Goodman Games has released a new book of generic campaign setting, Points of Light.  Points of Light features four unique campaign settings for use in any fantasy-based RPG system:

• Wildland is a post-apocalyptic setting where demi-humans and barbarians roam the land while the surviving humans cower behind their crumbling city walls.  My thoughts: this is one of the best reimaginings of a classific science fiction story that I’ve heard – this one has me really jazzed.
• Southland sees the kingdoms of the elves, humans and dwarves fighting against the evil elves and orcs.  My thoughts: looks like a high-fantasy style setting, but doesn’t really do it for me.
• Borderland features a larger kingdom locked in a protracted civil war between two vying factions.  My thoughts: this one could be interesting – I can see where there could be some great role-playing moments in a setting like this.
• The Swamps of Acheron is a darker setting, where evil gods have taken control of the realm and the taint of corruption threatens even the players themselves.  My thoughts: a great idea that had me thinking of a cross between Glen Cook’s Black Company novels and something out of Lovecraft (not sure if that’s their direction, but I love the inspiration!).

You can pick up 4 player maps and a PDF preview at the Goodman Games website.  The book clocks in at 48 pages and retails for only $12.99! In my opinion, this may be one of the best deals in gaming.

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Jane Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice comes in roll and move trivia board game format from Ash Grove Press.

Looks like a pretty game without much repeat play value, but you get to play Mr Darcy or Elizabeth and get married in the chapel at the end of the game.

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Pinnacle Entertainment Group is consolidating material from its PDF-format Savage Worlds Toolkit books to creat a series of Companions. The Companions will be Explorer Edition-sized print books in full color and will sell for $19.99. The first (available late January) will provide new spells, monsters, weapons, armor, Edges, and Hindrances for the Fantasy genre. After that, Pinnacle will release a Super Powers Companion, followed by Sci-Fi, Pulp, Horror, Post-Apocalyptic, and Martial Arts.

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Concluding an extended three part review, Wired’s Geekdad Wednesday extoled the benefits, if not the virtues, of the 4th Edition Dungeons & Dragons Dungeon Master’s Guide. Geekdad found the DMG worthy of its heritage, with valuable sections on game mastering advice, running combats, setting traps and skill challenges, and doling out treasure. On 4th Edition overall:

I have only one small concern. Perhaps curmudgeonly, I feel the apple has fallen too far from the tree. The magic of the original D&D has been lost—no, not lost, just changed. Changed radically, to the point where I miss the old rules, warts and all. Is 4E a wonderfully designed, logical and consistent game? Yes. Will it inspire a whole new generation of players? Doubtlessly. Can it save tabletop gaming from obscurity in an era of digital entertainment? If anyone can, D&D 4E can.

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The impact of the disappearing d20 license continues to grow, as more companies plan to withdraw products from the market. But for every cloud there’s a silver lining. Adamant Entertainment’s entire line of d20 Masterkit supplements is on sale for just $1.00. Deals can even be found at that mainstay of the indie RPG movement, Indie Press Revolution. There, d20 fantasy adventures from Open World Press are 50-67 percent off and the books of Galileo Games’ Bulldogs! d20 sci-fi game are 50-74 percent off.

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While 4E has been fairly well received, Wizards of the Coast has been taking a beating over their inability to deliver on many of the digital components of the product set.  VP of digital gaming and all around nice guy, Randy Buehler has posted a lengthy commentary on the future direction of the line and made a few interesting announcements, including:

• Subscriptions for Dungeon and Dragon will be ~$60/year ($4.95/month, but only with a 12 month commitment) and $7.95/month for the pay as you go model
• Dragon will be home to rules that will not appear elsewhere (such as the rules for intelligent weapons in his month’s issue)
• The artificer class will be officially released with the re-release of Eberron next year (I’m not sure which of those is actually the more important announcement…)
• The Domains of Dread are being re-introduced into the core game (that’s Ravenloft for the uninitiated)
• The D&D Compendium is online and ready for use
• The D&D Bonus Tools are now available (which includes an encounter generator and ability score generator)
• Access to both the Compendium and Bonus Tools will require purchase of Dungeon and Dragon (its unclear if pay as you go users will have access, but we assume they will)

Overall, its a pretty mixed bag – something to entertain and frustrate everyone!

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