The Collected Cold Wars 2025 Reviews

 As I have already ranted and raved about, I didn't attend Cold Wars 2025 this year in Gettysburg.  I do not any regrets with my absence, but what has surprised me was that, by mid-day on Thursday, there weren't any of the half-dozen to ten separate topics on TMP about the con.  

We couldn't have all the self-important bloggers not attend Cold Wars and bloviate their opinions with a few pictures, could we? 

We only had one of the Stout Gnomes attend Cold Wars as a day trip and we discussed it Monday night.  Positives:  There was a Cold Wars and the flea market had some awesome finds (it looked quite large, compared to the vendors).  Negative:  Multi-building arrangement, low vendor turnout, none of the events truly caught his eye.    Not going to put words in his mouth, but if pressed, he might give an over-enthusiastic C-

For me and my social media searching, I found a lot of empty tables up until Saturday afternoon, and a lack of foot traffic wandering the Ike.  When all the videos could perform a Broadway number between the booths in the vendor hall, I have some concerns reinforcing the problems with having a con for the sake of a con. 

So here are five YouTube videos that I found covering the convention.  

Little Wars TV:

Axis and Aliens:

Bill's Wargame World - After Action Report

Bill's Wargame World - Dealer Hall

Mark's Game Room - No matter what the video title says...

Jedi Ram's Reviews

Blogs:

One of My Men Became Restless

Even the Price of Sheep Are Going Up.

 I'll be honest, I haven't purchased from Old Glory since my Samoa Project, and that was 11 years ago.

But before Brigade and now Badger have a huge footprint at the HMGS shows, Old Glory was the anchor vendor at the shows, although I was caught up in needing to order items ahead of time, because my preferences weren't part of the regular travelling inventory.  

I've missed most of their online news since COVID, but this week they launch some new  25/28mm figures for their Farm Range.

FAR-05 Sheep

Even though they are nice sheep, I'm still amazed I don't freak out over the $15.00 for four sheep.  

Even the lead mutton has gone up in price!  

(Backerkit) Terraforming Mars: The RPG

 It's been a year of some hardcore, overmarketed  licensed RPGs getting crowdfunded. I didn't expect to see an ad for Terraforming Mars: The RPG coming to Backerkit, but it was subtle and smooth enough for for me to sign up for the launch.  

I like Terraforming Mars the board game, heck I've run a few sessions of my own Terraforming Mars RPG, using Risus, many moons ago.  At worst, it's a single planet version of Traveller. 

But then the game launched, a I realized who the authors for the project were: 

Kenneth Hite and Gareth Ryder-Hanrahan.  

If it's going to be green thumb Traveller, it's going to be the best green thumb Traveller it can be.  

The writers are top-notch, the artwork is great, and the number of volumes dedicated to this game are impressive... and the pricing matches. 

(Gamma World) This is Not a Test #66 - Where'd Ya Get the Hats?

 Our heroes, the De Facto Explorers,  are spending the winter at KIA Academy.

================= 

Sneaky Pete: A mutated weasel scout.  Pete's telepathy and night vision take a backseat when he whips out his electrical powers.  

Sonny Helianthus: a sentient sunflower artifact examiner with trusted Restorationist ties. Knowledgeable,  but not a good one with device repairs or upgrades.  Very interested in a "Children's Alchemical Laser" he recently acquired.

Slitheran Wurmtail (aka Squiggles): a mutated earthworm scout, in impromptu power armor, looking for trouble, and finding it often.  Previously "gave birth" to a litter of sentient earthworm babies, but recently has been subject to genetic testing and developed super-human strength, a more human body, and a thick coat of shaggy white hair.

Lathar Bracken: A pure-strain human from River Bend.  He's got the muscle, the face, and a mount for most encounters.  Lathar's trusty beast of burden, No Name, travels wherever he does.  No Name has recently been fitted for a artillery device of the Ancients that chucks spears further than any human.  Looking for trouble in all the right places.  Former jousting champion of Fair-Town and has been awarded... a peacock he has named Chambray.  He's recently been struck by a weapon by a strange race of people and transformed into... something else... multiple times.

RHA-9: A lab assistant piece of "Living Metal" that seems to have befriended the group... for now!  Currently getting repairs done by the Restorationists. Currently safely in their hotel room on KIA Academy Level Zero.

=================

The odd southern lights did not cause a great uproar throughout KIA Academy.  There were some small conversations notes, but not the fear and panic most of the De Facto Explorers expected.  The group slept in (save Sonny, who never sleeps) and talked over brunch about what their next course of action would be.  

Pete was pretty insistent that, despite the frigid temperatures that were barely breaking outside, that they follow-up on the scouting job offer Squiggles received from the directly labelled Larry the Cat.

Larry the Cat

They ventured up to Level 2 to Larry's office and were given a basic scouting patrol that kept them far away from the southern lights.  They were to run a few miles inland from the river and cross one of the tributaries before returning.  Investigating the strange lights were strictly prohibited, unless they ran into it. KIA Academy provided some rations and extra cold-weather tents.  

Bringing No Name with them, they followed some old trails until the towering structure of KIA Academy was no longer in sight.  The killer freeze had relented, but it was still below freezing.  

