 December 2002 Archive
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« November 2002 | Main | January 2003 »
03:45 PM: Greg Kessler says... Ok so we can all see that in d20 Modern, WotC hopes to take over the non-fantasy gaming world, but are you supposed to do with the book in the mean time? Well Second World Simulations has released a free scenario for d20 modern called Small Worlds and Exiles. SWaE is a 37 page PDF outlining a magical adventure set in New York and designed for four first level characters. And remember the best part...It's FREE.
06:58 PM: Greg Kessler says... No this is not another offensive post that Allan's gonna have to tone down. Wiz Kids is now hosting a new Dork Tower comic strip each monday. Wiz Kids has signed a deal with Dork Tower creator John Kovalic to host Mage Knight, HeroClix, and MechWarrior inspired Dork Tower comic strips on the Wiz Kids Site. It takes a real secure company to pay someone to make fun of them. Then again, they are making more money than god (Odin perhaps) so you gotta spend it on something.
06:00 PM: Greg Kessler says... Citizen Games has put out an all call for freelance writers who think they have a handle on d20 modern or just a thing for "The Life". Citizen Games, makers of the upcoming Henry Hill's Mafia RPG are looking for some brave freelancers to take on some assignments for the new game. For information about writing for Citizen Games, check out their about page, or drop an email to Rob Stone of Citizen Games.
01:14 AM: Allan Sugarbaker says... To start this year ending/beginning week off right, Matthew brings us his evaluation of The Rookie's Guide to Criminal Organisations by Mongoose Publishing. I keep wanting to correct the British spelling of that last word in the title, but the publisher's from the UK (and so is the reviewer), so I'll restrain myself. Have a look and see what Matthew's judgement was.
11:48 PM: Mike Sugarbaker says... Guardians of Order has announced two releases for April, both kinda interesting. The first, the D20 system edition of Big Eyes Small Mouth (which GOO announced back in September) will have a good shot at being the anime book for D20. The other release, Silver Age Sentinels d20: Stingy Gamer Edition (their title, not mine!) has "everything you need to play the entire range of superhuman power levels in your adventures, introducing numerous superhero character classes and new skills, plus an exhaustive add-on mechanic for superpowers, dozens of sample characters, and the complete world setting of Empire City." At $9.95, this will raise the bar for publishers who charge $12 and up for thin D20 supplements. Or maybe it'll just be in 3-point type.
11:53 PM: Allan Sugarbaker says... For those still coming down from the Christmas high, or taking a break from fondling opened presents, Necromancer Games has a rather silly Christmas d20 download you can grab. All I have to say is, eight tiny flying sharks? Weirdness.
11:44 PM: Allan Sugarbaker says... Mongoose Publishing has given more details on the newly revised and expanded printing of The Quintessential Fighter. Among the additions and changes are new feats, character concepts, tournament events, and even stronghold defenses. Those who have the original version (like myself) won't be forced to buy the new one, as the new materials will be downloadable from the company's website a few weeks after the book's release. To read the full press release from Mongoose, click the link below.
11:26 PM: Allan Sugarbaker says... Z-Man Games and Spectrum Game Studios are giving us a peek at some art samples from Cartoon Action Hour. The print version, due in February, will be nearly 100 pages longer than the PDF version, and according to the Spectrum website, will contain close to 60 illustrations. The samples shown in the preview thus far give a good sense of what the game will be like: playing the roles of characters in G.I. Joe, Transformers, Thundercats, or whatever other action cartoon you feel like. Another preview art piece will be added to the site each week until the game's print release in just over a month. I'm tempted to really mess with my players' heads and run them through the old Dungeons & Dragons cartoon.
11:48 PM: Allan Sugarbaker says... All of us at OgreCave would like to wish you lots of gaming, or new games, or time with fellow gamers to discuss games. Oh, and a Merry Christmas, too.
11:06 PM: Allan Sugarbaker says... Despite fighting illness and the tasks of the holidays, Gold Rush Games has plans moving forward on multiple products. The d20 city sourcebook, The Village of Briarton, is on schedule for a February release. Written by Patrick Sweeney (Terra Primate, Monster Island) and Christina Stiles, the book promises many numbers: 48 (villagers), 11 (places of business), 6 (new spells), 2 (deities), 2 (domains), 1 (new monster). A new historical RPG, based in the time of America's war for independence, is also in the works at GRG. Called Patriots, no specific completion date is estimated yet, though it looks to be following in the footsteps of Sengoku.
