tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5495585169417744692024-03-14T11:49:24.220-07:00Growing Up GamersWe're just some gamers who want to share our love of gaming with our families. Playing games is an enjoyable and memorable shared activity that helps bring people together. We want to share the positive benefits of gaming from our own experiences and connect with other gamers to learn from theirs.Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14526884317434688632noreply@blogger.comBlogger180125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549558516941774469.post-59004642595627986782018-01-24T05:48:00.004-08:002018-01-24T09:58:45.757-08:00Stupid Good Tips For Zelda Noobs!<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By Julian and Angie</span></i></span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-03d8afc2-16a8-f005-28c5-5ca38b5161c6" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild</i> is an awesome game for the Nintendo Switch. It’s been out for almost a year now, but if you’re like me and just got a Switch for Christmas, you might be taking your first trek into the wilds of Hyrule. You’re gonna have fun, but after you get your basic skills and make your way off Noob Island (trust me, you’ll see) you’re gonna run into problems right away. There’s bad weather, bad monsters, and poor little link getting plum tuckered out after he swims like...ten feet. You might be the great hero of Hyrule, but that tiny fish pond doesn’t care. It’s a soulless puddle determined to drown you, Link! And those nearby fish? They’ll just swim by and laugh. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Well, we are here to help! We got some hot tips that are like, stupid good. Which is to say, you can definitely do them and they will definitely work and they are definitely stupid. Stupid good. Check it out!</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Weather the Weather Whatever the Weather!</span></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">In Breath of the Wild, there’s cold weather, there’s hot weather, and there’s straight up lighting. All of it wants to kill you! Wander out into the extreme weather unprotected and you start losing hearts fast, my friend. The games wants you to get special protective gear for cold and different gear for hot. Or, cook some special food for cold and different food for hot. And then it tricks you by letting you walk out into the Gerudo Desert that’s both cold and hot and also sort of just “exhausting” which isn’t prevented by heat gear it all? Ridiculous! Don’t be a chump. The is one simple solution to solve all your weather problems: Hearty Food. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lacZr3k3es8/WmiJTRtZhzI/AAAAAAAAOyc/Eg20Eib3EbkU_ggpNZ2mPXzPKpNUDs54ACLcBGAs/s1600/grinandbearit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lacZr3k3es8/WmiJTRtZhzI/AAAAAAAAOyc/Eg20Eib3EbkU_ggpNZ2mPXzPKpNUDs54ACLcBGAs/s400/grinandbearit.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Does not hurt. DOES NOT HURT!</td></tr>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There’s hearty radishes and hearty durians and both are pretty findable in the Faron rainforest that’s to the southeast of Hyrule. Just spend few hours gathering up as many as you can and cook them each individually. Eat a single cooked hearty fruit and it will instantly refill ALL your heart containers and give you bonus hearts! You don’t need to gather special herbs and spices for cold and hot. All bad weather just makes you lose hearts over time. Snow got you chillin? Volcano got you </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">literally </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">on fire. No worries! Just pop heart tart! A few seconds later, do it again. And again. And again. You can eat your way through ANY weather! ...Oh. Except lightning. Lightning will still DEFINITELY kill you in one hit no matter how many hearts you have. But that’s not a problem. That’s an opportunity, hero! It time to...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Call Down the Thunder!</span></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">Early on, monsters are tough...like really tough. You gonna study combat skills? Explore for better weapons? Heck no! You’re gonna insta-kill those fools with lightning! Here’s how it goes. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Step 2. Find a monster. I recommend a scary blue bokoblin or even his big cousin the moblin. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Step 3. Wait for a storm. Depending on where you are, this may take awhile. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Step 4. Get sparkin’. Run around in the lightning storm wearing a metal shield, metal bow, or metal weapon (or all three). Eventually, you will begin to spark. That’s when you move straight into... </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Step 5. Berserk the baddies! It’s time to yell, “Here comes the thunder!” and run straight at the monsters. No, seriously. I’m pretty sure this doesn’t work unless you actually yell that. Very soon, that sparking on your back will become a bolt from the heavens that will obliterate every monster you are very, VERY close to! Easy peasy electric squeezy. But what about you? Aren’t you dead, too? </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ihXXlwpIb_Q/WmiJZnd2v9I/AAAAAAAAOyg/SLQh4Q1UfkI1-_eu9bPLpLFXT8tDCMmfgCLcBGAs/s1600/kaboom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ihXXlwpIb_Q/WmiJZnd2v9I/AAAAAAAAOyg/SLQh4Q1UfkI1-_eu9bPLpLFXT8tDCMmfgCLcBGAs/s400/kaboom.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Okay...that hurt.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">Heck, no! Because you already did…</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Step 1. Get a fairy. The early game directs you towards Kakariko Village and there’s a great fairy spring on a forest covered hill just north of that village. Once you activate it (100 rupees required), fairies will begin to appear from time to time when you visit. You just gotta sneak up and capture them. Then, when that lightning blasts everything dead, the fairy just comes out and makes you NOT dead. I love it when a plan comes together!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Of course, not everywhere in the world gets lightning storms. At some point, you’re gonna need to actually use weapons. Early game weapons suck. You start out with a twig for goodness sake! Until you get better equipment, you’re gonna call in a friend for some back up. Can’t you smell what’s cookin’? It’s time to...</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tag Team with the Rock!</span></span></h2>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the northwest area of Noob Island (or Great Plateau if you prefer) is a big, round, metal rock, aka, your new best friend! You’re gonna tag in your friend the Rock with your magnesis rune and drag him along to all the bokoblin camps. Then it’s time just raise him up, drop him down, and shake, shake, shake him all around. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now, it’s true, your friend, the Rock can’t walk. And you are gonna move REAL slow as you drag him around. Crossing the map is going to take you...well lets just say awhile. But when you get there, bokoblins beware! Weapons require you to get close. The Rock comes down from a distance! Weapons break or run out of ammo. Nothing breaks the Rock! Early weapons require you to hit bokoblins multiple times. “One and done!” says the Rock. Plus the battlecries pretty much write themselves. You can be all like, “You ready to rock, bokoblins?” or “Sorry little bokoblins but my friend, the Rock, has such a CRUSH on you!” </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1cZD_tVy-qE/WmiJhetvbLI/AAAAAAAAOyk/BwZRVem9rqQSio9qxZ88l1pnM7-KBbeWACLcBGAs/s1600/bestfriendrock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1cZD_tVy-qE/WmiJhetvbLI/AAAAAAAAOyk/BwZRVem9rqQSio9qxZ88l1pnM7-KBbeWACLcBGAs/s400/bestfriendrock.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Time to hit rock bottom!</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Seriously, you need to yell these types of things or the Rock is going to think you’re not awesome enough to be his tag team partner. He might not kill bokoblins out of sheer disappointment. Also, the Rock is a little needy. If you ever save and close the game cuz you need your space or sleep or whatever, he just storms off and leaves you! You’ll start the game back up and be like, “Hey? Where’s my partner?”</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That’s okay, though. You’ve been crushing lots of enemies so you’ve probably gathered lots of other weapons to use at this point. So many weapons you might be like, “Where do I put all these sharp pokey things? I want to be able to carry more!” That’s when you know it's time to...</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Build a House Holster!</span></span></h2>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So you’ve smashed up baddies and collected so many awesome weapons you can’t possibly hold any more. What a terrible problem! All you really NEED to do to carry more weapons is….build a house! </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b5hGzcGBoT8/WmiJuMN4xiI/AAAAAAAAOyo/KVrCGcVi5TohvbW_9oQPYdrh0wRkfy9IwCLcBGAs/s1600/house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b5hGzcGBoT8/WmiJuMN4xiI/AAAAAAAAOyo/KVrCGcVi5TohvbW_9oQPYdrh0wRkfy9IwCLcBGAs/s400/house.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Warning: Sometimes being awesome is exhausting!</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In Hateno Village (head toward Kakariko village and hang a right at a fork in the road) there’s a house getting torn down. The construction crew will sell you the house for the low, low price of 30 bundles of wood and 3000 rupees. Just think of all the space in your inventory you’ll clear up as you break weapons on trees and rocks to get wood to use and ore to sell! Of course, that only gets you a shell of a house. You still need to spend more money on the three weapon mounts, three bow mounts, and three shield mounts. They’ll cost you a 100 rupees each. You can also spend more money on silly things like flowers and front doors, but who needs that? You’re just building a weapons holster...that you can live in! Now shove three weapons in your new house holster and go find new exciting weapons to carry. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now you’re really ready for adventure! Climb those mountains! Swim those seas! But uh-oh! Link still has pathetic stamina and can barely cross a small puddle without drowning. That’s okay! With a little engineering and can-do attitude it’s time for your to... </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Take to the Skies!</span></span></h2>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So you need to swim and climb better, but how to do it? Stamina potions? Improving your stamina by going to enough shrines? Nah! Just build and airship! It’s simple. Here’s what you need to get:</span></span></div>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. A Korok Leaf: You should have found a few of these when you were chopping all those trees down.</span></span></div>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. A raft: You can find these in many (but not all) bodies of water. Now true, you could just use that raft and a Korok leaf to sail around and not worry about swimming, but how are you gonna take your raft to the next body of water? Plus how is that gonna help you climb? That’s why you also need...</span></span></div>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. A LOT of Octorok Balloons: There are these octopus lookin’ critters that jump out of the water or the ground and shoot stones at you. Kill them and they drop balloons. You’ll need a bunch.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now, stand on your raft, hold five balloons, and drop them all at once. Shout, “To infinity, and beyond!” and watch as they all attach to the raft and fill with air. Then, it’s up, up and awaaaaay you go! Fanning the sails with the Korok leaf will left you go forward a little at a time, but mostly you just go up. And in less than thirty seconds those balloons are going to pop so you gotta throw down five more to keep going. And then some more when those pop. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />Almost there! Just 10 more minutes and 100 more balloons...</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The point is, it’s time to enjoy the adventure, Sky Captain Link! (And the near constant airship maintenance. Seriously, you’re going to go very slow and need a near unlimited supply of those balloons. But then, the world is definitely yours to see!) </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Well, that's all the stupid good tips for you we have today. It's a big world out there for a little hero like Link. Good luck! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>*Disclaimer:</b> The Growing Up Gamers crew claims no responsibility for game over screens, rage quits, or broken Nintendo Switches as a result of attempting these stupid good ideas. If you want some <b><i>ACTUAL</i></b> good ideas to get you started or maybe just to learn a few new tricks, check out our buddy DannyO's video that he made to compliment this post and show you what he wishes he knew when he started Breath of</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"> the Wild: </span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/dPbPBUyyuLo/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dPbPBUyyuLo?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Danny makes videos and livestreams<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> Zelda BotW gameplay on his <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsVZ1qI8W--syNImgpdTK0g">YouTube channel</a> regularly. He's got some awesome content in the videos, a wealth of knowledge you can stop by and pick his brain about (or just chat Zelda with!) when he's streaming, and he's doing a giveaway when he hits 500 subscribers, so if you find any useful tips be sure to hit that subscribe button while you're there :)</span></span><br />
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Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14526884317434688632noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549558516941774469.post-12216245469261811922018-01-09T13:46:00.000-08:002018-01-09T13:51:35.373-08:00In Media Res: Life is Strange and Narrative-Driven Video Gamesby Angie<br />
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Confession time. I have a tenancy to forget that I am playing a game. There are some games that I intentionally don't finish, I just grow tired of playing them and walk away. There are games that I convince myself I am going to "go back to someday and finish" because I am still enjoying but I have something else I want to play but I'm still really enjoying it. And then sometimes life just gets busy or I get frustrated with something about a game and decide to take a break for a day and do something else entirely and somehow it slips through the cracks and I completely forget that I was playing it at all. It's not that I have plans to "go finish that someday", or even that I'm bored with them, it's just that I... forgot?<br />
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Rewind to sometime in the way back years of 2011. I discovered a "new" style of narrative-driven adventure games. The first one I played was Heavy Rain. It was roleplaying in a whole new way. I <a href="http://growingupgamers.blogspot.com/2011/01/game-changer-heavy-rain-spoiler-free.html">wrote about the way it made me feel at the time</a>, and it's still of the most emotional experiences I've ever had in gaming. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh, Ethan. How far would you go??</td></tr>
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About a year later The Walking Dead Season One came out, and I was once again captivated. I had zero interest in the Walking Dead franchise, but I had read so many cool things about the game, so I picked it up and I was immediately drawn into the story of Lee and Clementine. Another story that has stuck with me for years. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh, Lee. What would you do for Clem?</td></tr>
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Since then I have eagerly played as many of the narrative-driven, often episodic, games as I could. Telltale Games is especially known for putting out these types of adventure games, and has an entire selection of them now ranging from Batman to Minecraft Story Mode. Despite the strong emotional impact of Walking Dead, my favorite so far has bee Tales From the Borderlands, which also had an emotional impact but was also just so *fun*. I loved the characters and felt really invested in the story. I am a big Borderlands fan, so my delight in the universe played a huge role I'm sure. The fun style, the friends-frienemies story between Rhys and Fiona, the jokes (I laughed out loud in this game so many times! BEST FRIEND LOADER-BOT!), the great use of music, and the moments of action-game feel really made it feel like I was in for a fun ride. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh, Rhys and Fiona. I love you both so much!</td></tr>
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Sometime after Tales of the Borderlands, fellow Growing Up Gamers blogger Julian recommended to me a new game he was playing called Life is Strange. This one was not a Telltale Games adventure, and he was raving about the story and the fact that it had a neat new mechanic where you could rewind time to see how other decisions could have played out. This sounded like a fun new evolution, first we get choices that matter and now we have games where choices matter but we can play around with deciding which way we want those choices to impact the story. I'm in! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Max can rewind time and change her choices!</td></tr>
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I played through the first episode of Life is Strange right away and loved it. Cool story, great characters, and the fact it was set in Oregon was a really fun bonus. One thing I noticed that I especially enjoyed was the use of music in the game. This is a thing I enjoyed a lot about Borderlands and while Life is Strange did it completely differently I'm coming to appreciate how much of an impact it can have on my experience, and have been trying not to immediately mute a game and play with my own music on!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I really like the general vibe of this game, it's relaxing but sometimes intense</td></tr>
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One of the things I liked the most about the first chapter of Life is Strange was the emerging/rekindling friendship story between Max and Chloe. That was what I enjoyed so much about Walking Dead, the friendship between Lee and Clemintine, but that game was so stressful. Life is Strange definitely has stressful things going on in it, but the rewind power makes it so I know I can go back and (probably?) fix my mistakes. I was invested in their story and eager to see how it played out.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I really want this to all work out for them. They seem like they could be good BFF's</td></tr>
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And then it happened. I got stuck on a minor thing in Chapter 2. It was frustrating me so I decided to take a break. The next day I chose to watch TV or something instead of playing the game. I probably started binge watching a show. And despite my enjoyment of the game and investment in the characters, I completely forgot I was playing it!<br />
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Fast forward to last week. My friend started streaming games on Twitch and when she said she would be streaming Life is Strange I suddenly remembered Max and Chloe and all the things I wanted to do! I had 3 and a half chapters to go! I hastily "finished" Chapter 2 so I could watch her stream without spoilers. I say "finished" because it was late at night, a dramatic thing happened and there was an emotional scene, and I somehow told myself it was over despite not seeing credits roll.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The feels. Also, get off the train tracks kids!</td></tr>
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So, I jumped into the stream eager to watch someone else play the game and see the choices she would make. One question I always have is how do your choices really impact the story, and can it really have a difference? I think it's super engaging with a game of this sort to see the choices other people make and how they play out, especially if they are scripted well so that some of the consequences may not appear until much later. I think that its possible that in many instances you have the illusion of consequence more than actual branching paths, and perhaps watching all the permutations could break that, but I'm still willing to buy into my choices and story. I'm a role-player, after all :)<br />
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I thoroughly enjoyed watching the stream and participating in the chat. It's exciting to experience the story reveals along with others. Eagerly anticipating the next stream, I went to play Chapter 3 to stay ahead and turns out I hadn't finished Chapter 2 after all. No spoilers but WHOA there's a major story moment at the end of chapter 2! I definitely would have remembered that, so I'm glad I had to cut out of the stream a few minutes before she got to that part, although I am very curious how our choices differed.<br />
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If you want to join in on the fun, my friend <a href="https://www.twitch.tv/mrs_growley">Mrs_Growley</a> will be <a href="https://www.twitch.tv/events/QkLLHeYjTM-H1dH6_LYFWw">streaming Episode 3 tonight, January 9th, at 6:30pm PST</a> on her Twitch channel. Excuse me while I got play Chapter 3! Come join us for the stream, or check out the stream archives on the channel if you're interested.<br />
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What's your favorite narrative-driven video game?<br />
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<br />Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14526884317434688632noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549558516941774469.post-46057201500654465832018-01-07T13:20:00.000-08:002018-01-07T13:23:31.324-08:00Jack's Game Review Zone- Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">by Jack, age 9</span></i></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The <i>Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild</i> is an award-winning game set in the amazing world of Hyrule. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here are some pros about the game: </span></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">it has about 3 whole years of content (including DLC)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">unlike other games in the series there are lots of weapons</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5 main story bosses</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">unlike other games in the series it is has a completely open world. </span> </li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">it has an amazing storyline</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">No cons I can think of. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While I played it I liked how there was lots of treasure, amazing graphics and lots of content. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One thing that was frustrating was the icy mountain. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Five out of five stars, definitely would recommend to a friend</span></span><br />
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(Cross-post from Jack's <a href="http://jackgamereviewzone.blogspot.com/">new blog</a>!)</div>
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Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14526884317434688632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549558516941774469.post-37584251729081803422017-12-31T11:59:00.000-08:002018-01-02T22:39:31.564-08:00In Media Res: A Breath of Fresh Air with Breath of the Wild<i>by Angie</i><br />
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On all the "2017 Game of the Year" lists for video games that I've seen, <i>The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild</i> was in the well-deserved top spot. I've played some great video games this year, and I think Nintendo hit it out of the park with their latest entries in both the Mario and Zelda franchises for the Nintendo Switch. They both capture everything I've loved about the games in the past, but with all the modern video game innovations I've come to love. Did <i>Breath of the Wild</i> do it better? I'll leave that for people who like ranking things to debate and decide, and instead talk about something I think <i>Breath of the Wild</i> does really, really well.<br />
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In Breath of the Wild, Hyrule feels like a fully realized world, more so than in any other video game I've played. So much so that when talking about the game I've often described the world, the environment and the things in it, as the main character in the game. Yes, you play as Link, but every bit of the game has you thinking about how you are going to move about, interact with, and experience the world of Hyrule. From your first few steps out into the world, you don't have trees rendered as objects in the "background" to look pretty; they are places where you forage for precious food like apples, mushrooms, and acorns (and if you are lucky a bird's nest with eggs or a bee's hive with honey!) make weapons from the branches, collect rare beetles from the bark, climb to get a good vantage point for scouting and hide from monsters, or even to chop down to collect firewood or make a bridge. And that's just the beginning. If you haven't seen or played <i>Breath of the Wild</i>, I highly recommend checking it out if you are able, there's something special captured in this game. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can go anywhere you can see! I've explored all of that and more!</td></tr>
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We got <i>Breath of the Wild</i> on the day the Nintendo Switch released last March, and I played it A LOT. I didn't finish exploring all the content in the game, I never do, but I did "defeat Ganon" which is getting a lot further into a game that I often go. I still had a list of personal objectives I was planning to come back to, but again, I always do (I'm still going to finish Knights of the Old Republic someday, ok?!?) </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No spoilers, but I didn't get the right ending, I'm going to try again...</td></tr>
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Fast forward to this month. Having just played a huge helping of<i> Mario Odyssey</i> (I'm at about 630 moons collected as I write this!) I was thinking about how wonderful the sense of discovery has been in the new Nintendo games I've played. I'm always excited to see other people discovering a game I've loved for the first time, and I was delighted to have the opportunity to watch both a friend and my mom experience the first few hours of <i>Breath of the Wild</i> in the past couple weeks. From finding their first tree branch to fight to running away from an angry club-wielding bokoblin to accidentally setting a field on fire to hunting around for every last piece of edible vegetation they could find to restore their hearts, I loved every minute of it. Especially the sense of wonder and awe as they realized the scale of the world and their ability to affect it. Discovering a treasure chest underwater and using a newly learned rune power to acquire it, or climbing straight up a cliff to a high point instead of taking the longer path around, those moments were such triumphs!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aww, look at that little hero finding his way in the world! </td></tr>
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Watching this made me realize I had gotten to a point in the game where everything was easy, and that was part of why my interest had waned. I had a ton of great equipment. All the best food. I didn't have to desperately run around looking for an apple or fight with a half broken tree branch anymore, I was a full-fledged hero with the Master Sword, and that's GREAT, but there's a certain nostalgia to the good ol' days of hardship my little burgeoning hero faced when he emerged from the shrine of resurrection in his underwear....</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Champion Link, with all his gear!</td></tr>
