The end is nigh..... What I find particularly telling about this is that it's described as the "board game edition". It's billed as, "A wacky, wily roleplaying game of post-apocalyptic peril." LOL.

http://www.amazon.com/Gamma-World-Roleplaying-Game-Setting/dp/0786955082/ref=pd_ys_ir_all_18

I hear this version of Gamma World will be supported by booster cards, randomized ways to gain mutations and so forth, so while you may really want to get a disintegrate ability, you end up getting gills. Nothing wrong with that, as random mutation is part of the fun, but when they're broken down into rare, uncommon, and common... well, I don't know. I guess it makes a little sense. But, I don't like it.

Ah, here it is...

   * Gamma World will have 120 Booster Cards. 8 Per Pack. MSRP $3.99
   * Gamma World crosses over with 4E DnD very well.
   * Gamma World is still a rolepay game - but it's made to be a small deviation, not a long campaign.
   * You won't *need* Gamma Wrold boosters, if you don't mind drawing from the DM's deck.
   * Gamma World Game Day will feature making characters from Booster Packs - no pregens.

   * Gamma World: 30 classic monsters + a few new ones, 10 encounter adventure, rules. Self contained game to get started. 4 token sheets
   * GW: a few poster maps, and a GM's deck of cards that includes 40 mutation cards and 40 tech cards.
   * Doesn't necessarily use classes. Some things remain the same w/ character, some change, plus mutations of all kinds
   * Your Half-Yeti can wield an M-16 and a stop sign in leather armor. There's also power armor, blasters, etc.
   * 120 card set, 8 card boosters for $3.99 for more mutations, tech cards, and player "personal deck" cards.
   * "Famine at Fargo" adventure released after core, featuring a giant mutated chicken. Expansion adds 10 cards. More expansion in 2011
   * Gamma World is "very compatible" with DnD. Skill list slightly different, but D&D monsters work just fine and vice versa
   * Tech artifacts would be "spooky and scary" in D&D but they work similarly as magic items. "Radiation" as damage type.
   * "In LFR, can we use Gamma World artifacts?" Chris Tulach shuts that down pretty quick
   * There are character themes that have elements of D&D roles- acid-spitting cockroach might be kind of a striker, for instance.
   * "Marketing guys might not want me to say this, but you don't have to buy boosters, and you can always draw from GM's deck."
   * Almost entirely random character generation, you'll have a key stat for your theme, and then stats rolled, as well as stats and mutations
   * Character creation takes maybe up to 15 minutes because so much of it is random. Equipment purchase is one of the few decisions
   * Character progression is faster than D&D, and goes up until level 10 and stops.
   * There are plans to do more "genre games" in the future, which will almost certainly use the 4e engine.

JasonZavoda wrote:Anyone see the video of the NC congressman roughing up the paparazzi (or however you sepll it). I thought he was going for a headlock there for a minute, but it turned into a kind of hug. I would have loved to have seen him chasing the kid down the street and kicking him in the butt. Normally I don't care much for Dems but this guy was great.

Haven't seen it, but it sounds like he should run for the top job.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shawinigan_Handshake

gvaughn1 wrote:Aarghh!!  Pet Peeve: I can't stand it when you buy things on Ebay, get a pretty decent deal on some products, and the guy ships them loose in a box!  They're still in overall pretty good shape, but the corners are now a bit dull/rounded.

What is so Damn hard about individually bagging each item, or at least using generous bubble wrap or something?!!??!

@@$$*#$&#@^$*#


ok, breathe deeply.

rant over.

That always pisses me off, and it happened with 3 packages today.

#1 A copy of JG Dark Tower. He did write Do Not Bend on both sides, but he dropped it in a manilla envelope with one piece of bent cereal box cardboard smaller than the book, so of course all 4 corners get dinged.

#2 a copy of the WG folio and A1-4, dropped in a bubble mailer, no protection, no Do Not Bend

#3 3 modules, manila envelope, no protection but Do Not Bend.

And of course they all get here showing some wear, sometimes they come through mangled.

Sat I get a 2 hardcover rulebooks with 2 modules sandwhiched in between, the hardcovers taped together with clear mailing tape with a piece of white paper on front and back (and the spines and edges of the rulebooks sealed with the tape).

There are a ton of new sellers on ebay and old sellers trying to cut costs, and they are being stupid about it by cutting down on packaging.

faro wrote:Watch out you don't get hit by any trees.

The closest calls are when someone is picking too close to the sidelines, and loses it backwards - see the clan tents clear out fast! - and when the ground and caber are a bit wet. Scary sight to see someone run and try to plant their feet, only to slip and have the caber come crashing back toward them.

faro wrote:Shinty's somewhat safer these days what with pads and even (sometimes) helmets... No longer use a hardwood ball, either, and not sure why laminate rather than solid sticks are a step forward when those just break on the opposition.

Those pics - ouch. I've got to see a match at least one time.

gvaughn1 wrote:Aarghh!!  Pet Peeve: I can't stand it when you buy things on Ebay, get a pretty decent deal on some products, and the guy ships them loose in a box!  They're still in overall pretty good shape, but the corners are now a bit dull/rounded.

What is so Damn hard about individually bagging each item, or at least using generous bubble wrap or something?!!??!

@@$$*#$&#@^$*#


ok, breathe deeply.

rant over.

I've almost completely stopped buying magazines on ebay because of this.

Most sellers think nothing of dumping a huge stack of magazines, loose, into a box. I've had everything from a box side blow out (where I was basically delivered an empty box with no side) to magazines with creases, tears and covers missing due to sliding around inside with no padding.

I have taken to giving instructions on how to ship the items to avoid injury. Thankfully, most sellers will take the time to pack correctly when you let them know what you want. Those that dont get dinged in their feedback.

Mike B.

Good idea. I invested in a super-size mailbox earlier this year (big enough for the largest Priority Mail flat rate box to fit snugly), and it has drastically cut down on damage to the contents of packages I receive. It doesn't prevent damage caused in transit, obviously, but I highly recommend it. The mail carrier can happily slap large envelopes into it without having to consider bending or folding. He actually thanked me.

SoulCatcher78 wrote:Anyone watch the US get robbed playing Slovenia?  ESPN is eviscerating the ref who was making all the calls (which they have a habit of doing when they dont agree no matter what the sport).  One thing I will say about soccer commentators is that they don't hold back (using terms like "stupid" rather than the more PC "poor judgement call" is refreshing).

I find it hard to believe but I am actually watching the Wold Cup stuff (have to have the TVs at work tuned to ESPN) since I usually can't manage to watch sports for any length of time...must be like the olympic hockey, since I only really see it every 4 years I enjoy it more.

Socker just doesnt do it for me. I am not a big sports watcher in any case, but I can tolerate basketball, football and hockey, but soccer bores the hell out of me. Boxing is about the only sport I find interesting.