Humble Bundle is offering a collection of The One Ring RPG from Cubicle 7. Pay what you want but at $15 or more that’s $270 worth of digital books plus a 30% off coupon for the Cubicle 7 store.

Bundle of Holding has the universal RPG system OneDice in a starter bundle with the core rulebook and supplements for fantasy, urban fantasy, cyberpunk, steampunk, and pulp at $8. The bonus collection adds pirates, dragons, airships, space, supers, B movies, and Robin Hood for $15.

Also at Bundle of Holding are two offers for the Deathwatch Warhammer 40,000 RPG from Ulisses Spiele. The Essentials bundle includes the core rulebook and key supplements. The Missions bundle includes additional sourcebooks and scenarios.

Deep Water Games is giving away three copies of Welcome To….

Noble Knight Games is running a Moving Clearance Sale.

This weekend, The Broken Token is selling dice at 50% off.

More than 100 print-and-play wargaming models from Dave Graffam Models are currently discounted to $1-2.

At some Walmarts, some copies of Splendor come with keys to download the Splendor app on Steam for free.

Here We Go Again… Ready? is giving away Domino Junior Friends Deluxe, I-Top, and Pop Rocket from Goliath Games, each to a different winner.

Everything Board Games is giving away Eminent Domain: Battlecruisers from Tasty Minstrel Games, Grand Master, and some Age of Sigmar: Champions card packs.

Many board games are on sale at Think Geek, up to 60% off.

For 10% off Pwork Wargaming mats, use discount code “SUMMERSALE”.

Hipsters of the Coast is giving away a set of Magic: The Gathering promo planeswalkers from San Diego Comic Con.

Fundamentally Children is giving away five Gibson games (UK residents only).

Board Game Revolution is giving away a Dungeon Derby Kickstarter pledge level from Rabbiteer (not on Facebook but must be a Facebook group member to enter).

The Giveaway Geek is giving away No Escape from OOMM Games and MYnd Kraft.

Unfiltered Gamer is giving away Fire of Eidolon from Magic Meeple Games.

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At Gen Con, I had the opportunity to sit down with WOTC Brand Manager Drew Nolosco for some background on the Transformers TCG. We didn’t discuss so much rules of play, mind you, but more design philosophy for the game. I’m impressed by the thought process that went in to it and expect that fans of the property will find that the game delivers a solid Transformers experience. The Transformers TCG is a head-to-head battle game, for sure, but the focus is clearly on characters. Every Transformer character card is oversized, foiled, and two-sided, one for bot mode and one for alt mode. The remaining battle cards provide tactics and upgrades for a player’s chosen Transformers team.

In the first wave, the 40 character cards total do include some of the rarer Transformers. And despite their unusual size for CCG packaging, every booster will have one character card.

Another WOTC goal with the Transformers TCG was to create a game for intergenerational play. The basic rules and goals—to KO all an opponent’s characters—were developed for children as young as 8, while still supporting more complex card-playing strategies for older players. The game allows for strategic play in defense as well as offense. And the rarity system was not only designed to make it easier to collect a broader range of characters, it also features a type of graduated complexity. That is, the more complex game rules only come in to play on rarer cards, thus easing people in to more advanced play.

WOTC is planning for some Transformers TCG events but not for much of a tournament scene.

While limited sales took place at Gen Con and San Diego Comic Con, full retail release is scheduled for September 28th. Starter Sets will come with four character cards and 40 battle cards for $15, boosters one character and seven battle cards for $4. There will also be a mobile companion app to assist with building teams and tracking damage.

I’m told also that putting the characters on oversized cards allows for experimentation. So look out for some possibly even larger or unusually shaped cards in future releases.

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Miniature Market is running a huge Back to School Sale on games but get on it quickly. It ends tomorrow morning at 9:00 AM CT.

Available at Humble Bundle are 20 game design and puzzlecraft books for a package price of $15. Spend more, support charities.

Deals currently running at Bundle of Holding include:

• The Symbaroum dark fantasy RPG.
• Rifts Essentials with the rulebook and key supplements.
• Rifts World Books with additional supplements and sourcebooks featuring North America in the Rifts setting.
• Mutant: Year Zero, the post-apocalyptic RPG from Modiphius Entertainment.

