Archive for July, 2007
GTS Seminars: The Bottom Line, Part 1 of 2
 |
Dave Wallace looks at the most important part of the business this week, the numbers. This two-part presentation is a must listen for anyone in retail. It will give you a real good idea where your numbers need to be to have a healthy store. Dave also talks about the effect of discounting, labor costs, and other factors that can have an impact on your bottom line. |
This presentation was recorded at the 2007 GAMA Trade Show. Hand-outs and show notes are avilable to members from the Game Manufacturers Association (GAMA).
Accent Your Character, Promo 1
 |
This promo specifically calls attention to Accent Your Character, a dialect training series of CDs for the casual pretender. Links can be directed to pulpgamer.com, but may be even more specific by linking www.pulpgamer.com/products, where you can read more about it. The list below contains a list of images you may use for your web site. Thank you for your support and enjoy the presentations! |
- ayc_120×60.jpg
- ayc_125×50.jpg
- ayc_165×60.jpg
- ayc_354×100.jpg
- AccentYourCharacter_100×100.jpg
- AccentYourCharacter_150×150.jpg
- AccentYourCharacter_300×300.jpg
- accentYourCharacter_v1_2in72.jpg
- accentYourCharacter_v1_full300.jpg
- accentYourCharacter_v1_fullsize72.jpg
- accentYourCharacter_v1_opt_full300.jpg
- accentYourCharacter_v2_2in72.jpg
- accentYourCharacter_v2_full300.jpg
- accentYourCharacter_v2_fullsize72.jpg
- accentYourCharacter_v2_opt_full300.jpg
Out of Character 028: Legendary
 |
We are caught between cons and have a lot to share. You will be interested to know the notorious “Fire Jeremiah” reveals his true identity. We talk some about the process of the origins awards, our podcasting track at Gen Con, and a recent comparison we made to the foam Guns in CA$H ‘n GUN$ to Circus Peanuts. We have also picked up a sponsor. We would like to welcome Polymancer into our audio mix. |
| Polymancer magazine is a multi-genre magazine about roleplaying games (RPGs), miniature wargames, LARPs, and more. Articles are written so that they can be useful to gamers of all kinds, no matter which rules they prefer to use. This is done by making the articles “system-independent.” There is a complete adventure scenario in every issue. This is not an e-zine, but the real thing: an honest to goodness, printed magazine for gamers. Find out more at www.polymancerstudios.com. |  |
 |
We are announcing today the release of our first solid product and are sure you will enjoy it. It is a dialect training series of CDs called Accent Your Character. The author and performer exceeded our expectations and created a very comical and informative presentation. Be sure to let your local game store know you want a copy, get one from our store, or pick one up from us at Gen Con. |
There was some mention given to the Dead Alewives by one of our contributors. There are a couple of videos on YouTube that is certainly worth a look and listen. One was done with Summoner characters, the other is a live re-enactment.
We have been asked more than once now about the equipment we use for our field recording prompting us to use just a smidgen of pod-time to discuss it. For a portable recorder, we use the Marantz PM660. Our field microphone is a Sennheiser MD46. We will discuss more of this in the podcasting panels at Gen Con.
Thanks again for listening!
GTS Seminars: Getting the Most for Your Advertising and Marketing Dollar
|
Joe Jones is as inspirational as he is informative. In this presentation, he really helps us to focus on where we should be applying our marketing efforts. Joe Jones (Jones Publishing) is the publisher of several magazines to include one of our favorite board game magazines, Knucklebones. |
This presentation was recorded at the 2007 GAMA Trade Show. Hand-outs and show notes are avilable to members from the Game Manufacturers Association (GAMA).
Inside Track 026: Rick Loomis of Flying Buffalo
 |
During the course of Origins, Don had a chance to talk to Rick Loomis. Rick is the president of the Game Manufacturer’s Association (GAMA) and his own company, Flying Buffalo. Flying Buffalo is responsible for Tunnels and Trolls, Lost Worlds, Nuclear War, and those board game box bands that come in so handy. Among other things, GAMA is responsible for Origins and the good time we had there. |
| A sizable focus of today’s interview was about play by mail games (PBM) of which flying buffalo has a few. In fact, the origins award for the best play by mail/email game of the year went to Starweb. Victory conditions vary based on the motives your character is given at the beginning of the game, but as you may guess it is based in space. This is one you can try for free for a while. |  |
Kings Court 027: Kill Doctor Lucky
 |
We had hoped for a long time to see Kill Doctor Lucky in a value version and we have received just that. Titan Games takes an old favorite, polishes it some more and entertains us all. Jeremiah is the lucky one today to take the game and review it for us. |
| Kill Doctor Lucky Publisher: Titanic Games Designed By: James Ernest Players: 3-7 Play Time: 45 minutes Ages: 12+ MSRP: $34.95 |
 |
GTS Seminars: Multiple Stores and Growing a Chain
|
Mel Thompson is later joined in this presentation by Dave Wallace. They give some great insight to those considering going beyond your first store and a look at what changes are going to take place in your life if you do. Mel has some additional information that he mentions at comtrac.net. |
This presentation was recorded at the 2007 GAMA Trade Show. Hand-outs and show notes are avilable to members from the Game Manufacturers Association (GAMA).