01:00 AM: Allan Sugarbaker says... Privateer Press has announced the product line details for its greatly anticipated Warmachine miniatures combat game. This March, a year after our first glipse of the game at GTS '02, the first in "an ongoing series of monthly product releases" will hit stores with all the brute force it can muster (which should be considerable; these figures are nice). This will be after the game's initial release in February, of course. The full details are in the press release, below:
12:26 PM: Allan Sugarbaker says... The main page of Wizards of the Coast's website looks much better now. Far less cluttered, easier to find what you're looking for. Not as much variety right up front, though, just the big name brands. Hmm... sounds like the WotC retail stores, doesn't it?
12:06 PM: Allan Sugarbaker says... In another ICv2 story, we hear that FAO Schwartz stores aren't doing that well either. Apparently, the stores have reported a 20% loss compared to last year. Though there are only 23 FAO stores proper, the company also owns 61 Right Start stores and 169 Zany Brainy stores. According to the story, "FAO has asked its bank to relax recently imposed borrowing restrictions, stating that it will be forced into bankruptcy under current conditions." I'll have to drop in on the San Francisco store soon, just in case they go under. Neat place, and a wide variety, but a bit pricey overall.
10:30 PM: Mike Sugarbaker says... This ICv2 story has the whole shpiel from Rich Kummer of ACD Distribution. Games Workshop product, WizKids stuff, and third-party card and board games will still get carried, but apparently, Wizards can't afford the shelf space for White Wolf, Pinnacle or Green Ronin anymore. Given the tremendous array of D20 D&D-support products from third parties, this move seems suicidally stupid for WotC's brick-and-mortar business moving D&D, but then, I don't have to pay taxes on all that inventory, so what do I know.
12:30 PM: Mike Sugarbaker says... OgreCave has received some email from a MechWarrior Battlemaster, telling us that store owners and managers who run MW events got a letter from WizKids recently, telling them they'll have a chance to get a free Dropship if they attend a Q&A at GAMA. So presumably, the rest of us will be able to get our hands on one at least at Origins, if not before.
11:22 AM: Allan Sugarbaker says... We've got two new reviews to get you through the weekend. First, Joe's had a pre-release sneak peak at Foul Locales: Beyond the Walls, a cool new d20 supplement coming out soon from Mystic Eye Games. From Joe's description, MEG's got another winner I'll be waiting in line for when it reaches stores. Also, Demian gives us his thoughts on Armada X, the last release from ThreeSixty Publishing before it closed up shop earlier this month. What did he like or dislike about the game? Ain't tellin'. You'll have to read it to find out.
01:38 PM: Mike Sugarbaker says... GamingReport has a few probable details about the upcoming "big figure" for MechWarrior, a dropship that'll hold four full-size Mechs inside and have five combat dials of its own. MWRealms hasn't picked up the story yet - maybe they don't do rumors? - but they do have a story about eight-inch Mech figures headed to the toy market.
01:29 PM: Mike Sugarbaker says... I don't have a link for this, exactly, but I had a talk last night with a couple of fairly serious, if amateur, local Magic players last night and they told me something interesting. It is heavily rumored, but unconfirmed, that the next expansion after the current base set (which is Onslaught - the base set, that is) will consist of nothing but creatures. That's right: all creatures, all the time. The third expansion in the Onslaught block would then have no creatures at all, to balance things out. I'm sure this doesn't affect any of your lives really, and might not be true at all, but I post it in the hopes that it'll entertain you for a few seconds. That's about it. Whee!
10:30 AM: Greg Kessler says... Rick Loomis of Flying Buffalo has gone and registered the domain name tunnelsandtrolls.com. As a special offer to T&T fans, Rick is offering to sell email accounts with yourname@tunnelsandtrolls.com. The cost is $25.00 for one year and $40.00 for two. If you are interested you can read about it at the Radiofreetrollworld Yahoo group or drop Rick an email.
11:15 PM: Allan Sugarbaker says... Our final look back at the year's best Christmas gifts concludes with 12 Games of d20. The Cave Dwellers of OgreCave narrowed things down to just a few products, though many more deserved mentioning. If your buddys, spouse, or anyone else has no idea what to get you as that last-minute gift, we'll straighten them out for ya, at no charge.
02:39 PM: Allan Sugarbaker says... Demian has done us all a great service by reviewing the most festive of all violent roleplaying games, Santa's Soldiers: Second Edition by Deep7. How does it compare to the original version? Do elves bleed green, red, or eggnog? Find out inside.
