Archive for August 21, 2008

Upcoming White Wolf Releases

White Wolf has updated its release schedule:

Upcoming ProductsExpected Date
Savage and Macabre: Gangrel09/10/2008
Witch Finders09/10/2008
The Compass of Terrestrial Directions, Vol. III – The East09/24/2008
Exalted: Legacy of the Unconquered Sun10/08/2008
Night Horrors: Grim Fears10/08/2008
ICC 2008 Admission10/10/2008
VTES:Keepers of Tradition Booster Display11/05/2008
VTES: Keepers of Tradition Booster Pack11/05/2008
VTES: Keepers of Tradition Malkavian Starter Deck11/05/2008
VTES: Keepers of Tradition Starter Display11/05/2008
VTES: Keepers of Tradition Toreador Starter Deck11/05/2008
VTES: Keepers of Tradition Ventrue Starter Deck11/05/2008

Avalanche Press Warehouse Sale

From the Avalanche Press site comes the following offer:

Summer Ends, Warehouse Empties
The excess stock in our warehouse has to be moved, and we’d rather have you playing these find games than have to move them. Through Labor Day weekend, we have DEEP discounts, Buy Two/Get a Third FREE, FREE shipping in the U.S. and reduced shipping overseas. Plus, Gold Club discounts apply. Help us reduce our space!

On Special!

The Latest from Wargamedownloads.com

Following are the latest releases from Wargamedownloads.com:

Friday Night Fights
Unlike any boxing game you’ve ever played
$8.00
Operation Dark Star
Three interlocking scenarios revolving around a Task Force Black mission
$4.95
Warrior Heroes
Warrior Heroes combines the best of wargaming miniatures with the
personal touch of role-playing
$22.00
Zolfaqar’s Blow: Armageddon in the Straits of Hormuz 2010
Iran attacks the US fleet
$14.00

Low-cost Sci-fi Minis from Studio Bergstrom

Periodically, I like to remind fellow sci-miniatures gamers that they can pick up some inexpensive miniatures from Studio Bergstrom. These are not the expensive, official miniatures you might find for sci-fi properties such as Stargate SG-1, Star Wars, or other well-known science-fiction names.  Rather, they’re miniatures inspired by big-name properties that would look good alongside the real thing.

Currently in the Studio Bergstrom catalog are a “Stargate Picture Frame”, F.E.D. ships that look a lot like Star Trek ships, “Galactics” starships which resemble a similarly-named sci-fi show’s ships, “I.M.P.” ships that might look at home with Darth Vader inside, and others.  They’re all pretty reasonably priced as well. Most fighter-sized ships are priced in the $1.25-$1.50 range. 

I should point out that I get absolutely no kickbacks, commissions, or compensation of any kind from Studio Bergstrom.

Deadlands Books Available in Print Again

Studio 2 Publishing announced on 8/20/08 that “in response to customer demand Pinnacle Entertainment has decided to make certain Deadlands Classic books available in print again through Studio 2 Publishing. The first books to be made available are the Player’s Guide and the Marshal’s Handbook which have been sold out for over three years.”

PEG1100 Deadlands: Player’s Guide is available here.

PEG1101
Deadlands: Marshal’s Handbook is available here.

Matrix Release “Birth Of America 2″

From the Matrix Games web site comes the following release information:

The sequel to Birth of America now available for purchase at Matrix Games

Matrix Games and AGEOD (www.ageod.com) are thrilled to announce that the new release Birth of America 2: Wars in America, is now available for purchase at the Matrix Games Store! This grand strategy sequel to the popular Birth of America covers warfare in North America from the Pequot War in 1636 through full campaigns on the French and Indian War, Revolutionary War and War of 1812 all the way to the Battle of New Orleans in 1815. Wars in America is a new game and comes with a sizeable list of new features and innovations as well as a large scenario list.

