Press Release Weekly - A Collection of Non TableTop RPG Press Releases - September 29, 2016

I get a bunch of press releases sent to me that aren't TableTop RPG related. Instead of sitting on these myself, I figure I'll share them once a week. You never know, you might find something applies to you. If not, they are often entertaining unto themselves.

Some actually bother to address it to me, others? Too lazy ;)

What follows is from the past week or so...

Hello,

CON MAN: THE GAME, based on the wildly successful Con Man series and $3.2 million record-breaking Indiegogo campaign has a new major update which includes new levels, a new campaign manager office and lots of collectibles both from the Con Man world with items such as a bottle of Jack Moore's (NATHAN FILLION) sweat and Jerry Landing's (NOLAN NORTH) mocap suit and borrowed from "real life" beloved sci-fi such as the "Brown-ish Jacket", an homage to Nathan Fillion and Alan Tudyk's beloved Firefly series.

Want to review the game or talk to Nathan Fillion, Alan Tudyk, Felicia Day, or Nolan North? Let us know!

Now available for review on iOS here: http://apple.co/2bHvqt6
Now available on Google Play for review here: http://bit.ly/2bxYcvG

Thanks,
Honey

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CON MAN: THE GAME has released new information about a major game update coming out today. In addition to the hilarious and addictive gameplay already highly rated oniOS and Google Play, a new convention manager’s office and nerdy collectibles have been added to the game to give players even more to enjoy!

Collectibles can be acquired through acquiring con bags and completing certain tasks. Items that you can digitally collect include things such as Jack Moore’s (Nathan Fillion) bottle of sweat, Wray Nerely’s (Alan Tudyk) action figure, Jerry Lansing’s (Nolan North) mocap suit, and even a Brown”ish” Jacket in homage to one of Fillion and Tudyk’s most beloved shows. Each collectible belongs to a series group and once all in that group has been collected, a special convention buff will unlock. All collectibles will be displayed in special cases in the manager’s office.

The convention Manager’s Office will be the place where players can admire their collection as well as monitor their progression towards certain rewards and buffs. The office will be staffed by an animated Wray Nerely.

For more information, click here: https://honeyhamilton.prezly.com/con-man-the-game-reveals-new-con-managers-office-and-in-game-collectibles