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Then I remembered... THE ISLAND OF DOOM! At some point when I was out discovering shrines and filling out my map I saw an island out in the distance, and I swam all the way out there. I didn't yet know how to use Korok leaves to propel rafts, nor did I have a lot of stamina, so this truly was an epic feat. I was so proud of myself, using many stamina recovering items I carefully cooked up to make my way out there and I was ready to enjoy my discovery. And when I got there.. I heard a voice, and then she took away all my stuff!!!!! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wait, what?! Even my clothes? What is it with heroes in their underwear Nintendo?</td></tr>
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The challenge of the island was to start from scratch and scavenge new supplies, cook items, and defeat the enemies on the island, in your underwear (Side note: my son thinks it is hilarious that you can buy a boxer shorts outfit for Mario in Mario Odyssey, in a 9 year old's words "because its ALWAYS funny to see people run around in their unders!"). At the time, I only had a few hearts, and the experience of scrounging for weapons and food wasn't filled with a whimsical nostalgia yet! So, I tried and died a few times, which causes you to start completely over. Then I gave up and marked it on the map, thinking maybe someday if I was feeling particularly completionist I'd come back. </div>
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So here I am feeling nostalgic for the struggles of a new hero, but I don't want to <i>start over, </i>so remembering this island made me think the developers were geniuses. You get to have all the feels of being a new hero, but keep your cool powers and heart and stamina upgrades so it's not really THAT hard. So, I set off to go try my hand at survival island! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This time I realized you can actually just paraglide there.</td></tr>
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This is where I tell you how I am so good at the game now that it was a total cake walk. But it was hard, I died and started completely from the beginning at least twice. I lost one of the ball things you need to open the shrine really far out in the ocean and sat on the beach for a good cry before my sweet husband looked it up and found out that it will respawn if you camp on the other side of the island. I nearly jumped up and down with excitement when I found my favorite food in the whole game, a Hearty Durian tree! Then I lamented that to actually use it I'd need to fight my way to the cooking pot :(<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every last bit of food was precious again!</td></tr>
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Overall, this experience was wonderful. It was like a breath of fresh air, it totally revitalized my interest in the game and got me thinking about all the other little corners of the world I had yet to explore. I was really happy to get all my gear back, but I didn't take it for granted as much anymore. I was picking up apples again! I checked out the DLC Season Pass and one of the things available is the Master Trials, which is apparently exactly that same kind of experience as the Eventide Island survival shrine! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So, I'm in my undies again hunh? *Sigh*</td></tr>
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Link in his underwear with no gear again, but this time for something like 45 grueling levels of increasing difficulty and an amazing reward, so I immediately went and purchased the season pass and started throwing myself against that wall. I've now died several times and made it like, 6 or 7 levels in. This is going to be great! Wish me luck?!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've got this! Probably! Maybe! Send help if you don't hear from me in a week?</td></tr>
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Have you played <i>Breath of the Wild?</i> Are you still playing? What holds your interest in a vast, open world game?</div>
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Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14526884317434688632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549558516941774469.post-57878325609560425942017-12-27T13:23:00.000-08:002017-12-29T17:55:40.617-08:00In Media Res: Charterstone and Legacy Games<br />
Hi! Angie here! It’s been quite a while since I’ve blogged about gaming. I’m going to take another stab at this. There’s so much to catch up on! Instead of making any kind of attempt at “getting caught up to current”, I’m going to fast forward to *right now* and start writing about the things we are playing today, this week, and recent times that really stand out. If as I go along this spurs something from the gap years that seems fun to fill in I’ll do one of those flashback things and, well, we’ll see what happens…<br />
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I’ve got many areas of interest in gaming these days:<br />
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<li>Board Games</li>
<li>Roleplaying Games (this currently consists of a weekly Shadowrun 5E campaign)</li>
<li>Console Video Games</li>
<li>Mobile Games</li>
<li>Hearthstone (my interest/time investment is big enough for it to get its own category)</li>
<li>Magic the Gathering (I don’t play much outside occasional Magic League these days but I’m still very interested in the game)</li>
<li>Game Design (we’ve released two published games since I last regularly blogged!)</li>
<li>Any Game I Can Play with My Littlest Kid (the big one plays almost everything)</li>
<li>Sports/Competitions the Kids Participate In (Battle of the Books, lacrosse, the little guy insists he is going to play football and baseball but we’ll see)</li>
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The idea is that for a post I will grab a category or two, tell you what we’ve been playing, and share some thoughts or experiences… anything from a mini-review to a rave about a great mechanism to a rant about a frustrating level to a funny story about a game I played. Hopefully this will be interesting enough that you’ll come back. Enough blah blah… :)</div>
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<b>Board Games: Leaving a Legacy</b></h3>
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I think the current<a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamefamily/25404/legacy"> definition of a legacy game</a> is a board game that changes and evolves as you play it to reflect the choices the players make, and has persistent effects on the game from session to session. This usually involves writing on the game board and cards, using stickers, (maybe ripping stuff up!), opening up surprise boxes of new pieces, and adding rules and other twists to the game. The ones I’m familiar with have a set number of games that form a “campaign” of linked games, and once you play through those game you are done exploring the new content and have created a unique version of the game that you can (theoretically) continue to play. One big draw of these games is the sense of wonder and discovery as you find out what comes next. Another is the variety of gameplay as the game is constantly changing and evolving. Both of these have an incredible appeal to me.<br />
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The only time I’ve played one was<a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/105134/risk-legacy"> Risk: Legacy</a>, and<a href="http://growingupgamers.blogspot.com/2012/04/finding-eden-first-wars-risk-legacy.html"> we blogged about our first three games</a> (we played 5 or 6 total) but didn’t write them all up because we weren’t entirely sure how to deal with spoilers and while the in-depth character stories we were writing were fun it was a lot of work to keep up with after playing a few back-to-back sessions. Additionally we had the problem of trying to coordinate sessions where exactly the same players (and no one else) got together to play and ultimately we just decided there were other things we’d rather do.<br />
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Since Risk: Legacy, I have watched from the sidelines as legacy games have taken off and become a whole genre, and wanted to dive back into one, but wondered how to surmount those problems. Enter<a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/197376/charterstone"> Charterstone</a>. It’s so cute. Everything I read says the games take about an hour… but, a *real* hour, not one of those “this takes and hour but really 2”. My husband Randy and just-turned-12 year old daughter Katie both really like worker placement games, AND they are a captive audience that I can get to replay a game with me over and over without so much coordination. SOLD SOLD SOLD. And, after a *few* well-placed hints, Katie got me a copy of Charterstone for Christmas! Let’s do this! We are three games in, which we played all in a row on Christmas day, and I’m loving it. I want to open all the crates and see what all the cards do and cover the board in stickers. And, did I mention that it’s so cute??<br />
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<img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/DlnOK2JaxU3dhWaVRwLuJyyEOapuNR93I87JMQ_dPjfbTu_KOKaTCKJ_8WlasBN_-FLz0WuRfBZrJEJvbz5LpLCL0kbM_0Ic4WFTCHSAN1A3InX4W8hmI-dZ50y6Ik9-z10AAVRw" /><br />
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One thing that cracks me up is that when I showed Katie what Charterstone was she was like “No no no, no…. Why?!? No. Writing on cards? Stickers on the board?! This is… no. We can’t do that. No.” She said it was sooooo stressful the first game, but a few games in and she’s peeling of stickers and asking for the sharpie with a big smile on her face. She’s perfectly happy to write "something funny" on a card now, so thanks <a href="https://stonemaiergames.com/">Stonemaier Games</a> for breaking her aversion to the concept of legacy games!<br />
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<img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/8zcXo5h8vAhLm9CqUIsxNdSqvpolOYw18wgoDubVE2sTcUQQzPF_4gNad1UChQDUitl4Ddl0Ycslhx_nRSicy_HiGIOMHvlWKfIFM5xTvQayDGUqQ7fPHzA54svNomHHXLRVOc-u" /><br />
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So far I have only one complaint, and I suppose you could call it spoiler-ish so avert your eyes and skip to the next paragraph if you are very sensitive….. In our last game I eagerly opened a crate right near the end of the game and three REALLY great buildings came out. I didn’t have enough time left to build any of them because another player (*ahem* Randy) spent his influence on that same turn and started running out the clock, and I can only carry one over in my personal supply to the next game (the rest will go into the general advancement supply). And because we have 3 inactive charters there’s a chance they will get built immediately into one of those. But if they don’t they will be available for my opponents to grab and build for *very many points* even though I worked so hard on the chain of things to unlock them, and it feels really unfair. I knew I might have to chose one to go in the general supply if I couldn’t get it built, but I had no idea so many could come out of a crate at once. If I had any idea that was going to happen I would have opened the crate at the *beginning* of the next game so I had some time to build one or two of them myself. /SIGH. I guess it’s just a thing about legacy games is that you will sometimes back yourself into a corner that is disadvantageous. It’s just a really weird feeling in a worker placement game where points are tight, and where you have a sense of building up towards an overall victory at the end.<br />
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I’m really eager to play again and excited for all the cool new discoveries. I feel like there are many things we aren’t yet fully using that we *have* uncovered, and obviously many things yet to reveal. I’ll check back in on this one after a few more plays.<br />
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Have you played Charterstone or another legacy game? Thoughts?</div>
Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14526884317434688632noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549558516941774469.post-117311322864735292017-10-30T09:16:00.003-07:002017-10-30T09:16:40.277-07:00Storm Hollow: Call To Adventure is on Kickstarter!by <a href="https://twitter.com/coffeeswiller">Randy</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gamesalute/storm-hollow-call-to-adventure">Storm Hollow: Call To Adventure!</a></h2>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H0tNPIPeh2o/WfUitA55OxI/AAAAAAAAEE0/7A4_XutxuA8bFsBfcGcXXnQbzZnWfiBMwCLcBGAs/s1600/SH_CTA_Box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="657" data-original-width="700" height="375" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H0tNPIPeh2o/WfUitA55OxI/AAAAAAAAEE0/7A4_XutxuA8bFsBfcGcXXnQbzZnWfiBMwCLcBGAs/s400/SH_CTA_Box.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gamesalute/storm-hollow-call-to-adventure">Storm Hollow</a>, the epic storytelling adventure game by Angie & Julian (two of the authors of this blog!) is on <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gamesalute/storm-hollow-call-to-adventure">Kickstarter</a>! Storm Hollow is a lavishly illustrated storytelling game where players play heroic versions of themselves transported to the world where all the stories happened! Battle darkness, solve puzzles, outwit your enemies! The Storm Hollow storytelling system is a great introduction to roleplaying, though there is plenty for veteran roleplayers who love good stories.<br />
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<b>Contents:</b></div>
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<a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gamesalute/storm-hollow-call-to-adventure">Don't miss this Kickstarter! Adventures awaits!</a></div>
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<br />Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14609413389707709268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549558516941774469.post-19076126155256990462017-09-12T20:36:00.002-07:002017-09-12T20:38:20.850-07:00And the winner...by <a href="http://twitter.com/coffeeswiller">Randy</a><br />
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The winner of the Storm Hollow Treasury <a href="http://growingupgamers.blogspot.com/2017/09/hurricane-harvey-relief-raffle.html">raffle</a> is....<br />
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<b>Courtney Brown!</b><br />
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We are so grateful that so many of you stepped up to be heroes for the people of Houston. Thank you so much, every one of you! Your generosity is appreciated.<br />
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And thank you to <a href="https://www.gamesalute.com/stormhollow">Game Salute</a> for helping us make this happen.<br />
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<br />Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14609413389707709268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549558516941774469.post-81027207779635916132017-09-11T11:50:00.000-07:002017-09-11T11:50:24.230-07:00Hurricane Harvey Raffle Update!By <a href="https://twitter.com/coffeeswiller">Randy</a><br />
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Update on the Hurricane Harvey Raffle!<br />
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We want to thank everyone who has <a href="http://growingupgamers.blogspot.com/2017/09/hurricane-harvey-relief-raffle.html">donated to the Houston Food Bank</a> so far; you are kind and generous people, every one. We discovered, after posting the original post, that it had an incorrect email address for the first 24 hours. We are concerned that some of you may not have received entries for your donations. <b>So we are extending the deadline for entry until noon PST tomorrow.</b> If you donated and sent us your info, you should have received an email response from escapadegames@gmail.com. If you did not, please re-send your info!Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14609413389707709268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549558516941774469.post-1653097869175405782017-09-04T13:53:00.000-07:002017-09-11T11:53:39.776-07:00Hurricane Harvey Relief Raffle<h2>
<b>Be a hero & win a copy of Storm Hollow!</b></h2>
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By <a href="https://twitter.com/coffeeswiller">Randy</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/growingupgamers">Angie</a>, & <a href="https://twitter.com/dragmorian">Julian</a><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-size: 13.3333px;"><b><a href="http://growingupgamers.blogspot.com/2017/09/hurricane-harvey-raffle-update.html">9/11: See update!</a> </b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-size: 13.3333px;">Be a hero! You don't need to find yourself in a magical land with amazing powers to be a hero. You can be a hero just by helping at any time when help is needed. Right now, help is needed Houston, Texas, a once fair land that has been ravaged by a terrible storm. While the storm has passed, the trouble for some of our brothers and sisters in Houston has only just begun.</span><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-size: 13.3333px;"> </span><b><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-size: 13.3333px;">Donate directly to the Houston Food Bank between now and 12pm PST on <span style="color: red;">Tuesday, September 12th</span> and you could win a copy of </span><a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/127324/storm-hollow-storyboard-game" style="font-size: 13.3333px;">Storm Hollow: A Storyboard Game Limited Edition Treasury</a><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-size: 13.3333px;">, sponsored by </span><a href="https://www.gamesalute.com/stormhollow" style="font-size: 13.3333px;">Game Salute</a><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-size: 13.3333px;">.</span></b><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-size: 13.3333px;">We are asking you to help by donating to the <a href="http://www.houstonfoodbank.org/">Houston Food Bank</a>, an organization devoted to feeding the hungry in Houston (chosen for its outstanding rating on <a href="https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=5673">Charity Navigator</a>), a service that is in even greater need following the recent devastation. To help, just donate directly to the <a href="http://www.houstonfoodbank.org/donate/">Houston Food Bank</a>. Then, send an image of your receipt to <a href="mailto:escapadegame@gmail.com"><b>escapadegames@gmail.com</b></a>. For every $5 you donate you will receive one entry into a raffle to win a copy of Storm Hollow: A Storyboard Game Limited Edition Treasury.</span><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-size: 13.3333px;"> </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-size: 13.3333px;">Here is a look at the contents, which is <u>nearly 20 pounds of gaming goodness valued at $250</u>!:</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-size: 13.3333px;">Here is what we need. Take a screenshot of the verification email you receive from the Houston Food Bank. Feel free to block out personal information! We just need to see your name, the amount, and the tracking code. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6rG0qZCnWc0/Wa22C1UQOII/AAAAAAAAEEY/oJ6OU_6ySjoiPoHWnIDXPXm07k-Xc8OlgCLcBGAs/s1600/Donation_verification.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="641" data-original-width="548" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6rG0qZCnWc0/Wa22C1UQOII/AAAAAAAAEEY/oJ6OU_6ySjoiPoHWnIDXPXm07k-Xc8OlgCLcBGAs/s400/Donation_verification.jpg" width="341" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-size: 13.3333px;">That's it! Please help us spread the word. Be a hero!</span><br />
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<em style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Most of my childhood heroes wore capes, flew through the air, and picked up buildings with one arm. They were spectacular and got a lot of attention. But as I grew, my heroes changed so that now I can honestly say that anyone who does anything to help a child in this life is a hero to me.</em><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">-Fred Rogers</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="color: red;">IMPORTANT!</span> This post originally had a typo in the email address! The correct email address is escapadegames@gmail.com. Please re-send your screenshots if you sent it to the wrong address.</b></span>Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14609413389707709268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549558516941774469.post-40594723889853030032016-12-09T14:03:00.003-08:002016-12-09T14:03:39.429-08:00Escapade Games Announces Release of Riftwalker!<b>by Randy</b><br />
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Hello, readers!<br />
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You may have noticed that the Growing Up Gamers blog has been on hiatus. Sorry! The primary reason is that Angie and Julian have been busy designing games. The exciting news we have is that their newest game, <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/194301/riftwalker-storm-hollow-card-game">Riftwalker: A Storm Hollow Card Game</a>, has been delivered to Kickstarter backers and is now available at retail! Isn't that exciting?!?<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pjsY_Q5Gcco/WEsm5uSGwKI/AAAAAAAAEAs/16dj6AKu8ec4-hhzazleIOLZbIkG3k4lQCLcB/s1600/riftwalker_boxcover.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pjsY_Q5Gcco/WEsm5uSGwKI/AAAAAAAAEAs/16dj6AKu8ec4-hhzazleIOLZbIkG3k4lQCLcB/s400/riftwalker_boxcover.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Riftwalker is a strategic card game for 2-4 players. The players take on the role of a Riftwalker, one of the iconic heroes of Storm Hollow, as they explore the fantastic locations of the world. Manipulating the element grid to draw on the magic of Storm Hollow is necessary to explore and activate the magic of the land.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_WEgX-BK378/WEslgdVd2pI/AAAAAAAAEAc/yxwEHhp1bMUlcUNY3n2I4qaee34y6NXjgCLcB/s1600/riftwalker_inprogress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_WEgX-BK378/WEslgdVd2pI/AAAAAAAAEAc/yxwEHhp1bMUlcUNY3n2I4qaee34y6NXjgCLcB/s320/riftwalker_inprogress.jpg" width="272" /></a></div>
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Here are some examples of the beautifully illustrated rift cards, representing the lands you explore:<br />
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Here is the element grid, which you interact with to explore, shift, and score:<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xrFKroNC3fw/WEsqLszfQiI/AAAAAAAAEA4/bTyQa810M9k1M7uILG8cLwcq7LNEwpwJgCLcB/s1600/elementgrid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xrFKroNC3fw/WEsqLszfQiI/AAAAAAAAEA4/bTyQa810M9k1M7uILG8cLwcq7LNEwpwJgCLcB/s320/elementgrid.jpg" width="244" /></a></div>
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For a pretty good overview of the gameplay, take a look at this video from <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/video/119757/riftwalker-storm-hollow-card-game/bonding-board-games-chief-reviews-riftwalker-storm">Bonding With Boardgames</a>.<br />
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Find Riftwalker: A Storm Hollow Card Game at these retailers & more!<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Riftwalker-Storm-Hollow-Card-Game/dp/B01M0YDP8B">Amazon</a><br />
<a href="http://www.miniaturemarket.com/gsuf6100.html">Miniature Market</a><br />
<a href="https://www.gamesworthplaying.com/shop/riftwalker">Games Worth Playing</a><br />
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Has anyone had the opportunity to play it yet? If so, let us know! Additionally, feel free to post reviews!<br />
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<br />Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14609413389707709268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549558516941774469.post-58437984178005006532016-03-23T09:32:00.001-07:002016-03-23T09:32:45.579-07:00Winners of the Riftwalker Giveaway!by <a href="https://twitter.com/coffeeswiller">Randy</a><br />
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Hello, everyone!<br />
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It's time to announce the winners of the Riftwalker Giveaway! We'd like to thank everyone who took the time to enter & help us spread the word about <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gamesalute/riftwalker-a-storm-hollow-card-game">Riftwalker: A Storm Hollow Card Game.</a> With your help, we were able to help get this game funded. And we are very grateful. Look for a retail release of Riftwalker later this year!<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9-ga2y41mOA/VtjRFJE71PI/AAAAAAAAD8k/KNhrzSW4okoI__NTRHy_728Jl0ccDiePQ/s1600/Riftwalker-cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9-ga2y41mOA/VtjRFJE71PI/AAAAAAAAD8k/KNhrzSW4okoI__NTRHy_728Jl0ccDiePQ/s320/Riftwalker-cover.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Well... here they are: the winners!<br />
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#1. Andrew K.<br />
#2: Brian C<br />
#3: Ernie L<br />
#4: Duarte<br />
#5: Melissa N<br />
#6: Malcolm E<br />
#7: Nuno S<br />
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The winners have all been contacted, in order of drawing, and have each chosen one of the excellent games that <a href="http://www.gamesalute.com/">Game Salute</a> so generously offered for the giveaway. We'd like to give a big shout-out to Game Salute for doing this.<br />
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Again, we would like to extend our gratitude to everyone involved.Thank you!Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14609413389707709268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549558516941774469.post-54377762718270478562016-03-12T03:05:00.001-08:002016-03-12T15:48:08.306-08:00Dear Hearthstone Players: Please Learn Some Dang Manners!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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By Julian </div>
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<br /></div>
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One of the greatest features of Hearthstone (an incredible online collectible card game you should check out if you haven't) is that it limits the online talk of its
players to six straightforward emotes: Thanks, Well Played, Greetings, Sorry, Oops, and
Threaten. It’s simple but effective communication that makes it easy to display
good game etiquette. Of course, you still have to have some idea of what good
game etiquette actually IS. After playing this game for quite some time, it’s
clear that many of you missed the day (or the entire childhood) where they were
teaching this stuff. Never fear, my friends. I am here to help you with a breakdown
of each emote and how to PROPERLY use it. Pay attention, whipper-snapper! I’m about to teach you some
manners! </div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r4HGZHijoSo/VuPpCZ1OcvI/AAAAAAAAA_Q/HyXsO0ValsUuB3I0HSflUbLVT7NrBJbEQ/s1600/Hearthstone%2BManners-01.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U5IUtomIpTk/VuPqtH5QHLI/AAAAAAAAA_w/qgVnZwAI67IVA9Ud82AhEkWwlhAQtnLDA/s1600/Hearthstone%2BManners-01.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U5IUtomIpTk/VuPqtH5QHLI/AAAAAAAAA_w/qgVnZwAI67IVA9Ud82AhEkWwlhAQtnLDA/s1600/Hearthstone%2BManners-01.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3dkN8_lba7Q/VuPrpM0Bn_I/AAAAAAAABAI/hXxqgyroOEoODT0SrVzHXOFRtkKGLgs7w/s1600/HearthStone-Thanks-01.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="Thanks" border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3dkN8_lba7Q/VuPrpM0Bn_I/AAAAAAAABAI/hXxqgyroOEoODT0SrVzHXOFRtkKGLgs7w/s400/HearthStone-Thanks-01.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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This is the polite and proper response when someone says or does something nice
for you. In Hearthstone, this should follow any time your opponent uses the “Good
Game” emote to compliment you on your play. Also, appropriate (but not necessary)
if an opponent plays a mutually beneficial card that does something fun or cool
for you, too. Do NOT use this emote sarcastically to whine at your opponent
when they destroy your favorite creature or wipe your board. That’s petty.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gxm8EEAY9hM/VuPsSOHUPHI/AAAAAAAABAU/vPOO_GupWJg5msTCGynmY6BvOl-2Gn2NQ/s1600/HearthStone-Well%2BPlayed-01.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="Well Played" border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gxm8EEAY9hM/VuPsSOHUPHI/AAAAAAAABAU/vPOO_GupWJg5msTCGynmY6BvOl-2Gn2NQ/s400/HearthStone-Well%2BPlayed-01.jpg" title="" /></a> </div>
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Unless your opponent is a sociopathic monster, you must press this
emote at least once per game. If your opponent does something clever or cool, “Well
Played” is a fine compliment to pay them. However, regardless of how they
played, regardless of whether you won or lost, at the end of every game you
tell your opponent “Well Played.” That’s not a bot your playing. That’s a person on the other
side of the table. It’s a person that just spent time doing something that
helped you enjoy yourself. Yes, they did it because they were having fun, too.
