Asgard's Chosen - Coming In September

If all goes according to plan, Mayfair Games will release the new boardgame Asgard's Chosen in September. Asgard's Chosen is a game for 1 - 4 players, ages 12 and up. It was designed by Morgan Dontanville and plays in about 90 minutes or less. With a MSRP of $42.00, the game will include a solitaire variation and a two-player cooperative version.

Players in Asgard's Chosen take the role of Teutonic Lords at the end of the Bronze Age whose goal is to ensure the prosperity and continuation of their family line. To do this, the players must appease their gods, who will in turn grant them favors in the form of controlling creatures (see that flying dragon burning the viking ship?) and aiding your goals in other ways.

The game box will contain:

• 1 Start Player Tile
• 9 Land Tiles
• 8 Hero Pieces (1 each of male and female in player color)
• 4 Hero Tiles (1 each of male and female)
• 6 Enchanted Tokens (3 for both wind and water enchantment bonus)
• 10 City Tiles
• 36 Control Markers (9 for each player color)
• 2 Player Aids (two sided: Sequence of Play & Gods Appeasement)
• 180 cards
• Rules booklet.

Fallen - Another Successful KS Project

In May I wrote about Fallen, a new kickstarter project that would launch in June.  The goal was to raise $19,000 and the funding period was from June 22 to July 22, 2013.

The funding period closed last week, and Watchtower Games raised a total of $113,594 with 1,311 backers. That's almost six times the initial goal of $19,000!

Fallen was initially designed as a two player game, where one players is the adventurer while the other player controls the traps, monsters and challenges in the dungeon being explored. However, the Fallen kickstarter reached and exceeded the $80,000 stretch goal.  What is so exiting about this stretch goal?  It triggers the development of a multi-player expansion.  Here's the description of the $80,000 Party Expansion stretch goal:

Development will begin immediately on a multi-player expansion. Grab your friends and adventure together into the dark chambers of Fallen against the Dungeon Lord.

Party expansion including dice, new power cards, skill, and creatures will be available as a separate purchase after the release of Fallen.

This is one of a few kickstarter projects I am really looking forward to. I'll post a play review as soon as I get my copy.

Avengers: Age of Ultron

Avengers director Joss Whedon announced during San Diego Comic Con's Marvel Studios presentation that the villain in the next Avengers movie will be Ultron. The movie will be titled Avengers: Age of Ultron.

The product of writer Roy Thomas and artist John Buscema, the artificial intelligence known as Ultron made its debut in Avengers #54 and its first full blown appearance in Avengers #55.  As its back story goes, Ultron was created by Henry Pym (Ant-Man) and its considerable artificial intelligence is based on Pym's brain patterns.

Ultron was ranked #23 in IGN's 2009 list of comic book villains. It also starred in a major crossover event that concluded this past spring and was known as "The Age of Ultron". Considering the title of the upcoming move, one can only wonder how much of the movie's plot is tied to the "Age of Ultron" crossover event.

Batman/Superman Team Up For Movie In 2015

Contrary to expectations, instead of a Man of Steel sequel or a Justice League movie, it appears that Warner Bros. and DC Heroes will team up with director Zack Snyder for a Batman/Superman team-up movie in 2015, based on a script by David Goyer - co-writer of Man of Steel.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Warner Bros. and DC Comics' movie plans include a Flash movie in 2016 and the long anticipated Justice League team-up movie, tentatively set for 2017.

Although Henry Cavill will reprise his role as the man of steel in the Batman/Superman movie, the role of Batman remains uncast.

Guardians Of The Galaxy Poster Release

On July 20, 2013, Marvel Studios showed the image of a poster for the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy movie to the massive audience at San Diego Comic Con's Hall H. The image has been released to the general public.  The studio also released an official cast list confirming that Benicio del Toro will play The Collector, Lee Pace will play Ronan the Accuser and Karen Gillan will play Nebula.

Guardians of the Galaxy will open nationwide on August 1, 2014, and is being directed by James Gunn.

Shadowrun 5E Update

Although still not available in print, on July 11, 2013, Catalyst Games Lab released the online PDF version of Shadowrun, Fifth Edition RPG for $20.00. Reportedly, the online PDF release doubled the previous launch day sales record of any other title release, and has broken five day sales records at DriveThruRPG and Catalyst's online shop.

