 |
| PSG 17 German Colonial Maxim Guns $15.50 |
 |
| PSS-10 The Volcano Queen $15.50 |
Check out www.pulpfigures.com for more information.
Monday, December 31, 2012
Pulp Figures Holiday Releases
Pulp Figures, the company I'll probably ordering my Samoans from, has released two new sets that appear to be tickling my fancy.
The pack comes with both a light and heavy Maxim. The tripod on the light is separate so the figure could be modelled bracing it against a fence or tree, similar to a Lewis Gun.
Check out www.pulpfigures.com for more information.
Check out www.pulpfigures.com for more information.
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Battlefront Limited Edition D&D Minis
Battlefront/Gale Force 9 has announced the expansion of their license to produce official D&D tokens and vinyl maps to now produce limited edition sets of resin miniatures.
The production runs limited to between 1500 and 2000 units and will range in price between $35 and $50.
I've noticed two basic camps on this issue. One is the obvious, "Squeeee! Me wants now!" group, and the other complains about the pricing and limited edition nature. It may come as a surprise, but I find the latter group to be complete idiots.
First off, the minis themselves:
And there's also a Purple Worm that I didn't post.
So let's look at the first box set, the Drow War Party.
Need I remind everyone that one of the most successful limited editions was the infamous Ral Partha Slave Auction. I had always thought that the run of 5,000 sold out, yet I discovered that Iron Wind Metals later re-released it around 2005, but only kept than run limited to the few hundred official certificates that weren't initially used. And shrink wrapped copies of the Partha run can still be found on certain store shelves today.
Yes, this is official D&D product, and these are not of an adult nature, but Battlefront is also limiting there release to only select stores across the country. I'm assuming that these are well established Battlefront direct retailers in good standing who are contractually forbidden from opening up the shipping packaging throwing every set on eBay for $100.
If you aren't interested in official minis or limited editions, don't buy the stuff! There are plenty of cheaper alternatives. If this is how Battlefront can maximize profits with the fewest licensing headaches, I can't fault then one bit.
http://www.gf9.com/ for more info.
The production runs limited to between 1500 and 2000 units and will range in price between $35 and $50.
I've noticed two basic camps on this issue. One is the obvious, "Squeeee! Me wants now!" group, and the other complains about the pricing and limited edition nature. It may come as a surprise, but I find the latter group to be complete idiots.
First off, the minis themselves:
And there's also a Purple Worm that I didn't post.
So let's look at the first box set, the Drow War Party.
- They're 30mm+ figs in resin.
- They're official D&D minis
- They're freakin' Drow.
Need I remind everyone that one of the most successful limited editions was the infamous Ral Partha Slave Auction. I had always thought that the run of 5,000 sold out, yet I discovered that Iron Wind Metals later re-released it around 2005, but only kept than run limited to the few hundred official certificates that weren't initially used. And shrink wrapped copies of the Partha run can still be found on certain store shelves today.
Yes, this is official D&D product, and these are not of an adult nature, but Battlefront is also limiting there release to only select stores across the country. I'm assuming that these are well established Battlefront direct retailers in good standing who are contractually forbidden from opening up the shipping packaging throwing every set on eBay for $100.
If you aren't interested in official minis or limited editions, don't buy the stuff! There are plenty of cheaper alternatives. If this is how Battlefront can maximize profits with the fewest licensing headaches, I can't fault then one bit.
http://www.gf9.com/ for more info.
Saturday, December 29, 2012
The Apathy of New Releases (January 2013)
Tis' the season for Game Trade Magazine to come out with a Hobbit Cover!
This month's solicitations still get us through the winter doldrums, but like the sun peeking through the clouds behind Gandalf, there is a ray of hope. Easter is early this year, which means stores should expect an earlier uptick on sales and should plan accordingly.
Viscount's Must-Have List
Chaosium
CALL OF CTHULHU: HOUSE OF R’LYEH The House of R’lyeh contains five Call of Cthulhu scenarios that closely follow the events of H.P. Lovecraft stories [“The Art of Madness,” “The Crystal of Chaos,” “The Return of the Hound,” “The Jermyn Horror,” and “Nameless City, Nameless Terrors”]. Alternatively, the scenarios may be used to supplement classic Call of Cthulhu campaignssuch as The Shadows of Yog-Sothoth and The Fungi from Yuggoth. Scheduled to ship in January 2013.
CHA 23127 ............................$28.95
Finally, something else to add to my wall o' Cthulhu. I should pick up Terror from the Skies as well.
The Money is No Object List
The Imaginary Store List for the Pegleg Gnome
AEG
LOVE LETTER - All of the eligible young men (and many of the not-so-young) seek to woo Princess
Annette of Tempest. Unfortunately, she has locked herself in the palace, and you must rely on others to bring your romantic letters to her. Will yours reach her first? Love Letter is a game of risk, deduction,
and luck for 2-4 suiters. Scheduled to ship in December 2012. AEG 5104 ................................$9.99
A card game with a "girly" twist and it's under ten bucks? Get that on the shelves now!
Ares Games
WINGS OF GLORY
Designed to be used with the Wings of Glory air combat game system, each Airplane Pack comes complete with a fully painted and assembled airplane miniature, a special base with gaming stats, a variable altitude flying stand, and a specific deck of maneuver cards. Scheduled to ship in January 2013.
BF.110 C-4 (RADUSCH) AGS WGS202C ...............................................................$19.90
BF.110 C-4 (SCHUPP) AGS WGS202A...................................................................$19.90
BF.110 C-7 (CHRISTL) AGS WGS202B .................................................................$19.90
BRISTOL BEAUFIGHTER MK.IF (BOYD) AGS WGS201A..................................$19.90
BRISTOL BEAUFIGHTER MK.IF (HERRICK) AGS WGS201B ............................$19.90
BRISTOL BEAUFIGHTER MK.VIF (DAV OUD) AGS WGS201C..........................$19.90
FIAT CR-42 FALCO (GORRINI) AGS WGS110A ..................................................$13.90
FIAT CR-42 FALCO (GRESSLER) AGS WGS110C ...............................................$13.90
FIAT CR-42 FALCO (RINALDI) AGS WGS110B ..................................................$13.90
GLOSTER GLADIATOR MK.I (KROHN) AGS WGS109C ...................................$13.90
GLOSTER GLADIATOR MK.I (PATTLE) AGS WGS109B ....................................$13.90
GLOSTER SEA GLADIATOR (BURGES) AGS WGS109A ....................................$13.90
WINGS OF GLORY: GAME MATS
Suitable for both WW1 and WW2 gaming, Wings of Glory game mats are modular maps designed to provide players with the ultimate gaming surface for their aerial battles. Scheduled to ship in January 2013.
