IELLO just shot out a teaser for their new combat game, Arena: For the Gods. The game, premiering at Origins 2017 in June, is an arena combat game with a bidding mechanic that uses life points to purchase better equipment. There’s not a whole lot of information about the game right now, but it will come with a sweet looking King of Tokyo card, too!

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A Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series premier-level event will be held on June 15-19, with the Main Event scheduled for June 18-19, during the five-day Origins show at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.

Pre-registration for YCS Origins will run from 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Friday, June 17 and registration will continue promptly at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 18. Registrants will receive 5 Shining Forces booster packs, and an exclusive YCS Origins play mat.

What are the prizes?

1st Place – Ultra Rare Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series Prize Card: Minerva, The Exalted Lightsworn; Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series Trophy; Paid travel and accommodations to the winner’s 2016 World Championship Qualifier; VIP Status at the winner’s 2016 World Championship Qualifier; PlayStation 4 system
Invite to the 2016 World Championship Qualifier tournament;
Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series Top Cut Game Mat; and 20 Ultimate Duelist Series (UDS) Points

2^nd place – Super Rare Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series Prize Card: Minerva, The Exalted Lightsworn; 32GB Tablet PC; Invite to the 2016 World Championship Qualifier tournament; Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series Top Cut Game Mat; and 10 UDS Points

3^rd place – Super Rare Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series Prize Card: Minerva, The Exalted Lightsworn; Xbox One console; Invite to the 2016 World Championship Qualifier tournament; Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series Top Cut Game Mat; and 10 UDS Points

4^th place – Xbox One console; Invite to the 2016 World Championship Qualifier tournament; Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series Top Cut Game Mat; and 10 UDS Points

5^th – 8^th place – Nintendo 3DS XL; Invite to the 2016 World Championship Qualifier tournament; Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series Top Cut Game Mat; and 10 UDS Points

9^th – 16^th place – 24 booster packs of Shining Victories; Invite to the 2016 World Championship Qualifier tournament; Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series Top Cut Game Mat; and 10 UDS Points

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Originz: The Superpowered Card Game is a game of super powered combat. Inside the box is 12 pre-constructed decks, each representing a different ability. Players can use these decks as is, or customize them to their own desires.

Game play is quick, and your deck represents both your abilities and your health. Play cards wisely to destroy your opponent, but make sure you don’t run out. Once you’re out of cards, that’s it for you. It’s an interesting mechanic trying to balance card use and your health.

The prototype looks excellent, and Flavor Faction (local to me in Simsbury, CT!) will be launching a Kickstarter for the game around October. I got a chance to play at CT FIG, and the gameplay is fast and brutal. I played the Super Speed deck, and I quickly got all my best cards out and forced my opponent to zero cards before they were able to do much. Card play and combos are super satisfying, and I can’t wait to have a change to dig further into the decks and some customization. Seeing as Flavor Faction is right around the corner for me, I’m hoping to get that opportunity sooner rather than later!

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Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending, and judging at, the first annual Connecticut Festival of Indie games, hosted by Geek Fever Games at Elm City Games in New Haven, CT. Jason Miceli of GeekFever served as MC and organizer, while Matt Loter of Elm City Games (and Prettiest Princess Games) was the overly enthusiastic, yet charming, host.
The day was full of gaming, with loads of indie game developers showing off their designs to a building full of attendees. Every nook and cranny was filled with booths, and a lot of laughter good times were had all around. It was hard to believe when 4:00pm rolled around and it was time for the judges to meet and pick their favorite games in each category. It took about an hour of deliberation, but the winners were announced shortly after 5:00pm.

Best Artwork:
Dragoon, Lay Waste Games

Best 1st Impression:
Moon Quake Escape, Pair of Jacks

Most Innovative:
Depths of Durangrar, Creative Cove Games

Most Spirit:
Oh My Gods, Gameworthy Labs

Best in Show:  
Dragoon, Lay Waste Games

Best in Show runner-up: Guardians of AsunDur, DPH Studioz
Best in Show runner-up: Grab the Booty, Counter Meta Games
Best in Show runner-up: Originz the Superpowered Card Game, Flavor Faction

I’d like to congratulate all the winners. Competition was tough, and there was a lot of great games shown at the festival. CT FIG was a huge success, and I can’t wait until next year’s festival to see what it brings.

I’ll have some more coverage of what I saw at the show soon, so keep a look out.

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The winners of the 2015 Origins Awards, as given out by The Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts & Design at the Origins Game Fair, are:

• Best Game Accessory—Wings of Glory Game Mat from Ares Games
• Best Historical Miniatures Rules—Sails of Glory from Ares Games
• Best Historical Miniatures Rules Supplement—Battleground Europe from Warlord Games
• Best Historical Miniatures Figure or Line—Sails of Glory Series 2 from Ares Games
• Best Historical Board Game—Heroes of Narmandie from Iello
• Best Traditional Card Game—Splendor from Asmodee
• Best Collectible Card Game or Expansion—Magic: The Gathering Khans of Tarkir from Wizards of the Coast
• Best Miniatures Rules or Expansion—Golem Arcana from Harebrained Schemes
• Best Miniatures Figure or Line—Dungeons & Dragons Attack Wing from WizKids
• Best Roleplaying Game—Dungeons & Dragons Player’s Handbook from Wizards of the Coast
• Best Roleplaying Supplement or Adventure—Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual from Wizards of the Coast
• Best Family, Party or Children’s Game—The Hare and the Tortoise from Iello
• Best Board Game—Sheriff of Nottingham from Arcane Wonders

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WizKids Games announced their partnership with Nickelodeon to produce several games based on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The first two games will be TMNT-branded HeroClix and Dice Masters games, both of which are scheduled for release in 2015. The announcement made at Origins 2015 indicates that additional TMNT games will be coming from WizKids.

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