Burning Plastic Event for Mepacon Submitted

After much perseverating, and finding out I could still submit an event, all the the information has been sent to allow me to GM at Mepacon  I'll be driving up after work on Saturday so I can catch up with old friends, peruse the auction, buy a book from CJ Henderson (hopefully he's well enough to make the trip), and run a game of Burning Plastic.

Title:  The Pirates of Planet SOMAL-IA
System; Burning Plastic
Players: 12

A despicable group of rogue robots has taken a some notable humans hostage.  Orbital Tac-Nukes have been ruled out to avoid an intergalactic incident, so it's up to an amphibious assault group to reach the pirate compound and rescue the meat shields, er, prisoners.

Burning Plastic is a game played exclusively with Green Army Men and other toys. It's a game of wild tactics, exploding robots, and literal dice chucking.  All ages welcome, rules will be taught. Eye protection optional.

I'll start my trips to the dollar store this week to prepare for the battle.  It should be a hoot!

It shall be a Slaughterama!

Apathy of the New Releases (November '13)

My Want List:

Brave Halfling Publishing:  

Dagger: Supplemental Rules for Classic Roleplaying with Kids $12.95
Someone just posted an article on Gygax Magazine about gaming with your toddler.  I'm hoping this is better than that was.


My Money is No Object List
Original D&D Boxed Set .......  $149.99
I believe I had mentioned this back when it was first announced.   The item description in this solicitation is FAR better than the orignal press release.  This wooden boxed set contains the three original books, plus the four supplements, all with new cover art.  I would have preferred a sheet of chits rather than a set of dice, to keep the correct flavor, and the price tag is still steep, but this is a can't miss far collectors of special editions, so much so, that you guys are the only demographic that will probably buy this

Koplow: Transpa rent: 55mm Emerald Gold Countdown D20   $14.00
Classic color combination on a modern style d20... and it's freakin' huge, man!

Osprey:  Word War I  Battlefield Artillery Tactics  $18.95

Russian Railroads by Z-Man Games  $59.99


The Imagninary Store List
AEG

Mai-star ....................................................................................$19.99

Antimatter Games

More minis have been solicited for their Deepwater Game.  Sorry Antimatter, it looks like a Black Manta family reunion, with a few Lovecraftian monsters for kicks.   Unless there is a kickass demo team, or a fanatastic rack offer, I wouldn't be buying into it.

Atlas Games

Ars Magica 5th Edition: Transforming Mythic Europe .................$29.95

Bandai America
Power Rangers Ccg: Legends Unite Booster Display (15)

Blackwyrm Games
Hero System: 6th Edition - The Sands Of Time .......................... $19.95

Catalyst Game Labs
Battletech: Technical Readout 3145 ..................................................... $39.99

Chaosium
Call Of Cthulhu: Undead & Unbound ................................................... $17.95

Cheapass Games
Deadwood Studios, USA .................................................................... $39.95
Remember when Cheapass Games released product akin to their company's name?  Neither do I.

Cubicle 7
Doctor Who Rpg: The Fifth Doctor Sourcebook................................... $34.99

Enterplay
My Little Pony CCG
Bronies of the world, rejoice!

Evil Hat Productions
Fate: System Toolkit ............................................................................ $20.00
Fate Worlds Volume 1: Worlds On Fire ............................................... $15.00
Fate Worlds Volume 2: Worlds In Shadow .......................................... $15.00
Spirit Of The Century: King Khan ........................................................ $15.00
Spirit Of The Century: Strange Tales Of The Century............................ $15.00

FFG
Star Wars Rpg: Edge Of The Empire Suns Of Fortune ......................... $39.95
Star Wars X-wing  Miniatures Game: Imperial Aces Expansion Pack ... $29.95
Warhammer Disk Wars........................................................................ $39.95

Whatinthehell?  Diskwars, a moderately successful game in the 90's teams up with the antithesis of cheap war gaming?  If the old stuff is still compatible, I hope they wreck the WH armies every time.  

