Gaming, comics, Movies and Free - take one General Geekiness Volume I Issue 8

August September 2007 Gen Con Edition T H E G E E K G AZET TE An M. Scott Publication www.thegeekgazette.com

GEN C ON S AND PROS

Well another Gen Con has made me feel cheated. Oth- In the RPG world Bat- come and gone. This year was the ers have argued that there tlestar Galactica, Monte 40th anniversary of the premiere weren’t fewer booths, the Cook’s World of Darkness, gaming convention and to be hon- hall was just organized dif- and Aces & Eights all sparked est I was a bit disappointed. ferently, maybe, but it sure a some interest and deserv- I truly expected a few more felt like less to me. edly so. They are great games big releases and amazing an- I welcome the video and many fans have been nouncements. What about 4e you game community to our lit- waiting for them for a while, ask? Well I’ll be getting to that tle con, but the convention especially BSG. There were later, but it was pretty much the center is a big place. Could- also a quite a few games that only big announcement made this n’t they have put them didn’t get the attention they year. somewhere else? There are deserved. Legend of the 5 Don’t get me wrong the con plenty of rooms large Rings 3e, Rifts, Hero 5e, Cas- was great as usual, but it was enough to house the video tles & Crusades, True 20, and Mutants & Masterminds are mostly the same as every other games. They didn't seem to year. Some new games were re- be selling anything anyway; all good solid games, but the booths weren’t as packed as I leased, the Dragonlance movie mostly they were just premiered and D&D 4e was an- demoing games. Now if they would have expected. All of nounced. Things of that nature were selling games for the them had great, new things to offer. I can only assume that happen every year, and I’m hon- PC and the various systems estly not terribly excited about 4e. they would definitely belong WotC and BSG had too much But like I said before I’ll get to all in the hall. I just personally buzz going on and stole the that later. For now I want to go over don’t like using the space spotlight. some of what I did and didn’t like for promotion only exhibits. I’m not a CCG person, about this years con. Maybe they could use one but there were some great First video games had a of the other rooms for that. deals and new releases to be found. I got some World of much bigger presence than in While I do collect a years past. Sony and other gaming lot of Heroclix, I don’t actu- Warcraft starter decks that I companies took up a large part of ally play, but I was still ea- am eager to try out as well as some Legend of the 5 Rings the exhibitors hall. Don’t get me ger to see the new Haloclix. wrong, I like my video games, but They looked good and the decks. Yu gi oh still seemed the hall felt smaller and I did not gigantic Scarab mini was to draw a lot of attention and to be honest I didn’t know like that. There seemed to be pretty awesome. If you are a fewer actual exhibitors, which fan of Halo and/or Wizkids anyone still played it. Magic 10th edition didn’t seem to meant fewer places to buy stuff. clix games you will love While this may have saved me these minis. be drawing the attention I some money in the long run, it also Continued page 2 Page 2 Free - take one

