September 27 2000 RussCon Report

The flaw has to do with double siestas. The rulebook states that scores can be checked at the end, which contradicts rules about double siesta bonuses since you might make a play which originally helps you and only you, but by the end of the game has helped someone else score. This probably doesn't make much sense if you haven't played. Apparently the end-game checkability is the correct rule, which requires amending the double siesta rule.

Marty adds

For example, sun-redroof-shadow-shadow-shadow-redroof-redroof-sun-sun is a double siesta and scores a total of 8 points: 3 for the siesta starting on the left, 3 for the siesta starting on the right, plus the 2-point bonus for double siesta.

In contrast, sun-redroof-shadow-shadow-shadow-greenroof-redroof-sun-sun is not a double siesta because all the roofs are not the same color. Red still scores 3 for the siesta starting on the left plus 3 for the siesta starting on the right, but does not get the 2-point bonus since there is no double siesta. Green also scores 3 for the siesta starting on the right.

Despite what the rules translation says, it is perfectly acceptable for a double siesta to include a shadow which scores for another player on the perpendicular, even in the case where the opposing player scores on the same play when the double siesta is formed. Also despite what the rules translation says, merely scoring in two different siestas during your turn does not constitute a double siesta.

Meta Party Game Results

We inaugurated the first meta party game. Here were the rules sent out earlier in the week:

This week, everyone who wants to play should arrive by 7:15 at the latest. We'll each write 3 properties on index cards, then shuffle and deal them out. The properties will describe types of games; they should be potentially silly, but neither too obscure nor too common, and they should be fairly clear-cut. E.g.

"designed by Reiner Knizia" (now no one should use this obvious one!)
"includes wooden pieces"
"has won an award"
"has a single-word title (in its original language)"
"has a picture of an animal on the cover art"

You get the idea. Be creative. Don't make 'em TOO obscure because that's mean, plus you might get randomly dealt your own cards! If you do something about titles, the default assumption is you're talking about the original language title, and all words (including "a", "the") count, unless you specify otherwise...

Then we all try to play games that night which fall into the categories on the 3 cards we were dealt. When you do, please note it on the appropriate index card (or cards -- a given game might fulfill more than one of your 3 goals), and be sure to give 'em to me when you leave. I'll verify them (judges' decision is final, sorry Tennessee) and figure out who wins. Multiple plays of a game only count once... (which reminds me, we're talking properties of the game themselves, not of the game sessions, e.g. "play a game with Russ" or "play a game at the table" wouldn't be legal properties.)

Scoring could be done various ways... We decided to try saying your score is equal to the median of the 3 card scores. High score wins. Ties broken by sum of scores, then max score. The winner is the Meta Party Devil, and they get the honor of thinking up some meta party game for next week...

10 of us played! Here are the results (sorted from best score to worst). Since I found the variety of properties people wrote of interest, I have tediously reproduced them here as well, along with the qualifying games. Mere coincidence that I & JP, the inventors of the game, came in first & second? I don't think so! We're just too meta for the rest of y'all!

RussW 4 2 2	involves creating routes Dampfross Tayu Safari Jack Settlers Game's container has no colors; only black & white. Before I Kill You Mr. Bond Safari Jack Games that are not "color blind friendly" i.e. games that have pieces which need to be distinguishable, but which are only different by color. Dampfross Settlers
JP 4 2 0	purple cards Zero Frank's Zoo Zircus Flohcati Brawl at least one game piece must have a diacritical mark (umlaut, accent grave, etc.) Euphrat & Tigris Zirkus Flohcati Sid Sackson Game
WendyWhe 3 1 0	CARD GAME Frank's Zoo Zirkus Flohcati Cribbage CHILDREN'S GAME Can't Stop Involves desert or wasteland in some way; to some extent, great or trivial. Durch Die Wueste
Dan 3 1 0	The game must NOT involve death or killing. Bluff Frank's Zoo Zirkus Flohcati There must be at least one red playing piece. Euphrat & Tigris Cheapass Games
RussD 1 1 0	purple pieces Dampfross has wooden components Dampfross Something in the name, game board, cards, etc. must refer to something on the African continent.
Jeffles 1 1 0	Uses hexes Dampfross Game involves players earning money Dampfross You buy and/or sell stock.
ChrisH 1 1 0	Game includes art of cartoon animal drawings. Frank's Zoo Either fire or water must be represented on game board Euphrat & Tigris Has some form of track-building.
Clay 1 0 0	animals Frank's Zoo This game must have spherical or cylindrical game pieces involved. GAME INVOLVING ROBOTS
Clayton 1 0 0	The game must have a red piece/player/team. Bluff There must be no German text on the packaging or game Game has a non-random method for determining who goes first
Carly 0 0 0	game must have both plastic and wooden game pieces (Carly wrote nothing, although I believe the dice in Dampfross are plastic!) uses exactly 52 CARDS Has a bear (Here she was betrayed by Jeffles, who wrote this card but neglected to bring Honey Bears or Bear Buddies)

We found this to be a fun experience. Several folks remarked that it was encouraging them to play games they didn't normally play. On the other hand it also discouraged people from playing some games they might otherwise have played.

I am the Meta Party Devil, and so I pick next week's Meta Party Game. It shall be simpler than this one with less preparation time which probably won't need to be announced in advance. I am deciding between a couple of choices. Stay tuned! Meanwhile, I'll save the 30 index cards from this meta party game because they might come in handy again...

Radiskull & Devil Doll

Episode 4: "Love 'N' Stuff!" Continues from Episode 3! Features Candy Angel at the Angel Girl Academy, a solo song from Devil Doll, and a glimpse at a sinister new demon!