Vampire: The Eternal Struggle, the card-game based on Vampire: The Masquerade, will soon be releasing a fifth edition as a box set.
In Vampire: The Eternal Struggle, players take on the role of an ancient vampire Methuselah. For thousands of years, these Methuselahs have lurked in the shadows of human societies, manipulating mortals and younger vampires. Their hunger for power knows no bounds, and they use whatever means to weaken their enemies, from subtle manipulations to frontal assault. Players must increase their influence, destroying the other Methuselahs, whilst protecting themselves from the others.
This new edition is focussed on new and returning players, by re-introducing five of the Camarilla Clans with the new material developed for the 5th Edition of Vampire: The Masquerade (AKA V5 – reviewed here). Essentially, five new players could start playing from a single box set fairly quickly.
The box will contain five preconstructed decks (Malkavian, Nosferatu, Toreador, Tremere and Ventrue clans – sadly no Ravnos yet), counters and a new full-colour rulebook. These five “First Blood” introductory decks will help players to understand the rules, as these decks have pared back the more complicated cards (such as cancelling other effects and acting out of turn), whilst remaining fun and engaging.
Although this is a relatively complicated game, with lots of moving parts, it is also primarily a socially interactive game for up to five players. Whilst the rules have been updated, the main focus has been on making them tidier and easier to follow, with advice from Gaming Rules to help with some of the more complex elements.
However, whilst this is a new version, it will remain fully compatible with prior releases.
In a wider social aspect, they have focussed on inclusivity and introducing vampires from further afield than Europe or North America in the core set, representing more of the humanity from which vampires would come. Although the cards will not necessarily delve into a vampire’s personal life, aspects of their wider lives will come through in the artwork.
New expansions in previous editions of the CCG have been released through random booster packs, but Vampire: The Eternal Struggle will be refocused on fixed sets, enabling players to identify how they want to expand their cotories.
On May 12th, 2009, Lin Manuel Miranda performed ”Alexander Hamilton” at the White House Poetry Jam, to some chuckles, to some random claps. Hardly anyone knew at the time that Hamilton, the musical will take the world by storm.
With a pitch that promised historical events, but told in a completely different way than before – no powdered wigs, no stiff upper lip, no pretense – Hamilton blew the world away. Versions of it are being played now all accross the United States and even the UK. I actually flew to a different country just to see a performance of the show and while it does not capture the same magic as the original, it was the closest I could get to it.
But that is all over now, for Hamilton fans, with Disney+ having signed a deal for the original Broadway recording of the show. Never have a seen a non-bootlegged version of this – not that I watch bootlegs, heaven forbid – but the promise of absolute clarity of images and the voices of the actors has been tied up in all kinds of knots.
We are only a few days away from the streaming event of Disney+, with July 3rd being the announced date. It was pushed forward, due to the pandemic, maybe in the hopes we will all stay in and watch the magic happen.
Until then, check out the trailer below and hopefully, if you were never convinced by all the voices claiming it is amazing, you might change your mind and watch it.
In a world hungry for more diverse reads, Breaks bring us ‘the story of two young men discovering who they were, who they are, and who they will become. It’s a love story…but a bit broken.‘ Appealing to the LGBT+ audiences and more, Breaks promises a romance story that slowly unfolds in three separate arcs.
The 2nd volume became available on the 15th of June, 2020 and continues the tale of Cortland Hunt and Ian Tanner. In the words of the co-writer and artist Emma Vieceli: “If arc one was the budding of a romance play set against a dirty schoolyard backcloth, arc two is where the schoolyard backdrop falls down and reveals the real set; it’s jagged and dangerous, and Cort and Ian are going to need what they found in arc one to get through it.Some mysteries are revealed and some deepen. Expect everything to be turned up. More drama, more twists…oh, and a lot more smooching.”
