Holiday Buying Guide for MWGames – 2014

Merry Christmas 2013 from Matt Worden Games

Order by December 3 to get it by Christmas!

Currently, I sell the majority of my games through TheGameCrafter.com … here is the link to the games I have available there: https://www.thegamecrafter.com/designers/matt-worden (For an explanation of what print-on-demand games is about, and why I use it, click here.)

In a recent news announcement, TGC has stated that in order to get games in time for Christmas, you’ll want to order them by the end of November. (Technically, they say December 3rd is their suggested deadline, but I think that may be pushing it this year as they get really, really busy in the run-up to Christmas.) With that said, if you are considering buying any of my games for friends and family this year, here are my recommendations …

Jump Gate, 3rd Edition, Box in Shrinkwrap from TheGameCrafter.comJump Gate ($29.99) and Dicey Curves ($29.99) are definitely my best-selling games, and make really good stocking-stuffers. They each come in a “small pro box” that measures 5.5 x 3.5 x 1 inches. Dicey Curves, Deluxe Edition, Danger Expansion Obstacles on the TrackJump Gate is more of a gamer-game filler or gateway game, while Dicey Curves is a lighter, party-style game that appeals to a wider audience. And playing with the DANGER! expansion rules can turn Dicey Curves into a very take-that affair.

Blaster WavesBlaster Waves ($14.99) is my least expensive game and is also a nice stocking-stuffer, coming with a draw-string pouch to carry it around in. This one is a single-player card game that is based on classic video arcade side-scrolling space shooters. Take out the waves of baddies before defeating the big boss over 5 increasingly difficult levels.

The last 2 games on the list are both “bigger box” games, coming in the traditional 10.5 x 10.5 x 1.5 inch TGC box. They are both 2-player, head-to-head games with more of a traditional American game feel to them.

Castle Danger, 10th Anniversary Edition, Mid-Game ShotCastle Danger ($34.99) is my game that is most played online, primarily through YourTurnMyTurn.com these days. And this updated 10th Anniversary Edition is also my favorite on how it looks. This is a straight-up pure 2-player abstract strategy game with perfect knowledge, similar in feel to Chess … but with Cannons blowing things up. 😉

Subtilla, mid-gameFinally, Subtilla ($29.99) is a lighter, more tactical 2-player game about naval combat. If Castle Danger feels like chess, then Subtilla would definitely be more like checkers and will be popular across a wider range of ages and player types. It’s fast and chaotic and the dice-rolling results means that luck plays a role.  I’m proud that this one got a “Best of 2012” from the Family Review Center!

On the pages linked to each of the games, you will find the rulebooks available as PDFs that you can download and read to see if the game will fit the person/people you’re getting it for. Also, please feel free to send me an e-mail or direct a comment to me on Facebook or Twitter if you have any questions.

Thanks for considering my games as possible gifts this holiday season! 🙂

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