Hello everyone, Darryl here with this week’s gaming news. A new Star Wars sourcebook, a new Acquisitions Incorporated game announced, a D&D live stream for the Worldbuilders charity, lots of behind-the-scenes industry developments, and more!
Fantasy Flight Games has a new Era Sourcebook for the Star Wars Roleplaying Game, Star Wars: Rise of the Separatists. This 144-page sourcebook focuses on the era leading up to the Clone Wars and works with any or all of the three Star Wars games: Edge of the Empire, Age of Rebellion, or Force and Destiny. The book features rules for four new species (Kaminoans, Geonosians, Umbarans, and clones) plus two new full careers and four new universal specializations. This book is listed as a status of “on the boat”, meaning it’s on its way from the printers to warehouses and distributors. Amazon has a release date listed of January 31, 2019, though this may not be accurate as Fantasy Flight rarely gives firm release dates. Left out for this sourcebook is the classic OpenD6-based Star Wars system originally published by West End Games, whose reprint is still available in stores from Fantasy Flight. Also, the reprint of the Age of Rebellion core rulebook is on its way to stores now, which will mean all three core rulebook will soon officially be back in print.
EN Publishing (the game publishing arm of EN World) has begun testing of a new one-page adventure for the En5der D&D 5e Patreon. These adventures break down the single-session adventures to their major events on one convenient page. All you have to do is pull up the stat blocks for NPCs and monsters and you’re ready to play. The first adventure, “The Business of Emotion”, is available for free at the link above and features a plot synopsis, features of the key locations, and a table for rumors leaving more improvisational dungeonmasters ready to go instead of reading through the full eleven pages of the original “The Business of Emotion” (also available for free from the En5ider Patreon). There are no plans announced yet for how these will be released (a second one-page adventure, “Croaking Sirocco” by Kyle Carty, is in the works), so be sure to check out the news post if you have any feedback.
If you’re looking for a game to play with a retro feel and the right price, Game Designers’ Workshop has released the original Starter Traveller digital version for free on DriveThruRPG. The three-book set features the original starter set for the Traveller Roleplaying Game in PDF format. Yes, the one where you can die in character creation. The first book covers the game rules, the second the charts needed to play, and the third a set of introductory adventures. However, be sure to grab it while you can as Game Designers’ Workshop usually only releases this package for free for a limited time.
Hasbro CEO Brian Goldner spoke with Yahoo! Finance this past week speaking on a variety of topics, mostly revolving around a recent development in the toy industry (specifically about the Toys R Us bankruptcy). However, the important bit comes at about one minute thirty seconds in the video where Goldner speaks on manufacturing: “Wizards of the Coast trading cards” (meaning Magic: The Gathering cards) will return to printing in the United States. This is specifically in reference to increased manufacturing costs following tariffs placed on Chinese-manufactured goods which have been temporarily suspended. Tabletop Wire additionally reports that shipping will also be a concern as peak cargo shipping season will most likely extend far beyond the holiday shopping season, delaying shipments from overseas as the tariffs are set to resume in April of 2019. On top of that, the United States Postal Service announced an increase in shipping rates, particularly a 5.9% increase in Priority Mail and a 2.95% increase in Media Mail, the two most commonly used postage methods for gaming purchases. This may mean potentially increased prices and delayed releases as we move into the new year.
Game Manufacturers Association (GAMA, the trade organization for tabletop gaming manufacturers and publishers) has announced a new Director-at-Large in Asmodee North America’s Brendan Bell. Bell replaces Alliance Game Distributors’ Mike Webb, who resigned over the board decision to allow President Stephan Brissaud to keep his position following a confrontation with security during Gen Con. Additionally, GAMA announced that they will continue with plans to hire a new Executive Director to replace John Ward and have interviewed the final three candidates for the position. The replacement is controversial following a vote in September where 65% of members expressed support for Ward retaining the position and a survey conducted in October for voting and non-voting members of GAMA which 72% supported retaining Ward in the position. GAMA Board Member Emeritus Rick Loomis called for unity in the announcement, but did not name any of the three candidates interviewed at this time.
Acquisitions Incorporated are making the jump from Dungeons & Dragons to deckbuilding card games with the announcement of Clank! Legacy: Acquisitions Incorporated. The game will be based on the Clank! A Deck-Building Adventure card game from Renegade Game Studios and turned not into a campaign-based Legacy version themed around the Acquisitions Inc. crew, but also into a digital game by Dire Wolf Digital. Dire Wolf is best known for their online adaptations of Pokemon Trading Card Game, Lanterns, and the standard version of Clank!. No information about pricing or platforms has been announced, but the game is due out in Fall of 2019.
Speaking of digital versions of popular card games, the Lord of the Rings: The Card Game digital version from Fantasy Flight Interactive has already undergone a large change during its early access period on Steam. The game will no longer be free-to-play at launch, but be closer to the living card game on which the video game is based with a core set required to play and expansions earned through play or purchased through the storefront. The full version will also feature online cooperative play for two players in addition to other unannounced post-launch content and gameplay features. Fantasy Flight Interactive announced when the early access build launched this past August that it was expected to last between three to five months, and coming up on the end of that estimation we still do not have a firm release date for the full version of the game. However, sales postings for the game have already gone live on video game retailers such as Humble Store, indicating that a release may be fairly soon.