So what. At the end of ANY game, you thank your fellow players for taking the
time to play with you. In Hearthstone, the emote to say this is “Well Played.” </div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HX1isJ2MxRo/VuPsZ8aLpVI/AAAAAAAABAg/cohOiLXliF0-IPeOENGjXnsOmXH9zqNaQ/s1600/HearthStone-Greetings-01.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="Greetings" border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HX1isJ2MxRo/VuPsZ8aLpVI/AAAAAAAABAg/cohOiLXliF0-IPeOENGjXnsOmXH9zqNaQ/s400/HearthStone-Greetings-01.jpg" title="" /></a> </div>
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This emote is mostly pointless. You can say a generic greeting at your opponent
at the start of the game to say hello, but after several games this starts to
get old. It doesn’t really show appreciation in any meaningful way. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, if your opponent is taking a long
time on their turn and doesn’t seem to be doing anything, you can give a single
“Greetings” to check that they know it’s still their turn. Also, pointless
though it may be, if someone greets you at the start of the game, you GREET
THEM BACK. That’s just common decency.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-trRQcMQg2bc/VuPse5_Q2tI/AAAAAAAABAo/KosijRswvhcrQh7UU_1AN138Fom5tUnAQ/s1600/HearthStone-Sorry-01.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="Sorry" border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-trRQcMQg2bc/VuPse5_Q2tI/AAAAAAAABAo/KosijRswvhcrQh7UU_1AN138Fom5tUnAQ/s400/HearthStone-Sorry-01.jpg" title="" /></a> </div>
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It
can be tempting to say sorry when you destroy your opponent’s board or
otherwise swing the game strongly in your favor. Don’t. It’s a competitive
game. Everyone gets that. Apologizing for playing effectively is just condescending.
That said, Hearthstone has a lot of cards with random effects that sometimes swing the game in unfair ways. When a random effect unbalances the game in your
favor, a sympathetic “Sorry” is a good way to indicate that you know you’re not
about to win due to any particular skill or strategy on your part. Also, “Sorry” is a fine way to express sympathy if your opponent makes an obvious misplay
and calls it out by pressing the “oops” emote.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r9Utowl-kMw/VuPskeNLd-I/AAAAAAAABAw/Yccsjf0DJNUOilNFjtqofbqzoFFwDWsKA/s1600/HearthStone-Oops-01.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="Oops" border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r9Utowl-kMw/VuPskeNLd-I/AAAAAAAABAw/Yccsjf0DJNUOilNFjtqofbqzoFFwDWsKA/s400/HearthStone-Oops-01.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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This
emote is a little self-serving. It’s only exists for you to press when you
screw up and only so you can prove to your opponent that you’re not dumb
because you know you screwed up. Then, you can imagine they’re laughing along
with you at your ridiculous mistake. Press it if you’re really that worried
about an anonymous stranger judging your intellect. Do NOT press it to point
out an opponent’s mistake. When an opponent misplays, emoting “Sorry” says “I
sympathize. Obviously, that didn’t work out how you’d hoped.” Emoting “Oops” say “I’m a
snarky jerk who thinks I’m sooooo superior to your incredibly feeble play
skills.”</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f9H68ZDjprs/VuPsqu6oEQI/AAAAAAAABA4/47UUCYJXgG4rE-OPzaLDjQlL2MDJ7gMrw/s1600/HearthStone-Threaten-01.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="Threaten" border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f9H68ZDjprs/VuPsqu6oEQI/AAAAAAAABA4/47UUCYJXgG4rE-OPzaLDjQlL2MDJ7gMrw/s400/HearthStone-Threaten-01.jpg" title="" /></a> </div>
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What
are you 12? Obviously you shouldn’t threaten people you’re playing a game with. True, the threat emote is too ridiculous to be threatening. However, it’s
not ridiculous ENOUGH to be ironic or funny. It’s just juvenile and pointless. And when
you press “Threaten” after losing a game, what is that about? Do you think you’re
the villain in my hero’s story and that’s your dramatic finish? Well it’s not.
It’s dumb. Grow up.</div>
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Remember folks, even when communication is limited, its important to show respect to those we play against. Without those players, there would be no meaningful game to play. Let’s all play well
together and have fun! (And seriously, just press "Well Played" at the end of a game. It's right there on the left. Just. Press. It.)</div>
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<br /></div>
<h2 class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Get Free
Games!</h2>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Speaking of
fun things to play, Growing Up Gamers is running a contest where you, yes YOU,
can win free games! It’s all to promote our <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gamesalute/riftwalker-a-storm-hollow-card-game">Kickstarter for Riftwalker: A StormHollow Card Game</a> going on through Sunday, March 20<sup>th</sup>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can check out the <a href="http://growingupgamers.blogspot.com/2016/03/escapade-games-launches-riftwalker-on.html">contest here!</a> The Kickstarter
is also promoting the last few weeks of Storm Hollow pre-orders. This awesome
storytelling adventure game represents four years of development by the Growing
Up Gamers crew (and other amazing people who helped out). There are no
immediate plans for a retail version so preordering may be the only way to ever
get this fantastic game of which we are incredibly proud. It will only be
available for purchase in its current format until March 20<sup>th</sup>. You
can check out the <a href="https://gamesalute.pledgemanager.com/projects/storm-hollow/participate/">pre-order here!</a></div>
<br />
Julianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437190434742707560noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549558516941774469.post-55375206574088126572016-03-04T00:01:00.002-08:002016-03-04T07:26:15.842-08:00Escapade Games Launches Riftwalker on Kickstarter! Plus a Giveaway!by <a href="https://twitter.com/coffeeswiller">Randy</a><br />
<br />
<br />
Hello, everyone!<br />
<br />
Great news! Escapade Games, the game design studio consisting of Angela Hickman Newnham and Julian Leiberan-Titus of Growing Up Gamers, have a new game on Kickstarter! <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gamesalute/riftwalker-a-storm-hollow-card-game">Riftwalker: A Storm Hollow Card Game</a> is a small strategy card game where players take on the role of one of the hero types of Storm Hollow, a riftwalker.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9-ga2y41mOA/VtjRFJE71PI/AAAAAAAAD8g/Sql_m7Z61Dg/s1600/Riftwalker-cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9-ga2y41mOA/VtjRFJE71PI/AAAAAAAAD8g/Sql_m7Z61Dg/s320/Riftwalker-cover.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Riftwalkers explore the world, discovering rifts, pieces of other worlds that have been transported to and make up the world of Storm Hollow. These heroes are in tune with the world and can draw upon the magic of the world to do amazing and heroic things. Here's a <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gamesalute/riftwalker-a-storm-hollow-card-game/posts/1508547">video showing how the game works</a>. And here's a <a href="http://geekdad.com/2016/03/riftwalker/">review by Jonathan Liu of GeekDad</a>!<br />
<br />
Speaking of Storm Hollow, the game will be shipping to backers later this year. Storm Hollow: A Storyboard Game is a storytelling game with simple mechanics that the whole family can enjoy together. While the retail strategy has yet to be determined, the <a href="https://gamesalute.pledgemanager.com/projects/storm-hollow/participate/">Storm Hollow Limited Edition Treasury is available for preorder</a>. It's an amazing amount of content, and the only way to guarantee getting a copy is through this limited-time preorder. The <a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fgamesalute.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2FPoppinsGuidetoStormHollow_1.pdf&h=nAQFYZM4B">world guide is available as a free PDF download</a>, if you want to get a preview of what's in store!<br />
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<b>So... the Giveaway!</b><br />
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We need to spread the word about Riftwalker, and we need your help. And we'd love to give some games away! The publisher, <a href="http://gamesalute.com/">Game Salute</a>, is offering several games from their catalog. Here they are:<br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: "open sans" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 21.45px; word-spacing: 1px;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://gamesalute.com/princess-bride-you-wish">Princess Bride: As You Wish</a><br />
<a href="http://gamesalute.com/princess-bride-miracle-pill">Princess Bride: Miracle Pill</a><br />
<a href="http://gamesalute.com/boardgamegeek-card-game">BoardGameGeek: The Card Game</a><br />
<a href="http://gamesalute.com/TopPromoter">Top Promoter</a><br />
<a href="http://gamesalute.com/ICRD">Impact City Roller Derby</a><br />
<a href="http://gamesalute.com/MonstersAndMaidens">Monsters & Maidens</a><br />
<a href="http://gamesalute.com/tattletale">Tattletale</a><br />
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Seven games and seven winners! To enter, do one or more of the things below. And you can get extra entries daily! Please spread the word!<br />
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<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="3c519e701" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/3c519e701/" id="rcwidget_lrvmgqnl" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14609413389707709268noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549558516941774469.post-58118607806408069182015-05-21T07:00:00.000-07:002015-05-21T09:45:42.987-07:00Katie's Amazing World: A Minecraft Birthday PartyBy Angie<br />
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<i>Note: Here's our first special THROWBACK THURSDAY!</i><br />
<i>(In which I finish and post a draft of an article I started a couple years ago! This party was thrown in 2012, but my kids STILL love and play Minecraft daily so I felt it would be worth sharing. Enjoy!)</i><br />
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I previously wrote an article about bringing your favorite games and video game characters to life in party form: "<a href="http://growingupgamers.blogspot.com/2012/02/how-to-throw-great-game-character-party.html">How to Throw a Great Character Game Party</a>", and this time we took on the kids' favorite open-world creative game Minecraft! Here's the basics of how we did it broken down into the 4 essential steps:<br />
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<b>Decorate!</b></h2>
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The first step to any party or event is to set the mood, and in this case we wanted a fun Minecraft feel, with the block-y pixel charm, and since it was a party for 7 year olds (some of whom might not be familiar with the game) we wanted it to feel fun and accessible as well. Katie was all in on making decorations, and had some help from a friend before the party. This was great to have the girls set on this task while we were busy with other preparations..<br />
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Steve-heads and Creepers were an easy choice as they were easily recognizable as Minecraft, and relatively easy to make.</div>
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We used the Steve-heads and Creepers to decorate our favorite Happy Birthday banner (with some lights to draw attention to their handiwork!)</div>
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While the girls were lining the house with Steve's, creepers, and other blocks, we set to work on making another Minecraft staple: the Crafting Table. We wanted something that served as a decoration and also was part of the activities part of the party, so we printed out some patterns which were used in some of the crafts and had them stewn about the table.</div>
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<b>Build!</b> </h2>
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Building is such a core part of the Minecraft experience, we knew we had to come up with ways for the kids to build stuff at the party if we wanted to capture that Minecraft <i>feel. </i>Because of their age, "melty" beads (also called Pearler Beads) seemed like a great fit for a craft project. They were bright, colorful, presented lots of options for following patterns, and are just really fun!</div>
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Some of the kids made their creations without help, but we had adults standing by for crafting assistance. We also had keychain loops to turn the finished product into something that could be hung off of a backpack zipper of otherwise displayed. </div>
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We also had paper available for collaging, as Pearler beads require a lot of manual dexterity (and patience) and we had some younger kids at the party, so we wanted to make sure there was something they could craft with the patterns as well. </div>
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Even the older kids got into the crafting, and we saw some really elaborate creations made throughout the course of the party. Of course there was a Diamond Sword, the pinnacle of Minecraft weaponry. </div>
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<b>Play!</b></h2>
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Immersion into a world is one of the best parts of gaming, so we also wanted to make sure there was a way for the kids to jump into the Minecraft world and play the role of the survivor, striving to build a life and drive back the bad guys. Our first goal was to make some bad guys, and of course some weapons with which to fight them!</div>
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"Do you like my sword-sword-sword? My diamond sword-sword! You cannot afford-afford, afford my diamond sword-sword"! You've all seen <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eN7dYDYfvVg">that video</a>, right? My kids sang that for months. Anyhow, back to the party!</div>
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We made a Ghast pinata, and a Diamond Sword and a Diamond Pickaxe with which to break it open, and the kids were beyond excited to take their turns attacks the "mob" and of course hoping for candy! (They all used the sword though, who wants to fight a mob with a pickaxe? What were we thinking?)</div>
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To simulate the survival and build aspect, we filled our house with cardboard boxes for the kids to use as building blocks. They created houses, castles, forts, walls, and many other things (to inevitably knock down and rebuild!). If the party hadn't been in November in Oregon (both cold AND raining) this part would DEFINITELY have been outside! </div>
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We also had a few computers and the Xbox set up where you could actually PLAY Minecraft, but the kids were so busy with the party activities they only got used by the cousins before and affter the actual party. But you can see that lure...</div>
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<b>Eat!</b></h2>
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Of course, all heroes need to eat. Much like decorates, food can help set the feel for a party. We decided to go all in on the blocks and do all cube foods, then let the kids have the fun of playing with their food AND building some more! One of the challenges was finding foods that could be cubed and could at least sort of be eaten together. Our menu consisted of fruits, veggies, cheeses, crackers, and breads, all of which are favorite snack foods for busy kids. We also did our best to replicate the Minecraft cake that you can craft in the game, which scored bonus points with the birthday girl! </div>
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Maybe some grownups played with their food too....</div>
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The cake is a lie! Wait, wrong video game reference. This cake was amazing. </div>
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So that's how we pulled off an amazingly fun, memorable Minecraft themed party for our little adventurer. I feel that a game makes a pefrect theme for a birthday party (or other type of celebration) because it is already structured around doing something fun, usually has a rich world to draw from, and gives the party-goers a great way to socialize and engage in something more memorable than some of the typical party fare.<br />
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Hit us up with any questions, comments, or let us know what your favorite game-inspired party ideas are in the comments! Have fun playing!<br />
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<br />Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14526884317434688632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549558516941774469.post-21635526943596432942015-05-20T11:40:00.000-07:002017-08-15T23:44:17.518-07:00That's How I Role: Baela the Immovable! by <a href="https://twitter.com/coffeeswiller">Randy</a><br />
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Hello there! I would like to start off with an apology for not updating recently. It's been pretty hectic for us, and we've been focusing on a lot of other things. Thanks for coming back!<br />
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What I have today is a Pathfinder character that I believe would be very fun to play. She's one tough dwarf. A single-class monk, this character shows the fun stuff you can do with <a href="http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/fighter/archetypes">archetypes</a>. Archetypes for the Pathfinder system were introduced in the <a href="http://paizo.com/products/btpy8fo1?Pathfinder-Roleplaying-Game-Advanced-Players-Guide">Advanced Player's Guide</a>. Archetypes swap out features of the base class with a set of themed abilities. Some are minor, and some make it feel like you're playing a whole new class.<br />
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Baela is themed on the immovable power of stone, befitting her Dwarf heritage. The archetypes used are <a href="http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/monk/archetypes/paizo---monk-archetypes/monk-of-the-sacred-mountain">Monk of the Sacred Mountain</a>, <a href="http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/monk/archetypes/paizo---monk-archetypes/monk-of-the-four-winds">Monk of the Four Winds</a> and a splash of <a href="http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/monk/archetypes/paizo---monk-archetypes/qinggong-monk">Qinggong Monk</a>. The Monk of the Sacred Mountain trades some of the movement-based monk class features for ones themed on immobility & toughness. The Monk of the Four Winds is for monks more connected to the natural world, and the elements. Quinggong monks are disciplined users of Ki magic.<br />
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Baela Duerstan is a dwarf ascetic from Highhelm. Her mother, a caravan guard, died when she was in her teens, and she was taken in by the temple of Torag. Upon coming of age, she chose to leave the area and see the world. She now wanders from town to town, sometimes a caravan guard herself.<br />
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<b>Baela Duerstan</b> <a href="http://www.d20pfsrd.com/races/core-races/dwarf">Dwarf</a> <a href="http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/monk">Monk</a> (<a href="http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/monk/archetypes/paizo---monk-archetypes/monk-of-the-sacred-mountain">Monk of the Sacred Mountain</a>/<a href="http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/monk/archetypes/paizo---monk-archetypes/monk-of-the-four-winds">Monk of the Four Winds</a>/<a href="http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/monk/archetypes/paizo---monk-archetypes/qinggong-monk">Qinggong Monk</a>) <b>Lawful Neutral Level 10</b><br />
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<b>Str </b>14, <b>Dex</b> 12, <b>Con</b> 18, <b>Int</b> 10, <b>Wis</b> 20, <b>Cha</b> 6<br />
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<b>AC: </b>28 (+2 Dex +5 Wis +6 Natural Armor +3 Monk +1 Dodge +1 Deflection) 30 (+2 Shield if she does not move)<br />
<b>HP:</b> 113 (10d8 + 50 Con + 10 Toughness +9 favored class) DR: 1/-<br />
<b>Saves: Fort </b>+11<b>, Ref </b>+8<b>, Will </b>+12<br />
<b>Move: </b>50<br />
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<b>Weapons:</b><br />
Unarmed strike +11/+5 2d6+3<br />
Flurry of Blows +12/+12/+7/+7 2d6+3<br />
+1 Shuriken +10/+5<br />
+1 Shuiriken (flurry) +11/+11/+6/+6 1d2+3 10ft<br />
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<b>Skills:</b> Acrobatics +15, Stealth +15, Knowledge: Religion +13, Perception +18<br />
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<b>Feats:</b> <a href="http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/general-feats/ironhide">Ironhide</a>, <a href="http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/general-feats/toughness---final">Toughness</a>, <a href="http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/combat-feats/dodge-combat---final">Dodge</a>, <a href="http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/combat-feats/scorpion-style-combat---final">Scorpion Style</a>, <a href="http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/combat-feats/weapon-focus-combat---final">Weapon Focus</a> (Unarmed Strike), <a href="http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/combat-feats/shaitan-style-combat-style">Shaitan Style</a>, <a href="http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/combat-feats/gorgon-s-fist-combat---final">Gorgon Strike</a>, <a href="http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/monster-feats/improved-natural-armor">Improved Natural Armor</a> x2, <a href="http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/combat-feats/medusa-s-wrath-combat---final">Medusa's Wrath</a>, <a href="http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/combat-feats/improved-unarmed-strike-combat---final">Improved Unarmed Strike</a>, <a href="http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/combat-feats/elemental-fist-combat">Elemental Fist</a><br />
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<b>Magic Items: </b><br />
