SPIEL '19: Day 0, or First Glances at a Few Releases

SPIEL '19 opens in one hour from when I'm writing this, so let me limit myself to a few notes about some of the pics that I took on set-up day, Wed. Oct. 23, all taken in the media presentation room that publishers set up following the introductory press conference from convention organizer Merz Verlag:

Pano shot of the media set-up room

On Mars was initially announced as for sale here, then changed to demo only; we will have a copy in the BGG Library for BGG.CON 2019

Three of four new titles from NSV; Qwixx on Board adds a new third option for the active player, moving your pawn up to five unoccupied spaces to land on a space that you've already crossed off or that you will legally cross off now; the board is double-sided

The remaining new title from NSV, and the only game I played on Wednesday: Roll four dice, draft two to mark off stuff, leaving the other two for the other players, trying to reach high on the pyramid or cover lots of symbols for points

Walking in Provence looks nothing like Walking in Burano so more details are needed

Outback Crossing from my pal Bruce Whitehill, which looks far better in a production version than in prototype form — funny how that happens...

Terrawatts from Moaideas Game Design, which isn't in our database; my heart weeps for such a thing

We don't cover many kids games on BGG, but Wühlmäuse has a great look and concept, with kids examining leaves on the forest "floor" of the game box

Orchard Ocean, the latest release from Japanese publisher analog lunchbox

The first of four titles being displayed by Bouken Adventure Service, which never sends me info in advance — which is kind of nice as I get to be surprised each SPIEL