Celebrate Roguelikes, October 3rd 2020

Celebrate the rich history and inspiring future of roguelikes
with streamed talks and more in our own custom-built
 roguelike social space!

I don't think I've ever mentioned my love of roguelike games here before. This dates back 40 years and my Sophmore year as a computer science major. The version I played was called "Hack" but as far as I can tell it was an early version of Rogue for the PC - back when Personal Computers were a novel concept!  I spent every hour I could spare in the computer lab playing Hack, and nearly flunked my classes that semester because of it. 

This October comes Roguelike Celebration, an online event with dozens of presentations about Roguelike games. Count me in!

The roguelike I am currently playing is a much simplified version called Shattered Pixel Dungeon, which is a relatively gentle introduction to a complex genre.

 ~

Doug Chaffe

Update [7/14/11]: Catalyst Game Labs is hosting a sale of Doug Chaffe original artwork at Gencon 2001.


Randall Bills writes about the passing of Doug Chaffee. Better go read that first. Here is Randall's opening paragraph.

In 1994 I walked into a game store and beheld BattleTech’s CityTech Second Edition on a shelf. The cover was by an artist I’d not seen before, but it was action-packed, evocative, and wonderfully done…everything a fan could ask from a cover. Of course I left with it under my arm. For the next 15 plus years Doug Chaffee would be an indelible part of crafting the visuals for BattleTech.

I confess I didn't know anything about Doug Chaffee before this, but Battletech players should know his work on sight ...

Image: Chaffee Studios

... because it is nothing short of iconic. Much more to be found at Chaffee Studios.

Here are a few links that my be of interest:
Battletech Wiki: Doug Chaffee
Book Illustrations

Avalon Hill founder Charles Roberts passes away

Charles S. Roberts, Train line expert and founder of Avalon Hill games, died on August 20th. He is more well known for his writing about railroads than for his games, but the games are what I know.

In 1958, he founded Avalon Hill Co., a Baltimore game publishing company that specialized in war and other mental combat games such as "D-Day," "Stalingrad," "Battle of the Bulge," "Gettysburg" and "Victory in the Pacific."

See the full article at the Baltimore Sun:

Charles S. Roberts, train line expert, dies at 80

[Big Hat-Tip to Brant at Grog News]

Update: Christian has a much better article on Charles Roberts at Cinerati.

God Bless Nerds

If you follow any web-comics or comics-blogs, you might have heard something about ComicCon happening this week in San Diego. You might also have learned that the despicable Fred Phelps and his Westboro Baptist Church Hate Group* were going to be there picketing the event. Con-goer heard this too, and they have responded in fine fashion. Blog posts with pictures, commentary, and video are available from:

Comics Alliance [photo to right]

TV or not TV [photo below]

Phyrangula [That wretched hive of scum and villainy where I acquired the other links]

WAY TO GO NERDS!

* You DO NOT want to know any more than what is on the Wiki page. Trust me on this.

Transformers 3

Some local news: filming is set to begin in Milwaukee this week on a scene from Transformers 3.

The locations will be the Milwaukee Art Museum (1,2,3), ...

... and the former Tower Automotive site.










The MAM does a bit of transforming itself, and seems particularly appropriate.

image source?

See the Transformers 3 trailers here.

My New Gaming Table

You already saw bit of it in my last post, but I'm having the gang over tonight for the inaugural Battletech game on my new gaming table.

From Battletech Billboards

A couple of disused closet doors, a pair of sawhorses, and a new felt mat. The hard part was cleaning up the basement so there was actually room to set it up. (There is a bit of that left to do yet).

From Battletech Billboards

Let the battles commence!!!

Oh yeah ... chairs ...

BattleTech Pods Return to OwlCon in Houston, Feb. 19-21, 2010

Passing on the good word from my friends at MechCorps and Virtual World Entertainment:

BattleTech Pods Return to
OwlCon in Houston, Feb. 19-21, 2010

For Immediate Release

MechCorps' Mobile Armor Division will be stationed in the Ley Student Center on the campus of Rice University in Houston, Texas during OwlCon XXIX "The Year We Make CONtact" on February 19-21, 2010.

Some Battletech events at OwlCON too!

The last photo is actually for Mechacon, but is too good not to use again.

Also, I have confirmation that the Pods will be at ORIGINS 2010, which makes me happy, as that's likely my only big CON this years.

Local News

Some local news and events to catch up on:

The new second location for Games Universe is open and seems to be doing well. Our local Catalyst Agent is running a monthly Grinder session there to attract new players. I traded custom dice with the owner, and I'll try to get a picture of them up too.

Adventures in Gaming (my usual game spot) is moving to a nearby location:

Adventures in Gaming would like to announce that they are moving locations to a new site located at 3875 S. 92nd Street Milwaukee WI 53228. We will continue to maintain our Phone number of 414-940-8390 and email at aigstaff@att.net.

Adventures in Gaming will continue to support the greater Milwaukee gaming community by offering free gaming space, the crafting zone, special orders, and over 2000 sq feet of retail space.

The move will be effective February 1st 2010.

AiG has offered after hours gaming in the basement for years, which is greatly enjoyed by the local gaming community. At this time it is not completely clear what the game room situation will be, as the new location doesn't have a basement, but we are told that some sort of gaming space will be available.

Finally, our good friend Leonard has just returned from National Guard duty in Afghanistan (that's him on the right at GENCON 2007).

Thank you for your service, Leonard, and welcome back!

Grand Opening at Game Universe

For my Milwaukee are reader, Game Universe is opening up a new location in Brookfield., and celebrating with a Grand Opening Party.