CITY AGS WGA502B ..............................................................................................$34.90
COAST AGS WGA502C ..........................................................................................$34.90
COUNTRYSIDE AGS WGA502A ...........................................................................$34.90
Depending on your store demographic, I'm certain some sort of Wings of Glory League/Campaign could fill in the time between now and the next best thing.
Atlas Games
ARS MAGICA: ANTAGONISTS Magi of the Order of Hermes often come to the attention of other inhabitants of Mythic Europe. Some see them as a threat, others as a target, still others as an opportunity.
They’re nothing but trouble. This sourcebook presents ten developed antagonists for use in your Ars Magica saga. Scheduled to ship in February 2013. ATG 0303................................$29.95
CUBICLE 7 GAMES
PATHFINDER: THE SECRETS OF ADVENTURING
Scheduled to ship in March 2013. PSI CB76809............................$34.99
DOCTOR WHO RPG: THIRD DOCTOR SOURCEBOOK
Scheduled to ship in March 2013. PSI CB71112............................$34.99
DanVerssen Games
RISE OF THE ZOMBIES
Play fast! Play smart! The timer is running, and the zombies are coming! Can you and your fellow survivors make it from the safe house, through the zombie-infested city, to the rescue helicopter before it flies off - and everybody perishes! Kill zombies to gain experience for upgrading your weapons cache, acquiring vital items, and purchasing skills that will help you ensure your mutual survival midst the undead hordes in this ghoulish, realtime card game of survival horror! Scheduled to ship in January 2013.
DV1 027 ................................$39.99
Sounds like a great concept! Why didn't someone else come up with this concept earlier? Why they did, only in boardgame form (with cards). For $39.99 it better be far more awesome than Zombies!
Expeditious Retreat
TRAVELLER RPG: WORLDS APART Worlds Apart brings the excitement of the Traveller OGL rules into the realm of Fantasy, as players explore new worlds rooted in classic fantasy, searching for ealth in strange lands aboard their Vyager Ships. Scheduled to ship in January 2013.
IMP XRP9100 ..........................$25.00
Konami
YU-GI-OH! TCG: ONSLAUGHT OF THE FIRE KINGS $9.99
Margaret Weiss
MARVEL HEROIC ROLEPLAYING: AGE OF APOCALYPSE EVENT BOOK
$39.99 for regular, $49.99 for premium cover
MARVEL HEROIC ROLEPLAYING: AGE OF APOCALYPSE - GENERATION NEXT SUPPLEMENT $19.99
Osprey
BOLT ACTION: ARMIES OF GREAT BRITAIN From early campaigns in Europe to the
deserts of North Africa and the jungles of the Far East, British forces faced the Axis threat. A supplement for Bolt Action, Armies of Great Britain allows players to build an army for Great Britain and the Commonwealth, with all the information needed to field such elite units as the Paras, Commandos, Chindits, and SAS alongside the steadfast ‘Tommy’. Scheduled to ship in March 2013.
OSP BTC003..................$24.95
MYTHS & LEGENDS: DRAGONSLAYERS With its fiery breath, scaly armor, and baleful, malevolent stare, the dragon became the ultimate symbol of evil and corruption in European folklore andmythology. Only heroes of uncommon valour, courageousness, and purity could hope to battle these monsters and
emerge victorious. This book retells the greatest legends of this select group ofwarriors, while examining the myth of the dragonslayer in a historical, mythological, and even theological context. Scheduled to ship in March 2013. OSP MLD002..........................$17.95
MYTHS & LEGENDS: JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS The voyage of Jason and the Argonauts and their hunt for the Golden Fleece is one of the most enduringly popular of all of the Ancient Greek heroic myths. Accepting the quest in order to regain his kingdom, Jason assembled a legendary crew including many of Greece’s greatest heroes such as Hercules, Orpheus, Atalanta, Telamon, and the twins Castor
and Pollux. Dr. Neil Smith retells this classic myth, examining its origins, its history, and its continued popularity. Scheduled to ship in March 2013. OSP MLD001..........................$17.95
Alright, I'd like to know where Osprey is going with this line, because I'm getting a vibe that these are akin to a Time-Life series, which is cool, but I don't know if decent writing and nostalgia will sell enough copies.
Paizo
PATHFINDER ADV PATH: REIGN OF WINTER PART 2 -THE SHACKLED HUT $19.99
PATHFINDER CAMPAIGN SETTING: FEY REVISITED $19.99
PATHFINDER FLIP-MAT: BATTLEFIELD $13.99
PATHFINDER PLAYER COMPANION: KOBOLDS OF GOLARION $12.99
PATHFINDER RPG: SHATTERED STAR ADVENTURE PATH PAWN COLLECTION $19.99
Patch Products
And in the middle of this months GTM is a solicitation for a series of games to celebrate Clifford the Big Red Dog's 50th Anniversary. Order according to your pre-school demographic.
Reaper
A number of Reaper Bones are up for solicitation. Can I just say how nice it is to see $1.99 minis again, no matter what material is being used?
Spartan Games:
The Dystopian Legion figures are officially solicited Both Tankettes I mentioned previously are $37.00.
Steve Jackson GamesMUNCHKIN EASTER EGGS: Munchkin Easter Eggs adds 15 new cards, compatible with all flavors of Munchkin games but designed to go with the original (and most popular!). Stuff ‘em into Easter baskets or shuffle the cards right into your Munchkin sets - and enjoy Easter all year round! Scheduled
to ship in March 2013. NOTE: This item is sold to retailers in full displays. Please contact your retailer for availability.
