ludeme.com

ludeme
boardgame links


Content: Traditional
	The Game Cabinet	Ken Tidwell's pioneering site is no longer actively maintained, but it is very much referenced on a daily basis. Many of my Sumo reviews are archived here.
	BoardGameGeek	Very much a core site of the boardgame hobby. It covers all types of games (except RPGs and cards - see Pagat) but with a very strong emphasis on German Games. Essentially a database with a number of very interesting value added additions, it has grown rapidly to encompass reviews, comments and a controversial rating system. There is even a weekly web broadcast. Spend a month here and you will continually find hidden depths and more content than you will have time to absorb. The miniatures hobby has no current equivalent, but that would be an interesting development.
	ConsimWorld	Another core site, with a mixture of content shifting well away from German Games towards wargames. The format here is a bulletin board/forum with rolling discussions on subjects. Also plays host to many company support and magazine forums, which can be heated, annoying, entertaining or interesting in equal measure. Similar in many ways to The Miniatures Page in content. I visit this site several times daily.
	Web Grognards	The final core site, this time exclusively covering wargames. Presentation not the best, but loads of content.
	Games Journal	Greg Aleknevicus and his team write some of the best analytical reviews and discursive articles on the Web. An excellent monthly journal, always something to make me think.
	SpielBoy	Irreverent, very funny, rude and Ms. Maes. A work of genius.
	Brett & Board	Mik Svellov's site with reviews, news and a massive selection of gaming links. The place for Essen coverage. For a long time, this site carried the flag of the hobby, and for that alone we should be grateful. Strangely quiet of late; we need Mik's commentary in the hobby.
	GameKultur	Where games and art meet. Potentially pretentious, but it carries it off in style. Check out the excellent re-workings of famous game covers. This is a talented artist. I would love to have him do one of my games.
	Boardgame News	See below under News. This site also has some decent content, updated weekly in most cases (sometimes I don't write for two weeks at a time, so I know how hard it is to churn out this stuff), including the consistently excellent Larry Levy and Valerie Putman.
	Greg Schloesser	The lair of Greg Schloesser, one of the most prolific and respected reviewers in the hobby today. Tons of reviews.
	Tom Vasel	Tom Vasel's home site, which is a one stop shop accessing his amazingly prolific and varied output. 300+ reviews, 100+ interviews, Dicetower podcasts, and more games commentary than a man could ask for.
	RPGNet	The premier resource for RPG related content, but also covers boardgames and other tangential topics. Holding sway until RolePlayGeek hits the Web?

Content: Blogs
	Chris Farrell	A games blog that has consistently high quality content, covering a wide range of game types. One of my favourite sites on the Net.
	Rick Heli	Less blog, more game review resource, but plenty of opinion and content here. Hundreds of reviews available, all with something to say.
	Milton Soong	Milton's blog is similar to Chris's, they often share gaming sessions, but has a slant towards miniatures because Milton loves his toys.
	Tao of Gaming	Brian Bankler's excellent, analytical blog.
	Wood, Cubes and Cardboard	Greg Aleknevicus again, this time with his personal site . Includes a very useful Sumo index, as I never had time or the energy to do one.
	Gameblog	Mikko Saari's well written and often humorous blog.
	The Game Ranch	Very enjoyable blog with lots of activity and thoughtful reviews. A favourite haunt of late.
	Game Report	Peter Sarrett has slightly different taste in games to me, but that should not detract from his excellent reviews and opinions, which are well made and interesting.
	Gaming Report	A curious site, that seems to run from press releases, but very popular anyway. Mainly fantasy and SF.
	Gone Gaming	A group of good writers debate the issues of the gaming world.
	Meeple Monologues	An interesting take on boardgames of all types.
	Greg Costikyan	I am no fan of Greg, his views, his delivery, his attitude or his writing style, and he spends way too much time up his own arse, but you may, conceivably, find this interesting. In terms of strong opinions, he makes me look like a shy nun. I suppose the fact I am listing it means there is something here, even for me.

