Archive for January, 2006

EuroFront 2 FAQ

Tuesday, January 31st, 2006

Our announcement of the plans for the release of EuroFront 2 (and Eastfront 2/WestFront 2) have people really excited. However, I have recieved a ton of e-mail from people with good questions and to try to answer them all at once, I have compiled this FAQ. Readers, please advise me if you have any other questions - soon I’ll just edit the preorder pages for these items with this info….

And for those who have not heard the EuroFront 2 news, visit:

http://www.columbiagames.com/cgi-bin/query/cfg/allgameplan-waritems.txt

Frequently Asked Questions:

What’s in EastFront 2?
The game contains 2 maps and 130 blocks + labels. The extra 10 blocks are additional troops required by the expanded map area. The game rules have not changed, but some scenarios have minor modifications.

What’s in WestFront 2?
The game contains 2 maps and 130 blocks + labels. The extra 10 blocks are additional troops required by the expanded map area. The game rules have not changed, but some scenarios have minor modifications.

What’s in EuroFront 2?
Like EuroFront 1, this product is not a game in itself. The maps and units from Eastfront and Westfront are required. EuroFront contains blocks and labels of all the minor powers in both Axis black and Allied Blue. It also contains all units from the original MedFront game and new units for the NorthFront and Mid East areas. There are also full color OB cards and complete system rules that include revised EuroFront scenarios for 1939-44.

UPGRADE PATH
I have all the current games - how do I get just the parts I need to upgrade?

The blocks and boxes from the old games are the only components you can reuse. If you reuse them, you’ll need to buy:

EuroFront 2 80 (provided you preorder)
4 maps 60 (provided you preorder)
20 blocks 4
EF labels 10
WF labels 10
TOTAL $164

SAVINGS $ 76 (compared to the cost of preordering all three games new)

NOTE: Our supplier of blocks changed in 2000. Upgrading is only suitable if you bought the games after 2000.

It is our intention to release the three games in as short a time as possible. 500 preorders are not required and we may in fact cease taking preorders very soon. The games will be released 1-2 months apart: EastFront, then WestFront, then EuroFront, with the first part being ready this March.

The four maps will all be printed at the same time. These maps are suitable for play right away with EuroFront 1 rules except the new areas will simply be out of play. You can, if desired, get the maps as soon as they are printed, and then follow the upgrade path later without getting the maps again.

I just preordered the three new games, but what will happen with my earlier preorders for the mapset and NorthFront block expansion?

To make sure folks don’t get two copies of the same maps, we have cancelled mapset pre-orders for those who have pre-ordered the new games? However, if you really still want the maps (as a second copy) please advise and we will reinstate your preorder.

We also cancelled all the preorders for the block expansion - these blocks are now in the game EuroFront 2.

People who have not cancelled their mapset preorders because they intend to upgrade as described above, are well advised to preorder the EuroFront game to save roughly $20.

Harn Campaign Manager

Thursday, January 19th, 2006

I just fixed a bug that caused shipping to be charged for the downloadable Harn Campaign Manager software. Orders that were placed before this fix have been amended appropriately to remove shipping.

Amazon.com

Thursday, January 19th, 2006

I’ve been having fun listing things on Amazon.com and learning the ropes. I am impressed beyond measure with the ease of posting a book for sale - provided its in their catalog already. Comparing this process to ebay is no contest because you are relying so much on Amazon’s data - choosing only your item’s condition and price. Very slick.

The books I’ve listed are mostly old RPG books that I discovered while cleaning up at year end. Some of them appear to be quite hard to find. All my listing are under the username “columbiagames”. An example is:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0915795302/103-3256349-7312659?n=283155

From there you can view other items sold by me. I’m still learning the finer points of this but I find trial by fire is the fastest way to learn in cases like this…

That little project

Thursday, January 19th, 2006

Kevin Schlipper was quick to react and offer his help with the online convention forms.

I have other “little projects” brewing but let’s see how this one turns out…

Harn news

Thursday, January 19th, 2006

HARN CAMPAIGN MANAGER

Harn Campaign Manager is the ultimate tool for gamemasters. Organize, track, print and export your campaign(s) like never before.

Harn Campaign Manager is great for planning, researching, documenting, and organizing roleplaying sessions and campaigns. Includes extensive support and information from Hârnworld.

Harn Campaign Manager is a download product. Download the software now from the link below. It works in demo mode for up to 30 days. Come back to the same page and order the product (Add to Cart) and you will then receive the unlock code by email for full functionality.

http://www.columbiagames.com/cgi-bin/query/cfg/zoom.cfg?product_id=4112

TASHAL PART II

The next HarnQuest release, Tashal Part II and Atlas Harnica Map K6 are nearly ready. Billing will begin next week with shipping by Jan 31. Please update your account if necessary.

HARNPLAYER FRAPPR MAP

Avirtual push pin world map showing the hotbeds of harnic gaming around the globe.

http://www.frappr.com/harniacs

Go on, add yourself….

A LITTLE PROJECT

I have a little project,
Perhaps you can help me,
The pay is rather modest:
Any harn product for free!

I need to create simple forms for submitting convention support requests online to replace the PDF files that are currently used. The form should be submitted by email. See the current PDFs at:

http://www.columbiagames.com/convention/conventions.shtml

I only need one vounteer to help and will post in this blog at when the “position” has been filled:

KANDAY MAP

The political map that is the first page of Kanday has been updated with a map grid matching the grid on the Harn map. This allows readers to locate sites easier and indicate which Atlas Harnica maps they need.

A PDF version of this map is now free on the Kanday page of our website as part of the PDF sample:

http://www.columbiagames.com/cgi-bin/query/cfg/zoom.cfg?product_id=5660

Manic Monday

Monday, January 9th, 2006

A lot is going on today… Perhaps at the end of the day there will be some news about:

EastFront II, WestFront II, and Eurofront II with new preorder pages.

The imminent Harn Campaign Manager Software release.

I’m also working out plans for Prezcon 2006 in Feb. This year’s show is shaping up very well. Columbia Games events are: War of 1812, Liberty, Hammer of the Scots, and Crusader Rex as well as slapshot. Visit prezcon.com

I am looking for a few good men who would like to run an EuroFront II trial run at Prezcon 2006. I need 3 or 4 dedicated players who are interested in at least one full day of gaming. Experience with EuroFront is required - I cannot teach it in the busy atmosphere of Prezcon. Contact me by email at grant@columbiagames.com