Games Workshop
I've patiently watched from afar as GW has rolled out the new edition of 40K.  GTM usually solicits the models after GW releases them and what little of the 40K community I follow seems to grudgingly accept them.  This month is space marines, and the prices and models have evolved from gouging to borderline criminal.  Thirty bucks for a single  Librarian?  Six figures and a vehicle for $90?  A squad of fiv marines with jump packs and fancy h-t-h weapons for $40? When boxed set figures cost more than individual figures for any other game, it's just not worth it. 

Goodman Games

Dungeon Craw l Classics: Slipcover Edition (gsl) ...................................  $59.95

Louis Porter Jr Design
Pathfinder: Classes Of Neoexodus - Machinesmith ................................ $14.99
Pathfinder: Neoexodus Chronicles - Usual Suspects .............................. $19.99

Mantic
Deadzone: Contagion Boxed Game ...................................................... $89.99
Mantic's sci-fi skirmish boxed set.  It probably comes with more figures than the 40K sets for the same money.

On the opposite end of the spectrum is Mantic's Dreadball line.  I've heard some positive reviews of the game, and anything that fills the void of Bloodbowl in gaming stores is a good thing.  However, they've already released a Season Three boxed set and the rules and campaign bloat is painfully there. Special characters, MVPs, multi-player games, and even Mecha look to expand the game in directions it's base may not want. 

Monte Cook Games
Numenera Rpg: Ninth World Bestiary .................................................... $39.95

Open Design
Pathfinder: New Paths Compendium ...................................................... $29.99

Paizo
Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Wrath Of The Righteous Poster Map Folio.. $19.99
Pathfinder Player Companion: Bastards Of Golarion ................................ $12.99
Pathfinder Flip-mat: Falls And Rapids...................................................... $13.99
Pathfinder Adventure Path: Wrath Of The Righteous Part 6 - City Of Locusts ... $22.99
Pathfinder Campaign Cards: Tears At Bitter Manor ................................. $10.99

Winning Moves
Classic Ouija Board ................................................................................. PI

Wizards

Dungeons & Dragons:The Sundering Ii -Legacy Of The Crystal Shard ..... $34.95

Wiz kids
Marvel Heroclix: Captain America The Winter Soldier
The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug Heroclix Mini-game
Pathfinder Battles: Red Dragon Evolution Boxed Set
Pathfinder Battles: Wrath Of The Righteous Standard Booster Brick (8)
Star Trek Attack Wing: Wave 3 Expansion Packs
Star Trek Attack Wing: Wave 2 Expansion Packs
Yu-Gi-Oh! HeroClix: 6-figure Starter Set

Zombiesmith WW2 Porkers

Zombiesmith announces the release of Porkers!  WW2 figures in 15mm. 

I'm not big on WW2 or 15mm, plus I didn't know there was a demand got Bacon Nazis, but I also didn't know there were What-If WW2 1946-49 lines until this morning. 

$6.00 for a squad of ten, $2.50 for two officers, and $1.00 for a half Porker for a tank hatch. 

www.zombiesmith.com

New Sculpt for RAFM's CoC Line

A while back, the folks at RAFM had a successful crowd sourcing through Indiegogo to relaunch their Call of Cthulhu miniatures line.

Some of the new figures were mere concept sketches at the time, but now we have one of the sculpts, Captain Richard Carter.

This looks far more awesome than the concept art, and that makes sense.  The sculptor is Bob Murch, better known to me as the owner/sculptor of Pulp Figures. He sculpts a sturdy figure that's easy to paint, yet has plenty of detail to personalize.

After seeing this, I'm still not convinced I should have pledged money to the project, but it's very apparent the line needed some new life added to it.

I Have Started Kicking!

It's official.  After mentioning numerous projects in posts, drooling over some and poo-poo-ing others, I am officially no longer a Kickstarter virgin.   Reaper's Bones II has gotten a whopping $21 out of me.

The $100 pledge (Vampire-level from Bones I) is neither an economical nor a material option for me.  I know I could just sell off everything and leave me with the 10-15 figures I really want, but I don't have the space for them when they do show up in a distant year.

I went with what I had mentioned before:  TWO sets of the Mousling set.

By the time they show up, I may have the stragglers in the original boxed set done, as well as get around and purchase the Tavern set (by March at the latest).

With my support, the total inched closer to the elusive $1,909,933.00.  A cool two mill is an easy target with 8 days left.

