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March 1st, 2009 - Love, war, and gaming

With Mike and Allan.

This one’s a slightly longer show, which has been delayed in file malfunction hell for a while. We didn’t want to give up on it, though, so here it is, finally – our DunDraCon 2009 show. We’ll get back into our twice-monthly show pattern as quick as we can.

As per our new format, we hit the Gaming News Update first (1:02), and hear of the Konami/Upper Deck disagreement over Yu-Gi-Oh, three card game expansions coming from Atlas Games, Free RPG Day 2009, and Green Ronin’s A Song of Ice and Fire arriving in stores after a slight delay. (If you want your gaming news in bite-sized podcast form, along with occasional industry interviews and stories, check out the OgreCave Gaming News Update page at http://www.ogrecave.com/newsupdate ).

After brief discussion at (4:56) of CCGs in general, we turn to DunDraCon 2009, which Allan attended. (7:45) After describing the show at bit to set the stage, we have a silly segment showing two different ways gamers might handle Valentine’s Day, which hit during the con once again. (11:34; the wind kicks up for a sec here – sorry about that) After that bit of nonsense, we talk to Aldo Ghiozzi of Impressions about Free RPG Day 2009, coming June 20 (14:30), and we discuss what gamers should expect from the event. (22:00)

Then we have a lengthy (!) interview with Joseph Goodman (Goodman Games), Steve Chenault (Troll Lord Games), and Aaron “Blackdirge” Rudel (Blackdirge Publishing/Goodman Games). (25:25) This is an interview in the tradition of our previous “GoodLord Games” interviews, so buckle up and hang on. From Goodman’s Level Up and Mafia-inspired city of Punjar, to Troll Lord’s recently expanded Crusader Magazine and its Harvesters RPG, to Blackdirge’s 4e critter products, we ramble through all sorts of things.

After the interview, we briefly discuss print magazines (at 1:00:40), and then Mike reveals that he’s getting rid of certain games because he never gets to play them. Then at (1:05:05) we arrive at Currently Playing: Allan got into some Monster Mash-Up, Run for Your Life, Candyman, Princess Bride: Storming the Castle, Hey, That’s My Fish, 10 Days in Asia, Blokus, Faerie’s Tale, RoboRally, and Primordeal Soup, plus his usual weekly D&D campaign and Tomb Raider: Underworld. Mike has played more Little Big Planet, Rock Band, and tried out The Space Game.

As always, we welcome your thoughts on this stuff. Deposit all comments here (http://ogrecave.com/2009/06/04/audio-report-rumors-of-demise-are-highly-exaggerated/ for those of you reading this on iTunes).

December 26, 2008 - Lists, holidays, and what it all means

With Mike, Allan, and frequent OgreCave kuo-toa Steve Kani.

In our second of two refugee shows from 2008, Steve rejoins us to provide a retailer perspective on the holiday sales season.

We hit some news tidbits up front (foreshadowing our upcoming format change), in the following order:

(1:40) Some initial praise for the Android launch by FFG.
(2:20) General thoughts on the Konami/Upper Deck lawsuit over Yu-Gi-Oh! thus far, and how well the game seems to do in our area.
(5:40) Brief discussion of the December 2nd WotC layoffs, which included Jonathan Tweet and Dave Noonan.
(8:46) A few thoughts on the attempted takeover of Gen Con LLC.
(10:08) More thoughts on the Android release, FFG in general, and musing on the success of the Battlestar Galactica board game and Living Card Games.
(17:25) Once again, other discussion leads into the topic of big board games with big prices.

Then we get to the meat of the show – “wrapping” up the year with talk of gift guides (including our own annual list). This, of course, leads to other discussion:

(21:48) The San Francisco Chronicle published a holiday gift list, and retailers felt the effects. Some of the newspaper’s gift suggestions were rather surprising.
(24:50) Steve offers his quick synopsis of Stone Age (Rio Grande).
(28:33) Will a newspaper gift guide convert any casual gamers to full-fledged gamers? We’re rather dubious.
(29:43) This episode’s all-important beverage report, followed by some Nostradumbass predictions for 2009. Very Nostradumbass.
(34:21) Some thoughts on Partini (Parker Brothers), and its similarities to Cranium.

