Saturday, August 31, 2013

Days of Wonder Press Release - Ticket to Ride India is Back on the Tracks

From the Days of Wonder Website

Ticket to Ride India is back on the tracks

After being unavailable for several months, Ticket to Ride India is now back on the tracks and ready for a grand rail adventure.



This second volume of the Ticket to Ride Map Collection series includes a double-sided game board with the map of India for 2 to 4 players, plus Ticket to Ride Switzerland, the  popular (and very competitive) map for 2 and 3 players.

Learn more on the Ticket to Ride India web page. Find Ticket to Ride India – Map Collection Volume 2 at better game stores around the world and also at the Days of Wonder webstore.

Friday, August 30, 2013

Z-Man Games Press Release - No Shipping - Inventory

From the Z-Man Games Website

No Shipping - Inventory


Due to the Labor Day holiday and the annual counting of the inventory, there will be no shipping of products until September 9th.
This applies to all online order as well as parts requests. Orders and parts requests will not be processed until September 9th.
We thank you for you understanding and your collaboration to making our online sales and parts department work better for you.

Green Ronin Publishing Press Release - Find Our Secret HQ at PAX!

From the Green Ronin Publishing Website

Find Our Secret HQ at PAX!


Green Ronin is exhibiting at PAX Prime, which is happening in Seattle right now. This year we have our own room on the 2nd floor of the convention center!

Our "Secret HQ" is Room 209. It's right in the tabletop game area, so simply go up the south escalators to the 2nd floor and take a right to find us.

We have Power Profiles and the Deluxe Hero's Handbook for Mutants & Masterminds! We have the Freeport coins we were selling at GenCon! We are also repping for Evil Hat, so come see us for copies of Fate Core, FAE, Dresden Files, and Race to Adventure!

PAXPrime2013-GR-secret-lair.jpg

After Action Report – Board Game Night @ Action Comics and Games, August 29, 2013



I am in the Las Vegas area this week so I decided to take a look at what board game events are like here.  On Thursday, I attended Board Game Night at Action Comics and Games, a store in Henderson, Nevada just south of Las Vegas.

There were 10 – 15 people at the event with 2 - 3 games being played at any one time.  The games that were being played were older games and the players were definitely more comfortable playing the games they already knew instead of trying new ones.  This surprised me since it was a fairly young crowd.

The gaming space took up 75% of the store space.  The store space was laid out in what appears to be the current trend of having the gaming space in the center of the store with the merchandise surrounding it on the outside.  There were plenty of tables that are laid out to be efficient for playing Magic and other collectible card games, which works good enough for board games as well.  The tablecloths that they were using could use a wash but otherwise the gaming area was clean enough.

I was able to play two games at the event one was completely new and the other I had not played since starting this blog.

The first game I played was the new one.  It was called A Dog’s Life.  The theme is centered on the players taking the roles of stray dogs that are roaming the town trying to find bones to bury in their home lot.  They also need to get food to eat to keep alive and avoid getting caught by the dog catcher.

The rules of the game are simple.  Each dog has a number of actions that they may take during their turn.  They may use those actions to move a space, look through a garbage can, pick up or deliver a newspaper, beg for food at a restaurant, drink water from a fountain, piddle on a lamppost, or bury a bone.  At the end of their turn the player must move the dog catcher the number of spaced that they roll on a die.  If the dog catcher ends his movement on a space where a dog is there is a chance that the dog will go to the dog pound where they will stay until they escape.  At the start of the game the players determine the number of bones that need to be collected to win and the first one to get that number of bones buried in their home space wins.

The game started well for me.  I was able to find a bone in the second trash can I looked in and get it back to my home lot and buries fairly quickly.  I also manage to get the player who got their first bone faster than me caught by the dog catcher.  I then realized that there was a greater chance to be able to get a bone if I delivered newspapers, so I started to move to the center of the board to pick up newspapers checking out trashcans along the way.  Then I got lucky and one of the players got picked up by the dog catcher a move away from where I was and was forced to give up two bones.  I rushed over there to pick up one of the bones which was a move away from my home space.  The next turn I won the game.