<a href="http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-items/wondrous-items/wondrous-items/a-b/belt-of-physical-perfection">Belt of Physical Perfection</a> +2, <a href="http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-items/wondrous-items/wondrous-items/h-l/headband-of-inspired-wisdom">Headband of Inspired Wisdom</a> +4, <a href="http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-items/wondrous-items/wondrous-items/r-z/robe-monk-s">Monk's Robe</a>, <a href="http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-items/wondrous-items/wondrous-items/a-b/amulet-of-natural-armor">Amulet of Natural Armor</a> +2, 50 +1 Shuriken, <a href="http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-items/rings/ring-of-protection">Ring of Protection</a> +1<br />
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Baela is, simply put, tough. Though she is highly mobile, she shines most when she can stand still and hit things; she is not subtle in the least. Her Scorpion Style feat will allow her to stop opponents in their tracks (and open the possibility of using Gorgon's Fist & Medusa's Wrath). The Elemental Fist feat is her go-to move for dealing unarmed strike damage. It will allow her to use any element, but it is best employed for acid damage, which is boosted by the Shaitan Style feat (which she should activate in every battle at the beginning). When she needs to withstand a barrage of attacks, standing still and using a Ki point for her monk dodge bonus will get her to Armor Class 34. And don't forget that her Damage Reduction (DR 1/-) is always active (she can double this with a Ki point).<br />
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For advancement, Baela should take <a href="http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/combat-feats/stunning-fist-combat---final">Stunning Fist</a> next level. As a monk, she will get one use per level (and an additional use from her Monk Robe). If she uses Stunning Fist in a Flurry of Blows attack, she can get two additional attacks at her highest base attack bonus (assuming the opponent fails his save). At 12th level, her Monk of the Four Winds archetype replaces Abundant Step with Slow Time, the ability to use a swift action to spend 6 ki points to get 3 standard actions that turn instead of one. At 13th level, either <a href="http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/combat-feats/crushing-blow-combat">Crushing Blow</a> or <a href="http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/combat-feats/hammer-the-gap-combat">Hammer The Gap</a> are good feat choices. You may also use the Qinggong Monk archetype to swap out Diamond Body for another power not replaced by one of the other archetypes: <a href="http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/r/restoration">Restoration</a> is a very good choice.<br />
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Alternately, a one-level dip into <a href="http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/fighter">Fighter</a> with the <a href="http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/fighter/archetypes/paizo---fighter-archetypes/unbreakable">Unbreakable</a> archetype would round out the prerequisites for the prestige class <a href="http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/prestige-classes/other-paizo/s-z/stalwart-defender">Stalwart Defender</a> anytime after 9th level. Though a Monk is not the ideal path to get there, it offers a lot to Baela: a larger hit die, a dodge bonus to AC, damage reduction (it won't stack with hers, but will eventually surpass what she has), the defensive stance and a variety of defensive powers.<br />
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<b>Note:</b> All of the links above go to <a href="http://d20pfsrd.com/">D20PFSRD.com</a>, an excellent fan-made resource for Pathfinder rules run by John Reyst. I use this every time I make a character or plan an adventure for Pathfinder. <a href="https://www.patreon.com/d20pfsrd">John is currently running a Patreon</a> to support maintaining this excellent resource. Please consider lending your support.<br />
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<br />Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14609413389707709268noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549558516941774469.post-60951771046957333712014-02-04T17:02:00.000-08:002014-02-04T17:02:15.873-08:00The Glory of Asphyxious!<b>Painting a Warmachine Lich Lord</b><br />
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by Randy<br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/coffeeswiller">@coffeeswiller</a><br />
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Hello there!<br />
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I wanted to show off my latest project. If you have played either <a href="http://privateerpress.com/warmachine/the-game">Warmachine</a> or the <a href="http://privateerpress.com/iron-kingdoms/books">Iron Kingdoms Roleplaying Game</a>, you have heard of Cryx. For those who haven't, Cryx is an island nation of nightmares, where the dead walk and do the bidding of the world's largest dragon. The dragon, Toruk, has appointed twelve Lich Lords to carry out his bidding as governors and generals to conquer the world for him. The mini I painted is one of those Lich Lords, Asphyxious. Asphyxious just recently acquired his title by slaying his predecessor, Daemortus, whom he has made into a spear.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vt2jm4PdCss/UvF1LnAZGHI/AAAAAAAAArA/MG4QGKR8TZA/s1600/34036_LichLordAsphyxious_WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vt2jm4PdCss/UvF1LnAZGHI/AAAAAAAAArA/MG4QGKR8TZA/s1600/34036_LichLordAsphyxious_WEB.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Pretty fearsome, eh? The model itself is pretty impressive. Not counting the plastic base, it has 12 pieces. I'm not covering assembly here, though you'll probably get a little of that incidentally. With a model like this, it makes the most sense to paint it in pieces. I painted the model with <a href="http://privateerpress.com/formula-p3/paints">Formula P3</a> paints, the paint range by <a href="http://privateerpress.com/">Privateer Press</a>, makers of Warmachine.<br />
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This pic shows me getting the model ready for priming. I have already washed the pieces, cleared mold lines and I have put together the upper and lower body, and the base and the stand piece for the base.Then I mount the remaining pieces to be primed with a spray primer. I used my hand drill to make small holes which double as places for pins when the model finally gets assembled.<br />
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Here it is after it has been primed in black and painting is underway. </div>
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Here's the body. For his robes, I used Rucksack Tan mixed with Armor Wash. The green in the head socket, between the ribs and underneath the body is Necrotite Green. I went over the black metal with a little thinned Cryx Bane Base, then drybrushed Cold Steel. The soul cages hanging on the belt were done with Blighted Gold, highlighted with Rhulic Gold. </div>
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Here's the base. I had already painted the base insert, not I have added the swirling souls and have painted them. Also, if you look closely, you can see a little metal pin in the top of the central swirly pillar. This corresponds to a drilled hole in the bottom of the lower body. This was done with Necrotite Green and Morrow White. </div>
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Here's the 'backpack': the array of exhaust pipes coming from the back. Cryxians burn necrotite instead of coal,. and that burn with a green flame. The metals are the same as the body above, with most done with black drybrushed with Cold Steel, and the flares at the end of the pipes Blighted Gold highlighted with Rhulic Gold.</div>
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Here is the right hand & spear. Metals as above, with the blade being Cold Steel washed with Armor Wash. The eye was done in Morrow White, with the pupil Coal Black, and the edges done with thinned Murderous Magenta. </div>
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And here he is... Lich Lord Asphyxious, in all his terrible glory! His skull was basecoated with Rucksack Tan, washed with Armor Wash and then highlighted with Morrow White. </div>
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So... that's him! I finally got him together and painted, after having the model hiding in my unpainted pile for a couple years waiting for me to become a better painter. I'm very happy with the outcome, and maybe one day I'll field him in a battle, or plague the players in my upcoming Iron Kingdoms Roleplaying Game campaign with him. Any miniatures that you're particularly proud of? Let me know below! And also consider visiting <a href="http://instagram.com/coffeeswiller">my Instagram profile</a>. You'll find quite a few miniatures on there!</div>
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<br />Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14609413389707709268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549558516941774469.post-19227649910396225522014-01-05T17:28:00.000-08:002014-01-12T13:22:46.178-08:00All 'Jacked Up!<b>Magnetizing The Cygnar Avenger - Centurion - Hammersmith Warjack Kit!</b><br />
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<b>By Randy</b><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/coffeeswiller"><b>@coffeeswiller</b></a><br />
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Hiya, folks! I some more miniature hobby stuff to talk about concerning one of my favorite games, <b>Warmachine</b> by <a href="http://privateerpress.com/"><b>Privateer Press</b></a>. In a recent post I did on playing <a href="http://growingupgamers.blogspot.com/2013/11/warmachine-on-budget.html">Warmachine on a budget</a>, one thing that came up after a helpful comment by a reader was that using magnets to be able to quickly convert one warjack or warbeast to another was one way to save money. I had been itching to try this for months! I finally got a warjack kit, and wanted to share my first attempt at building a model this way. So here's the model:<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l_SK_P2cw4M/UsnkGH3NakI/AAAAAAAAAmE/iBvXWGNHnII/s1600/box.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l_SK_P2cw4M/UsnkGH3NakI/AAAAAAAAAmE/iBvXWGNHnII/s1600/box.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
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And here it is all laid out to show the parts:<br />
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This kit allows you to build three different warjacks: the <a href="http://privateerpress.com/warmachine/gallery/cygnar/warjacks/centurion">Centurion</a> (with spear & shield), the <a href="http://privateerpress.com/warmachine/gallery/cygnar/warjacks/hammersmith">Hammersmith</a> (with 2 matching hammers) and the <a href="http://privateerpress.com/warmachine/gallery/cygnar/warjacks/avenger">Avenger</a> (with a sword & a seimic cannon arm). So planning ahead, we primarily need to have the ability to swap out the arms. Each warjack also has a different head, and while this isn't necessary, we'll magnetize those, too. Finally, there are two sets of shoulder pads. It is perhaps completely frivolous, but I'll magnetize those, too.<br />
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Here are my tools:<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OdHOyFHz3Ug/UsnrhFbxn3I/AAAAAAAAAm8/3K6SwyjR840/s1600/my_tools.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OdHOyFHz3Ug/UsnrhFbxn3I/AAAAAAAAAm8/3K6SwyjR840/s1600/my_tools.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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There shouldn't be anything surprising there. From left to right, we have magnets, brass rod, a file for removing mold lines, liquid green stuff, superglue, a pin vise/drill, an X-acto knife and tweezers. Not pictured is epoxy putty (I prefer <a href="http://www.kraftmark.biz/kraft.procreate.html">ProCreate</a> putty) and a Sharpie. Here are the magnets (3mm x 1mm neodymium):<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HuNBxitpBrY/Usnzw7erZOI/AAAAAAAAAnM/270BVKxgaa0/s1600/mags.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HuNBxitpBrY/Usnzw7erZOI/AAAAAAAAAnM/270BVKxgaa0/s1600/mags.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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The first step after planning is to drill holes for the magnets. Many model builders will already be doing a bit of this to add pins or brass rods to support heavier parts of models. What I am going to do here is make holes large enough to set in a magnet.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z0MQwWNl-Jo/Usn0IsiRdKI/AAAAAAAAAnU/w1CWBeqHzn0/s1600/drilling.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z0MQwWNl-Jo/Usn0IsiRdKI/AAAAAAAAAnU/w1CWBeqHzn0/s1600/drilling.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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I used epoxy putty and superglue to set them in.<br />
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That one is the right arm. That one I pinned to the shoulder, since all the right arm does is hold a weapon in all the possible configurations. Here's one of the weapons (the sword for the Avenger). Each of the right arm weapons has the hand molded to them, and here is what an inset magnet looks like on one of them.<br />
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The left arm was a little more tricky. First of all, there are two separate arms: one is a cannon, and the other an arm like the right that has two different weapon combos (a hammer and a shield). The arm and shield combination is fairly heavy, and one magnet (at least of the size I have) will not suffice to hold the whole assembly. So here's what I did<br />
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I drilled a hole for a brass rod, and I set in one of the magnets slightly farther back. I tested positions for where to place them and this seemed the best. Here are the two arms:<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qcKkSb0BkRQ/Usn08nu-TeI/AAAAAAAAAno/xmvYDWLGzG0/s1600/arms.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qcKkSb0BkRQ/Usn08nu-TeI/AAAAAAAAAno/xmvYDWLGzG0/s1600/arms.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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And here is wrist of the left forearm:<br />
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The red dot notes where the magnet is (it is covered by putty, which matches the grey of the plastic) and there is also a hole for a brass peg. And here are the shield and the hammer hands:<br />
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Each has an inset magnet on the top and a brass peg below. The hammer hand didn't really need it, but I figured it wouldn't hurt. And here is the finished kit, laid out in all its separate pieces:<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2Z6CK1yqvJ8/Usn_1kf5FmI/AAAAAAAAAoo/GKKJTbBZpJs/s1600/Finished_Mat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2Z6CK1yqvJ8/Usn_1kf5FmI/AAAAAAAAAoo/GKKJTbBZpJs/s1600/Finished_Mat.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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And here are each of the warjacks it makes:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--sNvjuHNxoA/UsoAN0h9WQI/AAAAAAAAAow/ViIBHbq1niE/s1600/avenger.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--sNvjuHNxoA/UsoAN0h9WQI/AAAAAAAAAow/ViIBHbq1niE/s1600/avenger.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Avenger!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qTF-hDvqmjs/UsoAWhSxGKI/AAAAAAAAAo4/yB812dRTEQw/s1600/centurion.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qTF-hDvqmjs/UsoAWhSxGKI/AAAAAAAAAo4/yB812dRTEQw/s1600/centurion.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Centurion!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HkvP6nh1j-Y/UsoAfBnk8yI/AAAAAAAAApA/_RwSosWuVnA/s1600/hammersmith.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HkvP6nh1j-Y/UsoAfBnk8yI/AAAAAAAAApA/_RwSosWuVnA/s1600/hammersmith.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Hammersmith!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Update!</b> I made a brief YouTube video showing how this works together. The video isn't the greatest but it should give you an idea of how it works:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/MpOFnBu5gu8" width="560"></iframe>
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This was a fun kit to build! It will, of course, be painted and set on a finished base. But right now, my painting queue is pretty large. One observation I will share that you should note for your magnetized projects is that magnets have positive and negative sides, and your pieces will need to match up. I recommend using a Sharpie to place a dot on a magnet, and be sure to test before gluing. That's it!<br />
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Do you have any model projects that you are particularly proud of? Tell us below!<br />
<br />Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14609413389707709268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549558516941774469.post-72647096432732624582013-11-11T08:38:00.001-08:002013-11-13T11:02:43.534-08:00Game online at AetherCon II!<br />
<b>by Randy</b><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/coffeeswiller">@coffeeswiller</a><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FOsOZi9B_x0/UoEDhkgoXSI/AAAAAAAAAlI/5kACSoGM_W0/s1600/Aethercon_logo_2013-5-crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="274" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FOsOZi9B_x0/UoEDhkgoXSI/AAAAAAAAAlI/5kACSoGM_W0/s320/Aethercon_logo_2013-5-crop.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Hello, gamers! Have you ever attended an online gaming convention? If not, you should consider logging in to <a href="http://www.aethercon.com/a2/">Aetheron II</a> this weekend, November 15-17th! This is AetherCon's second year of running an excellent and free online gaming convention, and they have loads of events, games, and panels. I had the opportunity to catch up with Barry Lewis, the Promotional Coordinator for AetherCon. He was able to answer some questions about the convention!<br />
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<b>Growing Up Gamers:</b> This is <a href="http://www.aethercon.com/a2/">AetherCon</a>'s second year. What was the original idea behind AetherCon? Has that changed since sine last year?<br />
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<b>Barry Lewis of AetherCon II:</b> The main idea is just to get people together to play RPGs and have fun with a sense of community behind it. That has not changed and never will.<br />
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<b>Growing Up Gamers:</b> What are the technologies that you are using? What can simulate the in-person roleplaying experience?<br />
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<b>Barry Lewis:</b> AetherCon is using free, web based programs to run the convention. The two programs we’ll be using for the RPGs is the <a href="http://roll20.net/">Roll20 program</a>, which will be the main program being used, and the <a href="http://www.infrno.net/">INFRNO program</a>, in which a few games will be featured on. Roll20 and INFRNO will be used for the publisher demos as well. The other program we'll be using is <a href="http://www.anymeeting.com/">Anymeeting</a>, which is a free web conferencing software, for the Q&As, panels, vendor hall and artist enclave. I think the two programs, Roll20 and INFRNO, come very close to the “in-person” feel with their use of webcams/chat rooms and on-screen graphics. The only thing you can’t do is raid the GM’s fridge for snacks!<br />
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<a href="http://www.aethercon.com/a2/cpanel.php?get=chord_PlayersWelcomePlayers"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VmXZoFRxNzo/UoEDnYNqYdI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/hrOKauzJ8Dc/s320/ACprogram.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
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<b>Growing Up Gamers:</b> How many people do you expect to attend AetherCon II, and how many took part last year?<br />
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<b>Barry Lewis:</b> As of right now I don’t have the solid numbers, since they tend to fluctuate, but this AetherCon is shaping up to have more people than last year’s event. We’re learning little by little what works and what doesn’t and this will help us improve each year and this translates into a better experience and more attendees.<br />
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<b>Growing Up Gamers:</b> How have game designers and other panelists responded to the idea of an online convention? Your schedule certainly shows us that there has been a great response, but have others been hesitant?<br />
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<b>Barry Lewis:</b> The response has been excellent. Since this is a fairly new(ish) idea they are intrigued with the concept and would like to see it succeed since it’s another way to get their products and themselves more exposure. They’re only hesitant until they check their schedules to see if they are available. If they’re available they tend to jump on board quickly.<br />
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<b>Growing Up Gamers:</b> Since AetherCon last year, I have seen at least one other online game con (<a href="http://growingupgamers.blogspot.com/2013/06/interview-with-contessa-organizer-stacy.html">ConTessa</a>). Do you think more conventions of this sort are going to take off?<br />
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<b>Barry Lewis:</b> I’m noticing that online conventions are starting to appear. <a href="http://rpggeek.com/wiki/page/Virtuacon13">VirtuaCon</a> just happened in October so I’m sure we’ll see more in the near future.<br />
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<b>Growing Up Gamers:</b> I imagine it is taking a lot of work from a lot of people to make this happen. How many people are on your team?<br />
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<b>Barry Lewis:</b> I’m the director of a “live” game convention and I think doing a “virtual” game convention is much harder. AetherCon has staff spread out across two countries, US and Canada, and it’s a lot of emails, messaging and live chats. You definitely have to be well organized and prepared for anything. We have around 12 people working for AetherCon at any given moment with 8 or 9 of them being senior staff. <br />
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<b>Growing Up Gamers:</b> Are there any event types that are not yet represented in AetherCon's schedule that you would like to see in coming years?<br />
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<b>Barry Lewis:</b> I would like to see other aspects of gaming, such as card games and miniature games being integrated into the convention, but that just opens a whole other logistical “can of worms”, at least for now.<br />
