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Friday, October 31, 2003
Who you gonna Call of Cthulhu?
As a Halloween treat for you cultists out there, Chaosium has just released The Parapsychologist Handbook, a 109-page paperback available only through Chaosium’s website. Bringing ghost hunting any era of Cthulhu campaign, the book “reveals the real-world science of the paranormal, Parapsychology (its history and methods), how to play a parapsychologist, how to run a Call of Cthulhu campaign centered around a ghost-hunting group, and how to simulate various non-Mythos entities and psychic powers in your campaign.” The book sells for $14.95, and currently lacks the full layout kung-fu treatment Chaosium is capable of. However, should the Handbook see spirited sales, there’s a good chance the book will rise again in a reprint with the full treatment.
Grey Star Rides Again
It’s been a few months since Project Aon last published a book, but they’ve just managed to put together a new release: The Forbidden City, second of the World of Lone Wolf gamebooks. If you need a dose of gamebook goodness, you can’t go wrong here!
Thursday, October 30, 2003
Liches uncorked at Bottled Imp
The fellows at Bottled Imp Games are nearly ready to unleash the sequel to their respected and feared d20 supplement, The Lords of the Night: Vampires. The new book, The Lords of the Night: Liches, will not only describe the process of becoming one of the foul undead, but describe the powers they’ve developed as well. A three-page preview is available for those interested in injecting some undying wizardry into their games. Liches is expected to be available mid-November, around the same time the Bottled Imp website will be getting a facelift. After all, even undead could use a lift and tuck every so often.
Tuesday, October 28, 2003
Fixed fig sets for D&D Minis cancelled
WotC has announced on the D&D Minis home page that two announced non-random box sets, Orc War Party and Outlaw War Party, have been cancelled. They cite business considerations as well as nebulously defined “player feedback.” Amazingly, some folks online are complaining about this decision. Who would have thought. First: of course the way the miniatures game is packaged privileges wargamers over roleplayers. The whole D&D system privileges wargamers. Second: WotC has not only the right but the obligation to sell to the people who buy. Roleplayers are not buying the randomized packs, because the only people who want monster leads to begin with are DMs, and there are fewer of them than of players, who want (at least) one lead of their character. I expect that, once D&D Minis builds more of a head of steam, that we will see fixed sets for it, just like we did for MK Dungeons. I’m glad to see that WotC isn’t damaging their new game (yes, it really is a new game) by overextending it too early.
Monday, October 27, 2003
Redhurst Spellflag adventure posted
Human Head Studios just posted a free d20 adventure to compliment The Redhurst Academy of Magic (which you can win a copy of in our Redhurst contest, by the way). The 11-page PDF, The Founder’s Day Cup, provides an adventure that makes use of Human Head’s other recent web freebie, the Spellflag rules. Get in there and make the Founder proud, or something.
Saturday, October 25, 2003
This Halloween, Dismember Your Friends
The latest free game from Invisible City Productions has arrived just in time for Halloween. In Grunt, Growl and Tear, players control monsters which move around a board battling one another. One of the most interesting twists is that you can rip off your opponents’ limbs… and attach them to yourself for special powers! Also of note is the fact that add-ons for the game will soon begin appearing regularly at www.gruntgrowlandtear.com. In any case, if you’ve been looking for a wacky tactical combat game, this may just satisfy your cravings. The fact that it’s free doesn’t hurt any!
Friday, October 24, 2003
Mage Knight 2 Playtest Report: the prequel to the preview
Neither Allan nor I had actually played Mage Knight up until yesterday. We’ve flirted with MK Dungeons (he’s actually on a big Dungeons kick right now), but that’s it. So, we’re not the best qualified to tell you how Mage Knight 2 differs from its predecessor, but we’ve gathered a little. We also have too small a sample to deal with to tell you generally what the figure selection is like in gameplay. We played the Quick Start rules and aim to get a fuller game in next week. Details below.
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Gold Rush previews Chinatown
Gold Rush Games has let us know that The Dragon’s Gate: San Angelo’s Chinatown is on schedule for its December release. Better still, a free 13-page PDF preview is available for folks to check out beforehand. Compatability logos are all over this supplement, which has stats for the HERO System, M&M Superlink (Mutants & Masterminds) and the Action! System. After all, what system couldn’t use a Big Trouble in Little China session or two?
Wednesday, October 22, 2003
Layoffs at WizKids
Though details are sketchy, we’ve been hearing that around 25 employees have been laid off at WizKids. According to rumor, this includes HeroClix guy Jeff Grubb, though so far we can only confirm that WizKids has let go of Dave Nieker, their Advertising & PR Manager. This particular case was reportedly due to job redundancy after consolidation with Topps, which recently bought WizKids. We’ll let you know if we hear more. UPDATE: We’ve just received the following official statement from Jon Leitheusser, Director of Game Design at WizKids.
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OgreCave contest: Redhurst Spellflag Season
We’ve got another great contest for you to enter. This time, Human Head Studios has offered up a copy of their gorgeous d20 supplement, the Redhurst Academy of Magic student’s handbook. Heck, Matt Forbeck, the book’s developer and main author, has even agreed to sign it. All you have to do is answer a simple question for us, and you could make off with the prize. Have a look at the Redhurst Spellflag Season contest, and get in the running.
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