The second game was Small World.  In Small World, the players run races of creatures that invade the area of the world to take over areas of the world as their own.  They come into conflict with other groups that were present before and take the land from them.  The player will eventually put the race they are playing into decline when they believe they have played it out and choose a new race to play and start the invasion process over again.

The players get victory points for the number of spaces their races, both active and in decline, control.  The player with the most victory points wins the game.

I started out the game with Bivouacking Amazons and take a decent number of territories including 3 mountain areas and set up my bivouacs in such a way that it discouraged other players from going after me.  During the second turn I knock out another player’s entire position that he just put into decline.  The following turn I put the Amazons into decline.  The next race I picked up was Diplomatic Wizards.  I used them to break up another player’s high scoring area, but I still wound up getting most of my points from the Amazons.  I put the Wizards in decline after two turns and my last race same out to the board.  Again I was able to do a little damage to the other players that I thought were in the lead.  Unfortunately it was not enough to improve my situation and I ended the game in fourth place out of five players.

The night turned out well.  I was able to represent the OC in this Vegas event with one win.  The only drawback was that the store the event was held at closed a 9pm, which only gave us 3 hours of play time compared to the 4 hours I am normally used to at the week night events that I normally attend.  I will have to go back to this event again the next time I am in the Las Vegas area.

With all of that said here are my stats for this event

Game
No. of Plays
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th
7th
 Avg.
A Dog's Life
1
      1
      -
      -
      -
      -
      -

  1.00
Small World
1
      -
      -
      -
      1
      -
      -

  4.00
Totals
2
      1
      -
      -
      1
      -
      -
      -
  2.50

Bushiroad Press Release - Today's Cards - 30th August 2013

From the Bushiroad Website

Today's Cards - 30th August 2013


And we are at the close of another week...
For the Vanguard players, this is good news as the latest extra booster will be out tomorrow!
See you guy back here after the weekend!! ^o^/

Today's Cards - 30th August 2013
Weiß Schwarz
“Ha~ Ha ha ha ha!!”
Leader of the Demon World, Laharl ラハール from 「ディスガイア D2」

Today's Cards - 30th August 2013
Weiß Schwarz
“It glistens with a foul slime which induces nausea.
It is truly an island made of flesh.”
Sea Monster 海魔 from 「Fate/Zero」

Today's Cards - 30th August 2013
ChaosTCG
"We've got this as long as there are no beam grade weapons!!"
'Ensign' Infinities Troop [Leon Kuze] レオン・クゼ from 「マブラヴ オルタネイティヴ トータル・イクリプス」

Today's Cards - 30th August 2013
ChaosTCG
"*Giggle*...... you sure are gentle"
'Ensign' Lynx [Sharon Heim] シャロン・エイム from 「マブラヴ オルタネイティヴ トータル・イクリプス」

Today's Cards - 30th August 2013
Victory Spark
"Is that right..."
School in the morning, Anaru 安城鳴子 from 「あの日見た花の名前を僕達はまだ知らない。」

Today's Cards - 30th August 2013
Victory Spark
"Oh?"
Anaru not in a good mood 安城鳴子 from 「あの日見た花の名前を僕達はまだ知らない。」

Today's Cards - 30th August 2013
Cardfight!! Vanguard
"Good fortune will descend upon us--- I see it, Fortune Stream!"
Hexagonal Magus ヘキサゴナル・メイガス

Today's Cards - 30th August 2013
Cardfight!! Vanguard
"The dream has just begun."
Future Liberator, Llew

Today's Cards - 30th August 2013
Monster Collection
Black Winged Angel, Deonea 黒い翼の天使デオネア from ブースターパック「マーシュラントの魔竜」

Today's Cards - 30th August 2013
King of Pro-wrestling
MOONSAULT DOUBLE KNEEDROP ムーンサルトダブル二ードロップ

Today's Cards - 30th August 2013

Speaking of the weekend, it's been a while since we visited the Ufotable Cafe here in Tokyo...
Wonder if there are any new additions to the menu since the last time we visited.
Photo above was from our last visit, when the menu for Kara no Kyoukai was first introduced... Xp

Warlord Games Press Release - Pre-order: Pegasus Bridge!

