I’m excited for this weekend’s Strategicon. If you’re at the con, tweet at me and let’s play some games!
Charterstone
Stonemaier Games’ Charterstone will be released later this year, reports ACD Distribution. “In Charterstone, a competitive legacy game, players construct buildings and inhabit a shared village. Building stickers are removed from cards and permanently added to your charter on the board, becoming action spaces for any player to use. Thus, a few available buildings soon grow into a bustling village with dozens of actions.”
Source: http://acddistribution.blogspot.com/2017/02/charterstone-new-from-stonemaier-games.html
Mole Rats in Space
Matt Leacock’s latest cooperative game appears to be a lighter design aimed at younger games. In Mole Rats in Space, “Players must work together to help the Mole Rats gather their equipment and make it to their escape pod before time runs out! Climb the ladders, slip down airshafts, but don’t get bit by the snakes.”
Source: http://www.leacock.com/games/#/mole-rats-in-space/
Expanding Bloodborne
From Dice Tower News comes word of an expansion for Bloodborne: The Card Game being co-designed by Eric Lang (Blood Rage) and Christopher Chung (Lanterns). “The game is based on the difficult, yet rewarding PS4 video game. It supports 3 to 5 players and contains card drafting, dice rolling, hand management, and press your luck mechanics.”
Source: http://www.dicetowernews.com/bloodborne-the-card-game-is-getting-an-expansion/38693
Dark Souls: The Board Game
The 1-4 player cooperative Dark Souls: The Board Game will be released April 21st, according to ACD Distribution. “To win the game, players must work together tactically to learn how to defeat enemies before finally confronting the boss.” There’s a prototype demo video up on youtube.com.
Source: http://acddistribution.blogspot.com/2017/02/new-from-steamforged-games-dark-souls.html
Lovecraft Letter
The latest re-theming of AEG’s Love Letter is Lovecraft Letter. However, “[y]ou’re not trying to gain affection from the Princess. You are trying to eliminate your rivals for power as you seek to understand the cosmic horror that lurks just beyond what we foolishly call ‘reality.’”
Source: https://www.alderac.com/lovecraftletter/
Light & Dark Diary
Designers Trevor Benjamin and Matthew Dunstan offered a look at the development of AEG’s Light & Dark. “Theme was the next hurdle. It was clear that there were two factions, but who were they and what were they fighting over? Once we recognized that flipping could be ‘conversion,’ the rest came quickly: the druids, the torches, and the name.”
Source: https://www.alderac.com/light-dark-design-diary
Mice and Mystics Lost Chapters
Previously available only via online purchase, three chapters for Mice and Mystics are now available as free downloads on the Plaid Hat Games website. “These special downloadable chapters fit into the Mice and Mystics storyline and can be printed at home to be played along with the Mice and Mystics Sorrow and Remembrance base set. They’ve got their own story, components, art, and more.”
Source: http://www.plaidhatgames.com/news/768
The Late Show Board Games
I liked the little shout-out to board games from John Oliver during his bit on The Late Show.
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKD6gzAz08E&feature=youtu.be&t=4m
Upcoming Board Game Conventions
February 17-20. Orccon 2017. Los Angeles, California.
February 17-20. DunDraCon. San Ramon, California.
February 18. Day Con 2017. Fairborn, Ohio.
February 20-26. PrezCon 2017. Charlottesville, Virginia.
February 24-26. Fire & Ice Gaming Convention. Manitowoc, Wisconsin.
February 24-26. Gamicon Iron. Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
March 2-5. SaltCON. Layton, Utah.
March 3-5. GAD-Con. Aberdeen, Maryland.
March 17-19. MeepleCon. Las Vegas, Nevada.
April 7-9. Gaming Hoopla. Gurnee, Illinois.
April 22-23. QC Game Fest. Davenport, Iowa.
May 18-21. Geekway to the West. St. Charles, Missouri.
May 26-29. Gamex 2017. Los Angeles, California.
June 14-18. Origins Game Fair. Columbus, Ohio.
August 17-20. Gen Con 50. Indianapolis, Indiana.
September 1-4. Gateway 2017. Los Angeles, California.
November 17-19. PAX Unplugged. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Visit casualgamerevolution.com for more convention listings.