Reference
	Pagat	A massive resource covering traditional card games. Rules, history, special packs; it's all here.
	Luding	A huge database of games, and related links. I contributed several thousand entries in the early days, and they have been swallowed up and left behind. Remarkable.
	David Parlett	In my view, David Parlett is the leading expert on card and boardgames in the world. His fascinating reference books should be on every gamer's shelf.

Podcasts
	Boardgames To Go	A boardgame podcast site with some light blogging attached. If you search hard, you will find some shows featuring me waffling for England.
	BoardGameSpeak	One of the pioneers of podcasting, in general, not just in the boardgames world. At first it was excellent. Then there was a big gap, and now we have a new format that I am not keen on. But plenty of good stuff here.
	BoardGames with Scott	The first videocast for boardgames. Scott has a way with words and has a delivery style that manages to be both professional and infectious. He also has a nice line in kilts.

News	Boardgame News	Game news, as it happens and really the only place you need visit for this type of thing. Rick Thornquist and his army of helpers do a fantastic job in bringing you information, often literally up to the minute. So if you like hard news, rumours, release schedules and gossip about the merest hint of the possibility of publication, this is your site. Enthusiasm is permanently notched to 11.

Conventions and Shows
	Essen	Spiel in Essen is the big one, held annually in October. If you thought you had been to a big game show, Essen is ten times bigger. Go at least once if you have the slightest interest in boardgames, RPGs or even wargames. This is more a buyer experience than a playing one though.
	Nuremberg	An absolutely massive trade fair, with halls of games. But it is a trade fair - no gaming, no retail sales, no members of the public. Mainly a place for games to be released and deals to be done so that we can enjoy them later. I thoroughly enjoyed myself, but see no need to go back.
	ProtoSpiel	An annual get together for would be game designers.
	The Gathering	Alan Moon's Gathering is an invitation only event, but as the site says.... people will pay to see the man and namecheck this legendary game playing frenzy. Alan pulls in the big names - designers, publishers and wannabees. The place to get your design seen. I went to the first one, and again in 2006 - a gap of 16 years!
	DiceCon	Ellis Simpson's Scottish boardgames convention now runs twice a year and is growing in popularity. Those that have been have nothing but good reports, and having attended in 2005 I concur. Nice web site too.
	Origins
	GenCon

Design Resources
	Board Game Designer's Forum	What is says on the tin. Good resources, poor accessibility, poor communications. I sometimes wonder if they do anything at all as I can rarely find the content.
	T,T&T	A fascinating page of links to game design articles by Shannon Appelcline, one of the most prolific game reviewers in action today.
	S.A.Z.	The German game designer's guild has an active forum (in English) and presence within the hobby. Mainly useful for its Yahoo group, resources, copyright defence, advice and a damn good party at Nuremberg each year.
	Chris Crawford	Because very few people (any?) write about boardgame design, we have to make do with adapting the thoughts of computer game authors. Crawford is one of the best and even when completely off beam, makes one think. He is also working on interactive storytelling, here, which I think is the coolest thing around.
	Storybuilders	Skotos are working on some interesting interactive storytelling technologies.
	Narragen	My efforts in the same area. Site under construction.
	Raph Koster	Are we having fun yet? If we knew what it was, we might be able to answer.
	Eric Zimmerman	Co-author of one of the best books on design I have read, Rules of Play.



Game Artists
	Juliet Breese	Sister of Richard Breese, noted game designer (and also my friend and development partner). I love Juliet's work, and it graces most of Richard's own games .
	Mike Doyle	The newest artist to me, already impressing lots of people, and you will definitely have seen some of his logo work if not other pieces. The reworking of Age of Mythology and Samurai are beautiful. A real talent.
	Craig Grando	To my mind, one of the very best, and original, artists/illustrators working in games today.
	Doris Matthaus	Any introduction is superfluous. The only game artist I have on my wall at home.
	Franz Vohwinkel	To my mind variable in output, but getting better and capable of genius. Prodigious output.

