May 31, 2007

12:55 PM: Allan Sugarbaker says...
Miniatures download with crunch

Crunch-Waffle Enterprises, known for their nifty miniatures, just let us know about a new free download to check out. Extra Terrae Crepusculum (aka Beyond the Twilight Worlds) is a set of miniatures skirmish rules that uses three six-sided dice, some minis, and the free PDF rules to tailor war parties to their best effect. Have a look.

3 Comments

May 30, 2007

10:45 AM: Allan Sugarbaker says...
Magnamund tourist season nearly open again

As promised last year, the Lone Wolf gamebooks, a popular entry point into roleplaying for many nostalgic gamers, are returning this September thanks to Mongoose Publishing. Original series author Joe Dever has expanded and updated the 28 original books, which Mongoose will release in both paperback and hardbound collector's editions (now you can choose not just your adventure path, but your level of buy-in). The the fabled, yet-unwritten final four gamebooks in the series are finally due as part of the series' return, as are Lone Wolf novels. The Darklords start things off with their strike on the Kai Monastery when Lone Wolf 1: Flight From the Dark - Collector's Ed hits at the end of July for $19.95.

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7 Comments

May 29, 2007

01:21 PM: misuba says...
Spiel des Jahres nominees for 2007 announced

Not sure exactly how behind this one we are, but it can't be too long because there are still a couple of these games without English editions. The one I've seen in stores most often is Arkadia, and I'm interested to learn of this animal-themed sequel to the simple-but-deep card game Coloretto. Anyway: good times.

4 Comments

May 23, 2007

04:01 PM: misuba says...
Star Wars PocketModel CCG rules are online: definitely the most 3D card game ever, or something

Here's the lo-res PDF of the rules (still not necessarily something you wanna choke down if you're on dialup). I'm classifying this one in "Card Games" now because there appears to be no component of miniatures or positional play, or indeed any gameplay-based reason for the models to exist at all. Hey, at least this one gets around the patent!

9 Comments

May 22, 2007

08:26 PM: misuba says...
WotC games patents, patents game

By virtue of the madness of patent law and a product they once insinuated wildly in their catalog but never produced, Wizards of the Coast has patented constructible strategy games. The filing dates back to 2002 and, to be fair, is narrow enough to exclude anything that doesn't involve losing or exchanging parts as a consequence of play events. That, um, does not include Pirates. This feels kinda uncool to me, but despite the felicitous timing of this announcement (just before the release of the Transformers CSG, for those keeping score), it may just be a result of the patent office's rather plodding process. And like the infamous "tapping patent" on CCG mechanics, it may turn out that any lawsuits WotC might file to defend it end up not worth the lawyer bills. (Note to tabletop gaming companies with an eye toward suing each other: you can load your shotgun for hamsters, but that won't make the pelts worth anything.)

11 Comments

May 16, 2007

04:47 PM: misuba says...
It's neuron-donation time again: do your part for meaningful data in the tabletop games industry

That's right, the OSU Games Research Project is back for another round of mayhem and web-based surveys. As I write this, I haven't taken the new survey yet, so I don't know how it's different, but I do know you should probably take it now.

May 14, 2007

09:35 AM: Allan Sugarbaker says...
Goodman Games gets Wicked

Recruiting a new generation of young roleplayers is a high priority for many RPG publishers. The new Wicked Fantasy Factory line from Goodman Games plans exactly that, with hip lingo and anime-style artwork. As Joseph Goodman mentioned our our podcast a few shows back, the new d20 product line targets the "video game generation" with faster gameplay and a liberal sprinkling of Great Cleave to sweep the smaller foes aside. Wicked Fantasy Factory #1: Rumble in the Wizard's Tower is available for $6.99, and a twelve-page preview is also lurking within reach.

3 Comments

May 12, 2007

11:21 AM: misuba says...
Audio Report: one GTS 2007 wrapup, partial

OgreCave lackey Steve Kani got himself out to GTS '07... for one day. What jumped out at him while doing his rounds as a retailer? Listen to our GTS post-show show and find out. Also, a question for roleplayers: how has party unity been a factor (or not) in your games? Let us know in the comments, folks.

5 Comments