Rochester Gamers Community

Siddy (Cyrus), Member of RGC since 2007

How long have you been playing boardgames, RPGs, collectible, and card games?

Boy, let me think. Since I was 5, I'd guess. I have always been drawn to games, especially those with lots of bits and pieces and really interesting visual design.

What is your earliest memory of a game you played?

Easily, it was "Hungry, Hungry Hippos". While I am sure I played other games before this one (such as Candy Land or Shoots 'N' Ladders), the Hippos remains one of my strongest game memories from my childhood. I think this is most likely because of the non-stop action the game required. A perfect game for a little boy who had too much energy and not enough to do.

What is your favorite game of all time and why?

HeroQuest remains one of my favorite games for three reasons.

First it was the first dungeon crawl game I ever played. I was big into Dungeons and Dragons and seeing the monsters alongside my hero was an incredible moment for me. The scenarios that I had always played out in my head and on paper came to life before my eyes.

Second, the endless possibilities with the game allowed for customization and personal expansion. I have always been a fan of games that did not corner the player and had flexible and customizable elements there were easy to expand on. HeroQuest allowed me to create, design, and play countless different ideas with my friends. There never seemed to be an end to the possibilities.

Third, the exploration element of the game made the game much more than a hack 'n' slash dice chucking event. As the character, you had to venture further and further into the dungeons or castles with unknown dangers around the corner. I still recall the thrill of opening a new room and having the Overlord (the person who was responsible for the plot, game board, and monsters) "populate" the room with monsters and furniture. A a player, I found that experience greatly rewarding.

Man, just thinking about this game again makes me want to get it out and play it!

What is your least favorite game of all time and why?

I thought a lot about this as the answer is not an easy one. There is more to a great game then just the rules and components. There is a social aspect that greatly influence that game, as well. For example, if you play a great game with really nasty people, you will most likely not walk away from the gaming table with "warm fuzzies".

That being said, my least favorite game of all time has got to be "Gem Quest". My dislike for this game is legendary and has become something of an inside joke amongst the senior members of RGC. I have been and always will be rather vocal about it, as this game rubbed me the wrong way from the very beginning.

There are many elements to the game I dislike, but to break it down to the top two (so as to not rant on forever about my never ending loathing) I found the entire game play a convoluted mess. There were also balance issues from the very beginning and no sign of improvement.

In short, the time and energy I put into the game was never rewarded. It was a waste of my time.

What is one of your most memorable moments in a game?

Oh, so many...so many.

One of my favorite moments happened in 2008 playing Fantasy Flight Games' "Battlestar Galactica".

In the game, you may or may not be a Cylon. Because the other players do not know, this game element produces a great amount of second guessing, paranoia, and backstabbing. I was a Cylon from the beginning, and while I was immediately targeted as a "possible Cylon", I was able to manipulate the players and the game from the shadows so effectively that when I revealed myself as a Cylon, everyone at the table was floored by the news! The look on their faces as I blew up the Galactica will forever be a cherished memory of mine.

The complete game session can be read by clicking the following link:

http://rochestergamers.com/drupal/node/17

What about the games you play do you enjoy the most?

The most enjoyable aspect of a game for me is the shared experience; the act of being part of a story that everyone at the table helps tell and finish. It is this social aspect that I find greatly lacking in video games (including massive multiplayer video games...sorry Warcraft). The "human element" and the social interaction when playing a game is one of the greatest thrills for me.

Any last words?

Just one.

I hate you Gem Quest . I hate you so very, very much.