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Micro Arts Studio Releases Infinity Holo Ads
Tabletop Gaming News - 2 hours 3 min ago
Micro Arts Studio releases holo ads terrain for use in Infinity: From their forums: This set contains 3 Holo Ads made out of HDF and 3mm thick transparent acrylic. Holder is made out of HDF Holoboard is made of 3mm thick transparent acrylic with high quality print. You can find two types of holo Ads [...]
Categories: Game News
New Zombie Supplement from AB One Games
Tabletop Gaming News - 2 hours 33 min ago
AB One Games releases their latest scenario supplement for Pike & Shot & Zombies, the post-apocalyptic Renaissance survival game: From their post: Something Zombie This Way Comes is the latest scenario supplement for Pike & Shot & Zombies, the post-apocalyptic Renaissance survival game. When a sinister caravan of travelling entertainers arrives in town, suspicions about [...]
Categories: Game News
Dark Age Games Posts a New Tactics Article
Tabletop Gaming News - 2 hours 48 min ago
Dark Age Games posts a tactics article of their January releases on their website: From their website: Another month, another batch of releases and the beginning of this year belongs to the Blood Cult. Greetings, dear readers, Mr. Black here once more to go over some of the new releases here at Dark Age, and [...]
Categories: Game News
CorSec Engineering New Releases for the Omni-Stand system
Tabletop Gaming News - 7 hours 34 min ago
CorSec Engineering releases 60mm Square Bases for the Omni-Stand system: From their post: These bases are 60mm square and provide a little more stability for larger ships. They are perfect for Dreadnaughts. Bases come with firing arcs and without. They are compatible with the entire Omni-Stand line of flight stands. Price: Without Arcs - $1.24 [...]
Categories: Game News
Making the Pitch to License a Game Invention
Purple Pawn - 7 hours 46 min ago
We’ve given a lot of attention to self-publishing and start-up game companies recently, but licensing a design to an established publisher still remains an attractive option for many inventors. To help address that, Ron Weingartner, game designer, former Vice President for Product Acquisition at Hasbro, and coauthor of The Toy and Game Inventor’s Handbook, graciously agreed to share with us some advice on how to pitch a game to a potential licensee.
The confident inventor has a new game idea. There is biased certainty that a significantly large targeted demographic in the game-playing world wants this creation. After hours and hours of design work, the kernel of the unique idea has been converted into an appealing and attractive playable model that exudes an invitation to “play me”!
The idea no longer exists on a sketchpad or the back of an envelope but in highly finished 3-D form. The inventor has what the industry calls a “looks-like, works-like, plays-like” model. And play the inventor has! The model has been through numerous game play sessions with known (and lesser known) friends. Repeated play has lead to tweaks making the game flawless in a whole range of play situations. Explanations and observations lead to fully vetted, concise rules detailing pre-play setup, player moves, and how to win. Group play sessions have been captured digitally for use on CDs to leave with potential licensees or for use in future YouTube demos.
But despite all this effort, the inventor is only partially to the desired goal; that being to find a company who will partner in taking the idea to market. As licensor of the proprietary idea, the inventor is now in the hunt for a licensee who under legal agreement will convert the idea into a commercially marketable game. The desired relationship will be one of mutual dreams; for the licensor $$$ from royalties, for the licensee $$$ from huge sales.
Any hunt for licensees begins with an initial meeting where the inventor discloses the idea to a company rep. The inventor should have done considerable homework on the company viewing the idea. That prep work includes knowing about the overall market, knowing the viewers current and past product lines, and knowing hot buttons on why the idea fits with the marketer’s future product needs.
Everything the inventor has done to this point to hone the idea will likely apply in the lead-up to demonstration of the game. This is pitch time and the pitch should be rehearsed against any and all anticipated questions from the viewer. For all the creativity and talent the inventor possesses, this is the crucial time to become seller and play to an audience that is the buyer. Despite all the inventor’s sensitivities and investment in the idea, part of selling is overcoming objections. The inventor will likely hear some during the demo, but must remain enthusiastic, positive, and ever hopeful throughout the viewer’s reactions. I know an experienced inventor that has a list of twenty-five reasons viewers give for rejecting ideas. For our purposes, however, let’s assume the viewer uttered none, sees the game’s potential, and agrees to hold the model for further company review.
