For those on a budget or those who just like being a bit crafty, the world of print 'n play games offers a plethora of opportunities.
The great thing about PnP games are that they take a passion for gaming and expand it into the creative realm.
I've spent a fair amount of time over the last few years sitting at a glass covered card table, a straight edged yardstick in one hand and an Exacto knife in the other cutting out home-printed cards. The cards then are placed in a card sleeve, with a regular playing card to add strength.
The PnP is certainly the simplest of the genre. All that you need is access to a computer and printer.
For those interested, there are literally dozens of PnP card games, ranging from those suited to solitaire play, through rummy variants, to bold new ideas in card gaming. When it comes to PnP games in general, and PnP card games in particular, one designer stands out and that is Todd Sanders.
The man is prolific with his ideas, and outstanding in terms of the graphics he creates.
Which brings me to this week's game. 'They Who Were Eight'.
The game was created to fit a design contest at www.boardgamegeek.com, and is noteworthy in that the game for four players (playing in teams of two -- the player sitting opposite you is your partner in this game.) consists of only 18 cards, and 30 tokens in two colours.
There are eight God cards, each with an ability useable in the game. Each player is dealt two god cards. At any time a player may use the Power of one of their Gods. These powers are listed at the bottom of the God Cards and each Power may only be used once in the game
The remaining 10-cards are shuffled, with two dealt to each player. The remaining two cards are set aside.
In turn a player plays one of their cards. And then the remaining card is passed clockwise.
The played cards, and the two not dealt are shuffled and then each player gets one card.
The process is repeated until one team wins.
You must gather Glory Tokens while giving Infamy Tokens to the opposing team. At the end of the game, all tokens, as well as the Powers of your Gods will be worth either positive or negative victory points.
After all the tokens of any one kind, either Glory or Infamy, have been placed on players' God Cards, the game ends. For each Glory token you and your partner have you score +2 victory points. For each Infamy token you and your partner have you score -1 victory point. For each Power of the Gods you and your partner have used you score -2 victory points. The team with the most victory points is the winner. Check it out through www.aanpress.com