David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said “Birth of America was very well received by critics and strategy fans alike. The sequel to this fantastic gaming system comes loaded with new features and expanded possibilities making Birth of America 2: Wars in America a must-have for American Revolutionary War buffs and turn-based grand strategy fans alike.”

Birth of America 2: Wars in America is the much expanded reprise of veteran developer AGEOD’s acclaimed first release, which allows players to command either side of the conflicts before, during and after the American War for Independence between 1636 and 1815. Apart from the engaging turn-based strategy play that has been expanded and vastly improved over the original, Birth of America 2: Wars in America includes major new features like an improved and expanded map including the Mississippi River, new European off-map boxes (France, Great Britain, Spain, Holland) and more.

Birth of America 2: Wars in America also comes packed with over 100 new leaders and units, new orders, new abilities, several new scenarios and full campaigns including Fallen Timbers (1791-1794), Great Lakes (1813), New Orleans (1815), and new Political, Economic and Diplomatic options!

Features include:

  • A new replay feature that allows the player to review any turn that they’ve played for in-depth After Action Reports or to track progress in detail!
  • New cohesion system (based on AGEOD’s American Civil War and Napoleon’s Campaigns model) which has a large and more realistic impact on combat.
  • Brand new concept of Engagement Points, allowing options for armaments purchases, political, economic and diplomatic options.
  • An improved and expanded map including the Mississippi River, new European off-map boxes (France, GB, Spain, Holland) and more.
  • New orders (e.g. spiking the guns, surrender with the Honour of War, remove leader, distant unload from ships).
  • New updated rules (e.g. combat, Indians, minutemen, blockade, privateers, naval transport, German mercenaries, etc…)
  • A challenging Foreign Entry competition system which will allow players to struggle in the race for the French Intervention.
  • Over a hundred new leaders and units.
  • Several new scenarios including Fallen Timbers (1791-1794), Great Lakes (1813), New Orleans (1815), and full campaigns on the French and Indian War, Revolutionary War and War of 1812
  • Improved AI

New Shadowrun Releases

From the Flames Rising web site comes news of the following new Shadowrun 4th Edition RPG titles:

Unwired

HACK THE PLANET!

Unwired is the advanced Matrix rulebook for Shadowrun, Fourth Edition. For everyday users, it explains how the Matrix works in easy-to-understand terms, and provides new software, qualities, and gear. For hackers and technomancers, it introduces new hacking tricks, malware, echoes, and sprites. It also covers system security and new Matrix phenomenon, from AIs to the resonance realms.Unwired contains everything players and gamemasters need for exploring the Matrix in Shadowrun.

Runner’s Companion

MASTER THE SHADOWS

Life in the shadows has never been as dangerous, and runners need every edge they can get. Runner’s Companion opens up a world of expanded options for Shadowrun players with dozens of New Qualities, Advanced Contact and Lifestyle Rules, and handy tips on running, travelling and smuggling, and operating in a surveillance society.

This core book for Shadowrun, Fourth Edition also introduces Metavariants, changelings, and the Infected as player character options, and expands the scope
of the game to include unique non-metahuman characters such as Shapeshifters, Free Spirits, and a new generation of AIs among others.

Emergence

An Evolutionary Upgrade

The Crash of 2064 ruined the lives of millions. Some died in the Matrix or went insane, many lost everything they owned, and still others found their identities completely erased. A small percentage changed into something altogether different, with the strange and inexplicable ability to affect the new Matrix with their minds. Now, in 2070, the existence of these technomancers becomes frontpage news, leading to widespread paranoia and witch hunts. The Emergence campaign setting involves the runners in a series of pivotal events that may change the way they view the world and the Matrix–and each other.

Look for these and other Shadowrun 4th Edition titles at RPGNow.com.

Mongoose Previews “Wraith Recon” for 4e D&D

Mongoose Publishing has posted a preview of their upcoming Wraith Recon setting for Dungeons and Dragons Fourth Edition.  The main book will be released on October 1, 2008.   They’ve put a preview from the main book and a special introduction to Wraith Recon on their web site.

