 Unplugged Gaming News And Views |
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Wizards of the Coast gets Ready to Sue Everyone In a story on Gaming Report.com, it has been reported that Wizards of the Coast has recently concluded a revision of their patent for the Magic. The purpose of the revision is to clarify WotC's ownership over the innovations that made Magic such a success. The net result of this revision could be EVERYONE GETTING SUED!! If WotC (or rather, Hasbro) decides that most card games violate their patent, they could attempt to prevent other companies from marketing collectable card games. How this fits in with the WotC Open Game License philosophy, only some real good defense lawers will tell. To read the entire article on Gaming Report.com click here.
GURPS Traveller: Bounty Hunters Review Posted Matthew gives us the lowdown on GURPS Traveller Heroes 1: Bounty Hunters by Steve Jackson Games. Does the book manage to bring 'em back alive? Matthew tells all inside.
6:51 PM: Greg Kessler says...
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12:24 PM: Mike Sugarbaker says... Now, as an exercise, go down to your local game retailer and have a look at the Chainmail game product. Not the models, but the game - Blood and Ice, or Fire and Ghostwind or whatever those campaign things are. (Eww... I smell ghostwind.) Is there anything in those books that couldn't be printed three times as cheaply? Is there anything about the Chainmail models that couldn't be duplicated in the regular line of D&D models that's staying in production? Is there any reason to formally kill this game, rather than just selling it as a few books to go with your Dungeons and Dragons miniatures? Whatever. Just more proof that Wizards doesn't understand the minis-gaming market and would do better to stay out. As far as GW goes, it's their big Games Day weekend out in their American HQ-city Baltimore, and we may have a full report on it in the next couple of weeks. I have a good time razzing GW on this site, but I've actually gained a lot more respect for what they do, in the past several months working here at the store. Which leads me to my final point: today is the final day of my savage journey into the heart of the retail dream. I'm giving up my discount and moving on. I've learned a great deal but, well, if you see me at Origins, congratulate me.
Judges Guild Moves To Necromancer Necromancer Games is reporting that starting in January 2003, they will be putting Judges Guild products back into circulation. Bob Bledsaw, owner of Judges Guild, has announced the termination of the Guild's relationship with QuikLink Interactive as of the end of 2002. QLI had been planning to do the same service for classic Judges Guild products, but has been too busy with Traveller D20. Hunter Gordon of QLI has said he's "happy to pass the torch to Necromancer Games. We love Judges Guild and think Necromancer will do a great job." In a press release, Necromancer Games has announced their intention to update and revise the City State series and the entire Wilderlands campaign setting. Products not reprinted by Necromancer Games will be made available as PDF downloads on a Necromancer-hosted website. Of particular interest is the company's plan for a City-State of the Invincible Overlord Boxed Set next spring, packed with added tidbits and out-of-print materials. All of which begs the question, where in Faerun is the City-state of the Invincible Overlord located?
11:59 AM: Allan Sugarbaker says...
End of a (really short) Era at Wizards of the Coast Today WotC announced that they will no longer be supporting the Chainmail brand. For those of you unfamiliar with Chainmail, it is (was) a really promising WarHammer-ish game that is only a year or so old. WotC has gone on to assure everyone that they are not getting out of the miniature business and that even the Chainmail core rule book will be available for purchase as an electronic download. They will, however, still be releasing the Kilsek Faction box, the City of the Spider Queen box set, and Dragons I, Dragons II, Monsters II & III and Heroes II, III box sets. Hopefully this is not the end of this saga.
1:30 PM: Greg Kessler says...
D20 Modern Website Launched Wizards of the Coast is continuing the countdown to the D20 Modern release in November by launching the D20 Modern section of their website. So far, there's not much there: the Charismatic Hero class, an introduction to the game, and a look at D20 Modern art. More is sure to follow, though. GamePlay Demo CD #3 Shipping
Sending Out The Love To Former Cave Dwellers There are occasionally those who leave the Cave to seek greener pastures (don't know why... plenty of moss in here...). Case in point: Michael Suileabhain-Wilson, who wrote a review for us a while back. Turns out he's written GURPS Deadlands: Varmints as well, which is currently in playtest by those smart enough to be Pyramid subscribers. We may have to crawl out into the light and find a copy of Michael's book once it's ready. Them varmints is particularly tasty.
