~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
| Fine Games for Players & Collectors |
| 2078 Madrona St., North Bend, OR 97459-2143 |
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~~~~~~~~~~ 541-756-4711 10am-9pm PST M.Dean@FineGames.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~
Games Update 1998 #30 9 March 1999
WELCOME again to another Fine Games e-newsletter. These Updates contain
news and other info of interest to active board gamers. The latest issue is
always available at . If
you choose to unsubscribe, you may do so via a simple request to do so.
<<----------------- Designed for fixed pitch font ---------------------->>
C O N T E N T S
Fine Games NEWS .......... What's going on at Fine Games
- ... been a while ...
- Printed Valentines Day Catalog
- Changes to Shipping Charges
- Changes to
(old) Email & WWW Address
- Web Consultant Needed
INDUSTRY NEWS ............ What's happening in the Game Industry
- Industry Changes 1998-9 Summary
- The Future ?
- AH General Refunds
NEW Games ................ New & Pending Board Game Releases
- Recommended Game Reference Books
- Recommended Computer Games
- View From the Trenches Available
- NEW Releases Jan-March 1999
- PENDING Releases March-June 1999
Your SUGGESTIONS ......... Suggestions Always Welcomed
F I N E G A M E S N E W S
SO IT'S BEEN A WHILE... Three months since we last produced a newsletter,
as far as I can tell. Many of you have emailed me about how much you miss
the newsletter. While I had a good vacation tucked in there early on, I
have actually been working my butt off here. Still. As much as ever.
And therein is the rub. Fine Games is a one-person band and one of my goals
is to remain so (save for consulting support). So, as the business
continues its relentless expansion, I'm stretched pretty thin. And at some
point I have to, absolutely have to, deal with the back office requirements
of accounting. And if I ever want to address the capacity limitations at
issue, I have to spend time developing productivity improvements in the
systems that drive Fine Games.
But that takes me away from doing the things that actually provide value to
you, our customer. (Makes us ripe for a hostile corporate take-over....) We
agonize about this every week as things that really should get done just
don't. And making these difficult choices wears on me as do the 60-hour
weeks.
Still, good progress *is* being made behind the scenes in fits & spurts.
There is a plan we are working so as to get out of this hole. And you're
reading the evidence that Fine Games is still going strong. We thank you
for your patience since August and thru this Spring. Also, rest assured
that orders are never left on hold; they continue to be processed & shipped
in just over a day, on average.
A PRINTED VALENTINES DAY CATALOG was mailed in mid-February to a selection
of our active customers. If you didn't receive a copy, please don't feel
slighted as our Online catalogs actually provide a somewhat more
comprehensive listing of games -- we just can't use any font formatting.
Printed, mailed catalogs allow us to reach those who have still now arrive
online.
You can download a copy of what a printed catalog looks like from
together with the mag-only listing
normally available at .
Copies of the printed, mailed catalogs are still available for $2 ($3
internationally).
SHIPPING CHARGES CHANGED in January. This was explained in a prior Quickie
Update, but since we're looking back on things, one more time.
Domestic rates are now $7/order for typical shipments. Add $1.50 for each
LBoxed (Long Boxed) or weighty (3# or more) item, including the first. Up
to 3 small, flat items are $5. These changes were motivated by increases by
both USPS & UPS. In particular, UPS instituted a new fee for each package
delivered to what they call a "rural" zip code. Any of thousands of such
zip codes which makes this rather unpredictable right now.
International rates were tweaked for a few single-digit weights. Canadian
rates affected increased; other affected international rates decreased.
FIRST NOTICE OF EMAIL & WEB ADDRESS CHANGES for those using our "old",
literal addresses. We intend to change ISPs sometime this year. When we do,
those of you using our literal email address or URL will have problems
finding us. This *ONLY* affects you if you're using any address that
contains "FineGames.com" or "". The email address & URL we use
everyday (our virtual address) will NOT change; *most* of you will *NOT* be
affected in any way.
WEB CONSULTANT NEEDED to implement some significant changes to our web
site. If you know of a web master competent in the use of forms, dynamic
html, etc., please have them contact us.
I N D U S T R Y N E W S
THE BOARD GAMING INDUSTRY is in a most turbulent time. Let's review some of
the many changes occurring in 1998 and 99.
Avalon Hill, of course, sold its assets to Hasbro in October 1998, just
after posting a $1.7 million loss on declining sales. Within 3 months, the
bulk of its rich stable of titles entirely disappeared from distributors'
shelves. (As for the AH General, see below.)
Hasbro in turn explained its plans very slowly. This and the sluggishness
with which they're preceding suggest to me they really aren't sure of where
they're going with this. Or perhaps that they've had second thoughts about
ditching the board games even as they pursue their main goal of computer
gaming.
Hasbro reps did make the rounds of a couple dozen distributors in January,
announcing their intention of offering the remaining AH inventory to
selected distributors and reprinting only the "top" (read "those with the
greatest mass market appeal") titles. The other ~150 titles will go
bye-bye. That was in January and they have yet to actually provide a list
of available titles or ship anything to distributors as yet. Lasty, they
did revive the AH web site, which lists 30-some board games available for
direct order .
More notably, Hasbro seems to have bowed to popular demand for continuing
the ASL line in some fashion. They have renewed an alliance with MMP (Multi
Man Publishing) (and Curt Schilling) to produce new ASL products. The first
ASL Journal (formerly ASL Annual) is already available from them; see
for more on that. So, ASL Lives!!!
On other fronts, Xeno Games had problems & is said to have entered
bankruptcy, but *IS* still in business and shipping existing stock.