Cons & Pros were plenty that us D&D 4th Edition Continued from page 1 geeks would recognize. It’s old news n’t sound that bad. The celebrity highlight to D&D fans that The game me- would have expected, for my family was Feed- Wizards of the Coast chanics seem to be but I’m sure there was back, Major Victory and announced 4e at improved when com- enough of everything Fat Momma from Who Gen Con this year. pared to 3e. Many there to keep the CCG wants to be a superhero The internet has things that gamers gamers happy. and Clair from Heroes. been abuzz about if have been wanting There were tons I also want to for over a year. I, like for years are being of Anime and Asian give kudos for the Gen many others, wanted added and overall I film booths for fans. I Con crew for the family to discount the ru- can’t really say any- was surprised to find day pass. $25 for a fam- mors and still don’t thing bad about the they even sold Hentai. ily of four to get in on see why they would game itself. Mostly This was something I Sunday was a brilliant put a new edition out because all we really didn’t expect to see at idea. Before I left on at this time, yet the know is what WotC a con that is trying to Sunday afternoon I say fact remains they are revealed and fan draw in the younger oodles of families taking doing it. speculation. How- crowd. I’m not really advantage of this. Next In the semi- ever, I do have my into Anime, though I do year my family is plan- nars at Gen Con complaints. like my DBZ, and I ning to go because of WotC staff seemed First WotC lied know they have had a this. Granted Sunday is rather unenthusiastic to us. When everyone presence at Gen Con the shortest day, but about this new edi- started screaming for a while, I just no- kids have small atten- tion. There was no about 4e they didn’t ticed it more this year. tion spans and there is real excitement, just politely say “no There were also a few still enough time to get more people dressed something they des- comment”, they out- through the Exhibit Hall. as Naruto and other perately needed right lied to us and anime characters than In this issue of given the jaded and said there was no 4e. the Gazette I will natu- sometimes hostile I think one WotC I’ve seen before. rally be covering the crowd they were staffer even com- Speaking of Dungeons and Dragons speaking to. While mented that we costumes there just 4th edition. There aren’t the presentation wouldn’t see a 4e un- didn’t seem to be as a lot of concrete details sucked, which is an til after 2010. Yet, in many overall this year. yet, but I am sharing understatement, I the seminars they There were some great what I have found thus have to say 4e does- openly admitted they ones to be sure, most far and will keep you have been working on of which I have seen in posted as things de- it for at least 2 years! past years. Perhaps I velop. We’re not talking hit the wrong areas at about WMDs here, the wrong time of day, I also have a there was no need to but there did seem to short summary of my 4 be deceitful. This be a few less people in days at Gen Con, quick reviews of the products I really ticked off more costume this year. picked up and a few than a few gamers, Let’s not forget other tidbits you might myself included. the celebrities. While find of interest. Also this Secondly, 4e there didn’t seem to issue I would like to wel- will not be compatible be as many main- come Carpe GM to the with 3e. So for those stream stars, there Podcast Page. Continued on page 3 The Geek Gazette Page 3 4e continued of us that spent a fortune on 3e vious editions. casters; Wizards and Sor- books, well we are just out of luck. Skills will be stream- cerers will be better defined Sure we can still use our 3e books lined. The example given and completely separate in home games, but if we want to was Hide and Move Quietly. classes. No longer will Sor- join a new group or play at a con we They will be combined into cerers be just a Wizard will almost definitely need 4e books. one skill with the rationale knock-off. Details were Bad move WotC. Even Sony, Micro- that if you took one, you sketchy but they did say the soft and Nintendo know to make would likely take the other. class would have a very their systems backwards compati- Not a lot of detail was specific role. As a whole all ble. given in regards to combat, classes will be designed to Third, the marketing for this except that the environment fulfill specific roles in the edition is terrible. The promo vid- will play a bigger part. The game. eos, liked the one shown at Gen example the WotC guys The classes are also Con, make you want to tear your gave is if you are fighting on supposed to be more evenly ears off. Sure 4e will be introducing a rope bridge, the movement matched in power at all lev- cool features like the online table- of the bridge will have to be els. Fighters will no longer top, but that should have been re- considered. To me this does- be meat shields and support leased first, then once we got use to n’t seem streamlined. In- for magic users, but a bona it they should have announced 4e. stead this seems to compli- fide force to be reckoned Their actions over the past cate combat. Could this be with. year or so, recalling licenses and grapple all over again? ECL and CR are then canceling two beloved maga- Character creation gone. Monsters will have zine, just left fans feeling cheated. was a topic that the panel levels just like PCs. Do you You can’t drop new edition bomb- danced around somewhat. need to figure out what shells on people like this. Especially When asked if it would be creatures to use in an en- when you are dealing with a group faster and easier, they counter? Easy pick the level of people that take this hobby so wouldn’t give a straight an- monster(s) to correspond seriously. This isn’t like coming out swer. Their response to this with the level(s) of the PCs. with a new edition of Life or Monop- question was that character There will be 3 tiers oly. Everything has changed and if creation would be “simpler or “power” levels supported you change too much at once, you on average”. To me it in the game from the get go. tend to upset the very people that seemed that either they did- From basic Heroic charac- support you. n’t really know, or it was in ters at levels 1-10 up to Epic As for what is seemingly fact more involved than be- 21-30 level PCs. The reve- good about the upcoming edition, fore. Details are still kind of lation that the core books there is quite a bit. The core races sketchy but alignments will would support 1-30 level will be expanded. They didn’t con- be revised as well. I think it characters definitely made firm anything, but Tieflings are al- will resemble more on an more than a few people in most a sure bet as they appear on Eberron feel. the new PHB. There were also Good news for spell Continued on page 5 hints/rumors that Changelings and other favorite non-standard races may be added to the mix. How many has yet to be revealed but there will be more races than in pre- www.outlandarts.com/mutantepoch.htm Page 4 Free - take one The Podcast Page

