UK Games Expo preparation.

by Caroline Black

So the U.K. Games expo is just 22 days away and hopefully I am going. It will be a month since my operation. But I am worried because last year there was one day we walked 13km. There’s no way I’ll be able to do that.

A large part was walking from the car park. This year I’ll have to take the bus. Also I’ll have to be much more targeted in what I look at. It’s going to be about the preparation. I am also going to have to sit down and play more games, so I can get a rest.

So what games do I particularly want to checked out?
The most anticipated games of the show seems to be Windmill Valley. This is by Dani Garcia, who also designed Barcelona. This has gears like Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar. Rahdo has been raving about this, so I will be really keen to demo it, if it’s available. The list of game says it’s available to buy.



I definitely want to pick up The White Castle if I get a chance. I’ve been after this for a while. It’s a dice roller and looks right up my street. I did watch a run through months ago. It’s actually back in stock everywhere now but it’s nice to have something to look out for on the stands although I will probably buy it on line. It’s nearly always more expensive at the Expo.



Rats of Wistar is another game that been high up on my wish list. It’s by Simone Luciani my favourite designer and I like the theme. Funnily enough this was available earlier in the year but has now completely sold out.



I also want to demo Kutná Hora: The City of Silver. We did have a brief look at a preproduction copy last year. I am just not sure enough about this to buy it without trying it first.



Panchayat is also on my radar. But I have loads of games like this so it would have to offer something special.



I read the designer diaries for Evacuation and I am super keen to demo this. It’s not really a good theme for me but seemed to be an interesting idea leaving a dying planet to move to a new one. And he is a top notch designer.



Nucleum is also on my radar, again my Simone Luciani. It seems a bit heavy for me but Jez is definitely interested. We will buy different games anyway, so this might be one he gets.



I am interested in SpellBook by Phil Walker-Harding who is one of my favourite designers. Jez is worried that this is a bit simple and needs an expansion. But we will see.



Cities again by Phil Walker-Harding and Steve Finn. There not much information on this but it looks like it will be available to demo.



Obviously I am after the Kickstarter edition of Let's Go! To Japan but I doubt I willfind it but I’ll keep my eyes open.

Ancient Knowledge also looks interesting.



We are not going to do the Bring and Buy. It was a nightmare last year. Besides I couldn’t queue that long. We do have a friend who’s volunteering so if he can get us games that would be amazing but I suspect he will be overwhelmed with requests. I will look on BGG for U.K. sellers selling games I am interested in. Often you can arrange to pick them up at the Expo. Same with UK gaming and chat.

I got Troyes this way a couple of years ago. Often what you think you will buy you don’t end up getting. It’s difficult to demo what you want to. Last year the top game I was interested in was Distilled but I didn’t get to demo it so ending up not buying it. I eventually played a friend copy and decided to pass.

I am still on the lookout for a games bag. Mine is now very split.

Thank you for reading my blog. If you liked it then please click the green thumb [microbadge=23724] at the top of the page or if you are a real glutton for punishment subscribe.