It's also an example of the failure of recommendation systems. When purely algorithmic, you'd just laugh about weird recommendations. Now, there's always that suspicion that it's being pushed to you because someone paid for it.
Shows the importance of finding reviewers you vibe with and can trust.
Whoops, got the wrong numbers for Spiel 2025. Have a correction and adding UKGE figures
UKGE 2025: 43,000 sq m - 72,000 attendees
Spiel 2025: 77,500 sq m - 220,000 attendees
FIJ 2026: > 60,000 sq m - 110,000 attendees
Oops, misread that - too many numbers floating about!
I know why they don't let you edit posts on BlueSky, but it would be nice to correct something like that directly...
Will have to have a quick look at UKGE figures and post a follow-up and correction now...
So, expanding into that final Hall certainly makes sense for the number of attendees.
Just as a comparison:
Spiel 2025: 62,500 sq m - 220,000 attendees
FIJ 2026: > 60,000 sq m - 110,000 attendees
Not clear for the FIJ how much of that was in the tents outside, but no wonder it felt less crowded!
- Prototype events were certainly interesting, and the rise of 3D printing is certainly a boon here.
- Very few generated images on view at the festival. Essen left a somewhat bitter taste in my mouth because of the prevalence, but I was pleased to see it was virtually non-existent here.
- A designated tent to drop off games you wanted to see and pick up any that looked interesting. There was an associated app and you could even use credit from games successfully sold at some stands in the conference. Seems like a smart thing to copy at other conferences.
- The queues for most games were pretty short, but most games were not abbreviated, meaning you would be waiting a couple of hours for a table for a heavier game to free up. Seemed like most people would just pop back occasionally to see if prospects looked better.
- Interesting layout. While there are decent sized spaces on the ground and first floor, the majority is in the basement, with ceilings only the height of a typical room (8 ft or so?).
- Many games with only 1 or 2 tables and very few with a reservation system.
- The 'international' part of the name is more aspirational than reality. While some of the people on the stands and other players might speak English, you certainly wouldn't be able to rely on it.
- Far less crowded than Essen, even on Saturday which was by far the busiest day.
Time for a little roundup I suppose. I had a good time at #fij2026, interesting games, a good atmosphere and warm, friendly people to meet and play those games with.
- Lots of small game: trick-takers, grid-based tableau builders and duo/duel games on display
1/
#j2s #boardgames #brettspiele
As expected, some paths can only be taken once you have explored and unlocked abilities and found items.
Playable solo or as a duo (taking alternate turns with separate decks).
As you explore, you will be indicated to read narrative sections in another book.
Looks like an interesting project.
Each world is a separate book, which you navigate by exploring different paths (in cyoa-style by turning to the indicated page) via a deck of energy cards.
The cards show different symbols and are used to overcome obstacles but if your deck runs out, you reset back to the most recent save point. /2
And another example of the interesting cross-fertilisation going on between board games and computer games. The Mist is a Metroidvania in board game form.
1/
#fij2026 #j2s #boardgames #brettspiele
You can only double back/enter a room more than once if you reach a dead end. You then take the action of the final room you leave an ant it. The strength of the action is determined by how many ants are in that room.
Comes with 16 different ant species.
Only in FR currently
Ants are apparently a popular theme at the moment. Microlonies is a pretty brisk game that uses a mancala-esque system where you take all the ants from one section of your nest and leave one in each room on your path from that room. 1/
Not a new release but amazing anyway: A comedy rpg based on the premise of the USSR winning and taking Communism into space!
#fij2026
Will be coming to Kickstarter soon and available in at least English, French and I assume German as well. yurei-the-boardgame.com
Definitely solid and well designed, but will want to see details of the Kickstarter campaign to see how it looks for longevity.
A big appeal for heading to #FIJ was the Nuits du Off: evening events where designers can playtest their games. Tested out Yurei: Ghosts of Enoshima, a Pandemic-esque game of villagers trying to save their island from curses and ghosts.
#fij2026 #j2s #boardgames #brettspiele
Panorama, a nice simple game where you ride around in a hot air balloon and build your landscape. Points are scored by multiplying animals and plants in contiguous area and 3 random bonus contracts drawn at the start of the game.
#fij2026 #j2s #boardgames #brettspiele
Fond memories of FTL? Solo or 2-player version that seems very reminiscent from the explanation. No demo available unfortunately.
#fij2026 #boardgames #brettspiele
And an early version of Praestigium, an upcoming Kickstarter campaign. Interesting combo builder where you play as the heads of competing magic schools. I love the board design, where the board itself has slots so it acts as a stand.
#fij #fij2026 #boardgames #brettspiele
Got to try Sanibel at #fij2026. Good feeling, simple to pick up but makes you think about your actions and what other players are doing. Nice mechanics as well.
#j2s #boardgames #brettspiele
C'est dommage. Il figure en bonne place sur ma liste de jeux que je veux essayer, mΓͺme si je ne joue pas souvent en duel.
On my way to Cannes for the #FIJ. Currently in Munich, trying to live vicariously through other people already there, but people not tagging their posts is making it harder!
#fij2026 #j2s #boardgames
Merci!
Oui, dans certains cas, il suffit de réessayer en mettant en pratique ce que l'on a appris lors de la première tentative. On en a eu quelques-uns auxquels on est revenus plus tard, quand on avait des personnages différents qui étaient plus adaptés ( on est un groupe de 3).
Ah, on a pris un autre chemin - heureusement, semble-t-il ! Mais les points indiquent seulement Γ quel point c'est compliquΓ©, pas Γ quel point c'est difficile. Bonne chance pour la prochaine tentative !
Orloj last night. The set up and teach might seem a touch intimidating but the actual game flows quite nicely and intuitively - some big action chains but most were pretty manageable. Minor quibble: the clock is already built, you're only doing the decoration. #boardgames #j2s #brettspiele #spiel25
Posted a breakdown on BGG of changes I observed in the prototype of Blood Rage: Valhalla I played at Essen Spiel
#spiel25 #boardgames #j2d #brettspiele
boardgamegeek.com/thread/35975...
The U-Bahn steambath wasn't good enough for you?π€ͺ