Speaking of Asmodee Digital, they have a bundle live on Humble Bundle for several digital versions of their bestselling board games. The $1 tier includes Steam keys for Abalone, Harald: A Game of Influence, Agricola, Colt Express, and Le Havre along with Android versions of Harald and Abalone. The $8 tier includes Pandemic, Pathfinder Adventures (which is based on the Pathfinder Adventures Card Game and shouldn’t be confused with Pathfinder Kingmaker, the isometric RPG), Splendor, King and Assassins, Fighting Fantasy Legends, Small World, and Twilight Struggle with Android versions of Small World, Splendor, and King and Assassins. This bundle runs until December 11 and, if you use the link above, benefits Worldbuilders.
Speaking of Worldbuilders, D&D Beyond got in on promoting their annual fundraiser with a special holiday live stream this past Thursday. The stream featured DM Amy Vorpahl (Geek & Sundry, Saving Throw Show), Patrick Rothfuss (author), TK Johnson (author), Todd Kenreck (D&D Beyond Content Director), and Havana Mahoney (Twitch streamer, Geek & Sundry, Saving Throw Show). The stream is part of the annual Worldbuilders fundraising effort benefitting Heifer International which has already raised more than $700,000. Every penny donated goes to the charity, which helps impoverished families all over the world.
For every $10 donated, you’re given one entry into the charity raffle for 5865 prizes with a total value of over $169,000 (with international shipping included if you’re outside the United States) with prizes including books, games, collectables, and more like rare ARCs, a Wyrmwood black walnut gaming table, and a cabin on the JoCo Cruise in 2020. There are also multiple team pages where in addition to entries into the general lottery, you can be eligible for more prizes like professional manuscript critiques from publishing industry professionals, Critical Role and Acquisitions Inc. themed D&D tickets for use in-game, rare collectibles in daily drawings on Patrick Rothfuss’s Twitch channel (disclosure: I work in a volunteer capacity as a moderator on this channel), and over a dozen others. The annual fundraising drive runs until December 11.
That’s all from me for this week! 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, and you can get more discussion of the week’s news on Morrus’ Unofficial Tabletop RPG Talk every week. You can follow me on Twitter @Abstruse where I’ve been gushing over the trailer to The Other Worlds, follow me on Twitch if I ever get a chance to start on my stack of mystery games, subscribe to Gamer’s Tavern on YouTube featuring videos on gaming history and gaming 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 Games has a new Era Sourcebook for the Star Wars Roleplaying Game, Star Wars: Rise of the Separatists. This 144-page sourcebook focuses on the era leading up to the Clone Wars and works with any or all of the three Star Wars games: Edge of the Empire, Age of Rebellion, or Force and Destiny. The book features rules for four new species (Kaminoans, Geonosians, Umbarans, and clones) plus two new full careers and four new universal specializations. This book is listed as a status of “on the boat”, meaning it’s on its way from the printers to warehouses and distributors. Amazon has a release date listed of January 31, 2019, though this may not be accurate as Fantasy Flight rarely gives firm release dates. Left out for this sourcebook is the classic OpenD6-based Star Wars system originally published by West End Games, whose reprint is still available in stores from Fantasy Flight. Also, the reprint of the Age of Rebellion core rulebook is on its way to stores now, which will mean all three core rulebook will soon officially be back in print.
EN Publishing (the game publishing arm of EN World) has begun testing of a new one-page adventure for the En5der D&D 5e Patreon. These adventures break down the single-session adventures to their major events on one convenient page. All you have to do is pull up the stat blocks for NPCs and monsters and you’re ready to play. The first adventure, “The Business of Emotion”, is available for free at the link above and features a plot synopsis, features of the key locations, and a table for rumors leaving more improvisational dungeonmasters ready to go instead of reading through the full eleven pages of the original “The Business of Emotion” (also available for free from the En5ider Patreon). There are no plans announced yet for how these will be released (a second one-page adventure, “Croaking Sirocco” by Kyle Carty, is in the works), so be sure to check out the news post if you have any feedback.
If you’re looking for a game to play with a retro feel and the right price, Game Designers’ Workshop has released the original Starter Traveller digital version for free on DriveThruRPG. The three-book set features the original starter set for the Traveller Roleplaying Game in PDF format. Yes, the one where you can die in character creation. The first book covers the game rules, the second the charts needed to play, and the third a set of introductory adventures. However, be sure to grab it while you can as Game Designers’ Workshop usually only releases this package for free for a limited time.
