Catalyst Game Labs has announced BattleTech: Gothic, a standalone, themed-box expansion for the long-running BattleTech tabletop game. Departing from its traditional sci-fi roots, this new installment introduces a grimdark setting reminiscent of Warhammer 40,000, featuring biomechanical monsters known as “Abominations” and heavily ornamented mechs. This release is the first in the BattleTech Continuum, an initiative meant to explore alternative takes on the BattleTech universe, with future projects including Rockets and RayGuns and an anime-inspired installment. While BattleTech: Gothic retains the franchise’s core gameplay, it incorporates new aesthetics and mechanics to match its darker tone. Despite excitement from some fans, others remain skeptical about the shift, questioning its necessity and Catalyst’s allocation of resources.

Mantic Games has launched Kings of War Champions, a new 28mm rank-and-flank miniatures game designed for quick, accessible play. Set in the Kings of War universe, Champions simplifies army-building by offering pre-assembled “Company” boxes, making it an easy entry point for newcomers. The Faith and Fury starter set includes two opposing forces—one led by the demonic Bloody Cardinal and the other by the noble Alanis Sallustis—along with miniatures, rules, and gaming accessories. Additional army boxes expand the roster, including goblins, northern warriors, and shadowy Twilight Kin. While some players welcome the accessibility, others question its necessity in an already niche market. Nonetheless, Champions aims to attract new players and provide a structured alternative to the more flexible Kings of War Ambush.

Blizzard Entertainment’s classic real-time strategy game StarCraft is being adapted into a miniatures game by Polish publisher Archon Studio, with an initial release set for 2026 and a series of board games planned for 2027. The StarCraft franchise, known for its iconic factions—the Terran, Zerg, and Protoss—has had a lasting impact on the gaming world, especially in esports. Archon, a well-established name in the tabletop industry, has experience with high-quality miniatures and board games based on popular video game franchises. While details on the scale and mechanics of the game remain scarce, a livestream presentation on April 3 is expected to provide more information.

Privateer Press has provided a long-awaited update on the Monsterpocalypse miniatures game, outlining plans to transition its production to an on-demand 3D printing service following the failure of Mythic Games’ Monsterpocalypse board game Kickstarter. Despite the setback, Privateer remains committed to the game’s community by offering digital STL files and printable game components for players. Although no new content is currently planned for the miniatures game, the company is expanding the Monsterpocalypse universe through a planned Monsterpocalypsonomicon Kickstarter for 5e and exploring other gaming formats, including digital adaptations and fiction. While challenges remain, Privateer is dedicated to keeping the Monsterpocalypse experience alive and growing.

#falloutfactions #battletech #starcraft #monsterapocalypse

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Matt and Jeremy talk about their best and worst of 2024!

ACTUAL PLAY GAMES OF 2024

ALIEN RPG Destroyer of Worlds

ALIEN RPG Chariot of the Gods

Outgunned: Indy Heat 1985 

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WEEKLY PODCAST TOPICS 224-269  