That viewer now becomes a critical inventor ally as the concept is taken in-house. In the inventor’s absence, the internal ally is now the game’s product champion at every twist and turn as the company completes a full financial, marketing, and sales review to reach a licensing decision. High scores in game play and an attractive design remain positive features, but a licensee’s go/no-go decision will be based on marketing factors not merely product features like play and design.
Some of any licensee’s marketing factors include:
- The target profit based on a projected retail price attractive to game consumers and the resulting net selling price to the trade.
- Any use of a mass-market media character that may strengthen a game’s appeal to the target audience.
- The potential for an eye-catching package so the game stands out at point-of-sale. (Merchandising packaged games became a bigger factor as retailers began to dictate specific spatial footprints for games and after retailers witnessed the tremendous success for an ordinary word game packaged to look like a fruit.)
- Whether the game has a memorable point of difference or wow factor that can be captured in media campaigns or PR venues. (Capturing consumer eyeballs and word-of -mouth are essential to making a game successful in today’s highly competitive market for entertainment dollars.)
While the licensee is deliberating over these factors, the inventor can do several things:
- Pitch the same game to other marketers—possibly digitally or with a duplicate model,
- Seek a fee as an option for more time after the initial viewer has had a month or so to determine if the game fits product plans, or
- Move onto other creations and let the fate of that great game rest in the hands of the game gods.
Much of what happens at this point is a judgment call by the inventor on how to proceed based on the desired current and future relationship with the initial viewer. It is essential for an inventor to keep doors open with marketers. How each party handles a rejection or how the relationship unfolds while working toward a license will determine the business climate for this game and future creations. In a world of game invention where nine out of ten ideas are rejected, it is best that the licensor and licensee both come away from each encounter with positive experiences. In a business where there is a saying that “product is king”, there can’t be success in the kingdom for either the licensor or licensee for one without the other.
Categories: Game News
The Crucible: Warmachine and Hordes Event in Orlando, Fl.
Tabletop Gaming News - 8 hours 3 min ago
The Crucible is being held this weekend in Orlando, FL: from their Facebook page: This weekend will see Orlando's First Warmachine and Hordes grand tournament. The wait list has now opened and there are a few spots left. Register now to secure your spot. For more details vist the blog or Facebook page.
Categories: Game News
Assault Publishing Expands Distribution Network
Tabletop Gaming News - 8 hours 33 min ago
Assault Publishing is honoured to announce that two new companies stock Hind Commander: From their post: After long trip finally the rulebooks and miniatures arrived to Olympian Games (http://www.olympian-games.com/) from Australia. Due to problems with extremely long and unreliable shipment (or fast and reliable, but very expensive!) from Europe it is highly recommended for Australian [...]
Categories: Game News
‘Most Wanted from Kromlech’ event launches today
Tabletop Gaming News - 9 hours 3 min ago
Kromlech wants you to write them an email titled 'Most wanted from Kromlech' and suggest a model/accessory/bit that you'd like us to make: From their post: Out of all emails that I receive in the next 14 days (until 20th of February), we will randomly pick three of you who will get $10 vouchers at [...]
Categories: Game News
A Hero to Serve The Imperial Throne
Fantasy Flight Games - 9 hours 7 min ago
A Warhammer: Invasion The Card Game spotlight
Many mighty heroes, powerful wizards and great leaders have influenced the history of the Empire. Their names are passed on from one generation to the next in myths and legends, sung by wandering minstrels at the courts of the Counts, or recited to grandchildren at bedtime. These stories form the core of the Empire’s identity as a nation.
–Warhammer: The Empire, “Heroes of the Empire”
Each Battle Pack thus far released for The Capital Cycle has introduced a new Hero to the raging conflicts of Warhammer: Invasion The Card Game, and each has offered its race new tactical advantages.