Omega Games, which has promised upgraded versions of its better games for
years now, is promising to get on the stick & do so. And they bought the
rights to Paper Wars, presumably as a vehicle to promote their games. They
claim to have published two issues (#27 & 28), but neither has made it to
the distributors its seems.
There's renewed life at GMT. In the space of a few short months they
published Conquest of Gaul, Barbarossa: Army Group Center, and C3i #9
(which is still being held up due to counter shortages). They will be
publishing two new, big releases shortly, War Gally and June 6th. Most
importantly, GMT writes that the sale of their games since mid-1998 has
brought them out of the financial doldrums that threatened them. Which is
great news.
Clash of Arms abandoned the hobby distribution system as of 1 Jan. Heresay
is that they were very disappointed with distributor orders for their
latest game, Summer Storm. Sales have been weak on this title, but could it
be that a $75 price tag and/or an area-move based system, which has never
been a wildly popular mechanic, might be more significant reasons. In any
event, the distributors have essentially written CofA off. Most of their
games are currently still available, and their is no land rush as there was
with Avalon Hill. But as their games go out of stock they will be
available *only* from Clash of Arms itself, and only at their rather high
list prices.
Moments in History has sold its entire stock of in-print titles and titles
awaiting publication to Critical Hit. That makes CH the up-and-coming
dynamo with a solid line of ASL kits and now a very respectable line of
games as well. We actually look forward to seeing where this one will go.
Shifting focus, we can see a distinct shift in the nature of games regarded
as "hot" in 1998-9 versus earlier years. A succession of simpler,
multiplayer games especially those from Europe have become very popular (if
only for a brief time individually). Gone from the top of the charts of the
complex monsters common earlier in the decade. And thus one of the causes
of the turbulence in this industry. Domestic wargame manufacturers have
been slow to adapt to this shift in the market, in my opinion. And game
players more often take a wait-and-see approach to new games, reducing
initial demand for games -- the measuring stick of success for most
distributors.
Lastly, lets not forget the distribution system itself. At least one major
distributor went of out business last year. Then there was the merger of
the two biggest game distributor chains, Armor and Chessex, to form the
Alliance. What we have now, boys & girls, is an organization that likes
"exclusive" distribution deals with manufacturers, minimizes discounts, and
provides plenty of customer service charm as it attempts to correct the
corrections to its previous errors. This is the chain that preordered a sum
total of six -- count 'em -- six copies of Doomed Battalions for one of its
warehouses.
THE AH GENERAL was not sold to Hasbro but remains with the Dotts at Monarch
Services, AH's parent company, so it is essentially dead. As such,
AH/Monarch owes its subscribers refunds for the balance of unfulfilled
subscriptions. Instead of providing these, AH transferred this liability to
Computer Gamer magazine which offered 3 issues for each remaining issue in
your General subscription. Unfortunately, Computer Gamer addresses a very
different market than did the General; most subscribers probably won't find
this magazine to be of interest.
But neither company has made it easy to get a refund. You may get bogus
info if you ask for one, in fact, such as "the General is bankrupt," or
your request may be accepted but repeatedly "lost."
Don't believe it. The Dotts and Monarch Services are still liable to you
for the balance of your subscription. My recommendation is that you send a
letter to Jack Dott at Monarch Services, 4517 Harford Rd., Baltimore, MD
21214, specifically asking for a refund. You can also call Computer Gamer,
which acknowledges responsibility for processing refund requests but has
not done a very good job to date (based on my own experience). Forget their
subscription services 800-#; call Computer Gamer's subscription department
direct by contacting Tina White at 802-434-3060 x635.
N E W G A M E R E L E A S E S
You can always view the most recent listing of New Game Releases at
.
TWO GAMING REFERENCE WORKS ARE IN PRINT. The newest is The Maverick's (as
he likes to be known) SPACE & FANTASY GAMERS' GUIDE. This is a 500pg spiral
bound book indexing the contents of 9 magazines published 1975-90: Fantasy
Gamer, VIP Gaming, Space Gamer,Interplay, Nexus, Ares. The indexing work
itself is excellent thruout this book; the primary key is by game or
subject matter. The primary flaw is the bulky format that consumes an
entire ream of paper and so weighs in at 3#s. See
for more info. These are in-stock for
$29.
A slightly older but much more comprehensive indexing of gaming
publications is the Wargamer's Reference Guide by Etloh Ent. This is
currently the most comprehensive indexing of wargame-related material --
games, mag articles, errata, publishers, etc -- that we're aware of. It is
velo bound & 255pgs. See
for more. These are in-stock in limited number for $29.
TWO COMPUTER GAME RECOMMENDATIONS are Decision Games surprising War in
Europe v2 which has previously been described here; see
& scroll towards the bottom
looking for "Europe, War in..."
A second is the just released upgrade to East Front v2 PC by Columbia
Games. This Windows 95/98 compliant game upgrades what has always been a
slick little game allowing PBEM (play by email) as well as working well for
solitaire play. This upgrade refines the user interface, is presumably
32-bit, upgrades the systems to use the v2 rules set, and adds the Volga
Front kit's map extension to the system. If you like any of the block games
by Columbia and like 2-player computer games, I suggest you check this one
out. See for more info. Copies of this will
arrive in roughly a week's time and will sell for $40.
VIEW FROM THE TRENCHES, an ASL mag from England, is now in stock. Given its
inexpensive price & wide coverage of the ASL-related hobby activities, its
is recommended reading for those of this life style. Recent issues from #20
on up (to #23 currently, with #24 being en route) are in-stock for
$4-$4.50 apiece. See for the
catalog listings; scroll to the very end of this catalog. See
for still more info
on this publication.
NEWLY RELEASED GAMES & ACCESSORIES between 99/ 1 and 99/ 3
These items have recently been released.
