The Gamer Hotsheet

Following are the latest releases from Wargamedownloads.com:

Friday Night Fights Unlike any boxing game you've ever played	$8.00
Operation Dark Star Three interlocking scenarios revolving around a Task Force Black mission	$4.95
Warrior Heroes Warrior Heroes combines the best of wargaming miniatures with the personal touch of role-playing	$22.00
Zolfaqar's Blow: Armageddon in the Straits of Hormuz 2010 Iran attacks the US fleet using	$14.00

Periodically, I like to remind fellow sci-miniatures gamers that they can pick up some inexpensive miniatures from Studio Bergstrom. These are not the expensive, official miniatures you might find for sci-fi properties such as Stargate SG-1, Star Wars, or other well-known science-fiction names.  Rather, they're miniatures inspired by big-name properties that would look good alongside the real thing.

Currently in the Studio Bergstrom catalog are a "Stargate Picture Frame", F.E.D. ships that look a lot like Star Trek ships, "Galactics" starships which resemble a similarly-named sci-fi show's ships, "I.M.P." ships that might look at home with Darth Vader inside, and others.  They're all pretty reasonably priced as well. Most fighter-sized ships are priced in the $1.25-$1.50 range. 

I should point out that I get absolutely no kickbacks, commissions, or compensation of any kind from Studio Bergstrom.

Studio 2 Publishing announced on 8/20/08 that "in response to customer demand Pinnacle Entertainment has decided to make certain Deadlands Classic books available in print again through Studio 2 Publishing. The first books to be made available are the Player's Guide and the Marshal's Handbook which have been sold out for over three years."

PEG1100 Deadlands: Player's Guide is available here.

PEG1101 Deadlands: Marshal's Handbook is available here.

Mongoose Publishing has posted a preview of their upcoming Wraith Recon setting for Dungeons and Dragons Fourth Edition.  The main book will be released on October 1, 2008.   They've put a preview from the main book and a special introduction to Wraith Recon on their web site.

From the Matrix Games web site comes the following release information:

The sequel to Birth of America now available for purchase at Matrix Games

Matrix Games and AGEOD (www.ageod.com) are thrilled to announce that the new release Birth of America 2: Wars in America, is now available for purchase at the Matrix Games Store!  This grand strategy sequel to the popular Birth of America covers warfare in North America from the Pequot War in 1636 through full campaigns on the French and Indian War, Revolutionary War and War of 1812 all the way to the Battle of New Orleans in 1815.  Wars in America is a new game and comes with a sizeable list of new features and innovations as well as a large scenario list.

David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said "Birth of America was very well received by critics and strategy fans alike. The sequel to this fantastic gaming system comes loaded with new features and expanded possibilities making Birth of America 2: Wars in America a must-have for American Revolutionary War buffs and turn-based grand strategy fans alike."

Birth of America 2: Wars in America is the much expanded reprise of veteran developer AGEOD's acclaimed first release, which allows players to command either side of the conflicts before, during and after the American War for Independence between 1636 and 1815. Apart from the engaging turn-based strategy play that has been expanded and vastly improved over the original, Birth of America 2: Wars in America includes major new features like an improved and expanded map including the Mississippi River, new European off-map boxes (France, Great Britain, Spain, Holland) and more.

Birth of America 2: Wars in America also comes packed with over 100 new leaders and units, new orders, new abilities, several new scenarios and full campaigns including Fallen Timbers (1791-1794), Great Lakes (1813), New Orleans (1815), and new Political, Economic and Diplomatic options!