Bryan Ansell and Jennell Jaquays Pass, Halo Wargame, New MtG Art and The End Deck of Sexy Things, DCC on Roll 20, Jaquays Tribute Dungeon and Ars Magica Evil Genius v. Netflix, Old World RPG,  Fall of the Imperium and Guildball PnPTencent Buys DnD, CMON Rescue, Rogue Trooper Movie and Tabletop KS Declines Starfinder 2E, Free League 2024, Free RPG Day,  Skirmish Games and Dragonlance DnD 2024 Revision Late, Epic Warpath, OpenAI Wins and The Purple Planet Return to Perinthos, Evil Genius Demise, CMON Exclusivity and Pathfinder OSTs StarTrek Adventures 2E, UltraPro D&D 50th, Paranoia 25th Anniversary Bundle & Life in ReterraChaosium Challenge, Dune Bundle, Grimdark CoD, Mass Effect & AIien Nexus Tales of the Valiant, Ninja Division, Daggerheart, Puerto Rico and Heroscape Edgerunners, Enemy Within, D&D LEGOs, Coriolis: The Great Dark & RIP Jim Ward Best of Magpie, Mystic Punks RPG, New AoS, Hasbro AI and Cairn 2nd Edition Blackmilk D&D, Sundered Isles, Doppel Mini, TROIKA! Bundle and Ed Piskor RIP Astroprisma, The Black Company, Dimension 20 at MSG, Gummy Quest & ChampionsOM Maggot Machine, Monolith Gets Rackham, KS Late Pledges, WotC CEO & Yes And MEKBORG, Embracer Divides, Zone Wars Retail, This is FreeTrader Beowulf and Roll20 CMON /Japon Brand, Miku:The Gathering, Hasbro Videogames, Goblinko Video Game & STA 2E D&D Beyond Changes, 13th Age 2E, Edgerunners Starter Kit and The Sassoon Files Darkness at the Brink of Ohio, One More Multiverse RIP, Greyhawk and Solomon Kane  Replicant Rebellion, Battletech 40th, Adobe Diss and Outgunned Adventure Andy Chambers Heads Konflikt ‘47, Endless Horrors, Wallet Games and Mork Borg Roll20/Demiplane, Steamforged/Warmachine, Instagram AI and Fantasy Grounds Electric State Movie, Delta Green Bundle, DC20 Breaks $1 Million and WacomWarhammer 5E, Grey Knight for Pendrangon, Evil Genius Games and Free RPG Day Modiphius + Strato Minis Studio, CRIT Awards, Caverns of Thracia & Rascal News Roll20 Security Breach, Modiphius UK, Helluva Town and Five Parsecs Tactics Publishers Scammed, Phantasy Star TTRPG, Etsy Now Sells AI and Sexist D&DGURPS 4E, Lancer 2nd Printing New Cover, Actual Plays and Eldritch Automata Alchemy VTT Bundle, D&D VTT This Year, Pirate Borg Expansions and WotC Credits Cosmere TTRPG, 2024 ENNIES, D&D Video Takedowns and Mantic Deadzone Frontier Welcome to Nightvale RPG, William King Konflikt’47, Free League PDFs on Alchemy and AI Paizo Giveaway, Golden Demon AI, Amazon 40k and Star Trek 1E Bundle D&D Beyond Debacle, Gav Thorpe Joins Konflikt 47, Start Here RPG & Konflikt’47 Paul Sawyer, Plasmodics RPG, More D&D Spirits and Barbarians of Lemuria+ Cyberpunk 2077, Faster Purple Worm the Book, Wharf Rat Games and AI in D&DPHB, Paul Sawyer, Gold Teeth, Vanguard: Normandy, Expanse RPG, Elfquest & 2LM More Alien 2E, D&D Help Wanted, Dropfleet Commander 2E and Horizons Magazine Super Hero Trademark, Darktide Card Game, Mythic Dissolves and Mothership RPG  Lone Wolf RPG, PHB 2024 Reprint, Bolt Action Intro Set and Fighting Fantasy, Trench Crusade, Baldur’s Gate 3 AP, Mythic Carpathia for Vaesen and Bludgeoon Stay Frosty, Deep Cuts, Black Powder and Brimstone and Ashes Without Number, Household Bundle, Star Trek 2E Starter Set, N5 Delayed and Higher Tariffs, Sony to Buy Kadokawa, New Grimdark , Household Volume II and Elf Creek Games No More Hasbro Movies, LotR on D&D Beyond, Exodus TTRPG and Black Friday Sales, PAX Unplugged, Amazon Warhammer Deal, Elves for One Ring and Free League & 2LM UK Copyright Reform, Vallejo Strike, Wyrmwood Layoffs and Doomsong

 

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Roll20 has acquired Demiplane, a character management and creation toolset, to enhance its virtual tabletop (VTT) platform. This acquisition aims to create a seamless user experience for tabletop RPG players, allowing them to buy RPG content, manage characters, and play games in one place. Roll20 CEO Ankit Lal emphasized the goal of connecting gamers and providing a comprehensive digital toolkit for various game systems. Demiplane’s integration will support new game systems and Kickstarter campaigns with digital options. Demiplane CEO Peter Romenesko mentioned efforts to merge the two platforms’ features. The acquisition won’t immediately impact users, but Demiplane’s development team, minus executive Adam Bradford, will stay intact. Bradford has joined SmiteWorks, the owner of Fantasy Grounds, as Chief Development Officer.

