Adventure Party

We talk with return guest Nick Bentley of North Star Games. We spoke to him January 10th about his new game called Stinker!. He has also created other games you may have heard of, like Cat Herders: The Cat Herding Game of Herding Cats, Odd, Glorieta, Shello, and Shifty. Tonight, we are going to talk about his new game/expansion called Evolution: Climate. You can steer the course of biological life and create creatures that can survive even the harshest of climates. We also talk about the wonders of YouTube and the videos of game play-throughs as a way to help you to better understand new games. You can find out more about Nick and North Star Games at http://www.northstargames.com/ and @northstargames.

Glenn's Review

This time out, Glenn introduces us to the board game called A Study in Emerald (Second Edition). This game is based on a short story by Neil Gaiman which is heavily influenced by the works of H.P. Lovecraft. Victorian England has been overrun by The Elder Gods. You must work to remove the shackles of the Old Ones but who is your enemy and who is your ally? The Second Edition version has more streamlined rules, new artwork, and previous errors corrected. This is a 2-5 player game that takes about 60 minutes to play. If you are a fan of Lovecraft or the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, you may enjoy this game.

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/178054/study-emerald-second-edition

News

5th Edition D&D now has a new RPG sourcebook from Skirmisher Publishing. It's called Men & Monsters of Ethiopia. You can now tap into the rich mythology of Ethiopia and learn more of their rich folklore. The sourcebook offers new NPC types, new monsters, and new ancient cities in which to set your adventures.

http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/men-monsters-of-ethiopia-rpg-sourcebook-available/

Kickstarter Spotlight

We talk about Evolution: Climate, which Nick Bentley had created. Now you'll be able to have climate be a driving force in how your creatures will survive in the various environments that are now available. For people who have the original Evolution game, you'll be able to purchase a 'conversion kit'. Otherwise, this is a whole new game that will make you rethink the strategies you may have used with the original Evolution board game.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1923120194/evolution-climate-a-stand-alone-boardgame

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Please consider helping us pay for our monthly operating costs by clicking HERE.  It will take you to the support page which has links to our Patreon campaign, where you can make a a recurring monthly pledge.  You’ll also find our affiliate link to use the next time you shop on Amazon, which gives us a small percentage from the sale of everything that you...

Our guest this week is Venger Satanis. He is a poet, painter, fellow Wisconsinite, proprietor of Kort'thalis Publishing and creator of the RPG called Alpha Blue and the recently Kickstarter funded Alpha Blue supplement called Girls Gone Rogue! We wanted to talk about the new project, why he's self publishing, who creates his beautiful game maps, and what it takes to Game Master Like a F**ing Boss. You can purchase his work at http://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/5876/Kortthalis-Publishing. You can see more of what he's working on at http://vengersatanis.blogspot.com/ and http://vengersatanis.com.

Glenn's Review

Have you ever wanted to be a cattle rustler from the Old West? If so, playing Longhorn is your chance to become the best cattle rustler in the land. This 2 player game is fast paced. An average game clocks in at around 15 minutes. The game ends in one of 3 ways. The sheriff finally catches one of the rustlers, if you steal all of the cattle meeples of the same color, or there are no more moves left to play.

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/148290/longhorn

News

After Six Years in Development, This Action RPG is Finally Coming Out

Grim Dawn was successfully Kickstarted with the promise of delivering an RPG experience that you've always wanted. The game is a bit like Diablo with some differences. It was built off of the Titan Quest engine so it has that class system and it will allow you to become dual-class, at later levels. You are also able to do co-op play and use a suite of modding tools to change up the game.

http://kotaku.com/after-six-years-in-development-this-action-rpg-is-fina-1760756925

Kickstarter Spotlight

The Spotlight shines on Kult: Divinity Lost. This is a retooling of the 1991 horror role-playing system that has a great premise. All of what we know is a lie. We cannot see our true masters and the part we play in their great design. We hang in the balance between Heaven and Hell. If you live long enough, you'll be able to change your destiny.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1037361623/kult-divinity-lost-horror-roleplaying-game-rpg

 

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James Lowder is a hero of mine and it was a true honor to speak with him. While his current project is working with the Munchkin folks, he was one of the people who helped bring the D&D world of Ravenloft to life. He is also known as an author, editor, and annual game gift giver extraordinaire. A few of his many notable works include “Prince of Lies” and “Knight of the Black Rose”.  He has just finished work on a book of absolute silliness, called the Munchkin Book--The Official Companion. We're going to talk with him about how this project came about,  get some Munchkin stories, being a writer vs. an editor, and working in the Ravenloft world.