From playing units for free and attacking from zones other than the battlefield to destroying Fortifications and returning developments to their owners’ hands, the Heroes of The Capital Cycle work well both as the centerpieces of decks built around them and as powerful agents who lend their individual strength and abilities to decks with other focuses.
The Imperial Throne continues this theme, introducing Werner Ludenhof (The Imperial Throne, 104), a bold and industrious Hero willing to undertake the most perilous of quests in the name of the Empire.
Cards when you need them
A true man and trusted agent of the Empire, Werner Ludenhof specializes in uncovering his enemies’ secrets and in discovering key tactical information. For just three resources and three loyalty cost (meaning he’ll rarely see play on the first turn, but may often see play on the second), Werner Ludenhof offers three power while questing. This astonishing ratio of power to resource cost makes Werner Ludenhof a Hero you’ll likely want to play early each game, in order to best accelerate your card draw. Thus, if you play him in your deck, you’ll likely want to include a full three copies.
The many trials of Werner Ludenhof
Meanwhile, if you’ve ever needed to play a unit to your quest zone that you had intended to assign to a quest, only to draw your quest a turn too late, you’ll appreciate Werner Ludenhof’s unique ability to move onto a quest you control.
Normally, to assign a unit to a quest, you must first play the quest, then play the unit to the unoccupied quest. This means the order of the draw takes on a good degree of importance. You must draw and play the quest before the unit you wish to play to it. Certainly, you can draw another unit and play the second unit to the quest instead of the one you’d hoped to play, but if you’re in danger of wearing through your draw deck, you may not want the extra power in your quest zone. Or you may simply need the second unit’s power and hit points to bolster another zone, leaving you with no unit to assign to the quest.
Werner Ludenhof gives you a small degree of freedom from this standard order of play. Furthermore, he can move between quests. You could play him to a quest such as Forges of Nuln (Redemption of a Mage, 67) to lower the cost of your support cards and then shift him onto Protect the Empire (Arcane Fire, 5) when you need him to defend one of your zones. In fact, if Werner Ludenhof is anywhere on the table, he can simply take an action to Protect the Empire, moving from any zone onto the quest to lend his strength to the Empire’s defense.
Destined for glory
As The Imperial Throne heralds the climactic conclusion of The Capital Cycle, we start to look forward to The Bloodquest Cycle, where Werner Ludenhof is likely to shine. Given the cycle’s focus on quests and the powerful new Artefacts and other material rewards for completed quests, units like Werner Ludenhof, who excel in the quest zone, are likely to see a lot of play. Each player will have to choose whether he wants the ability to take a mulligan or if he wants his units to undertake a Heroic Task (Rising Dawn, 20) in order to gain immediate access to any one card set aside from his deck. Werner Ludenhof may not provide the answer, but he’ll certainly factor into the decision.
Look for Werner Ludenhof to ride to the Empire’s defense when The Imperial Throne releases later this month. Until then, share your comments on this and other Battle Packs from The Capital Cycle in our community forums.
...Categories: Game News
A Taste of Adventure
Fantasy Flight Games - 9 hours 11 min ago
Preview the new Tannhauser novel, Rising Sun, Falling Shadows
Taki looked up to see two more soldiers in brown uniforms and caps glaring at him with pistols raised. “Teiryuu!” There were soldiers everywhere these days, now that Japan was at war. An invasion force had struck China weeks ago; with the conquered northeastern city of Tianjin as a base, Japanese forces were making great strides in spite of heavy Chinese resistance.
“Teiryuu!” repeated the soldiers. “Teiryuu!” The word meant “halt,” but of course Taki meant to do no such thing.
Taki’s mind raced. What could he say to these men? The evidence of what had happened was laid out around him—signs of a struggle plus two unconscious soldiers, one with a hairpin stuck in his eye. No amount of fast-talking was going to get him out of this mess.