10-COUNT POP DISPLAY
SJG 4233-D............................$49.50
BOOSTER PACK
SJG 4233-S ..............................$4.95
And really, except for my gripe that the Warlord Games products still have the "PI" (Please Inquire - the retailer pays a different [worse] wholesale rate than their normal products), there's not much else in the catalog. A lot of "Offered Again" or in-stock items. If you don't want little planes on your shelves, it looks like a good month to budget restocks for the Spring. You can do so, you'll be doing inventory in January (right?) and February/March restocks won't hurt your 2012 taxes.
This month's solicitations still get us through the winter doldrums, but like the sun peeking through the clouds behind Gandalf, there is a ray of hope. Easter is early this year, which means stores should expect an earlier uptick on sales and should plan accordingly.
Viscount's Must-Have List
Chaosium
CALL OF CTHULHU: HOUSE OF R’LYEH The House of R’lyeh contains five Call of Cthulhu scenarios that closely follow the events of H.P. Lovecraft stories [“The Art of Madness,” “The Crystal of Chaos,” “The Return of the Hound,” “The Jermyn Horror,” and “Nameless City, Nameless Terrors”]. Alternatively, the scenarios may be used to supplement classic Call of Cthulhu campaignssuch as The Shadows of Yog-Sothoth and The Fungi from Yuggoth. Scheduled to ship in January 2013.
CHA 23127 ............................$28.95
Finally, something else to add to my wall o' Cthulhu. I should pick up Terror from the Skies as well.
The Money is No Object List
The Imaginary Store List for the Pegleg Gnome
AEG
LOVE LETTER - All of the eligible young men (and many of the not-so-young) seek to woo Princess
Annette of Tempest. Unfortunately, she has locked herself in the palace, and you must rely on others to bring your romantic letters to her. Will yours reach her first? Love Letter is a game of risk, deduction,
and luck for 2-4 suiters. Scheduled to ship in December 2012. AEG 5104 ................................$9.99
A card game with a "girly" twist and it's under ten bucks? Get that on the shelves now!
Ares Games
WINGS OF GLORY
Designed to be used with the Wings of Glory air combat game system, each Airplane Pack comes complete with a fully painted and assembled airplane miniature, a special base with gaming stats, a variable altitude flying stand, and a specific deck of maneuver cards. Scheduled to ship in January 2013.
BF.110 C-4 (RADUSCH) AGS WGS202C ...............................................................$19.90
BF.110 C-4 (SCHUPP) AGS WGS202A...................................................................$19.90
BF.110 C-7 (CHRISTL) AGS WGS202B .................................................................$19.90
BRISTOL BEAUFIGHTER MK.IF (BOYD) AGS WGS201A..................................$19.90
BRISTOL BEAUFIGHTER MK.IF (HERRICK) AGS WGS201B ............................$19.90
BRISTOL BEAUFIGHTER MK.VIF (DAV OUD) AGS WGS201C..........................$19.90
FIAT CR-42 FALCO (GORRINI) AGS WGS110A ..................................................$13.90
FIAT CR-42 FALCO (GRESSLER) AGS WGS110C ...............................................$13.90
FIAT CR-42 FALCO (RINALDI) AGS WGS110B ..................................................$13.90
GLOSTER GLADIATOR MK.I (KROHN) AGS WGS109C ...................................$13.90
GLOSTER GLADIATOR MK.I (PATTLE) AGS WGS109B ....................................$13.90
GLOSTER SEA GLADIATOR (BURGES) AGS WGS109A ....................................$13.90
WINGS OF GLORY: GAME MATS
Suitable for both WW1 and WW2 gaming, Wings of Glory game mats are modular maps designed to provide players with the ultimate gaming surface for their aerial battles. Scheduled to ship in January 2013.
CITY AGS WGA502B ..............................................................................................$34.90
COAST AGS WGA502C ..........................................................................................$34.90
COUNTRYSIDE AGS WGA502A ...........................................................................$34.90
Depending on your store demographic, I'm certain some sort of Wings of Glory League/Campaign could fill in the time between now and the next best thing.
Atlas Games
ARS MAGICA: ANTAGONISTS Magi of the Order of Hermes often come to the attention of other inhabitants of Mythic Europe. Some see them as a threat, others as a target, still others as an opportunity.
They’re nothing but trouble. This sourcebook presents ten developed antagonists for use in your Ars Magica saga. Scheduled to ship in February 2013. ATG 0303................................$29.95
CUBICLE 7 GAMES
PATHFINDER: THE SECRETS OF ADVENTURING
Scheduled to ship in March 2013. PSI CB76809............................$34.99
DOCTOR WHO RPG: THIRD DOCTOR SOURCEBOOK
Scheduled to ship in March 2013. PSI CB71112............................$34.99
DanVerssen Games
RISE OF THE ZOMBIES
Play fast! Play smart! The timer is running, and the zombies are coming! Can you and your fellow survivors make it from the safe house, through the zombie-infested city, to the rescue helicopter before it flies off - and everybody perishes! Kill zombies to gain experience for upgrading your weapons cache, acquiring vital items, and purchasing skills that will help you ensure your mutual survival midst the undead hordes in this ghoulish, realtime card game of survival horror! Scheduled to ship in January 2013.
DV1 027 ................................$39.99
Sounds like a great concept! Why didn't someone else come up with this concept earlier? Why they did, only in boardgame form (with cards). For $39.99 it better be far more awesome than Zombies!
Expeditious Retreat
TRAVELLER RPG: WORLDS APART Worlds Apart brings the excitement of the Traveller OGL rules into the realm of Fantasy, as players explore new worlds rooted in classic fantasy, searching for ealth in strange lands aboard their Vyager Ships. Scheduled to ship in January 2013.
IMP XRP9100 ..........................$25.00
Konami
YU-GI-OH! TCG: ONSLAUGHT OF THE FIRE KINGS $9.99
Margaret Weiss
MARVEL HEROIC ROLEPLAYING: AGE OF APOCALYPSE EVENT BOOK
$39.99 for regular, $49.99 for premium cover
MARVEL HEROIC ROLEPLAYING: AGE OF APOCALYPSE - GENERATION NEXT SUPPLEMENT $19.99
Osprey
BOLT ACTION: ARMIES OF GREAT BRITAIN From early campaigns in Europe to the
deserts of North Africa and the jungles of the Far East, British forces faced the Axis threat. A supplement for Bolt Action, Armies of Great Britain allows players to build an army for Great Britain and the Commonwealth, with all the information needed to field such elite units as the Paras, Commandos, Chindits, and SAS alongside the steadfast ‘Tommy’. Scheduled to ship in March 2013.
