 September 2001 Archive
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01:16 AM: Mike Sugarbaker says... Well, I finally got to play the damned thing, after failing to pick up a demo pack at Origins for some reason and failing to tell Allan to get one at Gen Con. The demo is a fairly limited and controlled play environment... which may be why I enjoyed playing it more than I enjoyed Sack Armies. See, all the creatures (sorry, that's minions - Vortex is extremely Magic-like) have relatively limited movement and range in the Vortex demo, as opposed to our full playtest set of Sack Armies, in which guys could swoop in on you from anywhere, making the positional side of the game feel less consequential. Whether the full Vortex set will end up having this same range problem remains to be seen. But I definitely like that combat resolution in Vortex has no luck in it, that the order of play feels more graspable, and the game goal is a little more elegant and cutthroat. I played two games, with the same player playing the same deck each game, but switching off taking the first turn. The person who went first won each time, but we agreed that this had more to do with when we drew which tiles, than with tempo. So yeah, you can get tile-screwed, like in Magic, and there's things that kinda work like land does in Magic, but the land is intimately tied into the positional game, so you can just send people over to attack it... I could go on, but I'll just say I'm very optimistic about this game and look forward to the full set.
02:22 PM: Mike Sugarbaker says... It comes out in March, it's a "customizable board game" built on a grid of cards, with no collectible elements. The press release describes it thus: "you play the part of a Hero adventuring through a dangerous labyrinth of Monsters, Magic and Treasure. It is fast, portable, and easy to learn!" And here are some pictures and details. (That's an unusually zaftig elf chick there; right on. Give her a higher Brawn stat.) The designers are Tom Denmark and Morgan Gray. This sounds sort of interesting but isn't coming out for a while... the "portable" part is making me think of those plastic-cased card decks Allan found at the bed-and-bath store. I remember back when Brawl was new, I was wishing for something like a clip-on belt holster for a deck, to enhance the feeling that two people who spotted each other wearing one could just "whip it out" and play a game wherever and whenever. Having to plan a "game night" all the time and coordinate everyone's schedules is beginning to irritate me. Anyway. Battle Cattle Card Game Sneak Peek
01:40 PM: Mike Sugarbaker says... The Game Industry Disaster Fund Auction starts in a couple of hours. You know that auctions and sweat-inducing compulsive shopping go hand-in-hand, so get on over there. It's for the best cause we've got right now.
04:14 AM: Demian Katz says... If you've been holding off on getting into Gold Rush Games' Sengoku or Usagi Yojimbo role-playing games, now may be the time to catch up. In an effort to reduce prices, the company is offering bundled packages containing core rulebooks, supplements and CD-ROMs for both games. More information can be found at the company's online store. Eden Studios to do Double Duty in October
11:04 AM: Mike Sugarbaker says... Two new D20 modules, Tapestry Saga - Web of the Widow (based in Columbia Games' world of Hârn) and Dark Awakenings: Guardian, feature CD-ROM material by the folks at Auran. The Hârn one seems to be CD-ROM only, but Auran's own adventure is a 60-page book with full-color inserts and handouts, plus a CD. Both CDs feature full-3D virtual environments of settings from the module, as well as ambient sounds, for use during the game. Printable PDF material and non-adventure background is all there as well. Web of the Widow is the equivalent of a 120-page book, so as long as people know that, they might be willing to swallow its higher-than-average price ($20). It's available now from Columbia's site. The thinner Dark Awakenings might be tougher for people to swallow at $25, but at least it does have a paper book. And that trailer sure does look nice. Now, if you could get lead minis into those 3D tableaus, then you'd be rolling...
08:49 AM: Allan Sugarbaker says... Synister Creative Systems has been kind enough to give us a look at the current draft of the Buccaneer prestige class from their D20 RPG Skull & Bones. From everything we've seen thus far, this may be the pirate-themed product to watch for. Polly want a character sheet?