Just a few of the Podcast that I recommend and try to listen to regu- larly. All podcasts featured anywhere in the Gazette should be avail- able for download on the shows website or from iTunes; unless noted otherwise.

www.harpingmonkey.com

http://decoderringtheatre.com

www.nuketown.com

www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/pod/20061 www.yogwww.yog----sothoth.comsothoth.com For fans of H.P. Lovecraft and Call of Cthulhu Ennie Winner 2006

http://thenutgallery.com www.noirchickenstudios.com/Dice_Make_Bonk

http://carpegm.libsyn.com/ http://dragonpage.com

www.somniturne.com/gtp/

www.fistfullofcomics.com

www.pulpgamer.com www.theartofroleplaying.com The Geek Gazette Page 5 4E continued the room happy. I think sometime in virtual tabletop for It was hinted late 08. Eberron is ru- gaming. This is proba- that there would be mored to be released bly the only part of the no default setting for in early 09. Nothing announcement that I the game. WotC reps was mentioned in re- was actually inter- claimed they wanted gard to Greyhawk, ested in hearing a more “organic” & Ravenloft or Drag- about. Though I have “scarier” world for the onlance. Though they to admit I’m not one www.jonathancoulton.com PCs. It is rumored did say that the that likes being tied to that homebrew RPGA’s Living Cam- my computer for long games will be en- paigns would still be periods of time. Espe- couraged and pub- supported, just not cially for gaming, lished settings will be which world(s) they which is why I don’t less defined. Appar- would occupy. play online games. ently this is an effort It will still be the A few of the to give DMs and OGL d20 system, and D&D insider features players more control other publishers will be that were revealed in- over the game. This producing products for clude: way people won’t feel the game. No specifics *The Virtual Ta- tied to continuity, but were given, though I bletop” This will allow instead will be en- am sure announce- you to have games www.jimbalentstudios.com couraged to make ments will be made in with friends or find Home of Tarot : Witch of each world their own. the coming months. new groups to game the Black Rose Campaign This version of with over the internet. Settings will still be D&D will also be the Voice and text chat released, but the first to embrace the are said to be sup- WotC reps made it internet. If you sub- ported. From the seem that they will scribe to D&D insider demo it looked really be more of a truly op- you will not only have good. This is not an tional element. For- access to article in online game per say, gotten Realms will be Dungeon and Dragon the first CS released, magazines, but also a Continued page 6 Your Games Now www.yourgamesnow.com

