Browsed by
Category: Games

Victory for Centurion

Victory for Centurion

Comments 0 Comment

And so, my first Kickstarter adventure comes to a close.

I have received the information on the cost of shipping, and while that actually isn’t completely done (we still have a backer in Europe whom we seem unable to connect, even with a third package sent), the extra cost of that – I am praying – will be under $75, all told.

In the end, I consider the Centurion: Legionaries of Rome Kickstarter an incredible success. Not only did we fund, we hit the first stretch goal. We have delivered all backer rewards (save the one errant European package) and have even put a few copies into distribution, so you might see it at your local gaming store.

Here are a few things I learned:

Everything is going to cost more than what you expect. Even when you get a quote, expect it to increase as unforeseen circumstances arise. Shipping is the biggest danger. We received our funds in April and shipped in November and December. Shipping costs increased in that period, though not dramatically so.

You need to get the word out. The only way people are going to back your Kickstarter is if they know about your Kickstarter. You need to beat the drum pretty much constantly. If you are concerned that your constant harping about your Kickstarter will annoy those who follow you in social media, make sure your posts are leavened with other posts of similar subject matter as your Kickstarter. For Centurion, I made lots of posts pointing to Roman history articles, movies, and books. I even had a hashtag, MyCenturionMovie, in which I altered movie quotes to make them suitably Roman (like: “You fell victim to one of the classic blunders – the most famous of which is never get involved in a land war in Parthia” or “And you know what they call a gladius in Gaul?” “They don’t call it a gladius?” “No man, they got Gallic.”)

…

Read More Read More

Art of the Genre: David Trampier, 1954 – 2014

Art of the Genre: David Trampier, 1954 – 2014

Comments 4 comments

1509880_10153982624460584_2120060224_nToday is a day of mourning for those gamers who were brought into the industry during the ‘great launch’ of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons in 1978. That year the AD&D Player’s Handbook hit the market, and nothing in the life of role-playing would ever be the same again. One reason, and certainly one of the most recognizable not named Gygax, was the cover art by David Trampier. On Monday, March 24th, Mr. Trampier passed away in southern Illinois at the age of 59.

That age in itself is a tragedy, but one that can only be further exacerbated by what could have been for a man many gamers considered the great white whale of RPG fantasy artwork.

More words than can easily be counted have been written about Trampier over the years, most hypothesis and some truths, but in the end all we know now is that he is gone.

As an adept in the industry of RPG artwork, I’ve made it my life’s calling to track down bygone artists. But Trampier was never one of them. Sure, I’ve spoken in depth to his relations, and even as late as last August had a lengthy conversation with a group of RPG power brokers on the best course of action to approach him, including old friends on a road trip and private detectives, but in the end Trampier was even too far removed for me, and honestly I can’t say whether that now makes me happy or sad.

What I do know it that in the late 1980s, during his run with the Wormy comic for TSR’s Dragon magazine, Trampier suddenly went off the grid.  At the time, he’d have been only 34 years of age, and smack in the middle of his prime as an artist. Now, 25 years later, he is gone, and not a single shred of artwork was produced by his hand over the course of those intervening years.

Now that brings me profound sadness.

…

Read More Read More

Explore the Echoes of a Vanished Product Line in Lost Empires of Faerûn

Explore the Echoes of a Vanished Product Line in Lost Empires of Faerûn

Comments 17 comments

Lost-Empires-of-Faerun-smallI’m still processing the boxes of gaming loot I brought home from the Spring Games Plus Auction. Honestly, this could take a while. You may want to get a coffee or something.

I find it fascinating to watch the items that set off a bidding frenzy. The Descent games I talked about last time, for example. Or absolutely any expansion sets for Wizard of the Coast’s out-of-print Heroscape — lordy, yes. I wish I had a closet filled with those babies. I’d retire to Bermuda.

But it’s no fun to bid on stuff that far out of my price range. Gape while everyone else bids like crazy? Sure. But bid yourself? No. It’s like asking the Homecoming Queen to Prom. Sure, everybody’s doing it, but it ain’t easy on your self-esteem.

But you know what is fun to bid on? Cheap stuff, and especially cheap stuff that was once very expensive. Like premium D&D products that are now one or two editions out of date and selling at rock bottom prices. Items like a brand new copy of Lost Empires of Faerûn, which originally retailed for $29.95 and which I snapped up for 6 lousy bucks.

Let me paraphrase from the back of the book. Something, something, secrets of past empires of the Forgotten Realms, comprehensive sourcebook, new feats, stuff, prestige classes, magic stuff, equipment stuff. Can I use this to put together an adventure in 10 minutes when I manage to forget game night switched to Friday? Yes? I’m sold.

