Some random tidbits...

Age of Industry - I've waited a couple years to play Martin Wallace's Brass but I never picked it up because it seemed too complicated for my group.  I now have this streamlined version in my hot little hands...  Yippee!

Haggis - No, not the food.  Check out Brian Bankler's description of this 2-3 player version of Tichu.  Sounds a little gentler but still quite strategic.  Now I'll have to play Tichu all the time.

Game giveaway! - In case you missed the post last week, check it out here.  I'll draw names on Friday!

UPDATED:  Age of Industry just won the International Gamers Award for 2010!  The IGA is like the serious strategy gamers' version of the Spiel des Jahres.  Even more excited to play it now. 

On the horizon: Age of Industry

BGN points us to the impending release from Treefrog Games, Age of Industry, which is a simplification of Martin Wallace's Brass.

I admit to not having many Martin Wallace games (only two, really) but Brass has been getting rave reviews since its release a few years ago.  I avoided it after reading the complex rule set.  Trust me, I know my friends.  But AOI seems to have simplified at least some of it and streamlined the game a bit.

As well, Age of Steam (which I still consider a Wallace design even after all that legal drama) is possibly the best board game I think I've ever played.  So yeah, excited about this one...