09:10 AM: Allan Sugarbaker says... WizKids has announced some changes to the Mage Knight release schedule. Why the changes? “This small adjustment to our release schedule will put us right in line with the feedback we have received from retailers and consumers,” says Martin Stever, Executive VP of Sales and Marketing. “Because of some design and production delays, we were going to have too many large items shipping too closely together in November. Retailers and players we talked to told us this was a problem, so we are responding with this schedule change." Taking it easy on gamers' wallets during the holiday rush. How refreshing! The only early release is the new expansion for Mage Knight, Whirlwind, which has been moved up a week. The revised release schedule through the end of this year is as follows: The Cheap Get Cheaper I was just thinking about this sort of thing after going to Bed, Baths & Beyond and seeing slim playing card decks inside streamlined plastic cases to protect the deck while you carry it around. Why BB&B had them, I'm not sure, and I refuse to speculate further. :-)
09:09 AM: Allan Sugarbaker says... The latest Focus on Freeport is up at Green Ronin, bringing us a free adventure by Jeff Quick. Deus Ex Machina, part one (of three) is for four characters, levels 5 - 6. Girl Genius #1 Online October's Horrors Brewing at SJ Games
09:49 AM: Allan Sugarbaker says... That's right, we're digging out new caverns of OgreCave for you to explore, so get your gear and start spelunking! First up, we have a new interview with James Wallis, founder of Hogshead Publishing and a trailblazer in the role-playing industry. Come hear from the horse's (hog's?) mouth why he never would've taken the job to write D&D 3, hear about a game more dangerous than Violence, and everything else Hogshead's up to. We've also got a new RPG review from Mike on The Landing, the latest for Teenagers from Outer Space from A2 Press. Finally, the Teens in your campaign can go where they were born to go -- the mall.
10:52 AM: Allan Sugarbaker says... Sword & Sorcery Studios has delayed the release of Ravenloft D20 until October 29 (though the limited edition is still set for October 15). In the meantime, the dreadful influence of the Mists can be felt in three preview pieces on the S & S website: the Introduction, Barovia, and Vampires. Soon the Harvest Moon will be upon us, heralding Ravenloft's return. Then no one will be safe. Or something like that.
02:43 PM: Demian Katz says... Rio Grande Games has just released another newsletter. It marks the release of Shark and Lord of the Rings: The Search (featuring a glimpse of components from the latter title), and it also announces another forthcoming release on the Fall schedule: Mexica, an Aztec-themed follow-up to the popular Tikal and Java German board games.
09:12 AM: Allan Sugarbaker says... Fantasy Flight has announced another book in their popular D20 line, Legends & Lairs. The latest addition to the product line is Spells and Spellcraft, a hardcover supplement focusing on... uh, spells and such. Actually, the book will get into some useful areas: More Chainmail Figures Previewed
10:27 PM: Allan Sugarbaker says... Fantasy Flight Games has announced that their Mythic Races hardcover supplement for D20 is back from the printer and available to order. A preview of one of the book's races, the Pevishan, is on the website. Bilbo's Party, Saturday at Decipher. BYOR (Bring Your One Ring) Nothing Says "Love" Like Eternal Horror
08:02 PM: Mike Sugarbaker says... Canadian production company Fireworks, producers of the film Rat Race as well as some syndicated sci-fi shows and an upcoming "prestige TV" movie based on the classic children's book A Wrinkle in Time, have just licensed Forgotten Realms from Hasbro and plan to produce a live-action television series based on the setting and characters. The press release, which I can't find a link for, doesn't have anything specific on when it'll go into production or on the air. Please send your opinions on casting decisions for the part of Elminster to... someone other than us. Z-G Succumbs To Obvious, Puts Robot Parts In Tiny Cardboard Boxes
10:01 AM: Allan Sugarbaker says... The gaming community has been coming together to assist relief efforts after last Tuesday's attack. Here's just a few of the contributions being made: Hasbro has just announced their plan to help relief efforts in New York. According to this morning's press release, "The Hasbro Children's Foundation, a philanthropic arm of Hasbro, Inc. ... is establishing a September 11th Children's Fund with an initial gift of $250,000." As its name implies, the Fund will be specifically for children affected by the terrorist attack tragedies. To make a donation to the September 11th Children's Fund, make checks payable to Community Funds Inc./SEPTEMBER 11th CHILDREN'S FUND. Checks should be sent to New York Community Trust, Two Park Avenue, New York, New York 10016. Malhavoc Lends Its Might To Relief Efforts Game Industry Disaster Fund Auction
09:38 AM: Allan Sugarbaker says... Johnn Four brings us an extra long issue of Roleplaying Tips this week to show that terror will not prevail. This week's issue focuses on cities. Darklances Sighted on Dragonlance Nexus
05:15 AM: Demian Katz says... Invisible City is at it again with a new free game: Schlock Attack, a two-player checkers variant inspired by the online Schlock Mercenary comic strip by Howard Taylor. In the variant, each player chooses a different character from the comic strip, with the choice of character determining special abilities and victory conditions. The game is completely compatible with the earlier Sluggy Freelance checkers game, Kiki & Bun-Bun.