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CON MAN: THE GAME REVEALS NEW CON MANAGERS OFFICE AND IN-GAME COLLECTIBLES Read more Videos Con Man the Game - Full Trailer Images Links Con Man Series Contact Honey Hamilton xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hi Erik, I'm writing to give you an early look at the Gametober announcement Newegg will make later today. In addition to offering great deals for video game enthusiasts the entire month of October, Newegg is teaming up with Intel and WD to offer customers a shot at two sweepstakes with big prizes. The full press release is pasted below. There's no embargo on the news - feel free to share/publish if you wish. Thanks, and best regards, John Snedigar PR for Newegg = = = = = = = = = = = Newegg Unveils Plans for 2016 Gametober™ Initiative Company to Offer Great Deals, Exciting Sweepstakes During the Month of October September 28, 2016 – Los Angeles, CA – Newegg, the top tech-focused e-retailer in North America, is celebrating this year’s Gametober™ with great deals on the latest gaming gear, and a pair of sweepstakes with prizes tailor-made for video game enthusiasts. Each October gamers await the release of new titles and video game accessories as publishers and vendors prepare for the holiday rush. This year, with gaming popularity fueled by the rise of virtual reality (VR) and eSports, Newegg will be the best place to find everything gamers need. “PC gaming is on the rise this year as VR and Pro gamers take center stage. This Gametober, Newegg will be the place for everyone to join the fun. We have the right equipment at great prices,” said Merle McIntosh, Newegg SVP of Sales & Marketing. Newegg will kick-off Gametober October 1 with a 72-hour flash sale with deep discounts on video game accessories across all categories, from gaming laptops to components, and everything in between. Also during Gametober, Newegg will partner with some of the biggest names in tech – including Asus, Intel, MSI and Nvidia – to offer exclusive deals. In addition to great deals on gaming products, customers who shop Gametober will have the opportunity to enter two sweepstakes: - Newegg and Intel’s GEARUP4VR Giveaway features a trio of prizes with HTC Vive VR headsets matched with three different VR-ready PCs, including a $5K custom-built ABS gaming PC, an MSI VR-ready laptop, and a budget-friendly ABS VR-ready desktop. - The WD Store-N-Go Sweepstakes gives customers the chance to win great prizes, including a 2016 Vespa Primavera 150, an ultimate ABS gaming PC with more than 12TB of WD storage valued at over $5K, and an 8TB WD personal NAS storage system. For more information about Newegg’s Gametober sweepstakes, visit http://www.newegg.com/gametober. And visit www.newegg.com regularly throughout the month of October to stay up to date on Newegg’s Gametober deals and promotions. About Newegg Inc. Newegg Inc. is the leading electronics-focused e-retailer in the United States. It owns and operates Newegg.com (http://www.newegg.com) which was founded in 2001 and regularly earns industry-leading customer service ratings. The award-winning website has more than 28 million registered users and offers customers a comprehensive selection of the latest consumer electronics products, detailed product descriptions and images, as well as how-to information and customer reviews. Using the site's online tech community, customers have the opportunity to interact with other computer, gaming and consumer electronics enthusiasts. Newegg Inc. is headquartered in City of Industry, California. The Newegg Hybrid Centers are located in City of Industry, CA and Richmond Hill, Ontario. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hi Erik, The morning after the first Clinton/Trump debate next week, political junkies will be able to download Instant Regret ‘He Said/She Said’ Election 2016 – a free, fill-in-the-blank, interactive multiplayer word game from Blue Loop LLC that lets players skewer the candidates with wisecracking wordplay based on the nominees’ own sound bites. Players simply complete sentences like Clinton’s “We all know the story, but we usually focus on ____________” or Trump’s “We are going to win _____________ and make America great again,” in the cleverest way they can – the more outrageous, cheeky or gut-splitting, the better. Each game can accommodate 4 to 11 participating friends or strangers. One player is assigned to anonymously judge each round. Once that round’s winner is announced, play proceeds to the next round with a new judge. The first player to win 7 points wins the game. I can send you a press release and sample questions, and also arrange a sneak peek. Thanks! Jim Jim Capalbo Account Supervisor xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hi  – Ever wanted to know what it was like to be inside of a video game? I want to invite you – or someone from your team - to join us to experience NYC’sFirst Interactive Urban Orchard with Ashley Tisdale hosted by King (makers of the popular Candy Crush franchise) on Wednesday, September 21 at Madison Square Park from 9am to 11am. To give you an idea of what the event will be like – we have created an interactive orchard that will be smack dab in the middle of Madison Square Park. See below for a mockup of the space, where consumers will be able to go inside for a truly unique multisensory experience that brings to life the new King game (teaser: there will be wind, a match-four game and delicious orchard treats). We’ll be kicking off the installation with farm-to-table breakfast items for media. And the dome will be open to the public on September 21 and September 22, so you’ll want to get the word out to your readers :) Let me know if you’re able to come and check out the oh-so-instagrammable installation to kick off fall and apple picking season. -Rashidah \ King, the creator of the hit game franchise Candy Crush, will bring to life the “bigger is better” world of the latest installment of Farm Heroes mobile game franchise in a unique, multisensory pop-up WHAT: The Big Apple has indeed arrived in the Big Apple, in the form of a larger-than-life apple Super Cropsie dome in Madison Square Park! To usher in the first day of autumn (and the always-Instagrammed apple picking season) and to celebrate the launch of Farm Heroes Super Saga,  Ashley Tisdale and King invite media  to immerse themselves in a multisensory apple orchard without even having to leave the city! Once inside this Urban Orchard, you’ll be transported away from the hustle and bustle of NYC and into the “bigger is better” world of Farm Heroes Super Saga. You’ll be delighted by playful, experiences that highlight the core ‘Power of Four’ game mechanics of the new game and that will delight all the senses. Glowing Cropsies will hang from a central tree and can be plucked and hugged to trigger a Super Cropsie moment that will allow attendees to discover the exciting aspects and designs of the new game. Media are invited to enjoy breakfast, an overview of the features of the new game, and explore the orchard before it opens to the public at 12 p.m. WHEN:           Wednesday, September 21, 2016                         Media check in begins at 8:30 a.m.; breakfast served until 9 a.m. WHERE:         Madison Square Park, 23rd St., between Broadway and Madison, New York, NY Please RSVP to Rashidaht@ RASHIDAH TIMOTHY  |  Manager, Media Relations