From the Warlord Games Website

Pre-order: Pegasus Bridge!


We are very excited to announce the forthcoming release of the Pegasus Bridge battle set for Bolt Action. You can now place pre-orders for these superb battle-sets below.

This awesome set contains everything you need to recreate the daring raid that paved the way for the Allied D-Day invasion. And as if that wasn’t enough, we are also releasing a Collector’s Edition of the set, dubbed ‘Ham & Jam’ after the mission completion code words, that will be crammed with even more models and scenery.

As you can see below, ace artist Peter Dennis has worked his magic with the cover art – quite possibly his best yet for Warlord Games!


The Mission

The mission, in the opening minutes of the Normandy landings, was to capture the Bénouville Bridge and the nearby Ranville Bridge in order to prevent German reinforcements from reaching the beaches, where Allied forces were pouring ashore. 180 men, led by Major John Howard, landed close to their targets in gliders. Using the element of surprise, they were tasked with seizing the bridges, and more importantly, hold them against the inevitable German counter attack. Bénouville Bridge was later renamed Pegasus Bridge, in reference to the shoulder emblem worn by the British Airborne forces.

What do you get?

Using the contents of the battle set, you can really set the scene for this pivotal battle. The centrepiece is a laser-cut wooden model of the bridge itself (the bridge even swings open!), accompanied by models of the Cafe Gondree, as well as a machine gun pill box, a 5cm KwK 39 gun emplacement and even wooden telegraph poles. It also includes 20 plastic German infantry, 12 metal British Airborne soldiers and an exclusive sculpt of Major John Howard himself. Full-colour waterslide decal sheets are supplied for both sides. There is also a mini-campaign booklet allowing you to recreate the firefight over the bridge and following actions.

The Ham & Jam! Collector’s Edition adds 6 resin sandbag emplacements (which can be put together into 3 machine gun emplacements), 3 more MG42 machine gun teams, 6 dead livestock models, a resin sandbag emplacement for the top of the control tower, 8 more telegraph poles and 12 resin Dragon’s teeth tank traps. In addition to this are 20 more plastic Germans, a Marder III Ausf. M tank destroyer, and 20 plastic Royal Marine Commandoes led by Lord Lovat and Piper Millin. We’ve even added a copy of Osprey Publishing’s Raid: Pegasus Bridge book to give you even more reference material, giving a full historical account and detailed uniform guides!

So click here for the full contents list and to pre-order your copy which will be released early to mid October 2013. The Allied invasion is depending on you!

The images below incorporate elements from both sets, on a custom-built board produced for us by Mandertory Miniatures. We’ll be bringing you lots of new photos in future newsletters as well as articles on building and painting the terrain.


Warlord Game Press Release - Pre-order: Gurkhas!

From the Warlord Games Website

Pre-order: Gurkhas!


Ayo Gurkhali! The Gurkha battlecry (the Gurkhas are coming!) was enough to chill their foes to the very bone, accompanied as it was by a ferocious charge with lethal kukri knife in hand.
You can now place a pre-order for our forthcoming metal Gurkha boxed set!


Famed for their ferocity, bravery and very big knives, our Gurkhas boxed set for Bolt Action is due for release in September 2013.

It contains 21 metal miniatures, sculpted by Paul Hicks: Major James Lumley and two attendant riflemen, a section of ten Gurkhas in firing poses, and a section of eight Gurkhas in charging poses– a mix of bayonet and kukri knife to see of the enemy!

A quarter of a million Gurkas served in the Second World War – recruited from the British Empire’s colony of Nepal into over 40 battalions. They fought in Syria, North Africa, Italy, Greece, as well as in Burma against the Japanese.

Each Gurkha carries a traditional Nepalese knife known as a Khukuri or Kukri. This heavy, curved blade is a fearsome close-combat weapon, as well as being useful for more mundane tasks such as clearing a path through dense jungle terrain.

The boxed set is led by Major James Rutherford Lumley, who was in the thick of the fighting at the battle for Mogaung in northern Burma in June 1944, one of the fiercest and most brutal in the entire campaign against the Japanese in the Far East.

