Archive for the ‘Blog’ Category
For my aunt
Wednesday, March 19th, 2014
Sorry folks, but this one my get a little sappy. It’s been a rough month for my family and I.
About three week ago, I lost my uncle a little unexpectedly. He used to live with my family and I when I was growing up. Were we close? Like an uncle and his nephew, but nothing special beyond that. He was in the Philippines when he passed away. Nonetheless, seeing my mother upset at the loss of her brother is never a sight I like to see. Neither is the thought of losing a loved one, especially a sibling.
That brings us to Tuesday, March 18. That’s when I lost my aunt. I was a lot closer to her than my uncle. In fact, she was probably the closest thing I had to a second mother. When I was younger, she lived in the same apartment complex I did. In fact, I used to walk to her place to hang out a lot.
One of the main reasons I would visit her was because she was one of the few people I knew, at the time, that owned a computer. I remember those experiences well. Some of the games I played a lot were “Monopoly,” “Classic Concentration,” and “Jeopardy.” Who could also forget “Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?”
My aunt was one of the best “Scrabble” players I knew. It wasn’t hard to be me though. My vocabulary was terrible. Actually, it still is. Sometimes I wonder how I get through these blog posts without repeating the same words over and over again. She excelled in “brain games.” Games like “Mindtrap” and “Trivial Pursuit” were her specialties. I got into the whole European board game fad a little too late to share them with her. By then she had gotten sick and I wasn’t able to play many games with her anymore.
I’d like to think she would thoroughly enjoy them. I could definitely see her as someone who would love “Carcassonne” or “Settlers of Catan.” Not only would she be good at them, but she would most likely kick my butt at them. It’s thoughts like these that make me enjoy playing games more.
Now that she’s gone, its time to get ready for the services. When my uncle died, one of my aunts went back to the Philippines to be with the rest of my family. I guess you could say she represented the family that is here in the States. She doesn’t come back until Tuesday, March 25. The services for my aunt will be held once she comes back. Until then, it’s tradition for my family to hold prayer services for the next nine nights starting the night the person passed away. Now that I am an adult, I should, technically, participate in them. However, those of you who know me, know that I have a terrible tendency to fall asleep through many things. Unfortunately, praying is definitely one of those things. I mean no disrespect, but it happens. When my dad passed away, we had prayer services for him as well. As you may have guessed, I was on the sideline not praying…not snoring. It’s okay, can you laugh. I did.
With all these things happening, it means that family will be getting together soon. It’s a sad time, but we understand that these things happen, and my family and I have been through a lot. So with everyone in town, now is an excellent chance to play board games with each other. It’s not like we sit around being sad all the time.
With my aunt passing away, I think playing games will mean a little more to me from now on. I’d like to think its another way for me to keep her memory alive.
In other news…
I have yet to receive any donations for the Extra-Life fundraiser, but I am not bothered by it. In fact, if I’m friends with you on Facebook, some of you may have noticed an event invite to the fundraiser event on October 25. While I understand this is a while away, I want people to know they can donate before then. In fact, I encourage people to do exactly that. I am confident that once we get our first donation, things will begin to snowball and the donations will start to flow in.
I’ve also been thinking about doing mini fundraisers within the fundraiser. Maybe something along the line of a give away to raise donations. For example, maybe I could give away a playset of cards. I could do a board game give away as well. I’ll take a poll and see what is the popular choice. With the actual event many months away, I should be able to do more.
International Table Top Day
Speaking of board games, April 5 is closing in on us. Those of you who don’t know, the fine folks over at Geek & Sundry have put together a small celebration of table top games called, wait for it, “International Table Top Day.” Battleground Games & Hobbies in Abington, Ma will be hosting the event at their stores. However, they have yet to send out an invite on Facebook and/or put out other advertisement for it. Someone needs to get on the ball (I’m talking to you if you’re reading this).
This will be the second year that the event has been held and Battleground Games & Hobbies has hosted it both years. Last year was a lot of fun. There was a plethora of games to try out and many people to try them. If my memory serves me right, there were also a lot of giveaways as well. I plan on being there this year and, hopefully, you’ll be there as well. If you look below, I’ve even left a small memory of the event.