Pete and Squiggles complemented each other as they navigated through the wilderness.  It it was peak summer, the land would be unnavigable, but  in the dead of winter it was simply rocky and a bit treacherous. 

Nearing the tributary they were instructed to cross, Pete's danger sense kicked off.  Someone was watching the explorers from afar.  Squiggles scanned the grounds and could only catch a furry hat or two instantly dashing between two trees. Realizing that these hidden figures might be flanking them, Squiggles, Pete, and Lather going  into a defensive posture.  

 Sonny immediately stepped forward to greet these hiding entities.   The hats slowly emerged, with their wearers attached.  They were more of the blue-skinned folk the party had encountered by the stone pavilion.  They appeared amused by the sunflower

From amongst the various trees, there was a single blue-skinned woman moving forward with immense grace over the crunchy snow.   She raises her hands in an unfamiliar pose, certainly not aggressive, nor entirely peaceful.

Her control of the Explorers native tongue has slurred and stilted, something above the Dominion of Balance, looking for safety, and her name might be Elona.  

Elona, Chief Kirothian Scout

Sonny and Elona talked for a bit.  Elona was the Chief Scout for their village of Kirothia.  They were confused that it was perfect weather only a day or two ago, now some group of wizards had chased them out of their village  "Bad men, they shot first, and second"   They appeared to be regular humans with advanced tech and magic.   Their village appeared to be two days travel up the tributary to the main river.  The Kirothians were also worried they hadn't encountered any of the other expected villagers.  

The most disconcerting facts:  None of them remember seeing lights in the sky the past few nights and none of them were familiar with the "Big River."

 Kirthorians on the run....

Contacting this group, particularly with the history KIA Academy had in previous encounters.  Pete didn't trust them at all and refused to share even adjacent camps.   They came to some agreement to escort them downriver to the Big River.  In appreciation, Elona gave Sonny the one piece of equipment they had picked up from the "Bad Men".... a communication device of the Ancients, which matched Sonny's walkie-talkie.

Next: #67 - A Few Good Humanoids

Happy International GM Day… Early!!!

 Technically, it's International GM Day tomorrow, but I already have my Gamma World actual play positing, so I guess, I'm already celebrating, scheming has what to do for tonight‘s online session. 

Cold Wars, Mepacon, and the Continuing Winter of Con Season

 So this weekend was the apparent resurrection of Cold Wars, down at the Eisenhower in Gettysburg.   From the initial announcement I had no intention of going.  Too many inadequate memories from many decades past, and nostalgic PTSD from a recent swing by, and even when I talked to folks who had been there recently for other types of shows, the best response was "It wasn't that bad," and that opinion changed once I explained to dual-site set-up.

Regardless, the con occurred, early reports had a mixture of fun, and a lament that the Ike doesn't run a shuttle between the hotel and the All-Star Complex, where the vendors, flea markets, and tournaments were taking place.   Pictures are sparse, showed ballrooms with Friday morning Distelfink attendance, and the games showcased were moderately attended.   The pictures haven't been great compared to my guerrilla-style iPhone shoots with a streaky lens, so I hope there's some great stuff and greater attendance show in.  

Knowing this was a free weekend, I tried to cobble together a "Cold Wars at Home" with the girls:  knock out some fun games on my list, a board game or two, some group painting, and maybe break out their own Gamma World characters for a quick session.

It took two weeks trying to get confirmation from either of them, or their mother, only to get a late Thursday night "We're going to New York to see Heathers the musical.  We'll be back Sunday afternoon for Millie's tryouts." 

I had hope for maybe some Sunday afternoon time, but then (a) tryouts were pushed back later in the week and (b) Heathers the Musical was playing in New York.... Upstate New York, in Albany, which meant they wouldn't be home till late (they're still 3 hours away from home at this writing).  

I thought about doing some solo stuff, some painting, but beyond washing and vacuuming the car, it's been a grumpy weekend.

Historicon 2025 event registration allegedly opens up tomorrow, and we have some ideas and events outlined, but the next con for me was supposed to be Mepacon 48, April 4-6 at the Delta by Marriott Allentown/Lehigh Valley.

I had some excitement over this, as it's five minutes away from my friend Steve's house (Squiggles/Ne'vets, Echellon from my games), and it might be a great opportunity to bring his son to a convention.  Now Steve's possibilities are still true, but there is no way in hell I can make a single second of that conf.  

First, my eldest Maja, has a pretty solid role in her high school's production of the Footloose, so I'll be in Northeast PA Friday and Saturday night.

Compounding things more, those tryouts Millie needs to attend? They're for her AAU Basketball team, which has a tournament in Lancaster that Saturday and Sunday.  

So I'll leave the table partially set up and maybe do some solo stuff over the wee.  Maybe I'll get some pretty big projects off the painting table. I really didn't need anything from the vendor that were at Cold Wars, so with tax return money in hand, I'll place an order from one of the missing vendors, Brigade Games,  and that will be that.  

Another Month of Gaming (March 2025)

 Despite bankruptcy, Game Trade Magazine was still assembled for March 2025 solicitations and beyond.  Issue #301 of GTM is available at your FLGS, or online in PDF format here. 

