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Hi everyone,

Welcome to Strategy Saturday - 2nd Edition!

Well, that won't be the name of this gaming evening since we will now be meeting on a Friday, but Feature Friday is just that - the return of Strategy Saturday post-COVID.

The new name takes inspiration from Featured Game segment that was a staple of Strategy Saturday. People are encouraged to volunteer to teach a game that they'd like to play. Just let me know which game you're interested in leading and we see if we can't make it happen (you can DM me on this platform).

For the first Featured Game, Cory has already volunteered to teach Terraforming Mars. This is a game set 400 years in our future and imagines you leading a corporation to alter the very nature of the red planet so that humanity will be able to sustain itself on a second terra. It is up to you to guide your corporation's contribution in this most monumental project and prove that your organization will have the most influential innovations for the greatest impact on the future of humanity's new home. Terraforming Mars is one of the most celebrated games released in 2016 was nominated for a number of awards. Click the link and check it out:

• Terraforming Mars
  
  
  

Check out this Video Review

Feature Friday meets at Southside Pentecostal Assembly (41 Birchwood Rd) from 7pm to midnight.  Entrance and parking are at the back of the building. A snack table will be set up so feel free to contribute a drink or something to munch on.  And feel free to bring along friends (and to forward this invite).

Hope you'll be there,

Allan

[Gaming Limitations]

Gaming Limitations

There are some limits that are placed on the types of games that are played at Feature Friday.  We ask that people not play games that fall into the following genres:

• Magic, horror, or spirit centric (eg. Magic the Gathering, Call of Cthulhu)
• Gambling (eg. poker)
• Role playing (eg. D&D)
• Table top miniatures

This request is simply that while you may see no issue with these types of games, we want to be considerate of the sensibilities of Southside Pentecostal Assembly. So while I personally do play table top miniature games, I don't play them at Feature Friday and instead limit my play to table/board games (of which there are plenty to enjoy).

There is an element of discretion that goes along with this policy. Having a 'magical' element does not necessarily disqualify a game. An example might be Elfenland which is a race game where young elves seek to travel across a map using different modes of transport, some of which are fantastical (ie. dragons, magic clouds)

If you have any questions about a game, please feel free to ask.

[FEATURE FRIDAY VENUE INFORMATIONDescription]

FEATURE FRIDAY VENUE INFORMATION

Description
Strategy Saturday was a once-a-month evening of board games started in 2004. It ran until COVID restrictions forced it to end in the spring of 2020. When these restrictions were finally ended unfortunately the venue for Strategy Saturday was no longer available.

Happily, a new venue is now available and Feature Friday will carry on in the place of Strategy Saturday. Feature Friday is scheduled for the third Friday of each month.

Feature Game
Each month a game will be spotlighted. This featured game will be taught at the beginning of the evening so if you want a seat at the table, you'll want to arrive on time. If you know you'll be running a little bit late or you simply want to guarantee yourself a spot, contact me with your intentions and we'll look to reserve you a spot.

I also encouraged others to host the Feature Game. Maybe you have a new game that you're excited to have a go at or an old favourite that just hasn't seen the light of day in awhile. Email me and I'll be happy to see what arrangements we can make to have your game played.

Event Owner
Allan Luesink

Contact Information
feature_friday@hotmail.com

Location
Southside Pentecostal Assembly
41 Birchwood Rd
Regina, SK

Parking & Entrance
Southside Pentecostal Assembly is located in a repurposed elementary school. There is an entrance in the back of the church where there is plenty of parking available. Alternatively, the front doors will also be open.

Hours of Operation
7pm until midnight (or there abouts).  We have an open-door policy so feel free to come later or leave early.  Just know that if you come late you may end up waiting a bit to get in on a game.

Collection of Games Available for Use
Feel free to bring games from your own collection to play (see Gaming Limitations post below).
If you do not wish to bring a game, no worries, there are always plenty of games available.

Age Limits
This is an event that is open to all ages.  I only ask that if a young person attends that they have the ability to stay focused on the game they join.  I leave it up to the accompanying guardians to make this evaluation.

Cost
It's FREE!

Food & Beverage
We have a snack counter where people may contribute a drink or something to munch on.  If you haven't brought something we still want you to feel at home so don't be afraid to help yourself.

Things You Should Know

• Have fun. This is a family friendly evening so conduct yourself accordingly.
• There are always lots of games available for use.
• Bring a friend. Bring a game. Bring both.

Moderator(s) for this section of the site
Allan Luesink

[Hey did these ever start back up?]

I just recently received a inquiry as to the status of Strategy Saturday. Here was my response:

Hey did these ever start back up?
Sadly, no. The uncertainty that was experienced during the the COVID restrictions led the church leadership to decide to be more cautious as to which group gatherings they would be willing to allow. As I was never a member of this church, they decided to step back from offering their space. I've no complaints. ARBC was much more than generous for 16 years, allowing the gaming that took place to be gratis. If I find another opportunity to re-start Strategy Saturday in the future, I'll renew posting on this thread.

Allan

Due to the COVID-19 isolation that we are partaking in, Strategy Saturday will not be taking place in April.  Hopefully we can meet again in June.

