I'll post updates from the fair on BGG News and link to reports from others, too, such as this first report from Spiel 2011 from Frank Schulte-Kulkmann on Kulkmann's G@mebox. Given that Monday is set-up day for the large publishers with little other activity, it's no surprise that Frank's report consists mostly of a travelogue around Essen and two game reviews – Cargo Noir and 7 Wonders: Leaders – but he also includes a pic of an iQueenGames banner that promises apps in the near future. I'm sure we'll have more details over the next few days as to what might be coming where when.
Work on the BGG Spiel 2011 Preview is largely complete, but "complete" in the sense that I have almost no more time for updating it and adding new games. Unfortunately, we never managed to pull together a PDF version of the Preview, so you and I will have to do the best we can with the titles only view, or the Spiel 2011 Android app created by Peter Feigl, or the printable versions available via Spielbox. Ideally next year we'll be cruising in the new UI and be able to dig deeper into what's possible with all the data at hand.
Of course, ideally next year publishers and designers will not be sending me material on Tuesday morning with the hope of having it covered on BGG News. Yes, I'm talking to you, Matthias Wagner at Abacusspiele, but since I have time before my first flight, here's what Matthias has to say:
About Spiel Mini: the special fair price will be €5; €7.49 is the suggested retail price. If you buy Spiel at our booth (€29), you will receive a free Spiel Mini (while stocks last). We have a lot of different colors available, so you should find the color of your choice.
We made a few Spiel special editions with marbled dice. These special editions will be raffled off; all you need to do is play Airlines Europe at our booth and fill in a form with your name and address to send the games to the winners.
We found a box with old leather game boards, as seen in this image, from the first edition of En Garde. They will be sold for €2 each.
I also heard from Tom Kim at Piece Craft that this Korean publisher will have no new games for sale at Spiel 2011, but will have copies of Asrus (€15) and Figure Grand Prix (€25). Spiel 2011 Preview updated again!
And there's a new German publisher Funtomas Spiele with its debut title Fußball Poker – by golly, that's another update!
And Tom und Tina: Die geheimnisvolle Maske has been added to the Spiel 2011 Preview as well. Gah, make it stop! Why can't Sunday be here now?
While you wait for more detailed information from the goings-on in Essen at Spiel 2011 – note that the convention name is not Spiel Essen or Essen Spiel! – you can have your mind blown by reading Larry Abbandando's Geekpocalypse Now: The Spiel Essen Movie. What did I just say about the name of the convention?!
Time to board!