The Swiss and Lost Civilization of Connecticut

I received a secret communique today from a distant land. Inside was a picture:

It seemed that the Swiss army had gone on a wild goose chase and ended up trapped in Connecticut!  Despite my insistence that their case was in the house in April, the reality of it was they got packed up in Jim's stuff and he finally  got around to going through his stuff for Fall-In!  Success!

I need to get to Fall-In! no matter what, if only to pick up these guys plus a mini case of Znombies and gingerbread men!

Pop's Culture Shoppe, Wellsboro, PA - One Year Later

This weekend was my 7th Wedding Anniversary.  Like last year, we drove up to Wellsboro.  Unlike last year, we kept it to a day trip and left the kiddos at home with Grandma.

Wellsboro continues to evolve into a larger and larger tourist trap with stores selling gee gaws and bric a brac to a clientele that is any combination of (a) old (b) yuppie (c) motorcycle riding and (d) lesbian.  Hey, those folks have to vacation somewhere especially during leaf season. 

Outside of a superb dinner at Timeless Destination, and a quick visit to the local Men's shop, a considerable amount of stay was a return trip to Pop's Culture Shoppe.

I reviewed Pop's last year when we came up.  It's been the only shop that I gave five out of five gnomes on a review, and it's been the gold standard to compare against the other stores.  But what's happened to Pop's over the course of the last year?  How have the Stam's changed, tinkered, and grown the store?

Let's take a look, shall we?

First off, Pop's is still there.  This is a huge plus in the game store business.  The only thing worse than operating a game store might be running a restaurant, and both have huge room for failure.  It's nice to see them succeed.

They were genuinely busy.  We walked in to Julian and Anja busy helping small packs of customers at the counter, a few bemused touristy types, and a family playing King of Tokyo in the Playroom.  We were still greeted warmly, and the once the customers were finished, Julian came over to check up on us, thank me for the nice review, and talk a little shop before the next group wandered in.  More on that as I go along.

The store is still immaculate.  Still no food was eaten off the floor, but everything was clean, with organized shelves, and a bright and airy atmosphere. Julian even mentioned needing to change a few burnt out lightsawhile back and the difference it made.  All other FLGS game stores out there, please take note of the previous sentence: basic maintenance is not hard and it's worth the relatively minor expense.  Please get on it.

The wall o' games in the Playroom

Stock has expanded.  The three core areas, CCGs, boardgames, and Heroclix are still supported and have been expanded. However the stock shelves in the Playroom are no longer a libraray of boardgames. Instead it's a varied and somewhat eclectic bunch of board games, card games, kid's retro games,and even playing cards, plus a few more racks for even more stock.   They've slowly expanded the RPG section, largely Pathfinder, with some old school D&D used books for flavor.  As they had mentioned as one of their goals from last year, their small art supply section has grown nicely, and the flow of the store has changed ever so slightly. Touristy product A leads the customer to kid friendly rack B which notices product line C in such a subtle way to encourage browsing even amongst those visitors who "don't play games," yet somehow leave the store with a purchase of some sort.  It's basic marketing at it's finest.  

They are part of the community.  While most store resign themselves to being the place where parents drop off their kids to play Magic, Yu-Gi-Oh, and Heroclix for the day, Pop's still does that, but they've also managed to expand the horizons of a dorky-mannered game destination.  They host weekly Coffe and Cards mornings, as well as regular Mah-Jong games that has expanded to other dates upon demand.  A number of people, from middle school kids to senior citizens are sitting down, socializing, and playing games where they would rarely interact in public.  This is a beautiful thing.



This is not the clientele you would expect at a game store, and this is a very good thing.

 They also recently re-started the Chess club after a short hiatus, worked in some of the students at nearby Mansfield University, as well as being a participating store in the First Annual Wellsboro Wine and Art Festival this year.

Even more stuff

Their in-store demos are great.  Once things completely calmed down, I convinced my wife to sit down and play King of Tokyo with Julian teaching us.   He was great at explaining the rules and not overcomplicating things, which should be a given to be a great demonstrator, but the fact that he gave my non-gaming wife equal attention when explaining everything is a HUGE plus.  We've walked out of many a car dealership, carpet store, etc because the salesman barely recognized my wife, and I explicitly stated that she was the decision maker in that scenario.   Although I would be gamer/potential purchaser at the table, treating everyone with respect seems like a no brainer for the enjoyment of all, but alas, most stores are severely lacking in that regard.  My wife enjoyed herself immensely (she also won),  even though she's never watched a giant monster movie of any kind.

