To Brand or not to Brand...

  So I had an idea. That's the cue for those who know me to run away screaming. I thought of a concept for a cross genre game to run at KublaCon next year. One that would bring the various groups of gamers together and sow harmony between the Miniatures Wargamers, Pen and Paper Roleplayers, Card Gamers, and LARPers. Then, over the course of the weekend, tear them apart with backstabbing and treachery. It would sort of be a cross between a LARP, those Button Wars (or Button Men?) games and a Games Workshop Global Campaign. Players would be free to participate as much or as little as they choose and the game would have minimal interference with playing in other games. It would be loosely based on a currently popular fiction series.
  So, here is my question: Should I go ahead and just use the Names and Locations from the series in the game? Mind you, its loosely based, the outcome will be unscripted, and players will be free to make any alliances they choose to make. However, if "Branded" the game will for better or worse, have the added emotional impact of pre-existing characters and concepts, as well as be much easier for me to write.
  Would you be more willing, or less willing to play in a game with a familiar "Brand?"

But I'm the Dragonborn...

This is too nerdy for Facebook, but I thought you guys might find it funny. I spent 45 levels "Sandboxing" in Skyrim, mostly buffing out my Smithing and Enchanting skills, and killing bandits and taking their stuff. Moral questions about stealing from stealers aside, I just started getting into some of the campaign quests. The ones intended for lower levels are now quite funny, as the characters question your prowess, and equipment. They gave me a steel sword that does 70 damage, to replace "whatever that is." "THAT" is a dragon bone sword that does 206... oh, and it siphons health and fills soulgems. They challenge me to a fist fight after I just saved their village from an Elder Dragon. Calling me names and trying to intimidate as we are literally fighting amongst the bones of a dragon I killed before their eyes.
I wouldn't deign to give Spooktalker tips on using inks as I'm helping him carry his painting contest trophies out to the car, nor would I, with my bum knee and vans try to go long distance running with Skywatcher (during a Con mind you, the guy is kind of a badass). I do sometimes try to match wits with DoomsDay, but only to keep my Daedric Sarcasm (Epic) sharp.
Pretty stinkin' nerdy.

Level 7 from Privateer Press

The gates are opening for the new Level 7 game from Privateer Press. We didn't know if it was to be another miniature game, a board game, or what. But the word is out now. It's a semi-cooperative survival-horror board game. Demos were given at the Lock and Loaded event last week.

Box Art with Alien eye!

Press Release Description:

"You are a captive of Subterra Bravo, imprisoned in the facility’s deepest laboratory, the hall of nightmares known as LEVEL 7. Your singular goal is to escape, but to do that you will have to evade the human and inhuman denizens of this subterranean labyrinth before the entire base is locked down, sealing you in for the rest of your short, tormented life. Will you work together with your fellow prisoners to endure Subterra Bravo’s endless perils, or will you use them to secure your own escape? Ultimately, your chances of survival will depend on how well you manage your greatest weapon, which is also your greatest threat: fear itself."

Here are some details:

47 Map Tiles

138 Cards

4 Character Sheets

133 Tokens and Markers

28 Stands

8 Special Dice

Rulebook

Scenario Guide

1-4 players

Price: $54.99

Available Summer 2012

Game components

Game demo from nqmagazine

game demo from nqmagazine

Game Demo from nqmagazine

Thoughts?
Well.... I was looking forward to another gaming universe developed by Privateer Press instead of a one-off board game. But I can go with it. It is very interesting that this game type is getting alot of attention right now. Zombicide took Kickstarter by storm, and Sedition Wars looks to be doing very successful. Are there too many survival tile board games coming out?
One thing in Level 7 that is obviously missing are miniatures. How could they think of releasing this with cardboard models? I hope that there are minis coming. What do you think?

Community Showcase: The Chaos Manifesto

What is better than 1 Panda? 200 Pandas! The Chaos Manifesto blog (run by HotPanda) is celebrating their 200th post to the blog and wanted to celebrate with a great giveaway. Check em out if you get a chance.

Here are some cool links he has shared on his blog that are also worth checking out...

 CHRIS RYNIAK: Night Critters

 

ERIC JOYER: Robots and Donuts

Axles & Alloys 2 at KublaCon 2012

KublaCon 2012 has come and gone, and with it much gaming was had. On Saturday, Spooktalker hosted a story telling based RPG, then our Op-For Overlord ran an awesome Necromunda scenario game in the evening. I hope he posts some shots and the low down on the game. I placed second of the starting 8 players. (so close, it came down to a couple last shots that could have turned the tide) Be sure to chalk it up to my noob status. This post will cover the game I ran on Sunday.

Axles & Alloys 2
@ KublaCon May 27, 2012

Download Quick Rules Sheet | Download Car Sheets

Download Full Rule Set (I changed up & removed some of the rules for the con)

We had a full turnout with 8 players signed up. I setup the board with terrain and briefly gave a run down of the rules. Everyone seemed ready, grabbed a car and we were off. (Mental note for next time, bring a tan/brown sheet to lay over the white table for better visuals)

Game 1
Scenario: Speed Bumps

I picked a scenario called "Speed Bumps" pitching everyone against each other with pedestrians that randomly spawned around the table each turn that awarded bonus points for killing. One point for each car kill and 2 points for each pedestrian taken out. At the beginning of each round, I rolled and randomly spawned 3 new pedestrians at 6 different possible points around the board. It was great fun to watch everyones plans adjust to were the people showed up. A few times right in front of an oncoming car. Once the game got underway, everyone quickly realized that it was best to go after the pedestrians than the other cars. But we did have, I think, 2 cars destroyed during the 8 round game. Victor picked a winner Kubla Pin and second place got $10 KublaBucks. After the game wrapped, we still had plenty of time and everyone wanted to go again (cool!), so we took a break and got ready for another game.

The rules are light, but tactics are still king

Cars dance around the table

Game 2
Scenario: Ambush!

For change of pace, I picked a scenario that would form 2 teams and pit them against each other. One team was in charge of escorting a semi truck (Semi with two escort vehicles), their victory condition was to drive the semi from one end of the table to the other. The attacking team of 4 cars drove in with the sole purpose of destroying the semi. Each team deliberated over tactics, then charged into the fight. With the escorting team being alittle too aggressive and over taking the semi and driving to the other side of the board, leaving the truck to fend for itself. With a huge deluge of well placed dropped weapons (spikes, mines and napalm) the semi was left in a pickle of a situation. It narrowly avoided the deadly path left by their adversaries, but was plinked away round after round until it eventually was destroyed before reaching the half way mark on the table. Victory and $5 KublaBucks went to the attackers. All to easy.

2nd turn of game 2

Escorting vehicle drives by semi

Witness the impending path of this semi through napalm, spike stripes, and then mines to finish the job!

By luck (or terrain adjustment) the semi cranks the wheel enough to detour from disaster

Final Thoughts

All but two players had never played the game before. Everyone unanimously agreed that it was a great game to run at the con, with easy to learn rules and quick turns, plus fun cars. From the feedback, the truck was both underarmed and should have used the same targeting method as the cars for taking fire. I personally had a great time running the games. I can also say that the game ran very smoothly because we had a great group of people at the table. Thanks for those who came to play!

Be sure to visit the creator of this rule set at axlesalloys2.blogspot.com

Laser Safety

Anyone else wish 40k didn't suck?

I love everything about it, except the game. This is a photo of I manipulated. Its a battle scene featuring a Slaanesh Hell Strider I scratch built, its featured in BoLS's Lords of Battle.