Game Universe

Board Games, RPGs, Dice, Minis, & Magic the Gathering
SOUTH: 4631 S. 108th St. - Greenfield, WI 53228
WEST: 19035 W. Bluemound - Brookfield, WI 53045 (map)

Our favorite Catalyst Demo Agent will be running a Battletech Demo if space allows.

'Tis Better to Give than Receive

Forwarding some news from my friends at MechCorps. (previous posts 1 2 3)

For Immediate Release:

From the convention away missions with MechCorps' Mobile Armor Division [www.MechCorps.com/concal], there is developing a strong BattleTech contingency in the land of Acadiana, otherwise known as Louisiana. The various lances in this region have asked for an event for which they can collectively attend at our Headquarters in Houston, TX and prove their piloting skills in the Virtual World, Tesla II BattleTech Pods.

MechCorps would hereby like to invite all 'Mech pilots receiving this message to the gathering on December 11 and 12, 2009. It is a low-key event that will allow for a selection of entertaining missions for New Recruits up to hearty competition for BattleTech Masters.

Details on this regional event can be found at www.MechCorps.com/GIVEit

For those who have not yet experienced the BattleTech Cockpit Simulator Pods,
the Tesla II cockpits, featuring the BattleTech: Firestorm software, are fully enclosed military style simulators that feature 7 screens, over 90 control systems, and a 12 speaker surround sound system. When seated in the pod, the player pilots one of a selection of BattleMechs onto one of 25 landscapes to compete for battlefield superiority with those seated in surrounding cockpits.

MechCorps Entertainment, LLC is the largest independent operator of Virtual World Entertainment's Tesla II  BattleTech: Firestorm Cockpit Simulator Pods with it's main base of operation in Houston, Texas.  MechCorps' Mobile Armor Division is the touring branch of MechCorps traveling to various conventions and other remote deployments across the United States.  MechCorps Entertainment, LLC is a privately held company. Visit www.MechCorps.com for more information.

Headquartered in Kalamazoo, Virtual World Entertainment is a leading supplier of high-end, centerpiece attractions to the location-based entertainment industry. Virtual World has produced and distributed cockpits since 1989. Virtual World Entertainment, LLC is a privately held company. Visit today at www.virtualworld.com.

This is a private company, but I don't mind promoting them because I think it can only help to foster enthusiasm for Battletech in general. In turn it brings a lot of traffic to my blog. Win-Win.
If you get a chance to try these pods, it can be some serious fun. I'm hoping they will be at ORIGINS again next year. Click through for a map of the Battletech Pods nearest you. 

The Liberation of Donegal

There is a thread up at ClassicBattletech.com about a Battletech gaming event here in Milwaukee in October.

October Milwaukee Gaming 2009
October 3rd and 4th 2009
Clarion Hotel at 5311 S Howell Ave Milwaukee WI 53207
The Liberation of Donegal

Of particular note: this event is hosted by Group W, a gaming group with a long history, but that has been silent for some years. I tried to contact some of their members some years ago with no luck. Time to try again. I will follow up on this and post what I find out.

GENCON Tales

Over at The Scrapyard Armory you will find some nice summaries of Battletech events and more from GENCON 2009 (posts 1 2 3 4 5 6 7). Of course, Brian ALWAYS posts good event summaries, and these are no exception.



I wound also like to officially thank Brian for linking to this blog, as The Scrapyard Armory is now the top referrer here, finally surpassing the Blog-of-Note referrals dating back to December 2008. Hopefully I can return the favor by sending some of you his way.

[More of Brian's photos at (can you guess?)]

Anniversary

How well does my wife know me, to give me oversized rubber bouncy dice as an anniversary gift?

No post tomorrow. :-)

(The juggling balls I bought for myself)

A Rough Week at Iron Wind Metals

If you have purchased anything from Iron Wind Metals at a convention, then you have probably met Stu. I've just learned that Stu has been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident.


See the full story at The Miniatures Page, or directly from Iron Wind Metals.

In my own experience, Stu enjoys bantering with his customers at the Cons, and loves to play the "grouch" though I'm pretty sure he is really a teddy-bear. One time he teased me for a full 5 minutes before he gave me my credit card back, and he made me work for it too - all in good fun. I look forward to more of his good-natured ribbing in the future.

Get well soon Stu! We need you!!

Battletech Pods at MechaCon

This comment appeared in an older thread, so I'm putting up on top to help get the word out.

MechCorps said...
For those in the Lafayette, Louisiana area, come to MechaCon July 24-26th, 2009 to see what the BattleTech Cockpit Simulator Pods are all about. For more details, visit www.MechaCon.com

I wonder if those two come with the pod? ;-)

I should add that having the pods at ORIGINS was great synergy for Battletech

ORIGINS 2009 Follow Up

I'm still getting caught up from my vacation, but with the long weekend I should be able to finish all my posts recounting ORIGINS and backdate them. In the meantime, other people are doing much the same. I'll add links and more below as I find them:




Battletech Pods: Ed Grabianowski has posts up at IO9 and Viking Robots.





Sarge1 has pictures up at LotB from the Saturday night Battletech game (6/27).


Origins Awards Winners and Commentary at Cinerati. A long post with a detailed breakdown of the ORIGINS Awards nominees and winners. Check it out.

A little something I picked up at Crazy Egor's. Well worth the $1.50 I spent on it.

ORIGINS 2009: Favorite Pictures

Iron Wind Metals

Lou Zocchi Forever!

Wisconsin Cheese

Canadian Ham

Teaching Time!

At the Ad Astra Demo Table

Concentration at the
Paint-and-Take

and costumes

and finally, evidence that I was there!