 

Features include:

• A new replay feature that allows the player to review any turn that they've played for in-depth After Action Reports or to track progress in detail!
• New cohesion system (based on AGEOD's American Civil War and Napoleon's Campaigns model) which has a large and more realistic impact on combat.
• Brand new concept of Engagement Points, allowing options for armaments purchases, political, economic and diplomatic options.
• An improved and expanded map including the Mississippi River, new European off-map boxes (France, GB, Spain, Holland) and more.
• New orders (e.g. spiking the guns, surrender with the Honour of War, remove leader, distant unload from ships).
• New updated rules (e.g. combat, Indians, minutemen, blockade, privateers, naval transport, German mercenaries, etc...)
• A challenging Foreign Entry competition system which will allow players to struggle in the race for the French Intervention.
• Over a hundred new leaders and units.
• Several new scenarios including Fallen Timbers (1791-1794), Great Lakes (1813), New Orleans (1815), and full campaigns on the French and Indian War, Revolutionary War and War of 1812
• Improved AI

From the Flames Rising web site comes news of the following new Shadowrun 4th Edition RPG titles:

Unwired

HACK THE PLANET!

Unwired is the advanced Matrix rulebook for Shadowrun, Fourth Edition. For everyday users, it explains how the Matrix works in easy-to-understand terms, and provides new software, qualities, and gear. For hackers and technomancers, it introduces new hacking tricks, malware, echoes, and sprites. It also covers system security and new Matrix phenomenon, from AIs to the resonance realms.Unwired contains everything players and gamemasters need for exploring the Matrix in Shadowrun.

Runner's Companion

MASTER THE SHADOWS

Life in the shadows has never been as dangerous, and runners need every edge they can get. Runner's Companion opens up a world of expanded options for Shadowrun players with dozens of New Qualities, Advanced Contact and Lifestyle Rules, and handy tips on running, travelling and smuggling, and operating in a surveillance society.

This core book for Shadowrun, Fourth Edition also introduces Metavariants, Changelings, and the Infected as player character options, and expands the scope of the game to include unique non-metahuman characters such as Shapeshifters, Free Spirits, and a new generation of AIs among others.

Emergence

An Evolutionary Upgrade

The Crash of 2064 ruined the lives of millions. Some died in the Matrix or went insane, many lost everything they owned, and still others found their identities completely erased. A small percentage changed into something altogether different, with the strange and inexplicable ability to affect the new Matrix with their minds. Now, in 2070, the existence of these technomancers becomes frontpage news, leading to widespread paranoia and witch hunts. The Emergence campaign setting involves the runners in a series of pivotal events that may change the way they view the world and the Matrix--and each other.

Look for these and other Shadowrun 4th Edition titles at RPGNow.com.

The Schutze Games web site has added two new titles recently, "First Strike" and "Illusionary Fortress (Singapore 1942)".

First Strike is designed by Bruce Costello with graphics by Nic Uloth.  It's a wargame of nuclear warfighting operations in 1983.  It's priced at $17.50 US.

Illusionary Fortress is designed by Peter Schutze.  It's a wargame of the battle of Singapore island in 1942. Three tired Japanese divisions battle against 5 battered British Empire divisions. It's priced at $12.50 US.

Dan Verssen Games (DVG) is currently accepting pre-orders for several boxed wargame titles:

Modern Land Battles
Modern Land Battles - Target Acquired uses the core game mechanics from their award-winning Modern Naval Battles game.  Price $39.99

Down in Flames - Aces High
Down in Flames is DVG's tactical air combat game.  Price $47.99

Field Commander - Alexander the Great
A solitaire strategy game. Price $34.99

Down in Flames - Aces High with Extra Card Deck
Price $67.99

From the Crocodile Games web site comes the following offer:

UPDATED August 20 -- GenCon Leftovers!

Were you not able to make it to GenCon, but still want some of the new figures? Check out this link, for news on how to order them (this week only!)

CLICK HERE!

The Columbia Games web site posts the following bit of wargame news:

ROME VS. ROME

Rome vs Rome brings the drama of the Roman Civil War to life. Players take control of the legions of Caesar or Pompey and fight to rule Rome as Emperor. There are two campaigns: "Crossing the Rubicon" in which Caesar faces Pompey, and "Augustus", in which Caesar's nephew Octavian battles with Marc Antony and Cleopatra.

Preorder now