OSP BTC003..................$24.95
MYTHS & LEGENDS: DRAGONSLAYERS With its fiery breath, scaly armor, and baleful, malevolent stare, the dragon became the ultimate symbol of evil and corruption in European folklore andmythology. Only heroes of uncommon valour, courageousness, and purity could hope to battle these monsters and
emerge victorious. This book retells the greatest legends of this select group ofwarriors, while examining the myth of the dragonslayer in a historical, mythological, and even theological context. Scheduled to ship in March 2013. OSP MLD002..........................$17.95
MYTHS & LEGENDS: JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS The voyage of Jason and the Argonauts and their hunt for the Golden Fleece is one of the most enduringly popular of all of the Ancient Greek heroic myths. Accepting the quest in order to regain his kingdom, Jason assembled a legendary crew including many of Greece’s greatest heroes such as Hercules, Orpheus, Atalanta, Telamon, and the twins Castor
and Pollux. Dr. Neil Smith retells this classic myth, examining its origins, its history, and its continued popularity. Scheduled to ship in March 2013. OSP MLD001..........................$17.95
Alright, I'd like to know where Osprey is going with this line, because I'm getting a vibe that these are akin to a Time-Life series, which is cool, but I don't know if decent writing and nostalgia will sell enough copies.
Paizo
PATHFINDER ADV PATH: REIGN OF WINTER PART 2 -THE SHACKLED HUT $19.99
PATHFINDER CAMPAIGN SETTING: FEY REVISITED $19.99
PATHFINDER FLIP-MAT: BATTLEFIELD $13.99
PATHFINDER PLAYER COMPANION: KOBOLDS OF GOLARION $12.99
PATHFINDER RPG: SHATTERED STAR ADVENTURE PATH PAWN COLLECTION $19.99
Patch Products
And in the middle of this months GTM is a solicitation for a series of games to celebrate Clifford the Big Red Dog's 50th Anniversary. Order according to your pre-school demographic.
Reaper
A number of Reaper Bones are up for solicitation. Can I just say how nice it is to see $1.99 minis again, no matter what material is being used?
Spartan Games:
The Dystopian Legion figures are officially solicited Both Tankettes I mentioned previously are $37.00.
Steve Jackson GamesMUNCHKIN EASTER EGGS: Munchkin Easter Eggs adds 15 new cards, compatible with all flavors of Munchkin games but designed to go with the original (and most popular!). Stuff ‘em into Easter baskets or shuffle the cards right into your Munchkin sets - and enjoy Easter all year round! Scheduled
to ship in March 2013. NOTE: This item is sold to retailers in full displays. Please contact your retailer for availability.
10-COUNT POP DISPLAY
SJG 4233-D............................$49.50
BOOSTER PACK
SJG 4233-S ..............................$4.95
And really, except for my gripe that the Warlord Games products still have the "PI" (Please Inquire - the retailer pays a different [worse] wholesale rate than their normal products), there's not much else in the catalog. A lot of "Offered Again" or in-stock items. If you don't want little planes on your shelves, it looks like a good month to budget restocks for the Spring. You can do so, you'll be doing inventory in January (right?) and February/March restocks won't hurt your 2012 taxes.
Friday, December 28, 2012
(Kickstarter) World of Synnibarr
After the deluge of miniatures Kickstarters this summer, it's nice to see role-playing attempting to traverse the wilderness. RPGs are a tougher sell in a Kickstarter than miniatures. The pledge doesn't just want their product with a few basic freebies and free shipping. Oh no, they wanted their minis for nothing, and a few more for free. With RPGs, the core product is more a labor of love, so offering additional side pledges and stretch makes the deadline for the initial project so much harder to complete. It's so much easier to offer a pack of skeletons at a buck over cost or a band of bugbears for an extra $20, than a sourcebook, character creation software, or mission folio, and maintain an even level of quality.
Of course if you don't start with deluded notions, like FASA did with their Victorian Sci-Fi game, success is much easier. Case in point with the World of Synnibarr Kickstarter.
Some of you just fainted, I'll give others a few moments to collect themselves from laughing hysterically.
At least in this part of Pennsylvania, Synnibarr was always a joke. It was a monstrous book, full of multi-genre combinations that, at least at a casual glance, looked to be a stat-cruncher/munchkin's wet dream. I swear there were bionic psychic laser dragons, or something similar to it. It felt like GURPS gone bad, or it Rifts hadn't kept their multi-genre machinations in different regions of the world/dimensions.
Oh, that book, it made a large print bible look like a program for a elementary school winter concert. I know one copy sat on the shelf at Dreamscape during my reign. I'm thinking I offered a few extra discounts on that one to move it out during one of the after Christmas sales. Or perhaps, it's still lurking in the bins and boxes, waiting for a victim.
The worst insult to the game was Bogglecon game auctions. I'm pretty sure Ron from Game Trader brought up a couple copies of it every con, and most copies were relegated to the $1 minimum bid. I'm thinking over a copy or two has circulated in the current Mepacon auction cycle with similar results.
Anywho, the creator of the game is looking to republish the book, and has gone through a hefty ammount of playtesting and mathematical analysis. If the words "mathematical analysis" hasn't made you go run off screaming, this might be a game for you.
The different pledge levels are allowing for different quality prints of the books, including pdf, and a few supplements of questionable size. They may even be separate spinoffs from sections of the old book. Of course the highest level bids involve Synnibarr convention/personal game offers (airfare extra).
The stretch goals offer more weapons, more cybernetics, more blood magic spells, adding to the page count, but offset by the cheaper price per page of the larger job.
The good news for the hardcore fans (and there were at least 96 of them left), the basic kickstarter has funded itself. It this can find an audience, I may had to take a good hard look at putting Burning Plastic through the same rigors.
Republishing the World of Synnibarr for Kickstarter info.
