Munchkin goes collectible
It’s always been “collectible,” but this time that’s the point of the game! Steve Jackson Games’ Munchkin Collectible Card Game will release in February with three different starter sets and associated booster packs. Designer stalwarts Eric Lang and Kevin Wilson are behind this new competitive iteration of the evergreen series, while maintaining its irreverently flattering homage to a myriad of classic geeky characters, worlds and tropes – and more.
Source: http://acddistribution.blogspot.com/2017/12/new-munchkin-collectible-card-game.html
No, not the online shopping site
IDW Games will release Outpost: Amazon in March. In this cooperative card game, you and your team start into the heart of the Amazon jungle to collect new plant specimens and document new animal species. But many unexpected things happen. Mostly terrible. And now the survival of just your own specie is at the top of your list!
Source: https://idwgames.com/tabletop-spotlight-outpost-amazon/#lightbox/0/
In the cards
Rüdiger Dorn’s award-winning Karuba is receiving a Card Game version to release from HABA next month.
Source: https://www.haba.de/en_US/toys/karuba-the-card-game/p/303475
Socially collectible
In February, Bezier Games will release their new social deduction game, Werebeasts, in which players try to hide their intentions long enough to hunt and collect valuable creatures.
Source: https://beziergames.com/products/werebeasts
Viking trilogy complete
On January 4, Renegade Game Studios’ third title in the North Seas saga will hit shelves. Explorers of the North Sea is set in the later Viking Age where players must explore and colonize new lands to enrich their own. The mini-game/expansion The North Sea Runesaga will also be available, requiring all three previous titles of the trilogy to play.
Source: http://www.renegadegamestudios.com/news/2017/12/19/explorers-of-the-north-sea-the-north-sea-runesaga-release
Trading trilogy still going
Plan B Games will release the second title in their Century trilogy at Origins 2018. Century: Eastern Wonders can be played alone or combined with Spice Road to expand your spice trading network to Indonesia.
Source: https://www.planbgames.com/en/news/announcing-century-eastern-wonders-the-second-title-in-the-century-trilogy-b52.html
Reiner in the new year
Osprey Publishing will release Knizia’s new Sakura in February. Jostle for position to paint the emperor’s picture beneath his favorite tree. You’ll need to push your luck to get in the best spot, but risk too much and you may bump into the monarch, ending in your disgrace!
Source: https://ospreypublishing.com/sakura
Giving back
Games are made from cardboard and wood, which come from trees, right? Now Thundergryph Games is recognizing we need to give a little back from what we take to literally make our great hobby! With an initial donation of 10,000 trees, the publisher is partnering with Trees for the Future to plant a tree for every game they sell in 2018. And they have three new releases, beginning with Spirits of the Forest. The initiative hopes to replenish not just an important natural resource, but in some cases an important part of life to many communities.
Source: https://thundergryph.com/buy-spirits-of-the-forest-plant-a-tree/
Do board games bring out the worst in you?
A recent NBC article examines gaming and psychology and physiology. Among other things, it discusses how we are hard-wired to be competitive and we really never believe “it’s just a game.” Deep down. Eh? Maybe it’s just one more point to add to the list of why board games are awful?!
Source: https://www.nbcnews.com/better/pop-culture/why-board-games-bring-out-worst-us-ncna828726
A Top 50
Popular Mechanics released their best new 50 board games of 2017…even though a few aren’t actually from 2017! Oh, well! Did any of your favorites make the list?!
Source: http://www.popularmechanics.com/culture/gaming/g18/15-best-new-board-games-of-the-year/
Upcoming Board Game Conventions
January 11-14. Midwinter Gaming Convention. Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
January 12-14. OrcaCon. Everett, Washington.
January 12-14. PAX South. San Antonio, Texas.
January 12-14. PAX West. Seattle, Washington.
January 13-14. Congress of Gamers. Rockville, Maryland.
January 19-21. Cascade Games Con. Bellingham, Washington.
January 19-21. HexaCon. Denver, Colorado.
January 19-21. Protospiel Minnesota. Bloomington, Minnesota.
January 26-28. EsCon. Escondido, California.
February 16-18. Con of the North. Minneapolis, Minnesota.
February 16-19. Orccon. Los Angeles, California.
February 19-25. PrezCon. Charlottesville, Virginia.
February 23-25. Great Plains Game Festival. Lincoln, Nebraska.
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.
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 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.
September 27-30. Hurricon. Kissimmee, Florida.
Visit casualgamerevolution.com for more convention listings.
