oakland. Learn how to play euro games by designers like Simone Luciani (T'zolkin, Grand Austria Hotel), Daniele Tascini (The Voyages of Marco Polo, Teotihuacan), and Flaminia Basini and Virginio Gigli (Lorenzo il Magnifico, Golem, First Rat). Bring your fave Italian-designed game, or enjoy playing a title from our curated collection.
• Sat, Feb 22: "Space adventures": 12-5pm at Oakland United Beerworks, Oakland. This meetup is dedicated to space-inspired board games that will have you exploring--or battling--your way through the universe. Games may include: Terraforming Mars, Star Wars: The Card Game, Nemesis, and a learning session of Twilight Imperium 4ed.​

What an amazing turnout for our first OBG flea market and best of ‘24 game event!

The day kicked off with a 2-hr flea market—lots of games were priced to go! We loved seeing familiar faces and meeting new ones from around the North and South Bay.

Then we started playing games: 

• River of Gold: A “racing” game set in the Legend of the Five Rings universe
• Fromage got 3-4 plays: It features a unique lazy susan style board with four mini games and it plays in 45 min or less!
• Wilmot’s Warehouse: a cooperative memory x tile x storytelling game
• Harmonies: a Cascadia “killer”? This is a cute “token” laying game where you draft terrain and arrange them so you can score points per the animal cards you also draft. 
• Wondrous Creatures x 2 tables: This hot title from Bad Comet is a euro worker placement with engine building through card drafting and resource management.
• Caylus 1303: An updated version of the euro classic.

We’re excited to partner with Oakland United Beerworks for our weekly Saturday meetup. Each week we feature a theme, such as:

• Dec 7: Animal Kingdom: Dive into games that celebrate the natural world. Some of the games we played include: Ark Nova Marine, Wondrous Creatures, Life of the Amazonia, Zoo Vadis, and more.
• Dec 12: Open gaming: OBG member Javi is hosting this open gaming night on Thursday, Dec 12, from 6-9pm. Potential games may include March of Ants, Moonrakers, and more.
  
• Dec 14: Music-inspired games: Learn to play board games inspired by music, such as:
  • Lacrimosa: Embark on a journey through Mozart’s final symphony in this immersive euro
  • Vivo: Match the required number of suits per solo, duet, trio, or quartet in this adorably illustrated tricktaker.
  • Rock Hard 1977: Relive the golden era of rock ‘n’ roll in this battle-of-the-bands adventure designed by the bassist of the 1970s all-female band, The Runaways.
• Dec 21: “New to me” games: Bring a game from your shelf of opportunity, or one that you’ve recently learned and want to play more of.

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On Saturdays, we usually start at 12 noon with shorter games, and then play longer, medium to complex games starting at 1pm.

As summer draws to a close, it’s time to look back on the fantastic games that the Oakland Board Gamers explored over the past few months. From intricate strategy games to light-hearted fillers, our summer sessions were packed with variety and fun. Here’s a roundup of the games we played, highlighting some memorable moments and standout experiences.
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Summer Game Highlights

