Gen Con Dreams

Even though I've ended up with that particular weekend off of work, I will not be attending GenCon 2015; I'm hoping to attend the 2016 show but we'll see what happens as things draw nearer. For this year, I'll be enjoying GenCant, jealously watching everyone's tweets, and hopefully getting in some gaming at home.

But despite not attending the convention, I've found myself zealously keeping up with BGG's GenCon Preview list along with various podcasts and videos covering the games that will be available for demo and for purchase. Based on those sources, here's my dream GenCon 2015 Top 11 lists - To Try and To Buy (a la The Geek AllStars):

World's Fair 1893 art by Beth Sobel (from BGG)

To Try

1. World's Fair 1893 (Foxtrot Games - Booth 3029): I love the theme, what I've seen looks great, and Chris Kirkman's unbridled enthusiasm has caused this game from J. Alex Kevern to leap into the top spot on this list (it was on here previously, just placed a little lower). This game is one of the main reasons I've been getting more & more bummed about not attending the show.
2. City of Gears (Arcane Wonders - Booth 741): I wanted to demo this at Origins and just didn't manage to, so it'd definitely be one to check out.
3. Thunderbirds (Modiphus Entertainment - Booth 2530): so this is basically my childhood in a box, which means I'm desperate to try it out. I can't say for sure that it'll ever actually enter my collection, but it's quite likely unless the gameplay just really doesn't do it for me.
4. Spirit Island (Greater Than Games - Booth 2143): I failed to get a demo of this at Origins despite really wanting to, so this one stays on my "to try" list for now. I love the story & theme, the art I've seen looks beautiful, and the escalation throughout the games sounds really enthralling.
5. Nevermore (Smirk & Dagger Games - Booth 1743): this drafting, set collection game has some interesting take-that elements and a curious theme. The art look grogeous and I'm intrigued by the idea of "dead" players turning into ravens & having to get the right hand to become human again to have the potential to win again. A definite demo game for me.
6. Grog Island (eggertspiele - Booth 1753): this game sounds pretty interesting and I love the theme of retired pirates, so it makes my list of demos for sure.
7. Kraftwagen (ADC Blackfire - Booth 2330): I love Glen More (which a wonderful friend gave me for my recent birthday) so I'm really curious about this game, but what I've heard has been so mixed that it's definitely one I'd want to try out first.
8. CHEW Card Game: Cases of the FDA (IDW Games - Booth 2723): I'm a huge fan of the comics and have managed to get my husband hooked on them also. I'd love to demo this quick 30-min card game to see if it's something we'd enjoy playing at the bar together (one of the few places I can get him to play games with me).
9. Discoveries (Ludonaute - Booths 1517, 1617, 1627, 1717): Sounds really interesting but i haven't seen quite enough yet to put this one on the Buy list yet. Hoping someone local picks up a copy so I can try it out.
10. Ghostbusters: The Board Game (Cryptozoic - Booth 601): I so want this to be good, but wasn't 100% convinced by the Kickstarter campaign. Would definitely love a chance to be proven wrong.
11. Isle of Skye: From Chieftain to King (Mayfair Games - Booths 116, 117, 129, 323, & 331): tile-laying with an interesting auction & variable scoring conditions based on cards (ala Kingdom Builder). I'd definitely like to take a better look at this one.

Mysterium box art (from BGG)

Broom Service box art (from BGG)

To Buy (assuming unlimited funds & unhampered access)

1. Mysterium (Libellud - Booths 1517, 1617, 1627, 1717): I thoroughly enjoyed playing Chris's copy of the Portal edition but hadn't been able to justify importing it. This would be my absolute must-buy were I attending the con.
2. Imperial Settlers: Atlanteans (Portal Games - Booth 2052): I finally managed to learn Settlers at Origins and, as expected, it was all I could have hoped for. Another faction is something I can't resist, even though I've barely had time to scratch the surface of the original four. Clearly I just need to get in more games.
3. La Granja (Stronghold Games - Booth 2329): I've played Adam's copy of this twice now, in 4-player and (a surprisingly quick) 2-player games. I LOVE the game, and so it would absolutley be coming home with me, were I to be in Indianapolis. As it is, it's only a matter of time before I give in and buy my own copy.
4. Broom Service  (Alea - Both 1401): I played this game at Origins and can't wait to get my own copy to try out the various variants since we only played the basic rules. The game looks awesome on the table, has great components & cards, and I really enjoyed the gameplay - a must-buy for me.
5. Codenames (Czech Games Edition - Booth 2052): I played a very rough prototype back in April and loved this party, deduction word game, even despite having to work around such issues as being able to see through the thin cardstock used for the cards. So clever, so easy to teach but tricky enough to play that you'll be stumped at least a few times; it's just a great little game. And now that it actually has art, it looks amazing.
6. The Village Crone (Fireside Games - Booth 1949): I like the theme, the mechanics sound interesting & the inclusion of a solo mode all sparked my interest. Adding in the modular board was just icing on the cake.
7. Viceroy (Mayday Games - Booth 143): I had somehow missed seeing anything about this game until recently, but now that I've seena  few videos and posts, I think this game is right up my alley. And if I was attending GenCon, I'd definitely be preordering it for pick-up in order to get the playmat add-on (and possibly the fancy gems).
8. Sansoucci (Alea - Booth 1401): I heard great things from people I trust after Origins, so given unlimited funds this would definitely be in my bag along with Broom Service.
9. Artifacts Inc. (Red Raven Games - Booth 2927): I can't actually quite say what it is about this game that puts it on the Buy list as opposed to the Try list but it just grabs me. I like the theme, the gameplay sounds intriguing and hopefully it wont disappoint.
10. Arcadia (APE - Booth 1537): I played the crap out of Theme Park on both the PC (a long time ago) and my DS. I love the theme and the listed mechanics (hand management, set collection) all scream "yes please".
11. Bring Out Yer Dead (Ginger Ale Games/Upper Deck Entertainment - Booth 1207): I played and thoroughly enjoyed this comically macabre area control game at Origins, but did so after the convention was over so preventing my picking it up then.