Techno Bowl - A Game I Didn't Think I Needed

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Just FYI - This game will be on Kickstarter sometime soon (this month), and I received no compensation for this review/preview.

It sounds great. Although I hate the lag time of Kickstarter, I'll have to look into this. The publisher should send a print-and-play copy to backers so they can whip themselves into a frenzy while waiting for the physical copy.

Insta-buy, don't even have to think about it. Do you know if Brent will have a copy at Geekway?

gorm wrote: Insta-buy, don't even have to think about it. Do you know if Brent will have a copy at Geekway?

I don't think he will be at Geekway. I have a Print 'n Play copy he assembled for me to review with 8 of the 32 teams and could bring it. My Geekway schedule is already insanely busy though.

sounds like Battleball crossed with some of the dynamic from Street Soccer, an underappreciated roll and move sports game thats actually much closer to a highbrow abstract than it appears and one where competent players annihilate casual players with ease to underline the fact. Sounds interesting

I'm still excited about this game, but I have to admit that I'm disappointed by the 90 minute playtime. The game sounds like it earns it and is engaging the entire time, but for me personally I was hoping for something half that length.

Thanks for the review, as well as all the informational posts you made while playtesting it.

Instant buy for me. I can't wait to construct the football player cubes.

the_jake_1973 wrote: Instant buy for me. I can't wait to construct the football player cubes.

Yes, those are great! Brent sent me one team's worth of them and they feel and look as good as you'd think. I will probably construct a bunch of them down the line when the files are released.

I'm still excited about this game, but I have to admit that I'm disappointed by the 90 minute playtime. The game sounds like it earns it and is engaging the entire time, but for me personally I was hoping for something half that length.

I definitely think it will go past 45 minutes for an average play, especially in your first few. I think it will be closer to 60 than 90 after you have played a couple of times, particularly if you use the suggested delay of game timer.

But yeah, playing with new people will likely consistently clock in around 90. It's a heavier game in terms of the experience, not a quick Battleball-like run through. This also means though that there's quite a bit of depth and this thing will have a huge deal of replayability.

I haven't bought much this year -- but this will be one that I get immediately.

I think I will be backing this game. It seems to really speak to people with mini gaming backgrounds - from Charlie's descriptions I imagine a mash up of Warmachine die rolling with activation similar to Andrea Sfiligoi's newer protagonist reaction system. I don't know how well that will translate to regular board gamers, math adverse mothers aside, but that doesn't really affect me.

I'm curious if there is any league rules with progression/injuries for players? Always fun to see that, but if not included maybe this could be a substitute in particular situations for BB, which generally lacks a bit for one off games when team development is not a factor.

Da Bid Dabid wrote: I think I will be backing this game. It seems to really speak to people with mini gaming backgrounds - from Charlie's descriptions I imagine a mash up of Warmachine die rolling with activation similar to Andrea Sfiligoi's newer protagonist reaction system. I don't know how well that will translate to regular board gamers, math adverse mothers aside, but that doesn't really affect me.

I'm curious if there is any league rules with progression/injuries for players? Always fun to see that, but if not included maybe this could be a substitute in particular situations for BB, which generally lacks a bit for one off games when team development is not a factor.

Despite the fact I've never played Warmachine and not cool enough to even know about your second reference, I think you are spot on. This is a minis game on a grid, with card programming for your play and a very back and forth resolution with drama and unexpected results.

From what I've heard, league rules and possible injuries have certainly been playtested and are part of the long term vision of the system. I think they may be included if funding gets high enough, if not I think we'll see them down the line. He hinted at a system for players to develop and retire, as well as draft new guys. It sounds like he has a very long term vision of this game and plans on supporting it for a long time. The biggest challenge is going to be convincing people to play the game, which I think word of mouth will overcome.

Some more info that I didn't really convey in the review due to wanting some brevity - Techno Bowl's teams are part of the MFL (more fun league) and are spoofs of real NFL teams. I know some of you have already checked this out on BGG, and I know enough about football to get most of them and recognize a player like Randy Lichen.

Da Bid Dabid wrote: . It seems to really speak to people with mini gaming backgrounds .

I remember you saying that is a pet peeve, but don't recall why. Perhaps you could speak to us about it?

Haha. I would have sent the speaktome police bear to your house but your Dune session reports have gotten you a lifetime harrassment pass so its no buckwheats for you dabiddabidbadoo, only the grumpyfacegif!