Space-Cast! #57. Rebuilding Rebuilding

Every so often, a game system not only gets a second try, but entirely wallops its original incarnation. That’s the case with Quinn Brander’s Rebuilding Chicago, which remakes Rebuilding Seattle with such aplomb that I called it “pretty much perfect.” (I called it that to myself, right now, so I could quote it.) For today’s Space-Cast!, we’re joined by Quinn to discuss how he improved a game that’s still on store shelves, what some folks might prefer about the original, and the little touches that go into making a successful sequel. Listen here or download here. Timestamps can be found after the jump. TIMESTAMPS 3:45 — introducing Rebuilding Seattle and Rebuilding Chicago 7:11 — the origins of a hybrid city-builder and polyomino game 10:15 — a dual-layer polyomino puzzle 16:45 — modeling happiness and amenities 19:27 — balancing an in-game market 22:53 — using events to manage tempo 34:43 — why decide to revisit a game system? 45:37 — Gone to Gaia (If what I’m doing at Space-Biff! is…