We’re all over the map this week – RPGs, classic wargaming, digital games, and an Euro-style space 4x that’s taking off like a rocket —

Arms Race – The Cold War Era (Max Sprin)
C$366 of C$1200, ends 9 February 2015

Here’s a twist on a digital Kickstarter campaign – you’re pledging to help get the expansion done, and as a part of your pledge, you get the already-ready-to-play-already base game.  So for C$20 (aboot U$16.50) you get a copy of The Cold War Era game that’s ready to play now and you’re get the expansion as soon as they finish it with the Kickstarter money.  Not a bad way to get the expansion done and build your fan base while you’re at it!  Different pledge levels support those that already have the game, or just want to help it see the light of day.  This campaign is looking good, and can use your help to get it over the finish line.

Grimtooth’s Ultimate Traps Collection (Goodman Games)
$82k of $11k, ends 28 January 2015

Old-school RPGers will recognize the Grimtooth name, and now everyone else gets a chance to check out this incredible collection of traps from back there was always a “Dungeon” in “Dungeons & Dragons” and always a “Tunnel” in “Tunnels & Trolls”.  Some of these were so convoluted and Rube Goldbergian that you just couldn’t help but marvel at the evil twisted genius that devised them.  Goodman Games has now collected the original set of books – Traps, Traps Too, Traps Fore, Traps Ate, and Traps Lite, into a consolidated set.  And they’ve blown past so many stretch goals that you’re almost getting double the content – the original 500 or so traps, plus the a board game, multiple color plate galleries, and new modules in the Dungeon Crawl Classics line.  If you’re a nostalgic RPGer or just a twisted DM, you have to check out the Kickstarter page, and maybe even upgrade to the hardcover-with-slipcase copy.

Albert Nofi’s The Great War: 1914 – 1918 (One Small Step)
Pre-order $44.95, MSRP of $64.95

Al Nofi is one of the original giants of the industry, and OSS is bringing back one fo his seminal designs from almost 40 years ago.  His strategic-level, area-movement game include diplomacy, mobilization challenges, and an ohmygawd-long campaign game that covers the entire war, and then some.  Upgraded graphics give this game the treatment it has long deserved.  Check out the preorder page for details, and get this one published.

Tiny Epic Galaxies (Gamelyn Games)
$242k of $15k, ends 7 February 2015

Remember when Twilight Struggle got funded the same day it launched?  These guys got funded in 90 minutes.  They cleared $100k in 24 hours.  Let that sink in for a minute: it’s a $15 game, and they cleared $100,000 in 24 hours.  Oh yeah, it’s a ton of fun and plays great and it’s a quick-and-dirty space 4x game with surprising depth and yadda yadda yadda…  Once they clear $250k (probably by the weekend) the stretch goals are going to have your box crammed with 36 planets, 12 secret missions (in addition to the standard ones), solo rules, 5-player rules, bonus weapons, upgraded pieces, custom dice, and a partridge in a pear tree.  And they’ve got 3 weeks to go.  Jump on the train, now, grogs – who knows where it’s ending up.  And yes, I’ve already got my copy coming, too.  Pledge with a friend for the 2-copy level and you’ll each save a few bucks.

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And let us know if you’ve ever ordered something based on our regular look at what’s coming up next.  We’re curious how our column might have influenced your buying