Glenn's Review

Glenn reviews the game Battle Sheep. A 2-4 player game of strategy, exploration, and pasture dominion. An average game takes about 15 minutes and it's recommended for ages 7 and up. Glenn tells us why it's fun and what makes the game worth adding to your library.

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/54137/battle-sheep

News

Day Trippers RPG releases Golden Age Adventures, an anthology scenarios based on 16 of the most well known sci-fi writers on the 30s-50s. You too can explore the worlds of ground breaking sci-fi and why their work was truly a part of the Golden Age.

http://daytrippersrpg.com/content/leap-golden-age-leap-day-2016

http://daytrippersrpg.com/products/golden-age-adventures

Kickstarter Spotlight

Our spotlight shines on the game Saloon Tycoon. Each player is looking to build the perfect Saloon in the new frontier. This 2-4 player game requires quick thinking and a keen mind. You'll need to quickly build up your saloon and get it supplied to get your bonuses.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1459655047/saloon-tycoon-the-tile-game-that-builds-out-and-up-0

Hello, My Name Is:

Tony Young introduced us to his 5th ed. D&D character named Leaninlaylonolin Isold. He'll let us know why his character is great to play. For taking the time to talk with us, Tony received his Hello, My Name Is certificate.

Leave us feedback by calling our voicemail number at (805) 328-3966 e-mailing at [email protected] or, send an audio message by clicking https://www.speakpipe.com/GalacticNetcasts

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More episodes can be found at https://gncasts.com/adventure/

Please consider helping us pay for our monthly operating costs by clicking HERE.  It will take you to the support page which has links to our Patreon campaign, where you can make a a recurring monthly pledge.  You’ll also find our affiliate link to use the next time you shop on Amazon, which gives us a small percentage from the sale of everything that you buy.

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Ben Gerber is a game designer, podcaster, and Owner/Editor in Chief of the website, Troll in the Corner. We talk a bit about his game, Ninja: Silent But Deadly, the upcoming Swamped, and his work with the Wayne Foundation Charity. He is also a part of the G+ group Board Games and @Trollitc.

Glenn's Review

Glenn reviewed the game Alhambra. You are working to build a lush city in 1278. You are looking to hire the best artisans in the world but you need to pay them in their native currency. Towers, pavilions, gardens and more can only be built if you have the right amount of the correct currency. Placement is also important. You'll need proper walls to protect your paradise.

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/6249/alhambra

News

Lead By Example sourcebook for Star Wars: Age of Rebellion

New careers await you within the Rebellion. Try your hand as a Strategist and coordinate an attack against the Empire. You can also try out some of the new species that are in this new release. Whatever path you choose, you're in for an amazing adventure.

https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2016/2/4/join-the-top-ranks/

Kickstarter Spotlight

Zerpang! The ultimate battle awaits you. Zombies vs Pirates vs Robots vs Ninjas vs Cowboys vs Aliens vs Vampires in the showdown of the century. Strategy, card play, and shenanigans abound in this new boardgame.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/thegamecrafter/zerpang

We also get some Feedback from a listener!

 

Leave us feedback by calling our voicemail number at (805) 328-3966 e-mailing at [email protected] or, send an audio message by clicking https://www.speakpipe.com/GalacticNetcasts

Subscribe to this podcast at https://gncasts.com/subscribe-to-the-adventure-party-podcast/

More episodes can be found at https://gncasts.com/adventure/

Please consider helping us pay for our monthly operating costs by clicking HERE.  It will take you to the support page which has links to our Patreon campaign, where you can make a a recurring monthly pledge.  You’ll also find our affiliate link to use the next time you shop on Amazon, which gives us a small percentage from the sale of everything that you buy.

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Rob Wieland has contributed to many different game systems, Shadowrun, Stars Wars Saga Edition, Firefly, Fate and more. We chat with him about the discipline of writing, how to get a gig, what it's like to be freelancing for a living, how to figure out if freelancing is for you, and what other hats he's worn in the gaming industry. Rob gave us an amazing overview of what freelancing is all about. If you are interested, you'll want to make sure you give this meeting a listen. You can also see his current projects on Twitter @roboweiland.

