Hello everyone, Darryl here with this week’s gaming news! Legend of the Five Rings release information, X-Wing Miniatures getting a new edition, more Pathfinder 2nd Edition previews, and more!
Fantasy Flight released the first information about Legend of the Five Rings since their playtest from a few months ago. The first release will come in the “third quarter” this year and be the Legend of the Five Rings Roleplaying Beginner Game boxed set. The set will include four character folios, a map of Rokugan, rulebook, introductory adventure, custom dice (which appear to be d12s and d6s with custom symbol and blank faces), and tokens. The boxed set will retail for $39.95 and, given the timing and the next announcement, it probably will not be available for Gen Con though there may be preview/demo copies available at their booth. It does appear that Fantasy Flight is pulling out all the stops in support of the game, though, as they’re also releasing new fiction, including Robert Denton III’s novella The Sword and the Spirits coming out soon (the status on the company’s Upcoming page shows that the book has been printed and is on its way to their warehouse).
Just in time for “May the Fourth”, Fantasy Flight Games announced Star Wars: X-Wing Miniatures will get a second edition released at Gen Con this year with a wide release coming on September 13. The new edition will tweak game mechanics in order to include various errata and rebalancing efforts over the six years since the game’s original release as well as adding brand new features. Stress maneuvers are getting an overhaul to give players the ability to make fantastic maneuvers with a cost, Force powers for some pilots will be included that act as a finite resource, and the factions in the game (Rebel Alliance, Galactic Empire, and Scum and Villainy) will receive overhauls so that each faction and their ships have a unique feel. While there are brand new ships and models on the way with higher quality sculpting and new touches (like the X-Wing’s movable s-foil), all existing models will be backward-compatible with the conversion kits (available for $49.95 per faction that includes new bases, cards, dials, and tokens for currently available first edition ships). The game will also launch with a Squad Builder app to make it easier to put together a balanced unit. The Starter Set will return with a retail price of $39.95 with one X-Wing and two TIE Fighters and six individual ship expansions available for $9.95 to $19.95 with Slave I the first wave’s “large” ship at $29.95. Sets are available for pre-order at Fantasy Flight’s website and pre-orders have started trickling into online outlets.
Pre-orders for the Pathfinder 2nd Edition print copies closed on Tuesday and, based on tweets from Jason Bulmahn, should be going to the printer soon. If you missed out, you may still be able to get a copy from your local game store, or by pre-ordering online (which is using a different distribution method than the hobby distribution channels). Paizo’s released two new previews of the material over the past week. First, we got a preview of deity stat blocks (with a preview of Shelyn), a list of the domains, and four domain powers including a look at how they’ll scale with level. Finally, Paizo gave us a look at weapons and weapon traits. It looks like they’re taking care to try to make every weapon feel unique and interesting with strong tactical options without overwhelming players with too many mechanics, rather than feeling like a damage die and P/S/B damage type in varying configurations. Greatswords can switch between piercing or slashing damage, greatclubs gain an increased chance to hit if you miss, glaives increase damage with successive hits, finesse weapons use Dexterity modifier for attack (possibly eliminating the need for the “Weapon Finesse” feat tax), and more. If you want to keep up to date with all the news and updates on Pathfinder 2nd Edition, make sure to check EN World’s tag for stories about the new edition.
Wizards of the Coast announced their next marathon stream session and product reveal: The Stream of Many Eyes on June 1 through June 3. Yes, that’s a googly-eyed beholder. The stream will be a multi-day event featuring comedians, actors, Twitch streamers, designers, and more for interviews, live games, and other performances on the official Dungeons & Dragons Twitch channel. The event will be in Los Angeles and there are limited tickets available to attend in person with a ticket price of $200 each for the June 3 stream. The stream starts at 4:00 PM Pacific Time on Friday, June 1, picks up again at 10:00 AM Pacific Time on Saturday, June 2, and the final stream on Sunday, June 3, starting at 11:00 AM Pacific Time.
Stonemaier Games announced a new family-focused version of their multiple award-winning board game with My Little Scythe. The game, designed by Hoby Chou Vienna Chou, is based on the game Scythe but streamlined and with a more child-friendly theme. The game is for one to six players with each player taking control of two animals embarking on an adventure in the Kingdom of Pomme. On a player’s turn, they can Move, Seek, or Make to increase friendship and pies, power up actions, complete quests, learn magic, deliver gems and apples to Castle Everfree, or “perhaps even engage in a pie fight”. The winner is the first to earn four trophies in eight possible categories. The game will debut at Gen Con with a retail release on August 17 and an MSRP of $50.00, with localized versions for other languages available later this year.
I usually don’t feature Humble Bundles for video games unless they also have a tie to tabletop gaming, but this bundle is too unique to not bring up. The Humble Cryengine 2018 Bundle features ten games including Homefront: The Revolution and The Land of Pain, but it also includes asset packs for many of the games including animation packs, models, demo levels, and other tools to make your own games plus instructional videos to teach you how to use them with Cryengine. The bundle runs until Tuesday, May 15.
