Archive for October, 2007
GTS Seminars: GAMA’s Clubs and Organizations Program
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Sean Patrick Fannon has worked hard to strengthen the role of clubs in the Game Manufacturer’s Association. They represent an important part of the hobby; the consumers that love to play. In this presentation, Sean talks about the benefits clubs gain by joining GAMA and the role they play in the industry. |
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).
Out of Character 035: The Quiz
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We have some great fun today as we re-look at more games including some we haven’t talked about in a long time. Part of this is in the form of a quiz. Jeremiah reads a few selections from some rule books, and it is up to the rest of us to figure out what the game is. There is even a chance to win a new game for yourself. |
We aren’t going to link the games from the quiz because that would make it much less fun, but we can certainly list a few others that were talked about in todays show. We discussed a bunch of two player games include Bison, Dungeon Twister, Battleground, Blokus, Siegestones, Elvish Checkers, Ingenious, Lost Cities, and Lord of the Rings The Confrontation. Another we didn’t mention that we will append to the next show is Mr. Jack. We opened and started playing after the show was recored. You will hear more about it soon.
For those of you in Jeremiah’s neck of the woods, be sure to vote for City Council. John Nephew of Atlas Games. is running. Its always good to see those creative intelligent folks in office that we know as gamers. You might have heard about the unsuccessful smear campaign launched against him. The world is becoming a better place.
Polymancer gives us some tips on improvising at the game table when you haven’t had time to prepare. 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.
Gen Con Panel 008: Podcasting for your Marketing Program
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What started in hobby hands has grabbed the attention of professionals. Now, businesses are looking for ways to connect to people with this technology. While there may not be a right way to do it, there are certainly some wrong ways. Today, we discus some tricks and pitfalls of companies looking to integrate podcasting into their marketing program. |
Panelists include Christopher Perrin from The Cannon Pucture Show, Jay Lynn and Jon Stallard from Geeklabel Radio, and Don Dehm form Pulp Gamer.
Kings Court 035: Battleground Fantasy Warfare
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Jeremiah takes on Battleground Fantasy Warfare. When you have a fantasy miniatures game without the miniatures, you have a much more affordable and portable fix for your combative needs. It plays great, even better that a lot of miniatures games. Check out the demo. |
| Battleground Fantasy Warfare Publisher: Your Move Games Designed by: Robert Dougherty & Chad Ellis Players: 2 Play Time: 60 minutes Ages: 12+ MSRP: $14.95 |
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GTS Seminars: Store Design
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John Riley walks us through his store and shares what he has learned about store design and how it impacts sales. He has taken tips from large successful retailers and grown from his own serendipitous circumstances. Topics include displays, transition areas, and visual impact on new customers. You can’t help but to be thinking about how to improve your own store while listening to John’s presentation. |
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 033: Bobby Stickel of Sabertooth Games
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Today we kick back with Bobby Stickel of Sabertooth Games and have a great time. We talk mostly about Sabertooth’s Universal Fighting System. It is a fighting card game where you can pit fighters against each other from popular video games. This system has the coolest prize in gaming. If you win a big event, you can have a tournament legal character card with your likeness on it. It doesn’t get much cooler than that. Make sure to get your free demo deck and give it a try for yourself. |
| Bobby is the Head of Marketing & Customer Service for Sabertooth Games. He has a hand in promotions, publicity, advertising, organized play, graphic design, sales, and customer service for the Universal Fighting System. His base of operations is down in Memphis, TN where there are lots of games and lots of barbeque, but no games about barbeque!Sabertooth games exclusively serves the core hobby market. The support for their game is outstanding. You can even request a free demo from them. Retailer packages are also available. |  |
Gen Con Panel 007: Podcasting Your Fiction with Michael A. Stackpole
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Michael Stackpole uses podcasting to entertain, educate, and promote his work. Mike offers tips and advise on how to use the medium and exercise its potential. Fiction reaches a wide audience and if done right, draws a lot of attention to your work. Make sure to listen to his podcasted novel, Fortress Draconis. Its a great listen and a fabulous sample of a quality performance. |
GTS Seminars: Everything Old is New Again
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Marcus King has done extremely well with used games and shares what he has learned with us. After this hour you will be well equipped to make more money from used merchandise. Marcus talks about buying, selling, pricing, liquidating, and settling fears that prevent many retailers from going down that path. |
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).
Out of Character 034: Reflections 2007
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Today we look back over the games we have reviewed in the past year and give you our long-lasting impressions. This may be a good time to start your Christmas shopping list (or wish list). |
- Its Good to be the King
- Wits and Wagers
- Pieces of Eight
- Hunting Party
- Bison
- Family Business
- Kung Fu Fighting
- Palabra
- Anasazi
- Figaro
- Mission Red Planet
- Ave Caesar
- Illiad
- Elvish Checkers
- Pillars of the Earth
- Age of Discovery
- Seismic
- The Art of Conversation
- Rise of the Shogun
- Cash ‘n Guns
- Are You a Werewolf?
- Kill Doctor Lucky
- Mall of Horror
- Before the Wind
- Wicket Witches Way
- Dungeon Twister
- Patrician
- High School Drama (and the private school variant)
- Stonehenge
Polymancer warns us of run-away plot trains in your role-playing game and how to keep them on track. 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.
Kings Court 034: Stonehenge: An Anthology Board Game
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After playing several times we share Stonehenge: An Anthology Board Game. The box contains several beautiful components for use in five different rule sets that come with it. Each game uses a Stonehenge theme, but you will be surprised at how far the imagination will take you around this mystical structure of rock. Continued releases of Stonehenge games will keep you busy with this box for ages to come. |
| Stonehenge: An Anthology Board Game Publisher: Titanic Games First five designes by: James Ernest, Richard Borg, Bruno Faidutti, Richard Garfield, and Mike Selinker Players: 3,4, or 5 Play Time: 30-60 minutes Ages: 10+ MSRP: $49.95 |
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Kings Court 033: High School Drama
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This is probably our longest Kings Court to date, but we couldn’t stop talking about High School Drama. It is a hilarious and attractive parody of life in high school. You build your click and your popularity to rule the school. Its a great game for mixed company and a wide span of ages. |
| High School Drama Publisher: Shifting Skies Games Designed By: Boyan Radakovich Players: 2-5 Play Time: 60 minutes Ages: 12+ MSRP: $22.95 |
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Gen Con Panel 006: Promoting Your Podcast
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Your content isn’t going to get anywhere if nobody knows about it. This panel talks about getting the word out and keeping them coming back for more. Most everything we discuss today are things you can do on a shoe-string budget or no budget at all. We start with a directory of directories at Podcast 411. |
Panelists include Christopher Perrin from The Cannon Pucture Show, JJ Lanza of Fist Full of Comics & Games, and Dan from Fear the Boot.
GTS Seminars: Using Mediation Techniques in Negotiations
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Marcia Clark focuses our attention on a talent that will go a long way in helping our business lives. Negotiation affects us every day and a successful transaction depends on effective communication. Marcia breaks down the elements of that communication and tells us how to put it to effective use. All of us can benefit from her words today. |
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).