She had also never heard "Let's Go Crazy" by Prince until the ride home, so she lived a sheltered life. 

King of Tokyo

Oh yeah, King of Tokyo rocks on toast!  I didn't snag a copy but I heartily recommend it.

I'm not going to go into details about their board game rentals or hosting a party there.  I don't want to screw up the details, but they also rock.  Stop in yourself and ask.  I doubt you'll be disappointed.

So, last year, I gave Pop's the coveted five out of five gnome rating.  I had a split second of hesitation in giving that until I went over the criteria and the store demographics.  A year later, I have no reservations of any sort when I recertify Pop's Culture Shoppe with a Five Out of Five Gnome Review.

2012, 2013

The Stams run a friendly, yet very professional store.  More than saying they're an excellent game store, it would not be a stretch to say they have an excellent business, and that word is rarely used with game stores. I hope my next visit is far closer than another year.

DISCLAIMER:  Realizing that we didn't bring the little ones with us this time, they threw in two small foam dice in our bag "for the kids,'  as well as an extra root beer with the purchase of a Pop's Travel Mug for my wife.  This did not influence any opinions on this post, it was not expected as a result of my previous positive review, but it did reinforce my personal opinion that the Stam's are truly sincere, awesome people.  The stores I have given poor reviews on would require a whole lot more than $2.50 MSRP for me to give them a better review, and my conscience wouldn't allow it anyway

DISCLAIMER #2 My wife was lucky she got me out of Wellsboro when she did seven years ago.  It would  require firearms pointed at my head to get me to move if I still lived there today.  

(Fall-In!) 2013 PEL is Up!

Twenty-plus hour overtime weeks have descended upon work, but that won't stop me of dreaming of an open weekend for Fall-in! 

The PEL is up at Fall-in.org.  My first thought was "When are the Napoleonic Wars over so we can stop the glut of anniversary games?"  My second thought was "Yay, Great War games gearing up for the anniversary!"

Time to go over what's "Viscount certified cool":


F-149 - Them!
Fri. 1:00 PM, 4 hrs, 8 players GM: Karl Shanoltz  Prize: grab bag of bugs!!!
SciFi 15mm, Rules: Home Rules
Based on a 1954 "B" sci-fi movie, Giant radiated ants invade Calf. Can you discover the location of the queens chamber and complete your mission? Or will the ants have a picnic? Players under 12 with participating adult. (rules will be taught)
I hope this is just as cheesey as the subject matter it covers.

F-188 - The Marines at Okaharui (German SouthWest Africa, 1904)
Fri. 2:00 PM, 4 hrs, 6 players  GM: Roy Jones with Eric Alvarado
Colonial 25mm, Rules: Sword and the Flame (Modified)
German Marines and Schutztruppen are moving in column through incredibly thick thorn bushes, in pursuit of Herero forces. Visibility is obscured, and the column is traveling at a crawl. Suddenly, shots ring out from the bush – and mounted Herero troops spring their trap! A desperate fight, with Marines vs. Mounted, from the scenario book "The Herero War". More at: www.hererowars.com.
One of these days, I shall jump into one of these games.  They always look simply, yet incredibly fun.

F-104 - Adriatic Jutland
Fri. 2:00 PM, 4 hrs, 10 players GM: Gary Coyle WW1 , Rules: Fleet Action Imminent
In August 1914, the French Navy raided into the Adriatic, hoping to engage the Austro Hungarians. All they caught was a light cruiser. What if the k.u.k. Kriegsmarine had taken the bait and the two forces met? With Italy neutral and the Brits chasing the Germans, it is nearly an equal fight.
Any Great War naval that isn't Jutland is right up my alley.