‘Ian and Cortland are all too aware that the bubble they’ve made for themselves can’t last. Shifting relationships and tested friendships may be the least of their worries, though, as they learn more about each other and the pasts they’d rather leave behind. Familial legacy, fragile ambition, and potentially devastating secrets; their budding relationship is going to need a stronger foundation than secrecy if they want to face what life has in store for them together. ‘ (Soaring Penguin Press)
This teaser page is making me want to know more of the story, to be honest, mostly because I hope it will veer away from the common tropes of – lgbt+ people must constantly suffer – but that remains to be seen.
If you are also interested in finding out more about it, you can get yourself a copy via this link.
Vampire: The Masquerade, the ground-breaking roleplaying game of personal horror, is no stranger to tie-in fiction. Indeed, the Clan Novel Saga and Clan Brujah trilogy, which chronicled the ongoing conflicts between the Camarilla and the Sabbat, were used to progress the in-game storyline. However, since 2004, there has been no new fiction, and certainly no audiobooks. That is, until now.
Walk Among Us is an audiobook containing a series of novellas. Rather than offering an exploration of the warring factions of the political machinations between vampire elders, Walk Among Us acts as an introduction to the kindred. We are presented with a series of stories, exploring different stages of vampiric existence.
In Genevieve Gornichec‘s A Sheep Among Wolves, performed by Erika Ishii (Annabelle in LA By Night), depression and radicalisation go hand-in-hand as a young woman finds companionship in the darkness. As well as Gornichec’s fair representation of mental health, Ishii’s portrayal of the timid Clear and the sarcastic gamer girl Jade were particularly impressive.
In Cassandra Khaw‘s Fine Print, performed by Neil Kaplan, an arrogant tech entrepreneur learns the importance of reading the fine print when offered a contract for immortality. It would be easy to feel unsympathetic towards the protagonist, were it not for the vestiges of humanity that Khaw and Kaplan bring to the character.
And in Caitlin Starling‘s The Land of Milk and Honey, performed by Xe Sands, ideals and ethics bump heads with appetite on a blood farm. In many ways, this is the closest to the previous World of Darkness novels, as the protagonist is one of the kindred, rather than of someone who is encountering them for the first time. Starling and Sands subtly articulate the conflicting natures within Leigh.
Rather than a series of interlinked tales – such as the previous novels – each is a standalone tale. These three, very different, stories all have one thing in common: the hunger never stops, and for someone to experience power, others will feel pain.
As well as the amazing storytelling, what stands out is the exceptional voice casting. Each narrator brings their vocal skills to bear, creating a diverse cast of characters that remain uniquely identifiable, expressing the emotion of each character without coming across as banal or trite.
The stories in Walk Among Us are firmly influenced by V5 (the fifth, and latest, edition of Vampire: The Masquerade), and so they should be. These are tales for today’s Vampire: The Masquerade, and with modern sensibilities. These stories reflect contemporary life and the tonal shift in the latest Vampire: The Masquerade. This is Vampire at street-level, with recognisable characters that we could potentially meet anywhere. As such, new and existing players will find a lot to like in this audiobook novella.
If you are looking for a horror audiobook, or would simply like an introduction to the game, then I cannot recommend Walk Among Us enough.
The world may be rather different compared to a few months ago, but there are still some good things to look forward to. Video games in 2020 have so far helped keep many of us occupied with all the free time that has been brought to the world. Every month of this year does have a good mix of titles to come and June is no exception.
Where it’s an exclusive, a port or even an “out there” title, I will have you covered. Here are a few of the games you can look forward to this month.
The Outer Worlds (Nintendo Switch) – 5th June
Yes, this game came out a long time ago on the other consoles, but I am still excited. The Outer Worlds is made by developers from the Fallout franchise (not Fallout 76) and introduces us to a new IP which takes us to a new and exciting environment. The settings look amazing, the characters have a lot of personality and the few snippets on Switch looks great.