11:54 PM: Allan Sugarbaker says... No, Peter Jackson hasn't resurrected the beast from the first Lord of the Rings movie. I'm talking about Cave Troll, the latest board game design from Tom Jolly, by way of Fantasy Flight Games. For the curious types out there, FFG has posted the Cave Troll rules, but the gist of it is this: each player controls a party of adventurers as they search the cave troll's lair for loot and magical goodies. As players find these fabulous prizes, they score points. All the while, players must jockey for position against each other and avoid the cave troll and other nasty beasts. Though the concept is similar, the game mechanic is far different than Jolly's excellent Drakon, making this a game I'm looking forward to test driving.
11:48 PM: Allan Sugarbaker says... If you were really into some of the Thanksgiving downloads game companies offered up last month, prepare to wet yourself out of sheer joy. In the Christmas spirit, Dragonlance.com has a free adventure download for AD&D 2nd Edition based on The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. Want to run a D&D session where the Grinch is a half-ice troll mage? You know you do.
12:33 PM: Allan Sugarbaker says... This holiday season, Key 20 Publishing is playing host to the 12 Games of Christmas. No, it's not a gift suggestion list, like ours; instead, Key 20 will present us with "new schools, mods, hooks, and promos for a variety of games [...] 12 exclusive gaming tidbits for such games as Little Fears, Cartoon Action Hour, Dust Devils, and more!" As if that weren't enough, brand-new games will also be offered by Jason L Blair (nominated for an Origins Award for Little Fears) and Jared Sorensen from Memento Mori Theatricks. Have a look at what they've got to offer before the spirit of Christmas fades and you miss your chance.
04:09 PM: Mike Sugarbaker says... An interesting next step in the Iron Kingdoms plan for world domination, Lock & Load: Iron Kingdoms Character Primer ships to retailers next week. Weird: Lock & Load is apparently the name of a line, but the cover art has it all big like a title, and the individual Character Primer title is all tiny. Typography has gone mad the world over, I tell you! Anyway. I like this idea as a way of recasting the player's-handbook to an individual setting and a smaller book in general. We'll see if Privateer maintains the high standards of previous IK material as they expand their line.
04:02 PM: Mike Sugarbaker says... It's not out until July or August or something, but get a look at the cover art and all that stuff. Why are the words "CAMPAIGN SETTING" bigger than the title? Whatever.
03:55 PM: Mike Sugarbaker says... Battle Cattle Third Edition, with cover art by the same Colin Adams you see rockin' it up in the corner every day here in the Cave, is now shipping to your game store, and orderable directly from Wingnut if you accidentally blew up your game store. Now that I've played a game of BC, I can tell you that it's the game that, in some ways, the most recent edition of Car Wars should have been: fast, fun, and still somewhat real in terms of strategy and tactics. Check it out.
06:05 PM: Allan Sugarbaker says... Upper Deck has just announced a multi-year deal with Nickelodeon. Yes, this means you'll be seeing trading cards and CCGs based on the cartoon shows SpongeBob Squarepants, Jimmy Neutron, Fairly Odd Parents, and Rocket Power, all of which my daughter has watched (and therefore, so have I). Of these, I give the best chances to the SpongeBob Squarepants CCG, planned for release in March 2003, and any game connected to Fairly Odd Parents, which is just a freakshow to watch. Nothing quite compares to seeing SpongeBob watching "sponge porn" in an episode, though. Gaaaah!
05:10 PM: Allan Sugarbaker says... Alien Menace will be bringing three of Mythrole Games' downloadable games to print in March 2003. The Mythrole titles Witch Hunt, Shrimpin', and my personal favorite, Night of the Ill-Tempered Squirrel will join the Alien Menace lineup. It's great to see Tyler Sigman's game designs from Mythrole reach stores in printed editions. A new generation of Ill-Tempered Squirrels is about to be born!
11:39 PM: Allan Sugarbaker says... The second part of OgreCave's Christmas Gift Guide is up for all to see. What would we suggest as the best gamer gift for $40 or less? You'll have to read on to find out.
01:10 PM: Demian Katz says... Rio Grande Games has just released a new expansion for Puerto Rico, their board game of construction in the New World. The expansion, which adds a number of new buildings to the game, can be downloaded for free from Rio Grande's website.
10:46 AM: Allan Sugarbaker says... Green Ronin has posted a PDF of stand-up counters to compliment your Mutants & Masterminds sessions. The file provides 19 skillfully drawn, full-color counters, in the Cardboard Heroes style.