Well that’s it for this week. If you’ve got any ideas for a giveaway, let me know in the comments. Also, if you’d like to donate something for a giveaway you can contact me via e-mail at BGExaminer@hotmail.com. Thanks for reading!
About the author
Simeon is an avid gamer who loves to play board games and video games. He graduated college with a degree in Political Science, and now serves the public by writing about games. You can check that out here. Don’t forget to “like” him on Facebook as well. It’ll update you on all of his newest content. Best of all, you can follow Simeon on Twitter (@SimeonCortezano) for some real time hilarity. Thanks for reading!
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Tags: Carcassonne, extra life, International Tabletop Day, Simeon Cortezano, the settlers of catan
Posted in Blog, Board Games, Featured Author, Featured Post, Popular Posts | 3 Comments »
Wizards of the Coast Responds to ‘Crackgate’ Scandal
Wednesday, March 19th, 2014
In an announcement made last week, Wizards of the Coast Director of Global Organized Play Helene Bergeot released a statement that the individual responsible for the now infamous “crackgate” photos taken at Grand Prix Richmond 2014 – the second largest Magic the Gathering Grand Prix to date – is suspended from participating in Magic the Gathering events for a period of 18 months. In case you missed it, a individual whom attended Grand Prix Richmond posted these photos, depicting numerous unknown gamers and their rear-ends, facilitating the stereotype that gamers in general are unkempt. This triggered a huge uproar in the Magic the Gathering community both on Twitter and Reddit. Many argued that the photos taken depict a form of bullying. While others believe this to be humor and a funny reminder for gamers to pull up their pants. No matter where you stand, the individual responsible is banned from participating in sanctioned Magic the Gathering events.
What do you think? Is this justice? Are the photos a form of bullying or simply humor? Let us know in the comments section below!
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Tags: Crackgate, Grand Prix Richmond 2014, Helene Bergeot, Largest GP, Scandal, Wizards of the Coast
Posted in Blog, Card Games, Featured Post, Magic: The Gathering, Popular Posts, Store Related | 3 Comments »
Winner’s Circle – Weekend of Mar 14 Event Champions!
Tuesday, March 18th, 2014
Congratulations to this week’s Friday Night Magic winners at both Battleground Games & Hobbies locations in Abington, MA and Plainville, MA. This week, FNM featured the Standard format with top finishers not only receiving store credit prizes, but likewise an exclusive promo foil Elvish Mystic! This week, we’re adding winners of our Saturday Yu-Gi-Oh event at Battleground Games & Hobbies in Plainville, MA into the mix from now on. Check it out below! Now, let’s check out last week’s winner’s:
Battleground Games & Hobbies – Abington, MA
Standard FNM – Start time: 7:30 PM
Battleground Games & Hobbies – Abington, MA
Theros/Theros/Born of the Gods Booster Draft Pod One – Start time: 7:30 PM
Battleground Games & Hobbies – Abington, MA
Theros/Theros/Born of the Gods Booster Draft Pod Two – Start time: 7:30 PM
Battleground Games & Hobbies – Plainville, MA
Standard FNM – Start time: 7:30 PM
Battleground Games & Hobbies – Plainville, MA
Modern – Start time: Saturday 7:15 PM
Congratulations to the top finishers of each event. In addition, on behalf of the staff here at Battleground Games & Hobbies, we would like to thank everyone that attended our events. We greatly appreciate you choosing to hang out with us and look forward to seeing you again in the future!
To learn more about our events at either of our conveniently located brick-and-mortar stores and see why Magic, Pokemon and Yu-Gi-Oh players alike enjoy our weekly event offerings at Battleground Games & Hobbies, please click here. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us – we’re happy to help!
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Tags: FNM, Friday Night Magic, Magic the Gathering, MTG, Winners Circle, YGO, Yu-Gi-Oh
Posted in Blog, Card Games, Events, Featured Post, Magic: The Gathering, Popular Posts, Store Related, Yu-Gi-Oh | No Comments »
Duel Deck Jace Vs. Vraska – Now on Sale!