The Witcher 3, Mortal Kombat 11 and Alien Isolation prove that the Nintendo Switch can handle these big titles. The Outer Worlds is the latest AAA 3rd party game to hit the console and will be addictive gaming for the foreseeable future. Get yourself ready and take this new adventure on the go!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Lu_puiy5mg
The Last Of Us: Part II (Playstation 4) – 19th June
Possibly the most anticipated game of 2020, this sequel is coming nearly seven years after the first journey we took with Joel and Ellie. Catching up with the characters after a significant amount of time, we now control the adult Ellie as she continues to grow in this dangerous world. While story details are under wraps (unless you saw the leak), the gameplay and trailers shown tease another emotionally tough outing.
Sony really gave us a top story in 2013 and it looks like Part II will ramp up what we previously had. Now that Joel will be an NPC, does this mean we should be worried about his future? Also, does this game have more secrets to really push us to our limits? Well, in a few weeks, we will find out.
Spongebob Squarepants: Battle For Bikini Bottom Rehydrated (XBOX ONE, Playstation 4, Nintendo Switch, Windows) – 23rd June
Calling all Spongebob fans, it looks like THQ Nordic is finally ready to let you revisit a classic. Though the 2003 original was not a critical success, it was a hit with fans of the show. Rehydrated sees a massive overhaul of the original game and features a graphical quality unlike any Nickelodeon title before.
The game is not simply a rehash of what came before. Old and new fans can experience a remastered soundtrack, new levels and features within the game and will see 4K support on the upscaled XBOX and Playstation consoles. Also, the game does come at a bargain price of roughly £25. So at least you are only paying around half the standard price for this title.
Ninjala (Nintendo Switch) – 24th June
Did you like Splatoon? Think Ninja’s are cool? Enjoy bubblegum? This game looks like all three thrown together. This multiplayer game sees you attempt to K.O. your opponents with a range of moves involving the might of Ninjutsu and the innocence of bubblegum blowing. Although this free title may sound simple, there could be more to this potential hit.
With early beta tests proving to be fun and popular, many have noted the learning curve and various abilities could see this game become a must have on the Switch. Originally due for release in May, it looks like Ninjala could be the perfect substitute to other free games such as Fortnite and Warframe.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7flMkCVxgc
Next month, I will give some insights into another Playstation 4 exclusive and a Nintendo game which appeared out of nowhere.
If you are from the UK, you probably are aware of the Natwest Bank. Natwest was founded in 1968 and have been a leader in investments, lending and insurances for many years. But did you also know they are a player in the video game industry? It may sound like a joke, but the Bank have this week launched their first video game. Developed by Stormcloud Games, this is a collaboration which aims to be educational and engaging for younger players.
WHAT IS IT ABOUT?
Island Saver starts with you on an island (yep) with a vacuum-like device. The visual is presented from a first person perspective. You are soon greeted to your general mission; to clean up all the plastic rubbish and recycle. You are also tasked with washing away pollution from plants so that wildlife can begin to thrive again. Your inventory slots are limited, so you need to recycle the plastic at every given opportunity. You are rewarded for your hard work by being given money for your recycling. Your inventory slots are limited, so what do you do with that money you earn?
Well, this is where Natwest seem to have opened their latest chain of branches. There are many portable banks where you can shoot your money in. This money can also be used to unlocked more areas on the map. The education doesn’t stop there though, kids are also about to learn about tax. When your character earns money for his efforts, there is a ten percent cut taken from him by the Tax Bot who is always nearby for his own cut.
There are a few tasks here and there to keep the game flowing for some time. Though this is aimed at a younger audience, I feel unsure over how many kids would actually sit down and play a game with banking and recycling at its core. Playing for a few hours, I can say there is some fun to be had. But this doesn’t last long.
The graphics are rather nice looking and the colour scheme does pop on screen. The gameplay does border on the tedious, the repetitive actions do become tiresome after some time. The tasks do not offer much variety, you will either be cleaning things or shooting items into specific places. I should also give a little mention to the Bankimals, the creatures you have to help throughout. Why are they called Bankimals? They are animal/piggy bank hybrids who help towards your money count (and further taxes).
