Thraeg
2847
I think of it as basically Netflix for kids’ books. The app itself works great, and there’s a good number of books on there, so it’s nice to be able to always find something new. The downside is that the particular books they were able to license have a fair amount of duds. Every book with enough recognition/appeal to stand on its own as a $3 app has done so rather than signing on here, and while we’ve read a lot of books through it, there are relatively few that have become favorites that our daughter asks to read again and again.
And yes, it definitely works best with supervision as a family activity. There are a lot of field trip videos on the app, and a child on their own will often just watch those rather than getting books.
So, there’s this card game called BattleCON that’s been going around and getting pretty good buzz for doing a really good job of simulating the tactical complexity, mindgames and variety of fighting games. It started off with an 18 character release with some basic modes and such called War of Indines (I think this was Kickstarted, but I dunno, I wasn’t paying attention at the time). Later they successfully Kickstarted a fully compatible followup called Devastation of Indines with 30 characters and a whole lot more miscellaneous content including 3 and 4 player modes, bosses, coop mode(s?), etc. But the thing is, Devastation ended up having much better production values than the original release of War, and there’s been considerable fan interest in a remastered version that fits more naturally with its successor. Enter the BattleCON: War of Indines Remastered Kickstarter.
$20 gets you a bunch of additional “Extended” content for an original release, $50 gets you the remastered release, $70 gets you both, and from there you can add on, e.g. Devastation, Devastation and all its addon content and promos, other games from them in the same setting like recently Kickstarted worker placement game Argent: The Consortium (how I got into this whole deal, myself), and so on. They already have more than doubled the original goal and apparently the level of enthusiasm surging into a weekend has meant that they haven’t had a chance to get a full stretch goal or addon list up yet. Coming Monday, from what they say. Several goals already hit, though.
Battlecon is supposed to be a great game but everything I have read about it or watched points out to really enjoy it you have to play it regularly to get the full value. Time has to be invested to learn everything.
I mention this because I think most of us board gamers often buy a game with no intention of playing it a lot. I remember playing risk everyday when I was a kid in the summer. Could not do that today. I would recommend reading through BGG and watching the video reviews.
I am interested in the game too but decided to spend my money on something else down the road.
I really wish Omen Reign of War had another kickstarter.
I expect to engage with it on roughly the level I do videogame fighters: fiddle with various characters to see how they play and never really master anything or become truly competitive. I’m okay with that. That said, it looks like the sort of game where a match wouldn’t take more than 15-20 minutes so it could likely see a lot more iterations than games like Eldritch Horror or Robinson Crusoe, which consume an entire evening. (Though I have no picture of what the 3/4 player modes look like so maybe those take longer, and that’s where I’d expect to spend more time just because of my group.)
Also, they’ve said that there will be online play on their website in roughly 8 weeks, and it’s pretty play-by-post friendly.
habibi
2852
If you love mechanical keyboard and you’d like a vintage typewriter style setup, there’s a new Kickstarter to build the ultimate vintage typewriter keyboard.
A really neat game by some Irish friends of mine is on Kickstarter now. Check it out:
My eyes say “Yes!” but my wallet says “NO.”
Ha ha – yeah, I thought the same thing when I saw the $149 pledge level required to get one. I did like the iPad setup because you don’t have to have a monitor except when using the keyboard. It would lend more of a vintage look to a desk if a monitor wasn’t always sitting there.
No no, that’s $149 to get a full set of keys. The Quirkywriter itself starts at $289.
I don’t really get the appeal, except as art. I hated my manual typewriter’s keys, back when I had to use it. Modern keys, while not as “funky” to today’s eyes, are much more comfortable.
I’m not sure what circle of Hell is reserved for puns of that level of painfulness. I’m thinking it’s a Malkovich circle, like 5.5 or something.
habibi
2860
I take it you guys are not as excited over that keyboard as I am? Is it a comfort issue or just cost? If it is cost, remember that Razer mechanical keyboard is around $120 already and a Cooler Master QuickFire Rapid is also around that price tag. WASD keyboards or the more well known CODE keyboard is already $150. And these are major manufacturers. A one person Kickstarter is not able to match that price so yeah, it is slightly expensive but it is not terribly much because a mechanical keyboard costs around $150 already.
I can’t speak for anyone else, but it’s both comfort and a distinct lack of interest in retro chic. It’s a novelty item, and as such it’s mildly interesting that it exists, but not something I’d want to own. It’s more something I’d nod at in a funny images thread.
This exactly.
While i do use one now, I’m not a hardcore mechanical keyboard fanboi, so perhaps i’m not the target audience, but i’ve never got the love affair some people have with type writers. To me they make me think of neither comfort nor style.
habibi
2863
Yea, I am with you on the comfort - I also questioned whether that circular ridges on each key will hurt the fingers on prolonged use. But the whole concept is really cool to me because I am a sucker for vintage stuff. But yeah, I haven’t make the pledge yet. Will see how this goes as the campaign runs on.
The keyboard is $289 plus shipping. The keycaps are cool but they’re only cherry blues. Topre keyboards start at $100 less. Fun idea but way too much.
habibi
2865
I am surprised that he has 30 backers just one day after the launch. That’s not too bad.
Mechanical keyboards can help your fingers from being damaged overtime because most damage occurs by pushing too hard on a mushy keyboard. The mechanical keys give better tactile sensation which helps you to not push down so hard with your fingers.
Anyone remember Northgate Computers? They carried a great mechanical keyboard long ago…
