(Photo by Kaely Monahan - KJZZ)

Meeple Lady

(Photo by Kaely Monahan - KJZZ)

Takenoko board game

When you hear the word “gamer,” you probably think about video games or "World of Warcraft." But, this weekend in Mesa, a bunch of gamers will gather to celebrate a different kind of game — board games.

The Arizona Game Fair kicks off today at the Mesa Convention Center, and I sat down with one of the event’s speakers to talk more about it.

We’re just calling her Meeple Lady. That’s her gaming pseudonym and the name of her blog and game-reviewing website and podcast. She uses it because it provides her with some anonymity.

She started by teaching me how to play a game called Takenoko. It’s a board game that involves pandas eating bamboo, farmers growing it and building out your board as you go.