FINAL THOUGHTS
The nicest thing I can say is that I can see some kids will learn a lot about growing up and responsibility in this title. Island Saver is also a free game, so it is definitely worth a go just to soothe your curiosity. I would recommend this to parents as this may help kids understand the world a bit better when they grow up.
I don’t see Natwest having a more prominent future in the video game market, but this isn’t an awful effort for the first time. A thoughtful game with little to no staying value beyond an initial play.
Yesterday, 25/04/2020, Geek Pride lost one of it’s Editors, to Cancer.
Her name was Hani Fearon and she was only 30.
Hani was one of the original group who helped start Geek Pride and despite the tumult inherent in sites like ours, she was always there, always helping, always positive and every time I saw her.. always smiling. In fact, thinking about what I could say about her last night , I closed my eyes and the first image to enter my head was her smile.
It wasn’t toothy and wide, like some, more a warm, gentle, and affirmative one, framed wonderfully by her wide and beautiful bright eyes. Both bathed you in a welcoming warmth that couldn’t help but make you smile in turn when you saw her.
I have a lot of fond memories of Hani; her starting Geek Pride, the life bar tattoo on her wrist, her wonderful cakes and crafts, our first time meeting at Wales Comic Con, our charity events, and her round-ups of the Oscars and E3. But for some reason, and I don’t know why, my favourite one was a time she randomly appeared at Play Expo.
I was running around like a blue arse fly trying to sort things for our booth and was feeling slightly stressed. Hani, I had no idea was going to be there, but suddenly, in my tiz, I got a tap on the shoulder and there she was. Smiling, slightly shy, and waving. We spoke briefly, I gave her a big hug and said it was great to see her. We talked briefly and then she smiled, waved again, and went off to play some games.
It was a brief moment, a brief exchange but it was honestly great seeing her. I was stressed and in that moment her warm smile and shy demeanour made it all go a way and gave me clarity. I remember going back to the booth and telling them “I just saw Hani.” Only to realise that the reason I was off in the first place had been completely forgotten… I don’t even remember what I was stressing about now, just that I saw Hani.
She was a wonderful person and I, and everyone in Geek Pride who had the honour of meeting her, will miss her deeply. We lost one of the good people, too soon, but in our short time as friends, she was able to enrich my life and will have no doubt done the same to countless others of friends and family.
Thank you for everything Hani, thank you for you time, your passion, your reassuring smile. I’m lucky to have called you a friend and I will cherish the memory of you and your smile until my dying day.
Go back three months, we actually had a lot to look forward to. There was PAX East in February, E3 in June and San Diego Comic Con in July. Also, what about upcoming blockbusters such as Black Widow and No Time To Die. All the video games such as The Last Of Us Part II and Watch Dogs: Legion which would have taken many hours from us. All of this was going to kickstart an epic Summer to further fuel a good start to the cinema releases this year! But no, 2020 had other plans. Due to the thing that I shall not name, we are possibly ready to wipe this year from the record. But is it all over?
First off, this is truly the biggest tragedy that has possibly been seen in my lifetime. To go from living an everyday life to now not even being able to walk ten feet from your front door is a shock to the system. We need to have some positives to get us through these dark times.
1. CONVENTIONS
The San Diego Comic Con has been officially cancelled for 2020. This is possibly the equivalent to Christmas for many fans of TV and Film. The history of the event has been home to many big announcements, usually Marvel use the event talk about their big plans. Last year they announced a chunk of their Phase Four announcements and new castings, to the delight of millions of fans. While we won’t get anything on that magnitude this year, SDCC isn’t the only place to talk the big plans.
Conventions happen all year round. The UK and US host more Comic Con style events than you could possibly imagine. I can only hope and think that other dates throughout the year will have a more watchful eye over them to announce or reveal some juicy details about our favourite franchises. Maybe Wondercon will take place later in the year and give some light for us all. Fingers crossed New York Comic Con will also keep to its October date as this has also been a great source for new and returning media.
