Archive for December, 2005

Update

Thursday, December 29th, 2005

All the Harnquest: Tashal (with the J6 Atlas maps) are now in the mail.

There have also been a lot of people helping us “clear out” inventory during the sale - which is still running until year’s end.

Tomorrow I’m going to spend some time on the EuroFront II map and expansion, reviewing it and cross-checking it. There are plans afoot to demonstrate and betatest of the new map at three conventions in Victoria, Toronto and Canberra (Australia) during January.

Inventory Clearance Sale

Monday, December 26th, 2005

End of year inventory time is coming up fast. To help clear out some inventory and reduce how much we have to count : ) we’re having a sale of 25% off all orders through the end of the year (Dec 31, 2005) placed via www.columbiagames.com.

The only exceptions are wargame bundles which cannot be combined with the inventory clearance discount.

Happy New Year!

WBC 2006 voting

Monday, December 26th, 2005

The voting for the WBC 2006 line up of games ends Dec 31. Just a few days away.

There are three Columbia Games titles on the list of possible events (under Trial events):

Dixie
Napoleon
Rommel in the Desert

Only BPA members can vote - but this also gets you admission into the WBC in August.

Vote at: http://www.boardgamers.org/bpajoin.htm

Other block game events that are in century already are: Hammer of the Scots, Liberty, and War of 1812.

Merry Christmas

Sunday, December 25th, 2005

Hi all,

This is picture from the Christmas Eve family dinner tonight. Cort is dog-tired because he normally is in bed hours earlier.

Warmest greetings from our family to yours.

Grant, Ashley and Cort

Xmas 2005

Christmas Update

Saturday, December 24th, 2005

Good news/bad news. Three-quarters of the HarnQuest: Tashal/Atlas Map shipments were mailed yesterday - scrap that thought about Xmas delivery. After 3/4 were printed, the printer crapped out and a visit from the repair technician is now required. The remaining 1/4 will be mailed Tuesday when the repairman arrives (Monday being a holiday). Tashal Part 1 and the Atlas map turned out very nice and I am confident they will be well-received in the Harn community. The map will shortly be available for sale on the website. Tashal will not be sold until part 2 is ready - I am aiming now for mid-January.

In other news, I sent in my check the other day to pay for an exhibit space at WBC 2006. Also Jim Kramer sent in his GM form for Rommel in the Desert. We’re hoping this classic game can make the “century” in 2006. To that end, if you’re a voting BPA member and want to see Rommel played, make sure you vote. www.boardgamers.org.

Or course, coming up even sooner is PrezCon 2006 where there are a number of Columbia Games tournaments including Crusader Rex.

The spanish translation for Crusader Rex rules has been updated to version 1.3.

Merry Christmas everyone. Take care on the roads if you are travelling. We’ll be celebrating this afternoon and feasting at my parents’ house. I’m hungry already…

Update

Tuesday, December 20th, 2005

I spent Sunday and Monday hard at work on HarnQuest: Tashal. We’re down to final cross-reference checks, spell-checks and the like…

The J6 Atlas maps are printed, the envelopes are prepped and stamped and the moment Tashal starts rolling off the press, they’ll be in the mail.

Tomorrow I am taking Cort to an evaluation at the University of Washington Autism center. Word has it their program is among the best in the nation. The roadtrip to Seattle is an all-day affair but it took six months to get through the long waiting list so we have to go… Tom will be hard at work back at the shop…

In other news, we adopted a cat, Sophie, into our family from the local Humane Society. She has fit right into our family amazingly well. She and our dog, Canyon, are on good terms already, though they are still a little wary of each other. They both sleep in our bed!

Also I did find a moment to open and look at the latest Eurofront mega map draft from Craig Besinque. More news on that come come soon…

Recently, I listed our new Harn novel The Fragment on Amazon.com

Its priced the same as on Columbia Games website.

Later…

HarnQuest

Friday, December 16th, 2005

HarnQuest: Tashal and Atlas Map J6 will be shipping imminently. Christmas delivery is very likely.

Thanks for your patience….

About this Blog

Friday, December 16th, 2005

The purpose of this blog is to provide Columbia Games with a venue to post regular news and for me to post my musings so people can read at their leisure. From time to time I will report what I have been doing for the past few days at work or share other news.

Comments may be made freely however I prefer that game-related questions are directed to me by email grant@columbiagames.com.

Crusader Rex Rules 1.3 Posted

Wednesday, December 14th, 2005

Greetings,

An amended set of rules for Crusader Rex has been posted. Click here to download.

After digesting and considering reports of hundreds of games we have made a couple of important tweaks to the game to make playing the Franks a little less harrowing.

The most significant change is a relaxing of the winter limits in Originally Friendly cities. It is now possible to winter 3x the Castle value.

The intent and the effect is to take away some of the stress of wintering and make it possible to garrison a good sized force even if much of the map is in enemy hands. This actually affects both players equally, however, due to the offensive punch of the Saracen player at the start of the game, the Franks see a more tangible benefit right away.

For example, the Franks can winter with 9 blocks in Antioch while the Saracen player can still only winter with 3. By contrast the Saracens can winter 12 blocks in Egypt (Franks only 4).

Additional changes include:

  • Franks decide who is player 1 on ties. This gives the Franks a small advantage in controlling the flow of play on ties.
  • Frank deployment adjustments restricted to the same Kingdom (Jerusalem, Tripoli, Antioch).
  • Saracen starting forces reduced to 4 nomads.
  • Tripoli is like Tyre (max. 2 units can storm). The citadel was located on a narrow strip of land and was very difficult to attack in force.
  • Saracen Emirs and Pilgrims are permanently eliminated (like Crusaders, Hospitallers, and Templars).
  • Adopted the term withdraw for the move to a castle and for calling off a storm attempt. This is to reduce confusion regarding retreats which are now defined only as to another town.
  • Winter Campaign card allows 1 move OR supports one group over winter. This allows a group to maintain siege over winter.

The knights’ charge rule was also changed in a previously unposted version 1.2. Some gamers received this set of rules. All games packaged include the latest rules (presently 1.3).

Good gaming…

PS. A nice review of Crusader Rex has been posted to Gaming Report.

Columbia Games to the Rescue…

Tuesday, December 13th, 2005

Are you running out of time as Christmas approaches?

Or are you still being asked “what do you want this year?”

We can help!

Is someone on your list a RPGer? Harn has a variety of articles, books, and maps that match any price range. Click here for a a full list.

The latest war game release is Crusader Rex. Old favorites like Quebec 1759, War of 1812, and Rommel in the Desert are always available.

A wide range of historical periods are covered including: WWII, The American Civil War, Napoleonics, America’s War of Independence, Scotland’s Wars for Independence (Hammer of the Scots).

Or, for a different block game experience try Wizard Kings: our exciting fantasy strategy game.

We can process your order and ship it to any address you provide.

Orders over $100 ship free. And look for other great deals like build a bundle to save more.

Would you like us to gift wrap? And include a holiday card from you?

Just send us an email with details.

Don’t forget our just released Harnic novel, The Fragment. Here is a book for non-gamers as well.

Visit our website to complete your Wishlist.

WISH LIST

Then direct friends and family to this site and they can choose an item from your preferences just by entering your email address.

Order online 24/7 or contact us toll free at 1 800/636-3631
(leave a message if we’re away from the phone).

We’re here to help.

And Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you!!!………..

From all of us at Columbia Games Inc: TOM, GRANT, PENNY