Take care everyone.

Moving Forward....
                         

Hi all,

Thought about whether or not to cancel Strategy Saturday all night (while working and listening to CJME). I've decided to go ahead with the evening tonight. The authorities are concerned about large gatherings (250+) and people who have traveled out of province. We will not be a large gathering and as such I feel our risk is no more than going to the store for groceries or supplies.

That said if you've recently returned from being out-of-province I'll ask that you consider skipping tonight. For those that do end up coming, when you come downstairs take a detour to the washroom first and give your hands a good wash. Also we will not have the shared snack counter open. If you want to have a drink or munchie, we'll keep it to personal servings (e.g. a can of pop).

Hope your able to come,

Allan

Strategy Saturday - still on (at the moment)
                                                                                     

Hi everyone,

With the COVID-19 concerns, I want to confirm that as of now Strategy Saturday is still planning to go ahead tomorrow.

So far Saskatchewan has been virtually untouched with only one confirmed case. This case is located in Saskatoon and the person had recently returned from Egypt. The risk is very low at the moment; but I can understand people's concern - no one knows if it will remain so. Next month, the situation could be completely different. But at the moment it would seem that a night spent playing games with a few friends is no more risky than going to the grocery store to purchase those all incredible rolls of toilet paper (which I did do ).

But watch this thread. I will once again confirm tomorrow after lunch whether or not we will go ahead.

Hoping for the best,
Allan

[!!!]

Hi everyone,

Hope you are all well. Sorry for a bit of a later notice but Strategy Saturday will be this weekend.

Our Feature Game will be Automobiles. Players see build a customized race car and assemble the best race crew. The race car and crew are represented by a collection of cubes garnered from various options that are available. Starting with the same small set of cubes, each player builds their collection as they play the game. Use these cubes to enhance your performance, train your pit crew, and ensure your race car runs as effectively as possible. Be the first to cross the finish line and watch that checkered flag wave! Check out it's listing on BoardGameGeek website:

• Automobiles
  
  
  

!!!If you have a game you'd like to play and draw some attention to, feel free to volunteer for future Feature Game slots. Just drop me a note and I'll see if we can't get your game in the spotlight.

Strategy Saturday will be at Argyle Road Baptist Church (3510 Argyle Rd) from 7pm to midnight.  As usual we'll have our snack counter open so feel free to contribute a drink or something to munch on.  And feel free to bring along friends (and to forward this invite).

Hope you'll be there,

Allan

[!!!]

Hi everyone,

February's games night will be the third Saturday of this month; it's the weekend that works the best for my schedule. We will be the only group at the church on the 15th, so we will be able to meet downstairs.

Cory will be hosting this month's Feature Game called Tapestry. This is the new game from Jamey Stegmaier who is best known for creating Scythe. In Tapestry players seek to advance their civilization from the beginning of humankind to reach forward into the future. The paths chosen will vary greatly from real-world events or people — each civilization is unique! In Tapestry, you start from nothing and advance on any of the four advancement tracks (science, technology, exploration, and military) to earn progressively better benefits. You can focus on a specific track or take a more balanced approach. You will also improve your income, build your capital city, leverage your asymmetric abilities, earn victory points, and gain tapestry cards that will tell the story of your civilization.

• Tapestry
  
  
  

!!!If you have a game you'd like to play and draw some attention to, feel free to volunteer for future Feature Game slots. Just drop me a note and I'll see if we can't get your game in the spotlight.

Strategy Saturday will be at Argyle Road Baptist Church (3510 Argyle Rd) from 7pm to midnight.  As usual we'll have our snack counter open so feel free to contribute a drink or something to munch on.  And feel free to bring along friends (and to forward this invite).

Hope you'll be there,

Allan

[!!!]

Hi everyone,

Welcome to the New Year. Strategy Saturday in back this weekend for its 17th year. For me that's kinda crazy to realize that this games evening has lasted so long. I want to thank everyone who has chosen to attend over these many years. Strategy Saturday only keeps going because you people keep coming. Thank you so much.

Heads up - we will be upstairs again this Saturday as the downstairs is being used by another group.

Wendy has volunteered to host this year's first Featuring Game. Wingspan was released last year to great success. It is a multiple award winner and many are already considering it a classic game. In this game players are bird enthusiasts—researchers, bird watchers, ornithologists, and collectors—seeking to discover and attract the best birds to their network of wildlife preserves. Each bird extends a chain of powerful combinations in a player's habitat. There are hundreds of unique birds in the game that to be chosen. Be sure not to come late if you hope to get in on this experience.

• Wingspan
  
  
  

!!!If you have a game you'd like to play and draw some attention to, feel free to volunteer for future Feature Game slots. Just drop me a note and I'll see if we can't get your game in the spotlight.

Strategy Saturday will be at Argyle Road Baptist Church (3510 Argyle Rd) from 7pm to midnight.  As usual we'll have our snack counter open so feel free to contribute a drink or something to munch on.  And feel free to bring along friends (and to forward this invite).

Hope you'll be there,

Allan