Magazines
	Counter	Effectively the only English language print boardgame magazine in circulation. Quarterly, it is as regular as clockwork, and huge. A typical issue will consist of 60 or more pages of solid text, covering German Games and other boardgames from the preceding three months or so. Also provides coverage of Essen and Nuremberg releases.
	Perfidious Albion	Charles Vasey's long running magazine covers history, historical analysis, historical design, historical games and history books. And little else, which is precisely what appeals. Here is the home of chaotic design, discussion, analysis, book reviews and a catholic taste in games. Priceless.
	Panzerschreck	Gary Graber is one of the most underrated and indeed unknown game designers in the business. A talented man, this is his regular magazine. Mainly wargames, but Gary also sells other titles including the excellent Playing Card Cricket.
	Vae Victis	Colour throughout, stirring images and every issue has a boardgame, along with articles, reviews and computer game coverage. All for £5. French language.
	Against the Odds	The newest, and many say the best, of the wargame magazines with a game in each issue. Games improving from a shaky start, consistently excellent and innovative graphic design by Craig Grando.
	Strategy & Tactics	Still going after all these years. You can purchase this with or without a game. Available in the UK in Borders.

Awards	International Gamers Awards	A not for profit, international award to promote the best games designed each year, as opposed to those that sell the most. I am a juror, so a link is inevitable!

Game Resources and Utilities
	Middle Earth CCG	A superb resource for my favourite game.
	BrettSpielWelt	Play German Games online. A way of life for many.
etail Outlets	Vassal
	Cyberboard

Retail
Leigh on Sea	Caliver Books	Quite probably the best stocked miniatures shop in Britain (unless you know different). Caliver sell anything they can fit into their gloriously 'stuffed' retail outlet. Miniatures from a whole range of companies (Front Rank, Copplestone, Renegade, TAG, Peter Pig, plastics, GW, Rackham etc), rules (homegrown and imports), terrain, paints, magazines, out of print stuff, so many books they line the walls, boardgames etc etc etc. A must visit.
Norwich	Games Room 29a Elm Hill Norwich NR31HG 01603 628140	Tucked away in one of the most beautiful parts of Norwich is this excellent, old style game shop. The sort of place where you find twenty year old OOP items alongside the very latest releases. A great little shop, and there is even a shelf of minis rules. Owner Mike knows his stuff and will chat for hours. The best advert for supporting your local game store I know.
Greater London	Leisure Games	The best range in London. If Leisure don't have it, it is probably unavailable. Euros, RPGs, CCGs, Collectible Minis, wargames, GW, miniatures rules etc. Also stock a large range of miniatures, but no historical ranges. Look for Rackham, GW, West Wind, RAFM, Reaper, Dark Age, Mongoose, Dreampod, Foundry etc etc. Worth checking their excellent website or calling if you need something specific, but a trip is always worthwhile.
Cambridge/Norwich	Lingard's Games	Now my local sole surviving gameshop, apart from GW, and sadly there are better to be found... Stock is patchy at best, always seeming to have the game you wanted buy on your previous visit! Two other branches in Norwich and Colchester.
Central London	Orc's Nest	A central London game shop that has survived, very much against the odds, for over 20 years. Stockists of a huge range of RPG, CCG, boardgames and wargames. Also carry Rackham, Copplestone, Reaper, and Renegade miniatures among others. Customer service has moved, over the years, from HOSTILE to Mostly Harmless.
Central London	Playin Games 33 Museum Street London WC1 Opposite British Museum	Without a doubt the best shop in central London for boardgames. Euros, RPGs, CCGs, traditional, wargames, cards, poker chips; the lot. Also carry a handful of miniatures when game related.
Paris	Jeux Descartes	The premier game shop in Paris. Excellent stock, and large branches.
Paris	Jeux Descartes Meissonier	This branch focuses on miniatures, including excellent stocks of Fenryll.
Paris	L'Oeuf Cube 24 rue Linné	A quirky gameshop in the old style. Small, but lots of interesting stock. Plays host to an informal CCG swapmeet most weekends.
Paris	Starplayer	This is mainly a CCG and miniatures shop, on the Rue Dante, and for many years was my source for the then hard to find Rackham miniatures. Now they have expanded, and taken on another shop, and carry boardgames of all sorts as well. Cool, hobbyist shops and knowledgeable staff.