October 13-15, 2023
The All ABOARD EXPO 2023, held from October 13 to 15 at the East Atrium Shangri-La Plaza Mall, was an absolute triumph for board game enthusiasts, bringing together the gaming community for an unforgettable experience. Here's a recap of some of the event's most exhilarating highlights:
New Releases from Essen Spiel 2023
The event was an exciting showcase of the latest board game titles launched during Essen Spiel 2023 in Germany. Among the featured games, one standout was Apiary, an innovative creation by Stonemaier Games that introduces hyper-intelligent bees venturing into outer space to build, explore, and thrive. What made this preview even more special for attendees in the Philippines was that it marked an early release, weeks ahead of the worldwide launch scheduled for late November!
Another highly anticipated game was Expeditions, the brainchild of Jay Stegmaier, inviting players to embark on a perilous journey to the north in a tile-exploration sequel to Scythe. Nucleum offered an alternate history take on the industrial revolution, crafted by Simone Luciani and Dávid Turczi, while The White Castle immersed players in the quest to become the most influential clan within Japan's Himeji stronghold. Unmatched Adventures: Tales to Amaze presented a cooperative twist on the Unmatched series, challenging players to team up and take down formidable foes like the Mothman or Martian Invader. Sky Team is a cooperative board game for 2 players where your goal is to work together as a team to land your airplane in different airports around the world. It was a thrilling event that left board game enthusiasts eager to dive into these captivating new titles – all of which will soon be available at www.gaminglib.com
Coup: Philippine Edition Exhibit
A highlight of the event was the official art unveiling of Coup: Philippine Edition with a signing by the artist Camille Chua Tan of Frillion Art. In this version, players are transported to the Spanish Colonial Era in a vibrant city under the rule of a feeble and corrupt court. Your quest is to dismantle the influence of rival families, compelling their exile and emerging as the sole surviving family. The Filipino rendition draws inspiration from Rizal's literary opus, Noli Me Tangere, and the beloved Maria Clara at Ibarra TV series. Pre-orders for Coup: Philippine Edition will open soon!
Ticket to Ride: Europe Tournament
The Ticket to Ride: Europe Tournament saw Maricris Mandario secure the 1st place with an impressive 121 points. Her exuberant words say it all, "I can’t even stop smiling. 😄 Kanina ko pa pinipigilan. Ang sakit na nga ng pisngi ko kakasmile. Pero sobra sobrang saya ko ngayon."
Cascadia National Tournament
Chago Capala clinched the 1st place in the Cascadia National Tournament, earning a trip to CMON Expo Bangkok 2023. Chago's sentiment encapsulated the essence of the event, "It’s one of those indescribable feelings. Winning it all felt good especially hindi naman ako nagplan na mag-participate. Pinapunta lang ako ng asawa ko. Sabi malay mo."
Marvel: Remix Tournament
In the Marvel: Remix Tournament, Edward Curugan emerged as the champion with 246 points, proving his prowess in this thrilling competition. He walked away with a Fantasy Realms Gift Set and a Squirrel Girl Card.
Catan Tournament
Gabriel Katipunan Jr. won the fiercely competitive Catan Tournament, besting 31 other players and securing a CATAN 3D Set worth P16,000. His journey to victory was nothing short of impressive, navigating through a series of challenging rounds with a friendly and competitive spirit.
“Mostly overwhelming knowing na maraming magagaling talaga sa tournament. Going through 3 games, ang daming namin nakalaban na magagaling. Pero overall sobrang masaya kasi ang friendly lahat. I mean, it’s all competitive but everyone was friendly.”
- Gabriel Katipunan Jr., Catan Tournament Champion
And just in case you were wondering, Gabriel’s road to the championship included:
- Preliminary Game 1(Blue): 5 Settlements, Longest Road, Largest Army, 1 VP - WIN
- Preliminary Game 2 (Blue): 2 Cities, 2 Settlements, Longest Road, Largest Army - WIN
- Preliminary Game 3 (Yellow): 2 Cities, 3 Settlements, Longest Road - 2nd Place
- Final Table (Red): 3 Cities, 2 Settlements, Longest Road - WIN
Unmatched Tournament
Out of 16 players, Taj Samuel Lagulao claimed the top position in the Unmatched Tournament, showcasing unmatched skill and strategy. Robert Iseli secured the 2nd place, followed by Mikael Tiemsen and Manuel Oandasan in 3rd and 4th place. Prizes included Unmatched Adventures: Tales to Amaze, Unmatched: Houdini VS The Genie, and Unmatched Acrylic Companions.
The All ABOARD EXPO 2023 was a resounding success, not just for the champions, but for every attendee who celebrated their passion for board games. It was a gathering of like-minded individuals, marked by camaraderie and the joy of gaming. Special thanks to our sponsors When In Manila and G3!
We can't wait to see you again next year! 🎲🚆✨
#AllAboardExpo2023 #PHBoardGameEnthusiasts #GamingLibrary