Tuesday, March 18th, 2014
The highly anticipated next installment in the ‘Duel Deck’ Magic the Gathering product series – ‘Jace Vs. Vraska’ – has arrived at Battleground Games & Hobbies! These two, sixty-card preconstructed decks come with a copy of their respective Planeswalker, as well as a number of other fun, interesting Magic cards featuring new art. Check it out!
‘Jace’ Deck List:
| Main Deck 60 cards | ||
| 1 Dread Statuary 2 Halimar Depths 21 Island 24 lands 1 Aeon Chronicler 20 creatures | 1 Agoraphobia 1 Claustrophobia 1 Control Magic 1 Future Sight 1 Griptide 1 Into the Roil 1 Jace’s Ingenuity 1 Memory Lapse 1 Prohibit 1 Ray of Command 1 Remand 1 Spelltwine 1 Summoner’s Bane 2 Thought Scour 15 other spells 1 planeswalker | |
‘Vraska’ Deck List
| Main Deck 60 cards | ||
| 9 Forest 1 Golgari Guildgate 1 Rogue’s Passage 11 Swamp 2 Tainted Wood 24 lands 1 Acidic Slime 24 creatures | 1 Consume Strength 1 Grisly Spectacle 1 Hypnotic Cloud 1 Last Kiss 1 Marsh Casualties 1 Night’s Whisper 1 Stab Wound 2 Tragic Slip 1 Treasured Find 1 Underworld Connections 11 other spells 1 planeswalker | |
Pick up your copy of this brand new product at your local Battleground Games & Hobbies or buy single cards here! All while supplies last. Don’t miss out!
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Tags: Duel Deck, Jace vs Vraska, Magic the Gathering, MTG, Planeswalker
Posted in Blog, Card Games, Events, Featured Post, Magic: The Gathering, Store Related | No Comments »
Wizards of the Coast Announces ‘Clash Packs’
Friday, March 14th, 2014
Wizards of the Coast, makers of the popular Magic the Gathering card game, announced last week a brand new product called ‘Clash Packs.’ Coming with the release of this summer’s Magic 2015 set, ‘Clash Packs’ will replace the ‘Event Deck’ for Magic 2015.
Designed for two players, this product will contain two, sixty-card preconstructed decks and is designed to be a product to introduce new players to the game.
In addition to the two decks, a ‘Clash Pack’ contains the following:
Contents:
- Two ready-to-play sixty-card decks
- Six premium cards with alternative art
- Deck box
- Strategy insert
- Magic rules reference card
What do you think of this new product that will replace an ‘Event Deck’ every other set? Let us know in the comments below!
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Please don’t forget to check us out on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @battleground_gh!
Tags: Clash Pack, Event Deck, Magic 2015, Magic the Gathering, Wizards of the Coast
Posted in Blog, Card Games, Featured Post, Magic: The Gathering, Store Related | 1 Comment »
Would you rather go to PAX East 2014 or to your Prom?
Wednesday, March 12th, 2014
T-Minus 29 DAYS, 09 HRS, 36 MINS, 41 SECS
We are now less than a month away from PAX East 2014. Even better, they released the schedule of panels and tournaments moments ago. There is a slight catch, though. I’m actually not sure if it’s complete. One reason is that they don’t have the “Magic: The Gathering” tournaments listed on there. Also, from the persons themselves, there are panels I was told were going to be there that are not. Finally, usually the official PAX twitter handle tweets out big announcements like this. We’ll have to see in the next few days, I guess. However, for now we can get excited about what IS on the schedule.
Friday, April 11th
If you’re a miniatures player then you’ll be interested in this. As soon as the doors open there will be “Warhammer” and “Warmachine” tournaments in the Tabletop area. Keep in mind though, a lot of these tournaments are set up for new and casual players. However, there is a 500-point, 10-player tournament. There is no word if there are prizes for this. The other tournaments they have listed do have prizes you can earn throughout the entire weekend.
Something that may give a shot (if my schedule allows me) is the “Star Wars: X-Wing” miniatures tournament. These are 100-point tournaments and are hosted by Fantasy Flight Games. The cool part is that they will be awarding promotional prizes to the participants. Which means I don’t think I have to worry about being bad at the game!