Glenn's Review

Glenn reviewed the board game, Mystery of the Abbey. It's not your standard medieval mystery game. You'll need to juggle your duties as a monk as you work to solve the murder of a fellow monk. It's a collaborative game for 3 - 6 players. that can take 60 - 90 minutes to play. If you're a fan of the Brother Cadfael books or the movie, The Name of the Rose, this game may be for you.

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/915/mystery-abbey

News

Alien Invasion, the 3rd book in The End of the World roleplaying line has been released. Fantasy Flight Games has been producing its RPG line to help you bring about the end of the word. In this book, you'll be able to guide your players through Aliens replacing humans with copies, invading giant alien insects or a world that has already been secretly enslaved.

https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2016/1/28/extraterrestrial-life-confirmed/

Kickstarter Spotlight

Imagine a world that has literally gone to the dogs. A medieval world where mankind has long since perished and intelligent canines have taken their place. Following the ancient text called The Code of Man, these beings fight to protect the lands from monsters and those that wish to do harm. This Kickstarter was backed in a very short amount of time and looks to be one of the hotter RPGs to come along, this year.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/200664283/pugmire-fantasy-tabletop-rpg

Leave us feedback by calling our voicemail number at (805) 328-3966 e-mailing at [email protected] or, send an audio message by clicking https://www.speakpipe.com/GalacticNetcasts

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More episodes can be found at https://gncasts.com/adventure/

Please consider helping us pay for our monthly operating costs by clicking HERE.  It will take you to the support page which has links to our Patreon campaign, where you can make a a recurring monthly pledge.  You’ll also find our affiliate link to use the next time you shop on Amazon, which gives us a small percentage from the sale of everything that you buy.

If you would like to sign up for the Galactic Netcasts monthly newsletter and join the our Slack Team, to chat with hosts and other listeners, click HERE.  They are both absolutely, 100% free of charge!

In this meeting of Adventure Party, we talk about the pros and cons of using miniatures in your campaigns. Are miniatures really necessary in a tabletop campaign? If you use them, how do you use them effectively? How much pre-prep should you do to use miniatures without slowing down a game? Also, we give a shout out to former guest J.F. Dubeau and our favorite GM, Todd Roll.

Glenn's Review:

Terror in Meeple City is a board game that is very close to the old video game called Rampage. In fact, the original name of this board game was called Rampage but they were told to change it by Bally/Midway. In this game, you are a monster who is in town to cause destruction. You actually get to knock down buildings to score points. You can also toss vehicles and use your breath weapon to wreak havoc. Eat the meeples of Meeple City and gather the building floors you've destroyed to collect points.

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/97903/terror-meeple-city

News:

Curse of Strahd returns to 5th Edition D&D

Wizards of the Coast have unleashed Strahd von Zarovich on the world of 5th Edition D&D. This is something that could bring in old school gamers to the fold. The classic Ravenloft adventures was one of the best D&D horror settings ever created. You could find yourself in the land of Boravia fighting the minions of darkness or joining forces with the evil of the land. They have also released a series of untagged maps for you to use to create your own adventures in the cursed land of Barovia.

http://dnd.wizards.com/articles/news/return-ravenloft

Kickstarter Spotlight:

We're shining the Kickstarter Spotlight on Tiny Epic Western. This up to 4 player game lets you experience the Wild West and work towards taking over this town using your posse members to gain influence and buy up property. Conflict resolution is done by playing 3 card poker with the special cards they've produced for the game. They've broken through so many stretch goals that the game is going to look and play wonderfully. (Glenn and I backed the game as we were recording the meeting.)

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/coe/tiny-epic-western

Leave us feedback by calling our voicemail number at (805) 328-3966 e-mailing at [email protected] or, send an audio message by clicking https://www.speakpipe.com/GalacticNetcasts

Subscribe to this podcast at https://gncasts.com/subscribe-to-the-adventure-party-podcast/

More episodes can be found at https://gncasts.com/adventure/

Please consider helping us pay for our monthly operating costs by clicking HERE.  It will take you to the support page which has links to our Patreon campaign, where you can make a a recurring monthly pledge.  You’ll also find our affiliate link to use the next time you shop on Amazon, which gives us a small percentage from the sale of everything that you buy.

