The Return of the RPGBlog

Zachary Houghton had ceased updating his RPGBlog site for a short time, but now he's back with Version 2. Although the old site was mostly news and reviews, the new blog will focus (for now) on his experiences as a newly-elected ENnies judge for the '08 awards.

I've updated the link in the sidebar with the new address.

Gen Con 2007, Part 1

A very brief overview with more later:

The swag bag was good again like last year. An Axis and Allies booster, A World of Warcraft CCG starter, a Star Wars mini, and a sample pack of Tokkens (I want to pronounce that like "Dokken"). When we found out that the GAMA booth was handing out Origins '07 goodie bags, we all picked one up. I got some of the items that the others didn't want, so more Pirates boosters and Cineplexity samples for me!

I didn't bring as much spending cash as I had hoped to, so I limited my purchases. Most often I try to pick up only those things that I can't easily get through a shop. My big purchases included:

• Savage World of Solomon Kane rulebook with T-shirt, GM screen and art prints
• Bawidamann Cosmonaut T-shirt
• 40 Years of Gen Con book
• AT-43 Gen Con exclusive figure
• Robert E. Howard Blbliography from McFarland (out-of-stock but ordered at 30% off)

My brushes with greatness:

• Rode in the hotel elevator with Chris Pramas
• (Almost literally) bumped into Ken Hite in one of the dealer's room aisles
• Got an autograph from Frank Mentzer
• Spoke with artist Wayne Reynolds at the Paizo booth for about 15 minutes. I, and another really nice guy who's a regular on Paizo's board, had his full attention as he talked about where he finds his inspiration -- from English seaside towns to Turkish riveted armor.
• Met and had books signed by noted Robert E. Howard scholars Paul Herman and Dale Rippke.

In another post I'll have some photos I took at the show.

Prepping for Gen Con 40

As I've said before, it's not so much that I have to prepare anything to take to Gen Con -- I'm not playing, running, or setting up a table -- but I like to do the research about new releases, show specials and any freebie swag to be had. I haven't done that as much this year. The time just slipped away and the con rushed up on me too soon. I've seen a few things here and there but I'll have to keep my eyes open for more stuff at the show.

A few random thoughts:

• Green Ronin is announcing a new license on Friday and releasing a ton of new product including a bunch of Freeport items and the retrospective Hobby Games: the 100 Best.
• 200 copies of Pinnacle's Savage World of Solomon Kane will be available.
• 4 seminars are scheduled for Robert E. Howard Day(s), but I've heard little about what else might be planned.
• The Diana Jones Award and the ENnies will be handed out.
• Q-Workshop is releasing a special set of Cthulhu dice.

This year should be bigger than ever as it's the 40th anniversary of the show. Robin Laws wrote the book on the history of Gen Con, so that's something I'd like to pick up at the show (though it should be available in stores, too).

A watched pot never boils

I was offline most of last week for vacation, and since I wasn't watching all the usual news sites, all hell breaks loose:

• Conan comic cancelled at #50, relaunches with issue #1
• Laszlo Kovacs, Ingmar Bergman, Tom Snyder, and Michelangelo Antonioni all passed away.
• Zachary Quinto ("Sylar" on the TV series "Heroes") has been cast as Spock in the new Star Trek movie.
• WizKids announces Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean PocketModel Game.