Box Est Cash Expected
Publsr / Game Title & Edition Typ Wght PriceEA Rels Date
------ -------------------------------- --- ---- ------- ------------
AVALANCHE PRESS, LTD. (Avalan) (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST
AIRLINES 2, THE GAME OF AIRLINE HC 1.5 $27.00 99/ 2
STRATEGY
Stand-alone game that can be combined w/ V.1 for up to 8 players.
Adds 16 new airports across the US & new action cards. Fast
playing, 2-4 player game of operating a national airline. '99
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CRUNCHY FROG ENTERPRISES (CFE) (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST
BIG DAMN RANGE WAR En 0.3 $4.00 99/ 2
(no info currently available)
BIG DAMN SPACE BATTLES En 0.3 $4.00 99/ 2
Tactical space combat for 2+ players. A small, inexpensive game. '99
MADWORLD En 0.3 $4.00 99/ 2
Terrestrial combat between two wildly different forces on a bizarre
planet. A small, inexpensive game. '99
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHEAPASS GAMES (Cheapa) (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST
DEVIL BUNNY NEEDS A HAM n 0.2 $2.00 99/ 1
The cheap ass game of Cheapass games. Players race to the top of a
building while the devil bunny tries to knock you off. Cheap, but
is it any good? '99
KILL DOCTOR LUCKY: CRAIGDARROCH KIT En 0.4 $3.00 99/ 1
Add-on map kit for this great little Clue-like game. Provides map of
Craigdarroch mansion in Victoria, BC, a classic little castle on
the hill, providing a new setting to knock off Dr. Lucky. '98
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CULTURE SHOCK (CUL) (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST
CULTURE SHOCK, WORLD TRAVEL & CULTURE Y $30.00 99/ 2
2-4 players compete to be the first to travel to all 10 cultural
regions of the world starting in any city. Some player interaction
by blocking others' moves. '99
------------------------------------------------------------------------
DECISION GAMES S&T GAMES (DecS_T) (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST
CRIMEAN WAR #193 n 1.0 $16.00 99/ 1
w/mag. Strategic & operational level game of the entire Crimean War,
1854-5 at brig/div level. Includes scenarios for Balaclava, 1855
and campaign game. J.Miranda'99
------------------------------------------------------------------------
EMPEROR'S PRESS (Empero) (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST
COMMAND DECISION II, 3RD BC 2.5 $25.00 99/ 2
Reprint of this platoon scale miniatures rules focusing on modern
infantry actions between 1930 & 1990. '99
------------------------------------------------------------------------
EURO GAMES / DESCARTES (EuroG) (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST
GRASS CARD GAME SC 0.5 $10.00 99/ 1
Humorous card game dating from the 70s in which 2-6 players try to
avoid jail & competitors while wheeling & dealing in large
quantities of pot. '79
------------------------------------------------------------------------
FANTASY FLIGHT GAMES (FFG) (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST
BATTLEMIST: SAILS OF WAR KIT HC $17.50 99/ 2
Add-on kit providing 2 new races, cards & more detailed hero rules.
Forces players to cross the seas & risk their monsters. '99
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GUILD OF BLADES (GldBld) (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST
AXIS & ALLIES: EUROPE 1483 Fo $15.00 99/ 3
2-10 player A&A variant set in 1482. Players build colonies, develop
trade and use diplomacy, all to gain dominance in Europe. Includes
a map in 5 pieces, rules, scenarios & counters. '99
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GAMES RESEARCH & DESIGN (GRD) (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST
STORM OVER SCANDINAVIA FB* 3.2 $50.00 99/ 1
Substantial revision & enlargement of Narvik. Updates the graphics &
rules to the Collectors standard, ads OoB for Norway, Sweden,
Denmark, and provides an Europa scale & separate battalion-level
games of the invasion of Norway, and Europa level games of the fall
of Denmark & the invasion of Sweden. 2.5 maps, 1400 counters. '98
------------------------------------------------------------------------
HEAT OF BATTLE (HoB) (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST
ASL:WAFFEN-SS, NO QUARTER, NO GLORY! En 0.5 $15.00 99/ 2
Kit providing scenarios involving the SS in 6 tourney-style
scenarios from Normandy to the bitter end. '99
------------------------------------------------------------------------
IRON CROWN ENTERPRISES (ICE) (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST
PYRAMIDIS BC 1.8 $18.00 99/ 2
Abstract, 2 or 4 player strategy board games of accumulating &
moving pyramids to your home area. '99
------------------------------------------------------------------------
IVY STREET GAMES (Ivy) (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST
CHANTILLY zl 0.6 $16.00 99/ 1
Smallish, brigade level game of the btl of Chantilly during Lee's
pursuit of Pope after 2nd Manassas. Uses an orders & activation
system w/ good ebb & flow of action. Includes professionally
produced components including 2 11x17 maps, 220 mounted, uncut
counters. H.Newsome'98
STONEWALL AT CEDAR MOUNTAIN zl 0.4 $13.50 99/ 1
Smallish, brigade level game on the btl of Cedar Mtn, Aug'62. Uses
an orders & activation system for a good, often chaotic ebb & flow.
