Just to get the names with the games....

There are sort of three Japanese groups so far in the International Game Series (IGS)...each distinctive in style...

Samurai Lords is by Yukihiro Kuroda but this is better referred to as a "Suzuki" or an "Epoch" game. This is the guy that MMP got a ton of game contracts announced a few months back if you remember. A D-Day game is coming soon by Suzuki for prepub. Suzuki is sort of like the Jim Dunnigan of Japan.

Red Star Rising is by Masashiro Yamazaki...better known as "Mas". He designed some english games like Stalingrad Pocket. These are "Mas" games...more coming by Mas down the line. Mas is the Eastern Front fan.

Most Dangerous Time (and Warriors of God - which you guys aren't into but should be :)) is a Nakamura game. Nakamura designed AVL and FitS and was the guiding hand for Target Arnhem. These are Game Journal games.

So, so far, Suzuki games, Mas games, Game Journal games...and Japan won't be the only country soon so more names are coming...

If you want to know more about any of these (or any others), feel free to ask...

For what it is worth, after listening to your show and seeing what you'se (from NYC you know) like, I would say that the games on IGS/MMP prepub you would most likely want are ordered like such:

Warriors of God
Samurai Lords
Most Dangerous Time
Red Star Rising...

Best show ever if you ask me, gentlemen

Hi, Skunky,

Going back and re-listening now with your criticism in mind. I see what you're saying...I guess that we've talked about a number of the games before in interviews/etc., and I guess we kept those conversation in mind as we spoke.

Now, I do think we at least mentioned something about most of the games more than just a "this looks good," but what we need to do is a little "summary" of each game as we begin to discuss it.

Thanks again for the feedback!

Jason

still listening...you're right...sorry about not being specific enough...

As I said before, I guess I assumed that we have discussed these games before, but we need to remember that each episode may be someone's first, or that it's been so long since we discussed a certain game that we can't assume people know what we're talking about...

Hi Jason -

I didn't intend to sound overly critical, but sometimes I do. Without the trappings of actual data, let me describe what must be a large segment of your audience.

These are people who are interested in wargaming, probably played quite a few, but may or may not be familiar with the particular game under discussion, and may or may not recall tangential comments from earlier episodes. Well, ok, I do have some data - that describes me, but hopefully quite a few others.

It's fair to assume a little more from you audience where you've devoted extended segments to particular games - such as Crusader Rex, Shifting Sands, and that unnamed game covering the geo-political situation in Europe in the very early years of the nineteenth century. If they missed the episode, it would be easy to locate from the show notes and they won't be listening to 45 minutes of show to catch a 90-second aside.

Speaking of that game of geopolitical nineteenth century Europe, I had a lowball order on Ebay execute. I'm holding you and Scott responsible, I hope you're satisfied :-p

Actually, I would be fine if we ban talking about Pre-Orders unless they involve a company representative or designer. That does not include pimping some titles that we are curious about.

My favorite shows are game reviews and I enjoyed the our one All About show. The only problem with All About shows is I feel like you should really know the game before you shoot your mouth off.

Now don't go throwing the baby out with the bath.

Game reveiws and talk about pre-orders won't ever get the highest marks from me, but I am definitely interested in hearing something thoughtful about games I haven't encountered.

At some point, you may have publishers trying to influence which games you talk about, or even how you talk about them. You'll want to figure out how to handle that before the situation comes up.

Right now, you have me convinced it's just one gamer to another, and that's one thing I really enjoy about your show.

The problem I have with talking too much about pre-orders is we do not know enough about the subject matter. In fact, we know what you know...or could find out at least.

Basically, it is hard to be thoughtful about a game none of us has played. I actually would not mind if publishers wanted to pimp there games on our show. Obviously we have no interest in being bribed into saying something we don't believe...unless it is a lot of money anyway. Having an insider would make it a lot more interesting because then you can gain some real insight into the game.

I like the pre-order discussions. It is nice to know what is out there and get some thoughts on them, even if they are limited. Company reps would be a good idea. Can you line any up? We have not heard from Keith Dalton since ep #6.

BTW, I like the website upgrades.

re: Worthington Games

Jason, you need to check before you drop a bomb stating it (Cowboys: WotG) is the only thing they have on preorder. They have several more, including the Mexican/American war verison of their "Wars for America" series (Clash and For Honor...) http://www.worthingtongames.com/Pledge%20Page.html

You do them a disservice by not checking first. They have some great games for a small company and they need all the support they can get.

BTW - the preorder episode was a great idea.

I think he made up for this with the interview in Ep 18!

I'm fascinated by the re-release of WK as well. Some time ago, I was trying to peddle a design to Columbia as a collectible block game. In aid of which, I posted a poll on their site about the feasibility of collectible blocks. Feedback was uniformly negative (which I think I agreed with). Sooo...we'll have to see how this goes, eh?