I’m a sucker for gaming stories like this one.
Terraforming Prelude
Frxy Games announced the next expansion for Terraforming Mars, Prelude. “It focuses on the early stages of Mars colonization and tells the background story of the corporations. … The expansion opens up powerful starting combos and increases player asymmetry.”
Source: http://www.fryxgames.se/next-expansion-prelude/
Whistle Stop Expansion
Bezier Games revealed the first expansion for Whistle Stop, which will be available this August. The Rocky Mountains expansion “literally expands the Whistle Stop gameboard, adding a 3D mountain range to the game. These mountains provide a barrier that will challenge your West Coast aspirations, but can also provide lucrative rewards for those willing to cross them.”
Source: https://beziergames.com/products/whistle-stop-rocky-mountains-expansion?utm_medium=press_release&utm_source=press_list&utm_campaign=whrm&utm_content=top
Axis & Allies & Zombies
Now the undead have infiltrated a classic board game. Geek & Sundry reports that Chris Cocks, President and CEO of Wizards of the Coast said Axis & Allies & Zombies “adds a fun alternate history twist with streamlined gameplay, curveballs like chainsaw tanks and zombie mind control rays, and a zany storyline strategy fans everywhere will enjoy.”
Source: https://geekandsundry.com/shambling-soon-to-a-tabletop-near-you-axis-allies-and-zombies-announced/
Azul Takes Top Prize in France
W. Eric Martin of BGG reports that Azul won game of the year honors at the 2018 As d’Or, with Terraforming Mars winning in the expert category and Outfoxed taking home the top prize in the child category.
Source: https://boardgamegeek.com/blogpost/74111/azul-wins-2018-dor-terraforming-mars-and-outfoxed
Forbidden Sky
Gamewright recently shared box art of Forbidden Sky, Matt Leacock’s latest in his series of cooperative games.
Source: https://twitter.com/Gamewright/status/965742081489670144
HasLab
According to Dice Tower News, Hasbro has launched its own crowdfunding platform. “This new website allows them to put up things that are either too costly or too niche for wide release, and if enough people put in their money to purchase the item, then they will put the item into production. This is similar to how GMT Games has a P500 system where when a game has 500 copies ordered, they print it.”
Source: http://www.dicetowernews.com/habsro-launches-their-own-crowd-funding-platform-haslab/50251
Amigo in America
According to W. Eric Martin of BGG, Amigo Spiel is opening its U.S. division in Texas, with 20 games expected for 2018. These will include titles from the recently shuttered Mayfair Games, such as Ciub, Portal of Heroes, Saboteur, Saboteur 2, and Saboteur: The Duel.
Source: https://boardgamegeek.com/blogpost/73792/amigo-heads-us-gamewright-yells-zoinx-trash-pandas
Edge of Darkness Preview
E.R. Burgess previewed Edge of Darkness, the upcoming AEG game that incorporates Mystic Vale’s Card Crafting mechanism. “Edge of Darkness explores fascinating new applications of the mechanism in a satisfying game that has significant depths to explore.”
Source: http://boardgamebabylon.com/2018/02/18/preview-edge-of-darkness-from-john-d-clair-and-alderac/
Interview with Phil Walker-Harding
Designer Phil Walker-Harding recently shared his thoughts about designing games. He told kotaku.com that “Imhotep taught me a lot about player interaction, and how binding the fate of players together as the game develops can be really interesting and exciting. … A big lesson from Bärenpark was how valuable it can be to reward players constantly in small ways throughout the game.”
Source: https://www.kotaku.com.au/2018/02/how-sushi-gos-designer-makes-board-games/
Upcoming Board Game Conventions
March 9-11. Granite Games Summit. Nashua, New Hampshire.
March 16-18. MeepleCon. Las Vegas, Nevada.
March 22-25. AdeptiCon. Schaumburg, Illinois.
March 23-25. ConnCon. Stamford, Connecticut.
March 30-April 1. Who’s Yer Con. Indianapolis, Indiana.
April 5-8. PAX East. Boston, Massachusetts.
April 19-22. Kingdom-Con. San Diego, California.
April 27-29. QC Game Fest. Davenport, Iowa.
April 27-29. Gaming Hoopla. Mundelein, Illinois.
May 4-6. Heroicon. Decatur, Illinois.
May 11-13. CMON Expo. Atlanta, Georgia.
May 17-20. Geekway to the West. St. Charles, Missouri.
May 25-28. KublaCon. Burlingame, California.
May 25-28. Gamex. Los Angeles, California.
June 1-3. NashCon. Nashville, Tennessee.
June 13-17. Origins. Columbus, Ohio.
June 24-30. Rocky Mountain Gaming Vacation. Park City, Utah.
July 4-8. Dice Tower Con. Orlando, Florida.
July 12-15. HistoriCon. Fredericksburg, Virginia.
July 13-15. KantCan. Overland Park, Kansas.
July 21-29. WBC. Champion, Pennsylvania
August 2-5. GenCon. Indianapolis, Indiana.
August 24-26. MegaMooseCon. Richburg, South Carolina.
August 24-28. Coulee Con. La Crosse, Wisconsin.
August 31-September 3. Gateway 2018. Los Angeles, California.
September 14-16. GrandCon. Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Visit casualgamerevolution.com for more convention listings.