F-220 - Gnome Wars: The Vilage of Tulgas
Fri. 2:00 PM, 4 hrs, 6 players GM: Jim Stanton with Steven Stanton and Stout Gnomes
Sponsor: Brigade Games, Prize: GNOMES! Other 28mm, Rules: Gnome Wars
On November 11, 1918 elements of Hodson's American Infantry, 10th Highlanders, and a battery of Swiss Field Artillery were positioned in the Village of Tulgas. Suddenly, they were assaulted by the 96th Saratov Infantry regiment, part of Trotsky's newly raised Red Army. Heavily outnumbered and low on supplies, the allies had two cards in the hole - Mr. Browning and his friend Mr. Vickers.  Anyone bringing a painted Gnomes at War unit from Brigade Games does not have to preregister.
Jim is back with a vengeance!

F-344 - Battle of the Falklands
Fri. 6:00 PM, 4 hrs, 6 players
GM: Paul Meyer and NOWS
WW1 , Rules: Shipbase 3
The fight off the Falklands as it might have been had Von Spee be given the support he'd origonally requested. The British Battlecruisers may find find that they've been "caught a tartar". Shipbase 3 is a computer moderated system that combines realistic mechanics with streamlined combat resolution and record keeping to produce a truly fast-playing naval minatures game. minors welcome with playing adult, rules taught
See my previous comment on Great Wars naval

F-232 - Battle of Krasnik, August 1914
Fri. 6:00 PM, 4 hrs, 6 players GM: Jesse Scarborough
Sponsor: TOB Games, Prize: Gift Certificate WW1 15mm, Rules: Command Decision Test of Battle
Forces of the Dual Monarchy reached their zenith during this early war battle with the Czar’s troops. A playtest for the forthcoming “Great War East - 1914” scenario book by Test of Battle Games.


F-190 - Trench Wars: The Battle of Tulgas, 1918
Fri. 8:00 PM, 4 hrs, 4 players GM: John Spiess
WW1 28mm, Rules: Trench Wars
On November 11, 1918, elements of the 339th American Inf, 10th Royal Scots, and a battery of Canadian Field Artillery were positioned in the Village of Tulgas. Suddenly, they were assaulted by the 96th Saratov Infantry, part of Trotsky's newly raised Red Army. Heavily outnumbered and low on supplies, the allies had
one card in the hole. Mr. Trotsky, meet Mr. Browning… and his friend Mr. Vickers.
Oooh, the historical version of the gnome game!

F-221 - Gnome Wars: The Joust!
Fri. 8:00 PM, 2 hrs, 30 players GM: Steven Stanton with Jim Stanton and Stout Gnomes
Sponsor: Brigade Games, Prize: GNOMES! Other 28mm, Rules: To Cry a Joust
Gnome Jousting Tournament. Rules Taught - quick, easy, FUN! PRIZES!!
If you are in the vicinity of Lancaster, and not participating in the joust, I can label you an idiot.

S-185 - At the Edge of Empire - Sahara, 1890
Sat. 9:00 AM, 4 hrs, 8 players GM: Brendan Watts with Edward Watts and Monday Night
Adventurers Colonial 25mm, Rules: The Sword and the Flame/The Sword in North Africa
The French Foreign Legion attempts to hold a far flung outpost versus an Arab uprising, help is on the way, but it will it be in time ? Kid / adult /family / dinosaur fan friendly.
French Foreign Legion!  Woot!

S-172 - Teddy Bear Roman Civil War Picnic
Sat. 10:00 AM, 2 hrs, 8 players GM: Jim Reynolds and WNPG Sponsor: Eureka USA, Prize: Teddy Bears
Ancients 28mm, Rules: Teddy Bear Ancients
It is a final showdown for all the marbles. Who shall rule the picnic grounds. Will it be Poohpey or Yogius Caesar. Kids Game

S-173 - Death at Distlefink! (AKA The Night the Hall Pig went Bad!)
Sat. 2:00 PM, 4 hrs, 6 players  GM: Shawn Reis with Mindy Robins and WNPG
Sponsor: Aftermath Modular Terrain, Prize: Dice Modern 28mm, Rules: Ambush Z
Fall in! weekend has arrived once more. The vendors are selling their wares, games are being played, the Hobby University is teaching people how to paint and there is a charity event for Toys for Tots. What could possibly go wrong? Stop by and find out what happens when the "Hall Pig" goes bad and gamers start
turning into Zombies. Bring a Painted 28mm Figure of yourself  and join in the fun