The Dragons Landing Podcast www.afterserenity.com www.dragonslanding.com

www.outlandarts.com www.gbncom.com Page 6 Free - take one 4e continued but a table top game like, ala The Sims, and year. (They will be re- who have already that has been moved create a digital mini to leased one book at a popped up, just like onto the internet. The use in your online time from May 08-July when 3e was re- DM and players will game. No more 08 beginning with the leased. still have control. searching the racks for PHB.) Unless I am truly As for D&D *Access to a mini that looks close impressed with the minis players , well Dragon and Dungeon enough. Make your game, I doubt I will go they get to look for- magazines. Articles character look how you much further than that. ward to a new edition will be posted every want. I still don’t understand of the rules as well. 4e few days with a com- No prices were why the core books will will be capable of inte- pilation issue being given for any of these not be released to- grating the minis available at the end of features. They didn’t gether. For that matter game much easier the month. I person- even say whether they I don’t see why WotC than the 3e. I don’t ally have made my would be a package hasn’t just followed play the minis game peace with the de- deal or if you could other publishers’ lead but if I understand it mise of these two zi- pick and chose the fea- and make a single core correctly all the minis nes and could not tures you want. It was book. I’m sure that re- you own now will be care less about this mentioned that it would ducing the number of useless in the new feature. cost about what a initial books would sof- edition of the rules. *Digital copies years subscription to ten the blow and entice The character cards of the books you buy. Dungeon and/or more people to con- will be completely re- When you buy a 4e Dragon magazine cost. vert. I know I would be vised to complement book there will be a However, they didn't less resistant to the the new RPG edition. code, or something of say what that price en- idea if they did so. At So its not just the that nature, in the tailed. Do you have to this point I think WotC RPG players that will book. Take that code pay that much for each would be wise to keep be affected but all to D&D insider and online mag and then on gamers' good side. D&D fans. you will have access extra for the gaming or I can’t really I say we give to a Digital copy of the is it an all for one fault WotC for putting them a chance to books you purchase. price? They weren’t out a new edition of the prove to us that the A possible additional clear enough on this game and trying to product is as good as fee was mentioned to and left many scratch- make more money. they claim. Wait until get your digital ver- ing their heads, trying Ever since 3e was re- the SRD is released, sion, but that seemed to decide if it was a leased people have read it and then de- to still be up in the air. good deal or not. been complaining that cide if you will buy 4e. *Online charac- I for one an not it was a broken sys- If it is crap don’t buy it. ter creation. This fea- terribly excited about tem. Though I find a Continue playing 3e or ture seemed pretty 4e. Will I buy it? Yeah great deal of fault in switch to one of the cool. You can gener- probably. Will I invest regard to how they other great systems ate a PC online that as much time and handled it. WotC out there. If you don’t you can print out for money into this edition claims they have lis- like it, speak with your use at home or use in as 3e? I seriously tened to what we have wallets and let WotC your online game. doubt it. said and created the know that they need You will have I will buy the 3 new edition in re- us more than we need the ability to decide core rule books when sponse. Still this won’t them. what your PC will look they are released next stop the nay sayers The Geek Gazette Page 7

Rumors & News The Boards of Shame: • Thank Goodness I was wrong...at Gamers giving gaming a bad name. least I hope I was wrong. Margaret Weiss Productions has reportedly For the first time in my life I have felt announced 3 more Serenity RPG ashamed to be a gamer. Anyone who has read the products to be released over the next Gazette knows I like to frequent the message year. These new products include boards to find out about the current buzz in the adventures and sourcebooks. geek community. So naturally when I got back from • Speaking of Serenity the Collectors Gen Con I found myself hitting various boards that I Edition DVD is suppose to be out in don’t normally frequent and was confronted by late August. You know you’re going some of the worst behavior I have ever seen on any to buy it. gaming message board. • Nichelle Nichols, Uhura from the I understand that the 4e announcement has original Star Trek, will be joining for- emotions running high, but still that is no excuse for mer cast mate George Takei, Sulu the outright hostility toward other gamers I saw on from Star Trek, as a recurring charac- the boards. Granted not everyone that posted was ter on NBC’s Heroes. I hear she will participating in the hostility, but far too many were. play someone’s mom. Hmmm. who’s Some posters were happy about 4e and mom could she be…. some people were engaged in some very intelligent • Reports vary but turnstile attendance and interesting debates/discussions; others not so at this years Gen Con Indy has been much. Being unhappy does not anyone free reign to estimated at over 75,000. That’s a lot of gamers. be crappy toward fellow gamers. Regardless of • Web enhancements are reported to how you feel about a product you should still be be a big part of the D&D 4e experi- tactful and courteous. ence. When you buy 4e books you Whether I’m on the forums for The Nut Gal- will be able to unlock digital versions lery, Dragons Landing, Kenzer Co., Mutants & Mas- of your books on D&D insider. When terminds, or L5R people often disagree. However revisions are made they will be they don’t normally attack their peer’s. We all have added directly to your digital versions the right to what we think and as member of various so you don’t have to go out and buy a boards we all have the right to post those opinions. new book. That’s what I heard any- We don’t have the right to tell some one that what way. they think is wrong, stupid, or express our dislike in • Just when things couldn’t get worse any other hostile, derogatory way. for 4e, I have heard that there will be I hate to imagine what a new gamer or some- new versions of the core books re- one who is just becoming interested in gaming leased each year. Any revision made would think if they decided to visit the wrong mes- will be included in the newer editions. sage boards. The gaming community is just begin- Unless you have the digital versions ning to gain some small amount of respectabil- you will fall behind. Seems kind of ity/acceptance by the mainstream and yet we allow crazy to be planning revisions for a system that is suppose to fix all the this kind of behavior? It’s not just shameful, it’s em- problems with the old system and barrassing. hasn’t even been released yet. Maybe I’ve just been lucky to not have come • WotC claims they are still committed into a direct confrontation with any of these hostile to the print format, yet canceled the posters on the boards I frequent, but the environ- print zines? Makes about as much ments on my normal boards just don’t seem condu- sense as a 4th edition. Continued on page 13 Page 8 Free - take one

