Tales from The Sidequest Inn

At this current point, it's fair to say that anyone other than myself or my loved ones is more or less a beginner at Turnabout. I've played it enough times with all the different colours that I know which is which. I play Turnabout more for the experience, so some are my preferred pieces because they keep me involved with the other players for most of the game. I think you could open up Turnabout today and start playing with friends and family using any colour. However, based on how the game goes and the nature of each player colour, I believe there is such a thing in Turnabout as "beginner" level player piece.  In order of beginner to advanced, here are the six different player pieces that you can choose to play, and why I recommend them for that level: Beginner:  1. Red - The Warden. Red is about as basic as can be. It avoids punishment when it lands on the red square. Other players don't dare to mess with it because it has less to lose in a duel. In turn, the r...

Turnabout is hardly the stripped-down game that it might appear to be on the surface. In fact, I designed it with the direct intention of exposing Turnabout's fun game mechanics for its nuanced underbelly rather than mask it with a veneer of fantasy or sci-fi. In essence, it is what it is, and I am more than sure you'll appreciate it for that very reason. No need to immerse yourself in another character in another world, no-no. Instead, you're you, having a grand old time with friends and family! Turnabout is FUN for countless reasons, but it has a candy-like investment that calls you in. Sure, as a marketing strategy, I worked to give it the appearance of a late-seventies/early-eighties board game that you'd find under the tree or by the fireplace one splendid Christmas morning. Absolutely, that was what I was going for, and I believe I stuck that properly on a pigpost for all to see. Gaze in awe, if you will, at the interior of the game, which may as well be a modern ...

An important question people have before they belly up to the gaming table is how long the game is going to be? As the creator of Turnabout and a guy who has played it six ways (literally) until and on every Sunday, allow me explain it in simple terms because it becomes exponentially more  complicated   cutthroat intriguing as more players are added. I have timed out that the game lasts 15-30 minutes for each player. This accounts for a number of human things like bathroom breaks, pauses to respond to phones (I don’t recommend this, but it’s inevitable), a sip or two of your favourite bevvy any clarification or officiating of rules. Two players: 30-60 minutes. Three players: 45-90 minutes. Four players: 60-120 minutes. Five players: 75-150 minutes. Six players: 90-180 minutes. This can be can used as a fair measure until you are more familiar with Turnabout and your playmates. Time passes quickly, regardless of the estimated game length.  The game will seem fast...

In research done by Forbes in 2024, 82% of small businesses fail, citing cash flow as a reason. There's nothing BUT advice that tells new businesses to have multiple months and even years of cash on hand to help you through those rough early times. And yet, many still go ahead anyways. Not going to lie, we don't have a Scrooge McDuck vault of cash on standby. Like many, we were excited about our vision and got that strong internal "nudge" to go ahead with what we had. A business plan was very important but a well managed budget to get the essentials was also key. Sidequest Loot is - BAR NONE - our own best client that uses our abilities to our best advantage to save money and get the best Loot. In today's blog post, we highlight some of the items and sources that helped us to do more with less money spent! The ability to find savings has always been a tool in my chest. I love a bargain, I love sales prices and I absolutely refuse to pay full price for anythi...

Turnabout is an original game that borrows aspects from some of the best board games that I have enjoyed. Turnabout’s design brings audiences something fresh and exciting. This is for sure! One of the things I love most about Turnabout is the unique experience players get each time they have a round.  Every outcome will vary and surprise everyone wildly, myself included. This has everything to do with the player colours and the special abilities each one possesses. I consider this feature to be a role-playing element in Turnabout with enormous potential as the game goes on. Your chosen piece is allowed to do things no one else can do. To have things no one else is given. Some get starting bonuses and others have abilities. Anytime they land on a square of their own colour, it’s always their lucky day. I have my own favourites but not because they help me to win as much as I like to see what happens next in Turnabout. Here are the special abilities of each piece:     The...

 I discovered this event advertised on Facebook about a month ago and was highly curious.  A Sidequest-triggering experience. They advertised that this event was being hosted at St Andrew's Church in Brantford, Ontario by an organization called Soup for the Soul.  To give you a bit of context around them and their work, they are a volunteer, fundraiser and donation driven arm of St Andrew's United Church (95 Darling St in Brantford:  St. Andrew's United Church Downtown Brantford, Ontario ).  To quote their website: "Soup for the Soul gives all people the opportunity to a free, nutritious meal and social support services. We provide a safe, caring and trusting environment that allows people to enjoy their meal in peace.  Our volunteers ensure that the meals are prepared fresh for our guests each day".  But what in the heck does this have to do with Dungeons & Dragons??? There was the promise of multiple GMs, many NPCs, prizes, food and fun.  Ti...