ViscountEric's Gaming Want List

Nothing

ViscountEric's Money-Is-No-Object Want List

Reaper Miniatures

Easter Egg Dragon (RPR 30194) ....................................... $9.99

The Imaginary Store List (The Peg-Leg Gnome)

Catalyst Game Labs 

Battletech Battlemats:  ........................................ $40.00

Grassland/Desert  or Lunar/City

Battletech Dropships: Overlord C-Class ............ $64.99

Battletech Dropships: Overland Class ................ $59.99

Battletech Dropships: Union Class ..................... $44.99

Battletech: House Kurita - Command Lance ........... $29.99

Battletech: Third Star League Battle Group ............ $44.99

Battletech: Salvage Box - Legendary

Shadowrun RPG - Leathal Harvest Plot Sourcebook ... $49.99

So I'll just say it here, when you need to get to Catalyst alphabetically to start my imaginary store list, the solicitations this month seem pretty poor AND there are a LOT of "Spotlight On" which GTM will focus on an existing item in inventory.  Specifically these items don't give a "Scheduled to Ship" date in their description.  I will admit some bias that some of the B'Tech stuff was Spotlighted product, but it is a little more effective than companies promoting existing product.  

Clover Press

Gamemasters:  The Comic Book History of Roleplaying Games HC ........ $24.99

Cubicle 7 

Warhammer Fantasy RPG  - Deft Steps - Light Fingers ............................. $39.99

I go through that entire rant before, and this WH book is Spotlight On with a May 2025 release date.  

Free League Publishing

Outgunned Adventure RPG Rulebook ................................................. $49.99

Outgunned Adventure RPG: Action Flicks - Volume 2........................ $44.99

Outgunned Adventure RPG: Mission Dossier - Fall of Atlantis ......... $19.99

Outgunned Adventure RPG: GM Screen ............................................. $24.99

Gate Keeper Games

Mercurial Dice : Saturn Polyhedrals .................................. $14.99

Van Gogh Dice: Self Portrait Polyhedrals ......................... $14.99

Kobold Press

Campaign Builder:  Dungeons & Ruins ............................. $49.99

Campaign Builder:  Dungeons & Ruins Map Folio ............ $49.99

Map Tiles: Roads & Bridges .............................. $24.99

Konami Digital Entertainment

Yu-Gi-Oh!  Alliance Insights Boosters

Lucky Duck Games

Potions of Azerland ........................................ $50.00

Lunch Break Heroes

Librus Nocturnum (5e) Adventure Anthology ....................... $49.99

The Deck of Many Quests ..................................................... $25.00

Paizo Publishing

Pathfinder Fiction:  Godsrain ........................ $19.99

Pathfinder RPG: AP - Shades of Blood 2 of 3 - The Broken Palace ........ $29.99

Pathfinder RPG: Flip-Mat - Feasthall ....................................................... $19.99

Pathfinder RPG: Guns & Gears (Pocket Edition) ..................................... $29.99

Starfinder RPG: Flip Mat - Derelict Starships .......................................... $19.99

Starfinder RPG: Galaxy Guide HC ........................................................... $59.99

With an exclusive retailer cover for $59.99 and Special Edition cover for $79.99

Playpunk

Zenith ..................................... $34.99

Renegade Game Studios

Axis & Allies -  Battle of the Bulge .......................................................... $60.00

My Little Pony: Ferstival of Lanterns ....................................................... $35.00

Vampire: The Masquerade -  In Memorium Sourcebook ......................... $45.00

Power Rangers - Through the Shattered Grid Sourcebook ....................... $45.00

Transformers - Technorganic Secrets Sourcebook .................................... $45.00

I usually avoid listing Renegade, because the list is in ad format, is usually a mess, and I'm just not a fan of the stuff they sell.  This month, it appeared cleaner and listing the new product just didn't seem as arduous.   I will also mention the Heroscape stuff looked horrible, format for Gale Force Nine earlier did not appeal to me. 

Reaper Miniatures 

More figures for the Bones Legends and Dungeon Dwellers Bones.  Still amazed single figures in cheap plastic are $6.99.

Thames & Kosmos

Australis .......................................................... $39.95

Caesar & Cleopatra ......................................... $19.95

The Crew: Family Adventure .........................  $14.95

UVS Games

Universus TCG - Attack on Titan - Apocalypse Boosters

WizKids

WizKids Heroclix - Bag of Deity Bases ....................... $6.50

DC Heroclix: Iconix - Batcave Vol 1 ............................$59.99

DC Heroclix: Iconix - Batman Forever ........................ $29.99

DC Heroclix: Lantern Legacy Booster Brick

DC Heroclix: Lantern Legacy Play at Home Kit ........... $24.99

DC Heroclix: Lantern Legacy Retail Chase Booster ..... $49.99

Marvel Heroclix: 400 - Guardians of the Galaxy ........... $34.99

Marvel Heroclix: 400 - Spider-Man ............................... $34.99

Marvel Heroclix: Iconix - Heralds of Galactus .............. $49.99

Star Trek: Tribble Match .................................................$ 9.99