In the last few years we have seen the welcome emergence of Board Games Cafes popping up in new areas around the UK, and this year there has been quite a few opening up with catchy names and fresh looks. Paradice Board Games Cafe is another exciting new place that will be opening up in South East London next month, and it will be offering two floors of gaming heaven. Jason Grimwood of Warboar Games decided to take things to the next level, and has expanded the business. I got to chat with Jason recently about his plans and the inspiration behind it.   

Warboar Games is a well established and thriving business, and now it has become even larger! What inspired you to open up a board games cafe?

At Warboar, I have always wanted to keep pushing the business and create that "ultimate gaming" venue, for friends and families to enjoy. A board game cafe is perfect for that type of atmosphere and with the size of the new venue we can cater for larger wargames as well in the gaming hall.

Have you visited other games cafes in the UK or abroad?

I have visited a fair few, as well as some in Canada. Of particular note "Thirsty Meeples" in Oxford is a fantastic venue with very friendly and knowledgeable staff, we have learnt a lot from their amazing cafe.

How long did it take to make it a reality? 

Warboar has continued to grow in its 2 years, but at the end of the first year we started plans for a bigger and better premises for the South East. We are so close now to finishing all the plans and building work and getting it open for everyone to enjoy.

What was your biggest challenge along the way?

My biggest challenge has been keeping up with the pace of the industry, there are new games, events, competitions, trade shows constantly coming through, we have had to stay on ball and always stock the latest crazes and best games. We pride ourselves on running great events that everyone can enjoy, and this takes a lot of work and preparation as well as a dedicated staffing team that do a fantastic job.

Novelty cafes seem to be a popular trend, and board games cafes have the added perk of great entertainment for groups or people wishing to interact socially. Do you think this will help strengthen the community?

I completely agree with you on this point, board game cafes do wonders for the community, as children and adults can play games in a safe environment, and social activity is what really makes us human, the ability to laugh and cry over a game and have that feeling of "wellness" at the end of a great day or evening out. I have been part of the Bromley community for almost 30 years and I want to give something back to the fantastic town I have grown up in.

Do you have some themed nights planned and special events in the works? Perhaps a tournament of 'Letters To Santa'? (my favourite version of Love Letter) 

We have tons of events and themed evenings planned, for example we will be running large events for various card games and board games, as well as hosting regional tournaments as the space now gives us the ability to host over 200 people for an event. I won't say much more, but you certainly won't be "board" with our extensive list of events and competitions.

What are your favourite board games?

I have always been a wargamer by heart enjoying games such as Warhammer, Dropzone Commander, Infinity and X-Wing, but I am now finding myself enjoying board game events playing games like Sheriff of Nottingham, Pandemic, Ticket to ride etc. My favourite game of all time probably has to be...... Mouse trap! who didn't love building that contraption as a kid!
 
After your successful Kickstarter, which game did you celebrate with first?

The first big board game played after the kickstarter finished was Pandemic.

What are you looking forward to most about opening the cafe?

The thing I am looking forward to the most is seeing different groups of people from all backgrounds enjoying themselves in my cafe, people making new friends, and experiencing new games and enjoyment. Plus I am also looking forward to making my own extremely tasty coffee each morning!

Thank you, Jason! You can check out the facebook page and news on Paradice Board Game Cafe here.

Thanks for reading!

Marisa xx

Christmas Card Exchange on BoardGameGeek

Do you love receiving Christmas cards? Have you ever fancied participating in a Christmas card exchange with folks from all over the world? Then head on over to BoardGameGeek, and sign up for the Ninth Annual Christmas Card Exchange! 

I have signed up already, as I just love getting cards through the post. Having the internet is brilliant and sending instant messages is efficient and sometimes vital but there is something special about receiving snail mail.  

If you want to join in the card fun then sign up before November 21st! I must dash as I have neglected my plays on BGG and must log them like a good little gamer.

Thanks for reading!

Marisa xx

Kickstarter Feature - Eternal Glory by British Briefs

That Kickstarter is just teeming with fantastic games and ideas, and I am very happy to say that this game is one I have helped play test extensively. If you enjoy an exciting, fast-paced and well balanced card game then give this a go. Eternal Glory is so cute...but cut-throat! I had a good old chat with the designer at British Briefs, Lewis Terry, check out the interview below.

Board games have clearly been a big factor in your life, have you always had a passion for them?

Well yes, I grew up with boardgames from an early age. My Mum and Dad played lots of games with each other and with me. I was playing Magic the Gathering from the age of six and had access to all kinds of old pocket book microgames, citadel/games workshop titles and later plenty of euro games as well. My boardgames upbringing was rather vast and expansive, and that sealed my love for them.

Where did the concept for Eternal Glory come from?

I have always loved the idea of mighty warriors slaying hundreds of enemies on the battlefield, like gods. Think Sauron in Lord of The Rings, or any of Dynasty warriors games. They portray warriors as way beyond any mortal man.  