4 DA Y S A T G E N C O N S U M M A RY This year I got to go to Gen seminar on Thurs. It was kind of Con for all 4 days for the first time. a town hall forum for GMs to Usually I only manage to go on Sat- share ideas and stories. Defi- urday, and trust me one day does nitely something I recommend not do the con justice. and will try to attend again next www.palladiumbooks.com When I arrived Thursday the year. first thing I did was hit the Exhibitor Friday was my casual ‘s Hall. There were several newly day. I wandered around, taking and pre-released games I was ea- in a lot of the things I normally ger to pick up and as usual it took have to rush by. I hit some semi- a large chunk of my day. nars, including the 4e seminars, The first thing I noticed and sat in on a couple of mov- when I entered the hall was that it ies. I have been wanting to play was completely rearranged. WotC the Legends of the Five Rings was moved from center stage to RPG for a while so I found some the far back corner. The Wizards of the Heroes of Rokugan gang booth seemed severely under and set up a game for Sunday. 6905 Shepherdsville Road stocked. There just wasn’t a lot of Saturday I took my Louisville, KY product to buy. Perhaps they antici- brother in law, who is not a 502-964-5500 pated a backlash from the 4e an- gamer in any way, shape, or www.comicbookworld.com nouncement and didn’t plan on form. I showed him around the selling much. Either way I was not convention center so that he impressed. could get the lay of the land be- As I mentioned before video fore hitting the Exhibit Hall. games had a much stronger pres- Later I asked him what he ence than in years past. Due to the thought and all he could say increased video game presence about the hall is that it was over- the hall seemed smaller. I have whelming. Later he mentioned been told that there were just as that he was amazed at how many vendors on the floor, but I friendly and courteous everyone don’t see how. I stopped by several was. Cramming that many peo- of the video game booths and was ple in to one area, he expected www.greenronin.com disappointed to find they were a lot more conflict. Luckily every- more about demos than they were one made him feel welcome. about selling. I go to the hall to get Sunday I actually got into Do you have questions or com- free swag and of course buy stuff. my first con game. I played a ments you would like to share? In future years I hope the video module of L5R ran by the He- Any stories or topics you would game companies sell more or else roes of Rokugan (think RPGA for like to see covered or added move to another part of the con- L5R) and had a blast. As a to the Gazette? Want to con- vention center. gamer I knew the safest charac- tribute a story to the Gazette? Other than that the hall was ter to play in a game you are un- Then feel free to let us know. just as great as I remember. There familiar with is a fighter. So I geek- is just so much to see and do that picked one that I liked and sat [email protected] you hardly know where to start. down. Unfortunately, I didn’t Download us off the web @ know the module I was playing I did hit the GM Lightning www.thegeekgazette.com Page 9

T HE G E E K G AZ E T T E The Louisville Game Shop 925 Baxter Avenue. Louisville, Kentucky (502)456-2734

Green Ring Ethos Podcast http://accidentalsurvivors.libsyn.com/ http://www.greenringethos.com/