The UK though may be a different story. The conventions here are more for the exhibition of some well-crafted Cosplay’s and the meeting and greeting of famous faces are combined with panels that are more about showing the celebrity than a project they are promoting. But then again, we have still got the internet. Why not stream Q&A’s with some of the original guests on Facebook and possibly have cosplay contests online via video entry? Though I will miss visiting the candy stalls and trying to resist buying another lightsaber or a new sword.
2. VIDEO GAMES
Then we have the Gaming world. Video Games make up such a huge part of the media industry. The postponement of shows such as PAX East has really stung the fans, but it was E3 being stalled until 2021 was the biggest punch. While the conventions may have hit a snag, there is one truly powerful source for all things gaming; YouTube! Yes, the video streaming giant is quite regularly hosting events such as Nintendo Directs, Playstation’s State Of Play and Inside XBOX.
A Nintendo Direct is a regular format used by the company to promote new games and give further insight into upcoming releases. 2020 already has shown presentations specifically for Pokemon and Animal Crossing, as well as a general Direct to talk about a few announcements and release dates for other titles. While E3 may not have its presence as strongly this year, you can bet Nintendo will still give us something around that June window. Also, please Nintendo, please tell us Bayonetta 3 is coming out this year!
Playstation and XBOX have got a more unique battle on their hands. Later this year, both of these gaming giants are looking to launch their new hardware. With the launch of the PS5 and Xbox Series X, the new generation is soon to begin. Be sure to see more information and game announcements arrive for both platforms before the end of the year. I personally need to find out if XBOX will make Hellblade II a launch title!
3. CINEMA
Then there is the cinema. Yes, 2020 is looking a bit less impressive at the moment. There are many release date changes even going up to 2023. But there are still some great gems to look forward to this year.
First off, Disney are still looking to release Mulan in July. DC will be unveiling Wonder Woman 1984 in August. No Time To Die is still set for November this year. Disney/Pixar collaboration Soul is also set for later this autumn as well as the much anticipated A Quiet Place Part II.
For me though, I am most interested in seeing Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe kick off. Even though we know so much about Black Widow, I still feel there will be a lot more to this movie than we could possibly believe. Can Scarlett Johansson steal the box office in November? I am pretty sure she will. It is worth noting that this will be 16 months following the last film in the MCU.
Also, all new trailers and announcements will always make their way online. I really want a trailer for The Eternals and Venom 2 to give us some more comic book hype in the next 12 months. I also just can’t wait to plant my backside into that seat and enjoy my overpriced popcorn and soft drink!
4. TV
This will be my last area to cover. Television has been really impressive over the last few years. HBO brought us the amazing Watchmen series last year, Netflix has broken the video game curse with the animated Castlevania series and who doesn’t love Better Call Saul? Well, these have factored into my favourite of TV shows in the last 12 months. We keep hearing about certain shows that have hit delays due to the ongoing troubles, but I want to tell you about what is still on the way.
If you are on Netflix, you have got a real treat on 24th April when After Life returns. The second series of the Ricky Gervais comedy will surely make you laugh and cry in equal measure. Nadiya’s Time To Eat is a cooking series from the winner of Great British Bake Off, coming later this month. Also, if you really want a quirky show, mockumentary series Space Force sees Steve Carell back on TV to make you smile. Also there are lots of dramas from around the world which are worth checking out.
Over on Disney Plus, you can expect a more family orientated line up to come. Chip and Dale return this summer for a new show. Marvel is expected to release The Falcon and The Winter Soldier (may be delayed) and WandaVision as part of the fourth phase of the MCU. The big one though is The Mandalorian Season Two set for October this year. Plus, countless other favourites you can revisit.
In terms of other networks and platforms, there is an air of uncertainty over many. HBO has got the Perry Mason miniseries in June which will be worth a watch. Rick and Morty returns to Adult Swim on May 3rd for part 2 of season four. The last season of Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. is set to start late May. The TV adaptation of Snowpiercer is also on the way. The series looks exciting and will surely strike interest from May 17th.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPDqQDTnJKE
In conclusion, 2020 is not a total write-off. The way to sort the world is to just stay home as much as we can until things get better. Let’s hope this will provide a more positive use to your time in isolation.