Except for preview sales events at Origins and Gen Con, the physical copies of Shadowrun, Fifth Edition RPG will not hit the market until August.  However, Managing Developer for Catalyst Randall N. Bills is not worried that the early release of the PDF might negatively impact sales of the physical copies of Shadowrun, Fifth Edition RPG. According to him,"[w]e have years of data that show without question that the release of a PDF early for a print product ultimately increases sales of that print product."  He also added:

"While there is no way to quantify why that is the case, we believe it has to do with the die-hard fans immediately picking up a title and discussing it in online forums, raising the awareness to the more casual players that a book is out that might interest them.

Not only did Catalys sell four times as many Shadowrun, Fifth Edition at the Origins Game Fair as anyt title in our six year history (and we would've sold significantly more if we hadn't run out), but it more than doubled the sale of any item released at Origins by FASA Corporation (the original creators of Shadowrun) going all the way back to the mid 90s."

To emphasize the release of Shadowrun, Fifth Edition RPG, Catalyst has named this the "Year of Shadowrun".  To celebrate the Year of Shadowrun, Catalyst has planned a multitude of product releases across several platforms, including the deck building game Shadowrun: Crossfire, print novels, and the computer game Shadowrun Returns.

Shadowrun, Fifth Edition RPG is the latest version of the popular cyberpunk RPG that mixes fantasy and technology in a dystopian near-future setting of the Sixth World. Based on the 4th Edition, this new version adds new elements, including faster character creation, tweaking of the magic, increased gear options, and a streamlined matrix hack.  There will be both standard and limited editions available of the Shadowrun, Fifth Edition RPG core rulebook.  MSRP for the standard and limited editions is $59.99 and $99.99, respectively.

 

The Hobbit: Journey To Lonely Mountain Strategy Game

WizKids will release The Hobbit: Journey to Lonely Mountain Strategy Game.  The game will include five figures on SwitchClix bases which can be used in the HeroClix PAC game.

Featuring head-to-head play and also up to 1 versus 3, players take on the role of Bilbo Baggins, Gollum, the Goblin King or Azog in this new twist on the epic tale of a Hobbit who stumbles out his door to a world of wonder and danger.  Acclaimed designer Eric M. Lang weaves elegant thematic game play with characters, scenes and events of the movie.  The game play is easy to learn, but the strategy provides immense depth of play for even the most experienced players.

Hordes: High Command

October will see the release of Privateer Press' Hordes: High Command - a deck building game for 2 to 4 players set in the world of the Iron Kingdoms.  In Hordes: High Command, players command warriors and beasts to conquer the wilds of war-torn western Immoren.  This game is separate but compatible with Warmachine: High Command, to be released in August.

Hordes: High Command will include one rulebook and 386 cards: 89 each for the Trollblood, Orboros, Legion of Everblight, and Skorne factions, as well as 25 Winds of War cards and 15 Location cards.

'Zero Charisma' Movie Preview

Zero Charisma, an independently produced film that celebrates and documents the geek life by following Scott, who leads a group of friends in frequent sessions of Dungeons & Dragons, will be released in October.  The movie was a big hit at the SXSW festival in Austin.

Zero Charisma will be released on October 8 on various video-on-demand services (cable, satellite, iTunes, PlayStation, Amazon, and Google Play) and in movie theaters on October 13, 2013. This clip was shown at Comic Con and comes courtesy of the Nerdist YouTube channel.

The movie drama comes from the relationship between Scott and Miles. Scott believes that if you are playing a game, you need to respect the game and play by the rules. Miles, on the other hand, is a hipster charmer who joins Scott's group. Miles eventually replaces Scott as the Dungeon Master and then proceeds to treat the game cavalierly.

Firefly: Out To The Dark Card Game

Currently celebrating its 10th anniversary since its premiere on Fox, Firefly has maintained a strong position in the hearts of science-fiction fans the world over.  Starring Nathan Fillion as Captain Malcolm Reynolds with a ragtag crew aboard the spaceship Serenity, Firefly is best known for its unique spin on classic sci-fi tropes, witty dialogue, and memorable characters, courtesy of beloved creator Joss Whedon.

Based on the critically acclaimed, fan favorite television series, Firefly: Out to the Black is a hootenanny of adventure and misbehavin' spread out across the blackness of the 'Verse.  As one of the nine Serenity crew members, players work together to face the various entanglements that come your way, including the Alliance, Reavers, low-down dirty deceivers, and all manner of nastiness as you scour for jobs, choose partners for your missions, and ultimately do your best to stay afloat and keep on flyin'!

