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Monday, September 21, 2009
Privateer previews Warmachine MkII rules in full
Wow, it managed to get by me that Warmachine was getting its rules completely rebooted. The reboot doesn’t go to press for a bit but Privateer has released a layout-incomplete version as a free PDF. “Layout-incomplete” means the rules won’t be changing, but the backgrounds and art aren’t in place, which on the main rules text is actually mostly rather nice but is a bit of a pain on unit cards. I’m not anywhere near enough of a WM geek to be able to say what’s changed in the rules exactly, but I’ve always had a fondness for the game; if you’re curious to look beyond the quick-start rules, this isn’t a bad way to do it.
OgreCave reviews – World of Goo & Princess Bride
To start the week off right, we’ve got a pair of new reviews for you. First, Dennis has downloaded World of Goo from 2D Boy, and has some thoughts on this multi-platform sticky title. Then I’ve posted my take on The Princess Bride: Storming the Castle by Playroom Entertainment and Toy Vault. The amusing little game could’ve embraced the movie license more thoroughly, but fans may still enjoy this 2-4 player game.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
PAX 2009 – Gaming News Updates uploaded
We’ve got a trio of OgreCave Gaming News Update podcast episodes just posted from our trip up to Seattle for PAX, the Penny Arcade Expo 2009. First up, our bi-weekly update mentions a few PAX highlights (though this will be nothing compared to our upcoming PAX ’09 Audio Report episode). Then we have an interview with Will Schoonover of Steve Jackson Games, who tells us all about the current state of things for the company, and describes the upcoming Nanuk in full detail. Finally, we had a chat with Matt Forbeck about his Guild Wars novel, all the other projects he has a hand in these days, and his thoughts on PAX, the industry, and bygone companies. Have a listen, let us know what you think, and be sure to check back for more.
Monday, September 14, 2009
NECA Buys WizKids, Clix, and Pirates Properties
The National Entertainment Collectibles Association, Inc. (NECA) website reports that NECA has purchased the majority of the assets of WizKids, Inc. from The Topps Company, Inc., including the award-winning Clix family of games, which includes HeroClix, ActionClix, HorrorClix and SportsClix. NECA will also acquire the WizKids brand, the Pocketmodel Game family of games, including the Pirates of the Crimson Coast, Pirates of the Spanish Main and Pirates of the Cursed Seas games, and the Mage Knight line of games. NECA reports that it will continue the successful HeroClix product line with licensing agreements from DC Comics and Marvel.
Small World contest winners announced at Days of Wonder
You may recall the Small World Design Contest that Days of Wonder began a while back. As of today, the winners have been announced, and there are far more of them than expected. As detailed in a supplemental post, the contest winning entries have been brought together into three mini-expansions releasing this year, and a full-sized expansion due in 2010. The first two expansions – The Grand Dames of Small World and Cursed! – will debut at Essen, reaching stores around the same time for $10. A secondary prize winner, Leaders of Small World, will be sent, free of charge, to all those who submitted an entry in the Small World Design Contest, and will be available exclusively from BoardGameGeek.com in November for a small shipping fee. The full-sized expansion, Tales & Legends of Small World, was described by DoW as “so impressive that we’re publishing it in 2010 as a separate expansion.” Click the links (or see below) for the details.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Frag gets flashed
Earlier this week, Steve Jackson Games posted a Flash version of Frag for fans to amuse themselves with. It’s nearly all twitch with a little character recognition, but might be a reasonable way to pass some time at lunch, or while trapped inside by these weird thunderstorms – we never get these around here, and suddenly everyone’s driving stupidly. Best to stay off the roads, shoot a few Frag targets, and let the rain-befuddled motorists sort things out between themselves.
Friday, September 11, 2009
One Bad Egg ceases all production
It’s always sad to see a respected game company shut down, and indeed, many of them either fade away quietly or flame out in spectacular fashion. Today One Bad Egg made the announcement the correct way – openly and honestly – that the company is going dark. Founding member Fred Hicks made the official post (also copied below), which sites disappointing sales of OBE’s D&D 4e products and “a collective lack of the wind staying in our sails”. The company’s website will remain available for a year or so, and products will begin to transfer over to Highmoon Media in October to reside there. Click below for the full announcement.
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PAX 2009: The Northwest really wants to kill you
It turns out that when you get 70,000 gamers together, a couple of them will be sick. It also seems Allan is a robot and therefore impervious to H1N1. Or else my car’s AC doesn’t work very much like an airplane’s.
If it seems like the PAX pox is the only news coming out of the show, that’s because it is – announcements on the digital front typically still happen at E3, and tabletop ones quite naturally happen at Gen Con. Now that I can once again move without groaning, however, I do want to point out some news that hasn’t gotten very big play and might change how some people feel about Arcane Legions.
This is a game that I’m pretty excited about, despite being demonstrably terrible at it and despite its mild but still vexing degree of collectibility. If random sorting is a deal stopper for you, consider these quanta: 1) boosters are sorted by faction, just like the fixed infantry and cavalry boxes. 2) Boosters are also being sold in “booster bundles” – sets of eight boosters that guarantee you one of everything in the faction. (This model was pioneered by our own Lee Valentine in PowerStorm, it should be pointed out.) A bundle isn’t exactly a cheap thrill, but it’s a way better deal than your average small-scale minis game.
Also their website is looking suave, although it still isn’t clear what the Centurion Club is or how to join it.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Live at PAX 2009: Munchkinless in Seattle
Okay, admittedly I haven’t searched that hard yet – I’m still getting the lay of the land around here at PAX 2009. But near as I can tell, Steve Jackson Games has decided to add challenge to an event here which I find oddly compelling: the PAX ’09 Photo Scavenger Hunt. The event combines the ease of digital cameras with the time sink of searching the entire show for random things to be in a picture with, and so, I approve (I like how the list is constructed partly just to mess with certain people – for example, “someone with a media badge”). The added Munchkin challenge? A photo with the Munchkin mascot is on the scavenger hunt list, and I haven’t seen the sneaky dungeon-looting rascal anywhere. I’ve heard reported sightings, yes, but haven’t laid eyes on him myself. I’ve seen plenty of folks playing Munchkin Quest and having a grand time of it, but haven’t seen the weapon-wielding maniac. Perhaps he’s just shy…
He’s around here somewhere. I’ll have to offer my thanks to the big lug and Paul at SJ Games for helping me sort something out. Yes, I owe the Munchkin mascot a favor – how the hell did this happen…?
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Preview of Catalyst’s Leviathans at TGN
For those of you whose ears perked up upon hearing of Catalyst Game Labs‘ steampunk airships game Leviathans, you should head over to Tabletop Gaming News for the first of three preview articles on the game. Some general development details and a few pieces of artwork are about it so far, but if they don’t whet your appetite for miniatures combat in the skies with huge battleships, we don’t know what will.
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