Links and Stuff
- WoT on the Web
- Stuff We Like
- Mailing List
There was a time when we felt very alone in this strange industry. But then, gradually, we discover there are like-minded folk out there doing similar stuff. So here it is - a list of things we admire and respect.
Games We Like
This list is shamefully short, but we've actually played the following and can report faithfully that they are well worth purchasing.
- Nuclear War - kind of like War on Terror in the 80s, this upset a lot of people by using humour to tackle a serious subject. You could - and frequently would - end the game with everyone dying.
- Junta. We eventually bought it. Loved it. Tense and petty in equal measure, with a great theme that is born out in players' behaviour, not just in funny drawings/ cards. Just our cup of tea, really.
- Pandemic - Collaborative board games are all the rage at the moment. Probably because German-style game design still dominates and the Germans are still trying to convince everyone they're pacifists. Nice try, Germans. Anyway, Pandemic is a beautifully produced and very satisfying game - at least for the first several games. Thereafter, you get the feeling you've "beaten" the game and it's not so compelling. But definitely recommended regardless.
Games Shops We Like
The traditional game shop is sadly a dying breed, but we've had the pleasure to experience some of the best (in our opinion) that still remain. If we've left you out, sorry - get in touch and we'll give you a hastily cobbled-together excuse.
- Spielwiese - Berlin A wonderfully chilled out, friendly cafe-style environment and an incredible selection of games that you can rent and play over a cup of coffee. A great way to spend a rainy afternoon.
- Fantasy En'Counter - Essen Run by the irrepressible Holger Willert, you'll be hard pressed to find anyone with more knowledge (and energy!) in the whole town. His shop was a treasure trove of delights and is threatened with closure. If you're local, do support him.
- Playin' Games - London Despite being virtually a London landmark and having a firmly established (and well-deserved reputation) for its knowledgeable staff and range of games, Playin' Games still doesn't have a website. Old skool to the max.
- Liber Mortis - Liverpool Soon to be a proper shop of the real world variety and when it does it's sure to rock, since the guys who run Liber Mortis are completely nuts about games and have a love for the subject that's truly infectious.
Games We Like the Sound Of
On our 'to buy' list are these interesting-sounding morsels.
- Ideologoy - The War of Ideas. We haven't played this yet, but it looks pretty awesome.
- Twilight Struggle.
- Class Struggle.
- Terra.
- Up Against the Wall, Motherfucker.
- Battle of Seattle.
- Tupamaru.
Interesting Games Publishers
- Terrorbull Games - the satirical games company that we founded to publish war on terror, tackling the "nastier things in life via the medium of the board game".
- Serious Games - seem to do elaborate, in-depth simulation type games of real and modern events. Their Palestine game got high praise all round, although we haven't played it yet.
- Flying Buffalo - the publishers of Nuclear War, although sadly it doesn't look like they've done anything in the same vein since, just expansions.
Alternative News Sites
The following sites provide an excellent antidote to the daily drip-feed of propaganda from the mass corporate media.
- Media Lens - "Correcting the distorted vision of the corporate media" - An incredible endeavour, worth a daily visit. If you want a clear insight into how and why the mass media is flawed, look no further.
- Z Net - "The spirit of resistance lives" - A vast and idespensible resource. Just go there and jump right in.
- Move On - "Democracy in action" - An interesting organisation, they run some important campaigns and often use adverts in major newspapers for communicating their message.
- Indymedia UK - "A network of individuals, independent and alternative media activists and organisations, offering grassroots, non-corporate, non-commercial coverage of important social and political issues." - not the snappiest of straplines, but I don't need to add anything to that.
- John Pilger - John Pilger is an independent journalist and war correspondent. His books and films are highly recommended. Eye-opening stuff.
- Noam Chomsky - What can we say? Chomsky is clearly a genius. He has been called the most important intellectual alive. His body of work is staggering and his reasoning inescapable. If, somehow, you haven't read any Chomsky, make it the next book on your reading list.
Other Stuff Worthy of Praise
- Inkymess - the website of War on Terror illustrator, Tom Morgan-Jones
- Palestine, a graphic novel by Joe Sacco