Of course if you don't start with deluded notions, like FASA did with their Victorian Sci-Fi game, success is much easier. Case in point with the World of Synnibarr Kickstarter.
Some of you just fainted, I'll give others a few moments to collect themselves from laughing hysterically.
At least in this part of Pennsylvania, Synnibarr was always a joke. It was a monstrous book, full of multi-genre combinations that, at least at a casual glance, looked to be a stat-cruncher/munchkin's wet dream. I swear there were bionic psychic laser dragons, or something similar to it. It felt like GURPS gone bad, or it Rifts hadn't kept their multi-genre machinations in different regions of the world/dimensions.
Oh, that book, it made a large print bible look like a program for a elementary school winter concert. I know one copy sat on the shelf at Dreamscape during my reign. I'm thinking I offered a few extra discounts on that one to move it out during one of the after Christmas sales. Or perhaps, it's still lurking in the bins and boxes, waiting for a victim.
The worst insult to the game was Bogglecon game auctions. I'm pretty sure Ron from Game Trader brought up a couple copies of it every con, and most copies were relegated to the $1 minimum bid. I'm thinking over a copy or two has circulated in the current Mepacon auction cycle with similar results.
Anywho, the creator of the game is looking to republish the book, and has gone through a hefty ammount of playtesting and mathematical analysis. If the words "mathematical analysis" hasn't made you go run off screaming, this might be a game for you.
The different pledge levels are allowing for different quality prints of the books, including pdf, and a few supplements of questionable size. They may even be separate spinoffs from sections of the old book. Of course the highest level bids involve Synnibarr convention/personal game offers (airfare extra).
The stretch goals offer more weapons, more cybernetics, more blood magic spells, adding to the page count, but offset by the cheaper price per page of the larger job.
The good news for the hardcore fans (and there were at least 96 of them left), the basic kickstarter has funded itself. It this can find an audience, I may had to take a good hard look at putting Burning Plastic through the same rigors.
Republishing the World of Synnibarr for Kickstarter info.
Thursday, December 27, 2012
(Cold Wars) The 2013 PEL is up!
Alright, time to come clean, the PEL has been up for a week. It's just that I don't to make announcements during my 12 Days of Blogging, and the Mega Game was finalized on day 2.
For a full listing of the PEL, check them out here.
I've picked out a few "ViscountEric Preferred" games, with commentary. Some of these games run more than once, so check out the PEL for even more options.
F-275 - Advance to Longueval, 14 July 1916
Fri. 10:00 AM, 4 hrs, 6 players GM: Phillip Gibbons with Joe Brimer and Ron Bingham and Battle
Barn of Williamsburg Sponsor: U.S. Army Women's Museum at Fort Lee
WWI 25mm, Rules: Trench Wars modified for skirmish fighting
The advance starts in the early morning hours just after a quick, 5 minute barrage. The Germans are believed to only have a thin screen of troops in your sector. The 9th Scottish Div has assigned the 26th Bde the honor of leading the advance. Can elements of the 8th Black Watch and 10th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders takethe crossroads?
Gnome Wars was developed out of Trench Wars, so this should be an easy one to jump into.
F-307 - Duke Morrison and the Mounties
Fri. 10:00 AM, 3.5 hrs, 6 players GM: Buck Surdu and HAWKS Modern 28mm, Rules: GASLIGHT
Professor Nannini has developed an anti-gravity ray the Venusians and their gangster minions want. To convince the professor to share his invention, they have tied his daughter (also a physicist) to a log, which is inching toward a large saw blade. Nannini is the kind of girl wounded Marines crawl through broken glass and burning desert to catch a final glimpse of before they die. Duke Morrison and his companions, along with Sergeant Preston and a squad of Mounties, try to rescue the girl, defeat the gangsters, and break up the Venusian laboratory.
Venusians and Mounties? THAT is what I've been waiting for to learn GASLIGHT!
F-336 - Fire in the Steppe: Raid at Hanacivka, 1676
Fri. 10:00 AM, 4 hrs, 6 players GM: David Bonk and Triangle Simulation Society
Renaissance 28mm, Rules: C&GII Pike and Shot
Cossack, Russian and Turkish forces advancing towards Lvov aremet by a Polish/Tartar raiding party near the village of Hanacivka.
Not my normal thing, but this has got to look cool in 28mm.
F-266 - Gnome Wars: The Battle of the Bees
Fri. 11:00 AM, 4 hrs, 8 players
GM: Jim Stanton with Steven Stanton and Stout Gnomes Sponsor: Brigade Games, Prize: Gnomes! Fantasy 28mm, Rules: Gnome Wars
After securing the beach the combined force of Indian and British troops will attempt to drive the Germans from the rail station on the outskirts of Tanga. The Allies must approach Tanga through a wooded area that is the home to some African Killer Bees. Let's hope loud noises don't startle them.
One of the "normal" gnome games
F-168 - All the King's Men Demo Games
Fri. 1:00 PM, 1 hrs, 4 players GM: Ken Cliffe with Dave Hoyt
Sponsor: All the King's Men Toy Soldiers American Civil War 54mm, Rules: All the King's Men
Join ATKM as we demo our own rules and debut our new line of ACW 54mm miniatures! This is not skirmish gaming! Everything is provided. Just bring your memory of what got you into wargaming in the first place. Demos run at the ATKM booth in the dealer area. Just walk up and play; no tickets needed. It takes about an hour.
Ken just posted pics of his ACW, and they are Saaaa-WEEET! If you don't have a spare hour to pick up a demo, rearrange your schedule.
F-182 - Red Dawn: The Road to Los Alamos
Fri. 2:00 PM, 3 hrs, 6 players GM: Henry Kyle with John Currin Modern 28mm, Rules: Force on Force
It is the dawn of World War III. Cuban and Nicaraguan forces, along with their Soviet masters, have crossed the border and are charging up I-25 for Los Alamos and its hi-tech labs. Their plan calls for scrounging fuel along the way, and the people of Desert Flats can derail the Commie timetable by denying the Reds the fuel in their town.
An Expansion of, dare I say, "Classic" Red Dawn!
F-238 - Zombie Cardio
Fri. 6:00 PM, 3 hrs, 8 players GM: Chad Miller and Woodbridge Area GamerS (WAGS)
Modern 20mm, Rules: Zombies!!!