Components professionally produced with a 11x17 color map, 140
mounted, uncut counters. H.Newsome'98
WILLIAMSBURG 1862 zl 0.4 $14.00 99/ 1
Smallish, brigade level game of the btl of Williamsburg at the
beginning of the Penisular Campaign, May'62. S.Jackson buys time
for the Confed withdrawal. Uses an orders & activation system
together with variable victory conditions. Includes professionally
produced components including a 11x17 color map, 140 mounted, uncut
counters. H.Newsome'98
------------------------------------------------------------------------
JOLLY ROGER GAMES INC. (Jol) (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST
SWASHBUCKLER BC $12.60 99/ 1
(no info currently avail)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
MARKHAM DESIGN GAMES (Markha) (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST
THIS SCEPTERED ISLE: WAR OF THE ROSES BC 1.2 $38.00 99/ 1
QD
Set of all 4 DTP games of the War of the Roses. R.Markham'98
THIS SCEPTERED ISLE: WAR OF THE ROSES n $15.00 99/ 1
V1
DTP game of the battle of Barnett during the War of the Roses.
R.Markham'98
THIS SCEPTERED ISLE: WAR OF THE ROSES n $15.00 99/ 1
V2
DTP game of the battle of Tewkesbury during the War of the Roses.
R.Markham'98
THIS SCEPTERED ISLE: WAR OF THE ROSES n $15.00 99/ 1
V3
DTP game of the battle of Mortimers Cross, a meeting engagement
early in the War of the Roses. R.Markham'98
THIS SCEPTERED ISLE: WAR OF THE ROSES n $15.00 99/ 1
V4
DTP game of the battle of Towton during the War of the Roses.
R.Markham'98
------------------------------------------------------------------------
MAT (MAT) (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST
MEN ARE FROM MARS, WOMEN ARE FROM VENUS Y $38.00 99/ 1
Promising multi-player party style game. Each player asks & secretly
answers questions about men & women, other players try to guess
their answer in order to move ahead. 7 Q categories that hits all
the bases, 720 Q total. 4+ players. '99
------------------------------------------------------------------------
MAYFAIR GAMES (Mayfr) (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST
SETTLERS OF CATAN: SEAFARERS KIT BC 1.4 $24.50 99/ 1
Add-on kit compatible w/ 4th ed Settlers of Catan. Adds pirates,
gold, ships, islands and over-the-water trade to the Settlers
framework. Some scenarios req 2 copies of Settlers.'98
------------------------------------------------------------------------
MOMENTS IN HISTORY (MiH) (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST
LODZ 1914, THE FIRST BLITZKRIEG BOXED BC 1.6 $38.50 99/ 1
BC boxed version. Game of this mobile & fluid encirclement on the
east front early in the war. D.Bolt'98
LODZ 1914, THE FIRST BLITZKRIEG ZL zl 1.2 $34.00 99/ 1
ziplocked version. Game of this mobile & fluid encirclement on the
east front early in the war. D.Bolt'98
------------------------------------------------------------------------
MISCELLANEOUS PUBLISHERS (Misc) (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST
SPACE & FANTASY GAMERS' GUIDE Bk 3.0 $29.00 99/ 1
500 pg reference guide to Sci-Fi related games & magazines from
1975-90. J.Scoleri'99
------------------------------------------------------------------------
OUT OF THE BOX PUBLISHING (OutBox) (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST
BOSWORTH Y 2.0 $15.00 99/ 1
2-4 player game in which players battle until one controls the
battlefield of Bosworth Field. Play follows chess pieces which are
played using cards at differing times. '99
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PINNACLE ENTERTNMNT GROUP (Pinnac) (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST
DEADLANDS: BRAINBURNERS Bk $14.00 99/ 1
Supplement for Hell on Earth rules set for Deadlands. Psychics
handbook with powers, edges & characters. '99
------------------------------------------------------------------------
RIO GRANDE GAMES (Rio) (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST
MAMMA MIA CARD GAME SB 0.5 $7.50 99/ 2
Small, simple, 2-4 player card game to see who can fill pizza orders
the fastest. '99
------------------------------------------------------------------------
STEVE JACKSON GAMES (SJG) (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST
ILLUMINATI DELUXE FB 1.2 $25.00 99/ 2
Graphical & substantive revision of the highly popular game from
the '80s. '99
------------------------------------------------------------------------
TABLE TOP GAMES (TTG) (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST
WORLD AT WAR 1939-45: MORE PIECES FB $24.50 99/ 2
Additional plastic pieces for this A&A clone. '98
------------------------------------------------------------------------
UDO GREBE GAME DESIGN CO. (UGG) (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST
EMPIRES OF APOCALYPSE: DESERT FOX zl 0.8 $17.50 99/ 1
2nd of a planned series of mating Op-Strategic level WW2 games. This
one covers the war in N.Africa 1940-3. 4 scenarios starting w/ the
Italian move into Egypt and ending w/ Torch.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
WINSOME GAMES (Winsom) (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST
LANCASHIRE RAILS Tb 0.6 $14.00 99/ 1
3-6 player gm of RR development of the first commercial RRs in
Britain, 1829. '99
------------------------------------------------------------------------
WIZARDS OF THE COAST (Wizard) (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST
POKEMAN 2-PLAYER STARTER DECK SB 0.4 $6.00 99/ 1
Card game modeled after the Pokeman Game Boy video game. Starter
deck contains 2 30-card decks, which may be used as a single deck,
and a holographic Machamp card (so...). Fairly simple. '99
POKEMAN BOX OF BOOSTERS FB* 3.6 $65.00 99/ 1
Card game modeled after the Pokeman Game Boy video game. BOX of 36
boosters. '99
POKEMAN PRECONSTRUCTED STARTER DECK SB 0.4 $7.25 99/ 1
Card game modeled after the Pokeman Game Boy video game. '99
------------------------------------------------------------------------
WINNING MOVES (WMI) (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST
FLINCH CARD GAME SB $8.00 99/ 2
Reprint of a Parker Brothers classic card game, with variations on
the original version. '99
SAY WHEN! SB $19.00 99/ 2
(Family game. No other info currently avail.)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ZOODYSSEY, INC. (Zoodys) (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST
ZOODYSSEY SB $19.00 99/ 1
Simple, fast playing card game in which players try to collect sets
of cards in various categories & point values. Cards represent
various endangered animals from thruout the world, with notes about
them on the card. '99
------------------------------------------------------------------------
MAGAZINES (ONLY) (_Mag) (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST
C3I #9 n 0.5 $5.50 99/ 1
w/ 40 variant counters for Typhoon, Inv Norway & Alex Deluxe. Mag
articles include scenarios for SPQR & Alexander, Saratoga designers
notes & errata, Inv Siciy designers note & errata, German strategy
in Typhoon, retrofitting Typhoon w/ the newer Barbarossa games,
Waterloo variant. A worthwhile issue curiously dated only "1998".