Available in October 2013.  Suggested retail price: $24.99.

Hobbit Tales - A One Ring Card Game

November should see the release of a new Tolkien-themed card game from Cubicle 7 Entertainment: Hobbit Tales – A One Ring Card Game.  The 2-5 player game was designed by Marco Maggi and Francesco Nepitello, who also designed the strategy boardgame War of the Ring and the role-playing game The One Ring.

A true story-telling game, in Hobbit Tales – A One Ring Card Game the players take the role of hobbits who find themselves sharing stories and beers at the iconic Green Dragon Inn.  Each player takes turns as the Narrator and must devise a story using a hand of illustrated cards.  The other players play hazard and monster cards to twist the Narrator’s tale.

The box contains one board, 75 Adventure cards, 40 Hazard cards, 5 coasters, a set of cardboard tokens, The One Ring 12-sided feat die, and a set of rules.  It also includes bonus rules on how to use Hobbit Tales – A One Ring Card Game in conjunction with The One Ring.

Balance Of The Force: Star Wars TCG Expansion

According to Fantasy Flight Games, the fourth quarter of 2013 will see the release of Balance of the Force, the second deluxe expansion set for Star Wars: The Card Game.  The expansion will introduce two multiplayer formats and new objectives sets for the game's six affiliations.

The multiplayer formats allow two-versus-two team play, as well as a format where as many as three players to team up against a single threat.    The new objective sets allow the use of new mechanics and characters that can be used in both head-to-head play as well as in the new multiplayer formats.

The Balance of the Force expansion will contain 154 new cards, including Jerjerrod's Task (a dark side challenge deck), The Hunt for Skywalker (a light side challenge deck), 6 new objective sets, 1 multiplayer Death Star dial, and new rules.

Top Selling Games For Spring 2013

From ICv2's Internal Correspondence comes the following list of the top selling products for spring 2013 in the following categories:

TOP 10 BOARD GAMES

1.  Settlers of Catan
2.  Ticket to Ride
3.  Small World
4.  Mage Knight
5.  Zombicide
6.  Pandemic
7.  Agricola
8.  Carcassone
9.  King of Tokyo
10.  Relic (Warhammer 40k)

TOP 5 ROLE PLAYING GAMES
1.  Pathfinder
2.  Dungeons & Dragons
3.  Star Wars
4.  Iron Kingdoms
5.  Dark Heresy/Rogue Trader/Deathwatch




TOP 10 HOBBY CHANNEL COLLECTIBLE GAMES

1.  Magic: The Gathering
2.  Yu-Gi-Oh!  TCG
3.  Marvel and DC HeroClix
4.  Pokemon TCG
5.  Cardfight!! Vanguard
6.  World of Warcraft TCG
7.  Kaijudo
8.  Star Trek HeroClix
9.  Star Trek Tactics HerClix
10.  Legend of the Five Rings CCG

TOP 5 NON'COLLECTIBLE MINIATURE LINES
1.  Warhammer 40k
2.  Warmachine
3.  Star WarsÑ X-Wing Miniatures
4.  Warhammer Fantasy
5.  Hordes



TOP 5 MASS CHANNEL COLLECTIBLE GAMES
1.  Magic: The Gathering
2.  Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG
3.  Pokemon
4.  World of Warcraft
5.  Power Rangers

TOP 5 COLLECTIBLE GAMES OVERALL
1.  Magic: The Gathering
2.  Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG
3.  Pokemon
4.  Marvel and DC HeroClix
5.  World of Warcraft

TOP 10 DICE/CARD GAMES

1.  Android: Netrunner
2.  7 Wonders
3.  Dominion
4.  Star Wars LCG
5.  Munchkin
6.  Marvel Legendary
7.  Ascension
8.  Bang!
9.  Quarriors!
10.  Sentinels of the Multiverse

Marvel Reveals Capt. America Poster

The first of Marvel Studio's Phase Two films, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, will debut on April 4, 2014.  Yesterday, Marvel released a teaser poster for the movie.  The poster feature's a faded and blood stained Captain America's shield.  Surely, a portent of difficult times ahead and possibly grimmer reality for Marvel superheroes.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier will be directed by brothers Joe and Anthony Russo, and will star Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, and Samuel L. Jackson.  We expect more details to be released during next week's San Diego Comic Con.