Remember the 1st Rule of Zombie Land, Cardio. You want to make it out of Mid-Town safely, then you better Run, Kill and make it to the Chopper in time before it moves again. 6 Players can come and try their luck at running through Central Park. Pick up weapons and aids to get out of town, but you gotta know the
Rules from Zombieland in order to pick up the special cardio boost. Come kill some Zombies and test your luck at the apocalyptic die rolls.
I hope no pretentious Napoleonic player signs up for this accidentally.
F-291 - Clash near Regensburg - April 1945
Fri. 7:00 PM, 4 hrs, 6 players GM: Jim Mackey and HAWKS WWII 54mm, Rules: Battleground WW2
It is April 23, 1945, US forces are driving into Germany. Patton's 3rd Army is approaching Czechoslovakia. One approach to the Czech border is through the town of Regensburg. This town and road leading into it must first be taken. All this in 54mm!! Yes, it is true, bigger is better!!
54mm WW2 is just so frickin' sweet to watch, much less play.
F-175 - Wooden Wars Demo Games
Fri. 8:00 PM, 1 hrs, 4 players GM: Ken Cliffe with Dave Hoyt Sponsor: All the King's Men Toy Soldiers
Napoleonic Wood Soldiers, Rules: Wooden Wars
ATKM debuts Wooden Wars! Command armies of sturdy wooden soldiers, cavalry and artillery on a floor battlefield. Win by knocking over the enemy army by shooting (tossing small rubber balls) and rolling dice, all in the spirit of HG Wells. No tickets needed. Just walk up and play throughout the session.
I've mentioned Wooden Wars here. Awesome that ATKM has offered to help promote it.
F-265 - Gnome Wars: The Joust
Fri. 8:00 PM, 2 hrs, 30 players GM: Jim Stanton with Steven Stanton and Stout Gnomes
Sponsor: Brigade Games, Prize: Gnomes! Fantasy 28mm, Rules: Gnome Wars
Come try to win the jousting tournament. Rules taught. Quick, easy, FUN!
The joust is back! So making a custom mount for this bad boy. If I get embarrassed in the first round, I will be jumping into Wooden Wars.
S-242 - Trench Wars: Treat Them Rough!
Sat. 9:00 AM, 3 hrs, 8 players GM: Steve Robinson and Woodbridge Area GamerS (WAGS)
Sponsor: Acheson Creations, Prize: None WWI 28mm, Rules: Modifed Trench Wars
Tommy is facing the formable Hindenburg line. Can the shear bravery of Tommy and the steel behemoths punch their way through Jerry’s defenses? Or, will a sea of wire entanglements, bunkers and non-ceasing hail of machinegun fire defeat Tommy’s juggernaut? Come and pick a side and taste once again the rotting, acidic smell of the western front. I know for sure that lead figures do not bleed, but allot will have to wait until the afternoon to be played with again.
Another early morning Trench Wars games.
S-395 - Rorke's Picnic
Sat. 12:00 PM, 2 hrs, 7 players GM: Jim Reynolds with John Brennan and WNPG Sponsor: Eureka USA, Prize: Bears Colonial 28mm, Rules: Teddy Bear Picnic
It is picnic time for the 24th Bear Foot, but visitors have rudely interrupted. With the boys have their picnic or will the Zulu bears ruin tea time.
Eureka Bears,'nuff said, even if it is for kids.
S-145 - Battle of Tanga - German East Africa, 4 Nov. 1914
Sat. 1:00 PM, 4 hrs, 6 players GM: Mark Kinsey with Jonathan Yuengling
WWI 15mm, Rules: Too Fat Lardies - If the Lord Spares Us
The Battle of Tanga was an attempt by the British Commonwealth to invade the colony of German East Africa through an amphibious landing near the town of Tanga. Players will command 8,000 British Indian forces against 1,000 German Sharpshooters and Askari. But whose side are the African Killer Bees on?
Someone else running Tanga?In 15mm? Inconceivable!
S-214 - Gnome Wars: The Battle of the Bees
Sat. 2:00 PM, 4 hrs, 6 players
GM: Kevin Jacobi with Jim Stanton and Stout Gnomes
S-215 - Gnome Wars: The Landing in East Africa
Sat. 2:00 PM, 4 hrs, 8 players
GM: Eric Jacobson with Jim Stanton and Stout Gnomes
S-216 - Gnome Wars: Storming the Town of Tanga
Sat. 2:00 PM, 4 hrs, 8 players
GM: Steven Stanton with Jim Stanton and Stout Gnomes
The MEGA-GAME! No Pre-Reg needed if you bring your own 300-320pt unit. Last Cold Wars was a blast, this should be even better.
S-204 - Wooden Warriors capture the Flag - sometime in 1815
Sat. 5:00 PM, 1 hrs, 8 players GM: Jeff Wiltrout and Potomac Wargamers Sponsor: Skull and Crown Strategem INC.Napoleonic 80mm, Rules: Wooden Wars
Time to get the games off the table and back on the floor where it all began. 2 armies of Wooden Warriors battle it out on the floor capturing objectives and knocking down opponents. Thrown rubber balls are the objects of destruction here. Kids over 12 only accepted with a younger player.
EXTREMELY KID FRIENDLY. Not recommend for those with bad knees.
More Wooden Wars daring to go where few would venture: the floors of the Lancaster Host!
S-209 - Haitian Slave Revolt
Sat. 7:00 PM, 3 hrs, 10 players GM: Brian DeWitt Colonial 25mm, Rules: The Sword and The Flame
The Haitian Slave Revolt started in August 1791 with central leader Voodoo Priest Boukman. French forces loyal to the French Crown and Colonists battled back and forth with the Slave Army. In 1793 many French units were called back to Europe and the Slave Army took to the offense. Here Haitian national hero Toussaint L'Ouverture leads the way.
Great obscure, under appreciated action, a plus to use TSATF to play.
