The Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts and Design has announced the following nominees for the 36th Annual Origins Awards: Card Game The Isle of Dr. Necreaux – Alderac Entertainment Group Martian Fluxx – Looney Labs Poo – Catalyst Game Labs The Stars are Right – Steve Jackson Games Thunderstone – Alderac Entertainment Group Board Game Castle Panic – Fireside Games Endeavor – Z-Man Games Small … Continue reading Origins Awards Nominations 2010
D&D Encounters is a new Organised Play series by Wizards of the Coast to promote Dungeons & Dragons play in stores. However, my original enthusiasm for the project waned and faded when I discovered that the program could only be run on Wednesdays. My local store, which has game space and runs miniatures, boardgames and the occasional D&D event, has a basic problem with running D&D … Continue reading The problems with D&D Encounters
I’m a fan of good science fiction TV shows. I’m especially a fan of good British SF shows. I was quite excited to discover that Channel Nine in Australia would be showing the 2008 series of the BBC SF show, Survivors. Originally created in the 70s by Terry Nation (the guy who created the Daleks for Doctor Who), the reimaging of the show had been … Continue reading SF show Survivors butchered by Channel Nine
For those unaware of who Catalyst Game Labs are, they’re the people behind the current round of BattleTech, Shadowrun and other interesting game material. For me, they’re the people who make BattleTech, and – as a result – I’m always interested in how they’re doing. Rumours began to leak out today about problems in Catalyst-land: funds had been embezzled, and the company was on the … Continue reading Trouble with Catalyst Game Labs
I ran two RPGs on Sunday. The first was our final session of the D&D 4e module “Demon Queen’s Enclave”, which ran for about 2-1/2 hours and was mostly taken up by one combat. An extremely entertaining combat, but nonetheless mostly a combat. With reference to my recent posts on adventure pacing, when you’re going to end a D&D adventure, a 2-1/2 hour combat is … Continue reading Roleplaying and Adventure Pacing – I’ve still got Serenity
Only one combat last session, but boy it was a big one. Adventure Finale Combat: 13 rounds, 140 minutes (Encounter Level 21) PCs: Level 17 Striker (Warlock) – Nathaniel Level 17 Controller (Wizard) – Adam Level 16 Striker (Rogue) – Splug Level 16 Leader (Cleric) – Greg Level 16 Defender (Fighter) – Josh Opponents: Level 18 Artillery Level 17 Elite Controller Level 15 Controller 4 … Continue reading Finale of Demon Queen’s Enclave
It has abilities. I need to write them up for Greg. He wants to redeem it. (See D&D P2). Continue reading Nightbringer
I really like D&D 4E. I’ve been happily playing it since the day it came out, and I’ll continue happily playing it until D&D 5E comes out (and possibly past them as well). I think that, in many respects, it’s the best edition of D&D. However, after having played it for the last 18 or so months, and having read the experiences of many other … Continue reading D&D 4E: Combat Length and Adventure Pacing
I saw the pilot episode for V on Sunday night when it got shown in Australia. (Oh, goody – now three shows I’m interested in are running against each other: House, Bones & V. At least I’ve already missed all of this season of House, so I’ll just wait until it comes out on DVD.) My initial reaction: not all that impressed. Cast was good, … Continue reading V – pilot episode thoughts