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Thanks, Barry! I would like to point out to our readers that I will be participating in AetherCon II as an attendee, a host for a couple panels and a panelist myself.<b> If you would like to catch up with me (Randy of Growing Up Gamers), drop in to the panel at 3-4:20pm EST on Saturday Nov. 16th called Looking for Players: Bringing New Faces To Our Tables.</b> I'll be on the panel with Mike Mason from <a href="http://www.chaosium.com/">Chaosium</a> and Mark Diaz Truman of <a href="http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.magpiegames.com%2F&h=FAQFQqqM_">Magpie Games</a>. Additionally, on Sunday I will be hosting Q&A sessions with Brian Berg of <a href="http://www.tpkgames.com/">Total Party Kill Games</a> at 4-5pm EST and Todd Crapper of <a href="http://www.brokenrulergames.com/">Broken Ruler Games</a> at 5-6pm EST. I hope to see you all there!<br />
<br />Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14609413389707709268noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549558516941774469.post-17336435186216217642013-11-05T15:50:00.003-08:002014-01-28T09:56:15.564-08:00Warmachine On A Budget!<b>Part I: Building An Army</b><br />
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<b>By Randy</b><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/coffeeswiller"><b>@coffeeswiller</b></a><br />
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If you've ever played any tabletop wargame at all, you know that they're expensive. Very expensive. You need rulebooks, paints, brushes... and models. Lots of models. It seems like you can never have enough models to do everything you want. I'm personally more of a roleplayer, and am more interested in having a wide variety of models to represent the players in the Iron Kingdoms RPG, and the variety of creatures and characters they will encounter. Yes... expensive. What I'm hoping to do here is to give a brief guide to playing <a href="http://privateerpress.com/warmachine/the-game">Warmachine</a>, <a href="http://privateerpress.com/hordes/the-game">Hordes</a> or the <a href="http://privateerpress.com/iron-kingdoms/books">Iron Kingdoms Roleplaying Game</a> on a budget.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2aWSM1jNHzo/UnmCFJbe-2I/AAAAAAAAAko/C9g96Sw86vQ/s1600/warmachine-logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2aWSM1jNHzo/UnmCFJbe-2I/AAAAAAAAAko/C9g96Sw86vQ/s400/warmachine-logo.png" height="227" width="400" /></a></div>
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This is what will interest most Warmachine/Hordes players will be most interested in. How do you build a faction army cheap? The simple answer is that you can't. Sorry. This isn't a magic bullet. The more complex answer is that with certain factions, you may be able to stretch your money a little further. Here's how!<br />
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<b>Starter Boxes</b><br />
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Every faction has a starter box. This is a fully playable battlegroup, complete with a Warcaster or Warlock and some Warjacks or Warbeasts. These MSRP for $50, and are a great deal if you price the pieces out individually. In most cases, you'll want to start here. The downside is that you might not want that particular caster, but having a variety to choose from will be worthwhile in the future.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PH_6TVYc8z8/UnmAVnZxDkI/AAAAAAAAAkY/bB3sK1Ju-kA/s1600/FLAT_MKII_CygnarStarter.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PH_6TVYc8z8/UnmAVnZxDkI/AAAAAAAAAkY/bB3sK1Ju-kA/s320/FLAT_MKII_CygnarStarter.png" height="219" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Two Player Battle Boxes</b><br />
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Both Warmachine and Hordes have a Two Player Battle Box. For an MSRP of $99, you get two starter kits, plus an additional sizable unit for each faction. This is an insanely good deal... especially if you can pick it up at a discount (a search while I was writing this turned up deals from $61-$75). This will limit you to one or the other faction (<a href="http://privateerpress.com/warmachine/gallery/two-player-battle-box/warmachine-two-player-battle-box">Khador & Protectorate of Menoth</a> for Warmachine, <a href="http://privateerpress.com/hordes/gallery/starter-products/hordes-two-player-battlegroup-box">Circle Orboros o& Legion of Everblight</a> for Hordes). The upside for this is that if you and a friend want to jump in and try it out and are willing to use those factions, this is perhaps on of the best deals around. I personally picked up the Warmachine box, and I was glad to fill out my Protectorate & Khador factions. So many models! As a bonus, they also come with quickstart rules.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qj7rKkETtKs/UnmAHUSm9tI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/2ppmB-N2YVk/s1600/WM2PlayerProductShot_0.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qj7rKkETtKs/UnmAHUSm9tI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/2ppmB-N2YVk/s320/WM2PlayerProductShot_0.png" height="320" width="277" /></a></div>
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<b>Grind</b><br />
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Privateer Press released a nifty boardgame a few years back called <a href="http://privateerpress.com/grind">Grind</a>. It was based on a Warmachine game that was printed in <a href="http://privateerpress.com/no-quarter/issues">No Quarter magazine</a>. I would love to say that I played this game; I really would. But I didn't. What I really liked about this game was the value. What I found is that the contents of this box, plus one Cygnar Heavy Warjack kit (the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cygnar-Heavy-Warjack-Plastic-Warmachine/dp/B0035RHBSO/ref=sr_1_4?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1383691150&sr=1-4&keywords=cygnar+heavy+warjack">Ironclad/Cyclone/Defender</a> one) and one Khador Heavy Warjack kit (the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Khador-Heavy-Warjack-Plastic-Warmachine/dp/B00355F1NS/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1383691195&sr=1-1&keywords=khador+heavy+warjack">Destroyer/Juggernaut/Marauder/Decimator</a> one) and you can put together six heavy warjacks: 3 Cygnar, 3 Khador. That's value. And that's not even taking the light models into account (just for Cygnar; Khador doesn't do light warjacks). The Cygnaran 'jacks are spot-on with only the tiniest bit of conversion necessary. The Khadoran ones have ever-so-slightly smaller smokestacks, but that's barely noticeable. Totally worth the price. I'll bet the game is probably good, too.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sfFLifir9kU/UnmBC9HvZUI/AAAAAAAAAkg/X-McAa_XPhQ/s1600/grind_box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sfFLifir9kU/UnmBC9HvZUI/AAAAAAAAAkg/X-McAa_XPhQ/s400/grind_box.jpg" height="286" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yl8Xx0prSV4/UnpsuatwQfI/AAAAAAAAAk4/mIIZRuEFm1w/s1600/jack_comparison.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yl8Xx0prSV4/UnpsuatwQfI/AAAAAAAAAk4/mIIZRuEFm1w/s400/jack_comparison.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Side by side, warjacks from the kit (left, Defender) and from The Grind (right, Cyclone).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>Proxies</b><br />
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Inevitably, you're going to want to try out a model that you don't have. You're considering adding one to an army list, and you think it's synergize with others, but you want to make sure. Use another model as a stand-in! This is called proxying, and it is perfectly fine for friendly (read: non-tournament) games, as long as you're up front with your opponent. If you're a roleplayer, you probably already do this. It makes far more sense to say the Defender (a Cygnaran heavy 'jack) is a stand-in for an Avenger (a spiffy new Cygnar heavy) that you want to check out. Just make sure that when you proxy a model, you use another with the same size base, and preferably one similar so you and your opponent can easily track the board state. It's worth noting that you won't be able to do this in tournaments or at events, where you'll need the actual model and the stat card to field a particular model.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pbb2-n3Ac-M/Unl-zBYLMxI/AAAAAAAAAkE/mAq2KF7yXho/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pbb2-n3Ac-M/Unl-zBYLMxI/AAAAAAAAAkE/mAq2KF7yXho/s320/photo.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The foamboard sticks in the foreground are proxied Wracks.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>Other Deals</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
As was commented below, Privateer Press through their online store offer Christmas specials. These consist of prebuilt faction packs with 25-30 point armies. Not to mention other deals you may find at other retailers! online retailers will likely offer discounts, but local game stores may also have customer loyalty programs, as well. (Thanks to greibach for pointing this out!)<br />
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<b>Magnets!</b><br />
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One way to get more mileage out of one of the plastic heavy warjack kits is with magnets. The kits have all the parts you need to build three or four different jacks out of the same kit, and you can use rare earth magnets glued in to swap out heads, arms and weapons. So that kit will still only be one warjack, but you can swap out which type it is. Nifty, huh? (Thanks again to greibach for this!) <b>Update! </b><a href="http://growingupgamers.blogspot.com/2014/01/all-jacked-up.html">I just showed how I magnetized a Cygnar Avenger-Centurion-Hammersmith kit!</a><br />
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<b>Best Warmachine/Hordes Factions by Budget:</b><br />
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1. Khador: With the Two Player Battle Box and Grind, Khador is probably the cheapest to build up an army. Going by MSRP, the Battle Box is roughly equivalent to the MSRP of the Khador models and gives you an extra faction, either for you or a friend. You can angle in a bit cheaper with the Start Box plus the Man-O-War unit, but extra models are always nice and may be worth having to trade.<br />
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2. Cygnar: No Battle Box support for Cygnar, but you can fill out your heavy 'jacks with extras from Grind. As I said above, one Heavy Warjack kit plus the two extras from that game will give you three Cygnaran heavies (one each Defender, Ironclad and Cyclone). I recall a slight modification to an upper arm joint, and clipping the hand off one forearm and replacing with one oriented for the correct arm, but that is very minimal. I have not yet tried to do anything with the light 'jacks other than proxies. When I have any amount of disposable income, I may do an order from the <a href="http://store.privateerpress.com/parts.aspx">Privateer Press Parts Store</a> and get some pieces to convert them into other Cygnaran light 'jacks.<br />
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3.Protectorate of Menoth: Again, the Two Player Battle Box is a great starting point for Protectorate players. Two heavy warjacks, one light one, Kreoss and a unit of Exemplar Cinerators. The Starter Box for the Protectorate has Kreoss, two light 'jacks and a heavy.<br />
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4. Circle Orboros & Legion of Everblight: These factions are in the Hordes Battle Box, and their lists look like a comparable deal to the Protectorate, above.<br />
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5. Other factions (Cryx, Retribution of Scyrah, Skorne, Trollbloods, Mercenaries, Minions, Convergence of Cyriss): Other than the starter boxes, no great deals like above. It's a shame, since these factions all have some impressive models. I think I could field a pretty high point cost Cryx force; they make excellent RPG baddies!<br />
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<b>Note:</b> This list above is not necessarily factoring in competitive play, but mostly looking at getting the most models on the table. There is a <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/Warmachine/comments/1pzoqn/my_article_on_getting_into_warmahordes_on_a_budget/">discussion on Reddit</a> about this that goes more into what factions are the cheapest in terms of fielding a competitive army. My list above should be considered in terms of getting faction models on the table for Iron Kingdoms roleplaying.<br />
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--<br />
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I hope that helps you if you're looking into building an army on the cheap. It's true that wargames are a big drain on the wallet, but some planning can certainly help things along. The next installment will focus on painting. Do you have any moneysaving tips for Warmachine, Horders or the IKRPG? Post them below!<br />
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Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14609413389707709268noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549558516941774469.post-67991879419166342662013-09-09T21:05:00.000-07:002013-09-09T21:05:49.520-07:00I've Got 99 Problems But A Lack Of Bits Ain't One:<b>Miniature Modeling for Advanced Beginners</b><br />
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<b>by Randy</b><br />
<b><a href="https://twitter.com/coffeeswiller">@coffeeswiller</a></b><br />
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Hello, all! I think it would be an understatement to say that the Growing Up Gamers crew was on a big Privateer Press kick lately. The <a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/409030043/warmachine-tactics">Warmachine Tactics Kickstarter</a> really got us going, and speaking to<a href="http://growingupgamers.blogspot.com/2013/07/privateer-presss-matt-wilson-talks.html"> Matt Wilson</a> also really got us excited. This is not a new thing, however. I have personally been a fan of the Iron Kingdoms from very early on, and had a years-long roleplaying campaign based there. This article, however, focuses on the miniatures.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fZN4NIAAg-s/UipBeb9DgLI/AAAAAAAAAjc/JPNcQrQGAgw/s1600/kae.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fZN4NIAAg-s/UipBeb9DgLI/AAAAAAAAAjc/JPNcQrQGAgw/s400/kae.JPG" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elf warcaster Kaelyssa, on a custom Cygnar ruins base. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I have been painting minis on and off for about twelve years, not counting a handful that I mangled in high school. Rather than a veteran, I would classify myself as an "advanced beginner". What does that mean? I can paint models, and they usually look pretty good. I can make pretty nice bases, do fun conversions... but when it all comes down to it, I don't have a lot of time to invest in it. So I try to get a lot of mileage out of the techniques I do know.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vxewpY-CF8Q/UipBR2a1nEI/AAAAAAAAAjU/RWp33aA7isM/s1600/scenic_base.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vxewpY-CF8Q/UipBR2a1nEI/AAAAAAAAAjU/RWp33aA7isM/s320/scenic_base.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scenic base, probably for a warjack.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
One thing I love is what is called converting miniatures. Basically, this is taking a miniature and altering it. It can be as simple as a repose or a swap of a weapon or head from another mini. Or it can be a more drastic thing where you take a bunch of parts from different minis and/or made from epoxy putty and making something altogether different. It helps to have a well-stocked bits box.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wi0AneGPynY/UipCv30PyeI/AAAAAAAAAjo/CEXViQrGxiM/s1600/Eiryss_wip.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wi0AneGPynY/UipCv30PyeI/AAAAAAAAAjo/CEXViQrGxiM/s400/Eiryss_wip.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Work in progress: Mage Hunter Eiryss on fallen tree base.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
What's a "bits box", you might ask? Well let me tell you. A bits box is a box where you keep any stray mini parts that aren't going on a mini. You have a kit with three different weapon choices? Put the other two in the box. You sawed the head off a mini to put on another mini? Put the rest in the box. Made an order from the <a href="http://store.privateerpress.com/">Privateer Press Parts Store</a>? Put 'em in the box! Here's my bits box:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NWGX_GaSYzg/UiTBxe07LnI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/2KkV5uybKpg/s1600/bits_box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NWGX_GaSYzg/UiTBxe07LnI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/2KkV5uybKpg/s400/bits_box.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Here's a few choice bits:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2oYkir1U5MU/UiomiokeSdI/AAAAAAAAAig/bBBGSGMFt-0/s1600/bits.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2oYkir1U5MU/UiomiokeSdI/AAAAAAAAAig/bBBGSGMFt-0/s200/bits.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weapons & accessories!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-psrCyqZTvxU/Uiomv0Jae4I/AAAAAAAAAio/3Qrra-lmH48/s1600/heads.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-psrCyqZTvxU/Uiomv0Jae4I/AAAAAAAAAio/3Qrra-lmH48/s200/heads.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heads!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uwc7PkyXG_Y/Uiom33UFPJI/AAAAAAAAAi0/f1F9AhkDJBQ/s1600/flagbit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uwc7PkyXG_Y/Uiom33UFPJI/AAAAAAAAAi0/f1F9AhkDJBQ/s200/flagbit.JPG" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flag!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
...and here's what you can do when you have a stocked bits box:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lftqtV5w23Q/Uio-MVMjQ_I/AAAAAAAAAjI/LoVxKP2T9Lw/s1600/mort.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lftqtV5w23Q/Uio-MVMjQ_I/AAAAAAAAAjI/LoVxKP2T9Lw/s400/mort.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Master Necrotech Mortenebra, iron lich and crafter of Cryx's legions of Helljacks!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
For the record, this is an alternate version of the Cryx warcaster Mortenebra that I started quite a while back, before she was released as a mini. Since then, she has gotten her own mini, and I picked up the upper torso from the stock mini to use. The parts are from eight different models from Wyrd Miniatures and Privateer Press, with some parts built from sheet styrene, putty epoxy, paperclips, some old guitar strings and a brass rod. I'll put up more pics when I paint her up.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
So... anyone else into miniatures? What are some of your favorite? Any miniature modeling topics you'd like to see here? Let me know!<br />
<br />
<br />Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14609413389707709268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549558516941774469.post-88524611311780470442013-08-28T12:09:00.003-07:002013-08-28T12:09:55.630-07:00Whirlwind Adventure: Escapade Games at Gen Con 2013<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<i><b>by Julian </b></i></div>
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Gen Con this
year was an amazing experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Due to a
mix up in communication it ended up being a last minute decision for us to go
to Gen Con.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only through the generous
help of a family member and the power of social media were we able to afford
the trip and find a place to stay at the last minute that was only a few blocks
for the convention center.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were
rushed, we flustered, and we were very nervous, but we couldn't be happier
about how it all turned out.<br />
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sGvFBnPhuFQ/Uh0mzKEyf8I/AAAAAAAAAtU/h9BReu_PMYM/s1600/arrived.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sGvFBnPhuFQ/Uh0mzKEyf8I/AAAAAAAAAtU/h9BReu_PMYM/s320/arrived.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When our plane first landed in Indy, we were happy, nervous, and a little...crazy?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The People and the Games</span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
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We spent
most of the convention with <a href="http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/127324/storm-hollow-a-storyboard-game">Storm Hollow</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we weren’t running officially ticketed games of it, we were
arranging and running pick-up games with anyone that could clear some time in
their schedule that lined up with ours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also spent some time meet with our publisher, Game Salute, about the
game and talking with other game designers about our game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll talk about how our games of Storm Hollow
went in a bit, but first I’d like to mention some of the incredible people we
met and the cool games we got to play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">An Encounter with Wil Wheaton</span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></b></div>
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Before Gen
Con even started, we got to briefly say hi to Wil Wheaton when we saw him
dining at the same restaurant we were at.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was a polite and quick hello as we didn’t want to bother him while he
was trying to get some grub, but as he left Angie was able to give him his very
first die of the convention and he paused a moment to tell us about the great
book he was reading.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wil was an
incredibly nice guy and it was fun to get even a few moments to say hello.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In what feels to us like a bizarre twist of
fate, we got to be on the other end of that exchange when we were stopped
randomly while walking through the exhibit hall by someone who recognized us
and wanted to take our picture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
humbling and funny and weird and awesome all at the same time.<br />
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/wilw/status/367805628657315840/photo/1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CV_oh4-qr4k/Uh0oDb02C4I/AAAAAAAAAtk/XhQIN6BwNus/s320/Wil+Wheatons+hand.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/wilw/status/367805628657315840/photo/1">We couldn't get a picture with Wil, but he later tweeted a picture of his hand holding Angie's d20.</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Psychonautica, A Beautiful Game of Tarot</span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
During our
first game of Storm Hollow where we got to meet a couple of incredible guys
from England whose wives sent them each to Gen Con as their 40<sup>th</sup> birthday
presents, Scott from The Board Game Show podcast, and his friends Al and Heidi.
