This episode we are covering a new TV show based on a board game, awards, Golden Bell customer service and a variety of publisher issues.

This episode we are covering Award nominees, Publisher transparency, A UK Games Expo Banning and Netflix?

Week old news, because you're busy, and we're lazy.  

YIKES. 

Uh...anyway, news inside. 

Welcome to the day after Judgement Day – Join forces in this cooperative deck building game where you must choose at every moment whether to flee or fight. Find a way to destroy the Terminator before it destroys you!

(Plant City, FL) - To commemorate the sesquicentennial of the first land battle of the American Civil War, Mayfair Games has scheduled the release of Test of FireT: Bull Run 1861 for Thursday, July 21, 2011, 150 years after the actual conflict. Designed by Martin Wallace (SteamT, AutomobileT, Rise of EmpiresT, etc.), this two-player game is recommended for players ages 10+, plays in about 45 minutes, and has an MSRP of $30. Test of FireT: Bull Run 1861 is the first game in a series of American Civil War themed games scheduled to be released by Mayfair Games and designed by Martin Wallace.

This account of the current legal dispute over AGE OF STEAM is a revision of a post that originally appeared on this site's TrashTalk forum.   Background information has been added, sources have been cited wherever possible and minor clarifications have been made.

Wizards of the Coast is thrilled to announce that the public phase of the D&D Next Playtest has officially opened today, Thursday, May 24th.

This next phase in the project is the single most important part of D&D Next – the chance for fans to help shape the next iteration of Dungeons & Dragons by sharing their input and vision for the game.

A jury of forty prominent gamers, podcasters, and bloggers voted in fourteen different categories. The winners were as follows:

 “Any attack made by the Rebels against this station would be a useless gesture, no matter what technical data they have obtained. This station is now the ultimate power in the universe! I suggest we use it!”

   –Admiral Motti, Star Wars: A New Hope

The object of the game is simple... to kill every other player on the board! The original is an odd little gem from England. It's essentially a roll and move game with a board depicting a big, spooky haunted mansion. You move about the mansion, acquire weapons to assist in your murder spree (I'm serious), suffer the horrid effects of torture devices, get chased by Dracula (and possibly drained of blood and turned into a vampire yourself), pour boiling oil on your friends, etc.

Every year I scour the Essen reports for new and interesting games.

Several games we have already been anticipating and talking about for weeks, months, and in some cases years.

Earth Reborn

Survive: Escape from Atlantis

Mansions of Madness

Sid Meier's Civilization

Merchants & Marauders

Cadwallon City of Thieves

Grumpy Owl Gamery has launched a new Kickstarter for their patent pending Keep System of games mobilizers and organizers. The system uses two main types of organizers to store and label all manner of hobby game components. A custom line of carry cases mobilize the organizers so that you never have to leave home without your favorite games.

CMON fans might already know about our past partnerships with Sony Interactive Entertainment that brought the worlds of Bloodborne and God of War to the tabletop. We loved working on those games, and it’s always a privilege to be given permission to dip our toes into such deeply developed and beloved titles. We are beyond excited to announce this partnership will continue with another iconic title: The Last of Us: The Board Game.

A thrilling semi-cooperative game of intrigue and survival in deep space.

Hell Doesn't Give Up!

You can now back Return toPlanet Apocalypse, the board game with NEW EXPANSIONS, and Planet Apocalypse the 5e sourcebook for D&D– with TONS of content to bring the apocalypse to your fantasy world, plus new adventures, monsters and more.

Sandy Petersen returns to apocalyptic horror with a game Shut up and Sit Down describes as “[having] cemented Sandy Petersen as the king of games where you roll dice and things die.”

Issue #9 of The SPIRIT - a boardgames magazine for everyone - has just been released. It's 80+ pages of articles, interviews, reviews, and opinion, and it's all FREE too (PDF).

San Francisco, CA - JUNE 19th, 2011 - Thornhenge Games is pleased to announce the Kickstarter launch of its first boardgame, Lyssan.

Lyssan is a medieval land wracked by never-ending civil war, a unified empire in name only. Players in the game contend for the throne with mighty knights, canny nobles, scheming priests, and devious spies. Each claimant-emperor must outmaneuver their rivals on the battlefields and in the shadows, or find their claim ended at the edge of a blade.

"I'm immensely proud of Lyssan," said game author Sam Brown, "It blends euro-simple rules with the cut-throat competitiveness of a wargame. The action starts on the very first turn, and continues through the entire game, with a constant need for deep, strategic choices."

Kickstarter supporters have the chance to pre-order the game at a discount from the retail price while claiming promotional cards not included in the retail version. Retailers pre-ordering via kickstarter can also claim the promo cards for their copies, while securing the same bulk-order rate Thornhenge will be offering after the pre-order period is complete.

Lyssan is 2-4 player game, ages 12 and up. A typical game completes in under 3 hours.

For more information, visit:
http://kck.st/Lyssan
and
http://Lyssan.com

This is your chance to change history!

Restoration Games has announced that it will be rebooting the 1986, Mad Max inspired board game Thunder Road as Thunder Road Vendetta. 

Ready to Level Up?

You might have already seen some of the great reviews we’re getting around the Web for Thunderstone Advance. Tom Vasel of Dice Tower reviews said, “I cant say enough good things about it.” The official release is scheduled for Monday, March 12. But you can get your copy early!

Game stores around the world are hosting a pre-release Level Up Event from March 2 until March 8. This week will your first chance to get your hands on the smash deckbuilder, with a bonus.

Participating Level Up retailers will receive Thunderstone Advance for sale before anyone else. In addition, they’ll receive an Avatars mini-expansion from distributors. Avatars will be FREE to customers who purchase the game during Level Up week. After that, they’ll be on sale for $9.99, so talk to your store owner about how to get them free during the store’s event.

Talk to your retailer now to reserve a copy and make sure you get your free Avatars! Tell retailers to contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information!