In Other News - Warhammer, Dragonland, Igliari, and Asmodee Digital
Barnes and Noble have added more games set in the Warhammer universe to their growing line of Games Workshop products aimed at the entry level market. Space Marine Adventures: Rise of the Orks and Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Crypt Hunters are both current available exclusively at Barnes & Noble. Space Marine Adventures: Rise of the Orks is a 1-5 player, cooperative, game where swarms of Orks try to take over the position held by the Space Marines who are defending a shield generator. Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Crypt Hunters is a 2 player game where one player creates and plays the dungeon and traps while the other player uses their band of Crypt Hunters to explore the dungeon.
The previously mentioned Castle TriCon 2020 convention is currently underway online. The event runs from the 24th until the 27th of September and requires that you download their software to join a virtual world of attendees, game designers, and product demonstrators from HeidelBÄR Games, Czech Games Edition (CGE), and Horrible Guild. Its a very interesting experience as you create an avatar and run around in an MMO-like environment where you can speak to other people through video or audio chat. Games are demoed inside the application through Tabletopia without you requiring a separate account to participate. All-in-all, a well setup event which is worth attending (entrance is free).
Igiari have announced their plans to facelift 3 older games for release to a newer audience. Vabanque, originally published by Winning Move Games in 2001, is a 45 minute bluffing game for 3-6 players set in a casino and is designed by Bruno Faidutti (Citadels) and Leo Colovini (Cartagena). Templari, originally published as Don (mafia theme) by Queen Games, and later Serengeti (African theme) by Asmodee/Abacusspiele, is a 30 minute auction/bidding and set collection game for 3-5 players set in the world of the Templars and is designed by Michael Schacht (Coloretto). Intrigue is a 45 minute betrayal game for 3-5 players designed by Stefan Dorra (For Sale) which relies upon negotiation and diplomacy. Vabanque will be launched on Kickstarter in October, while Templari and Intrigue will be published through distribution channels.
Asmodee Digital have also released a co-operative play mode for their digital adaption of Isaac Childres' Gloomhaven which lets 4 players raid dungeons, loot treasures, and expand the influence of their guilds. The Blood Rage: Digital Edition game will also get its first expansion in the form of a DLC entitled Mystics of Midgard. A Game of Thrones: The Board Game Digital Edition based on the popular novel, A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin, will also be released soon and currently has a gameplay trailer available.
In other "old becomes new" game news, Dragonland by Reiner Knizia is now being published by Gamelyn Games. This was originally published by Ravensburger and Rio Grande Games way back in 2002 and is an epic, adventure game for families. Players aid their dragons to secure their eggs and treasure before the volcanoes erupt.