Review - Event Horizon (White Star Adventure)

Last night in Tavern Chat, Rob G and myself discussed Event Horizon, a White Star Adventure by +John Reyst and +Johua De Santo .

Event Horizon bills itself as Sci-Fi Horror and it hits the mark, so long as you aren't expecting slasher flick horror. This is horror more akin to the Alien(s) series of films and similar works.

Without going to deeply into the story / plot, as that would pretty much kill the adventure for any that plan to participate in it, the story kicks off either with the party being captured or after the party is captured. I'm glad it's presented as an option, because the groups I've played with generally believe in death before capture. Starting off captured is a whole 'nother kettle of fish.

The adventure is about survival with a time limit before shit hits the fan. If I were to run this at a convention, I'd like to use a countdown timer as a prop. Set it for 4 hours and have the players watch that clock and understand just how limited their time is. Wish I had thought of that last night during the discussion.

Of course, the elephant in the room is the black hole in space. It's going to mess with reality and warp time. Oh, which means you could suddenly add or remove time from that timer I mentioned. Damn! I'm really liking this.

Did I mention it includes Insanity rules? Something easily portable to White Star in general of Swords & Wizardry.

There is a lot to like with this adventure. The scenes are well described. The adventure pushes the PCs forward while giving them freedom to explore the ship, there's tension and more than simply hack and slay.

While I mentioned using it for convention play (for which I would or would not use the opening scene, depending on the size of the time slot) it also works as en excellent way to kick off a campaign. Heck, if the players survive, they'll have a ship and probably have no clue where they are. Time to explore.

Overall, an excellent adventure. It does require a bit of prep on the GM's side of the table, as you really need to be familiar with the material to run it at full potential, but it should be worth the effort.

Disclosure: Both Rob G and myself were supplied with review copies of Event Horizon for the purpose of reviewing. I'm also a huge fan of White Star. ;)

Remember, all purchases using The Tavern's Open Gaming Store affiliate links puts 5% of your purchase price into The Tavern's coffers. Don't leave that money on the table for the greedy corps! Tip your barman!  ;)

Tavern Chat - Tonight - 9 PM Eastern - With Worse Moderation that a Presidential Debate ;)

Tavern Chat is a free for all and that's just how we like it.

Heck, tonight we may even have a live review / discussion of an OSR release.

I'm sure Ken Whitman will be part of tonight's discussion. ENworld. Kickstarter. Sweden. Oh yes, the potential topics are endless :)

Join us, tonight at 9 PM Eastern right here at The Tavern for the weekly Tavern Chat. There's no telling who may show up.

Full Disclosure: I have no idea who the fuck will show up. Space is not limited. BYOB. No operators are standing by. We do not offer trigger warnings nor refunds. The chat box is the chat box on the right side of this page. Sign in with the social media account of your choice. Cthulhu for President!

Speaking of Whitman - Heeeeeeres Kenny!