1. Hegemony (played 2x): We delved into this game of political and economic power where each player leads a different social class. The game’s depth and complexity made for some intense sessions.
2. Distilled (played 3x): We got to be distillers crafting fine spirits. The game’s thematic immersion and strategic choices provided a refreshing experience.
3. Apiary: This game buzzed with excitement as players managed their beehives and worked to produce the best honey.
4. Scarface 1920 (played 2x): Prohibition-era Chicago came alive with this game of gangsters and crime. The strategic maneuvering and thematic richness were highlights.
5. Root (played 2+): Our adventures continued in the woodland with this beloved game of asymmetric warfare and strategy. The diverse factions and ever-changing dynamics kept the game exciting.
6. Project L: We tackled this fast-paced, tile-placement puzzle game, racing to complete projects and score points.
7. Skyrise (played 3+): Building skyscrapers in a rapidly expanding city was a rewarding challenge, with strategic planning and resource management at the core.
8. Chai (played 2x): We brewed up a storm in this game about tea and tea shops. The charming theme and engaging gameplay made it a favorite.
9. Honeybuzz (played 3x): Another bee-themed game, where we competed to build the best beehive and gather the most honey.
10. Trickerion: Magic tricks and theatrical performances were the order of the day in this intricate game of illusion and strategy.
11. Cerebria: We explored the depths of emotion and conflict in this beautifully crafted game of mental and emotional balance.
12. Godspeed: Space exploration and colonization were our tasks as we managed resources and navigated interstellar challenges.
13. Arcs (played 3+): This game of science fiction and exploration kept us engaged with its unique mechanics and strategic depth.
14. Let's Go to Japan (played 3+): A journey through Japan's rich culture and landmarks provided a delightful experience.
15. Harmonies (played 5x): Create your own landscape and habitats to welcome animals.
16. Cascadia: We enjoyed this tile-placement game featuring wildlife and ecosystems in the Pacific Northwest. Its simple yet strategic gameplay made it a hit.
17. Silver: A quick and engaging card game with a touch of the wild west theme.
18. Azul: The beautiful tile-laying game returned to our table, offering its classic blend of strategy and aesthetics.
19. Dokitto Ice (played 10x): This refreshing game added a cool twist to our gaming sessions with its unique mechanics.
20. Dune: War for Arrakis: The epic struggle for control of Arrakis provided deep strategic play and intense competition.
21. Chimera Station: We managed alien workers and built a space station in this engaging game of alien labor and management.
22. Raccoon Tycoon: A game of economic strategy and market manipulation, featuring adorable raccoons.
23. War Machine: This tactical game had us strategizing and battling in a dystopian future.
24. Square on Sale: We dived into this Japanese auction game, testing our skills in bidding and resource management.
25. Anachrony: Time travel and resource management were at the heart of this complex and rewarding game.
26. Lisboa: This intricate game of rebuilding Lisbon after the earthquake offered deep strategic play and historical flavor.
27. Watergate: We explored the political intrigue of the Watergate scandal in this tense and engaging historical game.
28. Inventions: We competed as inventors in this game of innovation and discovery.
29. Starcraft: The battle for dominance in the Starcraft universe was intense and strategic.
30. Quest for El Dorado: We raced through the jungle in search of the legendary city of gold, navigating challenges and obstacles.
31. Abyss: Underwater politics and resource management defined this game of oceanic intrigue.
32. Gizmos: A game of building and efficiency, where we crafted intricate gizmos and gadgets.
33. Tir Na Nog: We explored the mythical land of Tir Na Nog, making strategic decisions to build and expand.
34. Food Chain Magnate: We managed a fast-food empire, competing to create the most successful restaurant chain.
35. Cities: This game had us building and expanding urban landscapes, balancing growth and resources.
36. Ghost Stories: We faced off against vengeful spirits in this cooperative game of ghost-hunting and strategy.
37. Guild of Merchant Explorers: We set out to explore new lands and build our mercantile empire in this engaging game.
38. War Room: An epic strategic battle game with plotting rods for Italy, US, Great Britain, and Germany.
39. Windmill Valley: Dani Garcia’s latest rondel and action selection game.
40. Cascadia: We strategically placed tiles and animals to maximize our scores.
41. Hansa Teutonica: A classic euro game of network building and area control.
42. Cubitos: A race for victory with dice in this fast-paced game.
43. Dune Uprising: Daniel, Trace, Michael and Dani battled for control of Arrakis.
44. Rats of Wistar: Mark, Alex, and Adam escaped from the lab in this Simone Luciani game.
45. Rumble Nation (played 4+): Arka,Dhivya, John,and Nate rolled dice and placed troops in this Japanese area control game.
46. Chomp: An easy-to-play game where players build dinosaurs and score points.
47. Yokai Septet: A trick-taking game focused on capturing 7s.
48. A Gest of Robinhood: A cooperative game that mixes storytelling and adventure.
49. Haggis: A trick-taking card game that provided strategic fun.
50. Bruges (played 2x): A classic from Stefan Feld that tested our city-building skills.
51. Euphoria: A dystopian-themed worker placement game that challenged our strategic thinking.
52. Fast Sloths: A light and engaging game with a fun theme of racing sloths.
53. Arboreteum: A game centered around building a beautiful and thriving forest.
54. Cuzco: This Stefan Feld reskin of Bora Bora explores the ancient civilization of the Inca Empire. This game seamlessly blends area control with resource management, offering a rich tapestry of strategic choices.
55. Fractured Sky (played 2x): Players tackle a unique mix of area control and resource management.
56. Glory to Rome (played 2+): Andy's grail game transported us to the Roman Empire, where we managed resources and constructed buildings to gain influence. 
57. Railways of the Lost Atlas: Jon hosted this 18xx, where players embark on an exploration and expansion journey across a mysterious land.
58. Foundations of Rome (played 4+): We stepped into the role of Roman architects, constructing buildings and monuments in a growing city. 
59. Three Ring Circus: A Devir game where players compete to create the most dazzling and profitable show.
60. Bitoku: Another Devir game where players assume the roles of ancient spirits striving to guide the humans of the forest towards enlightenment. The game’s intricate mechanics involve resource management, spiritual progression, and the construction of powerful shrines.