Apparently, the book also contains gaming advice on ruins, including rules for how to build and sustain a ruin-based campaign, a bunch of detailed adventure sites with maps, artifacts, and some new monsters. You had me at “ruin-based campaign.” Take my money already.

…

Read More Read More

Enter the World of Pathfinder Legends… At a Discount!

Enter the World of Pathfinder Legends… At a Discount!

Comments 1 comment

Rise of the Runelords-smallPaizo Publishing’s Pathfinder RPG has made a habit of breaking new ground. Or, in a sense, re-breaking old ground in completely new ways. They’ve revolutionized Dungeons and Dragons 3rd edition by re-imagining it into the Pathfinder RPG. Their Pathfinder Adventure Path series seems to have transformed the scope of what can be done with pre-generated gaming modules. Their Pathfinder Tales line of novels set in the Pathfinder world of Golarion are frequently praised around the Black Gate world headquarters, only a fraction of which spills over onto the website. And, last year, they transformed the deck-building game with the Pathfinder Adventure Card Game (which, I promise, I will review one of these days! – but for now you can get it on Amazon).

Now they’re moving in a similar direction with their Pathfinder Legends line of audiobooks. Instead of adapting the Pathfinder Tales novels, they’re instead focusing this series of audiobooks on adaptations of their Adventure Paths. And, instead of merely being audiobooks relating a narrative of the adventure, these are instead full audio productions with a cast of talented actors, heralding back to the glory days of the radio age… but with modern production values. You can get a hint of what to expect from this audio trailer. It introduces the first episode, “Burnt Offerings,” which is the first installment of their Rise of the Runelords Adventure Path (Amazon)

If what you hear interests you, the first installment of Pathfinder Legends is available now for order through Paizo’s website. For a limited time, they are offering the first audio production at the discounted subscription price even if you don’t subscribe. This means you can order the audio CD for $12.79 (normally $15.99) and the audio download for $10.39 (normally $12.99). It’s not exactly clear when this offer will end, but they’ve said that it will last until the Pathfinder Legends subscription plan is available online.

Take Dungeon Delving to the High Seas in Descent: The Sea of Blood

Take Dungeon Delving to the High Seas in Descent: The Sea of Blood

Comments 10 comments

Descent the Sea of Blood-smallOkay, that title doesn’t make any sense. Dungeon delving… on the ocean. You know what that sounds like? Drowning, that’s what it sounds like.

But let’s move on. I’m still processing the four boxes of loot I brought back from the Spring Games Plus Auction and, like a determined CSI agent at a crime scene, putting clues together to determine how I ended up with a copy of Descent: The Sea of Blood.

Let’s say a few words about the basic game, Fantasy Flight’s Descent: Journeys in The Dark, because it came up for auction and … man. Everybody wanted it. Seriously, it was like feeding time at the crazy cat lady house. There were two copies of the long out-of-print first edition and they were way out of my price range. The first, a jumbled box containing the game and all the expansions, sold for $92, and the second, an unpunched set of the first edition only, sold for $130. (If you’re in the market, Amazon still has new copies from a handful of vendors, starting at $289.)

So what’s Descent all about, then? To be honest, I’m a little vague on the specifics, ’cause my copies are still in the shrinkwrap, but I do know it’s one of the most popular of the dungeon-delving board games, which simulate the loot-and-scoot dynamic of Dungeons and Dragons in a more contained setting. (Other examples include Super Dungeon Explore, Castle Ravenloft, Legend of Drizzt, Claustrophobia, Warhammer Quest, DungeonQuest, Tomb, Cutthroat Caverns, and many others. And yes, my copies of those are shrinkwrapped too, so don’t bother asking.)

Descent was originally released in 2007 and designed by Kevin Wilson. It pits an overlord against up to four hero players, who cooperate to complete a range of exciting objectives, like clobbering a sea-monster, or beating down a dragon (going strictly by the box cover art, which is generally a good indicator). For extra collectability — like it needed it — the game shares a setting with Fantasy Flight’s other popular titles, Runewars, Rune Age, and Runebound.

…

Read More Read More

New Treasures: Cthulhu Britannica: Shadows Over Scotland by Stuart Boon

New Treasures: Cthulhu Britannica: Shadows Over Scotland by Stuart Boon

Comments 2 comments

Shadows Over Scotland-smallCall of Cthulhu remains one of my favorite role playing games, despite the fact that I haven’t played it in… woof. Let’s say nearly 25 years.

Part of it, I think, is simple fondness for the source material, H.P. Lovecraft’s marvelously rich and creepy Cthulhu Mythos. But just as much stems from an appreciation for the enormously inventive adventures and supplemental material published for the game over the years, since it first debuted in a handsome box set from Chaosium in 1981.