I look good in a suit. Maybe if I sneak out the back i can keep it

Fuck it! It's worth a try...

Gotta love that bald headed mug. He's so... something...

No, I didn't bother watching the whole episode. I respect myself too much for that.

Skip to around 5:10.

So Kenny, how many Kickstarter backers are going to get what they paid for with your big break? Did you offer the crew any pencil dice?

The Wandering Wizard, Mike Nystul, Comes in at Number 2

It was awesome waking up to this link in my Facebook Messenger.

Of course, Mike has kept a low profile for the last year or so, which probably makes him marginally smarter than Ken. $120k+ between them. I should have realized but seeing the number on the screen certainly does bring it into focus.

Of course, the money did not "mysteriously disappear." It was invested in Castle Nystul, a company with an office, staff, salary, expenses and no income aside from the KS funds. Oh Mikey! Reach for the stars, shoot self in foot, hit the road and then run into hiding. Hell, THIS should be a documentary!

Gotta love Wikipedia :)

Kickstarter - Trudvang Chronicles (Swedish Fantasy RPG translated to English)

The above graphic for the Trudvang Chronicles is needed, as the $70 support level doesn't really spell out that you are getting the game in print.

Oh, and of course, Pdf should be PDF, but that's nitpicking, right?

Apparently no, it's a "thing."

The below comment from the KS is from just over 2 hours ago:

So they are having a few issues with translation. Actually, it seems like a large amount of issues with translation, which makes me wonder who they hired to do the translation / editing.

It's not that the Trudvan Chronicles hasn't exploded:

Yes, I used a screenshot because I couldn't believe the numbers. Those are Monte Cook numbers without the accompanying attitude.

Trudvang Chronicles is an award-winning fantasy roleplaying game based on the mysterious and dark Nordic and Celtic sagas and myths. Enter a world of enchanted forests, trolls, dragons, spirits of nature, heroes and adventures. Trudvang is both grim and dark, epic and yet down to earth, with a melancholic tone of an ancient age when nature was a living creature and magic was wild and strong. Above all, Trudvang is a saga...

I'm interested. I'm intrigued. I'm terrified it will be a poorly translated mess.

The Tavern's readership spans the globe. Does anyone have first hand / second hand / long distance hand knowledge of the Trudvang Chronicles? Is it worth the leap of faith?

I fall in love with the above art, then I see the below in the video:

Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Donation Fund - $500 Bundle for $40 (OSR Heavy Bundle)

One of many products offered in the bundle

The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Donation Fund Bundle includes over $500 worth of gaming goodness for $40.

Direct link to the fund: STANDING ROCK SIOUX TRIBE - DAKOTA ACCESS PIPELINE DONATION FUND

I advise you peek yourself if you want a full list of what is included but some highlights include:

Adventures in the East Mark - Basic Set

Age of Arthur

Atlantis: The 2nd Age

D6 Powers

Designers & Dragons: the 70s

Five Year Mission (for White Star)

Lots of classes and sups for Labyrinth Lord

Classes and sup for the Black Hack

Godsend (multiple products)

Hollow Earth Expedition

Mad Monks of Kwantoom

Mythic D6

Spirit of the Century Presents: Dinocalypse Now

and much more


Remember, all purchases using The Tavern's RPGNow affiliate links puts 5% of your purchase price into The Tavern's coffers. Don't leave that money on the table for the greedy corps! Tip your barman!  ;)

What am I Actually Looking At? Does this Wrestler Have Arms?

The above is the cover for The World Wide Wrestling Roleplaying Game: The Road. I can't speak for the game itself as I never really enjoyed professional wresting but what the fuck is it with this cover?

The left arm seems to be blocked by something in front of it but the right arm and his right side seem to have been disintegrated. Which could be cool if such were a power within the game, but I suspect there is not. And what's with the Gorbachev mark on his forehead?

