BoardOfLondon chats to student, journalist and game designer Chris Sutcliffe about his upcoming title To The King. While Bobby Fischer (pictured left) may be the most famous - or infamous - chess player of all time, the reality when looking down the ranks of world chess champions is that he is just one contender in the debate over who reigns supreme in the world of chess. Check out these maps to see which nationality and players come out on top. As is clear from this map, Russia are undisputed chess champions. This even when taking into account that, at the time of their victories, the Georgia and Latvia were under Soviet control. Take a tour of the iconic board below to find out what the jail officer is called and the longest game of Monopoly played in a tree house... Graphic by Tom Batchelor
Popular Games Could herald End of High Street Game Shops - Owner of Legendary Orcs Nest Store8/5/2014 In our second interview with one of London's last remaining game shops, Peter Wooding, owner of Orcs Nest in the West End, tells us the risk to board game shops might just be their own success. Peter explains that as the popular games - he lists Settlers of Catan and Carcassonne among them - become more "mainstream", big-name chains are likely to move into the gaming market. Listen to the edited clips below for highlights from the interview, as Peter reveals how he weathered the economic downturn and kept his once struggling business open. In 1933, the Monopoly board we know and love was born. But since that time, the capital has transformed both culturally and political. As has been well-documented, house prices in London are soaring faster than you can get past Old Kent Road with a silver dog. So are the Monopoly squares out of dates, and have some squares fallen behind while others taken over? Here at Board of London, we were keen to find out if board game shops on the high street were still going strong. Do they have a future with the move towards internet gaming? A quick Google search revealed there were very few left in the capital, so we spoke to one to find out how business was, and where they saw their shop in five years time. Below are audio clips from an interview with Mike Berry, owner of Leisure Games in Finchley. We started by asking Mike about the effect digital gaming was having on his shop... How many players does the perfect board game involve? Should it provide an opportunity for a big group to get together? Or is it a case of "mo' players, mo' problems"? Perhaps an intimate face off with a gaming rival is more popular? You are unlikely to find a more comprehensive specialist board games retailer than Leisure Games. In fact, it’s so famous that it appeared on an episode of Channel 4’s Peep Show (it’s the one where Mark buys Yalta Conference toys). Boasting a stock of literally hundreds, reviews of Leisure Games are unsurprisingly glowing, with the independent Finchley shop being described as “awesome,” “unmatched,” and “London’s premier” choice for gamers.
It’s not hyperbole. Established by Mike’s father Tony in 1985, it has since developed into a library that would satisfy almost any gamer. And, should your tastes be that niche, any product they don’t stock can usually be shipped in. “We work hard to provide what the customer wants. We’re definitely for the serious gamer.” Then again, he adds, the emergence of your iPads and Playstations hasn’t deterred the casual shopper. “The family market is actually growing. Popularity goes up and down, but right now it’s very strong.” Berry takes even this casual market seriously, selling various editions of household favourites like Risk and Monopoly. Perhaps new technology has yet to really tap into that communal feel board games can provide. “The social element is definitely important. We’ve got a number of tables here and hold regular events. It’s one of the things that makes you stand out.” A tactic that seems to be working; last week Mike hosted Greater Than Games, publishers and designers known for their ‘Sentinels of the Multiverse. Indeed, the social factor might explain the popularity of Pandemic, a primarily collaborative game which Mike says is their number one seller right now. Pandemic centres on a global disease and the players’ efforts to find a cure. Fancy a game? Book a table here. |