S-355 - Carnage and Glory: Russia 1920--"The Commissar's in Town"
Sat. 8:00 PM, 2 hrs, 12 players GM: Tom Cusa with Frank Luberti, Jr. and Connecticut Game Club
Sponsor: Carnage and Glory Inter-War 28mm, Rules: Carnage and Glory II
Baron Waxtel's White Russians clash with Red Army forces under Comrade General Spiess. Regimental level game. Novices, children with adults, rules lawyers and GMs looking for revenge welcome. CGC members, family and friends always welcome.
The Russian Civil War always deserves some support, in my book.
For a full listing of the PEL, check them out here.
I've picked out a few "ViscountEric Preferred" games, with commentary. Some of these games run more than once, so check out the PEL for even more options.
F-275 - Advance to Longueval, 14 July 1916
Fri. 10:00 AM, 4 hrs, 6 players GM: Phillip Gibbons with Joe Brimer and Ron Bingham and Battle
Barn of Williamsburg Sponsor: U.S. Army Women's Museum at Fort Lee
WWI 25mm, Rules: Trench Wars modified for skirmish fighting
The advance starts in the early morning hours just after a quick, 5 minute barrage. The Germans are believed to only have a thin screen of troops in your sector. The 9th Scottish Div has assigned the 26th Bde the honor of leading the advance. Can elements of the 8th Black Watch and 10th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders takethe crossroads?
Gnome Wars was developed out of Trench Wars, so this should be an easy one to jump into.
F-307 - Duke Morrison and the Mounties
Fri. 10:00 AM, 3.5 hrs, 6 players GM: Buck Surdu and HAWKS Modern 28mm, Rules: GASLIGHT
Professor Nannini has developed an anti-gravity ray the Venusians and their gangster minions want. To convince the professor to share his invention, they have tied his daughter (also a physicist) to a log, which is inching toward a large saw blade. Nannini is the kind of girl wounded Marines crawl through broken glass and burning desert to catch a final glimpse of before they die. Duke Morrison and his companions, along with Sergeant Preston and a squad of Mounties, try to rescue the girl, defeat the gangsters, and break up the Venusian laboratory.
Venusians and Mounties? THAT is what I've been waiting for to learn GASLIGHT!
F-336 - Fire in the Steppe: Raid at Hanacivka, 1676
Fri. 10:00 AM, 4 hrs, 6 players GM: David Bonk and Triangle Simulation Society
Renaissance 28mm, Rules: C&GII Pike and Shot
Cossack, Russian and Turkish forces advancing towards Lvov aremet by a Polish/Tartar raiding party near the village of Hanacivka.
Not my normal thing, but this has got to look cool in 28mm.
F-266 - Gnome Wars: The Battle of the Bees
Fri. 11:00 AM, 4 hrs, 8 players
GM: Jim Stanton with Steven Stanton and Stout Gnomes Sponsor: Brigade Games, Prize: Gnomes! Fantasy 28mm, Rules: Gnome Wars
After securing the beach the combined force of Indian and British troops will attempt to drive the Germans from the rail station on the outskirts of Tanga. The Allies must approach Tanga through a wooded area that is the home to some African Killer Bees. Let's hope loud noises don't startle them.
One of the "normal" gnome games
F-168 - All the King's Men Demo Games
Fri. 1:00 PM, 1 hrs, 4 players GM: Ken Cliffe with Dave Hoyt
Sponsor: All the King's Men Toy Soldiers American Civil War 54mm, Rules: All the King's Men
Join ATKM as we demo our own rules and debut our new line of ACW 54mm miniatures! This is not skirmish gaming! Everything is provided. Just bring your memory of what got you into wargaming in the first place. Demos run at the ATKM booth in the dealer area. Just walk up and play; no tickets needed. It takes about an hour.
Ken just posted pics of his ACW, and they are Saaaa-WEEET! If you don't have a spare hour to pick up a demo, rearrange your schedule.
F-182 - Red Dawn: The Road to Los Alamos
Fri. 2:00 PM, 3 hrs, 6 players GM: Henry Kyle with John Currin Modern 28mm, Rules: Force on Force
It is the dawn of World War III. Cuban and Nicaraguan forces, along with their Soviet masters, have crossed the border and are charging up I-25 for Los Alamos and its hi-tech labs. Their plan calls for scrounging fuel along the way, and the people of Desert Flats can derail the Commie timetable by denying the Reds the fuel in their town.
An Expansion of, dare I say, "Classic" Red Dawn!
F-238 - Zombie Cardio
Fri. 6:00 PM, 3 hrs, 8 players GM: Chad Miller and Woodbridge Area GamerS (WAGS)
Modern 20mm, Rules: Zombies!!!
Remember the 1st Rule of Zombie Land, Cardio. You want to make it out of Mid-Town safely, then you better Run, Kill and make it to the Chopper in time before it moves again. 6 Players can come and try their luck at running through Central Park. Pick up weapons and aids to get out of town, but you gotta know the
Rules from Zombieland in order to pick up the special cardio boost. Come kill some Zombies and test your luck at the apocalyptic die rolls.
I hope no pretentious Napoleonic player signs up for this accidentally.
F-291 - Clash near Regensburg - April 1945
Fri. 7:00 PM, 4 hrs, 6 players GM: Jim Mackey and HAWKS WWII 54mm, Rules: Battleground WW2
It is April 23, 1945, US forces are driving into Germany. Patton's 3rd Army is approaching Czechoslovakia. One approach to the Czech border is through the town of Regensburg. This town and road leading into it must first be taken. All this in 54mm!! Yes, it is true, bigger is better!!
54mm WW2 is just so frickin' sweet to watch, much less play.
F-175 - Wooden Wars Demo Games
Fri. 8:00 PM, 1 hrs, 4 players GM: Ken Cliffe with Dave Hoyt Sponsor: All the King's Men Toy Soldiers
Napoleonic Wood Soldiers, Rules: Wooden Wars
ATKM debuts Wooden Wars! Command armies of sturdy wooden soldiers, cavalry and artillery on a floor battlefield. Win by knocking over the enemy army by shooting (tossing small rubber balls) and rolling dice, all in the spirit of HG Wells. No tickets needed. Just walk up and play throughout the session.
I've mentioned Wooden Wars here. Awesome that ATKM has offered to help promote it.