'99 (THIS ISSUE PROJECTED TO BE AVAILABLE WITHIN TWO WEEKS.)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PC SOFTWARE & HRDW (ORIG) (_Sftwr) (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST
EAST FRONT FOR WINDOWS V2.0 Fo $40.00 99/ 3
Req Windows 95/98, 2mb RAM, mouse; modem optional. Update & upgrade
of this neat little program that allows very acceptable solitaire
play of Columbia's East Front game (tho not designed specifically
for this); designed for play by email or modem play. This version
sets the game up to the current v2.0 rules of the board game PLUS
adds the Volga Front addition PLUS upgrades the user interface and
uses Win 9x programming. A RECOMMENDED computer game tho it lacks
any artificial intelligence. Columbia Games'99
P E N D I N G G A M E R E L E A S E S
You can always view the most recent listing of Pending Game Releases (those
due within a few months) at .
PENDING GAME RELEASES due between due 99/ 3 and due 99/ 5
These items are NOT yet released; info here is the latest available.
Box Est Cash Expected
Publsr / Game Title & Edition Typ Wght PriceEA Rels Date
------ -------------------------------- --- ---- ------- ------------
AGENTS OF GAMING (Agents) (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST
BABYLON 5 WARS RULES SYSTEM, 2ND BC $35.00 due 99/ 4 ??
Reprint with supplementary material. Board game set that comes w/ 12
minis, to model the ship-ship action from the show. Not that great
a game, but lots of color to the ships.'99
BABYLON 5 WARS: BABYLON 5 CAMPAIGNS BC $17.50 due 99/ 3 ?
BABYLON 5 WARS: COMING OF SHADOWS BC $17.50 due 99/ 3 ?
BABYLON 5 WARS: DILGAR INVASIONS BC $17.50 due 99/ 3 ?
BABYLON 5 WARS: EARTH WARS n $17.50 due 99/ 3 ?
BABYLON 5 WARS: MILITARIES OF THE n $17.50 due 99/ 3 ?
LEAGU
BABYLON 5 WARS: SHIPS OF BABYLON 5 BC $24.50 due 99/ 3 ?
WARS
BABYLON 5 WARS: WAR WITHOUT END BC $17.50 due 99/ 3 ?
Supplemental rules sets for Baby5.
BABYLON 5 MINI: BABYLON 5 STATION Y 0.4 $17.00 due 99/ 3 ?
#205. Detailed, highly crafted miniature for the B5 game. '99
BABYLON 5 MINI: DRAZI SKY SERPENT Y $5.00 due 99/ 3 ?
FIGHTR
#272. Two detailed, highly crafted miniature for the B5 game. '97
BABYLON 5 MINI: DRAZI STRIKEHAWK Y $6.50 due 99/ 3 ?
#271. Detailed, highly crafted miniature for the B5 game. '99
BABYLON 5 MINI: DRAZI SUNHAWK Y $5.00 due 99/ 3 ?
#215. Detailed, highly crafted miniature for the B5 game. '99
BABYLON 5 MINI: DRAZI WARBIRD Y $5.00 due 99/ 3 ?
#218. Detailed, highly crafted miniature for the B5 game. '99
BABYLON 5 MINI: EARTH THUNDERBOLT Y $5.00 due 99/ 3
FIGHTR
#244. Detailed, highly crafted miniature for the B5 game. '99
BABYLON 5 MINI: MINBARI TINASHI FRIGATE Y $8.75 due 99/ 3
#224. Detailed, highly crafted miniature for the B5 game. '99
BABYLON 5 MINI: MINBARI WHITE STAR Y $4.50 due 99/ 3
#222. Detailed, highly crafted miniature for the B5 game. '99
BABYLON 5 MINI: VREE TZYMM HEAVY Y 0.2 $5.00 due 99/ 3 ?
FIGHTER
#275. Detailed, highly crafted miniature for the B5 game. '99
BABYLON 5 MINI: VREE XILL BATTLE SAUCER Y 0.4 $8.50 due 99/ 3 ?
#273. Detailed, highly crafted miniature for the B5 game. '99
BABYLON 5 MINI: VREE XORR WAR SAUCER Y $6.50 due 99/ 3 ?
#274. Detailed, highly crafted miniature for the B5 game. '99
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AVALANCHE PRESS, LTD. (Avalan) (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST
GREAT WAR AT SEA, V.4: THE RUSSO-JAP HC $36.00 due 99/ 3 ?
WAR
Naval combat between the Japanese & Russian fleets thruout the Asian
seaboard, 1904-5, on both a strategic & tactic level. 12 scenarios.
'99
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COMPONENT GAME SYSTEM (CGS) (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST
BABYLON 5: EARTH/MINBARI 2260 2-PLYR HC $17.50 due 99/ 3 ?
KIT
Modular board game system covering the Babylon 5 world in 2260. This
kit provides components for 2 players from the 3rd season. '98
BABYLON 5: NARN/CENTAURI 2260 2-PLYR HC 0.8 $17.50 due 99/ 3 ?