S-223 - Gnome Wars: The Assualt at Prince Stiofan's...
Sat. 2:00 PM, 4 hrs, 8 players  GM: Jim Stanton and Stout Gnomes Sponsor: Miniature Building Authority & Brigade Games, Prize: GNOMES! Other 28mm, Rules: Gnome Wars
The Germans, Russians, and Japanese launch a surprise attack on Prince Stiofan's country estate, hoping to take the young prince captive. It is rumored that one of the four treasures of the Tuatha De Danann, the Cauldron of the Dagda, has been moved to the estate and Lon would love to get his hands on it. Luckily Stiofan was hosting a dinner for the leaders from other gnome tribes!

S-183 - WWI Battle of the Somme-Thiepval Ridge 1916
Sat. 6:00 PM, 3 hrs, 6 players GM: Troy Turner with Bill Miller and Maphogs, Prize: French TankWW1 15mm, Rules: Fire and Fury Variant
The battle of the Somme was far more than the oft thought of "line em up & shoot em down" scenes from movies. The Somme was a series of grinding battles that bloodied the allies & came close to
breaking the German army. Thiepval featured new tactics & weapons used by the British. The French desperately tried to link up the fumbling British. Can the allies break the resolute German defenses? Adult must be present with child

S-222 - Gnome Wars: ...just not the slowest.
Sat. 8:00 PM, 3 hrs, 8 players GM: Steven Stanton and Stout Gnomes Sponsor: Miniature Building Authority & Brigade Games, Prize: GNOMES!
Other 28mm, Rules: Gnome Wars A farm house, a roadside in, and a few hundred of your closest
undead friends coming for a late-night feeding. To get away, you don't have to be the fastest…..
This is the reason we're staying overnight.  Zombies and a kickass warband.  Victory shall be mine!

A Minor Reaper Mousling Rant

After posting about Reaper's Bones II Kickstarter yesterday, and the kids nestled up in their beds asleep, I sauntered over to there website to see what I've missed over the summer.   The Reaper listings for the Game Trade Magazine I use for my Apathy columns are woefully inaccurate and incomplete, so I'm never completely surprised to discover some new line or other changes.  I also get a lot of traffic for mouselings/mouslings/redfern/mouse guard miniatures, so to keep up with those releases just seems natural.

Not much has changed, except this figure:



01526 Madame Gorgonzola, 2013 Convention Miniature

My head tilted in confusion.  I could not find anything under "Mouslings" in their search function, and this was listed in their "Greens" section, which I thought was reserved for pending or very recent models.  The $4.99 price tag seemed steep, but this is a great looking figure, one of which I would gladly swap for the Samurai in the Kickstarter.  The samurai mousling looks so out of place, and is barely usuable unless they package a small army unit, but that's another rant.

Finally, through Google, I find her listed as a product on the website as well as under a "Mousling" tab that I confirmed through the website I could not get to via normal means.

The listing did include the disclaimer,

We include this picture for the sake of historical accuracy. This figure is no longer produced and is not available from us at all.

Now, this is a standard on their products, as I remember it on "Mr Squiggles" set.  It should be enough for me to just go "Oh well, I missed it," and get on with my life, but I'm miffed by this.  It's not some GW GameDay Space Marine captain that hordes of people get and throw on eBay, it's a decent if overpriced sculpt that deserves to see the light of day outside of the convention events.  To add insult to injury, the Google search pulled up a painted version on their website:

It's a tiny figure, as all mouslings are, and the scarf, apron, and babushka are top notch.  That fur, though, is just awful!  Yes, it's white, and that's nigh impossible to get right, but detail sculpted into the  face, the lack of contrast, and the overdone make-up (which is correct, she is a gypsy fortune teller after all) just make this look amatuer and takes away from all the effort that was done on the rest of the figure.

I don't know why a tiny figure I'll never get my hands on is producing this result.  It's not as if I don't have enough mousling and Eureka mice warriors I still haven't gotten around to painting.

(Kickstarter) Reaper Bones II

I knew it was coming, but I never realized that it was already ongoing.  Of course, I'm referencing the newest Kickstarter from Reaper:  Bones II - The Grab for More Cash, errr, I mean  "The Return of Mister Bones".