Hasbro CEO Brian Goldner spoke with Yahoo! Finance this past week speaking on a variety of topics, mostly revolving around a recent development in the toy industry (specifically about the Toys R Us bankruptcy). However, the important bit comes at about one minute thirty seconds in the video where Goldner speaks on manufacturing: “Wizards of the Coast trading cards” (meaning Magic: The Gathering cards) will return to printing in the United States. This is specifically in reference to increased manufacturing costs following tariffs placed on Chinese-manufactured goods which have been temporarily suspended. Tabletop Wire additionally reports that shipping will also be a concern as peak cargo shipping season will most likely extend far beyond the holiday shopping season, delaying shipments from overseas as the tariffs are set to resume in April of 2019. On top of that, the United States Postal Service announced an increase in shipping rates, particularly a 5.9% increase in Priority Mail and a 2.95% increase in Media Mail, the two most commonly used postage methods for gaming purchases. This may mean potentially increased prices and delayed releases as we move into the new year.
Game Manufacturers Association (GAMA, the trade organization for tabletop gaming manufacturers and publishers) has announced a new Director-at-Large in Asmodee North America’s Brendan Bell. Bell replaces Alliance Game Distributors’ Mike Webb, who resigned over the board decision to allow President Stephan Brissaud to keep his position following a confrontation with security during Gen Con. Additionally, GAMA announced that they will continue with plans to hire a new Executive Director to replace John Ward and have interviewed the final three candidates for the position. The replacement is controversial following a vote in September where 65% of members expressed support for Ward retaining the position and a survey conducted in October for voting and non-voting members of GAMA which 72% supported retaining Ward in the position. GAMA Board Member Emeritus Rick Loomis called for unity in the announcement, but did not name any of the three candidates interviewed at this time.
Acquisitions Incorporated are making the jump from Dungeons & Dragons to deckbuilding card games with the announcement of Clank! Legacy: Acquisitions Incorporated. The game will be based on the Clank! A Deck-Building Adventure card game from Renegade Game Studios and turned not into a campaign-based Legacy version themed around the Acquisitions Inc. crew, but also into a digital game by Dire Wolf Digital. Dire Wolf is best known for their online adaptations of Pokemon Trading Card Game, Lanterns, and the standard version of Clank!. No information about pricing or platforms has been announced, but the game is due out in Fall of 2019.
Speaking of digital versions of popular card games, the Lord of the Rings: The Card Game digital version from Fantasy Flight Interactive has already undergone a large change during its early access period on Steam. The game will no longer be free-to-play at launch, but be closer to the living card game on which the video game is based with a core set required to play and expansions earned through play or purchased through the storefront. The full version will also feature online cooperative play for two players in addition to other unannounced post-launch content and gameplay features. Fantasy Flight Interactive announced when the early access build launched this past August that it was expected to last between three to five months, and coming up on the end of that estimation we still do not have a firm release date for the full version of the game. However, sales postings for the game have already gone live on video game retailers such as Humble Store, indicating that a release may be fairly soon.
Speaking of Asmodee Digital, they have a bundle live on Humble Bundle for several digital versions of their bestselling board games. The $1 tier includes Steam keys for Abalone, Harald: A Game of Influence, Agricola, Colt Express, and Le Havre along with Android versions of Harald and Abalone. The $8 tier includes Pandemic, Pathfinder Adventures (which is based on the Pathfinder Adventures Card Game and shouldn’t be confused with Pathfinder Kingmaker, the isometric RPG), Splendor, King and Assassins, Fighting Fantasy Legends, Small World, and Twilight Struggle with Android versions of Small World, Splendor, and King and Assassins. This bundle runs until December 11 and, if you use the link above, benefits Worldbuilders.
[video=youtube;Eb7fU0hdoho]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eb7fU0hdoho[/video]
Speaking of Worldbuilders, D&D Beyond got in on promoting their annual fundraiser with a special holiday live stream this past Thursday. The stream featured DM Amy Vorpahl (Geek & Sundry, Saving Throw Show), Patrick Rothfuss (author), TK Johnson (author), Todd Kenreck (D&D Beyond Content Director), and Havana Mahoney (Twitch streamer, Geek & Sundry, Saving Throw Show). The stream is part of the annual Worldbuilders fundraising effort benefitting Heifer International which has already raised more than $700,000. Every penny donated goes to the charity, which helps impoverished families all over the world.
For every $10 donated, you’re given one entry into the charity raffle for 5865 prizes with a total value of over $169,000 (with international shipping included if you’re outside the United States) with prizes including books, games, collectables, and more like rare ARCs, a Wyrmwood black walnut gaming table, and a cabin on the JoCo Cruise in 2020. There are also multiple team pages where in addition to entries into the general lottery, you can be eligible for more prizes like professional manuscript critiques from publishing industry professionals, Critical Role and Acquisitions Inc. themed D&D tickets for use in-game, rare collectibles in daily drawings on Patrick Rothfuss’s Twitch channel (disclosure: I work in a volunteer capacity as a moderator on this channel), and over a dozen others. The annual fundraising drive runs until December 11.
That’s all from me for this week! 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, and you can get more discussion of the week’s news on Morrus’ Unofficial Tabletop RPG Talk every week. You can follow me on Twitter @Abstruse where I’ve been gushing over the trailer to The Other Worlds, follow me on Twitch if I ever get a chance to start on my stack of mystery games, subscribe to Gamer’s Tavern on YouTube featuring videos on gaming history and gaming 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.
