Gaming at FanExpo 2011...

So I spent last weekend at Canada's biggest comics, horror, fantasy, film, media, (insert obsession), and gaming convention.  Almost every year my very talented partner sells his beautifully spooky artwork there and I usually stand behind the table all weekend and help him out.

It was nice to see a bigger and much more organized board gaming section this year and what looked like organized game tourneys all weekend.  Steve Jackson Games even had a booth set up in the games room!

The games library provided by Snakes and Lattes

Epic connect four.....   Still totally solved.

The games room.  Packed.



Gifts for the dog-sitter and extended family.  (Laura, don't show the kids!)



Vince and his booth of artwork where I spent most of the weekend

Seems like FanExpo is quickly becoming one of the top Con's in North America.  Hopefully the hobby gaming section will continue to grow as fast as the convention!

The new Ticket to Ride maps!

Yep, they're almost here!  Two new sets of maps for Ticket To Ride, one of the greatest games ever invented, and they're supposed to be available before the end of the year.  These include two of the TTR map contest winning designs and there are also some clever new rules to go along with both sets (including a team variant!).  You can read the new rules at the Days of Wonder website.

But if you're if like me, you just wanna see what the new maps of India and Asia look like.  Click on them to see larger images:

Indian subcontinent, with the new "Mandala" bonuses

Team Asia, for 4 or 6 players in teams of 2

Legendary Asia, with mountain passes that destroy your trains!  Wicked.

It's gonna be a fantastic Christmas....

A game of 'Politics'...

Game designer John Ruf was kind enough to send a review copy of his new card game Politics.  He self-published it on TheGamecrafter.com but is looking to produce a much higher quality version by raising money on Kickstarter.

Now, I've just been too damn busy to get the game on the table in the last couple weeks but I plan to give it a try and post some thoughts by the end of the week.  But you should go take a look at his page on the Kickstarter site as he's got 17 more days to raise the money.  Go.  GO!