11:38 PM: Allan Sugarbaker says... Let's do a little catch-up, shall we? Mongoose Has Class(es) T20 Stands To Be Huge, Despite Lack Of Arnold Abusing Mimes For Fun And Profit As Of Last Friday...
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BWAHAHAHAHA coolminiornot.com
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Monte Cook and his new PDF Malhavoc Press has released two new books. The Banewarrens on PDF and a new print title The Book of Eldritch Might II: Songs and Souls of Power. Not surprisingly both were written by D20 guru Monte Cook. The Book of Eldritch Might II is a 64 page supplement full of new spells and feats and all manner of magic fun, while The Banewarrens is described like this: The banes -- the worst, most nightmarish evils imaginable. Long ago, a powerful saint gathered together objects of evil power and buried them away so no one could ever use them.
5:00 PM: Greg Kessler says...
Journalists Converge on Invisible City It's the middle of a new month, so Invisible City Productions has once again released a free game. This time it's Scoop!, a board game in which two to six players compete to be the first to sell three high-quality stories to the editor of the Action City Times. Solitaire rules are also included for the benefit of the lonely. As always, you can't beat the price.
5:07 PM: Greg Kessler says...
Hammer & Helm Preview At Green Ronin Green Ronin has just posted a four-page PDF preview for Hammer & Helm. Lurking within, you'll find eight feats, the Ironbound prestige class, and three priestly domains: Fortitude, Stonehearth, and Sword. There's some cool artwork as well. Fetch your ale, get your beard combed, and go have a look.
Borrow The Car Winner Posted Delayed by my previous computer's rattling death, resultant email recovery problems, and some OgreCave staff changes, we now have the winner of our "Borrow the Car" Car Wars contest posted for all to see. Naturally, we had so many great entries that we've posted quite a few of them for you to peruse. And by way of apology to Steve Jackson Games, the company behind the game we know and love, for the delay, OgreCave will provide the prizes itself. And now, enjoy the rambling pleading of young people attempting to get the car for a night of cruising and duelling.
3:36 PM: Allan Sugarbaker says...
9:58 AM: Allan Sugarbaker says... Green Ronin Publishing has added a few art galleries to their D20 product listings. First to be added are the Hammer & Helm gallery, showcasing the dwarves in the first of GR's Races of Renown series. The book itself will be along next month. We also get a look at the Book of the Righteous gallery, previewing the style of the 320-page hardcover religions supplement coming this August. Head on over and click away.
9:23 AM: Allan Sugarbaker says...
Dungeons of Torgar Unchained Project Aon has been working really efficiently lately. With record speed, they've released the free online edition of The Dungeons of Torgar, the tenth Lone Wolf gamebook. As with the last release, both online-playable and downloadable PDF editions are available, and all of the original illustrations are included.
Transamerica Makes It To, Er, America In July Surprising no one, Rio Grande announced in its newsletter that it'd be picking up this reported frontrunner for this year's Spiel des Jahres and printing it in English, for a July release. I want to make a July 4th joke here but I can't quite make it work. In any case I'm excited to try this one.
1:45 PM: Allan Sugarbaker says...
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Green Races Nearly Upon Us Next Monday, Fast Forward Entertainment wil unleash the Green Races Campaign Sourcebook, a 224-page hardbound d20 campaign based on FFE's Green Races adventures. In this setting, the Green Races -- trolls, goblins, orcs, and others -- slowly advance the DragonElves and the BronzeMen, two different races fighting for survival. Should be interesting. Plus, it provides a great excuse to break out my horde of orc figures again... and again, and again.
12:52 AM: Allan Sugarbaker says... A Peek At Marvel HeroClix Sentinels
Babylon 5 Coming To DVD Missed an episode here or there? Need to check some details for a B5 game you're running? Or are you like Mike, who just picked up a copy of AoG's Babylon 5 Component Game System Core Set and needs to know how to tell the ships apart? No problem. In a recent usenet post, J. Michael Straczynski has confirmed that Babylon 5 will begin to see the light of day in DVD form. Season one will be released this fall, with various extras and commentaries that are still to be determined. Let the celebration begin!
12:36 PM: Mike Sugarbaker says...
Sometimes We Mention A Computer Game The boys over at Penny Arcade are very excited about an upcoming turn-based strategy game called Moonbase Commander, and you know what? After looking at the screenshots, I am too. So there.
11:01 AM: Allan Sugarbaker says...
