GLA #1: Board games and the computer
Earlier today, I was wondering about the creation of a GeekList-Aggregator. Many people were complaining about GeekLists being totally spammed: too many lists in the style of Games I played on Saturday make useful GLs difficult to find. Let's try and put a spotlight onto some GLs which are really useful.
Naturally, by useful we all mean something different. This blog will be a harbor for what Naturelich finds useful. The Naturelich Games GeekList Aggregator will be subjective. It will perhaps contain GLs you already know. Be aware: I am relatively new to BoardGameGeek. I am very new to GeekLists. Please bear with me for the next few aggregations before you start flaming :-). Needless to say: comments, additions and hints are always welcome.
So here we go with the first post: GeekList Aggregator #1...
OK, what topic to pick for the first aggregator? I cannot pick the Miscellaneous-category! If I did, this post would immediately become obsolete. But it is difficult to find something to start with. The number of GLs (GeekLists) is simply overwhelming. Apparently, we seem to have quite a few Geeks out there... :D
So, after hours and hours of surfing (haha), the decision has been made. The first GeekList Aggregator deals with availability of board games on the computer.
GeekList #6483: Computer Versions of Board Games by Shannon Applecline
Contains 53 board games which may be played on the computer. This includes the ususal suspects (such as Settlers of Catan, El Grande, Carcassonne, Ticket to Ride) but also many less-known computer adaptations (e.g. Hive, Cosmic Encounter, Eurorails, Dicke Dämonen). The GL (=GeekList) adds value for someone who is in desperate need of a game, but does not have a gaming group at hand. Shannon rates each game on the following criteria: gameplay, system requirements, cost, online connections, size of community and overall game rating. This let's this GL stand out from several similar ones, as it offers greater context and helps readers to compare the authors ratings against their own preferences and against games they know already. The list was last updated in February and is not complete (e.g. Ticket to Ride Europe is missing). I would like to see this list being continuously extended and updated...
GeekList #5260: Free Computer Artificial Intelligence Opponents for Abstract Strategy Games with Screen Shots by Sebastian Sohn
Listing of free computer opponents for abstract strategy games. This includes the classics and several little-known games (such as Go, Checkers, Backgammon, Chess, Lines of Action, GIPF, Othello, Hex, Mancala or L-Game). Unfortunately, no evaluation scheme is given, but Sebastian's list appears to contain enough material for one or two evenings of good gaming. Even it means some trial-and-error. Needless to say: this list is not complete - but how can it ever be? The number of free chess engines alone must be enormous. This list adds value if you are looking for a quick online game, abstract-style...
OK, let me stop here!
What? Only two entries? That's the entire idea of aggregating! I could go on - but first, let's see how the GLA-idea is received. Researching this entry has already produced additional ideas for a few more GLAs. But is it worth writing about?