Zombie Mall Expansion 1

07.28.2013

2 months after releasing Zombie Mall onto the world, I've managed to finish what is really the first draft of the rules allowing people to play as zombies. This was something that was originally intended to be in the basic game, in fact it was one of the main ideas that once a person died, they would come back as a zombie. For better or worse, I learned while developing the rules that I really needed to get the basic "how to play as a human" working before I added in "how to play as a zombie".

The zombie play has complicated the rules a little, but I think having as solid a set of base rules to work from as I did with the Zombie Mall rules I tried to limit changes to how play existed and focus on the best way to tweak adding on what was needed for zombies. I didn't cut as many corners as I probably would have if I had just tried to do everything in the beginning. Now, of course, I see how going back and re-writing the basic rules to include the zombie player from the start would be easier for the players learning, as well as keep from saying one thing in the early set of rules and adding in an "oh yeah, and" later on. But I don't want to do that right now. I'm ready for another little break from zombies.

This leads me to my next project that I've been working on, albeit slowly, for the past month or so. I've gotten more and more interested in Dust Warfare (the game that I got all the models for and never originally intended to play). There are reference cards available online for all of the units. These are nicely done cards, but I would like something a little more customizable - mainly I want to build my forces and have all of the stats on 1 handy piece of paper. With that in mind, I've been going through the rules collecting all the little bits of data I can think that I might need in order to (eventually) populate a database that some magical web app I'll whip up can reference and then spit out what I want. To my surprise, it's actually been a good way to learn some of the rules along with the mechanics of the game. Nerd fun at its finest!

Permalink boardgames hobbies zombie mall

See Tango Locked Up in Daylight

07.23.2013

It's been a slow new release DVD month. Traditionally this is when I go back and pick up movies I passed on when they first came out, or I find some weird theme of oldies that I used to have on VHS that I realize I suddenly can't live without. Thankfully, Amazon Streaming video and Netflix have taken care of most of that. Still, I do manage to get on my kicks.

The other day I was watching Kurt Russell in Soldier via Amazon (although I've got a DVD not 4 feet from where I was streaming the video). I like Kurt Russell as an action star, especially in Big Trouble in Little China, but that's not relevant. Thanks to my browsing habits, the internet thinks I like Sylvester Stallone. That's ok, I do like him. The internet is always trying to get me to watch Stallone movies. I've been seeing more ads for Expendables 2 since it's now available via streaming. I remembered reading how Kurt Russell was offered a part (in either Expendables 1 or 2) but he turned it down as he "was not looking for ensemble roles". I guess old Kurt doesn't realize his demographic anymore?

The above line of thought took me to Kurt Russell and Sylvester Stallone in Tango & Cash. I remember the first half of the movie was pretty good, but that's about it. Hmmm, after looking it seems I didn't have that in my DVD collection, and for the price to rent a streaming version I would do just as well to buy the silly thing. So I went ot Amazon and bought it, which gave Amazon the opportunity to suggest other Stallone movies that I may have enjoyed in the past but would currently rather buy than rent. Damn you for knowing me so well, Amazon!

When it was over, I had 4 Stallone DVDs from the late 80's to early 2000's on the way. One of them, Eye See You, I have no idea about. It was one I long ago put on my "skip it now, look at it later" list. 11 years later, I'm finally taking care of that.

Permalink movies/tv/dvd rambling random

WWII Knife

07.22.2013

Above is my grandfather's world war 2 era US Navy issued knife. I first saw it a couple of years ago - I can't remember why but he brought it out to show me. He told me how he got it in the navy (hence the "USN" at the hilt) and had actually forgotten about it for a long time until he found it one day in a tool box. The knife has seen a lot of use, and according to my grandmother it saw a lot of action against apples and peaches. Especially peaches.

I'm not sure why we were fighting the apples and peaches in WW2, but my grandfather enjoys eating that enemy :)

Permalink random

The Big Move

07.16.2013

This weekend my grandparents wrapped up moving to their new apartment after selling the house they've been living in since 1965. That's 48 years in the same house. The apartment, according to Google, is 0.8 miles from the house. That averages out to moving 0.1 miles every 6 years. That part tickles me.

The move went without too much incident. They don't have phone service yet as AT&T is claiming there's a problem with the physical line. It's on AT&T's end, so they're (supposedly) working on it and it will hopefully be up and running sometime Wednesday. I needed a little more excitement, so I broke a jar of pickles on the apartment kitchen floor. There's a story that could go along with what happened, but leaving it to your imagination makes for a better story.

I wonder if next time I go to visit I'll forget and go to the old house?

Permalink road trip

Golden Age of Board Games(?)

07.14.2013

The other day I was talking to Brenda and explaining part of how board games have changed over the years. The video below does a good job explaining (and I think I stole at least half of what was said when explaining to Brenda)

Later in Brenda's trip I showed her the test copy I had made for Zombie Mall with the Amazon-printed copy of the rules & walkthru, the DriveThruCards printed map tiles, Hong Kong printed Loot & Objective cards, and the die-cut counters & tokens from Andrew in Oregon (or is it Washington)? Myu grandparents listened in and looked, and Peggy and her 2 youngest sons (fine, in their 30's) listened in and looked on. To be honest, non-gamers ranging from barely 30 to 93 are not more intended audience, but everyone seemed really interested and managed to follow the rules that I was explaining. Brenda even admitted that although she's not a current board gamer and isn't really interested in zombies, my explanation made the game seem exciting and intriguing enough that she wouldn't mind giving it a try.

Maybe that's an accolade I should spread around? "I wouldn't mind giving it a try. - mid-60's retired non-gamer related to the developer".

Mainly I'm hoping everyone didn't feel the need to feign interest for my ego. I know how nerdy these games can be and they're not everyone's cup of tea. But I'll admit that like watching people play the game and enjoy it, it was neat to see people's expression of understanding who don't normally play this type of game.

Permalink boardgames