With the resounding success of the first one, why not do some more crowdsourcing to further expand the line?  But after the voluminous glut of minis the first one produced, does anybody really want, much less need more minis?

Reaper started with the same formula:  Start with a small batch (30) for $100 and as stretch goals are met, more figures are added to the core promotion, as well as inexpensive add-on packs.  With a obtainable starting goal of $30,000, at least the 30 core figures would be added to the line, and they could try again during a Bones III.

With 21 days left, the Kickstarter has only reached $1.3 million, and the $100 core package will net you 125 figs.

Not too shabby, Reaper. Not. Too. Shabby.

I have the same issues I had with the first one. Yes, it's a phenomenal value, but I have no use for most of the stuff and I don't like the sculpts.

The only thing that might net them a $1 pledge and be eligible for add ons are the mouslings:

I love the princess mouse and the Robin Hood-esque fellows in the center.  I don't need Samurai Mice, but for the money , I can handle a glut of a few figures.

Check out their Kickstarter page, for more information.

My Plans For 2014

With the review done, it's time to look at what projects I'd like to accomplish for the 2013-14 gaming "season."

Last year I had very specific things in multiple categories. This year I'll cover it in general topics and go from there.

1. The Second Samoan Civil War (25mm): This is going to get finished, on time, come hell or high water. Painting, painting, some figures, a little more painting, and a prayer I don't have to special order more Samoan flesh tone from England.  I need to organize some play testing as well, just in case I need more troops.  Here's hoping its just some late night painting sessions of banana trees. 

2. Call of Cthulhu:  Everyone's good friend, Jackson Elias, is dead, but unlike your standard version of the campaign, where people run a few softball sessions and then BAM! we're in room 410, we had twenty to harden the hearts of the investigators, make them badass, and possibly piss off every other cult in New York City.  I'll tell you what, no other version of the campaign in recorded history has had an eight-foot tall roided out Asian playing a mysterious role in New York.   Outside of an eventual copy of Tales of the Sleepless City, I can't think of anything else I'll need for a long while, even if we get a TPK and do something else. 

3. Gnome Wars:  After Samoa, I'll need to rebuild the lost Swiss forces, and perhaps flush out the French forces for the 100th Anniversary of the start of the Great War.  Maybe some Serbian-Roman action for Historicon to ignite the tensions?  Perhaps some Russians, and by some miracle, work on the Gnomish Gazetteer. 

4.  Mouse Guard:  I'm shelving the Mouse Guard game for Mepacon, rather setting up a Burning Plastic game on the world of SOM-ALI-A with some naval maneuvers

5. Burning Plastic:  See above.  Of course, I have to submit the event first. 

6.  The Kids:  I should probably list this as #1 due to its importance, but I need to play more games with the girls, both the silly Princess themed ones and the silly "serious".games.  I found my 25mm Brigade Games figs for Tanga, so we may play some practice CLA for Samoa. 

Or we can just play whatever they want...

2013 Gaming Year in Review

Saturday was a good day.  The obligatory trip down to the Bloomsburg Fair for fried food on a stick and structurally questionable carnival rides for  the kids.  I even got some laundry done for this upcoming hell week at work so I'll be able to rush in for work early AND wear matching socks!

This week also ended my "gaming season."  As I've mentioned before, I don't remember the thinking behind it, but I track my games on a Oct-Sep basis.
  

Here goes my recollections...

The Blog

Despite the last month becoming a disaster to blog, I kept up the same hectic pace as the last year. Here's the big posts of the year, by views:

1. Cold Wars 2013 --Friday
2. 500th Post!
3. Battle at the Farm
4. Attack of the 50-Foot Princess!
5. RIP: Nick Yutko
6. Pop's Culture Shoppe, Wellsboro, Pennsylvania
7. (TIARA) Belle's Birthday Brawl
8. (Twelve Days) #10 Zombie Cakes for Fun and Profit
9. (Twelve Days) #4 Comics and Comments
10. Mepacon, I will be in you soon!