Crocodile Games Selling Gen Con Leftovers

From the Crocodile Games web site comes the following offer:

UPDATED August 20 — GenCon Leftovers!

Were you not able to make it to GenCon, but still want some of the new figures? Check out this link, for news on how to order them (this week only!)

CLICK HERE!

Columbia Games Taking Pre-Orders for “Rome vs. Rome”

The Columbia Games web site posts the following bit of wargame news:

ROME VS. ROME

Rome vs Rome brings the drama of the Roman Civil War to life. Players take control of the legions of Caesar or Pompey and fight to rule Rome as Emperor. There are two campaigns: “Crossing the Rubicon” in which Caesar faces Pompey, and “Augustus”, in which Caesar’s nephew Octavian battles with Marc Antony and Cleopatra.

Preorder now

Schutze Games Publishes First Strike and Illusionary Fortress

The Schutze Games web site has added two new titles recently, “First Strike” and “Illusionary Fortress (Singapore 1942)”.

First Strike is designed by Bruce Costello with graphics by Nic Uloth.  It’s a wargame of nuclear warfighting operations in 1983.  It’s priced at $17.50 US.

Illusionary Fortress is designed by Peter Schutze.  It’s a wargame of the battle of Singapore island in 1942. Three tired Japanese divisions battle against 5 battered British Empire divisions. It’s priced at $12.50 US.

DVG Taking Pre-Orders for Several Wargames

Dan Verssen Games (DVG) is currently accepting pre-orders for several boxed wargame titles:

Modern Land Battles
Modern Land Battles – Target Acquired uses the core game mechanics from their award-winning Modern Naval Battles game.  Price $39.99

Down in Flames – Aces High
Down in Flames is DVG’s tactical air combat game.  Price $47.99

Field Commander – Alexander the Great
A solitaire strategy game. Price $34.99

Down in Flames – Aces High with Extra Card Deck
Price $67.99

Bezier Announces “Ultimate Werewolf: Ultimate Edition”

From Bezier Games comes the following announcement:

Ultimate Werewolf: Ultimate Edition announced!

Bezier Games is proud to announce the definitive edition of the wildly popular Ultimate Werewolf game. This new “Ultimate Edition” is a completely new, professionally printed and packaged version of Ultimate Werewolf, with great new characters and scenarios in a compact, gorgeously-designed box. It now supports anywhere from 5 to 68 (that’s right, sixty-eight!) players at once, in a single game or through multiple concurrent games. There are more than 40 characters in the set, including several that have never been seen in a werewolf-like game before. If you’re a back-to-basics kind of gamer, you’ll appreciate that Ultimate werewolf ships with 20 villagers and 12 werewolves, so you can even have a huge “vanilla” game if you’re so inclined. But where Ultimate werewolf really shines is in the rules. While the basic game is explained in only a few paragraphs, players will find dozens of pages of addtiional rules, variants, scenarios, character descriptions, tips, strategies, and even how to incorporate Ultimate Werewolf into your company’s team-building events. More than 80 cards and a moderator scorepad are also included.

Ultimate Werewolf will be shipping in time for Essen ’08. You may preorder Ultimate Werewolf: Ultimate Edition for a special limited preorder price of $20 including shipping (U.S. customers only) by sending $20 to orders@bezier.com.

Battlegames Issue 14 Preview

The web site for Battlegames magazine has posted a preview of what you can expect in Issue 14:

Chocolate teapots: Diane Sutherland reveals the unusual things her husband John does with decorative china.

Figure piracy – scourge of the hobby? Bob Barnetson investigates the thorny subject of recasting miniatures.

I like your style: Barry Hilton gives us a masterclass in comparative painting techniques. No less than seven different methods are described in detail, and he goes on to demonstrate top tips for basing too!

