I was invited to Gen Con by the generous chaps at Monolith. To demonstrate Mythic Battles: Pantheon where Greek God wage war on each other. Batman: Gotham City Chronicles, re-enacting the greatest moment from the na-nah na-nah na-nah na-nah Batman comic books. And also present their next big Kickstarter, Claustrophobia 1643. 

Our team of four were kept on our toes from dusk till dawn as the booth filled up. Which is great because it would make the longest day fly by. Players seem to really enjoy their experience and gave positive feedback.

For more info and images from the show, check out the video below...

Apart from spending the trading days with a great team of guys (David, Ken and Matt...a real pleasure...let's do it again) I got to have wonderful evening wondering in the city heat, looking for somewhere to play. And there were plenty of places to play. All hotels were hot shot places to find whole areas designated to playing games.

Board Game Geek hosted a large room in one of them. Everywhere I looked, there was someone I knew. Lance Myxter, Joel Eddy, Rodney Smith and a bucket load of others (sorry if I forgot you). Played a few game with the shiny Keith Collins and attentive Forest Bower and the golden voice charmer Anthony Racano . 

​We played games like Gizmos, Dinousaur Tea Party and I presented an up and coming game, Badass Force.

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. But I will always look on the bright side of life as this was a great big convention that holds many memory's. Opening the door of new games to gamers and meeting strangers, fans and people I respect, is something that will stay with. As well as rest in this matrix.

I have just gotten back from a little last minute break with the family. Something that we haven't done for a handful of years. 

Do I like holidays...? 

Well, not really. Sitting by a pool. Looking at other city centers. Exploring old buildings. Trying to find somewhere nice to eat! Not that I hate all of that, but doing it every day, for a week! Phew!!!! And all the while I am doing that, I'm thinking of all the other things I could be doing, at home. Music. Videos. Playing with friends. Removing weeds.

But I will say, I enjoyed the food and drink. And of course, the chance to be with my family.

I am somewhat sidetracked. I should be talking about games. Well, I'm just getting to that.

Just before leaving for this vacation, I prepared in my head a small list of games that would slide into our baggage. Small games that squeeze into small spaces (due to player 4 being a baby and more luggage then everyone else) and be squeezed into those small pockets of time that happen while away (before lunch, before bed). I also wanted to take games that hadn't seen the light of day. We are so use to playing Quirkle, Codenames, Splendor and Timeline in our everyday lives, change would be good.  

So I packed four games that I wanted to play because they hadn't been played much or not at all. This list consisted of Harald, Kenjin, Elder Sign and Songbirds (which I was in the process of reviewing). But when they were put on the table to be played, my family had difficulty understanding the rule (maybe because they had their holiday, relaxing heads on) or they were not interested in playing that type of game... They stated that the would rather play Splendor or Qwirkle.  =(

​Both games got a lot of plays, in those quiet moments of the day when we weren't at the pool or wondering around a tourist attraction.

You're probably asking yourselves, "Barry, was this a cunning ploy on your behalf to get more games?" To which I will honestly say "no." But I will probably use it in the future if I feel the need to get hold of some new games.

Hello Chaps and Chapette,

So many things have passed in the past month. More positive and upbeat. Let's start with the finish of a game that I have been helping promote by demoing, reviewing, blogging, chatting and even providing voices for. That is Batman: Gotham City Chronicles. It's not long finished on Kickstarter with a whopping $4.4 million dollars, making it the sixth highest funded board game. And the 24th overall KS.

​On top of that, if you missed out, you'll be able to jump on board with a late pledge later in May.

There was also a few other Kickstarters that I was involved with:

Immortal 8 by Sorry We Are French
Chartered: The Golden Age by Jolly Dutch Productions
Chronicles of Crime by Lucky Duck Games

You can find out more these games by clicking the links above, their publishers name in the Shortcut menu to the left of watch the Blog video below.

What is "the Monthly Video?" 0:20

A Review of Reviews 1:32
Photosynthesis
Immortal 8
Chartered: The Golden Age
Chronicles Of Crime

First and the Last 11:52
Mythic Battles: Pantheon
Clonk
Clank: Sunken Treasure
Kingdomino
Fuse
Iota
Niwa
Montana
Imaginarium
Catch The Moon
Small Detectives

The Monthly Giveaway 30:45

​

Have you played any of those games? What did you think of them?

And what do you think of the new look BGES? (better that looking at my ugly mug)

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

Chaps and Chapettes,

In this Monthly Vlog, I go into some depth about one of my pet peeves. Rule books that have been translated. This probably bugs you too. And it will probably annoy you more when you find out that I, have been translating rule books for a while...And I made errors! 
 O.o

I also go through some of the games that I have played for the first time. Giving you my first impressions of them.

Hey Chaps and Chapettes,

I am back on the horse and ready to start reviewing again. Most of the hard work, at home is finished but I now have free time to slip out and play games. Also time to record videos.

I made a start with this one. The “late and tired” Double-Back Monthly. In it, I talk a bit about the UK Gaming Expo and give you some first impressions of Dark Souls, Outlive and Spoils Of War to tide you over until the next video comes along...

Which should be soon. =)

Ciao for now  

I was delighted to be offered the chance to compose a soundtrack. Even if it was for a small printing of a game, with epic scope.

The designing team at Serious Poulp, kindly ask of me to create a theme tune and help add sustenance to their game, in the form of sound. So, I quickly jumped at the chance, after scoring a soundtrack, for my personal pleasure. In this edition of the Double-Back Monthly, I interview myself about the project. (Man! that sounds strange) Talk about how I got the job, and you can hear some extracts too...

All the timings are below

​What is "the Monthly Video?" 0:20
A Review of Reviews 1:46
First and the Last 7:54
Question Time 13:50
The Monthly Giveaway 20:55

If you'd like to comment on my Board Game Geek Blog, the link is here
http://boardgamegeek.com/blogpost/60077/size-everything

Please show your support on Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/BoardGamesEverybodyShould

Follow us on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/Board-Games-Everybody-Should-729474603736235/?ref=settings
and
www.boardgameseverybodyshould.com

Get more of music of "The Balance Of Power" from
Amazon, i-Tunes, Rhapsody, Deezer, Spotify and CDBaby
also at
https://soundcloud.com/thebalanceofpower

Because this is a new site for me, I am going to recap all the things that have happened recently. Instead of posting everything that I have done (like what I did on the other site) I'm going to go back to the beginning of 2017.

The Double-Back Monthly is a video I post...monthly, where I look back at all that I have done in the previous month and answer any questions that you have. In this video, I get to talk about my passion of music and how it enhances game play, for me. There is also a prize draw that I do for my Patreon backers, and I do this live. As every month, I give away a copy of my CD soundtrack, "Last Night" to the lucky winner.

Go ahead and check it out...
​ 

What is "the Monthly Video?" 0:20
A Review of Reviews 1:20
Question Time 7:29
The Monthly Giveaway 19:04