Gamer's Haven Podcast

In this episode, Ethan sits down with Ivan Van Norman, Chris De La Rosa, and Robert Watts from Hunters Books and Apparel, the company and minds that bring you Outbreak Undead.  In the interview, they backgrounds, history, inception, and the design challenges behind this innovative new RPG. About Outbreak Undead “Outbreak: Undead” is a Zombie Survival Simulation RPG that is not only fun, but an essential step in surviving the Undead. We at Hunters Books have provided the most dramatic, effective, and above all realistic means in which to (safely) simulate the events of a zombie uprising and try your chances at survival! Buy Outbreak Undead from Hunter Books and Apparel Interested in getting Outbreak Undead into your friendly local gaming store?  Contact them! Here’s a look at the superb layout and design you’ll find in Outbreak Undead.  This book is very cool! [flgallery id=3 /] About Ivan Van Norman Ivan is a businessman and a coordinator with a passion for the entertainment industry. With a B.F.A in film production at Chapman University, his experience in raising funds for short films has given him a foundation upon which to start his career. Since graduation, he has worked in every field of the entertainment industry from public relations at Traction PR to post production at Dreamworks Animation. He is a veteran of the convention circuit, working and attending large conventions such as Comic-Con, E3, GDC and GenCon. He has provided a corporate presence for clients such as Atari, Commodore, Ninja Bee and the Russian software mega-distributor 1C at these conventions. Now a developer on Outbreak: Undead, Ivan has found a project that makes use of his varied areas of expertise in gaming, promotion and producing. He is an alumni of the Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity. About Chris De La Rosa Christopher De La Rosa graduated with a BA in Psychology from Chapman University in Orange, California, with continuing education at Columbia College for supplemental courses in Business Management and Marketing. Christopher has worked for the past two years as a Graphic Designer and Marketing Coordinator for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios. He also worked in development for nearly 5 years on a television adaptation of Hunters: Exile (now property of Hunters Books) with Aspect Studios. He is the lead designer of Outbreak: Undead, bringing his background in psychological research as well as years of game design and graphic design to the table. He is an alumni of the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity. About Robert Watts Robert Watts is a graduate of Chapman University with a B.F.A. in Film Production and a Minor in Honors – Zombiology, which involved an in-depth study of the popular culture and mythos behind zombie lore. This gives him an extensive knowledge of the subject matter that he puts to use on the development team of Outbreak: Undead. After writing, producing and directing films for four years, he spent two years at William Morris Endeavor Entertainment as an assistant to a motion picture talent agent. He currently works for Heroes and Villains Entertainment and on Outbreak: Undead. He has been an avid gamer all his life, and enjoys both playing and designing them, and is intimately aware of the market’s current trends and developments, being at the forefront of development in the film, literary and gaming industries. He is an alumni of the Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity. [flgallery id=2 /]

After Erik ran a one-shot of Atomic Highway, from Radioactive Ape Designs, he and his players talked the pros and cons of the game, the system, and how they felt about it. About Atomic Highway A new Dark Age has begun. The descendants of the apocalypse’s survivors scavenge the remnants of the Before Times, struggling to build a new life amidst the ruins of the old. In a savage world where the strong ravage and exploit the weak, the survivors’ settlements are oases, connected only by convoys of armed and armored vehicles that run the gauntlet of raiders… and worse. Buy Atomic Highway from the Gamer’s Haven Amazon Store But Atomic Highway from Noble Knight Games Buy Atomic Highway from RPGNow About Radioactive Ape Designs R.A.D. was founded in May 2009 by Colin Chapman and exists to produce short, streamlined, fun roleplaying games (RPGs) using the V6 Engine system, tweaking and adjusting it to suit each new game made. About Colin Chapman Colin Chapman is a husband, father, teacher, Humanist, and RPG game designer living in Devon, England. Colin welcomes any communication from fans, and while he can’t always guarantee an immediate response, he always tries to get back to folks in a timely manner. About Cubicle 7 Cubicle 7 Entertainment is primarily concerned with the gaming and media markets. We publish a variety of games (Role Playing, Card and Board games) based on both original and licenced backgrounds. [flgallery id=2 /]

Jeremy had the chance to sit down and look over Rome: The Life and Death of the Republic from Alphetar Games, published by Cubicle 7. About Rome: The Life and Death of the Republic Any game master who wishes to run realistic campaigns set during the ancient Roman Republic will be thrilled with the lavish resource that this game offers. These painstakingly researched rules not only provide a staggering array of historically accurate details, but , more importantly, they succeed in evoking that sense of otherness we feel when we come into contact with a culture very different from our own. It brings republican Rome to life as a dangerous setting ripe for adventure, often stepping modestly aside, providing juicy excerpts from ancient manuscripts and letting the Romans themselves describe their world to us directly. Riots, bribery, mythical creatures and spectacular chariot crashes – it’s all here! This book is designed for Basic Roleplaying, but is easily adapted to any game system. It contains all the setting information needed to play in Rome from its foundation to Caesar’s death, and additional rules for city riots, chariot races and political power games. It also includes more than one hundred scenario seeds that can be easily bound together to form complete campaigns. Buy Rome: The Life and Death of the Republic from Noble Knight Games [flgallery id=2 /]