Dragons and Things is giving away a $20 Syrinscape gift card. Follow and retweet before 6:00 PM PT today.

Decision Games August Deal of the Month is $89 for Advanced Pacific Theater of Operations (regularly $120).

Thousands of titles are included in Osprey Publishing’s 30% off Summer Sale.

The Bridge World is holding a Summer Sale on Bridge books and software, 20-75% off.

Amazon deals:

• Dungeons & Dragons Assault of the Giants standard edition board game from WizKids for 50% off.
• Yeti in My Spaghetti from PlayMonster for 44% off.
• The Castles of Burgundy from Ravensburger for 35% off.
• From Bezier Games, One Night Ultimate Werewolf Daybreak for 50% off, One Night Ultimate Vampire, Ultimate Werewolf for 50% off.
• Machi Koro from IDW for 42% off.
• Pieface Showdown from Hasbro for 48% off.
• Terraforming Mars from Stronghold Games for 31% off and the Venus Next expansion for 37% off.
• Escape Room The Game from Spin Master for 33% off.
• Monopoly Game of Thrones from USAopoly for 35% off.
• Monopoly Star Wars from Hasbro for 45% off.
• Axis & Allies 1941 from WOTC for 47% off.
• Axis & Allies 1942 from WOTC for 38% off.
• Wasteland Express Delivery Service from Pandasaurus for 33% off.
• Pandemic Iberia from Z-Man Games for 47% off.
• Broom Service from Ravensburger for 43% off.
• Munchkin Panic from Fireside Games for 55% off.
• Rattlebones from Rio Grande Games for 75% off.
• The Dark Crystal Board Game from River Horse for 66% off.
• Battle Sheep from Blue Orange for 40% off.
• Potion Explosion from CMON for 39% off.
• Dice City from AEG for 50% off.
• Otys from Asmodee for 50% off.
• Word Slam from Kosmos for 35% off.
• The Legend of Korra Pro Bending Arena from IDW for 35% off.
• Barbeque Party from Goliath for 42% off.
• Royal Roundup from Educational Insights for 47% off.
• Space Cadets Away Missions from Stronghold for 48% off.
• Outpost Amazon from IDW for 40% off.
• Back to the Future from IDW for 43% off.
• Knit Wit from Z-Man for 66% off.
• Dragon Slayer from Indie Boards & Cards for 38% off.

Calliope Games is giving away a copy of Menu Masters.

Scott King is giving away a variety of games and accessories to 15 winners. Prizes include the games Azul, Pioneer Days, and Nmbr 9.

R&R Games is running a picture contest with a copy of Cave Paintings going to 10 winners.

Additional giveaways:

• By EverythingBoardGames, War of Supremacy from Lost Treasure Games.
• By Board Game Revolution, Exchange, Moonshiners, and Radiant Offline Battle Arena. All are games on Kickstarter. And all require joining a Facebook group.
• By theMCGuiRE Review, Expancity from Breaking Games.
• By Sahm Reviews, Rhein River Trade from Devir, Raids from Iello, and Escape: The Curse of the Temple from Queen Games.
• By The Giveaway Geek, Hitler’s Reich: WW2 in Europe from GMT, Oddassity from Social Lubricant Games, and Century Eastern Wonders from Plan B.
• By Board Game Authority, a $25 Amazon gift card.

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Once again this year at GenCon FFG gave an update on upcoming games and expansion. We will post the full video at the bottom, but here are some highlights.

Fantasy Flight Games is proud to announce Arkham Horror Third Edition, the next evolution of the classic cooperative board game of cosmic horror for one to six players. Originally developed in 1987 by Richard Launius and re-released by Fantasy Flight Games in 2005, Arkham Horror has long been synonymous with thrilling, thematic, cooperative board gaming. Now, we invite you to return to the Lovecraftian-inspired nightmare again—or visit it for the first time!—with a modern take on the classic game.

KeyForge: Call of the Archons is the world’s first Unique Deck Game. Every single Archon Deck that you’ll use to play is truly unique and one-of-a kind, with its own Archon and its own mixture of cards in the deck. If you pick up an Archon Deck, you know that you’re the only person in existence with access to this exact deck and its distinct combination of cards. In fact, in just the first set of KeyForge, Call of the Archons, there are more than a gazillion (seriously, it’s a bunch)  possible decks. Find out more about KeyForge here.