How will he put his Mexican wrestling mask on without hands? How will he be able to tag in? Inquiring minds want to know...

edit: For Bob ;)

Troll Lords Sale - 35% off purchases $50 or More - 24 Hours Left

Yes, it's a 48 hour sale but I got the email 23 hours ago and didn't read it until now ;(

Anyhow, save up to 35% on your purchases at the Troll Lords store for the next 24 hours or so.

No, I don't get a penny for sending you there. I just get the satisfaction of knowing I found a decent deal for my readers. You can tell them you found their sale at The Tavern if you want. Won't do anything but make us look cool :)

Oh, and you don't need a code. Just fill up your shopping cart.

Wayward Kickstarter - Myth & Magic Player's Guide - Last Spotted April 26th, 2016

Ah, yes. The Myth & Magic Player's Guide. Not to be confused with an actual, for real, in the hands of the gaming public, Player's Guide. For most, it's still a myth.

Well, that's not 100% correct. I do have my copy (after Tom was nice enough to share my full name and shipping address in the comments section - oh, you so silly Tom!)

See, Tom's a lawyer (alternative spelling - "Liar" - is not approved but may be considered accurate in some circumstances) As such, Tom does the absolute minimum to keep legal repercussions at arms distance.

In other words, Tom is playing the vast majority of his backers.

You should also know the last communication from Tom was this:

Five months ago today. Comments since then from the backers? Still waiting on their shit.

Oh, I forgot, Tom is a "Tax Lawyer" by day. That means that, according to him, it's always tax season and he's always overwhelmed.

No worries, right? I mean, I'm sure he declared all of his tax liabilities for his 2 Kickstarters. It's not like he spent the money and there's no cash left to ship product. That would never happen.

BTW, his last communication prior to March 23, 2016 was this bit:

I may have been unfair with Gareth, as Tom is possibly the most distasteful project creator I've dealt with on Kickstarter. He must be a hoot to have as a lawyer: "No worries Mr Smith, I've told the IRS we'll be ready for your Audit on Tuesday. Now excuse me, I'll be out of the state for the next 13 months. Don't worry, I'll email. "

Kickstarter - Kaigaku, a Samurai RPG (A Black Hack hack)

"A high-drama samurai RPG where noble courtiers, devious ninja, heroic ascetics and mighty bushi all clash for the glory of their clan."

The above is the basic description of Kaigaku, a Samurai RPG. It's a hack of The Black Hack RPG (The Black Hack has spawned a plethora of of "hacks")

I haven't played in an asian flavored RPG since AD&D 1e's Oriental Adventures. So I find Kaigaku very intriguing.

What's very nice is that you can download a no frills version of the rules for free from the Kickstarter page. Kinda like "try before you buy."

From the KS page:

Where is it Now? 

Right now Kaigaku is available as a free, no-art, barebones game, which you can download from the link in the first paragraph. Since I released the game I've vastly expanded the manuscript (it's now more than three times as long as the original) and it's been professionally edited multiple times. The premium game also boasts beautiful work from such talented artists as Lord Zsezse Works, Gennifer Bone, Peter Frain and Enmanuel "Lema" Martinez. This is truly my favorite project, and I want it to be the best that it can be. 

What's New? 

The premium version of Kaigaku features lots of new content, including multiple NPC generators, a mass battle system, rules for using your honor as a weapon, 15 new ryu and more. 

What are the Design Principles? 

-Brevity and clear rules
-Easy enough to learn in a day
-Setting that fires up your imagination without dominating it
-Fun above all else

Kickstarter - Crypts of Indormancy (OSR Adventure)

If you don't know about the fine folks behind the Crypts of Indormancy may I suggest checking out an issue of The Undercroft Zine. High value of inspiration for your investment but little if any is straight up fantasy. Darker, stranger and off balance (not unbalanced), releases from The Melsonian Arts Council tend to push the envelope. What envelope that actual is is probably open to discussion.