-Robert Jeschonek, Rising Sun, Falling Shadows
Join the race to stop the army of the Shogunate from discovering a weapon so powerful it could determine the outcome of the long-waged Great War. In the first Tannhäuser novel, Rising Sun, Falling Shadows, Robert Jeschonek brings John MacNeal, Hoax, Tala, and other characters from the board game to brilliant life.
A tale of horror and heroism
In the midst of perpetual war, a far-eastern warrior sect with a shadowy agenda has set out toward the evergreen peninsula of Kamchatka. Can Union Major John McNeal and the elite soldiers of the 42nd Marines stop their sinister plot before it’s too late? And what terrible powers lie hidden in the verdant wilderness? The race is on to discover ancient secrets that could finally bring the Great War to its climactic end!.png)
Robert Jeschonek sets the scene with an action-packed first chapter (pdf, 92KB), which is now available for download.
Jump into the middle of a stealthy fight, and get acquainted with a few of the Union’s most skilled heroes. Beware! After reading this chapter, you will be craving even more Tannhäuser action.
Enjoy this exhilarating Rising Sun, Falling Shadows preview, and check back for more previews and future news regarding this tantalizing novel. Pre-order your copy at your local retailer or through the iBookstore (this novel will also be available on other digital devices).
Categories: Game News
Acrylic Game Tokens at Vexillia [UK]
Tabletop Gaming News - 9 hours 33 min ago
![Acrylic Game Tokens at Vexillia [UK]](http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/counters-e1328589272865.jpg "Acrylic Game Tokens at Vexillia [UK]")
Vexillia offers laser cut acrylic game tokens: From their post: Add style to your games with these high quality 40mm by 20mm laser-cut acrylic tokens. They are 3mm thick (so they are easy to pick up), and have rounded corners and etched text. There are nine text/colour combinations. Suitable for many popular game systems.
Categories: Game News
The Miniature Building Authority Direct Line Releases Pirate Gibbet
Tabletop Gaming News - 10 hours 3 min ago
The Miniature Building Authority releases a new scenery piece, **Warning the picture is NSFP** From their website: MBA's Direct line of terrain has added the dreaded Pirate Gibbet. As a warning to all those who may think about becoming a pirate, see the fates of your predecessors. This is a metal kit that comes with [...]
Categories: Game News
Warploque Miniatures Announces New Miniatures for Pre-Order
Tabletop Gaming News - 10 hours 34 min ago
Warploque Miniatures announces Bayourks of the Cayjon Swamplands are now available for pre-order: From their announcement: Following on with the amazing success of the Zombie Pirates ( a huge thankyou to everyone who supported me!) , this time I have been working on some 28mm Orcs, and, after alot of interest on the internet, I [...]
Categories: Game News
Game Bandit—Had to Change the Title Edition
Purple Pawn - 10 hours 51 min ago
In The Game Crafter’s RPG Challenge, the winning roleplaying board or card game earns the designer’s choice of 100 days of featured status or a half-day booth slot at Gen Con.
The U.S. Department of Education, the NEA Foundation, and Microsoft are partnering in the C2i Gaming Challenge, which will grant up to 10, up to $1,000 awards (or maybe nothing, I guess) for “innovative and feasible idea for using interactive technologies and game-based learning to transform teaching and learning”.
Kobold Quarterly is offering issue #14 of the magazine as a free electronic sample. Use the coupon code “KoboldWelcome” is the company’s online store.
LPJ Design is selling Heroes of NeoExodus: Chanda Kesin for the price of a tweet.
Play Board Game blog is giving away Super Dungeon Explore.
For 25% off Patch Products’ games at the company’s webstore, use coupon code “HEART25″.
Categories: Game News
GCT Studios Posts Bushido Poll – Which Model would you like to see next?
Tabletop Gaming News - 11 hours 3 min ago
GCT Studios posts another poll on their Facebook page: From their Facebook page: GCT Studios are running a Facebook poll to let you decide what model they will reveal next. See the picture for the four possible choices.
Categories: Game News