Who hasn`t had nightmares about GW`s dreaded Orcs? Great Guitar Lessons: August 2006

Sunday, August 27, 2006

Who Needs GW?


Who needs GW?
Me! I am a pushover for their eyecandy and terrain and shameless
self-serving attitude towards what we hold near and dear.

I make very few GW purchases compared to earlier times.
I hope that means I am wiser but more likely means I am just getting
stingier.
The plastic box sets of figures were quite a good deal but I heard they
increased the prices on those last month. I was all set to dive into
Battle of The Five Armies but when they jacked up the price from 50
to 80 bucks US I had to say no. I really like Warmaster and the 10mm
scale for large fantasy battles but if I ever do it, it will be with
another
manufacturer's figures.

Mike M. figures they are targeting almost exclusively the 12-14 year old
market so we geezers have no leverage at all in convincing them to change
what they are doing. As a crusader, part-time anyway, for the gaming
hobby,
I can only be disappointed because kids are going to get drawn in by the
marketing angle then when they get burned enough by the prices and
business
practices, a large proportion of them are going to go back to
computer games.

The kids will have often been playing in a GW shop so have little
exposure to
other manufacturers. I figure the best approach is to promote wherever and
whenever possible by maintaining an open, friendly, welcoming attitude to
new people of (almost) any age. I am not above reducing rules of a game to
moving some figures and rolling a few dice- because that is what it
is anyway.
That is one of the reasons I respect you.

Your promotion of Kev-con and welcoming pretty much anyone (even
role-players!)
who signs on to the JIGG list is outstanding. Keep it up!

For reasonably priced figures I suggest Dragglestown. It is great and
if I had any
space open in my drawers I would dive on those cheapies.

Mike Stetson
http://www.KevinsWarStore.com

KevCon Oct 6th-9th, 2006







When: Friday October 6th until Monday evening October 9th. Four Days
of Game Playing
Start Time: 6PM Friday October 6th

I actually have to work on Friday, but will try to be there at about
8PM on Friday,
October 6th.

Where is KevCon?: Kevin`s English School, Tsukahara Station,(Daiyuzan
Line)
Minami Ashigara City, Kanagawa. It`s not your typical school in Japan.
It looks like a cottage with wooden floors and tables. It is pretty
nice! Address: 2659-4 Tsukahara, Minami Ashigara City, Kanagawa

Come for one or all days. Bring a sleeping bag and sleep over or
reserve one of the beds available in this Kari River side cottage-like
house. Views of Mount Fuji and surrounding rice fields can be had.
Email Kevin to reserve a bed: greatpowers@yahoo.com

Come anytime! Bring your favourite games or play
what other people have brought. Also Kevin has an extensive collection of
wargames and boardgames in the club house or you can even check out
the games in Kevin`s War Store downstairs! http://www.KevinsWarStore.com

How to Get There from:
Tokyo, Fujisawa, Atsugi, Machida or Yokohama:
Take the Odakyu Line to Odawara and be sure to get into one of the
first four train cars as the train splits. Take a Kyuko (express
train) it has
red kanji on the side usually next to the door up top. It takes about
90 minutes.
Get off at Odawara Station and transfer to the Daiyuzan Line. Get off
at Iiwahara
Station, it takes about 11 minutes from Odawara. Take the only exit,
cross the
train tracks and take your first left. Walk straight until you see a
white house
across the street from the Fuji Supermarket. There will be a sign saying
Merry Lue and Kevin`s English School.

How to Get There:
From Shizuoka, Nagoya and other points South: Take the
Tokaido line or the Shinkansen and get off at Odawara. Transfer to
the Daiyuzan line and follow the directions above (for Tokyo).

**The Shinkansen also stops at Odawara. You take a Kodama Super
Express. It
takes about 40 minutes from Tokyo. Costs a little over 3,000 Yen one way.

Right next door is a restaurant. Across the street is the supermarket.
Downstairs is Kevin`s War Store and Merry Lue`s General Store if you
want some Doritos etc.

We have an oven, gas table stove, large fridge and microwave. Bath and
shower,
plus a load of games and game related books you can read. Plus you can
buy some
games from Kevin`s War Store which is located inside the cottage and
downstairs
on the first floor.