KIT
Modular board game system covering the Babylon 5 world in 2260. This
kit provides components for 2 players from the 3rd season. '98
BABYLON 5: SHADOW/PSI-CORPS 2260 2-PLYR HC $17.50 due 99/ 3 ?
Modular board game system covering the Babylon 5 world of 2260. This
kit provides components for 2 players from the 3rd season. '98
BABYLON 5: VORLON/LEAGUE 2260 2-PLYR HC $17.50 due 99/ 3 ?
KIT
Modular board game system covering the Babylon 5 world of 2260. This
kit provides components for 2 players from the 3rd season. '98
BATTLESTAR GALACTICA BC $28.00 due 99/ 3 ?
2 player game of the contest between the colonies and the Cylon
Empire. System similar to & compatible with Baby 5 modular board
game w/ hex tiles for the map, playing cards, & tokens. '98
STAR TREK DEEP SPACE 9 BOARD GAME BC $28.00 due 99/ 3 ?
Stand-alone game that may be combined with any other modular board
game by CGS. Covers the world of ST:DS9 in economic, political &
territorial dimensions. '99
STAR TREK NEXT GENERATION BOARD GAME BC $28.00 due 99/ 3 ?
Stand-alone game that may be combined with any other modular board
game by CGS. Covers the world of ST:NG with the Fed, Klingons,
Romulans and Ferengi. '98
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CHEAPASS GAMES (Cheapa) (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST
RENFIELD n $4.50 due 99/ 3
4-8 player card game of gambling where every point costs money to
the pot. '99
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CHIGGER GAME STUDIOS (CHIG) (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST
CORPORATE SNAKES & LADDERS Y $15.00 due 99/ 3 ??
Start in the mail room of MegaCorp & work your way to the executive
suite. Simple family game for 2-6. Remember: s*** floats! '99
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CRITICAL HIT (CRI) (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST
ASL:ARNHEM, THE THIRD BRIDGE Fo $21.00 due 99/ 3 ?
Detailed and purportedly most accurate simulation of the fighting
for Arnhem Bridge. Includes counters (w/ named leaders), and
detailed full sized map of downtown Arnhem. 8 scenarios covers all
of the attempt to hold until relieved. '99
ASL:CRETE PLATOON LDR KIT zl $12.00 due 99/ 3 ??
Platoon Leader 2nd ed campaign focused on the bitter fighting for
the Prison Valley during the airborne assault on Crete, May'41. '98
ASL:GENESIS '48 Y $28.00 due 99/ 3 ?
Huge module covering the '47-48 Arab-Israeli War. Includes lots of
special rules, & new charts & tables to cover this unique conflict.
W/ 2 die cut counter sheets, maps of old Jerusalem, & 3 scenarios &
the campaign game. '98
ASL:KAMINSKI BRIGADE BOOK/SCENARIO Bk $12.00 due 99/ 3 ?
Osprey-style book covering the infamous Kaminski Russian SS Brigade,
together with relevant scenarios. '98
ASL:OBLIVION PACK #1: THE POLES n $7.00 due 99/ 3 ?
Kit providing the Polish arsenal with tanks, AT guns, & other pieces
plus several scenarios. '98
ASL:SCOTLAND THE BRAVE II n $19.00 due 99/ 3 ?
6 scenario, 2 campaign kit covering more of the battle of Epsom
between a stout but untried Brit force and the powerful 2nd SS Pzr
Korp. Mates w/ v1. '98
ASL:TOBRUK n $11.20 due 99/ 3 ?
Additional campaign for the Platoon Leader module. Focuses on the
Australians stubborn defense, Apr'41. '98
COMBAT! NORMANDY BC $21.00 due 99/ 3 ?
Miniatures-oriented game system of the 82nd airborne All American's
battles at Normandy. Comes with counters. '99
COMBAT! NORMANDY EXPANSION Fo $14.00 due 99/ 3 ?
Expansion kit with new fire fights, addtl map, & more rules. '99
COMBAT! NORMANDY MINIATURES FB $14.00 due 99/ 3 ?
60 metal minis for use with this game. '99
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DECISION GAMES (DecGms) (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST
AGE OF GLORY HC $35.00 due 99/ 3 ?
An attempt to port the success of Krieg into the Napoleonic era.
Economics & politics combine with card play in an otherwise
traditional board game of the entire Napoleonic era, 1792-1815.
Multiple scenarios & the grand campaign. '98
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EARTH LORE LTD. (EAR) (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST
IDIOSYNCRASIES LB* $23.00 due 99/ 3
Multiplayer party game akin to Pictionary in which players compete
in 3 categories by drawing pictures, giving an imitation or
performing an action. Players participate actively thruout and
share role of judge. '98
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EURO GAMES / DESCARTES (EuroG) (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST
CONDOTTIERE, 2ND BC $15.00 due 99/ 3
Reprint in a more manageable box size of this European card game
played on a board. Fast, intense, played in rounds. Aim is to build
the most powerful kingdom in Renaissance Italy. Top game in '95 in
Germany. '99
EUROPA 1945-2030 FB $30.00 due 99/ 3
3-6 player game of the political development of Europe since 1945,
played in 4 turns! A mix of politics, diplomacy, & geography. '99
FORMULAE DE: EXP BOARD 15 & 16 Fo 2.0 $18.00 due 99/ 3 ?
Add-on board for this acclaimed French formula D racing game. Shows
2 tracks from Hockenheimring, Germany and Zeltweg, Austria. '99
FORMULAE DE: EXP BOARD 17 & 18 Fo 2.0 $18.00 due 99/ 3 ?