Then we get to Currently Playing:

(36:20) Steve played Senji (Asmodée), Cosmic Encounter (Avalon Hill), a very heavily inked copy of Titan (Valley Games), Hive (Smart Zone Games), Zimbbos, Coo Coo, and Double Shutter (all from Blue Orange Games), and ends with some bragging about Ninja versus Ninja (Out of the Box).
(43:19) Over the past few weeks, Allan has sunk his teeth into Rorschach (Bucephalus Games), Backseat Drawing, Apples to Apples, and Ninja versus Ninja (Out of the Box), Ninja Burger: Sumo-size Me! (Steve Jackson Games), Spree! (Cheapass Games), Atlanteon (Fantasy Flight Games), Living Labyrinth and Toboggans of Doom (Bucephalus Games), Simpsons Clue and Life (Parker Brothers), Draco Mundis (Hazaard/Asmodée), Mario Kart on the Wii, and Lego Batman on the 360.
(53:15) Mike thought Agricola (Z-Man Games) had far too many pieces, but had no problem with Power Grid (Rio Grande). He also played Kill Doctor Lucky (Cheapass Games), Carcassonne (Rio Grande), and the RPG Dirty Secrets (Dark Omen Games). Mike talks briefly about World War 5 (Looney Labs), which is now fully reviewed in OgreCave’s review section (http://www.ogrecave.com/reviews).

We end with rambling talk of gifts received, and foreshadow our upcoming gaming challenge. Be sure to check out our eighth annual OgreCave Christmas Gift Guide, and fill in your collection with a few belated gifts to yourself.

Deposit all comments here (http://ogrecave.com/2009/03/08/audio-report-lists-and-holidays/#comments for those of you reading this on iTunes).

November 16, 2008 - Autumn madness

With Mike and Allan.

We’re getting caught up after some computer issues and work related delays, but we’re back on track, so here’s the first of two refugee shows from 2008. Expect an ad or two this show – you have been warned. Some highlights we managed to hit for this episode were:

(1:06) Our first discussion of the closure of WizKids, prior to the Catalyst/Piñata bids.
(6:59) Upper Deck’s second layoff of 2008, on the same day the World of Warcraft Miniatures Game released.
(8:36) Our initial thoughts on the WOW Miniatures Game. Mike draws rules comparison to Car Wars, of all things. Then we talk about several concerns we have for the product’s potential success.
(19:31) Mike bemoans his lack of time for playing the latest “new hotnesses” in indie RPGs. He mentions Box Ninja’s 3:16 – Carnage Amongst the Stars, which later ended up in our OgreCave Christmas Gift Guide 2008. See our Features section at http://www.ogrecave.com/features for more goodies.
(20:29) Allan brings up the Gen Con/Lucasfilm lawsuit news (it’s been dropped), and the Gen Con charity auction mix-up with the Christian Children’s Fund. Boy, someone at CCF dropped the ball on that one.
(24:06) Some random thoughts on how the industry is gearing up for the final sales push of 2008. Get in the black, or go home!
(27:11) Currently Playing begins. Allan starts with Monty Python Fluxx (Looney Labs), and general Fluxx discussion ensues. This brings us to a mention of We Didn’t Playtest This At All, and to wondering if a board game equivalent to Fluxx exists. Allan also had his Halloween session of D&D 3.5, and played the demo for Penny Arcade: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness.
(35:45) Having already mentioned 3:16, Mike admits to playing copious amounts of Katamari Damasi and We Love Katamari, as well as World of Goo, and the Magic: The Gathering-like game Spectromancer. With his game group, Mike also got into some Looping Louie, Tannhauser, and others.
(40:03) Mike squeezes in some quick thoughts on this year’s Games 100 list. We make fun of its categories, which, admittedly, we have no right to do. This morphs into discussion/lamentation of the state of game magazine publishing, with even online magazine Pyramid having to make adjustments.
(44:05) Not content to end there, we talk a bit about what we’re looking forward to. Allan’s hoping to get into some Okko, Senji, and Tomb Raider: Underworld, and still struggles to find willing players for the Maid RPG. Mike’s looking to try some Dirty Secrets, talks about A Flower for Mara, and things degenerate into silliness from there. Mike makes claims that there are no Christmas-themed games, forcing Allan to school him with past reviews from OgreCave’s review section (http://www.ogrecave.com/reviews).