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Fantasy Clip Ink: Warriors Set 1 This month’s image courtesy William McAusland and the gang over at Outland Arts www.outlandarts.com www.herogames.com The Geek Gazette Page 10 Quick Reviews 4 days @ Gen Con continued Battlestar Galactica RPG: Fans have waited a year for this product was a social/investigation session with no combat. Not based off of the popular TV series and it only did I pick a fighter, something I never play, but one does not disappoint. The mechanics are that had the antisocial and brash characteristics. I was all the same as those used in the fan fave but useless to the group. Serenity RPG so people familiar with The one time I actually had the opportunity to start that system should have no problem a fight the group talked me out of it. So basically I followed switching over to the BSG setting. everyone around, tried, unsuccessfully, to rough up a few Speaking of the Serenity RPG, this time NPCs and still ended up having a great time. Margaret Weiss Productions actually I was at a disadvantage on several levels with this learned from past mistakes. There is game. First I haven’t played a PC more than a couple of plenty of information for ships and char- time in quite a few years so I was a bit rusty. Ok I was a lot acters from the show and most of all rusty. Second, I was playing a game I was not familiar with there are character sheets to copy in the and finally I was playing with a group I did not know. Still I book. I was a little disappointed that they didn’t at least give a nod to the old had a blast and I am now definitely an L5R fan. BSG, but I am sure they don’t want any What about the costumes? Well as usual there association between the two shows. were plenty of great costumes. There didn’t seem to be as There are plenty of stats for characters many as last year, but then again I didn’t keep count. I’ve from the show, some that I honestly for- posted a few pics on line. So if you didn’t make the con got about. There is also an appendix for feel free to check them out. I will be posting more later. ranks and lingo used in the show. If you www.flickr.com/photos/88659256@N00/?saved=1 love the show and/or the cortex system Over all this was a great Gen Con as usual. How- used in Serenity you should definitely ever this was not just a usual Gen Con. It was the 40th pick this game up. anniversary, but it didn’t feel any different. This is the only thing that truly disappointed me. Sure 4e was announced, Monte Cook’s World of Darkness: definitely not the high point of the con for some. Battlestar I have never been a fan of White Wolf’s Galactica RPG was pre-released (officially scheduled for World of Darkness games (Vampire, release in Sept.) and the Haloclix had a pre-release. Werewolf, etc.), but I was definitely look- That’s pretty much it. ing forward to this book. It is not only a There were some great products at the show but beautiful book, but a dang fine read. nothing I felt was big enough for the 40th anniversary of (Yes I said dang) Even if you never play the premier gaming convention. Perhaps I am a victim of the game the book is a great resource hype and set my expectations a little high, but I’m not the for ideas. Much of the book is written as only person who has expressed disappointment. Honestly I think that the release of Dungeons and Dragons 4e, will make next years Gen Con more memorable. It’s still too early to determine whether it will be in a good or bad way, but it will have an impact. I don’t know if it was the 4e announcement that collectively brought the mood down, or if nothing big was actually planned for this year. There was definitely not a feeling that his was a monumental occasion or that it was anything more than an ordinary Gen Con. Not that there is www.captaincanuck.com anything bad about an ordinary Gen Con, I’ll take a less Official Site of Captain than stellar con over no con at all any day of the week.. Canuck Page 11

a narrative by “people” from the World of Dark- ness Earth. Basically it is Rifts meets The World of Darkness meets d20. There is a semi apoca- lypse caused by a “rift” that unleashes magic, demons, vamps and other creepy crawlies into our world. The magic system is more fluid than in the core d20 rules and I like it. Magic isn’t necessarily something that is taught, but some- thing that is felt. Mages don’t have to remember spells and as long as they have what is neces- sary to cast a spell, they can. Though it is stated http://decoderringtheatre.com the classes from this game can be used in other The Red Panda Adventures is one of my personal d20 games, they are set at higher power levels. favorite podcasts and I highly recommend you check The great thing about this book is that it is d20 it out. and compatible with the 3.5 rules. What else would you expect from Monte Cook? I haven’t managed to play it yet but strictly from reading I know this is a good d20 horror setting; some- thing I’ve been trying to find for quite a while. Should you buy it? If you like horror themed games and the d20 system, then yes. If you are already a fan of the standard White Wolf ver- sion, maybe not. www.heroeswww.heroes----ofofofof----rokugan.comrokugan.com