Add-on board for this acclaimed French formula D racing game. Shows
2 tracks from Autodromo de la Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Circuit
de Barcelona, Spain. '99
FORMULAE DE: EXP BOARD 19 & 20 Fo 2.0 $18.00 due 99/ 3 ?
Add-on board for this acclaimed French formula D racing game. Shows
2 tracks from Sazuka Circuit, Japan, & Victoria Park, Australia. '99
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GLOBAL GAMES CO. (GGC) (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST
STALINGRAD TACTICAL COMBAT MINI RULES Y $42.00 due 99/ 3 ?
Ambitious WW2 rules set for 1/48 minis at the squad level. Includes
20 minis, beginning & adv rules, scenarios, 3D buildings, blast
templates, etc. Aimed at the beginning mini games but with plenty
of meat to hold your interest. '98
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GUILD OF BLADES (GldBld) (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST
AXIS & ALLIES: BATTLE FOR THE FALKLANDS zl $9.00 due 99/ 3 ?
Sml add-on kit for A&A providing rules, map & charts to play the
battle for the Falklands between Argentina & Britain in the early
'80s. '99
AXIS & ALLIES: GREAT WAR IN AFRICA KIT Y $10.50 due 99/ 3 ?
Sml stand-alone kit for A&A providing rules, map etc. to play an A&A
style game of WW1 in Africa. Neat, eh? Can be used w/War to End
Wars, or on its own. '99
RISK: OVER THE TRENCHES KIT zl $14.00 due 99/ 3
Kit adding a map (from War to End Wars), counters & maps to use Risk
to game WW-1. '99
RISK: OVER THE TRENCHES UPGRADE KIT zl $6.00 due 99/ 3
Kit w/o maps intended for those who own War to End War kit. Add-on
kit adding counters & maps to use Risk to game WW-1. '99
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GMT GAMES (GMT) (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST
WAR GALLY BC $42.00 due 99/ 3
Ancient naval warfare using an evolution of the Great Battles of
History system. '99
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IRON CROWN ENTERPRISES (ICE) (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST
MIDDLE EARTH: AG THE SHADOW Bk $8.40 due 99/ 3 ?
PLAYERSGUIDE
7th players guide for the popular ME CCG. Contains in depth analysis
and reference info for the Against the Shadow expansion, including
deck design strategy & b&w card reproductions. '99
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JOLLY ROGER GAMES INC. (JOL) (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST
MAUL OF AMERICA: CHOPPING MAUL SB $6.00 due 99/ 3
Add on kit w/ 4 new map boards & 27 new cards. '99
FIRE BRIGADE MINI RULES HC $14.00 due 99/ 3 ?
WW2 Mini rules system for division-sized battles. '98
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LIBERTY GAMES (Libert) (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST
BAYOUS, BATTLE OF THE... zl $20.00 due 99/ 3 ?
Company level game of the British's 1814-5 assault on New Orleans.
This game provides operational options that the comparable S&T game
does not. Daily turns, 500m/hex, 360 counters. C.Reichman'99
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MARKHAM DESIGN GAMES (Markha) (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST
ROLICA zl ?? due 99/ 4
(Wellington's battle in the Peninsular War)
VIMEIRO zl ?? due 99/ 4
(Wellington's battle in the Peninsular War)
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MAYFAIR GAMES (Mayfr) (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST
BOHNANZA SB $10.50 due 99/ 3 ?
3-5 player card game of bean counting & selling -- literally -- akin
to Pit. '98
BONE APETITE Y $10.50 due 99/ 3 ?
Simple, fast card game for several players trying to avoid being
lunch in a Giant's dining room. Last one living wins. Beer anyone?
'98
DIE SIEDLER VON CATAN: STADTE & RITTER Y $14.00 due 99/ 3 ?
6
German 5-6 player expansion to this expansion kit to Die Siedlers.
Adds components to allow 5 or 6 players to play. Requires die
Siedler basic, the 5-6 player basic expansion, and the basic Stadte
& Ritter. '98
ELIXIR Y $14.00 due 99/ 3 ?
Multiplayer card game in which players draw from 2 decks, one
provides objects & the other spells. Spells require different
combinations of objects to cast. First to cast all their spells
wins. Do you hear "get me another beer?" '98
EUPHRATES & TIGRIS, 2ND BC $35.00 due 99/ 3 ?
Revised, all-English version. Simple, ahistorical game of
civilization development & trading for 2-4 players. '98
INDIAN RAILS BC $21.00 due 99/ 3 ?
Empire Builders does the Indian subcontinent. For 2-6 players. '99
QVO VADIS?, 2ND BC $24.50 due 99/ 3 ?
Revision of this game of politics in ancient Rome with all-English
components. Build a faction & a party while avoiding the
treacheries of the Senate. Abstract board game for 3-5 players. '98
SETTLERS OF CATAN: 5-6 PLAYERS BC $17.50 due 99/ 3 ?
EXPANSION
Kit combining the 5-6 player expansions based on both the German 5-6
Player & Seafarers 5-6 Player expansions. Redeveloped & combined
into a single add-on kit for 2 additional players. '98
SETTLERS OF CATAN: CITIES & KNIGHTS BC $17.50 due 99/ 3 ?
Angloized version of the Stadt & Ritter kit. Kit adding armies &
barbarian hordes to Settlers, as well as metropolises. Requires
English version. '98
SETTLERS OF CATAN: SEAFARERS 5-6PLYR BC $10.50 due 99/ 3 ?
KIT
Add-on kit compatible w/ 4th ed Settlers of Catan. Adds pirates,
gold, ships, islands and over-the-water trade to the Settlers
framework. Some scenarios req 2 copies of Settlers.'98
SILVERTON: GM OF COLORADO BC $24.50 due 99/ 3 ?
