Games I Purchased:
Outbreak: Undead (Hunter’s Books) – I’m a sucker for anything zombie related.  After a quick read through, this RPG has some neat little kernels of game mechanics, but I’m not sure I would use the system whole-sale.  I very much enjoy the exploration of building your own safe zones after the apocalypse–something most other zombie games don’t delve into too deeply.  The book is $45 and feels like a high-quality hardback, but the interior layout and art doesn’t match the price (for $10 more I can get core books from companies like Fantasy Flight, which are at the head of the industry as far as art and layout.)  I realize this is a small-scale company trying to make a good impression with their product, but they might benefit from cheaper soft-cover versions.

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Completed GenCon registration last night and I’m excited enough about it to post here.  I completely forgot about registration on Sunday, and man-oh-man do games sell out fast!  By Monday night I was left with slim RPG pickings (made even slimmer by the fact that I needed to find games with at least 2 open seats because my wife is attending with me.)  In the end I was forced to pick some games I wouldn’t traditionally pick, which may be a good thing.  In addition, I had to fill in a lot of gaps with board and card games.  If nothing else, this year will be an adventure!  (Say that last word the way Flapjack would say it.)

Carcassonne – board game – I have yet to play this game.  I Like Catan, and was told I would really like this.

Bob and Bob Again – D20 Modern -  We play clones manufactured by Department 7 for short-term missions.  Do I detect a bit of a Paranoia vibe?

Quackery: The Game of Medieval Medicine – card game – Sounds like a fun little game where you apply wacky logic to diagnosing ailments.

Space Junkyard Board Game – board game – A fast, family-friendly game about refurbishing junk to make a bigger, better ship.

Revolution – card game – I’ve been hearing good things from the Steve Jackson guys about this one.

The Pen is Mightier than the Sword – Vampire: The Requiem – I haven’t played in a Vampire game in a long time, so this should be a nice return.

Ergo – card game – Battling philosophers try to prove that their opponents don’t exist!

Cave Troll – board game – I will try any Fantasy Flight game at least once.

Letter of Marque – card game – I know nothing about this game, but I needed to fill an hour.  Its description of sailing and trade in the classic days of sail sounded provoking enough.

Unity Underground – Run and Gun Engine – A game still in play testing.  It is a dystopian future where we get to play warriors trying to “stick it to the man.”

I recently donated $20 to Haiti at RPGNow and got the free $1500 PDF bundle.  In that bundle was “3:16, Carnage Amonst the Stars“.  It is a game about trigger-happy human marines venturing out into the galaxy and killing every life form they come across.  I haven’t played it yet, but it is a tight little rules system that seems tremendously fun for some low-prep gaming.  Of particular note is the simple combat system that still manages to produce rather colorful results.  In fact, the whole game is simple–simple enough that younger kids could play it.  Of course, the genocide of the entire galaxy seems a bit of a heavy subject for children.  Even if you toned down the violence, I think the underlying theme and statements might go a bit over their heads.

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A short list of the games I played, and my personal thoughts on them:

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Games can be instructional.  Game can be emotional.  Games can be important.

And I don’t mean posts about monsters.  The last couple of subjects have turned into large posts.  I’m working on a big one right now, but its not going to make it out tonight.  Check back tomorrow when I should have a post about running skill challenges more like combats (including making unique powers for the challenge to “attack” the party and other madness.)

I’m not much to get “political” or join in on any internet warfare, so I will keep this brief:

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Rather than have thousands and thousands of monsters laid off from their duties as wandering monsters due to 4e, I thought I should come up with a few ways to keep them relevant without (necessarily) requiring a full length combat encounter.

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Until there is a “Hug a Video Game Programmer Day” I think GM’s Day is going to be as close as an official holiday that celebrates me.  In that regard it is exciting to think that someone, somewhere, may be having fond memories of me trying to kill them.  On this day (a sort of RPG thanksgiving) it is best to remember all those good things of gaming:

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Moments ago I read a thread on a forum where people were complaining that paladins in 4e have “Holy Strike” and not “Smite Evil.” I was dumbfounded. More dumbfounded than I was after watching last evening’s 24 episode where less than a dozen armed men are able to walk around the white house shooting Secret Service agents and not be spotted on security cameras. I was pretty furious about that too. I was furious that Fox would air it, I was furious that the producers OK’d it, I was furious the writers would write it. Why? It’s fucking stupid. Don’t insult my intelligence by thinking I can suspend my disbelief about White House security. I digress.

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