» Board Games
Thursday, February 25, 2010
PAX East on final approach, and selling out fast
One month from tomorrow, on March 26, PAX East, the second location for the Penny Arcade Expo, will hit Boston, MA full force. The new show, a spinoff of the original PAX in Seattle (dubbed “PAX Prime” by many), had already sold out of full-show passes over three weeks ago, and with only a few hundred single day passes currently left for Friday and Sunday – well, if you were on the fence about going, you’d better commit or forget. This inaugural show’s official schedule just went up yesterday, adding to the considerable excitement that resulted two weeks ago when Wil Wheaton was announced as PAX East’s keynote speaker. If you can’t make it out to Boston, OgreCave will have a representative at the show in the form of Lee Valentine, frequent Cave dweller and one of our staff writers. Actually, he’ll be there whether you attend or not, so… yeah.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Winter is coming, and branding fail is already here
Fantasy Flight president and founder Christian Petersen on the upcoming “Battles of Westeros: A BattleLore Game”: “We acquired BattleLore to be our core brand for medieval tactical warfare games (in the scale represented in the classic BattleLore game). The BattleLore name is not necessarily tied to Richard’s ‘Command and Colors’ system.”
Right, right, Christian, because you’re the one who gets to decide what names are tied to in people’s heads. Yyyyyeahnotreally. Any competent marketer will tell you that brands don’t move like that (and yes, for those of you who begin frothing and spitting as soon as the M word crosses your screens, BattleLore certainly is already a brand as well as the name of a game; Days of Wonder’s brilliant launch campaign saw to that). But once a brand is tied to something conceptually, if you try to change that link, you’re vulnerable to all sorts of emotional reactions from fans (should your brand be lucky enough to have fans), including one of the worst: betrayal. I hope FFG is ready to hear BattleLore fans complain bitterly about Westeros no matter how it differs, and to watch more hardcore gamers turn up their noses just because the name BattleLore is there.
Elsewhere in the linked mini-interview is an enlightening tidbit on why DoW sold BattleLore in the first place; look for it. As for Westeros, I’m interested to see it for what it is on its own terms, but… no release date.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Days of Wonder Uses Orient Express as One-Two Punch
Days of Wonder once again has trains on the brain. As we’ve noted here previously, Days of Wonder is holding a Ticket to Ride championship series where the World Champion will win a ticket for two on the Orient Express.
As its second powerful blow, Days of Wonder has announced Mystery Express, a train-themed game that doesn’t bear the Ticket to Ride brand. In this whodunit deducation game players take on the roles of would-be passenger-detectives on the Orient Express, investigating a murder that’s just occurred in transit. The project has some solid names attached to it, namely Antoine Bauza (Ghost Stories) and Serge Laget (Shadows over Camelot, Mystery of the Abbey, Ad Astra). The price is expected to be $50/€45. Look for a release in late March or early April.
If you haven’t done so already, check out our review of Ticket to Ride: Europa 1912.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
OgreCave’s Christmas Gift Guide 2009, part 4
This is it – Christmas looms on the horizon, just one day away. But say you’ve forgotten to get a gift for someone, a fellow gamer, and there’s no time to get to the stores anymore. Fear not, for the Cave dwellers have compiled one more list of gift suggestions in our OgreCave Christmas Gift Guide 2009. This fourth and final list provides An Aetheric Guide for Christmas, our traditionally last-minute PDF/downloadable product list. Just read through the list, select a few pre-screened OgreCave recommendations, and download your gifts as needed. You don’t have to risk wading through last-minute shoppers – they’ll be like a pack of sugarplum-crazed elves by now.
Here’s wishing you a safe, happy holiday season, from the staff of OgreCave. Seasons greetings!
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
OgreCave review – Claustrophobia
In case you’re looking for a new game to dive into, Lee has provided us with a detailed look at Claustrophobia. Don’t fear this new game from Asmodée Editions – the spacious box is full of prepainted figures and skirmish combat goodness. Read on and see what Lee’s full review uncovered.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
OgreCave’s Christmas Gift Guide 2009, part 3
If you plan to give gifts this holiday season – or better yet, receive them – you’ve surely been perusing local stores and forming a list. The Cave dwellers have done the same, in the third section of our OgreCave Christmas Gift Guide 2009. This portion, the Twelve Boxes for Christmas, focuses on board games, in the hope of guiding some of your big-ticket expenses toward enjoyable gaming choices.