If you would like to sign up for the Galactic Netcasts monthly newsletter and join the our Slack Team, to chat with hosts and other listeners, click HERE.  They are both absolutely, 100% free of charge!

In this meeting of Adventure Party, Keith Mateka talks about how his two year old helped name his company, how a Protospiel event gave him inspiration for his new game, how you can start your own game company, and how you fulfill your Kickstarter to ship it to your backers.  You can check out Thunderworks Games on Twitter @thunderworksgam and http://www.thunderworksgames.com/

Glenn's Review:

Glenn reviews the board game, Libertalia. You are a pirate roaming the high seas, competing for treasure. You and your ships must beat out your competitors to get the riches you so rightly deserve.

http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/125618/libertalia

News:

Tabletop games have raised far more money than video games, in the world of Kickstarter. In fact, board games raised more than twice the funding than their digital cousin.

http://siliconangle.com/blog/2016/01/14/tabletop-games-raised-twice-as-much-as-video-games-on-kickstarter-in-2015/

Kickstarter Spotlight:

The light shines on the card game called Biergarten. You must create the best biergarten in town. You'll need plenty of tables, taps and a bit of strategy to create the perfect atmosphere for your patrons.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1602113881/biergarten-a-light-card-laying-game-of-bavarian-tr?ref=category_social

Feedback:

We received feedback from listeners Kanati Niallo and Gretchen Wolfmeyer as well.

Leave us feedback by calling our voicemail number at (805) 328-3966 e-mailing at [email protected]or, send an audio message by clicking https://www.speakpipe.com/GalacticNetcasts

Subscribe to this podcast at https://gncasts.com/subscribe-to-the-adventure-party-podcast/

More episodes can be found at https://gncasts.com/adventure/

Please consider helping us pay for our monthly operating costs by clicking HERE.  It will take you to the support page which has links to our Patreon campaign, where you can make a a recurring monthly pledge.  You’ll also find our affiliate link to use the next time you shop on Amazon, which gives us a small percentage from the sale of everything that you buy.

If you would like to sign up for the Galactic Netcasts monthly newsletter and join the our Slack Team, to chat with hosts and other listeners, click HERE.  They are both absolutely, 100% free of charge!

We talk with indie game designer Nick Bentley about his new project called Stinker! We discuss how his girlfriend helped inspire this game, how he named it after her, and Nick's views on game design for smart phone apps.

Glenn's Review:

Did you know that wombats poop in cube shapes? You learn this and so much more in Wombat Rescue. It's a 1-4 player game that educates you about wombats. It's a fun strategy game that makes you the mother of 4 lost baby wombats. You need to find them and bring them home. You'll need to watch out for the sinister dingo that roams the board, looking for his next meal. It's a 60 minute game that is for people 10+ in age.

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/170300/wombat-rescue

 

News:

Somnium Void is a new setting for USR (Unbelievably Simple Roleplaying system). Trollish has now given you everything you need to run a space opera style adventure. Travel the heavens and discover everything there is to offer in this lush sci-fi world.

http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/trollish-delver-games-releases-somnium-void-setting-for-usr/

 

Kickstarter Spotlight:

For those of you who LARPed the Minds Eye Theater Vampire setting, you remember roaming through the dark places of the world. A world ruled by the creatures of the night. Now, By Night Studios is offering the Minds Eye Theater: Werewolf The Apocalypse setting. You can explore the world of the Garou and fight the Wrym to restore Gia to her full glory.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/bynightstudios/minds-eye-theatre-werewolf-the-apocalypse/

 

 

Leave us feedback by calling our voicemail number at (805) 328-3966 e-mailing at [email protected] or, send an audio message by clicking https://www.speakpipe.com/GalacticNetcasts

 

Subscribe to this podcast at https://gncasts.com/subscribe-to-the-adventure-party-podcast/

 

More episodes can be found at https://gncasts.com/adventure/

 

Please consider helping us pay for our monthly operating costs by clicking HERE.  It will take you to the support page which has links to our Patreon campaign, where you can make a a recurring monthly pledge.  You’ll also find our affiliate link to use the next time you shop on Amazon, which gives us a small percentage from the sale of everything that you buy.