PGC Con Recap
​Our time at PGC Con (Portland Games Collective indie card gaming convention) was filled with exciting and varied games:

• Catsle Builders: A trick-taking game with adorable art and tight, strategic gameplay.
• Witch’s Shot Delivery Service: A quirky game with some rule challenges, but it had its moments.
• Vivo: A must-follow trick-taker where you aim to be either highest or lowest.
• Isle of Trains: Card driven tableau builder with multi-use cards

Action Point Game Day

• Pax Pamir 2e: Nick, Trace, Joey, and Muhammad, and Andy engaged in the "Great Game" with this historical strategy classic.
• Trismegistus: Melissa, Maida, Mazi, and Dave worked on alchemical recipes in this intricate game.
• Windmill Valley: Dani Garcia’s game with a personal rondel and action selection.
• Honeybuzz: Oliver, Tracy, and Jordan competed in this engaging worker placement game.
• Inflation: Shiv taught us this trick-taking game where numbers can reach into the millions!
• Vamp on the Catwalk: A Hanabi-style trick-taking game about fashionable vampires.
• Botswana: A cute Knizia stock market game.
• Gang of Dice: A push-your-luck dice game by Knizia.

Games at the Park
​We took our gaming outdoors for some sunshine and fresh air:

• Wonderland’s War: Dhivya triumphed as The Queen of Hearts over Gabriel, Arka, and Vera
• Everdell: Andy hosted this popular worker placement game with Jordan, Nate, and Melanie
• Arcs: Jonathan, Javi, and Zee played the fastest session of Arcs ever.
• Root (Winter with Otters and Lizards): Seasonal changes brought new challenges to this classic.
• Trails: A standalone game in the Parks universe.
• Square on Sale: An abstract auction game from Japan.

May is packed with lots of great themed meetups:

• Stars and Wars Games @ Hesher's (Oakland)
• Feld Day @ Faction (Alameda)
• Interactive Games @ Vera's (Oakland)
• KublaCon 2024 @ Hyatt Regency (Burlingame): See what we're playing.
• Renaissance inspired games @ Hillside Club (Berkeley)​: Weird fact: End of the Middle Ages Day is a fascinating celebration that marks a significant shift in history. Celebrated on May 29th, this day remembers the fall of Constantinople to the Ottomans in 1453, an event many see as the close of the Middle Ages and the dawn of the Renaissance which celebrated arts, science, and philosophy. Games that fall in this category: Azul, El Grande, Lorenzo il Magnifico, Splendor Duel, Keyflower 

This month we've got a packed schedule of games around Oakland, Berkeley, and Alameda!

Berkeley @ the Hillside Club - Wednesdays from 5:30-9:30pm

• 4/3: Hidden gems: Play games that have flown under the radar.
• 4/24: Get ready for adventure! Embark on a thrilling journey around the world without leaving your seat. Learn and play games that inspire travel, or feature modes of traveling by rail, plane, or boat. Some games may include Iberian Gauge (players compete to invest in railway companies), Airlines Europe (take to the skies and become a savvy airline investor), Let's Go Japan (plan an itinerary in this set collection game set in Japan), and more.

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Alameda @ Faction Brewing - 1 Sunday/month from 1-6pm

• 4/7 (Sunday): Open game day. We're enjoying the beautiful weather and food truck while playing Nova Roma, Isle of Skye, Age of Comics, and more. As always, feel free to bring a game you want to play. We always teach or share a video on how to play.

Oakland @ Hesher's Pizza - 3 Saturdays/month from 1-6pm

• 4/13: Sci-fi and fantasy games like Gaia Project (dive into the depths of space exploration), First Rat (embark on a daring adventure as you navigate the treacherous streets of a fantasy city), Djinn (unleash the power of ancient spirits, collect resources and capture djinn). Discover a variety of other sci-fi and fantasy board games available for play throughout the event. From intense space battles to epic quests and magical duels, there's something for everyone.
• 4/20: Green and nature themed games: From wildlife conservation challenges to scenic hiking adventures, there's something for every nature lover. Some games may include Cascadia (create the most harmonious and diverse habitats by placing tiles and attracting wildlife), or Parks (embark on a journey through America's national parks in this visually stunning game).
• 4/27: Virtual flea market + import games: We love imports of popular titles and tricktakers from around the world. Learn and play some favorites with us. If you're interested in buying a game, you can see the list here and contact the seller in our Discord group.

We organize games outside of these public meetups too. If you want to join the most enthusiastic board gaming community in the East Bay, join our Discord.