Lumley’s daughter, British Actress Joanna Lumley was to fight as hard as any Gurkha for the rights of the Gurkha soldiers in recent years. This boxed set is as much in honour of her successful stance as for that of the bravery of her father and his Nepalese charges.

The men of 3rd Battalion of the 6th Gurkha Rifles fought in ferocious heat and stifling humidity after marching more than 160 miles through almost impenetrable jungle. The battle was to cost more than 100 lives, and see two men awarded the Victoria Cross for their quite exceptional bravery.
You can read more about the battle here.

Warlord Games Press Release - Bolt Action Horch 1a with 2cm Flak

From the Warlord Games Website

Bolt Action Horch 1a with 2cm Flak


Add mobile firepower to your German army with a 2cm flak gun mounted on a sturdy Horch heavy field car.

This re-working of our open-topped Horch model, by Darek Wyrozebski, adds the AA gun onto the back of the vehicle (taking up the passenger space). In your Bolt Action battles, it will allow you to quickly reposition the gun in the face of battlefield conditions, reacting to enemy threats as well as moving to the best vantage points. And remember, it will be highly effective against lightly armoured vehicles as well as aircraft!
Produced during the early years of the war, the Horch 1a served throughout the war and in all theatres in which the German army fought – Russian Front, Western Desert, NW Europe etc. The 2cm flak gun was similarly a workhorse for the Wehrmacht, produced in large numbers and a variety of configurations.

The Horch model is supplied with two windscreen variants – one with a canvas cover and one without.  The driver and gunner are in late war uniforms and both have a separate Figure Head allowing you to position them as you see fit or even swap them for one of our other German Figure Heads.

Warlord Games Press Release - Parthians for Hail Caesar

From the Warlord Games Website

Parthians for Hail Caesar


Released today are these fantastic Parthian Horse Archers, skirmishing archers who can literally run rings around the enemy! One of the many enemies of the Roman empire, the Parthians were a thorn in the side of the Romans for some time.

These warriors were exceptionally skilled riders – using both hands for their bows, they directed their mounts, without the aid of stirrups, using the pressure of their feet alone. They also perfected the tactic of retreating, or feigning retreat, while turning in the saddle to fire back at their pursuing enemies, an ability that became known as a Parthian Shot.
The Parthian’s greatest victory was at the Battle Carrhae in 53BC, when the Roman General Crassus invaded the Persian Empire. The skirmishing horse archers outflanked the less mobile Romans, keeping up a hail of arrows while staying out of reach of close combat with the heavy infantry. Despite having far greater numbers, the battle became one of Rome’s worst defeats, and a catalyst for the fall of the Roman Republic.

 

Warlord Games Press Release - Bolt Action Decal Sheets

From the Warlord Games Website

Bolt Action Decal Sheets


Add historically accurate details to your Bolt Action vehicles with these great new waterslide decal sheets.

With the imminent release of the France and the Allies Bolt Action army book, now is the perfect time to be mustering your forces for battles across Europe. Our carefully researched waterslide transfers will give you that all-important authentic look, with vehicle names and numbers – just the thing to make your French armour look even better.

The second sheet available now is for the armoured forces of Mussolini. These Italian armour markings cover different formations, squadrons, etc.  There are even symbols for the Ariete and Centauro divisions.

Warlord Games Press Release - For King & Country and Conquest of Gaul

From the Warlord Games Website

For King & Country and Conquest of Gaul


What better way to get started with a new game, than with one of our starter sets. Packed with hordes of models, as well as a full rulebook, these sets offer brilliant value and hours of wargaming fun.
Our For King & Country set will introduce you to the game of Pike & Shotte. It includes the gloriously presented full-colour hardback Pike & Shotte rulebook and more than 80 plastic miniatures, including 12 cavalry models, so whether you want to refight the battles of the English Civil Wars or the devastating Thirty Years War this set is just the job.

Meanwhile, the Conquest of Gaul set will launch you into battles of Hail Caesar, between the barbaric Celts and the legions of Imperial Rome. This set has over 90 plastic models, including a Roman Scorpion catapult! It also includes the superb full-colour hardback Hail Caesar rulebook chock full of great eye candy!