07:15 PM: Mike Sugarbaker says... You know, Vortex, that semi-collectible hex-tile game by the DiskWars guys? The one that we didn't review but that I post about a lot and still haven't gotten to bloody well play? It's back from the printers and due to ship out at month's end, according to the Fantasy Flight web site. Last night's premiere party at Source Comics and Games in Falcon Heights, Minnesota(!) donated all its proceeds to the Red Cross, in the wake of the tragedy on Tuesday. (Don't forget that PayPal Red Cross donation page. Please give if you haven't.)
10:01 AM: Allan Sugarbaker says... Malhavoc Press has posted a new cover image for The Book of Eldritch Might. Looks pretty nice, too. Meanwhile, company founder Monte Cook says he's "in comic geek heaven" due to the two Mage Knight games he's designing, one on DC Comics and one on Marvel. It'll be interesting to see how the pair of CMGs based on comic book characters are received. Most gamers I know gave up comics for one reason or another, but still have some residual interest in the classic characters. The potential is there for the two games to be huge hits. Guess we'll find out next year.
05:13 AM: Demian Katz says... Deep7 has just announced the release of their second enhanced 1PG, the Star Legion CD-ROM. As with the previous Shriek CD-ROM, the disc will contain an improved version of the text of the original downloadable game combined with new scenarios, a full musical soundtrack and a comic book. At $6.95, it should prove to be a good value for the money.
11:20 PM: Allan Sugarbaker says... Decipher has posted an article on The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying Game, due to come out in February 2002. The rulebook will be 288 full-color pages, and make use of the CODA system, the rules designed for Decipher's upcoming Star Trek RPG. Check out the full preview article here. Cheapass Tech Expect Snow. A Lot Of It.
08:33 AM: Allan Sugarbaker says... The section of Pagan Publishing's site devoted to their upcoming WWII superhero RPG, Godlike, has been expanded dramatically. In addition to a variety of cool "propaganda" of the era, there's some details about the game's dice pool rules. Go take a look at the past as it might have been.
02:23 PM: Mike Sugarbaker says... First, for those of you who never touch the scroll bar, we've got a PayPal donation box set up down there. Go stare at it. Second, speaking of PayPal, they've set up a really easy way to give money to the Red Cross. But, if it's a choice between those two, ours is obviously more important. I just picked up Car Wars: the Card Game, the reprint of the old favorite. I can't tell if the card graphics have changed at all since the original, but I'd be willing to bet they have. This one's full color - the old one wasn't, right? But it all looks pleasantly '80s-retro. The two included Battle Cattle cards have the exact same look, which is damned hilarious. Also, I should note that I've now played the new "third perdition" of HellRail, and it kicks so much ass it could be a schoolteacher during an earthquake drill. (You know, with all those little kids ducking and covering...) I'd say HellRail has a perfect balance of luck and control, diplomacy and strategy. And it's funny. Buy it already! Currently on deck here at the Cave is a short review of Weep, a collection of scenarios for Unknown Armies. Also, I've been sitting on a half-finished review of the Teenagers from Outer Space supplement The Landing for too long. So, be looking for those. And it dawned on us recently that we've never actually reviewed anything D20. Anyone wanna recommend a good candidate?
