Mar 112023
 

To date my contributions here have been primarily about board gaming. While board gaming remains a very important part of what I will continue to cover here on the site, a new addition to the portfolio is on the horizon. As a long time player of roleplaying games, there has been a draw to the newest incarnations of that old hobby.

In recent years I have taken a keen interest in the evolutionary path of narrative mechanic driven RPGs. Fantasy Flight Games Star Wars system was one that I’d classify as a first “mass market” (for as mass a market as RPGs are) narrative driven games. In that game the dice themselves were the narrative modifier to the flow of the game with a light form of meta-currency. Another of these narrative systems games is the 2d20 System developed and published by Modiphius entertainment. In this game, the narrative mechanics are driven by meta-currency as well as the dice results. An interesting combination.

This year, Modiphius launched the 2d20 World Builders program. This program gives the 2d20 community the ability to produce content for the 2d20 rules system under the programs guidelines and structure. Creators are free to develop their own game using the 2d20 rules as well as one licensed property, their Achtung! Cthulhu setting. With the World Builders program, distribution of created content is through DriveThruRPG. Given the value of the system and the property, a very good opportunity for designers and creators.

I have begun work on an adventure for Achtung! Cthulhu with the intention of publication through the program. While I won’t go into too much detail right now, on what topic I will be covering in the “Secret War” of the setting, rest assured that my love of history, interest in World War 2, and love of storytelling will all combine into what I hope to be an interesting and engaging adventure. More to come!

Jul 072017
 

After a marathon game of Eldritch Horror the night before, Thursday got off to a slow start. In order to ease into the day we dropped by the Cool Stuff Inc ding and dent sale to scout out some deals. 

Spying a reduced price on Shadows of Brimstone, I decided it was time to get in! I’m looking forward to build those miniatures and get the first play down. 

From a gaming perspective we were able to get in a game of Tin Goose, an excellent game bringing the flavor of the early development of airlines to the table. The mechanics of crash risk, oil costs and labor strikes were an elegant touch. 

Later in the evening we opened up our copy of SPI’s John Carter Warlord of Mars, still in shrink after 38 years. You can find that video in the twitter feed. 

The evening was wrapped up with a late game of Galactic Emperor. 

Tomorrow we may get Star Trek Ascendancy or BattleLore to the table. Looking forward to more fun!

Jul 062017
 

The rush hour din was still ringing when we began caravaning north from South Florida towards Orlando. Destination: the manor gaming convention in the state, Dice Tower Con. 

With a brief stop over in Boynton Beach to pick up another member of the contingent we made our way north through intervening traffic and under threat of an upcoming “lane blockage” which our trusty google maps indicated ahead. 

Arrival was uneventful but the first day parking was tight. We found a spot and begun the unloading process. The cargo contained:

  • Time of Crisis (GMT games). I had playtested this title a bit and looking forward to a play brought with my official copy. 
  • Eldritch Horror (Fantasy Flight Games). My daughters favorite and a title that is a must play on those rates occasions we get the gang all-together. 
  • ASL Starter Kit 1 & 3 (MMP). One of my fellow grognards in the clan and I have a hard time getting in sessions of this two player tactical wargame. This is the place for it!
  • Mega BattleLore (Fantasy Flight Games). The 1st edition on steroids. House rules and over 300 figures. This is a Saturday play for six. 
  • Star Trek Ascendency (Gale Force Nine) while we had hoped to see the expansions before DYC, it’s still a favorite for us. One of the best Trek 4X games ever. 
  • John Carter Warlord of Mars (SPI). An old favorite from our youth. We always like to do one “nostalgia” game. 

After some dinner at the nearby Olive Garden we hit the game hall for some five player Eldritch Horror. A serious tangle with Ithaqua commenced lasting five and a half hours. Typically these games end in a loss, but even after losing three investigators the team pulled it out with the indefatigable Lilly Chen putting the final Eldritch token on the third mystery. Satisfying. 

Now on to day two…