  Sun 18-Feb-2001 MIND games: Two-day event beings board-game players to the table By Jenny Bushnell of The Press Staff
Together, the two advanced their teams across a map of provinces, laying waste to the enemy and leaving toppled plastic soldiers in their wake. But as the sun started sinking in the west and the wind howled around the Wilson Town Hall, Anacker found himself losing ground with only one front left to attack. I hate to do this to you, but ... he told his former ally and readied his blue men to take out Marshs red battalion. Youre attacking me? Marsh feigned shock. Youre attacking me? Then he laughed. I understand playing to win, he said, and the game of Samurai Swords went on in peace. The board game was part of the Fire and Ice Game Convention going on this weekend at Wilson Town Hall. About 50 people turned out Saturday to play elaborate board games, role-playing games, network computer games and miniature battlefield games. Oostburg native Dan Kelm said he put on the event mostly by himself because he wanted to meet other people in Sheboygan interested in playing games. He took a quick break from Samurai Swords and a peasant siege to explain that he likes such complex games because of the mental stimulation of trying to outthink another human being rather than a computer. And gaming lets people use their imaginations, he said. I know these are just plastic figurines on a board, Kelm said, waving a hand at his green soldiers scattered on the cardboard map, but you can visualize the combat, the arrows flying through the air. I started out playing the same games everyone has Life, Monopoly, Strategico, he added. Theres more depth to (these) games, theres more thought involved. He also said game-playing gives him a chance for social interaction. Some games can last as much as five hours or whenever we get sick of playing and theyre a lot of fun, he said. |
