Do you like 24, but think it could use more dice or spinney arrow things? Then maybe the home version of 24 is what you're looking for this fall. Due out in August 2006, 24 the DVD Board Game combines DVDs and board games in a way that sounds both arbitrary and pointless. So, if I understand correctly, you roll the dice and then play a track from the DVD? I actually remember playing a similar game as a child, except it was Clue and on a VCR. I can only imagine that a DVD player is infinitely superior to a VCR player for this sort of thing ("No, that's too far! Rewind to 22:15. Wait, stop the tape got stuck again. Ah, screw it. I'm going to bed . . ."), and yet, much like the Clue VCR/board game, the 24 DVD/board game seems destined to wind up at the bottom of the closet after about two sessions.
On the other hand, I can only imagine that family game night will never be the same . . .
Little Joey: I'll be the shiv!
Little Tommy: I want to be the gun!
Little Jane: But you're always the gun! I want to be the gun this time. MOM!
Mother: Ok, Tommy, let Jane be the gun this time, and you can be the vial of Anthrax. Your father will be the choking hand, and I guess I'll be the thimble . . . again.
Father: Damnit, woman! Set up the board now! We're running out time!
L. Tommy: . . . dad . . . ?
Father: Look son, the only reason you're conscious is because I don't want to have to carry you.
According to Erik Arneson, who wrote an entire column on DVD board games, the players follow clues (Clues!) until they solve find and apprehend the terrorists (Colonel Marwan in the Living Room with the Detonator). Arneson goes on to say that "the DVD also acts as a timer, counting down the 24 hours to the terrorist attack that the players are working to prevent." It counts down all 24 hours? Holy Free Parking, Mr. Moneybags! That sounds boring!
Keep reading the same column, and you'll find an even more puzzling write up about the Soduko DVD Board Game. I like Soduko as much as the next guy who should probably doing something else at work, but I just don't see the DVD angle on this. Isn't a book of Soduko puzzles cheaper and more portable? Or are DVD Board Games the new unscrutinized dot com craze of this decade? If so, I'm sure Dr. Koop will be cashing in on this in no time.
On the other hand, I can only imagine that family game night will never be the same . . .
Little Joey: I'll be the shiv!
Little Tommy: I want to be the gun!
Little Jane: But you're always the gun! I want to be the gun this time. MOM!
Mother: Ok, Tommy, let Jane be the gun this time, and you can be the vial of Anthrax. Your father will be the choking hand, and I guess I'll be the thimble . . . again.
Father: Damnit, woman! Set up the board now! We're running out time!
L. Tommy:
Father: Look son, the only reason you're conscious is because I don't want to have to carry you.
According to Erik Arneson, who wrote an entire column on DVD board games, the players follow clues (Clues!) until they solve find and apprehend the terrorists (Colonel Marwan in the Living Room with the Detonator). Arneson goes on to say that "the DVD also acts as a timer, counting down the 24 hours to the terrorist attack that the players are working to prevent." It counts down all 24 hours? Holy Free Parking, Mr. Moneybags! That sounds boring!
Keep reading the same column, and you'll find an even more puzzling write up about the Soduko DVD Board Game. I like Soduko as much as the next guy who should probably doing something else at work, but I just don't see the DVD angle on this. Isn't a book of Soduko puzzles cheaper and more portable? Or are DVD Board Games the new unscrutinized dot com craze of this decade? If so, I'm sure Dr. Koop will be cashing in on this in no time.
posted by Scott at 8/07/2006 07:09:00 PM
3 Comments:
Thanks for the clarification. It's good to know that you don't actually have to play for 24 hours. Only your most dedicated Dungeons and Dragons loving friends would want to see that one all the way through.
I'm still not sure I buy into the whole concept though. My impression, from reading various reviews and descriptions, is that the end result of combining video with a board game is to get the worst parts of both media.
But then again, I don't have the same appreciation for gaming as the other half of the Live Blogging TV team. So, I may not be the best judge of this one.
That's disappointing. I was imagining an unholy hybrid between (The Game of) Life, Monopoly and Scene It. "Oops, Jimmy is discovered by the Cali cartel, I guess he loses his pinkies!" or "You've won first prize in a beauty contest. Torture the family of the player next to you".
Also, I was hoping for a little spicier title: 'Flank Two! The 24 DVD Board Game'. From the makers of Sarin Nerve Gas for Kids. (Insert 'Ooh, You're Blue! The Hold-Your-Breath-Game' joke here. Also the 'Mr. Invisible' halloween costume or 'Bag O' Broken Glass'.)
Also, DrKoop.com is still a real thing.
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