Then a quick word from RPGnow and their March Fourth for GM’s Day promotion. Check out the cool deals, and pick up something for your GM to inflict upon you.

Be sure to check out our first annual Screams from the Cave feature for a solid dose of horror-themed reviews and other dark goodies.

Deposit all comments here.

October 26, 2008 - Miniatures and fear, sort of

With Mike and Allan.

In this Halloween-ish episode, miniatures seem to dominate our thoughts. At (2:45), we talk about the recent news that D&D Miniatures will be less randomized and no longer support the skirmish combat game. We discuss what this means for gamers, and for Wizards of the Coast.

Then after talking generally about miniatures games (13:10), we make an initial attempt to define what we feel a cross-training gamer should have on hand – starting with the miniatures category and its various subdivisions. (15:57) At (22:07) we try to clear up where big boardgames like Descent and StarCraft would fit in, category-wise.

In other news, Mike’s interested in the Epic Adventures and Battle Maps scenario packs for BattleLore and Memoir 44, respectively. (29:17) Then we try to bring things around to spooky games: both Super Genius Games and Goodman Games are working on licensed Call of Cthulhu adventures; Do You Worship Cthulhu? (Toy Vault) and The Werewolves of Miller’s Hollow (Asmodée) have both crossed our paths lately (34:20); Mike mentions Hunter: The Vigil (White Wolf) along with a vague notion that he should go pick up Changeling. (35:54)

Currently Playing gets underway at (37:14) – Allan’s played Let’s Kill! (the Sancho Games version), then provides a quick review of The Haunting House (Twilight Creations). Okko: Era of the Asagiri (Asmodée) is mentioned (41:55), as well as the long-extinct Gregory Horror Show Game. At (44:33) he wraps his side of Currently Playing with a few preliminary comments on Monty Python Fluxx (Looney Labs) (full review to follow soon), and has plans for a nasty Halloween D&D session.

At (49:25) Mike has played ThunderRoad (Milton Bradley; OgreCave mascot game), talks a bit about 3:16 – Carnage Amongst the Stars (BoxNinja). He also mentions a game he’s playtesting, Misery Bubblegum (Muse of Fire Games), and is getting excited about Superstruct. (52:46)

We finish at (55:03) with a few bits of business. First, a mention of the Screams from the Cave event, which includes OgreCave’s Random Encounter interview with Harley Stroh of Goodman Games about the upcoming Age of Cthulhu line. Then a reminder that listeners did indeed win prizes in last month’s podcast contest – see the winner list we announced at this link, and thanks for joining in the fun.

Place your comments over here.

September 12, 2008 - Ogre's Choice 2008, and podcast prizes!

With Mike, Allan, and Steve.

Note: Listen carefully during this OgreCave Audio Report episode, and learn how to participate in the multi-podcast Secret Codes Contest (see below).

Our third annual Ogre’s Choice Awards stumble in and sit on all the fragile antique furniture. As always, we cover a wide range of categories, some with surprises, and we take no prisoners. The official 2008 Ogre’s Choice Award page is available for those who want to play along at home.

After the awards, we get into Currently Playing: Mike has played A Touch of Evil (Flying Frog), Tomb (AEG), We Didn’t Playtest This at All (Asmadi Games), OgreCave’s mascot game ThunderRoad (Milton Bradley), and did some initial fiddling with Monsterpocalypse (Privateer Press). Other than the weekly D&D 3.5 campaign, Steve may be running his Cyberpunk group soon. Allan got into some Facts in Five (University Games), Agricola (Z-Man Games), and Jungle Speed (Asmodée), plus the weekly D&D game.

Now, about the Secret Codes Contest: OgreCave has joined forces with four other gaming podcasts to form Voltron – wait, it’s actually to offer up $250 of free game goodies. Listen carefully to find out how you can participate – the details are in this show, somewhere. We made sure to enunciate.