Talking to Heidi about her recent project was very inspiring. She had created
an awesome tarot card deck called <a href="http://www.psychonautica.us/cards.html">Psychonautica</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has beautiful, hand-drawn figures on every
card.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The figures were drawn off of
models of many different body types and broke with traditional roles in subtle
yet powerful ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The figures are
created with simple, graceful lines without any shading or color and set
against a vivid color background texture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The effect is that Heidi manages to make each and every body type seem
graceful, beautiful, and relatable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On
top of that, the tarot deck comes with rules for playing it like a trick taking
card game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We didn’t get a chance to
play it, but reading through the rules it reminded me of the game Oh Hell (one
of my favorite trick taking card games) with some fun flourishes and differences
added in. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Psychonautica is available through
<a href="https://www.thegamecrafter.com/games/psychonautica">The Gamecrafter</a> and is absolutely worth checking out.<br />
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HsdmrJsji_c/Uh0qcsPHrEI/AAAAAAAAAts/S3vCz2Y38JE/s1600/heidi.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HsdmrJsji_c/Uh0qcsPHrEI/AAAAAAAAAts/S3vCz2Y38JE/s320/heidi.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heidi, designer of Psychonautica.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Star Captains</span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
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We got to
meet Cole Medeiros, a fellow game designer who was out playtesting and pitching
his space game called Starship Captains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It reminded me a lot of a game we tried to develop awhile back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We struggled to find a way to rope in all the
ideas we had about running cargo across the galaxy, upgrading your ship with
tech, hiring crew members, and going on dangerous missions in a way that held
together as one game and wasn’t overly complex.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I got to play half a game of Starship Captains and Cole has done a fantastic
job of putting all those elements into a fine mix that plays pretty fast and
isn’t overly complicated at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
loved what he has going on in that game. When last we heard, it sounded like
Cole had a few publishers interested.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
are definitely rooting for his success.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Jonathan Liu and the Emperor’s New Clothes</span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ebsufUddL-A/Uh0q13R5y-I/AAAAAAAAAt0/DKw9DCFbNCQ/s1600/emperors+new+clothes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ebsufUddL-A/Uh0q13R5y-I/AAAAAAAAAt0/DKw9DCFbNCQ/s320/emperors+new+clothes.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing Emperor's New Clothes. Its not camera glare. Those game components really are all blank and white.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></b>We got to
see our friend Jonathan Liu, a writer for the <a href="http://geekdad.com/2013/08/gen-con-2013-gaming/">Geek Dad blog</a>, several times at
the convention and I got my first opportunity to play his game based on the
Emperor’s New Clothes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a game where
each turn you roll three absolutely blank dice (you are allowed to reroll twice
to get different results), then collect an amount of dignity, gold, or
gullibility based on that roll (resources represented by blank white cubes),
play blank white cards to help yourself or hurt other players and then reveal
role cards to show how well you scored for the round (cards which are also
entirely blank and white). You then mark your score for the round by moving
your blank white score ship across a number of spaces across the scoreboard
equal to the points you scored that round.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The scoreboard is also blank, white, and has no numbers or spaces on it
at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, all the components for the game are
blank.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Angie and Randy had played the
game before, but I had only heard of the concept.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought the idea was just to play a
joke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You sit down and pretend to play a
game with blank cards, pretend to take it seriously, and laugh at the confused
onlookers who are trying to deduce what you are up to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The truth is that the game rules Jonathan has
devised provide enough structure to make an intriguing game of imagination and
live game design that you can really absorbed into to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You find yourself trying to decide which role
you should reveal based on what role other players have claimed to reveal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You base your imaginary cards off of what you
think will be funny and stick within the parameters of what really feels like a
game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You really can’t see how much of a
game really is there until you sit down to play it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t think the game is being sold outside
of its now closed Kickstarter project, but the rules are available on the
Kickstarter page…and you can probably find your own blank stuff to play
with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although the art on the official
blank white cards really is fantastic.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Old Friends, New Friends, and More Fun Games</span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
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We ran into
several friends we were excited to see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We got to play some games of Commander style Magic the Gathering with
<a href="http://legitmtg.com/author/ecampbell/">Erin Campbell of the Deck Tease podcast</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We met her at Gen Con the previous year and it was fun to hang out, play
Magic, and catch up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had the
incredible honor to interview Matt Wilson, owner of Privateer Press and the man
who created the Iron Kingdoms, Warmachine, and Hordes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was an amazing experience that will get
its own post in the near future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Angie
got to play a fantastic game called Dungeon Roll with our new friends Andy and
Andy (the fun English guys who were there on their birthday trip).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This game comes in a little dice game comes
with many custom dice and tokens all packaged in a small, cardboard treasure
chest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The game plays quick, lets you
feel like you are gaining loot and leveling up, and actually uses the treasure
chest to let you gain treasure all for the fantastic price of $15.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DZY-thy60lw/Uh0t3F9ucxI/AAAAAAAAAuM/Vxl8VHdzr4w/s1600/dungeon+roll.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DZY-thy60lw/Uh0t3F9ucxI/AAAAAAAAAuM/Vxl8VHdzr4w/s320/dungeon+roll.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andy and Andy and Angie (behind the camera) playing Dungeon Roll.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </div>
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We both got to go out to dinner with Dennis, a
guy who has supported our game since we met him last year and even ran one of
our sessions at Gen Con (more on that in a bit), and with an excited backer
named David who related some incredible stories about games of Storm
Hollow he’d ran off the Kickstarter materials.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Dennis was incredibly kind and generous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>David really inspired us with his enthusiasm and joy for Storm
Hollow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j9Vd3HL18ak/Uh0sVIgj5pI/AAAAAAAAAuA/VBAa_v8OH5Q/s1600/dinner+with+david+and+dennis.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j9Vd3HL18ak/Uh0sVIgj5pI/AAAAAAAAAuA/VBAa_v8OH5Q/s320/dinner+with+david+and+dennis.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Julian, Angie, Dennis, and David having a nice break from the roar of the convention center.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Running Storm Hollow</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span id="goog_257662421"></span><span id="goog_257662422"></span> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pZP9BVNDNxk/Uh0vF7nb_jI/AAAAAAAAAuk/72aI2HQPGj8/s1600/first+game.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pZP9BVNDNxk/Uh0vF7nb_jI/AAAAAAAAAuk/72aI2HQPGj8/s320/first+game.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></b></div>
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While we did
find some opportunity to check out other games, most of our convention was
spent in the service of Storm Hollow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
games of Storm Hollow that we played were amazing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Getting to meet some of our backers was an
honor we will never forget.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your belief
in Storm Hollow, your feedback, and your kind words were all incredibly
inspiring and energizing for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of
course, the players at Gen Con weren’t just backers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were also people that had heard about
it from friends, seen it online, or just came across it on the Gen Con Schedule
and thought it sounded cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had the
brilliant idea that I would write careful notes after each session to be able
to compare and contrast the different approaches each group took.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did this once, then lost my notepad, found
my notepad on the evening of the last day of the con, made some more notes from
memory, and then promptly lost the notepad again by leaving it on the plane
home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soo… oops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortunately, because I did make notes and
because the games were so much fun, I do remember many of the details of what
happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were too many awesome
moments to recall them all here, but here are a few highlights from the games.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Big Race</span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MOmZgosRB3M/Uh0utv1ztrI/AAAAAAAAAug/hEXNn4p8Q0E/s1600/adventure+out.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MOmZgosRB3M/Uh0utv1ztrI/AAAAAAAAAug/hEXNn4p8Q0E/s320/adventure+out.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The demo adventure we ran is called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Wondercart Speedway Expo</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was an adventure we’d run a few times
before but we modified it so that it was now a race through five districts of
the city of Venture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The heroes get to
build and race a wondercart (steampunk racecar that the entire team of heroes
will fit inside) with the help of their new friend and ally Hasty Hastings, a
Stumbletoe engineer that works for the Grumbok Engineering Corps (they do
employ a few non-Grumboks).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The race is
an opportunity for the GEC engineers to show off their best gadgets and Hasty
has a soda cannon that fires pink fizzy soda that he wants to show off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During the building portion of the adventure,
the heroes choose a body, an engine, wheel-type, and gadgets for the cart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then they choose how they want to paint it
and what they want to name it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the
wondercart is built, the heroes race it through the city and face off mainly
against one other racer, a mean Grumbok who has built a tank-like wondercart
with a lightning gun turret on top and tubes coming out the side the fire goo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each turn of the race ran through a different
district starting in the Diamond Arena and going through the Brassworks,
Silverwall, The Weave, Crystalcade and finally back through Diamondhold to
return to the arena.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Heroes were free to
pick their route through each district or even dive into minecart rails beneath
the city to see if they could pop out someplace useful.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Wondercarts</span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G2-7GBD7WeE/Uh0vrSuilVI/AAAAAAAAAus/rAhAQW5ei58/s1600/happy+group+pose.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G2-7GBD7WeE/Uh0vrSuilVI/AAAAAAAAAus/rAhAQW5ei58/s320/happy+group+pose.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Players had fun creating their carts!<b><br /></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Our various
heroes had great variety in the wondercarts they built with fun names like
Beesed Lightning (a car with a modified soda cannon that could also shoot
bees), the Thunderbooster Mark IV (Thunderbooster being the first cool sounding
word to hit the brain of a young boy and Mark IV being the very important
addition of his slightly older sister who seemed to feel Thunderboost was too
silly and needed something extra), and the Fizzy Wizard (named for the little
wizard puppet automaton the group built to stick on top of the car to keep a
look out for danger).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each wondercart
had its own unique paint job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many had
lightning or flames painted on the side, one was pink and soda pop themed, one
painted to magically camouflage itself to the surrounding city and one had
lightning that could strobe between different colors on command.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During the building scene, many heroes
checked out the competition, but one hero even snuck a chug (in this case a
tiny brass ball that sprouted little legs and arms) aboard the bad guy’s car to
sabotage it during the race.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Gadgets</span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The heroes
came up with many different gadgets to put into their wondercarts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were several variations on a lightning
collector that would absorb blasts from the bad guy and send energy to power
the engines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a modified soda
cannon that also fired bees, a grappling hook gun, various shielding gadgets,
and automated hands that dropped boom sticks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There were various nitros and boosters, hover fans and wind machines to
make the wondercart float, smoke bombs, and a modified soda cannon turned into
a fizzy engine that used fans to aim the soda down and create a soda-oil slick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hasty had a few gadget plans of his own in
case they were needed, but the heroes always had such an amazing amount of
gadget ideas that these plans were rarely used.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Running the Race</span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BD4RE0NFY3U/Uh0v8X-hivI/AAAAAAAAAu0/ZOp9G5hrDuE/s1600/crowd+control.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BD4RE0NFY3U/Uh0v8X-hivI/AAAAAAAAAu0/ZOp9G5hrDuE/s320/crowd+control.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wondercart fits Hasty and a team of six heroes ready to race. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
As you can
tell, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Wondercart Speedway Expo</i>
when compared to rescuing Twilla from being kidnapped in the Den of Darkness
is…well, a bit silly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well during the
race things got even sillier and more awesome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The different groups of heroes each tackled the race with their own
sense of style and panache.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One group
of heroes created a slightly titled ramp with earth magic, attached a sail to
the top of the car and used wind magic to jump over a section of the city while
doing a barrel roll while the Whizbanger threw the Stormchaser out the window
so that the Storm Chaser could grab the bad guys cart with his Thunderlash
(lightning whip) and climb aboard to cause more mayhem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surprisingly, there were several incidents
where heroes felt inspired to leap out of their own car to land on the enemy
vehicle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In another instance, two heroes
leapt over together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of them used
the Thunderlash to whip tools out of the Grumbok teams’ hands and the other set
to work sabotaging the lightning gun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One flashy hero visited the enemy cart only briefly as he leapt out to
drop boom sticks on the dark tank and then rode an arc of lightning back to his
wondercart.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The
previously mentioned bee cannon was fired at time when a giant fluffy pillow
was being thrown at dark tank to block some of the goo being fired (the hero
was trying to grab something more useful out of his pack but a pillow is what
he got).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The effect was that the dark
tank became tarred, feathered, and covered with bees as the goo was knocked
back by a cloud of pillow feathers and buzzing bees fired out at high
velocity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most people fired the soda
cannon to good effect at least once, but one young hero was in love with firing
the soda cannon and spent the entire race shooting soda at the bad guys face,
into his lap, and all over his team of Grumbok engineers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This finished with a final blast where the
Sparkcaller stabbed the stream with his Fang of Winter and froze the Grumbok bad
guys in solid, icy soda.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other heroes
threw a rubber mat over the lightning gun, bent the pipes of the goo gun,
created a small storm over the dark tank, used shields to block or reflect
lightning back to the enemy cart, and threw out a blinking detour sign to throw
it off course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were many amusing
antics and fun strategies employed to mess with the dark tank.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Crowd Goes Wild</span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Once the
race was run, the people of Venture cheered for the amazing race run by the
Poppin heroes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the heroes were
treated to a nice meal, good drinks, and often chocolate and sweets back at the
Winddown clubhouse in the Brassworks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Amazingly, at the end of a full day building, racings, and celebrating,
when they left the Winddown they all managed to exit back out into a game
convention in time to get to their next scheduled event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The games were amazing and we couldn’t have
been happier with creative ideas and the fun interactions we got to watch
unfold each time we ran the adventure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Thank you to everyone who played.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We hope we helped make your Gen Con experience memorable because you
made our Gen Con absolutely unforgettable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A Little Help From Our Friends</span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LspF5Rg57KA/Uh0wPIc2sJI/AAAAAAAAAu8/sBuSfyl5jjo/s1600/dennis+running+the+game.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LspF5Rg57KA/Uh0wPIc2sJI/AAAAAAAAAu8/sBuSfyl5jjo/s320/dennis+running+the+game.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our friend Dennis runs his first game from a few notes and a quick crash course on how to play.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></b>As a final
note, we’d like to give a big thank you to our friend Dennis who was so eager
to run a game that he did so with only a short crash course on the rules
and the adventure which he ran off of my explanation and a minimal amount of
notes (we didn’t have time to get the adventure in a full presentational format
so that it could be easily handed off).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He dove right in and had to run a six person game in a noisy convention
center.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anytime you’ve got a full load
of six heroes (especially people who don’t know each other) it can take a lot
of tap dancing to keep things moving along, make sure everyone feels included,
gets to throw out their own ideas, and has a fun time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He ran a fantastic adventure, with his own
take on the story, and everyone seemed to have a great time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a real treat to get to just sit and
watch someone else run the adventure for a change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’d also like to thank all of our backers
who shared stories of games they’d ran during previous playtests or off the
Kickstarter materials.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those stories were
wonderful and we truly can’t express how much it means to us to hear detailed
accounts of where people had fun, where they got mixed up, and what decisions
storytellers made to accommodate the ideas of their heroes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you again to everyone that helped us
out, shared their experiences with us, and made Gen Con 2013 an event we will
always hold dear in our hearts.</div>
Julianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437190434742707560noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549558516941774469.post-5679339244754001262013-07-17T08:25:00.000-07:002013-07-22T09:35:31.143-07:00Kickstarters Not To Miss: July 2013by Randy<br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/coffeeswiller">@coffeeswiller</a><br />
<br />
Hello there! You guys know how we love Kickstarter, right? Well, we've have the opportunity to try out a couple games on Kickstarter right now. Ready for some recommendations? Let's kick it off!<br />
<br />
<h3>
<b>Fire and Flora</b></h3>
<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/940035975/a-seriously-fun-card-game-for-2-4-players-ages-12/widget/video.html" width="480"> </iframe>
<br />
<br />
The Growing Up Gamers crew love games that teach something. 'Educational Games' have been around for a while, in one form or another. In my experience, though, most that fall into this category only educate or entertain, but not both. Tim Handley's <a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/940035975/a-seriously-fun-card-game-for-2-4-players-ages-12?ref=live">Fire and Flora</a> did both for us: it delivered interesting play, and we learned a bit about fire ecology. Nifty, huh?<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3_5Nu8UANpg/UeR_ejWVQTI/AAAAAAAAAhA/Yy0bQ0y_TJ4/s1600/F&F2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3_5Nu8UANpg/UeR_ejWVQTI/AAAAAAAAAhA/Yy0bQ0y_TJ4/s320/F&F2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Overall, the game is pretty simple: you try to acquire lands and plant native species, and earn victory points for doing so. Land is purchased with coins, and often has a plant species on it. Native species give you victory points, and invasive species fill your lands, invade and drive out native species. You can grow, propogate or kill species with the four resources: Fire, Water, Time and Labor. Each species has a personality that defines how they react to each resource. You may also play resources on your opponents' plants. There are also event cards, and most of these are wildfires.<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rJ21zqd88MM/UeR_LCpYTGI/AAAAAAAAAg4/BNggoqZRbjI/s1600/fireflora1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rJ21zqd88MM/UeR_LCpYTGI/AAAAAAAAAg4/BNggoqZRbjI/s400/fireflora1.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
<br />
The brilliance of the game is that it shows the effects of fires and invasive species on the environment. The designer is a [wildlife biologist?], though, and notes that some species actually propogate due to fire. This, coupled with beatiful pictures of plants make this a great teaching tool for discussing plant invasion and wildfire, as well as an interactive building game that is fun and combines simple strategy with risk management.<br />
<br />
<h3>
IncrediBrawl</h3>
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/v3g/incredibrawl/widget/video.html" width="480"> </iframe>
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<br />
Much like the title implies, <a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/v3g/incredibrawl">IncrediBrawl</a> is a fighting game. The designers sent us a copy to try out, and we enjoyed it. Our daughter in particular liked it. Each player has a deck of characters, and each character has an attack type (Physical, Energy or Primal) and a level. Each player secretly chooses a character, and then reveals simultaneously. Attack types overcome in a rock-paper-scissors fashion (Energy beats Physical, Physical beats Primal, Primal beats Energy), and if the attack type is the same, there is a level and the highest wins. That's the basic resolution system, and that is enhanced by powerup cards, and the characters themselves each have a special ability.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1IkJmX-NyBo/UeXZy8NRYAI/AAAAAAAAAhg/F9ggCwB5bxU/s1600/incredibrwal_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1IkJmX-NyBo/UeXZy8NRYAI/AAAAAAAAAhg/F9ggCwB5bxU/s320/incredibrwal_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Multiplayer games have the players do two-person matches, with winners facing off. The winner is the first person to get 10 glory, which are the victory points of the game. We noticed that glory tokens exchanged hands a lot, based on character powers. Overall, a fun and light game.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Warmachine: Tactics</h3>
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/409030043/warmachine-tactics/widget/video.html" width="480"> </iframe>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/409030043/warmachine-tactics">Warmachine: Tactics</a> is a game we have anticipated for a while. Since Privateer Press announced teaming up with WhiteMoon Dreams a while back, I've been frothing at the mouth for this. Warmachine: Tactics is a PC/Mac version of the Warmachine tabletop miniatures game that supports both single player campaign modes and multiplayer online matches. Since the project launched on July 10th, it steamrolled through its initial goal and has been unlocking stretch goals like mad. We interviewed Matt Wilson of Privateer Press shortly before the project launched (<a href="http://growingupgamers.blogspot.com/2013/07/privateer-presss-matt-wilson-talks.html">you can read that here</a>).<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YWwbc05G0jQ/UeSCedLUeeI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/Eq4D0P1jq6s/s1600/wm_tactics_chars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YWwbc05G0jQ/UeSCedLUeeI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/Eq4D0P1jq6s/s400/wm_tactics_chars.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
If you like turn-based strategy, take a look. This should be amazing. Also note that there are some great-looking miniatures playable in the tabletop game as backer rewards. We have high hopes for this game, and we are watching the project closely.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Daft Dice</h3>
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/732415737/daft-dice/widget/video.html" width="480"> </iframe>
<br />
<br />
After getting a comment below, I had to check this campaign out. I don't normally add things after-the-fact, but I just loved the <a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/732415737/daft-dice">Daft Dice campaign</a>. The custom dice are really nice: laser-cut wooden dice with great designs. But what are really amazing are all the accessories. Take a look at the beautiful dice towers!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nshEbhrp_JU/Ue1eYOknVYI/AAAAAAAAAhw/GyYhjiX7gSY/s1600/daft_dice.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nshEbhrp_JU/Ue1eYOknVYI/AAAAAAAAAhw/GyYhjiX7gSY/s320/daft_dice.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I can't even tell you how much I want a set of these business cards. Wow. Well played, Daft Concepts. Well played.<br />
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<br />
<h3>
Did we miss any?</h3>
Any projects you feel should have been included, or comments about the ones featured? Let us know in the comments!<br />
<br />
<br />Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14609413389707709268noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549558516941774469.post-28988265022813383002013-07-07T22:53:00.000-07:002017-08-15T23:51:05.233-07:00Privateer Press's Matt Wilson talks Warmachine: Tactics!by Randy, Angie & Julian<br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/coffeeswiller" target="_blank">@coffeeswiller</a><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/growingupgamers" target="_blank">@growingupgamers</a><br />
<br />
<br />
Hi, readers! We have an exciting treat for you today. <b>Matt Wilson</b> of <a href="http://privateerpress.com/" target="_blank">Privateer Press</a> agreed to give us an interview about <a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/409030043/warmachine-tactics?ref=live" target="_blank">Warmachine: Tactics</a>, the computer version of their amazing tabletop miniatures game. The Growing Up Gamers crew have been <a href="http://growingupgamers.blogspot.com/2010/12/my-favorite-campaign-setting-iron.html" target="_blank">big fans of Western Immoren</a>, the setting for <a href="http://privateerpress.com/warmachine/the-game" target="_blank">Warmachine</a>, its sister game Hordes and the Iron Kingdoms roleplaying for about a decade. This is a world at war, a world of steampunk-inspired fantasy where nations go to battle with great machines of war called warjacks. Controlled and directed by powerful armored spellslingers called warcasters, these steam- and magic-powered robots are the game's namesake.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IHHjm0vIQTI/Udor5PFUuhI/AAAAAAAAAfY/1RHtleGiDxw/s1600/Warmachine+Tactics+Header+Graphic_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IHHjm0vIQTI/Udor5PFUuhI/AAAAAAAAAfY/1RHtleGiDxw/s400/Warmachine+Tactics+Header+Graphic_2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Matt Wilson, creative genius behind this world and founder of Privateer Press, is quite a guy. In addition to to being the game designer who brought us Warmachine, Matt is an accomplished artist whose work can be found both in Privateer Press products as well as in <a href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?action=advanced&artist=+[%22Matthew%20D.%20Wilson%22]" target="_blank">Magic: The Gathering</a>; I highly recommend checking out <a href="http://mattwilsonart.com/" target="_blank">his art site</a>. Matt's company Privateer Press now makes tabletop miniature games (Warmachine, Hordes, and Monsterpocalypse), board games (<a href="http://privateerpress.com/level7" target="_blank">Level 7</a>, <a href="http://privateerpress.com/grind" target="_blank">Grind</a>, and the <a href="http://privateerpress.com/bodgers" target="_blank">Bodgers</a> line of games), hobby accessories (the <a href="http://privateerpress.com/formula-p3" target="_blank">Formula P3 line of paints, brushes, and hobby tools</a>), and now is about to go electronic with Warmachine: Tactics.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dkc7nWGElBc/UdopPfym8cI/AAAAAAAAAfI/-ojknAp2Uqs/s1600/MattWilson_2_1_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dkc7nWGElBc/UdopPfym8cI/AAAAAAAAAfI/-ojknAp2Uqs/s400/MattWilson_2_1_0.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
A Warmachine computer game has been anticipated for a couple years, since the announcement of a partnership with Privateer Press and <a href="http://whitemoondreams.com/" target="_blank">WhiteMoon Dreams</a>. Two weeks ago, it was <a href="http://privateerpress.com/community/privateer-insider/insider-6-26-13" target="_blank">announced</a> that Privateer Press would be going to <a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/" target="_blank">Kickstarter</a> to fund development of their game. We feel that this is a great move, as it allows fans to really get behind the game and have a more direct connections with the people producing it. The project launches July 10th, and we had the opportunity to ask Matt a few questions. Check out what he had to say!<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lmf_K9wn4IQ/Udo8dO4gdUI/AAAAAAAAAgg/aAvMmUFPTYM/s1600/WMmetalonmetal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lmf_K9wn4IQ/Udo8dO4gdUI/AAAAAAAAAgg/aAvMmUFPTYM/s400/WMmetalonmetal.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Metal on Metal, </i>by Matt Wilson</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Growing Up Gamers: I
am so excited to play Warmachine on my computer! What can I as a player expect
from this? Can I build my own warcaster? </b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Matt Wilson:</b> WARMACHINE: Tactics has both a multiplayer mode
and a single player campaign mode. The multiplayer mode has a lot of similarity
to the tabletop version, but as this is a different medium, we're taking
advantage of what it can do to enhance the experience, while at the same time,
eschewing that which works better on the tabletop. In the single player
campaign, while you're not building your own warcaster, you are in control of
the character's progression from level to level. Each campaign focuses on a
single central character, the first of which we'll be revealing in our
Kickstarter video.<br />
<br />
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<b>GUG: Different characters and campaigns? Awesome! How close will
this adhere to the rules for the tabletop game? Have there been any challenges
in translating those rules to a computer game? And is there anything your team
is bringing to the digital game that couldn't be done on the tabletop?</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Matt:</b> The experience will feel familiar, but it's not the
same game. Conceptually, it's the same world and environment and we're adhering
the the same basic mechanics on a fundamental level. But the math behind the
scenes works differently. There aren't any cannon fodder soldiers that go down
when they take one point of damage as sustainability is much more crucial in a
game of this scale, lest balance be tipped too quickly in a match. And
definitely, the medium gives us the opportunity to do things like interactive
terrain, that is less viable on the tabletop. Of course, the very exciting part
of this game is getting to experience it all happening in front of your eyes.
We've taken a very cinematic approach to the action. Seeing Warjack power
attacks happening as real-time events in the middle of a combat round is just
awesome!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>GUG: Are there plans to port to any consoles if the
Kickstarter is successful?</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Matt: </b>Our focus is entirely on PC and Mac, but we are
developing with other platforms in mind should the opportunity arise. The team
at WhiteMoon Dreams has designed a UI that can work on virtually any platform
with any control set. In other words, it works just as well with a touch screen
as it does with keyboard and mouse, as it does with a standard console
controller. So, if opportunities do come up in the future, we won't have to
reinvent the game from scratch.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<b>GUG: The GUG crew is
no stranger to Kickstarter; we (as Escapade Games) used that platform to fund
our upcoming game, <a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gamesalute/story-realms" target="_blank">Storm Hollow: A Storyboard Game</a>. Crowdfunding allows a
connection between game creators and fans that traditional publishing just did
not do, and we love the way it has allowed game designers to bring their products
to market. The press release made it pretty clear why you chose to crowdfund
Warmachine: Tactics. I would follow up and ask, why <i>now</i>? </b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Matt:</b> It took a long time for me to believe that Kickstarter
was the right route for us to take in order to make this game. While
Kickstarter has quickly proven to be a powerful platform for fundraising, it's
still a new platform, and one that is little understood. We needed time to
study it, to determine if the risks inherent in crowd sourcing are worth
accepting given what we are trying to achieve, and to understand the actual
business necessary to manage a successful Kickstarter project. The majority of
Kickstarters fail. Of those that fund, many individuals and businesses alike
find that they have not properly planned how to manage the capital that they've
raised. In conducting a Kickstarter, you're making a huge promise to the people
who back your project, and more than anything, we wanted to be confident that
we could deliver on that promise. So, before our project will even launch, we
have put a great deal of time, effort and money
into developing enough of WARMACHINE: Tactics so that our potential
backers can have the same confidence we do.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The myth about Kickstarter is that it's a place to fund
ideas. We're not Kickstarting an idea, we're Kickstarting a project that is in
motion, that has proof-of-concept and a business plan, and that is being
executed by an experienced team with overhead and expenses that must be
maintained during this startup period prior to even launching the project on
Kickstarter. Getting to this point, responsibly, took time, and I wouldn't have
wanted to launch it a moment sooner.</div>
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<b>GUG: Why does Privateer Press need Kickstarter? There has
been a lot of talk among fans of crowdfunding as to who belongs there, whether
or not bigger players should be there, even suggesting that they might be
edging out independent studios. What can you say about that and the kind of
commitment it takes to delve into making a video game, and whether it would
have been possible to do otherwise?</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Matt:</b> For Privateer and WhiteMoon Dreams, the two practical
routes to getting a WARMACHINE video game made are the traditional
publisher/financier method, which entails lengthy review processes and a great
deal of expense on the part of the developer in an effort to try and align the
product they are trying to make with the right financing entity — which in the
current video game industry environment I would liken to trying to force a
planetary alignment with your own bare hands — or, crowd sourcing. For a
company the size of Privateer Press, creating a brand new video game isn't
analogous to creating new board game product, it's literally launching an all
new business. In order to make this happen on a timeline that is within the
foreseeable future and not have to nut away funds for the next ten or fifteen
years, saving up enough to launch such a venture, crowd sourcing has become a
viable and attractive opportunity.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Kickstarter itself has released its own stand on what's
appropriate for Kickstarter. The idea that 'bigger players' have a negative
impact on other projects is a theory with no scientific support. Instead,
Kickstarter has proven the positive impact 'big players' (or let's say popular
companies and personalities) have had on the community as a whole because all
the data they have shows how many first-time backers those big projects brought
in, and how many of those backers went on to back other projects on
Kickstarter. Whether or not Privateer is a 'big player' is somewhat in the eye
of beholder. The fact is, we're totally independent, as is WhiteMoon Dreams.
But Privateer does have its own community of players and I believe that many of
them are going to be first-time backers on Kickstarter with this project, which
means we'll also be helping the Kickstarter community grow by conducting our
project there and exposing new people to the platform and all the projects
going on there.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The best thing about Kickstarter is that its patrons are the
ones that ultimately decide what belongs there or not. Anyone arguing that a
particular project shouldn't have been on Kickstarter because of its owner's
pre-established popularity, is arguing against the very spirit of Kickstarter,
which is that the 'crowd' has been given the power to decide. Beyond the terms
of use that Kickstarter has defined, it's not for any individual to say what
should or shouldn't be put on Kickstarter — the community of Kickstarter users
will decide that as a whole, and currently, the community as a whole does not
appear to agree with the negative sentiment.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>GUG: We are big fans of Magic: The Gathering, a game you are
certainly familiar with, given your illustrations can be found on a number of
cards for that game. A few years back, Wizards of the Coast released <a href="http://www.wizards.com/magic/digital/duelsoftheplaneswalkers.aspx" target="_blank">Duels of the Planeswalkers</a>, a great videogame version of Magic available for consoles.
Aside from being fun, that game serves as an excellent tutorial for learning to
play Magic and has been phenomenal for bringing new players to that game. Do
you anticipate Warmachine: Tactics having a similar role?</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Matt:</b> WARMACHINE: Tactics will be a great way to introduce
people to the ideas of the game and the setting, and we certainly hope it will
introduce more people to the hobby of tabletop gaming, but it doesn't function
as a tutorial. In the Magic example, you're actually playing the same cards
with the same rules in the video game that you are in the physical game. But
WARMACHINE: Tactics is somewhat different in scope, and the mechanics that must
be understood on the tabletop are largely invisible in the video game
experience, so you're not likely to come away from WARMACHINE: Tactics fluent
in all of the rules necessary to know in order to play the tabletop game But
you will understand the fundamental strategies and the nuance of how different
elements in your squad interact and support each other. I do think being good
in one would give you some advantage in the other.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>GUG: Since tabletop
Warmachine is not a solo game, we were wondering about the depth of the
campaign mode versus multiplayer mode. Do you expect most players to spend more
time playing in multiplayer mode, with the campaign being sort of a tutorial? Additionally, will
there be an AI for solo play outside of campaign mode? </b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Matt: </b>The single player game is not a tutorial, but it will
be a great way to learn the depth and strategy of the game because it does
structure your learning experience through the course of the campaign. But the
single player campaign is where we get to tell our story, and that's something
that both Privateer and WhiteMoon Dreams share — a love of great stories. So
making sure we had an amazing campaign experience has always been a requirement
of the project. Whether or not more people will play mulitplayer than the
campaign, or vice versa, I can't predict. But the multiplayer environment is
going to be something that is constantly expanding, so I suspect that
always-fresh experience will keep people engaged in multi-player quite a bit.
We're not just doing one campaign, though — it's a big world with a lot of
characters, so the single player experience will also be something that is
constantly fresh. And we are building an arena where you can test your squad
builds against an AI, for sure.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>GUG: Sounds great! Will we see our favorite Warmachine warcasters in
campaign mode? </b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Matt:</b> There are dozens of warcasters in the setting, so
whether or not you see your favorite featured immediately remains to be seen!