Also announced to the delight of GOT fans was the mother of dragons expansion. Mother of Dragons adds House Targaryen (who start on a new Essos sideboard) and House Arryn, while introducing the Iron Bank and a “Vassal” system to help with unchosen factions.

Oh, and a Super Star Destroyer for Star Wars: Armada

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On Monday, Asmodee North America announced the upcoming departure of CEO Christian Petersen. The founder of Fantasy Flight Games, and then CEO of Asmodee NA after the merger with Asmodee in 2014, is leaving the company at the end of the year.

Petersen said in the announcement that his departure has been “long-planned” and that he is leaving to “focus on family, health, and the pursuit of other interests.”

With the leadership change also comes a restructuring of the company. Two separate business units will emerge, Asmodee North America Publishing led by Steve Horvath and Asmodee North America Distribution led by Andre Kieren.

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Iello is giving away a mystery bag of prizes. Gen Con pickup only.

For those not attending the show, DriveThruRPG’s Christmas in July Sale features 25% discounts on thousands of popular titles.

Ulisses is giving away two copies of the deluxe core rules for Wrath & Glory, its Warhammer 40,000 RPG.

Save 20% on Avalanche Press titles of world domination with coupon code “VLAD”.

Jackson Pope of Eurydice Games is running a scenario design contest for his upcoming science-fiction, dexterity game, Flick Fleet. No real experience with the game is necessary and the rules are available to download for free. Up to three winners will get a copy of the game, assuming it funds on Kickstarter.

Cardboard Republic is giving away Dwarven Smithy from Flatworks Games.

Arizona Game Fair is holding a t-shirt design contest. The winner will receive $250, an 8 percent royalty on shirt sales, four event badges, and one shirt. A runner-up will receive $50, two event badges, and a shirt. All other participants will get a discount on badges.

Prism Pals is giving away a set of rainbow-colored polyhedral dice.

What’s Eric Playing? is giving away recent Spiel des Jahres winner, Azul.

Nerdarchy is giving away seven sets of metal polyhedral dice from Norse Foundry, enough to supply a whole game group.

For the 10th anniversary of 3:16 Carnage Among the Stars, Gregor Hutton has discounted several of his games to $3.16.

Game All Night is giving away a Quiver game bag filled with five games.

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Eurazeo announced that it has entered exclusive discussions with European private equity firm PAI Partners for the sale of its ownership stake in Asmodee. According to the announcement, the sale is expected to close in the fourth quarter and puts a value on the company of €1.2 billion.

In four years, revenue grew from €125 million, generated 48% in France, to €442 million, generated 75% internationally, representing an average annual growth rate of 37%.

Eurazeo said that since its first investment in Asmodee, the company has completed 20 acquisitions. Publishing revenues for Asmodee now represent almost two-thirds of total game sales.

Future owner PAI, which specializes in consumer products, stated that it “intends to support the current management team in its plans to grow the business further through international expansion both organically and by acquisition.”

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Gamers near Plano, Texas have an opportunity to practice their crafting skills with Goliath Games. The company is looking for a part-time Prototype Maker.

The U.S. Chess Federation is searching for an experienced Director of Development. A new position with the organization, the Director of Development’s role will be to “create and implement a comprehensive development plan for short- and long-term revenue growth in support of the US Chess mission.”

WizKids is looking for an experienced Product Manager in Hillside, New Jersey to develop long term plans, develop packaging, and interface with operations on the company’s unpainted miniatures line.

Ludo Fact needs Machine Operators and Assemblers for board game manufacturing in Lafayette, Indiana.

For production of miniatures, Privateer Press needs a Metal Caster in Bellevue, Washington.

Topps has multiple openings at its locations in New York City and Scranton, Pennsylvania, among them a New Product Development Associate with drawing and modeling skills and a Brand Manager for non-sports entertainment properties.

Hasbro’s 100+ openings include:

• Games Brand Writer to write copy for games packaging and to “produce accessible, friendly, and accurate rules.”
• Product Design Manager for the kids gaming category, which includes Jenga, Simon, Bop It, Connect 4, and Twister.
• At Wizards of the Coast, Manager of Global Brand Marketing for Dungeons & Dragons.
• Also at WOTC, Technical Product Manager to focus on the company’s product development process.

