Howdy gaming crew! It’s been a strange week, least of which finds me eating pie for breakfast. Delish! This week, video game fans have felt the weight of the death of Nintendo President Satoru Iwata. I know I’ve spent a hefty portion of the week reminiscing with friends about favorite first games and early Nintendo. To help lift your spirits, check out the Nintendo E3 Intro which featuring Iwata as a Muppet created by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop.

7 Wonders beta quickly went from open to full

The award-winning and very popular 7 Wonders board game is making a jump to mobile gaming. Tuesday Boardgamegeek reported the beta was open and within hours alas it was full. The good news is that release usually isn’t far behind the mobile beta, so fans hold tight. In the meantime, check out the sneak peek from February.

 

Seriously, look at how happy they are!

Seriously, look at how happy they are!

Comcast and EA partner for a casual gaming beta

Yes, it seems like it’s the summer of betas. The new streaming service, Xfinity Games, is aimed at “families that want to play games on the TV.” The service will be launching with 23 games, including MONOPOLY and Plants vs. Zombies. Polygon nails the cheekiness calling out the happy-peppy marketing video showing families and friends on the couch enjoying games, is the most fun.

Papa RoadAnd now, a video game about the Pope

Or rather, his recent visit to Paraguay. The game, Papa Road, was created as part social commentary on how the city has been sprucing up roads for the Pope’s visit while the locals have to suffer through. The game itself is basic, use your arrow keys to navigate left or right to avoid the potholes. As you continue to play, the potholes come faster and faster. Personally, I love seeing these little game vignettes that raise awareness with a few laugh. Indie developers keep ’em coming!

Solo gaming and the 2015 Solitaire Print and Play Contest

I draw your attention to exhibit A. I love this article and the concept of the Table for One series on Geek Dad. I think it easily applies to geek moms and folks who just can’t always find friends to game. Please forgive me for referencing Boardgamegeek multiple times this week, but seriously, they are a fabulous resource for board gaming.

#1ReasonToBe GDC 15#1ReasonToBe from GDC 15 is now available in the GDC Vault

For the past few years, this panel on women in the video game industry has been a must see. Not all of us can make it to GDC, especially since we’re not all in the industry, but GDC has been gracious enough to share the video in the free section of the GDC Vault. Warning, it’s an hour-long video, so grab some snacks and settle in, but it’s definitely worth your time.

That’s all my pie and all she wrote. Need another midweek pick-me-up? Check out the new songs being revealed for Rock Band 4. Did someone say The Cure? Til next week, game on!

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