Steamforged Games has acquired the Iron Kingdoms universe, including the Warmachine wargame, Formula P3 paints, and the Iron Kingdoms RPG series, from Privateer Press. This acquisition aims to enhance the gaming experience for players through a collaboration between Steamforged and Privateer Press on design and development. Steamforged, known for its successful game development, plans to transition the range to its website, ensuring a smooth changeover while honoring existing orders. The acquisition is expected to strengthen the miniature gaming community, with continued support for related events and upcoming releases, including a Kickstarter for the Iron Kingdoms RPG.

Meta has confirmed that it uses public Instagram images to train its AI image generator, sparking outrage among users, especially artists. Many are considering leaving Instagram due to this and the platform’s declining reach. Despite the backlash, opting out is complicated and mainly available to EU users. Superstar artist J. Scott Campbell advised artists to remain on major platforms like Instagram for business growth, though he has joined the artist-friendly platform Cara. Cara promises to filter out AI-generated content and offers an alternative for those concerned about AI’s ethical issues. Campbell also suggests artists build direct connections with their audience through mailing lists.

SmiteWorks, the developer behind the virtual tabletop software Fantasy Grounds, has hired Adam Bradford as its Chief Development Officer. Bradford, known for founding D&D Beyond and leading Demiplane, brings significant experience to his new role. At SmiteWorks, he will focus on expanding Fantasy Grounds’ market presence, enhancing user engagement, and improving user experience. Doug Davison, President of SmiteWorks, expressed confidence in Bradford’s ability to drive growth and innovation. Bradford is enthusiastic about contributing to the success of Fantasy Grounds and aims to modernize its visual identity.

#warmachine #fantasygrounds #meta #demiplane #roll20

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It appears that NuTSR, a company owned by Justin LaNasa, has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, which involves the liquidation of the company’s assets. According to documents filed in North Carolina, NuTSR’s gross revenue for 2023 is $621.93, while its total liabilities amount to over $384,000. The company gained attention in 2020 when Justin LaNasa and Stephen Dinehart registered the defunct TSR trademarks and launched a new venture involving Ernie Gygax, son of D&D co-creator Gary Gygax. However, NuTSR faced various controversies, including an attempted lawsuit against D&D publishers Wizards of the Coast, and in March 2022, they were sued by Wizards of the Coast.

On a different note, the game Heroscape, a wargaming classic, is set to return despite a failed crowdfunding campaign in the past. Renegade Game Studios has taken up the reboot of the miniatures game after the project called “Age of Annihilation” did not reach its funding goal. Heroscape is known for its accessible hex-based terrain, Lego-like fantasy miniatures, and beginner-friendly rules.

Additionally, Embracer Group, a major gaming publisher that owns studios such as Gearbox (known for Borderlands), Crystal Dynamics (known for Tomb Raider), and the rights to The Lord of the Rings, has announced a restructuring program. This program aims to make the company leaner, stronger, more focused, and self-sufficient. As part of this restructuring, layoffs, studio closures, and game cancellations are expected.

In a separate announcement, Privateer Press, a company known for its WARMACHINE, HORDES, and Riot Quest models, has stated that it will halt manufacturing for its Legacy models. This decision is in preparation for an upcoming facility move. Manufacturing of models cast in metal and resin will cease at the end of the week, and afterward, the company will fulfill online store orders only with remaining stock. Privateer Press has assured customers that the online store will be promptly updated to reflect available and out-of-stock items.

#NuTSR #privateerpress #heroscape #embracer

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