Inside Track 025: Mayfair Games
|
We are delighted to have the head(s) of Mayfair Games join us and give us some insight to their company and their lives. After Will Niebling’s recent retirement, Pete Fenlon will step into the role of CEO. Larry Roznai will continue as president, and Bob Carty will take on more responsibility but remain in his role of Sales & Marketing Director. The three of them share some about their coming initiatives and expose their sense of humor to us in today’s show. |
| One of the titles that was brought up that has not yet been mentioned on any of our shows is Silverton. It is one of the games that get some favoritism by most of the Mayfair guys and looks like something we would like to check out ourselves. Its a rail and mining game set in historic Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah. |  |
Several web sites were brought up to include mayfairgames.com, universityofcatan.com, klausteuber.com, and catanonline.com.
Out of Character 027: Origins 2007
|
We’re back from Origins with a bunch of news and updates. We had an absolute blast with our podcasting friends. The high point is always visiting and socializing with our friends in the industry. One of the opportunities to do that was at a party hosted by Barfleet. This followed the Origins Awards ceremony. We want to offer our congratulations to the winners: |
- Miniatures Game or Expansion of the year: HORDES: Monstrous Miniatures Combat by Privateer Press
- Miniature of Miniatures Line of the Year: Colossal Red Dragon by Wizards of the Coast
- Non-Collectable Card Game of Expansion of the Year: Munchkin Impossible by Steve Jackson Games
- Origins Vanguard Award: Pieces of Eight by Atlas Games and Harpoon 3 by Matrix Games
- CGG or Expansion of the Year: Pirates: Davy Jones’ Curse by WizKids
- Historical Miniature Game of the Year: Vlad the Impaler by Warhammer Historical
- Historical Miniatures Line of the Year: 40mm American Civil War line by Sash and Saber
- Historical Board Game of the Year: Command & Colors Ancients by GMT Games
- Origins Hall of Fame Inductees: Jonathan Tweet and Alan R. Moon
- Origins Hall of Fame Inductees: Pendragon and Napoleon’s Battles
- Play by Mail/Email Game of the Year: Starweb by Flying Buffalo Inc
- Non-Fiction Publication of the Year: Dragon Magazine by Paizo Publishing
- Fiction Publication of the Year: Dungeon Magazine by Paizo Publishing
- Game Accessory of the Year: Settlers of Catan Event Deck by Mayfair Games
- Roleplaying Game Supplement of the Year: Deadlands Reloaded by Pinnacle /Great White Games
- Roleplaying Game of the Year: Burning Empires by Burning Wheel
- Board Game or Expansion of the Year: Treehouse by Looney Labs
| We returned home to find the ENnies nominees in our inbox. We want to wish everyone a sincere congratulations for making the list and wish good luck to all. The nominees are Fear the Boot, Have Games, Will Travel, Godzilla Gaming, Sons of Kryos, and Yog Sothoth Radio. As for ourselves, we received honorable mention. |  |
During our feedback segment, Meeple People was mentioned.
Jeff and Caroline (Gamer: The Podcasting) join us to talk about TerrorWerks. They teamed up with PST Productions to do a live event inside of a constructed space station.
A good portion of the time at Origins was spent interviewing, promoting podcasts, and helping Bo with High School Drama. Apart from all of that, we also talked some on today’s show about Fluxx.
We will be recording once more before Gen Con. Make sure to load your mp3 player for the trip!
Kings Court 026: Cash ‘n Guns
|
You have just robbed a bank and are sitting in a warehouse dividing up the cash, but how it is divided is decided at the end of a gun. The game even comes with orange foam guns to draw on your peers. We received Cash ‘n Guns on the way to our gaming night. Before everyone was done eating, Derek had the rules read and introduced it to the group. They laughed and didn’t stop playing for several games. |
| CA$H ‘n GUN$ Publisher: Asmodee Editions Designed By: Ludovic Maublanc Players: 4-6 Play Time: 30 minutes Ages: 10+ MSRP: $39.99 |
 |
Out of Character 026: How Big is Your Dice Bag?
|
We just returned home from a great time at Con Games, and are now off to Origins. You will expect to see Don working with Bo showing off High School Drama, and with Michael Stackpole and the rest of the podcasting group sharing our art with all of the attendees from booth 125. |
| Today we give away a signed copy of a fun pirate themed game from a local game designer called Treasure Fleet. Listen to find out how to enter the drawing! |  |
 |
Be sure to visit our new web store! It has been launched with a couple of T-Shirt designs we hope you will enjoy. Visit, laugh and support us. I’m sure you know how much that would mean to us! |
Jeremiah brought up a couple of interesting notes in the news. First the Medical Association decides that the overwhelming propensity to play video games will not be labeled an addition.
Internet discounting has led to some fierce competition that has been leaving retailers with uphill battles. The playing field could level back out now with a recent Supreme Court decision. It is now legal for manufacturers to fix minimum sale prices. Will the manufacturers take this opportunity?
| Be sure to listen to a recent episode of Wingin’ It. It is the last of an era actually before they launch the new Wingin’ It 3D. It is/was/will continue to be a great show you will enjoy listening to! |  |
 |
Today’s promo was for a new podcast from an old listener. Charlie has just launched Little Wooden Cubist. Its a board game podcast and he is starting with a great sound. We laughed at the parody promo he sent us to play. |
GTS Seminars: Selling Your Store, Not Your Stuff - part 2
|
John Riley and Dave Wallace continue the discussion with part two of this presentation. This discussion takes us into displays an how to make the most out of them. Be sure to listen first to part 1. |
This presentation was recorded at the 2007 GAMA Trade Show. Hand-outs and show notes are avilable to members from the Game Manufacturers Association (GAMA).