Playing board games at Akihabara Community Center [Akihabara News]

Nowadays, the Internet has developed and we can enjoy the Internet at the speed of light.
Online games have become the norm, and coupled with the recent impact of COVID-19, opportunities to play face-to-face have decreased.

So, this week's Akihabara news is about how if you're going to play games, you have to do it offline!
So, I would like to introduce Akihabara Meeting Hall, where you can play a variety of board games in Akihabara!

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What is the joint project "Akihabura News"?

"Passion Conference" is a 30-minute live broadcast by Ichigo Animation that delivers various information about Akihabara.
Akihabara Base Camp is a blog and video streaming service that provides information on Akihabara stores and Akihabara-related information.
A collaborative project between two people who love Akihabara and work daily to revitalize the city!
We bring you the latest happenings in Akihabara using blogs, videos, and live broadcasts!

It's packed with information on Akihabara, from the latest news to hot spots, and more to help you enjoy Akihabara to the fullest!
You might discover a new side of Akihabara that you didn't know existed?

What is Akihabara Meeting Hall?

The official name is "Game Cafe Akihabara Meeting Hall".
It's been 14 years since this game cafe, where you can come alone or with a group, opened in Akihabara!
congratulations!

During the heyday of Monster Hunter P2G, online play had not yet been implemented, so cooperative play was only possible if you actually brought your PSP and connected via ad hoc.
In the midst of all this, the Akihabara Meeting Hall was born, and with a name modeled after the Monster Hunter meeting hall, it was bustling every day.
Since then, the range of board games and card games has increased, and now you can play a variety of games.
There is a "multiplayer" system that allows you to play with other customers, so you can play alone with peace of mind.

There are over 770 types of board games

The Akihabara Community Center has a large number of board games on hand.
The number770 type　　over!

The store is spacious and has free Wi-Fi, charging points at each seat, free drinks, and the freedom to bring in your own food and drinks, making it a relaxing space for jamming.


Card games that can be played quickly and easily

There are a variety of board games available, from large games that take some time just to set up.

There are also many games based on copyrighted works, including analog games of Gridman, GochiUsa, and The Quintessential Quintuplets.

You can find out what games are available by scanning the QR code installed inside the store.

As of September 20, 2022, the Akihabara Meeting Hall board game list includes:769 individualThey are registered, but if you include the unregistered board games and doujin board games, I wonder how many board games there are... I'm sure the number will continue to increase...

Beginners and those with no experience can start with a simple game.

You can't tell what kind of games they are just by looking at the list, right?
No matter what, you can play any game once to fully understand the rules.
The best thing to do is to play with someone with experience, but start with something that is simple in terms of gameplay and rules.

Catan (Settlers of Catan)

The Board Game. When you think of board games, you think of Catan! It's such a famous game.
There are several different types of games in the Catan series, including expansions.
The rules themselves are not difficult: you roll dice, collect resources, and win when you reach 10 points.
You can negotiate with other players, making this a game that can be enjoyed to the fullest when played face-to-face.
The 3D Catan board itself is three-dimensional, which gives it a nice atmosphere.
It's quite large so you'll need a large play space.

Ciao Ciao

A board game where you reach the goal in 9 squares.
You roll the dice in the tube, check the result by yourself, declare the result, and move your piece.
The other players have to guess whether the number is actually there.
If a player makes a false declaration, their piece will be dropped from the board.
If the truth is revealed, the player who pointed out the lie will have their piece dropped to the bottom.

This allows you to experience the essence of a board game, the rules are not complicated, and it is a board game that can be enjoyed by multiple people.
You can watch gameplay videos on YouTube, so if you're interested, be sure to check it out, including the rules.
The rules will also be explained at the Akihabara Community Center, so it's a good idea to go and try it out for yourself.

Try playing the games in the store

Since I'm here, I thought I'd try playing some of the games that are available at the Akihabara meeting hall.
Here's what we'll be playing this time!
"ハゲタカのえじき'It will be!

・Prey for the Vultures
The number of players is 2 to 6.
Each player has a hand of cards ranging from 1 to 15, and must play cards to either take or avoid taking cards that are turned over from the deck.
The player who plays the highest number card from their hand can take the card on the table, and if it is a negative card, the player who plays the lowest number card from their hand will take it.
If a player plays a card with the same number as another player, they cannot keep the card, and the remaining players compete with each other based on their numbers.

When written down, the rules seem more complicated than they actually are, but when you actually play it, it's so simple that you can understand the gameplay with just one move.
Also, there was no need to wait for your turn or your opponent's turn, so there was no need to worry about waiting time.
Although it is a simple game, I was able to enjoy playing it with great enthusiasm.

There are plenty of board games that are flashy in appearance and size.

One of the joys of board games is enjoying the objects that unfold before your eyes.
The pieces are made with precision and can be enjoyed as figures, the board game area has bumps that represent the game in three dimensions, and there are many pieces where you wonder just how much is inside just from looking at the packaging.

Yggdrasus has a huge package, a play time of over 60 minutes, and is difficult to play.

The price is a whopping 3 yen!! Cthulhu Wars comes with an elaborate figure (piece).

▲This piece has been painted with paint.

When unfolded, it becomes quite large. It can barely fit an 8-seater table.

In addition to the above, you can also play large, immersive board games at the Akihabara Meeting Hall.

Come visit the Akihabara meeting place

I don't know much about board games themselves, and I only knew that "this genre is popular," but when I actually went there I was surprised by the number of games there were.
When you pull a board game out from the shelf, you'll find other board games hidden in the back...it feels like you're witnessing the depth of a genre that you've never experienced in your everyday life.
The pricing system is such that the longer you stay, the more economical the hourly rate becomes, so the longer you play games, the better the value for money you will get.
I felt that it was a casual restaurant that anyone could drop in to casually, whether they were alone or with a large group, or if they wanted to think about what to do after they got there.

Regarding the pricing system and facilities at Game Cafe AkihabaraOfficial WebsitePlease check from.