I get home from work yesterday and Hackmaster Basic is waiting for me in my mailbox, having arrived about two days sooner than I’d expected. How fricking awesome is that? The game itself is right on target, surpassing all expectations. Combat looks flat out FUN. Converting a lot of the old stuff I’ve got in storage looks to be a breeze. I’ve rolled up a few Characters to get acquainted with the new rule set, and have even put together a serviceable dungeon crawl.
Now my only whine is “how long till the Hackmaster Advanced books come out?!?”
I noticed that Fantasy Flight Games is the current publisher of Talisman, an old favorite that went out of print a while back in despite being the most popular, well loved game of it’s kind. Once I confirmed that the The Fantasy Flight Games release of 4th edition includes actual paintable miniatures (like in the original) instead of the ridiculous cheap-assed cardboard cutouts that the previous publisher’s release had, I simply had no choice but to order it.
Oh and they’re also releasing the Expansions. Currently “Talisman - The Dungeon” is out (picking that up friday).
[Additonal - while scrounging around on the net I found this really cool Talisman related site.]
Blood Bowl! I think I’ve figured out what drives nostalgia… it’s being able to afford all the cool toys and shit that you couldn’t afford when you’re a kid that get re released when you’re an “adult. This game just looked awesome, but it (and honestly most of the games workshop stuff) was waaaaaaaay out of my reach back then. I was kinda pumped when I caught a scrap of info on the net indicating that Blood Bowl was being re-released, then I found out it this was what they were talking about. I’m not complaining, hell, I’m definitely gonna pick up the 360 version, but I was looking forward to an old school board & miniatures game.
No it’s not spam, I’m posting this on purpose, because I started laughing my ass off when skimmed the article.
More people are eating raw fish in urban areas…oh noes! surprise tapeworm! I mean, i like sushi now and again myself, but honestly if you’re shocked when you pick up some kind of parasite by eating raw meat… just LOL.
(research citation: The Duh Insititute for Studies of the Patently Obvious)
Hackmaster 5e will utterly dominate the fantasy RPG market, Crushing the competition, driving them before it and hearing the lamentation of the competitors booth babes, etc etc.
From what I’ve seen, the game is solid, and has that undefinable “old school” AD&D flavor. The marketing plan will be effective, The timing seems right - and as added bonus it’s being released on the heels of WoTC’s murder suicide of the D&D brand and as a company.
Ok maybe “utterly dominate” is a little strong, Pathfinder (Paizo’s 3-3.5 under the OGL) will likely be the heir appearant (and from what I’ve seen, desrvedly so -it looks pretty damn good) but I’m pretty sure it’ll grab a respectable chunk of the gaming market. Still, I can’t wait to get a fucking game going. (Hackmaster Basic might be released by June from what I hear.)
Kenzerco just plain puts out good stuff. (Shit, If you haven’t checked out Aces & Eights do so now- I’m thrilled to have a use for all these discount old western minis i picked up for a Deadlands campaign that never came about a few years back.)
[In keeping with my 2009 New Years resolution I’ve gone and removed a lengthy rant about the current state of WoTC and by extension D&D, Dumbing Things Down, King County, etc etc. I’m still wringing bile out of the curtains. - Me 28 APR 09]