I hope you all stay safe, stay healthy and remember to take care of people where and when you can. I just also want to say that in these times when things are hard, remember to talk to someone if you need to. Maybe even phone that friend or family member you haven’t spoken to for a while, it could make their day. We may be isolated, but we are not alone.
The subtle horror and infernal politics of the World of Darkness are going to be shown in a new light with Vampire: The Masquerade – Walk Among Us from HarperCollins. This collection of horror novellas will spotlight the terror, hunger and power of the vampires known as Kindred, as they’ve never been seen before.
This collection includes three distinct stories. The first is “A Sheep Among Wolves” by Genevieve Gornichec. This is followed by “Fine Print”, by Cassandra Khaw. Finally, there is “Land of Milk and Honey” by Caitlin Starling. Each story examines a different aspect of the vampiric life of a Kindred, but all centre on their unceasing hunger.
In “A Sheep Among Wolves”, depression and radicalisation combine as a young woman finds companionship in the darkness. With “Fine Print”, an arrogant tech entrepreneur learns the importance of reading the fine print in a contract for immortality. Finally, in “Land of Milk and Honey”, ideals and ethics contrast with appetite on a blood farm.
Cassandra Khaw is a scriptwriter at Ubisoft Montreal. Her fiction has been nominated for the Locus Award and the British Fantasy Award, and her game writing has won a German Game Award. Khaw’s short stories can be found in F&SF and Lightspeed magazines. Her novella Nothing But Blackened Teeth is released next year.
Caitlin Starling’s first novel The Luminous Dead has recently been released. Next year will see the release of Yellow Jessamine and The Death of Jane Lawrence. Genevieve Gornichec’s debut novel, The Witch’s Heart, will be released in early 2021.
These stories are being narrated by Erika Ishii (LA By Night, Neil Kaplan (the voice of Optimus Prime in Transformers: Robots in Disguise) and Xe Sands, who has narrated over 350 audiobooks and audio series.
In other World of Darkness news; there is also going to be a Vampire: The Masquerade comic book series from Vault Comics. Written by Tim Seeley, Tini Howard and Blake Howard, with art by Devmalya Pramanik, the first issue is expected to be released in July.
The story will focus on two different worlds: a courier for the Camarilla in Minneapolis and a murder investigation amongst the Anarch Movement, with a powerful secret underpinning vampiric society linking the two.
TI4 is a 3+ player game, therefore if you only have two people you are pretty scuppered and your options are: don’t play; use one of the internet’s homebrews, which knocks out phases and adds restrictions ORRRRRR you could do what we did and play the 3rd player between us.
Now this sounds strange but if you both lay down rules at the start on how the NPC will react to different situations then it flows quite well and can actually make the NPC quite formidable.
Each faction card has a race trait.. be it militaristic, mercantile, expansionist or diplomatic. This is your NPCs overriding drive, therefore if the diplomatic race is given the option of attacking someone or being diplomatic, they will more than likely be diplomatic. Secret objectives and object cards also drive NPCs goals; therefore it will be very unlikely to carry out an action that will scupper its chances to achieve its goals. To add a bit of an X-factor to the game and to recreate players being unpredictable we used the dice to help with decisions and if the NPC declared war on another player, or another player declared war on them, then the opposing player took on the role of making military and agenda decisions for them.
General principles
Control of the NPC- The NPC is controlled by both players until war is declared against it, or it declares war on another player; control then shifts to the none combatant. If both players are at war with the NPC then both players still control it.
PC moves/decisions – Both players must play the NPC as if they were the NPC, this means taking action that might be contrary to the player’s own side. Decisions should be made between both players and a die rolled to deal with decisions and disagreements.
Picking a faction – Between you, choose an NPCs faction. This should be a different type of faction than you are both playing, so if one of you is expansionist and the other mercantile then the 3rd NPC should be diplomatic or militaristic etc. Conversely, if both PCs are the same sort of faction then the NPC should be the same as you, so there is no ganging up.