 

If you would like to sign up for the Galactic Netcasts monthly newsletter and join the our Slack Team, to chat with hosts and other listeners, click HERE.  They are both absolutely, 100% free of charge!

We wanted to do a retrospective and wrap-up of 2015. We review our Top 5 most viewed YouTube episodes and most downloaded audio episodes. What were they about, what we talked about, and speculate why they were important to our Party Members.

Our YouTube list is:

* Patrick Rothfuss and Worldbuilding

* Andy Gille and Digital RPGs

* Kenneth Hite, The Dracula Dossier, and Much More

* Chris Tregenza and 6d6 RPG

* Terry Stevens and Magic the Gathering Storylines

Our Podcast list is:

* Glenn Buettner and Creating/Publishing Games

* Andy Gille and Digital RPGs

* Patrick Rothfuss and Worldbuilding

* A Few of our Favorite Things

* Kenneth Hite, The Dracula Dossier, and Much More

Glenn’s Review:

Glenn reviewed the card game called Evolution. The game is all about evolving and surviving in a pre-historic world. Will you be a carnivore or herbivore? Will outside forces allow your creatures to thrive or die off? Careful planning and a bit of luck can make of break the life on this world. Will you come out on top or be wiped out to make way for something better?

This game is also educational and is being used to teach the theory of evolution in schools.

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/155703/evolution

News:

Wyrd games has just released The Ferryman, which is a new one-shot campaign for Through the Breach. You are sent to investigate a river that is claiming the lives of experienced sailors. The bounty to be made for solving this problem could make you wealthy but it could also be the last thing you ever do.

http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/wyrd-games-releases-penny-dreadful-one-shot-the-ferryman/

Kickstarter Spotlight:

Our Spotlight shines on WINTERDALE: Medieval Fantasy Citadel Collection for 28mm. If you love tabletop games, laying out terrain, and have access to a 3-D printer, this is right up your alley. If you get on board, you'll have access to printable files to make all the buildings, walls, staircases, and more for your next fantasy RPG setting.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/printablescenery/winterdale-medieval-fantasy-citadel-collection-for

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We decided to continue the theme of making Christmas recommendations, for this meeting of Adventure Party. With Star Wars about to premier and the release of the new Independence Day trailer, we thought we'd discuss some of our favorite space based games. We recommend and discuss Battlestar Galactica, Star Fleet Battles, Mag Blast, Star Wars: X-Wing Miniatures Game, and Space Hulk.

Glenn’s Review:

Glenn reviews the tabletop war minis game Star Wars: Armada. This is your opportunity to pilot and X-Wing, Tie Fighter, or any other ship in the Star Wars universe. Fantasy Flight Games has done a tremendous job creating a well designed ship minis and great game mechanics for space battles. You can maneuver your ship(s) to try and out fox your opponent(s) and bring victory to your side of the conflict. These are pre-painted miniatures, so you don't have to spend your time getting the colors and paint designs right.

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/163745/star-wars-armada

News:

Speaking of Fantasy Flight Games, they have released Star Wars®: Edge of the Empire. This is a new sourcebook to allow your Star Wars RPG character do new and amazing, tech based things. You'll now have access to ideas and stats for weapons, cybernetics, and other technical feats. This will add a whole new dimension to your next Star Wars campaign.

https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2015/12/3/special-modifications/

Kickstarter Spotlight:

Deluxe Changeling: the Dreaming 20th Anniversary Edition

Onyx Path is releasing it's new update to the classic White Wolf Changeling core rule book. The setting has moved forward 20 years and we get to see this through the eyes of a Changeling. former guest Matt McFarland spearheaded this book and brought it into the 21st century. You can explore the Fae Realm and the creatures of the Fey, in the White Wolf setting, and know the wonder of the more 'magical side of the street'.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/200664283/deluxe-changeling-the-dreaming-20th-anniversary-ed

By CK-12 Foundation (File:High School Chemistry.pdf, page 61) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Leave us feedback by calling our voicemail number at (805) 328-3966 e-mailing at [email protected] or, send an audio message by clicking https://www.speakpipe.com/GalacticNetcasts

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More episodes can be found at https://gncasts.com/adventure/

Please consider helping us pay for our monthly operating costs by clicking HERE.  It will take you to the support page which has links to our Patreon campaign, where you can make a a recurring monthly pledge.