As a child I also had a book of mythology that featured a picture of the first King of Ireland, Slaine. His eye was popping out and it talked about him being practically immortal on the battlefield, the image stayed with me. Many years later I discovered the 2000AD strip of Slaine which made the legend way more popular. The card Warp spasm is a nod to this Legend.

In making Eternal Glory I wanted to emulate this in a fun and simple way. In 2011 I created a game titled Eternal Legend. It was a dice fest of a game, in which you had to be a heroic warrior trying to cleave your way through a battle field to defeat the mighty leader. I wanted a game that was less random and more cut-throat, so I split the concept into two and made The Legend of series (yet to be released) and Eternal Glory.

Tell us a bit about the game.

The game is at heart a hand management, take that game. There is some luck but the strategy comes through in the management of the cards in your hand. While all games should be pretty close between players, a good player should be able to win most games with careful card play.

It has simple mechanics that anyone can pick up and play in five minutes but it takes multiple games to discover the greater depth in the card plays.

In each turn players play one card, resolve it's effects and then draw up to five cards. The winner is the first player to defeat one-hundred enemies on the field of battle. 

Can you tell us a bit about the process of your game design? Do you start with the theme or the mechanics?

This is a tough one as I love a good theme. Eternal Glory started out as a theme but Legend and Blitz started out with a mechanic. Starting with a mechanic makes it easier to get a strong game in terms of play but I find with some games the theme feels pasted on as an afterthought. I try to avoid this.

Both of the games I have released so far and five of the ones that I have fully designed have all been play tested for a year or more. I'd never dream of releasing a game that I would not be up for playing myself, so I play and tweak my games constantly being as critical as possible.

You have gone for a ridiculously cute look for the game, how did you decide on the style of the images?

I do love the art of Eternal Glory, I chose the artist for the broader family friendly appeal. The original art for the game with was dark, moody and serious and it just wouldn't have worked as well. I am pleased that I decided to go for something far cuter and refined.

As a teacher you design games with both children and adults in mind, is this challenging?

It is the part I enjoy most. With both my art and game design I tend to always go a tad too far with the concept or the art. When first creating Eternal Glory I pictured it to be much grittier and violent but then being a teacher I thought of the games I would have wanted as a child, and what I would want my kids to play at school. So I had a rethink of the theme and the design, what would kids want? But, also, what would me and my pals want to play? 

Reaching the middle ground is a fun challenge that I thoroughly relish.

What are some of your favourite games?

Overall the games I am most likely to play daily are quick and easy to pick up. Buttonmen and Brawl by James Ernest are my two favourite short games of all time. They are compact and super quick to play. I also use Buttonmen in my teaching from time to time to engage children with numeracy. For me, both of these are the ideal fillers and I would never get bored of either of them.

In truth though I like a wide variety of games. Shogun and its older counter part Wallenstien I adore, Bohnanaza and its multitude of expansions I have played to death many times and I have a big soft spot for the games of Friedemann Friese. As for newer games, I am pretty addicted to Imperial Settlers and Five Tribes. 

Do you have a favourite card image from Eternal Glory?

Haha, I have to say the Goblin King is my number one favourite. I love his cheeky face and the ability to swap cards with another player. He really doesn't look like he cares about the outcome of the battle, he is just there to have a good time and cause some mischief.

Do you have any more games in the pipeline?

Kickstarter has been an eye opener for me as I have been creating games for years with no outlet. I have a number of finished games: Pillow Searcher, Feed the Beast, Treacherous Turf, The Legend Series, Carnie Rivals, Three Sheets to the Wind, Clench and then some in the works: Gotta Get Grandad, Cry of the Kraken, Dicey Diner and Adventure Team.

That makes eleven games in total but I am sure there will be more to come!  

If you had to go up against the enemies in Eternal Glory, which axe would you want to be swinging in the air and what would your unique ability be? 


I feel that the best axe would be the Lifebringer as it prevents death in battle, and as for my ability it would probably be some kind of six sense to avoid ever facing the Queen of Darkness in battle, she's a mean one.

Thanks, Lewis! You can check out the Kickstarter here.

Thanks for reading!

Marisa xx

Eternal Glory

I must apologise for not posting anything in a while. I am in the process of moving house for the fourth time this year, so things are quite hectic right now! Hopefully I shall be properly back in the swing of things next week, but for now I could not resist telling you all about a Kickstarter game that has recently launched - and I have been one of the lucky folks play testing it!

Eternal Glory is a fighting card game with a take that element. You play as warriors competing on the battlefield, trying to be the first one to reach one hundred kills with your trusty axe. But is not as easy as chopping, cleaving and punching your way to victory, your opponents will try to stop you in various cunning ways. They may break your weapon, mortally wound you or lay meddlesome enemies upon you!

This is a really fun game, it involves a deep strategy in card management and timing as well as an element of luck in the card draw. Every game I have played has been so close towards the end, it is really exciting and unpredictable who will triumph. 

I plan to do a more thorough write-up of the game and an interview with the creator, after moving house and putting all the board games neatly into new bookcases! In the meantime, you can view the Kickstarter here.

Thanks for reading!

Marisa xx