How does Crypts of Indormancy differ from other old school adventures (or new school ones at that)?

“Crypts of Indormancy” is an evocative location-based adventure compatible with Lamentations of the Flame Princess and most other Dungeons & Dragons clones. The final book will be a saddle stitched, 40-odd page A5 affair with a gloriously coloured cover and black and white internal illustrations.

Features: 

-Set in a quasi-Polynesian island chain
-Dungeon fundamentals done fresh and right, evil wizard and all
-A backdrop of postcolonial elves digging through their imperial past
-Optional rules to help more fully and easily engage with the peculiar background of the world by incentivising culturally specific behavior
-Five memorable and perplexing new monsters
-A confident and distinct literary voice 

Yeah, this isn't your run of the mill dungeon.

It's already funded with 22 days left in the funding period.

About 7 bucks to back in PDF, you are looking at around 13 bucks for saddle stitched print plus PDF.

Come on. You know you want to.

Deal of the Day - Class Compendium for Labyrinth Lord (50+ Classes)

Today's Deal of the Day is the Class Compendium for Labyrinth Lord. Over 50 classes for your Labyrinth Lord / BX / Most OSR Game systems.

Normally $9.99 in PDF, for the next 24 hours it is on sale for $4.99. HC Print plus PDF is $24.99 (normally $29.99)

Remember, all purchases using The Tavern's RPGNow affiliate links puts 5% of your purchase price into The Tavern's coffers. Don't leave that money on the table for the greedy corps! Tip your barman!  ;)

The Class Compendium is by +James Spahn , a good friend of mine. Doesn't mean I like his shit because he's my friend - James does amazing work. But I'm throwing it out there so no one goes "he's just posting this because James is a friend."

From the blurb:

The Class Compendium for offers over fifty alternate character classes for labyrinth lord and other old-school fantasy role-playing games.

With these new options you'll be ready to face whatever dangers that lay hidden in the deepest dungeon of your next campaign!

Class Compendium compiles the best classes from four years of material previously released by barrel rider games into a single tome – and a whole lot of extras! New art, rules for firearms and weapon mastery, new equipment, and three never before released classes! Top it off with an indexed spell compendium featuring every spell used by every class found in these pages, and you've got it all in one package!nd. Disclosure is your friend and mine ;)

New Release - Blood & Treasure 2nd Edition Monsters (OSR)

+John Stater has released Blood & Treasure 2nd Edition Monsters. Blood & Treasure is an excellent OSR set of rules and I'm not just saying that because of it's heavy influence from Swords & Wizardry. 2e Monsters is a great resource for any OSR system.

Sadly, I forgot to upload the PDF copy John gave me to my tablet or it would have been some excellent weekend getaway reading. Ah well, when I return to the city later today - after football ;)

Blood & Treasure 2nd Edition Monsters is $9.99 in PDF.

Remember, all purchases using The Tavern's RPGNow affiliate links puts 5% of your purchase price into The Tavern's coffers. Don't leave that money on the table for the greedy corps! Tip your barman!  ;)

From the blurb:

Blood & Treasure is the fantasy role-playing game for people who want to spend less time arguing over rules and more time playing, and the new 2nd Edition continues this tradition.

Compatible with old school games, it strives to be rules lite and options heavy.

Blood & Treasure 2nd Edition is designed to give you years of enjoyment in just two volumes, this book and the Blood & Treasure 2nd Edition Rulebook, which features the rules, classes, spells, treasure and advice you need to create and run fantasy adventures.

In this volume you get over 600 monsters drawn from folklore, fantasy and mythology. Forty of these monstrosities can be used as player characters with the help of the Blood & Treasure 2nd Edition Rulebook. You also get encounter tables with all of these monsters divided by environment and challenge level.

Blood & Treasure doesn't want to tell you what kind of fantasy game you should enjoy, it just wants to put all the tools in your hands and let you play YOUR GAME, YOUR WAY