When it comes to generosity, Days of Wonder (DoW) is clearly in contention for most generous boardgame company of 2011. To celebrate their 10th year anniversary, DoW had a map submission contest for their deservedly popular Ticket to Ride game, with top prize of $10,000 for the best map.

Days of Wonder, makers of darn good board games, announced that its next title, Cargo Noir, will be released March 2011.

The game has players take control of smuggling families circa 1950 with a film noir theme. Each family controls a fleet of ships and they send those ships, laden with gold, to get goods from notorious world wide smuggling ports worldwide including New York to Hong Kong. The high bidder gets the goods and various goods are combined to score victory points.

Know someone who thinks gaming only counts if it’s around the table, with friends? Now things get trickier if you’re actually trying to buy a surprise gift he’ll or she’ll like. Tabletop gamers are a bit finickier than your usual gamer and it’s all too easy to get something that might be a surprise but also not something the gamer particularly likes. To avoid such an act of despair, here’s a quick guide of sure-fire gifts to satisfy all but the most finicky of tabletop gamers:

If you’re friends or family of a gamer who is big on PC gaming, you’re probably wondering what to get them for Christmas or their next birthday if it’s coming up. For those with the Steam client, there are always different sales, new releases and package deals that would help out your gamer’s repertoire.

Here are some ideas for the last minute shopper who doesn’t want to contend with the crowds in stores…