Warlord Games Press Release - Perry Miniatures Boxed Sets Price Rise

From the Warlord Games Website

Perry Miniatures Boxed Sets Price Rise


Prices on Perry Miniatures boxed sets are going up from £18 to £20 from Monday next week, so this weekend is your last chance to grab them at the lower price!


Warlord Games Press Release - Jobs: Apprenticeships with Warlord Games

From the Warlord Games Website

Jobs: Apprenticeships with Warlord Games



Warlord continues to grow and to support its growth need more keen people, not afraid of hard work, to join a cheery atmosphere.   Previously we’ve been looking for people who are experienced in the gaming industry to fill much needed roles but now are able to recruit the next generation to grow Warlord – Working with First4Skills (http://www.first4skills.com/) and a little help from the government we are able to offer three apprenticeships in key departments at Warlord Games.

Apprenticeships are a great first step towards a fantastic career in your chosen field.  As a Warlord apprentice you will work towards a nationally-recognised qualification where you will gain practical skills and experience whilst employed and earning a wage.

The apprenticeships we have available are: -

Sales Administration – helping our Trade Sales Team to make sure that gaming stores are able to offer Warlord Games products by providing administration support.

Mail Order Operative – picking and processing orders received through our webstore ensuring orders are received correctly and in a timely manner.

Warehouse Operative – responsible for packing our boxed sets and blister packs.

To give you an idea of what it’s like to work for Warlord Games you can read Dave Holmes’ article here: –   http://www.warlordgames.com/33475/insight-a-day-in-the-life-of-a-mail-order/

To be an apprentice you must be: -
  • Aged between 16-23
  • Not currently be in education
  • Not have attended University
There are no specific qualifications or experience required for these roles and while basic computer skills, English and maths will be an advantage; the most important qualification an applicant can have is to demonstrate that they are keen to learn and develop at Warlord Games.

A knowledge of, or interest in, military history or wargaming would be of benefit but not essential.
To apply please send a copy of your CV and a covering letter indicating which position you would like to apply for and why you would make a good apprentice to: – steve.yates@warlordgames.com

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Green Ronin Publishing Press Release - Mutants & Masterminds Gadget Guide: Biotech (PDF)

From the Green Ronin Publishing Website

Mutants & Masterminds Gadget Guide: Biotech (PDF)


Mutants & Masterminds Gadget Guide: BiotechMedical science has long sought ways to cure, heal, and improve the human condition, but the knowledge to heal also comes with the knowledge to harm, and the science of improving life can also twist it in a variety of ways. Biotech looks at biological technology, from cloning and genetic engineering to biometrics, forensics, bio-modification, biological equipment, and biochemicals.
Mutants & Masterminds Gadget Guide: Biotech

WizKids Press Release - Star Trek: Attack Wing The Dominion War Month 1 Participation Prize– the Elite Attack Die!

From the WizKids Website

Star Trek: Attack Wing The Dominion War Month 1 Participation Prize– the Elite Attack Die!


STAW_Dominon_Logo

The Dominion War starts September 1!

<<Hailing frequencies… all ships are ordered to rendezvous at Sector 2374>>
In the Month 1 scenario — Operation Return— of the Star Trek: Attack Wing The Dominion War Storyline Organized Play Event Series, you will be in the center of the battle for the control of Deep Space 9 (or Terok Nor, for you Cardassians…).  Each Commander participating in this historic battle will receive the Elite Attack Die!
Dice_Mock
The Elite Attack Die is the first of a series of “Resources” that will be available for players to add to their Fleet Build in later events (and, of course, in home games and casual play).   Players are limited to adding only one Resource as part of their Fleet Build.
Dice_Ref_Card
For 5SP, a player with the Elite Attack Die equipped to their Fleet will– once per round– be able to swap one of their normal attack die with the Elite Attack Die.  The Elite Attack Die provides a greater chance to hit and adds a new hit type— the double hit!  The double hit scores two hit on a ship if not evaded (but can be evaded with a single Evasive Maneuvers result).

Check out your local game stores for Star Trek: Attack Wing products and to participate in the Star Trek: Attack Wing The Dominion War events or visit www.wizkidseventsystem.com to find stores running The Dominion War events.