TCGplayer has numerous openings in Syracuse, New York and Atlanta, Georgia. Lots for Software Engineers and Product Engineers. Also for finance and data analytics and shipping. Two individual positions are worth highlighting, though. There’s one for a Digital Marketing Manager to be responsible for online marketing campaigns. And the company is looking for a General Manager of Seller Services, who will be a member of the executive leadership team and responsible for the company’s line of business supplying software tools to retailers.

ACD Distribution has several warehouse opportunities in Middleton, Wisconsin and Fresno, California. Also sales positions in Wisconsin.

Alliance Game Distributors is looking to hire a Sales Specialist in Roseville, Minnesota, specifically to work with Asmodee North America. The company also has openings for a Sales Trainee and an Administrative Assistant at its home offices in Maryland.

Asmodee North America, itself, is recruiting for a Trade Marketing Manager to support the sales team with PR, media relations, trade shows, and merchandising.

Games Workshop has many openings for retail work at various locations worldwide, also for a variety positions at headquarters in Nottingham, UK, including:

• Middle Earth Product Manager to coordinate production, promotion, and consistency with the source material.
• ‘Eavy Metal Painter for Forge World products including Horus Heresy and Middle Earth miniatures.
• Managing Editor for White Dwarf magazine.
• Games Developer for Warhammer Age of Sigmar products.
• Games Developer for Warhammer 40,000 products.
• Armies and Battlefields Painter for products to be showcased in Codexes, Battletomes, and other publications.
• Games Developer for specialist brands, such as Blood Bowl and Necromunda.
• Model Designer for specialist brands. Experience preferred but the position may be offered at a trainee level.
• Concept Artist to be part of the Citadel Miniatures conceptualiser team.

Gamerati in DuPont, Washington is looking to hire a full-time Social Content Creator/Community Manager for the company’s services to game publishers.

Board game-related freelance jobs posted on Upwork include:

• Design and production for an employee-training game ($3,000 fixed price).
• Rulebook-writing for a historical board game.
• Production of an animated instructional video for an adult card game.
• Social media management for an upcoming Kickstarter project: Facebook and Twitter.
• Graphic design for a game’s box, cards, and tokens.

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TCGplayer has received a $10 million equity investment from Radian Capital. The company says the money will allow it grow staff while it expands its collectible market portal and retail support service from CCGs to board games, roleplaying games, comic books, sports cards, and video games.

Mayfair Games is closing up shop and has sold all its remaining game assets, as well as its majority stake in Lookout Games of Germany, to Asmodee North America. Lookout will continue to operate as a design studio of Asmodee.

Spin Master has signed a distribution deal with Toysmith for a variety of toy brands, including games and puzzles from Spin Master’s Cardinal subsidiary. The arrangement, which takes affect in June, will see Toysmith as exclusive distributor to the specialty market for the covered ranges.

North Star Games has instituted a minimum advertised pricing (MAP) policy, which is “non-negotiable for all North Star Games’ resellers and will be strictly enforced to ensure the continued value of its brand.” The company also issued a statement saying that, effective immediately, except for two unnamed parties, all sellers will be restricted from participating in Amazon’s Third-Party Marketplace. North Star promises to monitor product listings and suspend or terminate the accounts of those sellers that do not comply.

Hasbro has signed on as the master toy licensee for Power Rangers (Saban Brands), UglyDolls (STX Entertainment), Super Monsters (Netflix), and Top Wing (Nickelodeon), though only the announcement for Power Rangers specifically mentions games.

According to NPD, Mattel’s UNO card game was the top selling game in the United States in 2017.

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Hasbro’s new Transformers Trading Card Game is scheduled for release in September. Though little else has been revealed publicly about this WOTC-developed game, I did get a look at some prototype product in Hasbro’s New York Toy Fair showroom. No photos but here’s what I learned…

In the game, Transformers are represented by oversized cards with bot versions on one side and vehicle versions on the other.

While not active yet, the official website will be TransformersTCG.com.

The contents of 2-player starter sets will include:

• 4 foil Transformers cards
• a 40 card battle deck
• damage counters
• turn order card

So, one battle deck for two players. Does that mean opposing players share a battle deck?

Also at Toy Fair, Ultra Pro said it is working with Hasbro to ship accessories (such as card folios and deck boxes) in time for the game’s launch.

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