Asgard Rises!

Only days ago I was left bereft with the news that Vince and the wonderful community of gamers that is Asgard were to depart our Town Centre, and their future was deeply uncertain.

Tonight, wonderful news!

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Check yourself

Today, The Rotary Club of Walsall is holding a Health Awareness Day in conjunction with the NHS and Stroke Association. You can pop in at The Crossing, any time between 10am and 3pm.

Last year local businessman Dave Gill stopped me in the street, and asked me to get checked. Only blood sugar, blood pressure, and BMI.

Ragnarok

I was very unhappy today to hear that local stalwart and all-round good egg Vince is shutting up shop. Truly, Ragnarok has come to Asgard.

I’m sad to see this day dawn. Asgard and Vince in particular gave me the confidence to launch two successful Kickstarter campaigns and to explore the joy of creating games. My latest game is in development and even has a dwarven theme in honour of the Asgard mascot.

In the outpouring of emotion and support for Asgard, its communities of gamers and wider customer base, it’s important to note a couple of key things.

Carols and Cheer

Walsall Council run a market in the town every weekday except Thursday. On Thursday 21st December, however, the market is on and I’ve been invited to help spread some Christmas cheer with carolling at lunchtime.

Giant Dwarves and other minor errors

A couple of weeks ago I ordered pieces for a game I have recently invented in conjunction with Vince Connolly at Asgard Games in Walsall.

New Game, UKGE, catching up and half an idea

Were I even halfway concerned about my audience (rather than this entire blog being largely a vanity exercise) I would open with a meaningful apology for my recent absence. The only issue with such an opening gambit is that I’m really not sorry at all. I’ve been rather busy. However, I have few things to share with you.

Recognition for getting in early

Kickstarter loves an early adopter. From early bird pledge levels in projects through to those who are first to contribute to their special campaigns.

It’s Games Hack time.

I love creating games from scratch. It’s fun and cool. More to the point, it’s exercising creative urges.

Since April Fools Day falls on a Saturday this year I have secured permission from Vince at Asgard Games to use his shop for a few hours to undertake a Games Hack. Working from a brief or inspiration, teams and individuals can compete on the day to create the best basic game in two hours.

You can find out more and sign up here.

Do come down and join us for some fun. It’s 8 quid ont he door but you have to sign up via the Kickstarter to confirm your place, otherwise we don’t have any cash to pay for the venue and materials.

Hurrah!

PS: Any suggestion that we might have to retire to a local public house to play test the games afterwards is going to get nothing but support from me.

2017 in review

It’s only a couple of weeks old, so it’s probably harsh to try reviewing 2017 already, but I know there are a couple of things coming up I wanted to muse on, so here goes.

[tl:dr Reflections on stuff that’s coming up, a couple of name drops and a quick delve through recent events. Normal service continues sometime soonish.]

Ales Beers and Carols

We’re going carolling in pubs again. It’s another glorious romp around some excellent ale houses with a piano and a sheaf of carol sheets which seems to be an annual indulgence. I’ve just sent an order to the printers for flyers (download yours in advance here if you like) and we have more pubs than ever on the list.