Legends of the Five Rings (3rd Edition): I was first introduced to the Legends of the Five Rings CCG back when it came out (I think it was somewhere around 1994-95) and my group wasn’t exactly impressed. Magic was the big game at the time so L5R was tossed to www.l5r.com/rpg/ the side and forgotten. I like the idea of samurai and over the years wanted to pick up the L5R RPG, but no group I have ever played with shared my inter- est. So I never bothered buying any oriental themed games or supplements. At Gen Con this year I stopped by the AEG booth and saw that a new edition of L5R had been released. No longer would I need to buy multiple books to play but just one core rule book. After looking through the new edition and some really good salesmanship from the guy at the booth I gave and bought it. I was directed toward the Heroes of Rokugan and sat in on a game with the group. The game is a lot of fun. I’ve never been a big fan of storytelling systems but this game Continued page 13 Hey Kids….. Comics!

Every one loves free comics, which evident by the success of Free Comic Book Day. Unfor- tunately this event only happens once per year. However, I have recently found a way to have Free Comic Book Day every day. WOWIO ( www.wowio.com ) offers free digital comic books (all in pdf) to anyone that wants them. There are hundreds of comics you can search through and download at absolutely no cost, but (there’s always a but) there is a catch. Actually there are a few of minor “catches”. First, to get your free comics you will need a “real” email address. Internet based email accounts like Yahoo, Gmail, or Hotmail are not accepted. They say you may get some email so- licitations in return for your free books, but I have yet to get one. Secondly, you are only allowed five downloads per day. This is kind of a bummer but it gives you a little time to read what you’ve downloaded. Finally, you won’t find any DC, Marvel, Devil’s Due, Dynamite or Image comics on this site. That’s about the extent of the down side of this site. Now on the plus side there are tons of books to choose from. All of the comics are from smaller companies like Heroic Publishing, but there is still a wide variety of titles from a wide range of genre. So far I have downloaded most of the available Champions books from the site and have barely touched on all the available book titles. There are naturally plenty of superhero books, but fans of sci fi, fantasy and horror are well represented as well. Some of the titles you can expect to find are X-files, 10 th Muse, Dead Sonja, and Oz: the manga. While many of the available titles are from the 80’s and 90, there are plenty of titles published in the past 10 years available as well, with new books being added from time to time. Now for those of you that like a little more to read than just comic books you are in luck. With your free account you have access to fiction novels, biographies, and whole slew of other types of books. Pretty much anyone who likes to read can find something on this site that will interest them. Download some comics for yourself and a cookbook, or mystery novel for a friend. This site is definitely worth checking out. You may not have access to as many titles as you would at your local comic shop or Barnes and Nobles, but there is enough here to keep you busy for quite some time.

Wowio isn’t the only place you can find free or even very cheap comics. RPGNow offers free or reduced comics. Some of the titles, such as Oz, are also on Wowio, but they have enough diversity to make it worth checking out. While you’re at RPGNow gamers should also check out the gaming freebie section. There are a slew of gaming goodies there to download. From NPC and Zombie cut outs to use in your game, quickstart rules for games you want to try and even a few full campaign settings.

All Games Considered www.devilsdue.net Podcast for a show about tabletop gaming Devils Due Press