All that remains is our traditionally last-minute PDF/downloadable product list. We’ll be sure to drop it down your chimney when you’re least expecting it. … No, that’s not a euphemism for anything! Sheesh!
Thursday, December 10, 2009
AEG’s Thunderstone, Infinite City get lost in transit
Getting a product to market can be problematic in any industry, but the game industry gets more than its share of complications. Today AEG revealed that its shipper, currently in the throes of cutbacks, has misplaced Thunderstone and Infinite City, which were due to arrive last month. Todd Rowland, AEG’s Senior Brand Manager, summarized the chain of events in a forum post. Here’s the relevant bit:
The shipment of Thunderstone and Infinite City has been lost. It was due to arrive in Mid November and we have been told it was “in transit” or clearing customs for 3 weeks. Yesterday the shipper admitted they could not find it and after a long night of waking people up we have located the missing shipment. For some reason it had been diverted to Charleston SC and will not arrive until next week. To make matters worse it has been flagged for customs check and that will take an additional number of days.
Rowland goes on to admit it seems unlikely either game will reach stores before Christmas, but hopes gamers will consider them a “great way to ring in the New Year.” More precise release dates will be announced once AEG has a delivery date.
I remember when Godlike arrived in the states from being printed in China, and then the container remained locked down in customs for a month. This was extra frustrating for the publisher, as the warehouse it was to be stored at and distributed from was literally right across the street from the customs office. But darn it, those games sure look suspicious – better double and triple check them for contraband.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Beware of lurking ninja
Today is the Day of the Ninja, December 5th, and we nearly failed our Spot check. We didn’t manage to get a Games of the Ninja mini-feature put together this year (feel free to check out last year’s page, though), partly because we couldn’t think of any new ninja-related games we’re dying to play. So, here’s the question: if you were to celebrate the stealthy assassins today – and who wouldn’t? – what game(s) would you be throwing down with?
Friday, December 4, 2009
OgreCave Christmas Gift Guide 2009, part 1
If you haven’t noticed the holiday decorations yet, you just aren’t paying attention – around here, it started showing up Halloween morning. It seems like folks are anxious to get back to celebrating the season, and retailers are ready to receive the droves of gift givers. Don’t let the anxiety get to you, though – you’ve got the first part of our OgreCave Christmas Gift Guide 2009 on hand to help. In this first section, Twelve Stocking Stuffer Games, the Cave dwellers have selected a solid group of inexpensive gift goodies for a variety of interests, from casual gamer to hardcore.
We’ll have the rest of our ninth annual guide up in the days ahead, so be sure to check our lists, check them twice. Being naughty or nice isn’t a factor – we don’t judge.
Monday, November 23, 2009
OgreCave review – Adaptoid
As the holiday gift shopping season closes in on us, OgreCave continues to offer insight on worthwhile game products. To that end, Lee has provided his review of Adaptoid by nestorgames. This abstract strategy board game is thematically similar to Ursuppe/Primordial Soup in that little critters are growing and attacking each other, but Adaptoid is a simpler game, and much quicker. Read on to learn what Lee thought of it, and stay tuned later this week for more gift suggestions from our ninth annual OgreCave Christmas Gift Guide.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Evil dice approaching from Steve Jackson Games
I was just commenting to a friend that I hadn’t seen any new dice games for a while, and suddenly Steve Jackson Games has added two dice games to its product release schedule next year. Zombie Dice invites 3-8 players to “Eat brains” and “Don’t get shotgunned” in an attempt to gather as many of the 13 custom victim dice as possible before the shotgun blasts stop them. Playable in 10-20 minutes, the game will include a custom dice cup and sell for $13.13 (not a typo). Cthulhu Dice uses a large custom 12-sided die with tentacles, Elder signs, Cthulhu and such, and pits 3-8 players against each other in a quick fight (10 minutes) to be the last sane cultist standing. Players can cause opponents to lose sanity, or even steal it from them, but Cthulhu damages everyone’s mind, and if no one is sane at the end, Cthulhu wins. Lose your sanity over and over for the low price of $4.99. Both games would’ve been welcome additions to our Screams from the Cave last month, but zombies and Cthulhu are a good time any season, and are due to release in March 2010.
