It’s probably easier to get it printed on cloth
2 Likes
Even some train gamers think it’s so unusable. Thats when you know it’s awful
The reskins in BGG are way better
4 Likes
The upside of all this is that the new edition has brought prices of Chicago Express way down. I snagged a played-once copy for $32! Seemed like the right thing to do. Chicago Express doesn’t look like the world’s best map for game state, but at least it’s pretty and better than the new one.
For reference:
The original, which gives a sense of this designer’s standards.
Chicago Express, which is certainly pretty but not overly focused on game information. At least you can tell the regions/terrain clearly.
New edition. The problem I see can be summed up as “high mental friction.” The map requires second order processing which I want to explain but I know it’s not worth the time to write an essay. But essentially you have to scan and translate the board into a mental map in order to use it, as opposed to first order processing which allows you to take in the entire board at a glance and keep the mental data on the board. As an exercise, try to find the starting and ending cities, and try to figure out the shape of the appalacians (blue and green terrain). Sure, you can do it, but it takes time and work. That’s second order processing.
THIS MAP. Obviously inspired by O’Toole, which is fine. Same exercise, try to find the start and ending cities. Try to figure out the shape of the appalacians. Near instantaneous? That’s first order processing. Let’s you keep your mind on the game rather than constant scan/process/memorize. Less likely to make stupid mistakes just because you didn’t notice something.
I was tempted to buy the new version, which will be about $25 during the coming Black November sales, and get this fan map custom mounted. But That’s a little more time and work for a game I’m interested in, as opposed to one I already love. This map will always be there in the future if I need it.
(edit: The worst is, in the threads, the designers superlatives and ad hominem attacks in defense of his new map. Shows he’s likely insecure about it. Some people double down when they make a mistake rather than fixing it.) (Wait, all people. We all do it sometimes. Sigh.)
5 Likes
The issue with this is that you have to lean over and squint at the track cost and plus values which are different enough everywhere - it isn’t standardised like Texas & Pacific or Irish Gauge. In the former, the cost is the same everywhere. In the latter, every plain/hills/cities cost the same
The IOT-inspired map is better than the examples you’ve given.
3 Likes
Urgh. The new El Grande reprint board. That’s… terrible.
The Big Box board for comparison.
Guess I’ll be hunting down a Big Box then. I want this game, it’s one of the biggest classics, but that flat pastel version is a definite no.
I may even go for the original board, which I know wasn’t the perfect design, but I like the colours a LOT more:
4 Likes
Castles aside, I prefer the new board.
2 Likes
In that case, it’s preferable to get the cheaper base game English or English Decennial edition. Big Box goes up for dumb-ass price
If you got a German one, tell me: I’ll send you some English card packs OR give you English translations I’ve photo-editted years ago
3 Likes
Seriously? I’ve lost a pink action card (6 I think)
1 Like
Hate the big box love the stuff inside. Years ago I was looking at “cut down the box DIY projects” but they involved skills I didn’t want to learn on the job. You only get one shot and I learned from caulking I CAN learn but it takes more than one window…
So that’s my edition and it lives under my bed because it’s a badger coffin.
8 Likes
The new one is the cleanest I think - it’s less evocative though for sure. It’s like if they did the Bayeux Tapestry in Arial Font.
2 Likes
Just read the latest designer diary for Molly House I’m now excited for this one beyond just the unique theme.
3 Likes
I assume it’s some time away yet, but the follow-up to Tetrarchia has a BGG page now:
Prior to that, the designer posted a bunch of notes on it at Working on Hispania | Miguel Marqués
2 Likes
Ok didn’t realise Molly house was on backerkit instead of Kickstarter or gamefound. The effectiveness of the Facebook algorithm in recommending it to me is scary. Backed it regardless.
1 Like
I also backed Molly House. I’ll be keeping an eye on the Zenobia award from now on, I think!
2 Likes
BGG always makes an article of it. 
Making a thread here would be helpful too
2 Likes
Any idea what the tax and shipping is going to be? Cole Werhle games are always interesting and the theme is cool
1 Like
Estimated shipping to the UK is $11 and:
This project is Customs Friendly: Wehrlegig covers the duty payments and customs fees for backers who receive our games in the US, EU, UK, Canada, and Australia. This means you may have to pay taxes on your order, but you will not incur any unforeseen fees or delays at time of delivery
3 Likes
CMYK x Magical Athlete | BoardGameGeek
Publishers of Monikers and Wavelength are reprinting Magical Athlete
3 Likes
Holy crap! New edition of An Infamous Traffic confirmed!
6 Likes
Oooh, that’s a good fit. I eagerly await.
2 Likes