http://allgamesconsidered.blogspot.com/ Reviews continued from page Boards continued from page 7 definitely changed my mind. For someone who likes their cive to that kind of behavior. At Gen games simple, L5R is probably not for them. The game is Con I have always found that every- kind of a living game. The world of Rokugan is constantly one is friendly and courteous. Nothing evolving, and the story is constantly being updated. Play- like some of the people I encountered ers of the CCG will understand this, but the depth and his- on some of the new boards I came tory of this game may be a bit much for the average RPG upon. Maybe those people don’t at- player. tend cons or they’re mad they didn’t Now before I scare any potential players away, it is get to go and if this is how they act, not required that you follow the living world of Rokugan. let’s hope they never do. Like any RPG setting your home games can be and do whatever you like. The system is not difficult to learn and though it uses only d10, it should be no problem for most gamers. If you are a d20 fan and you want to introduce your group to L5R you can still find the L5R d20 books on the internet or maybe even your local FLGS. The d20 version is a bit more than just D&D Oriental adventures. It has a feel much closer to the true L5R game, but can be dropped into your D&D campaign. Reviews continued Both the core L5R book and the d20 version are something I highly recommend. ing I need other books. This was my L5R: Emerald Empire: main gripe with Rifts and one of the Emerald Empire is a sourcebook for the L5R 3rd things that aggravates me about edition and just like the core book it is a beautifully done D&D. book. Though not required to play, it does provide a lot Overall the system this game more detail and history for those that like the depth of the uses, the Unisystem, is fairly easy L5R game. and should prove no problem for ex- It expands upon everything about life in Rokugan perienced gamer. Fans of the Buffy- that is presented in the core rules. Customs, everyday life, verse will find the feel of the show is politics, law and order as well as more details regarding well represented in the game. There the clans of Rokugan. are many quotes and references to Definitely worth picking up if you enjoy playing L5R the show throughout the book. and like more depth and detail in your game. There is even a guide to Buffyspeak

in the back of the book. Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Revised Core Rulebooks: Unfortunately, Eden Studios As a fan of the Buffy television show I am kind of no longer has the license for the amazed that I never picked this game up before. I sup- game and will no longer be produc- pose the fact that licensed properties generally suck is ing products for the game. The good what kept me from do so before now. To be honest if I news is they still support the prod- hadn’t found this book at the buy 1 get 3 free booth at ucts they have produced so far. Gen Con I probably still wouldn’t have bought it. While I have to say I like the Overall this book is not bad, but it’s not great ei- book and will teach it to my nine year ther. This is the revised core rule book and you can play old who also loves Buffy, I can’t rec- the game with just this book., but to get the most out of it ommend it to non-fans. In my opin- you will need to get more books. This is one of the things ion, the game is just too focused on that generally turns me away from most games. I don’t a specific group to appeal to a wider mind buying extra books that I want, I just don’t like feel- audience. The Geek Gazette Page 14 2007 Convention Calendar August tion season is almost over and the ♦ Archon list just keeps getting smaller. So Last minute News send me those conventions list- Aug 2-5 2007 Collinsville IL ings! If you know of a convention in As I was finishing this www.archonstl.org/ your area that you would like to issue of the Gazette I found ♦ Wizard World Chicago promote, please email me the web out that Dragons Landing is back from hiatus. The rumors th th address and I will be happy to add Aug 9 – 12 2007 of their demise were greatly it to the list ** www.wizarduniverse.com/conventi exaggerated. Yeah!!! Fans ons/chicago.cfm Email: have been chomping at the ♦ Gen Con Indy [email protected] bit for the return of Chuck Aug 16-19 2007 .______and Lonnie and as of Sept. 1 www.gencon.com/ Gen Con Edition the wait ended. So Welcome back guys. ♦ Conglomeration 2007 Gen Con is over and it will Aug 10-12 Louisville Ky be another year before we all get www.conglomeration.org/ to experience one of the greatest ♦ Dragon Con 2007 gaming cons around. But don’t de- spair there are still local cons and Aug 31-sept 3 At- before you know it August will be lanta GA here again. www.dragoncon.org/ In this Gen Con Edition of ♦ Gateway 2007 the Geek Gazette I have done my August 31– Sep 3 best to bring a little taste of the www.strategicon.net/ con to those that couldn’t make it. I’m sure you were all there in spirit September and hope you can attend in person ??? next year. October Until next time, ??? Michael November

♦ Wizard World Texas Nov. 16 th – 18 th 2007 www.wizarduniverse.com/conventi ons/texas.cfm ♦ AmberCon 2007 Nov 1-4 Portland OR www.amberconnw.org/ ♦ Chi-Tag Nov 16-18 Chicago, IL Fantasy Clip Ink: Spell Casters Set 1 www.chitag.com This month’s bonus image courtesy December William McAusland and the gang ??? over at Outland Arts www.outlandarts.com ** Ok guys and gals, the conven- Feedback from the Sci-fi channels Who wants to be a Superhero. Gen Con 07