F-265 - Gnome Wars: The Joust
Fri. 8:00 PM, 2 hrs, 30 players GM: Jim Stanton with Steven Stanton and Stout Gnomes
Sponsor: Brigade Games, Prize: Gnomes! Fantasy 28mm, Rules: Gnome Wars
Come try to win the jousting tournament. Rules taught. Quick, easy, FUN!
The joust is back! So making a custom mount for this bad boy. If I get embarrassed in the first round, I will be jumping into Wooden Wars.
S-242 - Trench Wars: Treat Them Rough!
Sat. 9:00 AM, 3 hrs, 8 players GM: Steve Robinson and Woodbridge Area GamerS (WAGS)
Sponsor: Acheson Creations, Prize: None WWI 28mm, Rules: Modifed Trench Wars
Tommy is facing the formable Hindenburg line. Can the shear bravery of Tommy and the steel behemoths punch their way through Jerry’s defenses? Or, will a sea of wire entanglements, bunkers and non-ceasing hail of machinegun fire defeat Tommy’s juggernaut? Come and pick a side and taste once again the rotting, acidic smell of the western front. I know for sure that lead figures do not bleed, but allot will have to wait until the afternoon to be played with again.
Another early morning Trench Wars games.
S-395 - Rorke's Picnic
Sat. 12:00 PM, 2 hrs, 7 players GM: Jim Reynolds with John Brennan and WNPG Sponsor: Eureka USA, Prize: Bears Colonial 28mm, Rules: Teddy Bear Picnic
It is picnic time for the 24th Bear Foot, but visitors have rudely interrupted. With the boys have their picnic or will the Zulu bears ruin tea time.
Eureka Bears,'nuff said, even if it is for kids.
S-145 - Battle of Tanga - German East Africa, 4 Nov. 1914
Sat. 1:00 PM, 4 hrs, 6 players GM: Mark Kinsey with Jonathan Yuengling
WWI 15mm, Rules: Too Fat Lardies - If the Lord Spares Us
The Battle of Tanga was an attempt by the British Commonwealth to invade the colony of German East Africa through an amphibious landing near the town of Tanga. Players will command 8,000 British Indian forces against 1,000 German Sharpshooters and Askari. But whose side are the African Killer Bees on?
Someone else running Tanga?In 15mm? Inconceivable!
S-214 - Gnome Wars: The Battle of the Bees
Sat. 2:00 PM, 4 hrs, 6 players
GM: Kevin Jacobi with Jim Stanton and Stout Gnomes
S-215 - Gnome Wars: The Landing in East Africa
Sat. 2:00 PM, 4 hrs, 8 players
GM: Eric Jacobson with Jim Stanton and Stout Gnomes
S-216 - Gnome Wars: Storming the Town of Tanga
Sat. 2:00 PM, 4 hrs, 8 players
GM: Steven Stanton with Jim Stanton and Stout Gnomes
The MEGA-GAME! No Pre-Reg needed if you bring your own 300-320pt unit. Last Cold Wars was a blast, this should be even better.
S-204 - Wooden Warriors capture the Flag - sometime in 1815
Sat. 5:00 PM, 1 hrs, 8 players GM: Jeff Wiltrout and Potomac Wargamers Sponsor: Skull and Crown Strategem INC.Napoleonic 80mm, Rules: Wooden Wars
Time to get the games off the table and back on the floor where it all began. 2 armies of Wooden Warriors battle it out on the floor capturing objectives and knocking down opponents. Thrown rubber balls are the objects of destruction here. Kids over 12 only accepted with a younger player.
EXTREMELY KID FRIENDLY. Not recommend for those with bad knees.
More Wooden Wars daring to go where few would venture: the floors of the Lancaster Host!
S-209 - Haitian Slave Revolt
Sat. 7:00 PM, 3 hrs, 10 players GM: Brian DeWitt Colonial 25mm, Rules: The Sword and The Flame
The Haitian Slave Revolt started in August 1791 with central leader Voodoo Priest Boukman. French forces loyal to the French Crown and Colonists battled back and forth with the Slave Army. In 1793 many French units were called back to Europe and the Slave Army took to the offense. Here Haitian national hero Toussaint L'Ouverture leads the way.
Great obscure, under appreciated action, a plus to use TSATF to play.
S-355 - Carnage and Glory: Russia 1920--"The Commissar's in Town"
Sat. 8:00 PM, 2 hrs, 12 players GM: Tom Cusa with Frank Luberti, Jr. and Connecticut Game Club
Sponsor: Carnage and Glory Inter-War 28mm, Rules: Carnage and Glory II
Baron Waxtel's White Russians clash with Red Army forces under Comrade General Spiess. Regimental level game. Novices, children with adults, rules lawyers and GMs looking for revenge welcome. CGC members, family and friends always welcome.
The Russian Civil War always deserves some support, in my book.
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
(Cold Wars) Gnome Wars Mega-Game Submitted!
After the 12 Days of Blogging, the holiday season, and wearing a fanny pack covered in mistletoe, it's time to catch up on the day to day affairs, starting with huge Gnome Wars news.
The Gnome Wars main event for Cold Wars 2013 will be another multi-table mega-game. This time, the Stout Gnomes will tackle the 1914 East African Battle of Tanga. The tables cover the amphibious assault, the jungle fighting, and the chaotic melee within the city itself. And yes, troops should be able to move from table to table.
Saturday 2pm. Be there. We'll have plenty of new surprises, in addition to the old surprises we regularly throw out.
www.coldwars.org for more info.
The Gnome Wars main event for Cold Wars 2013 will be another multi-table mega-game. This time, the Stout Gnomes will tackle the 1914 East African Battle of Tanga. The tables cover the amphibious assault, the jungle fighting, and the chaotic melee within the city itself. And yes, troops should be able to move from table to table.
Saturday 2pm. Be there. We'll have plenty of new surprises, in addition to the old surprises we regularly throw out.
www.coldwars.org for more info.
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
(Twelve Days) #12 A Merry Christmas is a Well Armed Christmas
From Gaming with the Gnomies, may you and yours have a blessed Christmas, and remember not to piss off Santa for next year. That old arms dealer is upgrading his personal protection.
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If I've heard any complaints with Victory Force, it's that there figures are extremely large, even for 30mm. At worse case, consider these offspring of Buddy the Elf.
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