NPC secret objectives and action cards – these are usually secret and so cant be seen by other players, but as both players will be controlling the NPC they should be visible to both. The only time cards should be hidden is when war is declared and the opposing player is solely controlling the NPC.
NPC faction traits – Should follow its main core trait, therefore if it is a militaristic race, it should build fleets and look to win through conquest if applicable, whereas if it is a diplomatic race, it should be aiming to gain influence and using diplomatic stratagems.
NOTE: Objectives should override racial traits and therefore if it is easier to achieve objectives that are contrary to the NPC’s racial trait it should aim for it instead. Eg. The race is one of peace and diplomacy but all the objectives are conquest ones. It is therefore in the NPC’s interest to look to take planets and destroy enemy fleets.
Decision making using a Dice
It is important that an NPC acts unpredictably at times and therefore a dice should always be thrown, even if certain NPC actions are agreed by both players. This provides an interesting turn of events and can create more drama within the game.
For Example: in our game, the NPC had attacked me because I was the easiest way to achieve its objectives BUT I was able to weather the attack and turn it back. Using my turn to counter-attack and wipe out one of his big fleets. I then proceeded to move around and started taking his unguarded systems. It soon became apparent that if I continued I might overstretch myself and my brother would be able to swoop in and attack me. Luckily, for me I thought, a new objective came up that aligned the NPC and my interests. I, therefore, stated that as I was the leader of a merciful race and I would not wipe out his final fleets and take his homeworld If he sued for peace and used his remaining fleet to move north towards my brother’s now menacing fleets.
My brother could see that the NPC race was likely to be wiped out and therefore lose the game and we agreed that the only option was to do as I requested. So we assigned a roll of 1-9 as an acceptance of my generous offer and a 0 as his sticking 2 fingers up and refusing on principle…. We rolled a 0. The NPC, a bitter foe and still reeling from the destruction of his fleet through caution to the wind and decided to ignore my offer; this caused me a massive headache. As much as I could have defeated him, his demise did little to help my victory as my brother was just sitting there watching us tear pieces out of each other. I, therefore, had to change my plans, build up and hope I could finish off the NPC and turn against my brother before he got too emboldened.
Odds
There is no chart or table to look at, you judge odds on the situation and on agreement with the other player. If for example, like the above, the NPC, if he was actually a player, would do X, or Y then stack the odds in that direction and add an additional factor to make it unpredictable.
Examples:
An Agenda doesn’t affect the NPC but will shaft its main rival – he’s therefore more likely to vote with you against said foe: on a roll of 1-9 the NPC votes with you, on a 0 he stays quiet.
The same Agenda comes up and it’s the same rival but he’s got a big fleet currently on his border – the NPC is less likely to want to do anything to rock the boat but conversely, the agenda will cause the rival some big problems, so set the odds at 50:50
Movement
The NPC will activate and move to where its advantageous to do so and where it is likely to achieve more objectives and or resources. If it is felt there are multiple options then you just split hexes into numbers and roll a dice; again, should you want a bit more unpredictability, add in a roll of a 0 as they do something completely different.
Attacks
Common sense should be used here and if the NPC is going to attack, they should only do so if they have sufficient forces to give the a good chance to succeed or if a decision dice was rolled and a 0 came up.
General observations
This way to play means you can use every phase and will feel like there is a 3rd player. Myself and my brother used it twice and it worked perfectly. BUT, and this is a big BUUUUUTTT, this way of controlling an NPC is very dependent on the two PC players 1. Being trust worthy enough to play on the spirit of the game and 2. Aren’t going to take advantage of the “roll a dice to decided disputes” rule to try and advance their own cause.
If you are playing someone you don’t know, or if you have one of those friends who’s possible “that guy” then maybe this way to play isn’t the best option for you but if you know the person you are playing and you want a fuller experience then give it a go and let us know what you thought.
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This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