But the ultimate goal is to realize as much of the setting as possible in this
game. And the better we do with our Kickstarter campaign, the more we'll be
able to get in there.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>GUG: Many of the fans
of Warmachine are miniature hobbyists (myself included!) and would say that
some of the fun of the game is painting models to bring to the table. Will
there be a nod to the creative types, perhaps the option to "paint"
warjacks and units with customized colors, or choose alternate color schemes?</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Matt:</b> All I can say right now is that we're hobbyists, too,
so this isn't something we have overlooked. Okay, I'll also say, "Stretch
Goal". <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>GUG: Thanks for that tidbit! Where in the Warmachine timeline does this take place,
or is it outside that timeline? Prime starts in 604 A.R., and Colossals takes
us to 608 A.R. </b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Matt: </b>The campaign is going to feature characters that are
new to WARMACHINE, some of them introduced in next year's expansion book,
Vengeance. As such, the timeline is concurrent with the timeline in the story
found in the game books. <o:p></o:p><br />
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<b>GUG: In terms of the collaboration and division of labor
between WhiteMoon Dreams and Privateer Press, how involved has Privateer been
in the development, and what level of freedom has been afforded to WhiteMoon
Dreams to make their mark on Warmachine: Tactics? What has been done to ensure
the game feels like Western Immoren, the world of Warmachine?</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Matt:</b> The level of collaboration between Privateer and
WhiteMoon Dreams is huge and will have a huge effect on the outcome of the
game. I'm personally part of the core gameplay design team. I'm also
storyboarding character animations and cinematics and I'm leading the writing
on the campaign story. In doing all of that, I'm also drawing on the resources
at Privateer, like Jason Soles and DC in development, and Doug Seacat, our lead
writer, who can assist with making sure the story and game are as faithful to
the tabletop game as possible. But there's no real give-and-take here, like one
might expect, because WhiteMoon Dreams is 100% invested in making a game that
looks and feels as true to WARMACHINE as it can. We're so totally aligned in
our goals, and I spend so much time with both companies now, it often feels to
me like one giant organization. Even moreso as we've been developing these new
characters for both the tabletop game and video game. We've got rules being
developed at Privateer that are getting interpreted into the video game at
WhiteMoon Dreams, and we've got artwork being created at WhiteMoon Dreams that
will appear in our books and that our sculptors are using to create miniatures
for the tabletop. It's an incredible level of synergy to see happening between
two distinct companies and the end result is that we're going to bring
WARMACHINE to life in video game form. It's one of the most exciting things I've
ever been a part of.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
--<br />
<br />
<b>I hope that you are all as excited about <a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/409030043/warmachine-tactics?ref=live">Warmachine: Tactics</a> as we are! We will link to the Kickstarter once it goes live. In addition, Matt has agreed to do a follow-up interview at that time. I'm sure we'll have loads more questions once we see what the backer tiers and stretch goals are! Do you guys have any questions for Matt? Leave them below! Here's the teaser trailer:</b><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/qGPwKYB6XGc" width="560"></iframe>
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<b><br /></b>
Images courtesy of Privateer Press<br />
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Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14609413389707709268noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549558516941774469.post-6379552452636735522013-06-11T23:16:00.004-07:002013-06-12T07:57:21.634-07:00Interview with ConTessa organizer Stacy Dellorfanoby Randy<br />
@coffeeswiller<br />
<br />
Howdy, gamers! Over the last couple weeks, I have followed the progress of really neat gaming convention called <a href="http://www.contessaonline.com/" target="_blank">ConTessa</a>, which will be happening June 21st-24th. The gaming convention is online and free. I decided to reach out to the organizer, Stacy Dellorfano, and see what it's all about. Stacy was very kind and answered a few questions for me.<br />
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<b>Growing Up Gamers: Let's start with ConTessa. So, what is ConTessa?</b></div>
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<b>Stacy Dellorfano:</b> <a href="http://www.contessaonline.com/" target="_blank">ConTessa</a> is a four-day online gaming convention put on exclusively by women, but open to anyone to attend. We're gathering on Google+, where we'll be using <a href="http://www.google.com/+/learnmore/hangouts/onair.html" target="_blank">Hangouts On Air</a> to broadcast all of our games and panels to anyone that wants to watch. As of right now, we have 33 events registered for the four day run, and <a href="http://www.contessaonline.com/" target="_blank">registration is still open until June 17th</a>, so I expect to see even more!</div>
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<b>GUG: What was your inspiration for doing ConTessa? </b></div>
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<b>SD:</b> I first came up with the idea for ConTessa when I forced myself to go on a Social Media diet over the holidays when visiting family and friends out of state. I found that while there were many excellent advantages to being a part of the overall Google+ tabletop gaming community, there was also a great deal of snark, negativity, and meanness - especially when discussing such emotionally charged topics as women in gaming. I engaged in many of those debates and conversations, and frequently felt myself coming away disappointed with the tone and caliber of the conversations. To further exacerbate the problem, I also discovered that after gaining a reputation for being someone who talks about those issues, those were the only issues I was ever asked to talk about. </div>
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It was frustrating, and I kept going back to the idea that what we're really fighting for is the ability to play games, and we often spend so much time fighting that we don't get a lot of chance to play the games. Plus, it can be exhausting to be a woman in the land of tabletop gaming always expected to have an opinion on everything "as a woman" rather than "as a gamer". As I was detoxing from all the social media negativity, and having a lot of fun playing games with our friends in the flesh, it dawned on me that I probably wasn't alone no matter how lonely I <i>felt</i>. So, I whipped up a first draft of what ConTessa could be, which unfortunately reflected a lot of my own bitterness and caused another crapstorm of negativity. </div>
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Since that initial draft, there have been a lot of changes primarily in tone and how I choose to broach the subject, but the core message is there. We're here to game and talk about gaming, and nothing else. There's no set agenda, no political bias or motivation ... ConTessa is just here to provide a space where women can be celebrated and highlighted as gamers first and foremost. </div>
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<b>GUG: Safe spaces are important. Putting together a conference seems like a big undertaking. What was that experience like? I understand it's still unfolding, but what are some of the challenges you have encountered?</b></div>
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<b>SD:</b> I had no idea what I was doing when I started. None, and I tried not to go into it with any preconceived notions on how things like this <i>should</i> be done. If you've watched/listen to/read Neil Gaiman's Keynote Address going around entitled <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikAb-NYkseI" target="_blank">'Make Good Art'</a>, you can kind see my general approach to all my projects. I had no idea how to create an online convention, or any convention for that matter. I didn't know what the rules are, what the limitations are, or what the impossibilities are, and I'm a huge fan of dreaming as big as you can and then paring things down to reality as you start hitting deadlines, so I had a huge dream and I went about trying to figure out how to do that. </div>
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I've been working on ConTessa for about six months. At first, I thought I'd have a whole fleet of volunteers, and some showed up initially, but I quickly found that I had a huge disadvantage because I had no idea what needed to be done, so I had no idea how to delegate these things. So, the volunteers went on hold and I put my head down and started plugging away at what I wanted to do, seeing what worked and what didn't work and making adjustments in-flight. </div>
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I think the biggest challenge was actually in creating a fairly simple registration system for creating events that anyone can use and a web site with a listing of events that show up in the time zone of the person viewing them rather than the timezone of the person who created them. It took me close to a month to put together all of the pieces just for that tiny little piece, but it's had an enormous impact on the convention since everyone is joining in their pajamas at whatever time works best for them. Getting everyone in the same place at the same time when you're running a convention that is truly worldwide can be tricky, and I knew it would help the convention a lot - especially in bringing new people to Google+ - if I could figure that bit out. </div>
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Beyond that, it's just been a matter of getting the word out, maintaining a consistent message, not boring community members or page followers with dull content, and lining up sponsors willing to give away their PDFs for prizes. A lot of work and organization, but it's very much been worth the work. </div>
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<b>GUG: We're definitely impressed with what we see! Online cons seem to be picking up steam. <a href="http://www.aethercon.com/a2/" target="_blank">Aethercon</a> happened last year, and is happening again this year, for instance. Why online? What do you see as the benefits of doing this online?</b></div>
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<b>SD:</b> The benefits are enormous. First, you don't have to convince people to spend a lot of extra money and take a lot of extra time out to travel to the convention, so we have a truly world-wide audience and world-wide convention. This brings a lot of new ideas and styles and lets people who are in places where there aren't many conventions have the fun experience of going to a convention. Second, the barrier for entry is quite low being a free convention online. I don't have to secure money to rent out a hotel or other convention venue, and since we're using all free services provided by Google+, we can keep the barrier of entry very low to get the maximum amount of involvement - even by gamers who may may not make gaming their full-time hobby. Third, because all of the panels and games are recorded via on air hangouts and placed on YouTube, you don't have to be present to enjoy the panel. Missing a panel just means that you watch it later when you have a little more time. </div>
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I'm sure there are a ton of other benefits, as well, and they're a big reason for the 'Why'. We'd have to achieve a much larger audience to fill a physical venue, but here even if we only had ten convention attendees, it would still be worthwhile. Of course, we have MANY more than ten... :) </div>
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<b>GUG: Is your vision to make this an ongoing thing? If things go well, should we expect a ConTessa 2014? And do you see there ever being a physical gathering?</b></div>
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<b>SD:</b> I've already started thinking about what I'd do differently and how I want to expand for the 2014 ConTessa. I'm pretty sure we won't have it in the summer, though. It's a period of time when a lot of people go on vacation, and some of my favorite personalities won't be able to attend because of that. Next year, we'll likely aim for sometime in the spring. I hope by then that we'll have added a whole lot of new stuff, and since it'll be the second year I'll have a better idea of what needs to get done when, so delegating responsibilities will be much easier and more likely. </div>
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As for a physical gathering ... I've considered it, but I'm not sure I want to go down that route. We'll have to see how things go. :) </div>
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<b>GUG: As an attendee of ConTessa, what can I expect? What sort of experience do you hope to deliver? And what should I not expect?</b></div>
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<b>SD:</b> You can expect days and nights packed with games and panels meant to get and keep you excited about gaming. We've got panels broaching many subjects, and games that span a variety of systems - many of which were actually created by the women running them! We're hoping for four days of non-stop fun, including some of the more standard trappings of conventions - door prizes, contests, and free stuff! </div>
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You should expect some new experiences. Many attendees have told me that they've never had a woman as a GM before, and they're excited to experience that. Plus, the events have come out with strong gender parity, so you'll get to enjoy games where the male/female ratio is about 1/2 and 1/2. Not to mention the chance to meet some new people. I've already made several new friends and networking opportunities during the whole process, and I've seen women get together and network with each other totally spontaneously, which is pretty awesome. A lot of us have experienced what it's like to be the Only Woman in the Room, and now we're getting to experience what it's like to be amongst a good mix of women and men. </div>
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What you shouldn't expect is a feminist convention. While many of us would describe ourselves as feminists, this isn't the venue for discussing those sorts of things. Despite what some have suggested, that in and of itself is not a political comment on feminism, feminist critique, feminist discussion, or anything along those lines. Even the most dedicated feminist warrior needs a break to recharge her batteries every once in a while, and ConTessa offers that oasis, along with a cool drink and a whole lot of gaming fun. </div>
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Ultimately, though, I've done my best to allow ConTessa to mean different things to different people. I've read a range of opinions on why ConTessa is important to various people for various reasons, and that's a wonderful thing. </div>
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<b>GUG: Great answer! So, what are your favorite games to play? What do you find on your table most?</b></div>
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<b>SD:</b> I started my gaming career on the floor of the band room at lunch in High School, playing with my friends. I was the one who would blow her whole paycheck on gaming books or Magic cards, then run back home and run a game for her five closest friends having only glanced through the books once. I cut my teeth on 2nd edition AD&D, then in the middish 90s, got all caught up in Vampire LARPs and White Wolf games. </div>
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I currently run a new World of Darkness Changeling: The Lost game via hangouts weekly, play in a Swords & Wizardry game, and a Changeling game, and a 1:1 game that a friend of mine is writing. I go back and forth and really love lots of variety in my gaming. For the foreseeable future, after ConTessa, I'll be putting a lot of my energy into writing my own game called Precious Dark, which I'm debuting with Alpha Playtests at ConTessa.<br />
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<b>GUG: What advice can you offer for people who would like to create an online gathering? Any wisdom to impart on those who want to create online events? </b></div>
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<b>SD:</b> Decide what you want your online event to accomplish first, then work towards relentlessly towards completing that goal. A big goal of <a href="http://www.contessaonline.com/" target="_blank">ConTessa</a> was to inject some fresh blood by getting new people onto Google+ gaming via hangout, so our website and registration system were created to take down the barriers that learning a new online service generates and making sure all of our events were displayed both on the website and within Google+. Your event likely will have different goals, but decide what they are early because that will inform what you need to do in order to accomplish your goals. </div>
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Grow a thick skin. There's always some uninformed person on the internet ready to tell you that you won't have any success. Don't let that get to you. Who cares what they think. Shut them up by making the most awesome event ever. It's the equivalent of pointing at the scoreboard when the rival team is trying to trash talk you. People who say these things are seldom people who actually do anything, so as a doer you're already doing more than they could ever do. </div>
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Make great big goals that you'll likely never complete and just complete as many of them as you can. I had dreams of a Vendor Hall that would aggregate the listings of several geeky crafters, allowing them to display their merchandise on ConTessa and then when the user clicks through, they go to the original point of sale, where they can purchase the item. I ran out of time to make that an actual reality, but I'm glad I dreamed big when it came to that because now I have something to work towards for next year. Plus, you never know what you might actually be able to get done! A lot of the promotions, contests, and door prizes came from these big and grand ideas that seemed impossible at the start. The reverse of that, of course, is that you're going to have to let go of some of your favorite ideas in order to complete your project, so don't hug those big ideas TOO tightly. </div>
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Listen to what your detractors are saying, but don't let them rule you. This goes along with growing a thick skin, but a little differently. It can be difficult to swallow something a detractor says, but there may be a kernel of truth in there. Do your best to figure out what that person is <i>really</i> saying and ignore the rest. </div>
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<b>GUG: Thank you so much, Stacy!</b><br />
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Well, that was the interview! I'm pretty excited for this convention, and I'm hoping to make a couple of the panels. I encourage you to pop over to and check out the <a href="http://www.contessaonline.com/" target="_blank">ConTessa</a> site. If you're super excited and want to get more involved, there's still time to register your own events; the deadline is Monday, June 17th. Stacy can be found on Twitter at <a href="https://twitter.com/StacyRex" target="_blank">@StacyRex</a> and the official Twitter feed for ConTessa is <a href="https://twitter.com/ConTessaOnline" target="_blank">@ConTessaOnline</a>Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14609413389707709268noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549558516941774469.post-82959334634146066382013-06-08T23:36:00.002-07:002013-06-08T23:36:28.850-07:00Interview with Euphoria: Build A Better Dystopia designer Jamey Stegmaier!by Randy<br />
@coffeeswiller<br />
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Hello, gamers! We have a treat today. We had an interview with Jamey Stegmaier of Stonemaier Games. Jamey is the designer of <a href="http://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_322214593"></span>Viticulture<span id="goog_322214594"></span></a> and <a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jameystegmaier/euphoria-build-a-better-dystopia" target="_blank">Euphoria: Build A Better Dystopia</a>, and you may have seen the <a href="http://www.escapadegames.com/content/index.php/blog/kickstarter-interview-with-jamey-stegmaier" target="_blank">previous interview with him over at the Escapade Games blog here</a>. As I am writing this, he is in the last few days of the Kickstarter campaign for Euphoria, and he was nice enough to answer a few questions for us about Euphoria and Viticulture.<br />
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<b>Growing Up Gamers:</b> I'm excited to talk to you about <a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jameystegmaier/euphoria-build-a-better-dystopia" target="_blank">Euphoria: Build A Better Dystopia</a>, but I want to back up a little and talk about Viticulture, your first game. You really nailed production on that one, and did a phenomenal job delivering. How did you do that, and what advice can you offer for other designers' freshman attempts? Perhaps I should add "aside from the wealth of information in the <a href="http://www.stonemaiergames.com/kickstarter/" target="_blank">Kickstarter Lessons</a> column on the <a href="http://www.stonemaiergames.com/" target="_blank">Stonemaier Games website</a>". :)<br />
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<b>Jamey Stegmaier:</b> Thank you so much! I’m glad you’re pleased with the production quality. I have to give credit to my graphic designer (Christine Bielke), my artists (Beth Sobel and Jacqui Davis), and Panda Game Manufacturing (Chris Matthew is amazingly responsive). The combination of those four parties created the game you see today. So my advice to other publishing startups is: Hire talented professionals and manufacturers. This is not a place to cut costs. This is not the time to have a friend do your graphic design or art for free. If they’re good enough to do your graphic design or art, you’ll know it because they’ll charge you. Also, I’m sure there are some other great manufacturers out there, but I could not be happier with Panda. They are consummate professionals every step of the way.<br />
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<b>GUG:</b> Viticulture looks amazing, by the way! Looking at the game board and player boards for Viticulture, I noticed that that they are double-sided. One side has detailed descriptions, and the other side is more minimalist and lets the art stand out. What led to the decision to make them this way?<br />
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<b>JS:</b> When I got the board and player mat art from Jacqui, I was swept away into Tuscany. And then we covered both with graphic design, and I was still swept away, but not quite as much. So given the marginal cost to make the mats and boards double-sided (why have one side when you can have two?), I decided to have one side of the mat with as few words and design elements as possible.<br />
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<b>GUG: </b>Good call! In terms of number of players, 2-6 players is quite a range. I've seen quite a few games that indicated that they played with this range, but it often seems that playing with 2 players or 5-6 players can be clunky or frustrating. Do you feel that you have avoided this with Viticulture and Euphoria? Do you feel there is an optimal number of players for the games?<br />
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<b>JS:</b> I’m a big fan of games that pull off that range. I want games that I can play with my girlfriend (who is currently imaginary, but it’s feasible she could exist in the future) or two other couples. In my games, I try to break down turns into single choices. Many worker-placement games let players use all of their workers each turn, which can lead to some interesting decisions, but it also means that you might be waiting a really long time between turns. In Viticulture and Euphoria, your turn consists of placing exactly 1 worker on the board. That keeps things moving along. Also, in Euphoria, if a worker occupies a spot on the board that you want, you can often place your worker on that spot and “bump” the other worker back to its owner. Thus the more players, the more bumping occurs, and the game moves quite quickly.<br />
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As for optimal numbers, based on the way it scales, Viticulture is a little looser and forgiving at 3 or 5 players. I would slightly lean towards those numbers, but I like tight games that make me think on my feet. Time will tell which number I prefer for Euphoria. So far I enjoy it with any number of players.<br />
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<b>GUG:</b> Are there any mechanical similarities between Euphoria and Viticulture? Was it easy to transition between working on the two games?<br />
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<b>JS:</b> Both are worker-placement games, but that’s where the similarities end. The games have very different mechanics, starting with Euphoria using dice as the workers. That was one of the first elements I incorporated into Euphoria, and it set it apart from Viticulture from day one and helped with the transition. Viticulture had more of an indirect influence on Euphoria in that after the Viticulture campaign, I wanted to play more board games. I wasn’t playing enough. So I started playing a lot more games, and it was tough for those games not to influence Euphoria. I played 7 Wonders and suddenly Euphoria was a drafting game. I played Belfort and suddenly Euphoria had a hexagon-shaped board with area control. I played Tzolk’in and suddenly Euphoria had a tech track. Fortunately I was able to distance myself from those games to make something unique and new. I wonder if other designers run into this—you play a game you love, and you want to make your version of it.<br />
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<b>GUG:</b> In all honesty, we have a new favorite mechanic every week; it's not just you! Aside from your own games, what games end up on your table most often? And what are your current top three favorite games?<br />
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<b>JS: </b>I’ll leave Viticulture and Euphoria out of this answer, because those are the games I’ve played the most. In the last few months, 7 Wonders has probably hit the table the most. My current top 3 are: <a href="http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/126163/tzolkin-the-mayan-calendar" target="_blank">Tzolk’in</a>, <a href="http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/125618/libertalia" target="_blank">Libertalia</a>, and <a href="http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/31260/agricola" target="_blank">Agricola</a>. But there are a lot of games up there near that top 3. Some of the games I’ve played quite a bit through the ages are Settlers, Dominion, poker, and Magic. I’m sure those four continue to influence me even if I don’t realize it.<br />
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<b>GUG:</b> How did you decide on the art and style? I really like the 1920's Art Deco style in Euphoria. What did your collaboration with the artist look like?<br />
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<b>JS:</b> <a href="http://logicfairy.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Jacqui Davis</a> is such a pleasure to work with, and her visual talents are truly amazing. She and I talked about the look of the game early on in the process, and after we were on the same page, I would send her the story behind the world, the markets, and the recruits, and se would take it from there. Sometimes I had a specific detail to mention, but usually I tried to give Jacqui complete creative freedom. She knows what she’s doing better than I do.<br />
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<b>GUG:</b> We love the work of Jacqui Davis! She has created some aweome pieces for <a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gamesalute/story-realms?ref=live" target="_blank">Storm Hollow</a>: over 100 at last count! What drew you to the dystopia theme? What dystopian sources most inspired you? And what came first when designing Euphoria: mechanics, or theme?<br />
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<b>JS:</b> I’ve been a big fan of dystopian literature and movies for a long time. When I started brainstorming for the project, I made a long list of my favorite dystopian works…it’s a long list. But a select few of my favorites are Ready Player One, Children of Men, The Matrix, and Oryx and Crake. Although Euphoria has a story of its own, there are lots of winks to other dystopian works in the game.<br />
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In the design process, theme came first, but each thematic element was paired with a mechanic after a brainstorming session. I made a list of the core elements of dystopian fiction, and those elements inspired the mechanics. Of course, the mechanics changed quite a bit over time, but by that point I had a different goal in mind: fun. Theme and mechanics are so important, but if they don’t translate into fun, they don’t mean anything.<br />
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<b>GUG: </b>Are you finding that it is easier to run a Kickstarter campaign the second time around? What would you say has been the biggest change between the campaign for Viticulture and the campaign for Euphoria?<br />
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<b>JS:</b> I wouldn’t use the word “easier.” :) I was more prepared this time, but it’s still a learning process every time. Plus, the scope of Euphoria and the speed at which we funded put this project in a whole different category than Viticulture (Viticulture had 942 backers; Euphoria has over 3000 as I write this. Viticulture funded on Day 17; Euphoria funded after 1 hour). I thought I might sleep more during the Euphoria campaign, but that hasn’t been the case. It’s a 60-70 week job in addition to my day job.<br />
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The biggest change between the two campaigns is something I didn’t expect and something I probably won’t do again. Because Viticulture was released to the world during the Euphoria campaign, there has been an incredible amount of enthusiasm for it. The question I got asked the most during Week 1 was: When are you going to add Viticulture reward levels? I listen to my backers, so I added Viticulture levels, but it’s always felt a little odd to me, because Viticulture is a completely different game than Euphoria. So there was a period during the project when there was a lot more attention on Viticulture than Euphoria. In the future I’d like to keep our games completely separate.<br />
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The plus side to all this is that we’ve completely sold out of Viticulture, so we’re considering a second print run.<br />
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<b>GUG:</b> Lastly, I wanted to ask about playtesting. How much playtesting went into Viticulture? And how did the playtesting process evolve between Viticulture and Euphoria?<br />
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<b>JS:</b> Great question, because this was a big difference between the two. Hardly any blind playtesting went into Viticulture before the project began. Alan and I tested it a ton, but I don’t think we realized the value of blind playtesting at that point. Thankfully, many backers became invested in the game during the Kickstarter project, so we had an unexpected outpouring of blind playtesting that really helped the project.<br />
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I learned my lesson for Euphoria, and I now had access to a ton of amazing, insightful gamers. So Euphoria went through a gauntlet of blind playtesting by 60+ people around the world while Alan and I continued to playtest it. We made the PnP (print and play) accessible to any backer during the project, so many more people have continued to blind-playtest it during the campaign. I would say that we easily have over 100 playtesters at this point, if not more. They are an amazing asset, and I can’t think them enough for the ink, sweat, time, and effort they put into helping us build a better dystopia.<br />
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What a guy, eh? We're really happy Jamey took the time to talk to us. He's a great guy, and we're happy to see his project doing so well. Please pop over and <a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jameystegmaier/euphoria-build-a-better-dystopia" target="_blank">check it out while there's still time</a>!Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14609413389707709268noreply@blogger.com0