RAILROADNG,2ND
Revision of Two Wolf's game & expansion. Short & long versions for
1-6 players. RR bldg in Colorado plateau, late 1800s. Stake mine
claims, build track, invest in rolling stock & passenger service.
Includes elements of expansion kit previously published separately.
'99
Also, reprint of SETTLERS OF CATAN, 4th (5th?) due in March, maybe.
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MOMENTS IN HISTORY (MiH) (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST
TUNISIA 1943, DECISION AT KASSERINE Y $35.00 due 99/ 4 ??
Two games in one package, and likely winners at that. 2nd ed of the
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED Dec @ Kasserine by its original designer, V.Von
Borries, and a new design on the same campaign. '98
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OMEGA GAMES (Omega) (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST
1864, YEAR OF DECISION BC $24.50 due 99/ 6 ??
Strat lvl game of the entire war in 1864. Uses regional movement of
division/corp level units. Multiple scenarios. New level of graphic
quality for Omega. B.Gibbs'97
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OPERATION STUDIES GROUP (OSG) (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST
BONAPARTE IN ITALY, 2ND BC $28.00 due 99/ 4 ?
Revision of this excellent if large game of Napoleon's skillful
defeat of the Austrians in Italy in a long running campaign.
K.Zucker'99
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PGI LIMITED (PGI) (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST
POLITICS AS USUAL BC $20.00 due 99/ 3
Multi-player game in which players represent Senators wheeling &
dealing to pass their legislation, take lobby $ and survive
scandals. What about Monica? '99
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PINNACLE ENTERTNMNT GROUP (Pinnac) (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST
DEADLANDS: DOGS OF WAR Bk $14.00 due 99/ 3 ?
Supplement to Deadlands. First in the Dogs of War series of army
supplements. Introduces 30 army types for all 6 rail barons. '98
DEADLANDS: DOGS OF WAR #2 Bk $14.00 due 99/ 3
Supplement to Deadlands. Second in the Dogs of War series of army
supplements. Introduces 30 army types for all 6 rail barons. '98
DEADLANDS: RAID ON ROSWELL Bk $10.50 due 99/ 3 ?
Boxed supplement to Deadlands. Scenarios, cards & counters to
recreate the Union raid on the Confed base at Roswell, NM. '98
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RIO GRANDE GAMES (Rio) (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST
RA Y $24.50 due 99/ 3
Gain the power of RA by collecting tiles representing spiritual,
economic and technological growth. Fast playing 3-5 player game. '99
RICHOCHET ROBOT Y $17.50 due 99/ 3
2+ players compete to calculate the shortest route to targets for
four robots, with the target changing every turn, and the only way
to turn is to hit something. '99
UNION PACIFIC Y $28.00 due 99/ 3
2-6 player game of railroad building & stock market manipulation. '99
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SAGARIAN (Sag) (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST
SAGARIAN, 2ND FB 2.8 $23.00 due 99/ 3 ?
Simple but entertaining game of strategy, knowledge & luck. One page
of rules, for 4+ players and suited to team play. Mensa game of the
year. '98
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SIMULATIONS WORKSHOP, INC (SimWor) (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST
RUS', RISE OF RUSSIA 200BC-1584AD zl $15.00 due 99/ 3
DTP game w/ one smallish map, 420 counters. Essentially a Britannia
system applied to Russia, for 3-4 players. R.Moorehead'99
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TASK FORCE GAMES (TFG) (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST
IMPERIAL STARFIRE BC $24.50 due 99/ 3 ?
Expansion for Starfire that allows a grand campaign on a large scale
map. '98
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TSR GAMES (TSR) (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST
MAGIC: OFFICIAL STRATEGY GUIDE, 6TH Bk $12.00 due 99/ 3
Updated strategy guide on play of all versions of Magic: the
Gathering and its add-ons. '99
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VAE VICTUS MAGAZINE (VaeVic) (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST
EBRO, BATTLE OF THE... BC $62.00 due 99/ 3 ??
Huge 1400 counter, 4 (sml) map game of one watershed in the Spanish
Civil War, 1938, as the Nationalist counterattacked the Republicans
before Catalonia. Co/btln lvl. Graphics said to be professional but
not outstanding. '99 WHETHER THIS EVER APPEARS IS A QUESTION.
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WIZARDS OF THE COAST (Wizard) (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST
MAGIC: THE GATHERING, 6TH BOX 36 SB* 3.3 $70.00 due 99/ 3
BOOSTRS
The current version of Magic: the Revenue Stream. Brings Magic in
line w/ more recent expansions. '99
MAGIC: THE GATHERING, 6TH BOX OF DECKS FB* 3.5 $80.00 due 99/ 3
The current version of Magic: the Revenue Stream. Brings Magic in
line w/ more recent expansions & changes the tourney deck to 75
cards as well as many other rules. '99
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XTR: COMMAND MAGAZINE (XTRCmd) (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST
INDO-PAKISTANI WAR / WARMASTER III #51 n $23.00 due 99/ 3
(no info avail) ISSUE #51 *and* #52 NOW EN ROUTE HERE. Stay tuned.
Y O U R S U G G E S T I O N S
YOUR SUGGESTIONS that help me improve the service I provide to you
via this Update or in any other way are greatly appreciated.
Michael Dean
Fine Games for Players & Collectors
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FINE GAMES FOR PLAYERS & COLLECTORS
The Best in New & Used Historical Gaming
Index:
Online Catalogs:
Michael Dean (541) 756-4711 10am-9pm PST M.Dean@FineGames.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~