Now we are entering the end of the first quarter of the year, and looking ahead, this year should be good for gaming in general. The immediate news, of course, is the massive success of Pokemon, the card game that is based on the TV show of the same name.
A game where you play a monster trainer controlling battling monsters, the codeword is: gone. The decks are in short supply, and the boosters are nearly impossible to find. However, before you start forking over $140 a box on the net, just remember, its all coming back in about a week or two. WOTC has announced that the next wave is due soon, and while I dont know if they are 1st or 2nd edition, they are coming back.
WOTC made news again with Urzas Legacy, the first Magic expansion featuring premium cards. Foil inserts are very popular with the fans of the game, and these prove no exception. Sales are fast, but the quantity is good, so look for a steady supply well into April.
Games Workshop is making news too, but not in the same venue. I only discovered in the last few days about their new price hike, which is about fifty cents per blister and one dollar per box set. Dont worry, though. At Games Nation, we wont be raising prices across the board like others. When we have to pay the new restock prices, then well change the tags. Not before.
Also from GW, Battlefleet Gothic should be hitting the stores in about 2 weeks. Eleven years in the waiting, this should be a big hit with the older GW fans, and will finally add a decent space combat game into the 40K universe. News from the fantasy front is good, with new Skaven regiments and a new type of regimental base. Call the store for more details.
Palladium finally delivered on its new product, Rifts Australia. The 19th book of the Rifts universe (not counting the other supplements), this is the first part of the trilogy on the land down under after the lands were shaken up.
Pinnacle surprised us this last month, with now one but two releases for Hell on Earth. Both Children O the Atom and Road Warriors appeared, and are fantastic additions to the future of Deadlands. Look for the Junkers book soon.
Five Rings has been releasing many more miniatures, with the Lion Clan army box, and a whole slew of Crane minis. The new shadowlands critters are nice too, and suitable disgusting for a Call of Cthulhu campaign.
From FRP as well, the final arc of the Hidden Emperor arrived as planned, with the added surprise that the emperor has returned as a ninja. This is only part one of a larger story, and the next part will begin with the Pearl edition of L5R, available at the pre-release tourney at Games Nation in the next few months. Keep reading this space for more into.
Target Games has been busy too, with retooled releases for Chronopia and Warzone, and the new minis are nice. A huge Dark Symmetry monstrosity was released last week, and a new series of Bauhaus blitzers and Capitol troops. No more football helmets for Capitol, they look very cool now.
Rumor from ICE says that the QRaj Void Protectorate is due out soon, and while we are waiting, we can think about the new edition of the Middle Earth CCG. Initial reports say that most of the old cards can be used in the new set, and I will take that to assume that it means that the good stuff is still valid, while the hundreds of filler cards, or those pertaining to starter movement, will be removed. Again, this is only speculation on my part. Well know more in a few weeks.
New Seattle from FASA was released this past month, and we should be seeing the new magic book this month. Hopefully, it will actually arrive on time, as the fans of Shadowrun have been waiting for this expansion ever since S3rd hit the shelves.
Speaking of expansions, rumor is that Endor for the Star Wars CCG is coming out either late this month or early next, so watch the shelves or sign boards for more info on that game. Decipher is doing a smashing job of the game, and plans are already afoot for the adaptation of Star Wars Episode 1. I cant wait.
