I intend to start a new group on Daily Kos, the topic of which is the game Cosmic Encounter. Cosmic Encounter is a board game first developed more than thirty years ago. It has been released in many editions by a dozen or more game publishers, and has been available in an online version since the late 1990s. A new board game version (along with the traditional 'expansion set') is available from Fantasy Flight Games.
Cosmic Encounter @ Fantasy Flight
Cosmic Encounter Online
I've been playing the game since the mid 80s, and I am a Founder member of the online site, cosmicencounter.com. Through that site, I've made the acquaintance of Peter Olotka, one of the inventors of Cosmic Encounter. Peter and the developers have recently 'hooked up' with facebook, as we have here at DK. This intersection of web sites and social media inspired me to arrange with Peter to start an official Cosmic Encounter group on Daily Kos. Their connection is more publicity-based than software-based, but the FB Cosmic players have regular Saturday night game sessions, and it is getting more popular by the day.
If you are interested in this proposal, or curious about this awe-inspiring game, legendary in gamer circles and popular across generations as well, drop below the fold and I will provide more details.
The (incomplete) background:
Cosmic Encounter
Always Different! Always Fun!
Winning awards for excellence for decades.
Published 16 editions:
US, Japan, England, Germany, France, Sweden, Finland, Spain, Brazil
Inducted: Adventure Gaming Hall of Fame,
1997 Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts & Design
Selected: Games 200
1996 Games Magazine
Voted: Best Science Fiction Board Game
1992 Origins Awards
Voted: Best Science Fiction Board Game
1982 Games Day - London, England
Voted: Best Science Fiction Board Game
1980, 1981 Space Gamer Magazine
Voted: 2nd Best Family Game (after Monopoly)
1980, 1981 Games Day - London
Selected: Games 100 Games Magazine's "Best Games"
'80, '81, '82, '83, '84, '85, '86, '93
Selected: Honorable Mention "Top Ten Games"
1980 Omni Magazine
Cosmic Encounter
Always Different! Always Fun!
Accolades from every market in the gaming world
“One of the most beloved …games of all time”
…Computer Gaming World 2001
Science Fiction Market
"Cosmic Encounter, a legendary science fiction board game that has been delighting SF fans for decades"
SciFi.com 2001
“a teeth-gritting, mind-croggling, marvelously demanding exercise in 'what if?'”
..award winning author & tv writer, Harlan Ellison
“Of all the products reviewed in the past year ..I believe Cosmic Encounter to be the best”
Galileo Magazine
Casual Game Market
“One of the most original games of modern times”
Burt Hochberg Senior Editor Games Magazine 1996
“Everyone we know who has tried it likes it.”
....Games Magazine
“Cosmic Encounter is the real thing”
...Playboy Winner's Guide to Boardgames
Fantasy Role Play Market
“The best thing about Cosmic Encounter is precisely [its] limitless variety.”
Richard Garfield designer of Magic: The Gathering
“Magic’s most influential ancestor is … Cosmic Encounter..”
Richard Garfield designer of Magic: The Gathering
“Highly playable, fanciful and fun”
Dragon Magazine
“Excellent introductory fantasy game”
Omni Magazine
Wargamer Market
“Fast, fun, exciting enjoyment is immense”
Campaign Magazine
“ Mechanics are simple and easy, the complexity is fascinating”
Wargamers Digest
Educational Game Market
“Rich in humor and detail, easier to learn than Monopoly”
Gifted Childrens' Newsletter
“..a game that demands analyzing, dealing with compromise, and daring to speculate”
Parents Guide to Resources for the Gifted
If you are interested in the Daily Kos Cosmic Encounter Group, as a fan or as a potential contributor or administrator, or if have questions about this proposal or the game, or are just a CE fan, let me know in comments.
Thanks for your time. Hope it helps.
