One of the things we like to do here at the Malted Meeple is give some extra attention to our favorite board game publishers and designers. In our monthly Publisher’s Spotlight we provide a bit of background on the publisher, discuss a few of their games, and may even announce a visit to The Meeple by some of the publisher’s representatives!
This month, as the cold of winter looms just around the corner, we shine the warm glow of our Publisher’s Spotlight on our friends from Calliope Games! They offer several games designed to inspire laughter, good times, and fond memories, such as Roll For It!, Tsuro of the Seas, and Tsuro: The Game of the Path.
Calliope Games is a family-run company, founded in 2009 by Jordan Weisman, Dawne Weisman, and Ray Wehrs. The company has been awarded numerous accolades including three Major Fun! Awards. The name of the company takes its inspiration from Zeus’ daughter Calliope whom, according to Greek mythology, was “the chief of all muses.” Just as muses wished to inspire the ancient Greeks, so too does Calliope Games wish to inspire the masses with their wonderful games. In fact, one of the company’s goals is to inspire the experiences that people will remember for a lifetime! They hope that everyone who plays their games will share them with their loved ones so that they can share the fun, the laughs, and the memories with the people they care about.
Calliope Games creates fun, affordable, quality games that meet the demands of the discriminating gamer. They understand that there are tons of heavy games out there. Where other companies focus on hearty, meaty games, Calliope Games focuses on lighter games. Their gaming catalog is filled with games that are designed for a wide range of ages and experience levels. All the games published by Calliope Games are designed to strike a balance between luck and strategy; thus, creating a level playing field for all players. These games are designed to open or close a night of gaming or to entice new players into the gaming world. Calliope Games describes their games as the “desserts of the gaming world.” We must agree that their games are very sweet! (Sorry, how could I pass up such a delectable pun?!)
Tsuro: The Game of the Path is a prime example of Calliopie Games devotion to light, fun, strategy games. The goal of Tsuro is simple. Be the last player with a marker on the board. Players are dealt three tiles upon which are depicted unique paths. When the tiles are laid end to end they create a longer path. On a player’s turn, that player will choose one tile in their hand and place it on the board in front of their marker. Then, the player will move their marker and any other adjacent markers to the appropriate end of the path. If this moves a marker off the edge of the board, that player is eliminated from the game. When one player remains on the board, they are declared the victor.
The next time you visit the Malted Meeple ask your game master how to play Tsuro: The Game of the Path or if you are feeling adventurous, Tsuro of the Seas! Both from our friends at Calliope Games!
Karington Hess is a lifelong gamer whose passions for hospitality and all things game-related led him to Ravenwood Castle, where he served as an Innkeeper before joining The Malted Meeple. When not pouring beers, crafting milkshakes, or teaching boardgames, Karington can be found behind the DM’s screen, weaving intricate stories for his fellow gamers.