Participating Shows:

Atomic Array
Brilliant Gameologists
OgreCave Audio Report (where you are now)
The Podgecast
The Tome Show

Each winner will receive one of ten $25 gift certificates from Noble Knight Games. You have your quest – get going, and good luck!

Check back with OgreCave throughout October for our Screams from the Cave event, where we focus on all things creepy, fearful, or monstrous. And if you feel so inclined, place your comments here.

September 5, 2008: PAX and HELLAS

With Mike and Allan, OgreCave’s brothers in arms. Or something.

To start off, Mike went to Penny Arcade Expo ’08 (PAX), and describes the mixed electronic/tabletop gaming scene for those who couldn’t get out Seattle-way. At (4:10) we muse on possible PAX East locations briefly, then at (5:55) Mike gives us his initial impression of Monsterpocalypse (Privateer Press). After some discussion of balancing factions and collectible game pricing (around 9:00), we cheer for miniature buildings.

Then at (15:30) Mike starts to recount the tabletop game companies in attendance (a process that continues through the rest of the episode). We wander into D&D 4e thoughts at (16:44). Mike picked up We Didn’t Playtest This At All (Asmadi Games, despite Mike’s faulty memory), and makes reference to 1,000 Blank White Cards. (18:55) Other goodies mentioned: Unhallowed Metropolis from Eos Press (20:28); Champions Online from Cryptic Studios (22:16); Schizoid by Skaff Elias and Richard Garfield, from Torpex Games (23:28); and Mike’s perennial fav, Icehouse from Looney Labs. (24:55)

At the (26:00) mark, we drop in Mike’s interview from the PAX ’08 show floor with Michael Fiegel and Jerry Grayson, creators of the Hellas RPG. The trio talks up everything from 300 in space and D&D 4e, to hot blue chicks seen at Gen Con.

At (44:50) Mike tells us a bit about the electronic games he got a glimpse of despite the huge crowds – Little Big Planet; Wii Music and the Wii Fit controller making a very interesting drum kit simulator (46:09); a mention of Locke’s Quest and Ninja Town, both for the Nintendo DS; and De Blob for the Wii, “kinda a mix of Katamari Damasi and Jet Grind Radio”. (48:48)

A quick jump back to boardgames for Battlestar Galactica and Dust Tactics (Fantasy Flight) at about (50:00). Having already summarized Mike’s Currently Playing list, Allan recounts his list – Tomb Raider: Legend, and introducing his daughter to Portal on the Xbox 360. (54:33) The weekly D&D 3.5 campaign continues, and there’s hope of playing All Flesh Must Be Eaten soon. This somehow leads to a “jazz hands!” throwdown from Mike, and we’re all afraid.

Thanks to Michael Fiegel and Jerry Grayson for talking with us about Hellas. Don’t forget the 2008 Ogre’s Choice Awards (EDIT: now posted!) coming up next show, as well as a multi-podcast contest we’ll be announcing.

Comments over this way.

July 24, 2008 - Joe Goodman on Dungeon Crawl Classics for 4E

Special guest Joseph Goodman of Goodman Games gives us the scoop on the future of Dungeon Crawl Classics, featuring some customized fired-up licensing tricks. Approx. 45 minutes, with some discussion of the West End Games sale about 30 min. in. More complete show notes to come.

Comments over heaaaahhhh.

July 5, 2008 -; Fun with Fourth Edition, and more

With Mike, Allan, and guest Lee Valentine of Veritas Games Company.

We start out (at 1:55) discussing our general impressions of the D&D 4e Game System License. There’s some vaguery of language, some seemingly sweeping restrictions, and generally discouraging rules in the GSL. We swing ‘round to the fact that D&D Insider is just barely starting to show a portion of its potential (7:58), but still doesn’t help sell the game, particularly. At (11:40), Mike has played Keep on the Shadowfell a bit, Lee has a lengthy review of the Player’s Handbook for us (over in our Reviews section), and we debate proper pricing for 4e products. A few brave and bold companies out there, including Goodman Games, are going ahead with 4e products, and we talk a bit about them.

In other news, Fantasy Flight’s Mutant Chronicles CMG has dropped the “C” part, which we find interesting. Some retailers feel otherwise. (20:04) OgreCave listeners who follow our main news feed have weighed in on this already.