Forward Obeserver: Siggo gets stuck in to the TooFatLardies Sharp Practice rules with an in-depth review.

To boldly go: Roger Smith is impressed with the new 4th Edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, and gets really excited about Games Workshop’s new Warhammer Fantasy Dark Elves army book.

Tabletop tips: the first in an occasional series, Phil Olley shows us how to set our gaming alight with tabletop fire effects.

Seven years in Silesia: Angus Konstam describes what inspired him to write his Kriegskunst mid-18th century rules and the challenges he faced, then rounds off with an exciting scenario for us to try.

The well of Tarka: Dan Mersey brings us a clever system for playing an ‘automated’ Sudan game and notes for adapting the Warhammer Historical Legends of the Old West for use in colonial wargames. Special free bonus! Next week you will be able to download my own Zulu Wars participation game article right here, with free rules, that was directly inspired by Dan’s system.

Table top teaser: “reconnaissance in force”. Phil Olley had a hand in the playtest of this brilliant scenario, including producing some wonderful shots of Charles Grant’s Spencer Smiths in action — yes, the ones that were used in The War Game!

Recce: plenty of book, rule, figure and computer game reviews. Steve Gill even read a book by God! (Sort of…)

War and Preece: our dear Johnny Preece delves into a particular battle in Burma where a particular Brigadier was serving…

The Battlegames Combat Stress Appeal: announced already, and I note with pride that a a handful of readers have already made extremely generous donations to get us on our way. Please help us to achieve our £1,000 target — see below. This issue tells you all about the appeal with a moving introduction from Julian Evans.

Gamewright Releases “Captain Clueless”

Gamewright has released the family game “Captain Clueless” reccently.
They describe the game as follows:

Set a course for high seas hilarity aboard this party game that puts you behind the rose-colored sunglasses of Captain R. U. Clueless – the world’s most oblivious cruise ship captain. While blindfolded, try to navigate a clear route to your chosen Caribbean port without running into land or running out of time. Your teammates can help guide you but with only a limited number of clues! The first team to reach their final destination wins. Bon Voyage!

Ages 8 and up
4 to 8 players
Playing time: about 20 minutes

Consists of:
20 port cards
2 blindfolds
2 dry erase markers
1 eraser
1 sand timer
1 game board
rules of play
rules in Spanish

Dark Realm Miniatures Releases Seeds of War 1.1

From Dark Realm Miniatures comes the following news:

Seeds of War is upon us..

Dark Realm Miniatures proudly presents Seeds of War. This great rule set is the lastest as we start to piece things together to bring this game alive. Much has gone into this new edition of the rules and you can view it here.

The latest SoW 1.1 stats for Kraytonians, Pax and Andrayada are now available here.

10% Off Sale at Innovatium

The Innovatium web site says that a 10% off sale is underway for all their products.

35% Off at Black Tree Design


Black Tree Design is having a summer madness sale, offering 35% off “almost everything” on their site. They offer a wide selection of miniatures, including Doctor Who minis.



Arbor Productions Releases “Halt Evil Doer!”


Halt Evil Doer! is now for sale at RPGNow.com!

The newest campaign offering from Arbor Productions is available in two formats.

The first is as a single product for $14.95

The second is as part of the Heroic Multiverse bundle, which includes both Halt Evil Doer! and the Autumn Arbor Campaign Setting for a special price of $24.95. Officially part of the same multiverse, with cross-over adventures coming soon, that’s two PDFs equalling a total of over 300 pages of super-heroic adventure!

Available now at the RPGNow.com Arbor Productions Storefront!



Classic Battletech “Tactical Operations” Available in PDF and for Pre-Order

From the Classic Battletech site comes the following news:

The next core rulebook, Tactical Operations, is now available in PDF format in the BattleShop at BattleCorps.com. Also available is the pre-order for the print version and the combo PDF/print pre-order package. Check it out today!