Sure, I’d love to play CoC again. But until I find the time (and a group to play with), I’m quite content to read the best new releases. Because Call of Cthulhu continues to draw fabulously talented creators and artists and, unlike most RPGs, its adventures are highly readable all on their own.

Take the new Cthulhu Britannica line from Cubicle Seven, for example, which transplants Lovecraft’s horrors to the green and pleasant land of England. So far, there have been four volumes: the Cthulhu Britannica core book by Mike Mason (2009); Avalon: The Somerset Sourcebook by Paul Wade-Williams (2010); Folklore by Stuart Boon, James Desborough, and Gareth Hanrahan (December 2012); and the first hardcover volume, Stuart Boon’s Shadows over Scotland.

(That’s not even including the crazy-ambitious, Kickstarter-funded Cthulhu Britannica: London Boxed Set by Dominic McDowall, which rivals the legendary boxed set Horror on the Orient Express. The London Boxed Set raised £90,412 on a £15,000 goal and will include three books, four large full-color maps, and numerous handouts. The Kickstarter closed on December 12 and the set is scheduled for delivery in August.)

…

Read More Read More

Reenact Clash of the Titans on Your Kitchen Table With Mythic Battles

Reenact Clash of the Titans on Your Kitchen Table With Mythic Battles

Comments 6 comments

Mythic Battles-smallWhen you’re a collector, your enemy is the impulse purchase. Unless you’re independently wealthy — or you collect caterpillars or something — you need to budget carefully, and make every purchases count. Your goals are ambitious, and one or two impulse buys can leave a carefully thought-out acquisition plan in ruins.

All this goes out the window at an auction. Auctions are all about the impulse buy. A tantalizing treasure is on the auction block for a scant 15 seconds — just long enough to think, “What the heck is that? Is that the guy from 300, or some kind of Spartan paratrooper? Man, I bet Drew would play this with me. Wonder if you can play the guy with the glowing forehead? Is there a Kraken miniature? It’d be worth the 10 buck opening bid just to get a Kraken miniature. OMG it-must-be-mine” — and then bang, the auction is over, you’re the proud owner something called Mythic Battles, and you’re out seventeen bucks.

Mythic Greece is in chaos: Athena and Hades are at war and have sent their greatest heroes to battle. Take on the role of these generals out of legend, leading fantastic armies and lead your troops to victory!

Mythic Battles is a game which simulates epic confrontations and battles that will take your breath away. Thanks to its innovative system – the Building Battle Board (BBB), which combines game mechanisms from miniature games, board games and card games – Mythic Battles offers you an experience the likes of which you have never seen. Recruit your army, play your cards to activate your units, roll your dice to resolve combat – reinvent your way of playing!

This box contains two complete armies to play with two or four players, an initiation campaign, as well as all that’s required to play as you wish. Other armies and units will periodically be released to flesh out your campaigns.

I bought my copy of Mythic Battles at the Games Plus Spring Auction and so far I’ve been very pleased with it. It was designed by Benoit Vogt and was published by Lello/Play & Win in 2012, with a retail price of $49.99. There have been two expansions: The Bloody Dawn of Legends (2013) and Tribute of Blood (2014). And no — there is no Kraken miniature (I know. What were they thinking?)

Rally Your Armies, Dominate Your Foes, and Give a Boatload of Commands in Warmachine: High Command

Rally Your Armies, Dominate Your Foes, and Give a Boatload of Commands in Warmachine: High Command

Comments 3 comments

Warmachine High Command-smallAll right, so five minutes ago I won a copy of Hordes: High Command at the Games Plus Spring Auction and I’m feeling pretty good. Sure, who wouldn’t? Looks like a sweet game and it’s mine, all mine, thanks to my killer auction skills. That’s right.

And then, before I can even enjoy my victory, the auctioneer calls out the next item up for bid: a brand new, still-in-the-shrinkwrap copy of Warmachine: High Command, starting at the low, low opening bid of one dollar.

Wait, what? Is this the same game? Do I need to own this to play the other one? Come on! I still haven’t figured out the game I just bought. This is why I avoid miniature games, damnit! I’ve only owned it for five minutes and it’s already shaking me down for more money.

Take command and muster the military might of an entire nation to conquer the Iron Kingdoms! Warmachine: High Command is a deck-building card game for 2-4 players set in the steam-powered fantasy world of the Iron Kingdoms. This stand-alone game can be played with just the contents of this box or combined with other Warmachine: High Command products for a customizable experience. Leverage your resources, rally your armies, and dominate your foes to set your banner above all of western Immoren! This box contains game rules and 386 cards, including: 89 Cygnar cards 89 Khador cards 89 Protectorate of Menoth cards 89 Cryx cards 15 Winds of War cards 15 Location cards.