Lots of kind comments, a few spam from Samoan hotels, and fewer gnomes hit the posts, but the biggest addition I've done is adding reviews, primarily stores, from my own utopian, yet utilitarian retail beliefs.  The lessons I've learned working in stores during the Great Magic Glut  of the 90's still rings true today.  It saddens me to find stores still cling to the "owners, partners, & buddies" model that never attempts to expand from a shrinking base.  My first game store review for Pop's Culture Shoppe in Wellsboro is still the standard by which other stores are measured, and all found lacking.  I hope to do a follow up in mid-October when the Missus and I go up there for an anniversary day trip. 

RIP Nick Yutko - the biggest news of the past twelve months was the sudden passing of Dreamscape Comics owner Nick Yutko.  I've managed to go down to the store a few times since, most notably to pick up a copy of ASL for Hoyce's bachelor party, but I haven't gotten updates on the stores closing in months and real life overrides any attempts to relive my awesome past of ringing up sales for comic book geeks.

Podcasts:  I finally started entering the 21st century by following some podcasts, most notably Cthulhu on Parade and The Miskatonic University Podcast.  Lovecraftian gaming and its distinct lack of heavy rules and cumbersome charts makes it easier to enjoy a general discussion, rather than a war gaming or D&D site.

Games
Gnome Wars:  Not as prevalent as last year, but the misplacement of all of my Swiss units has dampened spirits to play.    Cold Wars was still a hoot, the 2nd Annual Gnome Mega-Game was a success, and I earned the nickname "Crazylegs" Jacobson, vanquisher of Canadians, from the Gnome Joust.

Call of Cthulhu -  The year 1924 took longer in real time than game time, but we have gotten past that and two sessions in since a telegram from our good friend Jackson Elias sent them down a treacherous path.  I'm pleased, even with my recent bloodlust in the past five months (five deaths and some significant best downs of investigators.

Formula De - After years of wanting to, I got to learn Formula De at Mepacon and played some more at Hoyce's bachelor party.  Good stuff

Risus - A change in the annual Labor Day picnic reduced our guests, thus, for the first time since 2007, no Risus IOU game was run. I may attempt something at SATLOF.

TIARA - My toddler minis/rpg game had some good sessions with the girls, especially with some new eBay villains, but real life has caught up with me, right when it's perfect for my two year old, Millie. 

Trench Wars - got to play this at Cold Wars and its great for large Western Front games. I'll probably stick with CLA for my games, thanks.

Conventions:  I only got out to two local Mepacons and Cold Wars last year.  Funds and time did not work out for anything else.  I did have a great overfilled Toon game at the last Mepacon, expanding on the "Cthulhu Comes to Springfield" game. 

More Mike Lung Goodness from Historicon

Purchases:  My purchases this year were all over the place. eBay has been a blessing and a bane.  I picked up a pile of random minis cheap.  I have a few Warhammer goblin units to use as primitive Martians, some misc sci-fi stuff. a UNE fast attack vehichle, and an excellent start to my Samoa game.

Best Game: 
Attack of the 50-foot Princess - Kids' toys, my green army guys, and an 18-inch Snow White rampaging through a town?  I should probably tweak that into a con game.

Best RPG Purchase:
Masks of  Nylarahotep Companion

My eBay RPG stuff has been pretty lame, so I'll nominate this 600 page gorilla that's just a free preview pdf! As if Masks isn't big enough, this tries to flesh out everything.  I have used a few items, such as weather conditions and their good friend's library, but this far it's still a lot of fluff. 

Best Miniatures:
My Samoans.  I love the Pulp Figures sculpts. I need more, but the figures are rather clean and sturdy.

Best Misc Purchase:
The ATKM 54mm Barn I snagged at Cold Wars is one of two painting projects I finished this year (the other was some 25mm palm trees.). It also displayed prominently in two games I posted. 

(Kickstarter) Legions of the Steel: The Video Game

Checking my links in the blog's links, I noticed one unusual one: a Kickstarter for a Legions of Steel video game for iOS, Android, and PC!

LOS Kickstarter

I've glanced at the pledge levels, and I'm pleased that they've offered hard copies of the original rules, PDFs, plus an art book. The redesigns of the UNE and machines are subtle, despite the commandos having 80s style shoulder pads with a Japanese flair (or were they Black Empire?)

It does look like they're at only 20% of their goal with14 days left, so if you're intersted in anything LOS, give them a boost.

Even if they're French....