Days of Wonder products are now exclusively distributed by Alliance. We discuss briefly, making the apt comparison to comics distribution. If you don’t know why this matters, Lee lays it out for you. (25:45) Musing on other DoW products eventually winds down this topic.

Currently Playing arrives at (32:30). Allan starts, having played his weekly D&D game (still firmly 3.5, due to lack of demand for otherwise). Red Dragon Inn (Slugfest Games) dominated one of his boardgaming group’s sessions, but also allowed time for You’ve Been Sentenced, and Cave Troll: Second Edition.

Mike chimes in (35:24) with a mention of blending D&D 4e with Universalis. He’s also played Dungeonquest, Elkfest, Aquarius, and a little gem called I Win. He also compares Carolus Magnus to Power Grid, favorably.

At (39:30), Lee’s been deeply embroiled in playing and reviewing D&D 4e, but managed to get some other games in. He played Ticket to Ride: Switzerland and Ticket to Ride: 1910 – Big Cities, then got his ego handed to him by his cable system in Reversi, but fared better in Sudoku. He’s also planning to review Ticket to Ride: The Card Game soon.

Thanks to Lee Valentine for joining us again, and for hammering away at detailed reviews for us. Be sure to leave your comments here.

June 14, 2008 - Free RPG Day looms ever closer

With Mike and Allan.

We're joined this show by special guest Aldo Ghiozzi of Impressions Advertising & Marketing, the company behind Free RPG Day (coming up June 21st). We ask how the event has changed for its second year, and what to expect. (1:02) Aldo tells us about specific goodies to look for that a wide range of game companies have offered up. (6:27) At (9:55) we talk a bit about the event's international angle this year, and at (15:38) we try to make Aldo cry by bringing up the thought of customizable Free RPG Day product boxes for retailers.

Mike asks the D&D 4e question, and Aldo gives his preliminary thoughts. (22:05) We also hit him up for his Currently Playing summary, where we heard about the Red Dragon Inn sequel by Slugfest Games, and Senji by Asmodeé. (25:07) A discussion of climbing game prices ensues, and the reasons they aren't likely to come down soon. (26:47) It all comes back around to supporting retail stores with promo events like Free RPG Day, a great note to end on.

Get out to your local participating store for Free RPG Day 2008 this coming Saturday, June 21st! Thanks to Aldo Ghiozzi for coming by and giving us the scoop on this year’s event. Be sure to place all comments over here.

May 23, 2008 - Prelaunch jitters, early impressions, and other stuff

With Mike and Allan.

Can you tell work and vacations have delayed us? This show, recorded just prior to the release of D&D 4e, shows our respective frames of mind regarding the launch preparations. With that in mind, Mike checked in with our old co-conspirator Chris Hanrahan to get his thoughts on the new edition. (2:43) A final pass is made through the general failure to properly hype the Fourth Edition launch, both with Chris at (7:40), and with Allan and Mike at (17:10). Toward the end of our D&D discussion (23:34), Mike asks if conversion from one edition to another has been a big deal in the past – Allan's not that worried. Note the rumor mongering at (34:32).

We talk briefly of the recent Upper Deck layoffs at (35:25) – note the great discussion on our main page – and how some former UD employees already have other projects underway. At (37:29), we are impressed and intrigued once again by the latest Fundable drive by Pagan Publishing and Arc Dream Publishing to get Delta Green: Targets of Opportunity.

Barnes & Noble wants to buy Borders – does this affect gamers much? Actually, it could. (43:51)

From the random musings department, we wonder how an Indiana Jones RPG would do if released today. (45:50)

At about (48:00), Currently Playing kicks in. Allan gives his initial impressions of Dragon Lairds by Margaret Weiss Productions. He also played Lord of the Fries: Third Edition from Steve Jackson Games; 10 Days in Africa, and The Mother Load of Sticky Gulch from Dogtown Games.

Mike played Safari Jack (Cheapass Games), Bohnanza, Power Grid, and ThunderRoad.

Thanks to Chris from for talking 4e with us. Be sure to leave your comments here.

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