Warmachine: High Command was published by Privateer Press on August 28, 2013. Learn more at the website. It retails for $44.99; I won my copy at auction for $17. Reluctantly. I note that I now own two core sets of a collectible miniatures game and somehow I still don’t own any miniatures. God help me, I’m never gonna figure this game out.

Take Command of Mighty Warriors and Beasts in Hordes: High Command, Using Cards or Whatever

Take Command of Mighty Warriors and Beasts in Hordes: High Command, Using Cards or Whatever

Comments 1 comment

Hordes High Command-smallSo I’m sitting in the front row at the Games Plus Spring Auction on Sunday, minding my own business, when the auctioneer holds up a brand new, still-in-the-shrinkwrap, copy of Hordes: High Command and starts the bidding at a dollar.

Now, I have no idea what Hordes: High Command is all about, but the box looks pretty neat, with giant monsters and what-not. Plus, a buck. I’m sitting close enough to read the tag line at the bottom: The Game of Strategic Deck-Building Conquest in the Iron Kingdoms, and I know that promises a lot of, uh, deck-building fun… okay, to be brutally honest, I’m not 100% sure what a “deck building” game is. But you learn the art of the quick decision at auction and my card was in the air pretty much the moment I saw the beautiful babe and the monster on the cover.

Well, I won it. Whatever it is, exactly. It’s apparently a stand-alone game that can be played with just the contents of the box or combined with other Hordes High Command products for a customizable experience. Okay, I copied that sentence from the back of the box. But I think it sounds pretty good. I looked up Hordes on Wikipedia, and it’s a “30mm tabletop miniature wargame produced by Privateer Press… [and] designed as a companion to Warmachine.” Cards and collectible miniatures… we’re moving into a terrifying area for me. Thank God the woman on the cover doesn’t look threatening too or I might wrap this in brown paper and hide it in the basement.

Still, I’ve been mightily impressed by Privateer Press over the last decade, especially their Iron Kingdoms stuff, and Wikipedia assures me the game shares the same setting as the Iron Kingdoms — and also that Hordes won the 2006 Origins Award for Miniatures Game of the Year, which is reassuring. There are plenty of intriguing things about the game (like, how come a miniatures game doesn’t come with any miniatures? What’s up with that?)

I think I might delve deeper into the mystery this week. Hordes: High Command was published by Privateer Press on October 09, 2013. The game includes a set of rules and 386 cards and is priced at $44.99. I won my copy at auction for $12, due to mad auction skillz. Learn more at the website.

To Hear the Lamentations of Their Women (at the Auction)

To Hear the Lamentations of Their Women (at the Auction)

Comments 5 comments

Starship Merchants-smallWell, I survived the Spring Auction at Games Plus.

Not just survived, but triumphed. I brought home a fabulous assortment of treasures old and new, including classic titles from Task Force Games, Metagaming, Avalon Hill, FASA, and dozens of others. Overall, I carted home four boxes of games.

Not a bad haul, I happily told Alice. She wasn’t quite as happy as I was. Not only did I go a bit over budget (say, by about three boxes), but I have nowhere to put them. So much negativity and just when I finished crushing my enemies and driving them before me.

Well, I’ll worry about all that later. Right now, I’m enjoying my sweet gaming loot. In the boxes somewhere are copies of Talisman (3rd Edition), TSR’s Top Secret, several Earthdawn supplements, assorted expansions for Fantasy Flight’s Descent, Smallworld,  Cutthroat Caverns, and lots more. I even found a reasonably priced copy of Earth Reborn — how lucky was that?

Always a delight to find some items on my want list. But at the moment I’m most intrigued with the surprises — the games I didn’t even know existed until they showed up on the auction block. They include a gorgeous pair of deck building games from Privateer Press, both called High Command for some reason (Hordes: High Command and Warmachine: High Command. Why? Who knows), and the oddity at left: Starship Merchants. One copy came up for auction, and that cover art spoke to me. It said, Take me home. And I said, Yes sir. Ten bucks later, it was mine. Looks like a neato game, too.

Did you know about this game? I didn’t. According to Board Game Geek, Starship Merchants was designed by Joe Huber and Thomas Lehmann, and published by Toy Vault in 2012. New copies retail for $34.99; I bought a slightly used copy in beautiful shape for 10 bucks.

When I have a few minutes, I’ll arrange some of the more interesting titles I brought home in a big pile and take some pics for posterity  (like I did last year, the year before, and Spring 2012). But first, I’ll report here on the best surprises. Stay tuned.