Is “shotgunned” a word? It should be.
Monday, November 9, 2009
OgreCave review – Ticket to Ride: Europa 1912
Adding value to a great boardgame is – well, great, and that’s exactly what Days of Wonder has provided for Ticket to Ride: Europe in the form of a new expansion. Lee gives us the scoop today in his review of Ticket to Ride: Europa 1912, a card-based expansion that adds new ways to play in the same vein as the Ticket to Ride: 1910 set, and also adds an entirely new game mechanic to the mix. Read on, and see if you need to meet this expansion at the station.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
OgreCave reviews – A Touch of Evil expansions
The night of tricks or treats may have passed, but Screams from the Cave has bled into All Saints Day as OgreCave continues to answer the need for ghoulish gaming this time of year. Lee has two reviews for us today, both on expansions to Flying Frog Productions’ A Touch of Evil. First, we get the post mortem on ATOE: Hero Pack One, which, as you may have guessed, adds new Heroes to the game. Then Lee tells us about ATOE: The Allies, a smaller expansion only available directly from the publisher. Read on, and see if you need to pick up either set for your ATOE sessions.
If you didn’t get your fill of fear yet this season, browse our recent reviews, or have a look back at last year’s Screams feature to uncover more terror-themed games.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
OgreCave review – Pandemic: On the Brink
Our Screams from the Cave continue through Halloween weekend with an in-depth review of a game that evokes thoughts of Swine Flu and much worse. Lee’s had a lengthy look at Pandemic: On the Brink by Z-Man Games, and has a blow-by-blow account of the game’s hot zones. We’ll have a bit more spook-related fun for you tomorrow, but in the meantime, have a look through our recent reviews, or have a look back at last year’s Screams feature to keep yourself properly afraid.
Friday, October 30, 2009
OgreCave reviews – Death, Frost, Doom & Something Wicked
The fear continues as our Screams from the Cave echo across the internet with more reviews. First, Gerald has his review of Death, Frost, Doom by LotFP Publishing, a creepy mood-piece for old school D&D gamers. The Lee gives us his full analysis of A Touch of Evil: Something Wicked, the horror boardgame expansion from Flying Frog. More fear will come to light tomorrow as well, so check back with OgreCave for more Halloween-style games.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Small World, Dominion place high on Games 100 list
Even though GAMES Magazine has yet to make it’s annual GAMES 100 list officially available, the magazine’s long-time partner Funagain Games has the list. According to the list, the Game of the Year for 2010 is Small World by Days of Wonder (which we’ve reviewed, here). Other notable games were listed as well, such as Dominion and Dominion: Intrigue (Rio Grande) as Best Family Strategy Game; the harbor-management title Le Havre (Lookout Games) as Best Advanced Strategy Game; and the exploration-themed Amerigo (daVinci Games) for Best Family Card Game. Of course, most of the runners-up and nominees included in the list are also great fun for the right game group, so peruse the list and see how many you already play.
Monday, September 21, 2009
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 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…?
Friday, August 21, 2009
Fantasy Flight acquires Tannhäuser
Fantasy Flight Games recently let its fans know that the company had acquired the rights to Tannhäuser from its previous publisher, Take on You, Ltd. This should allow FFG to release new expansions – such as the upcoming Daedalus set due later this year – on a more regular basis. Other expansions are also planned in 2009, including troop packs for the Union and Reich, four new figures, and a second edition of the core game fully compatible with the original release.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Campaign Coins seek big payoff
Gen Con always brings new game products into view that were obscure before, and this year’s no exception. I’m not sure what to think of Campaign Coins – metal coins of different sorts for your fantasy RPG campaign. The website’s still in progress, but there’s internet murmurs of a partnership or license with a major RPG company. Here’s the thing: my players are easily distracted already – would adding a pile of RPG money aid the roleplay experience, or cause my players to play Tiddly Winks with shiny objects instead of listening? What would you do?
Monday, August 17, 2009
Space Hulk returns to print
Yep, rumors on the internets were true: Games Workshop is bringing beloved boxed game Space Hulk back as a $99 limited edition on September 5th. If you’re into it, you might wanna hop on that preorder.
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