Best Friends Forever is a tabletop roleplaying game that is something definitely unique and amazing. Character creation is handled by choosing from the stand-up pawns and a selection of charms for your charm bracelet as you and the other players go on adventures and build your friendship. The game is definitely targeting a younger demographic, but also has enough going on that it makes a great stepping-stone game for casual gamers, especially to introduce people to roleplaying concepts outside the traditional fantasy, science fiction, or horror genres. The print-and-play digital version of the game (complete with Roll20-ready files) is available for a $20 pledge, the boxed set is available for $50, and both for $65. This Kickstarter just launched on May 1 and has already raised at time of writing $6,990 of its $20,000 goal and has until Friday, June 1 to fund.
If you’re looking for something a little more traditional and old-school, A Delve in the Cave is a dungeon crawl adventure for 5th Edition for first level characters from designer Jamie Chambers. If it looks familiar, it may be because Jamie also crowdfunded the “early access” version through IndieGoGo, which focused on the actual “dungeon crawl” aspects of the adventure. The Kickstarter is looking to expand the surrounding areas and turn it into a fully-fledged adventure and sandbox that can be used as an introductory adventure or the launching pad for a campaign, along with improved art and production quality. Backers at the $5 or higher level will get access to the “early access” PDF immediately after the Kickstarter ends, and the digital version of the finished adventure is available for a $5 pledge with the print edition available for $10 and a deluxe full-color poster map at miniature scale added on for $25. This project also just recently launched and has raised at time of writing $878 of its $3000 goal and has until Tuesday, May 22 to fund.
Miskatonic University: The Restricted Collection is a Lovecraftian card game from Chaosium where you explore the university library’s Restricted Section, and hopefully you can make it out alive and sane. The game is for two to five players as you take turns searching in the library, looking for pieces of a sigil and fragments of a grimoire to banish the beast that has been summoned. Of course, it’s not that easy to explore a library full of forbidden knowledge so you’ll have to make good use of your defense cards or maybe find some help as you explore the stacks. The game is available for a $25 pledge, two copies for $45, and there are some special, limited backer levels starting at $325 if you want to earn your own degree or position at the university (complete with your own name plaque). This Kickstarter is still fully funded and unlocking stretch goals until it funds on Tuesday, May 8.
That’s all from me for this week! Find more gaming crowdfunding news by following our Kickstarter news tag, and don’t forget to support our Patreon to bring you more gaming news content. If you have any news to submit, email us at news@enworldnews.com. You can follow me on Twitter @Abstruse where I’ve been complaining about inconvenient Windows updates, follow Gamer’s Tavern on YouTube featuring videos on gaming history and Let’s Plays, or you can listen to the archives of the Gamer’s Tavern podcast. Until next time, may all your hits be crits! Note: Links to Amazon, Humble Store, Humble Bundle, and/or DriveThru may contain affiliate links with the proceeds going to the author of this column.
Fantasy Flight released the first information about Legend of the Five Rings since their playtest from a few months ago. The first release will come in the “third quarter” this year and be the Legend of the Five Rings Roleplaying Beginner Game boxed set. The set will include four character folios, a map of Rokugan, rulebook, introductory adventure, custom dice (which appear to be d12s and d6s with custom symbol and blank faces), and tokens. The boxed set will retail for $39.95 and, given the timing and the next announcement, it probably will not be available for Gen Con though there may be preview/demo copies available at their booth. It does appear that Fantasy Flight is pulling out all the stops in support of the game, though, as they’re also releasing new fiction, including Robert Denton III’s novella The Sword and the Spirits coming out soon (the status on the company’s Upcoming page shows that the book has been printed and is on its way to their warehouse).
Just in time for “May the Fourth”, Fantasy Flight Games announced Star Wars: X-Wing Miniatures will get a second edition released at Gen Con this year with a wide release coming on September 13. The new edition will tweak game mechanics in order to include various errata and rebalancing efforts over the six years since the game’s original release as well as adding brand new features. Stress maneuvers are getting an overhaul to give players the ability to make fantastic maneuvers with a cost, Force powers for some pilots will be included that act as a finite resource, and the factions in the game (Rebel Alliance, Galactic Empire, and Scum and Villainy) will receive overhauls so that each faction and their ships have a unique feel. While there are brand new ships and models on the way with higher quality sculpting and new touches (like the X-Wing’s movable s-foil), all existing models will be backward-compatible with the conversion kits (available for $49.95 per faction that includes new bases, cards, dials, and tokens for currently available first edition ships). The game will also launch with a Squad Builder app to make it easier to put together a balanced unit. The Starter Set will return with a retail price of $39.95 with one X-Wing and two TIE Fighters and six individual ship expansions available for $9.95 to $19.95 with Slave I the first wave’s “large” ship at $29.95. Sets are available for pre-order at Fantasy Flight’s website and pre-orders have started trickling into online outlets.