10:44 PM: Allan Sugarbaker says... In light of the tragic events that took place on the east coast today, I'll do my best to overcome the shock of it all and distract you with game news. Okay, now turn away from the TV news. Look at the monkey! Look at the silly monkey! Our friends at Atlas Games inform us that Chris Aylott, author of the Rune RPG expansion encounter Crouching Wizard, Smashing Hammer, has drawn up some conversion notes for transferring the adventure to the D20 System. The converted adventure is for characters of 1-3, and still features all the viking goodness you've come to expect from Rune. And It Won An Oscar, So It Must Be Fun Plunge Into The Abyss Xro Dinn Coming From Ionian Games
09:29 AM: Allan Sugarbaker says... Okay, you've waited long enough, so we've finally compiled the news posts from GenCon into one big review. We've also added our photo galleries, with more than fifty images to peruse. Sound good? Then go relive the granddaddy of game conventions in our GenCon 2001 feature. And as an added surprise, our intrepid SCA correspondent Owen Fletchyr (Colin Adams) has put together a quick review of this year's Pennsic gathering. Pennsic is to the SCA what GenCon is to gaming, so get off your butt and look at the Pennsic 2001 feature. Vigilante Not a Game
04:40 PM: Mike Sugarbaker says... We only found out about this when we listened to Gaming Report's audio interview, but apparently Dancey's company was announced at GenCon. Unclear why there hasn't been more news about this, although it's possible that we're just blind and missed it. He's apparently continuing to do lots of work for D20, including seeing Master Tools out the door, as a consultant. The new company, called Organized Play, will handle other companies' league stuff and such. This is apparently partly motivated by WotC's inability to keep RPGA running without outsourcing it (that's my interpretation). Dancey has now left, it being September, and will be the "voice of the OGL," at least for a while. I'd also like to say that I wish OgreCave had something like Gaming Report's system of excerpting articles on the front page, just so we could have moments of brilliance like the one currently in GR's upper-left-hand corner (right above the audio links). It's the one headlined "Am I Wasting My Time?" Just check out the way it's truncated. I'm sure that sentence continues, although it's possible that it's a character-based truncation and they cut off the period. But I'm sure it's not. Really.
07:15 AM: Allan Sugarbaker says... A press release sent out by Decipher's Christian Moore sheds some light on the upcoming Lord of the Rings Adventure Game. As with most "Adventure Game" titles, this will be a trimmed-down version of the full RPG, currently scheduled for release in February. Here's what we know the Adventure Game will contain so far: For players new to Middle-earth who may have just seen the movie but not read the books, we've included a 24-page tourist's guide called Welcome To Middle-earth. This gazetteer takes players through the areas mentioned in the film and goes into more detail about the different races of Middle-earth. In addition to these two booklets and the nine character sheets, The Lord of the Rings Adventure Game comes with four full-color tactical maps for use in the game. We've also included a full-color map of Middle-earth for players and fans to enjoy. Dozens of counters are included, allowing players to represent their characters on the tactical maps along with the hordes of orcs and several other nasty creatures the characters will face. The Lord of the Rings Adventure Game is for 4-10 players, ages 12 to 16. It should take about three to four hours to play.There you have it. If you're quick, you can enter the first LotR contest before it ends today, and win yourself a copy. Stuperpowers Contest
03:43 PM: Mike Sugarbaker says... Gold Rush Games' still-pretty-new ninjafication supplement for Sengoku gets the treatment from Darren MacLennan in our new review. ("The treatment" makes it sound pretty rough. He liked it, actually. Or, Shinobi's just man enough to take it.)
11:48 PM: Mike Sugarbaker says... I'm sorry, but this is excessive. (I'm not saying I don't like excessive)
09:23 AM: Allan Sugarbaker says... Sabertooth Games wants Warhammer 40,000 fans to know the wait is nearly over. "We've handed the Warhammer 40,000 CCG off to the printer, and now we wait. We expect to have everything ready to ship to the marketplace in late October. Which means you should start seeing it towards the end of the month, or the beginning of November." In the meantime, gamers can amuse themselves with Sabertooth's new forum.
11:59 PM: Mike Sugarbaker says... The creator of Unknown Armies and Delta Green drops a couple of bombs in our substantial new interview. Get with it. And go buy a copy of UA, dammit (I just did last week, to replace the one I gave Sven last year).
10:07 PM: Allan Sugarbaker says... German company Lookout Games has produced a 33 card expansion to the classic bidding game Bohnanza. Designed by Uwe Rosenberg, Mutabohn will allow bean growers (aka the players) to mutate existing crops. Ah, genetic meddling. Gotta love it. Just like their previous expansion, High Bohn, Lookout has decided Mutabohn will be a limited expansion (with a print run of 2,500). Citizen Redesign I Wanna Roc |
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