Later that afternoon, Battleground Games & Hobbies owner, Derek Lloyd, will be participating on a panel titled “What is Happening to Tabletop Roleplaying Games?” Here is the official description from the PAX East website:
“The past 20 years have been a roller-coaster ride for RPGs. The release of ‘Magic: The Gathering’ in 1993 changed the fundamental nature of the hobby gaming industry and forever altered the business of making and selling RPGs. Explore the recent history of the category through the lens of Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder, and hear predictions for the future of the hobby.”
So, if you’ve got the time, go support him. Don’t forget to bring some underwear to throw at him while he’s on stage. Maybe we can make some signs as well. If you have any ideas, then leave a comment below.
Another event I may give a shot are the “My Little Pony CCG” tournaments. If you’re a Brony or Pegasister at heart, or are obsessed with card games in general like I am, then you may want to give these tournaments a shot. This tournament will be a sealed tournament. Don’t worry if you can’t make it to this one, they have other tournaments listed throughout the weekend.
Saturday, April 12th
Get ready for another fun filled day. Hopefully your feet won’t be hurting you as much as mine will be.
To kick things off, there will be an “Android: Netrunner” tournament. You’re required to bring your own decks for this one. It will be run by Fantasy Flight Games and they will have promotional prizes to give out to the participants. I haven’t played this in a more-than-casual setting, so, I am looking forward to this one. I hope I can make it.
The biggest thing I hope to be in is the “Magic: The Gathering” panel. That will be held at 1:30 PM in the Albatross Theatre. I plan on live-blogging from inside. So, if you can’t make it for some reason, I suggest to subscribing to my Examiner feed so you can keep up-to-date with all the news coming out of there. Here is the official description of the panel from the PAX website:
“Gods, heroes and monsters! What challenges will Planeswalker Elspeth Tirel face next? Learn more about this Hero’s Path as we Journey Into Nyx in the third set of the Theros block. Do you have what it takes to complete the Hero’s Path? Come by the Magic: The Gathering panel to get a glimpse of the Journey Into Nyx, get the inside track on the Prerelease and talk to some of the key R&D and Program leaders from Wizards of the Coast.”
The panel will be hosted by Mark Purvis who is the Brand Director for Wizards of the Coast. I wonder if other people will join him though. There were quite a few people last year on the panel.
Sunday, April 13th
This is usually just a day for me to enjoy the rest of the convention. I remember last year it was a little annoying because I had to drag all my bags to the convention center because I had to check out of my hotel.
Now I know I only live about 30 minutes outside of the city, but getting a hotel during the convention is really worth it, I think. It’s convenient because I feel I can come and go whenever I want to. If I wasn’t staying close in the city, I’d feel stuck. I want to be able to enjoy myself and not have that thought worrying over my head. It also allows me to be able to meet more people and hang out with them over the course of the weekend. Also, I’m staying on the edge of Chinatown in the Theatre district this year. With that said, I definitely plan on getting dinner at one of my favorite spots “The Gourmet Dumpling House.” This place is always packed, but well worth the wait. Let me know if you’d like to join.
Time permitting, there is something that you all may want to check out. The creators of “Penny Arcade,” Mike Krahulik and Jerry Holkins (along with Scott Kurtz and a special guest), get together and play a live game of “Dungeons & Dragons.” If you’ve never seen it, I highly recommend checking it out on YouTube. There are clips of their entire playthroughs from PAX Prime. They are extremely entertaining.
About the author
Simeon is an avid gamer who loves to play board games and video games. He graduated college with a degree in Political Science, and now serves the public by writing about games. You can check that out here. Don’t forget to “like” him on Facebook as well. It’ll update you on all of his newest content. Best of all, you can follow Simeon on Twitter (@SimeonCortezano) for some real time hilarity. Thanks for reading!
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Tags: Android Netrunner, Dungeons & Dragons, Magic the Gathering, pathfinder, pax east, Simeon Cortezano, Warhammer, Warmachine
Posted in Blog, Board Games, Card Games, Dungeons & Dragons, Events, Featured Author, Featured Post, Magic: The Gathering, Miniature Games, Pathfinder, Role-Playing Games, Warhammer 40K | 1 Comment »
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