3D Unplugged-Games Figure In Flat PC-Games Mag, Free For Five Dollars WizKids announced Monday that they've done a deal with the publishers of PC Gamer magazine to include a special redemption coupon in their September issue. The coupon plus five bucks will get you a limited edition MechWarrior figure not available anywhere else. I can see what PC Gamer will get out of this - lots of non-PC gamers fiending for one of their issues - but I wonder if it's going to have the cross-market promotional effect that WizKids would probably like. If you were a player of one or two of the MechWarrior games for PCs and you suddenly had an opportunity to pay $5 for a little plastic thing, would you do it? Hmm.
WotC Interestingness Updates The G to the R has some further notes on both the change of top execs at Wizards, and the perpetrators of the alleged financial fraud. According to their story, Hasbro has filed suit against two individuals. Oh my.
1:03 PM: Allan Sugarbaker says...
WotC D&D Setting Contest While the rumors of a change in management at WotC continue to fly, it's been confirmed that the company's looking for a new D&D world setting, and they're running a contest to get the next big idea -- possibly from you. By submitting a writeup of a D&D setting, anyone can have a chance at $120,000 and possible future gigs to write for the game line, should the setting be published. You can get the details from this page, then get your ideas sorted out and send 'em in. Unless you don't need the cash, or don't want to be known for creating the latest official world for D&D, of course.
10:06 PM: Mike Sugarbaker says... I bring this up for a couple of reasons. First: I've made excited posts every time a collectible game has threatened not to suck in the past few months. Why am I into these things? I think it has to do with the way they're so... public. Playing a CCG feels like being a part of the world, like swimming around in something bigger than you, rather than taking the whole thing home in a box (what a letdown). It was actually INWO that reintroduced me to gaming as an adult; maybe I'm just easily trainable. (Have I mentioned that INWO gets played at the store about twice a week these days?) Second, I took a swing by Tom Jolly's site last week, for the first time in much too long, and noticed his page on Variants for Vortex. He claims the Vortex pieces are ideally suited to designing other games around, and he might be right. In fact, Allan and I once spent about half an hour trying to come up with a Diceland-like game played with mixed armies of Vortex and Sack Armies tiles. So, maybe I'll be busting out the Vortex again. Thanks, Tom!
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OGL Interlock. Sounds Like Voltron Should Be Involved Sure enough, I start hinting at something secret Green Ronin was planning related to Hammer and Helm: A Guidebook to Dwarves, and they go ahead and spill the beans. Green Ronin Publishing is working together with Paradigm Concepts to bring us OGL Interlock, "a series of related sourcebooks for d20 System." Starting with Paradigm's Races of Legend series and Green Ronin's Races of Renown series, the two companies will be working together to compliment each other's products. "Both companies decided to do a series of race books at the same time, so rather than go head to head we agreed to work together to cover more ground," says Chris Pramas, Green Ronin's main guy. "Now Paradigm is doing a giant book to complement our dwarf book and we're doing an orc book to complement their elf book. All the books will bear the OGL Interlock logo." How else will the books be connected? Why, by the cover art, of course. Each set of complimentary titles will have their cover art done by the same artist, such that lining up the two books next to each other will create a larger scene. The OGL Interlock action begins next month with the aforementioned Hammer and Helm: A Guidebook to Dwarves, which Paradigm will compliment with The Lords of the Peaks: The Essential Guide to Giants in August.
New Rivets And Everything Privateer Press has retrofitted the Iron Kingdoms website to fit their preferred look-and-feel, and things are looking good. The site has received several content updates as well, which includes the Rifleman Prestige Class. Part Spoiler, Part Preview Card
More Dwarves From Green Ronin Green Ronin has announced an increased page count for its upcoming Hammer and Helm: A Guidebook to Dwarves, bringing the total to 112 pages for $19.95. The book will go into print this week, and be available in July (and the cover has a secret to it I learned of at GTS, but I ain't telling). Aside from that, GR's d20 System Character Record Folio is bring printed yet again, so you should be able to get more copies soon. Heck, it even got nominated for an Origins Award in the Best Game Accessory category, so if you like it that much, give it your vote. Pocket Grimoire Arcane and Pocket Grimoire Divine, the volumes compiling D20 spells from a variety of publishers (including the core books) should be in stores by the end of June, and Secret College of Necromancy looked pretty damn good when I saw it at KublaCon last week. So go get it. Is This What I Think It Is?
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