02:21 PM: Allan Sugarbaker says... Dice games can either be great fun (like Diceland) or uninspired. Or worse yet, collapse under their own weight, like the collectible dice games Dragon Dice and Dice Master. Entering this treacherous arena is new company Blue Kabuto with Cookie Fu!, "the collectible dice game of Kung Fu combat." Here's a bit of the product blurb:
02:14 PM: Allan Sugarbaker says... Bubble, bubble, toil and -- ah, skip it. Joe has an indepth look at one of Mongoose Publishing's latest d20 supplements, The Quintessential Witch. How does it measure up against the other witchly concoctions out there? Read on to find out.
04:25 PM: Craig Robertson says... Steve Jackson Games has some new job openings for the aspiring game designer. They are looking for an expert on India to fact-check their manuscript for GURPS India. If you have ever lived there, or have studied the region extensively, send your qualifications to Mr. Andrew Hackard. Also, you ace RPG cartographers should dig out your portfolios and send a sample of your best work to Ms. Mia Sherman.
03:03 PM: Allan Sugarbaker says... Wizards of the Coast hasn't forgotten about the fantasy setting contest, don't worry. In fact, WotC has posted interviews with the three finalists, Keith Baker, Rich Burlew, and Nathan Toomey. Which will be the chosen one? Dunno. But at least each of them is $10,000 richer so far.
11:44 PM: Allan Sugarbaker says... Over the next couple of days, we at OgreCave will guide your loved ones through that most difficult of tasks for a non-gamer: buying you a Christmas present. Our first list gives the 12 Games of Christmas Morn, the less expensive, stocking-stuffer type of gifts ($20 or less). In the days ahead, we'll bring you two more lists: one for the slightly larger ticket items ($40 or less) and one comprised entirely of d20 gift suggestions. And if you're really nice to us, we might even explain to your loved ones what a d20 is.
04:49 PM: Mike Sugarbaker says... Although the Vortex product page says September, the rants page says next week or so. That's when you might see Vortex: Maelstrom, a complete set of all the starter and common flats from collectible tile game Vortex, which, when we reviewed it way back when, we said we would have utterly loved if it hadn't been for collectibility aspects. Well, this addresses that... except the rares aren't there... and there are some common tiles you're going to need more than one of, beyond a doubt... and, yeah, it's completely too little, too late. Good try, though... and probably still pretty good fun for your money, to be honest.
04:42 PM: Craig Robertson says... Dream Pod 9 has announced a February 10th release date for their D20 Mecha Compendium. It covers mecha for every genre, including fantasy, steam-punk, science-fiction, and modern/near future. Also, in a fit of deranged generosity, they have included D20 stats for all of their in-house mecha designs. "Alright, I'm going to launch an alpha strike against the dragon, then spray that horde of kobolds with my chaingun."
04:04 PM: Mike Sugarbaker says... There's this press release going, "We're doing this amazing new fantasy thing and it needs playtesters" (the exact quote is below), but then on this company bio-kinda page they flat out say they're making a Warhammer CCG to follow up the 40K one. Not sure whom they're trying to tease, given that we all know Games Workshop co-owns them anyway. However, one interesting thing to wonder about is whether the gameplay will be substantially different, maybe more skirmish-y as befits recent WHFantasy minis-gaming developments. From the release, it doesn't appear so, but "a game of epic battles" could mean anything.
12:30 AM: Allan Sugarbaker says... Another day, another Mongoose website update. This time around, we get new details on the following products:
01:04 PM: Allan Sugarbaker says... To answer the many questions gamers have about the fate of its products, Hogshead Publishing has posted a short FAQ. Much of the details were already revealed in official press releases and our exclusive interview with James Wallis. However, the announcement of Fires of Creation, the first Nobilis supplement to come from the game's new home at Guardians of Order, is certainly worth noting (the core rulebook will be reprinted as well). A few other items were mentioned, which I'll quote here:
12:25 PM: Mike Sugarbaker says... I mean the company, of course, not the man. Steve Jackson himself is a born entertainer. But those responsible for the title "Munchkin 3: Bard For Life" for the next expansion to the smash hit dungeon-delving card game have been sacked. According to the Daily Illuminator (under December 7), it's now an open discussion. Come up with your own funny title, and if it's selected, you get... famous! And a credit, and a free copy. Full details are in their news post, which will go away in like a week. Go!
