08/20/16

Scenes from GenCon 2016

What happens when you wander around GenCon with a camera and an overdose of caffeine? ~

Michael Dunn (special to GrogHeads), 20 August 2016

While GrogHeads doesn’t have the official presence at GenCon that we do at Origins, we still sneak in someone to play games and take pictures. This year, we borrowed Mike to do the honors for us.

Pirates in 28mm, “Blood and Plunder.” Avast and Yaaarrrrggghhhhh!

Fighting off the alien apocalypse with “Drop Zone.”

The latest Academy Games offering in the Conflict of Heroes series, Bushido. Looks great as a minis game!

As expected, Pokémon Go loomed large at this year’s GenCon as many attendees wandered about heads down over their mobile devices capturing many a loose Pokémon. If only they glanced up to see Pikachu floating overhead.

Uwe Eichart of Academy Games with the ever popular Conflict of Heroes game system.

Days of Wonder with multiple variations of “Ticket to Ride.”

Ares Games provided plenty of “Wings of Glory” and “Sails of Glory” for all.

The good munchkins from Steve Jackson Games made their way up from Austin, TX again this year.

Many a kitten were exploded in the Oatmeal themed game “Exploding Kittens.” Oh the humanity!

Kriegsspiel pics from Mike Davis’ game that he ran. Always good to return to our wargaming roots and play the game that started it all.

What’s Gencon without the ever present Zombies?

Fezes are cool. I now wear a fez. The stars are right for yours truly to answer the call of Cthulu.

“Killer Snails.” At long last these killers are getting their just recognition.

Vast sea of gaming humanity in vendor hall. Many credit cards perished that day.

Fantasy Flight Games with much Star Wars goodness for all.

Gladiatorial combat in “Arena Rex.” Are you not entertained?

Speaking of venerable, of course there was Settlers of Catan. (Insert wood for sheep joke here)

As always, the venerable Rio Grande Games in attendance.

A couple of the lads from DGS Games and their minis adventure game “Freeblades.”

Just in case anyone needed dice, Chessex was more than happy to provide. Friend-of-GrogHeads Anthony Gallela was in there somewhere.

Ian Brody of “Quartermaster General” fame. This year’s offering was “Victory or Death” covering the Pelopponesian War using QG’S system.

GE9 on site demoing both their Firefly and Star Trek themed games. Unfortunately, they did not receive their next shipment of their latest “Tanks” game as they sold out the previous month at Historicon.

See you guys next year? Maybe!

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06/22/16

Origins! Carolina Game Tables

Beautiful furniture for your gaming goodness ~

Brant Guillory, 21 June 2016

photos by Corinne Mahaffey

Carolina Game Tables were showing off some of their creations in the Studio 2 booth (with the Savage Worlds guys).

Dropped interiors and dining-room quality looks make for some great tables, and the staff even showed us how easy it was to pop the top on and off.

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06/22/16

Origins! Exhibit Hall

Lots to see! ~

Brant Guillory, 21 June 2016

The exhibit hall is hardly just for wargames, but gamers of all types will find plenty to play there.

The best advice we can give folks about the exhibit hall? Find 5 games you’ve never even heard of, and ask the booth crew to show them to you. They live for showing off their games, and while you might not find something that’s you’re perfect game, you might find find the right one to recommend to a friend somewhere down the line.

photos by Corinne Mahaffey, click to enlarge

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06/21/16

Origins! Lock ‘n Load Publishing

What’s Dave got on the tables this year? ~

Corinne Mahaffey, 21 June 2016

We had a chat with David Heath of LNLP at Origins

What is your new game?
Hollow Cell is our new science fiction squad game. The kids are loving it. (ed note: seriously, we couldn’t drag the teens away from the table on this one)

Of the games you sell, which one is your favorite?
Lock and Load Tactical. We have lots of different fronts and theaters, and since they have the same underlying system, you are not learning new rules every time.

What is your favorite mechanic?
No specific tactic, but I like games that come down to the last turn. The game is not as fun if I know by turn five of ten that I have no hope of winning.

If you like ____, you will like our game _____
If you like Advanced Squad Leader, you will like Lock and Load Tactical.

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06/20/16

Origins! Last Day Wrap-up

What do you do when it’s all been done? ~

Corinne Mahaffey, 20 June 2016

Sunday is a weird day at Origins. The high points of Friday and Saturday are over, and it’s a thinner crowd. Some people are intent on finding a possible last minute deal in the Dealer’s Room, others are squeezing out the last possible bit of gaming time. And many people are trickling off homewards.