It is melting hot outside, and you really do not want to be stuck in front of that screen any longer than office hours demands you to. But … you still like a bit of gaming in your life. No worries, you do not need the internet for playing games.
Monday night I visited the Summertime Boardgaming Pop Up Café, which has been open for the past 10 days in Huset Kbh, Central Copenhagen. Hosted by the much dedicated board game fans in Bastard Café it keeps going on until Friday the 8th of August. So do not miss out.
Need someone to play with?
If you do not have another board game fan to bring along, watch out for the signs at the tables. Many players are happy to let you in and explain rules if necessary.
Everyone is welcome; game gurus and beginners, friends and strangers, inhabitants and tourists of Copenhagen. I am sure you will find a game fit for you.
Every day has a theme
I met some of the most dedicated Star Wars-fans in Denmark, since last nights’ theme happened to be dedicated to X-Wing – the most fabulous Miniature Star Wars board game I have ever seen.
Watch grownup men play as boys.
From private living room to 21 days of public gaming
Things has literally grown out of the living room, since founder of Bastard Café Bo Thomasen decided to share his private collection of board games with equal enthusiasts. Summertime Boardgaming is a 21-days marathon of boardgaming, free and open to everyone.
This Monday afternoon – halfway through – Bo Thomasen tells me that between 60 and 200 people have joined the fun on daily basis, most people during weekends. But who exactly are these people?
Try before buying
Sitting in the pleasant shadow inside at the bar is Rasmus with his wife Rachel. He is a long-term fan of computer games, so why has he now gone old school?
– It is a different way of interacting with people and at the same time try out a new game, before I decide if I want to buy it. And here is always someone near to explain rules of a new game, he says.
Rachel agrees. – It is more fun and a great way to meet new people. We have actually met a few from our neighborhood to walk home with last night, she says as she tries to get her pieces into the high-score area in a game called Crokinole, without knocking her husband’s pieces off the board.
The couple did not know this game beforehand, but now they might put it on their future shopping list.
Rasmus and his wife Rachel try out a new game of Crokinole.
New game from top designer
In the courtyard Asger is deeply absorbed in the rules of a game called Tash Kalar.
– I have chosen this because of the designer, Vlaada Chvátil. He is on the top 100 of game designers, Asger explains with an eager tone in his voice, which reveals a true expert.
The new game from the top designer is a strategic game, and this not exactly a preference of Asger’s girlfriend. So he has left her back home and put up the sign “looking for more players” at his table.
– Perhaps someone wants to play with me. Otherwise, I’ll just have a coffee and read up on the rules, he says.
Asger studies a new game from his favorite designer while waiting for more players.
Gift from “Spiel Messe Essen”
Top designer Vlaada Chvátil’s game Tash Kalar was actually a gift from the distributor at the international gaming fair “Spiel Messe Essen” in Germany, attended by 150.000 gaming fans.
On behalf of Bastard Café Bo Thomasen has arranged the annual journey to the fair since 2008. Last year he wrote out to a numerous amount of game distributors from the fair and returned with sponsored games from 20-30 of them.
These racing camels was actually awarded “Game of the Year” at “Spiel Messe Essen”.
Pop-quiz at random pick
Malene looks puzzled. Her brother Morten has just asked a question about Robyn’s debut single from the 90s. She is not sure she will be able to give him an answer. The two of them has challenged each other in a quiz of popular culture, which is not an expert area to any of them.
– It was a random pick, Morten admits. He is visiting his sister in Copenhagen because of a forthcoming concert.
– I did not know about the Summertime Boardgaming, but I know Huset Kbh, and it is great to be outside in the Summer, away from the computer.
-Yeah, it is all a bit nostalgic, says Malene, although she admits that none of them will move much forward in this game, unless the other person got the wrong answer.
Well, that is one strategy to choose …
Malene and Morten challenge each other in pop-culture (not their favorite subject).
Do you want to join the game?
Check out the programme of Summertime Boardgaming. It includes china bingo, drinks, speed dating and party. All around a table with a board game.