05:08 AM: Demian Katz says... In one fell swoop, Deep7 has expanded its entire line of 1PG mini-RPGs. Its latest release, The 1PG Companion, includes new scenarios for all of the company's mini-games along with expanded rules for character advancement, vehicular combat, and more. At $3.95, it's a not-too-expensive way to get a little bit more of absolutely everything.
04:16 PM: Allan Sugarbaker says... Apparently, Eden Studios has sold out of All Flesh Must Be Eaten yet again. And why not? The RPG provides for your zombie needs in nearly every flavor, with new types coming shortly (Pulp Zombies in January, Fistful o’ Zombies in February, and Zombie Smackdown in June). A third print run of the AFMBE core book will be along in February, which may have some extras thrown in. Zombie fantatics can watch the All Flesh website for updates, or just wait for them to break down the door and kill everyone.
02:50 PM: Allan Sugarbaker says... HomeLAN has a story relating to the classic D&D adventure Temple of Elemental Evil. According to a Computer Games magazine article, Trokia, the same developers behind the PC steampunk RPG Arcanum are working on a new game based on Gary Gygax's classic module. The game, as yet unnamed, will be released toward the end of 2003 through Infogrames. Who else would it come out through? Infogrames is who Hasbro sold the D&D rights to.
12:32 PM: Mike Sugarbaker says... Since Wizards' press releases page is four months behind, I'll link you to our friends over here. Short version is, there will be new editions of the three core D&D books released next July, with rules changes. Read More for the details.
02:35 AM: Allan Sugarbaker says... Green Ronin has just posted a preview of Plot & Poison: A Guidebook to Drow. Lurking inside are two Prestige Classes, the Master Summoner and the Spell Addict, as well as a new creature and five martial arts styles. Continuing GR's Races of Renown line, Plot & Poison will provide spells, feats, magic items, subraces, a drow pantheon, and a little something called power components, "a new way to enhance spells." Written by Dragon editor Matthew Sernett , the 160-page supplement will be available later this month.
02:50 PM: misuba says... So Blogger finally pissed us off enough to get us to throw the switch and move to Movable Type. The only really visible signs of the change so far: the nifty new search widget up there on the left, and whatever errors you find in the archives (bring them to my attention, okay?). Much more will be coming in the weeks ahead to enhance your OgreCaving pleasure. Watch this space...
02:20 PM: Allan Sugarbaker says... Goodman Games has posted detailed previews of its February releases, Complete Guide to Treants and Dungeon Crawl Classics #1: Idylls of the Rat King, both due to hit stores in February 2003.
10:33 AM: Allan Sugarbaker says... This morning, Matthew Sprange sent out the following announcement on the Mongoose Publishing email list:
10:52 PM: Allan Sugarbaker says... Eden Studios has announced the Terra Primate RPG has arrived from the printer and is shipping to distributors and preorders now. The 256-page hardcover will bring all aspects of intelligent apes to gamers, the same way Eden's All Flesh Must Be Eaten explored the various themes zombies work well in. If you're in the Northampton, MA region this weekend, head over to The Space-Crime Continuum for the December 7th release party, and meet George Vasilakos himself, as well as other Eden folks. Whether you make it to the release party or not, at a very fair $30, you'd have to be bananas to skip this game. Oooh... did I say that?
10:46 PM: Allan Sugarbaker says... Mongoose Publishing has another free web enhancement to offer up, this time for Quintessential Druid. The PDF contains a free chapter of the book that had to be cut out for lack of space. Ever thought Druids should be more adapted to the terrain they live in? Then this is the d20 download for you.
10:37 PM: Allan Sugarbaker says... The grand experiment continues over at Sword & Sorcery, where the second installment of the Everquest RPG has already gone out and arrived in stores. The book in question, Monsters of Norrath, provides beasts for the game, something sorely lacking with just the EQ Players' Guide on the market for the past few months. Several beasts from the book have already been previewed in small PDFs; specifically, the entries for Drakes, Skeletons, Werebats, Gnolls, and Kobolds are all online. Will it make the experiment of taking an online, community-driven game to an offline medium take off? Time will tell, I suppose. Meanwhile, previews of the EQ Game Master's Guide have already begun, in the form of a quartet of magic items.
10:31 AM: Allan Sugarbaker says... While we wait for Escape from Monster Island to come forth and crush us, Firefly Games continues cranking out support for the original Monster Island. The Official Errata File is up and running, to keep those rules questions from turning into brawls. Also available for download is Monster Island's first Rumble Pack, with optional rules for new terrain (the tarpit, for example), weather, and natural disasters. Firefly Games is also gearing up for its DunDraCon appearance. Hey, me too. |
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