Ethan had the chance to sit down with Ben Gerber, from Troll in the Corner, to talk about his upcoming campaign setting for Pathfinder, Aruneus. Ben was kind enough to send us an exclusive new piece of artwork for Aruneus, pictured to the right. About Ben Gerber Born and raised in MA, shortly after High School I fled the states after a failed bid at becoming Mayor of a small, suburban town. I drifted through Europe with a group of ex-pats doing odd jobs and eventually we pooled together and bought a chicken farm. After making a significant amount of Euros from the sale of eggs I migrated back to the east coast of the USA where I invested all of my savings into a kite manufacturer. In my spare time I enjoy lobbing eggs at kites. I’m also a geek. A nerd, a dweeb, whatever. Yes I owned garb, yes I still own medieval weaponry. And yeah, I could kick your butt in Mechwarrior the CCG. I love video games, role playing games, tactical board games and all forms of speculative fiction. I will never berate someone for wanting to be a Jedi and take everything Gary Gygax ever wrote as gospel. Well, all of this but that last bit. About Troll in the Corner Recently TC has taken an interest in independent (and I guess dependent) films. There’s a whole world of interesting short and feature length films out there that don’t necessarily play in the megaplexes. Huge Hollywood productions have their appeals but smaller films have people who will talk to the likes of us. About Aruneus Zombies rise. Heroes die. You are what remains. The world was a large place. The four races, Humans, Elves, Dwarves, and Orcs coexisted with an uneasy peace, but at the least, they were able to share the land and survive. Empires were formed, lives created and destroyed, magic flourished and for a brief time, Humanity strove to master the globe. Then the undead scourge broke the world. [flgallery id=2 /]

Ethan, Jeremy, Eunice, Jeremy, and Robin had a chance to sit down with Small World from Days of Wonder. About Small World Small World is a zany, light-hearted civilization game in which 2-5 players vie for conquest and control of a board that is simply too small to accommodate them all! Picking the right combination of fantasy races and unique special powers, players must rush to expand their empires – often at the expense of weaker neighbors. Yet they must also know when to push their own over-extended civilization into decline and ride a new one to victory. Buy Small World from Noble Knight Games [flgallery id=2 /]

In this episode, we, along with special guest Tracy Barnett from Troll in the Corner (and Rolling20s on the forums) talk about Gen Con 2010! [flgallery id=2 /]

In this episode, our coverage of Gen Con 2010 continues with some Troll in the Corner help!  This episode is a full recording of the ENnies ceremony. [flgallery id=2 /]

In this episode, our coverage of Gen Con 2010 continues with some Troll in the Corner help! [flgallery id=2 /]

In this episode, our coverage of Gen Con 2010 continues with some Troll in the Corner help! [flgallery id=2 /]

In this episode, our coverage of Gen Con 2010 continues with some Troll in the Corner help! [flgallery id=2 /]

In this episode, our coverage of Gen Con 2010 continues with a recording of the Hamlet’s Hit Points seminar. [flgallery id=2 /]

Ethan had the chance to sit down with Colen McAlister, a developer for Lone Wolf Development, the fine folks who brought us Card Vault, Army Builder, and Hero Lab. About Lone Wolf Development After the release of Army Builder V2.0, Lone Wolf Development continued to both refine the existing product and begin work on a new product. Consulting projects were also undertaken for a few clients. Finally, in the summer of 2002, Lone Wolf Development released its second product, entitled Card Vault. Targeted at a new segment of the gaming industry, Card Vault offers CCG and CMG players an invaluable tool for deck construction and inventory management. Yet it also builds on the framework and signature features of Army Builder. The product has won significant critical acclaim and is well on its way to establishing itself as the industry standard in its own niche. Lone Wolf Development is continuing to build its reputation as THE source for quality tools in the adventure gaming industry. The company also continues to entertain consulting projects and custom development for other companies. Additional products are planned for the future, and the company expects to double its size by the end of 2002. We’re delighted to say that the future is looking very bright for Lone Wolf Development. [flgallery id=2 /]

In this episode, our coverage of Gen Con 2010 continues with a recording of the Fantasy Flight: In Flight Report seminar. [flgallery id=2 /]

In this episode, our coverage of Gen Con 2010 continues with a recording of the Defamation seminar. [flgallery id=2 /]

Q-Workshop sent us a load of their new dice for review! About Elven Dice Is it possible to create dice both unusual and simple? This model of Elvish Dice is the best example of such a product. Examine it very carefully – we are sure that you will see the magic in it. This is a set of unusual Elvish dice, with a beautiful and unique design. The good news is: the dice can now be yours! These dice are made of very durable material and the numbers are carved to ensure that they won’t wear out. Set includes seven dice: D4, D6, D8, D10, D12, D20, and D100. Buy Elven Dice from Noble Knight Games About Celtic Dice Attractive engraved numbers bordered with tiny Celtic knots adorn these dice. Great for anyone with a liking for Celtic style, and especially appropriate for adventuring among the Picts, Celts and Bretons! One each D4, D6, D8, D10, D10%, D12, and D20, all equally gorgeous, made to a 15mm scale. Buy Celtic Dice from Noble Knight Games About Forest Dice Beautiful forest dice, found deep under the forest litter. The power of nature is unstoppable, these dice have been naturally crafted by the roots of big and strong trees. The ornaments crafted on them shows how marvelous the nature is. Buy Forest Dice from the Gamer’s Haven Amazon Store [flgallery id=2 /]