Pre-orders for the Pathfinder 2nd Edition print copies closed on Tuesday and, based on tweets from Jason Bulmahn, should be going to the printer soon. If you missed out, you may still be able to get a copy from your local game store, or by pre-ordering online (which is using a different distribution method than the hobby distribution channels). Paizo’s released two new previews of the material over the past week. First, we got a preview of deity stat blocks (with a preview of Shelyn), a list of the domains, and four domain powers including a look at how they’ll scale with level. Finally, Paizo gave us a look at weapons and weapon traits. It looks like they’re taking care to try to make every weapon feel unique and interesting with strong tactical options without overwhelming players with too many mechanics, rather than feeling like a damage die and P/S/B damage type in varying configurations. Greatswords can switch between piercing or slashing damage, greatclubs gain an increased chance to hit if you miss, glaives increase damage with successive hits, finesse weapons use Dexterity modifier for attack (possibly eliminating the need for the “Weapon Finesse” feat tax), and more. If you want to keep up to date with all the news and updates on Pathfinder 2nd Edition, make sure to check EN World’s tag for stories about the new edition.
Stonemaier Games announced a new family-focused version of their multiple award-winning board game with My Little Scythe. The game, designed by Hoby Chou Vienna Chou, is based on the game Scythe but streamlined and with a more child-friendly theme. The game is for one to six players with each player taking control of two animals embarking on an adventure in the Kingdom of Pomme. On a player’s turn, they can Move, Seek, or Make to increase friendship and pies, power up actions, complete quests, learn magic, deliver gems and apples to Castle Everfree, or “perhaps even engage in a pie fight”. The winner is the first to earn four trophies in eight possible categories. The game will debut at Gen Con with a retail release on August 17 and an MSRP of $50.00, with localized versions for other languages available later this year.
I usually don’t feature Humble Bundles for video games unless they also have a tie to tabletop gaming, but this bundle is too unique to not bring up. The Humble Cryengine 2018 Bundle features ten games including Homefront: The Revolution and The Land of Pain, but it also includes asset packs for many of the games including animation packs, models, demo levels, and other tools to make your own games plus instructional videos to teach you how to use them with Cryengine. The bundle runs until Tuesday, May 15.
Best Friends Forever is a tabletop roleplaying game that is something definitely unique and amazing. Character creation is handled by choosing from the stand-up pawns and a selection of charms for your charm bracelet as you and the other players go on adventures and build your friendship. The game is definitely targeting a younger demographic, but also has enough going on that it makes a great stepping-stone game for casual gamers, especially to introduce people to roleplaying concepts outside the traditional fantasy, science fiction, or horror genres. The print-and-play digital version of the game (complete with Roll20-ready files) is available for a $20 pledge, the boxed set is available for $50, and both for $65. This Kickstarter just launched on May 1 and has already raised at time of writing $6,990 of its $20,000 goal and has until Friday, June 1 to fund.
If you’re looking for something a little more traditional and old-school, A Delve in the Cave is a dungeon crawl adventure for 5th Edition for first level characters from designer Jamie Chambers. If it looks familiar, it may be because Jamie also crowdfunded the “early access” version through IndieGoGo, which focused on the actual “dungeon crawl” aspects of the adventure. The Kickstarter is looking to expand the surrounding areas and turn it into a fully-fledged adventure and sandbox that can be used as an introductory adventure or the launching pad for a campaign, along with improved art and production quality. Backers at the $5 or higher level will get access to the “early access” PDF immediately after the Kickstarter ends, and the digital version of the finished adventure is available for a $5 pledge with the print edition available for $10 and a deluxe full-color poster map at miniature scale added on for $25. This project also just recently launched and has raised at time of writing $878 of its $3000 goal and has until Tuesday, May 22 to fund.
Miskatonic University: The Restricted Collection is a Lovecraftian card game from Chaosium where you explore the university library’s Restricted Section, and hopefully you can make it out alive and sane. The game is for two to five players as you take turns searching in the library, looking for pieces of a sigil and fragments of a grimoire to banish the beast that has been summoned. Of course, it’s not that easy to explore a library full of forbidden knowledge so you’ll have to make good use of your defense cards or maybe find some help as you explore the stacks. The game is available for a $25 pledge, two copies for $45, and there are some special, limited backer levels starting at $325 if you want to earn your own degree or position at the university (complete with your own name plaque). This Kickstarter is still fully funded and unlocking stretch goals until it funds on Tuesday, May 8.
That’s all from me for this week! Find more gaming crowdfunding news by following our Kickstarter news tag, and don’t forget to support our Patreon to bring you more gaming news content. If you have any news to submit, email us at news@enworldnews.com. You can follow me on Twitter @Abstruse where I’ve been complaining about inconvenient Windows updates, follow Gamer’s Tavern on YouTube featuring videos on gaming history and Let’s Plays, or you can listen to the archives of the Gamer’s Tavern podcast. Until next time, may all your hits be crits! Note: Links to Amazon, Humble Store, Humble Bundle, and/or DriveThru may contain affiliate links with the proceeds going to the author of this column.