Take a break from the city and see some mountain views and breathe
some fresh air.

Email me if you`d like to come: greatpowers@yahoo.com

Feel free to pass this on to interested people. Games of all kinds
welcome. Bring whatever you would like to play, chances are, others
will want
to play it too.

I may run a game myself or see what people want to run. I will keep
posting updates of what games will be run at our various JIGG Clubs.

At one KevCon we had over twenty people and JIGG was actually featured
in The
Mainichi Daily News. It was great to see JIGG in the Tokyo media! Last
KevCon
was one of the best! It was great to meet so many of you!

What facilities do we have for playing games?
We have three large tables and two large rooms to play in. We also
have a large boardgame and wargame library to choose from.

Clean up:
Please wash your own dishes or put them in the dishwasher. Rinse out
your cans
or bottles. Some can be deposited across the street in the recyle bin
next to the drink
machine (across the street next to the supermarket). Please ensure to
separate recycle
ables into cans, pet bottles etc. This will help me to clean up faster.

Email Kevin at:
greatpowers@yahoo.com To tell me you are coming and I
will Email you my phone number should you need it.

Kevin Burns
Co-Founder of JIGG
http://greatpowers1.googlepages.com/jigg%3Ajapan%60sinternationalgamersguild
http://www.jigg-greatpowers.blogspot.com
http://www.KevinsWarStore.com

Sunday, August 20, 2006

Shockforce



Pictured: KevCon, one of our house cons in Kanagawa, Japan


A game that I would suggest is Shockforce. The rules are completely
generic but it does come with a post-apocalyptic setting that you can
use if you want. The trooper design system is the first gem here. You
can take any mini you have and give it whatever stats you want,
weapons, armor, etc. and cost out the points and there ya go. It does
not tie you down to any universe or line of figures. The second
highlight is the rules are easy, intuitive, and use opposed dice rolls
so both players are involved in combat. Each player takes a turn
activating-moving-shooting, a squad or character so again there is
more interaction. I can yammer on about this game as it is one of my
favorites. I can send you more info later. I think the kids would get
into it as well as it is so easy but rewards sensible tactics and
gives players some tough decisions about what to do with their troops.

Get on the Shockforce Yahoo Group and get the Space Marines and Orks
characteristics and weapons stats to give the rules a test run. Set up
5 Marines and 10 Orks and give it a whirl.

Nick Johnson

With Hostile Intent



Pictured: A game of Mammoths at KevCon

Konnichiwa Kevin-san!

This may seem a bit out of the blue, but I joined months ago (I think
after seeing a post on theminiaturespage.com) in anticipation of
presenting some material to your side of the world and felt this was a
good venue to do so. I don't expect you've heard of me or my small
start-up company (Ninja Magic, LLC) yet, but I'm working on developing
a 3d starship combat game called "With Hostile Intent" as well as a
line of miniatures and accessories. You can see some other material at
ninjamagic.com.

Though the rules will be in development for probably another year, I
wanted to let you know that I have an introductory version of the
"With Hostile Intent" rules, as well as some other material and
information, now available in a free online magazine called "The Great
Machine." Issue 19 has the materials and can be found here:

http://planetside.firenebula.com/greatmachine/

This is a Babylon 5 Wars related fan-produced publication, so much of
the content is related to that game system. I've been a part of the
B5W community for quite a while and in fact a lot of aspects of my
game are influenced by that game - so my target audience is naturally
that group and those who like that general level of detail.

This introductory version (in a very informal format) teaches about
80% of the most common rules and should give you a very good feel as
to how my game works and plays. If you or your customers happen to
give it a try, I'd love to hear your/their impressions since it may be
different than here in the US.

I hope you enjoy it!

Domo aringato gozaimasu,

Todd

--This article was republished from Kevin`s War Store Forum
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/KevinsWarStore

Hurricon 2006


Pictured: A scene from KevCon in Kanagawa, Japan

Greeting, fellow wargamers! It is time to start getting ready for
Hurricon 2006 in sunny Orlando, Florida September 21-24, 2006! The
particulars are as follows:

We are thrilled to announce we indeed have a new home and what a
home it is!

HURRICON 2006 will be held at the Holiday Inn, International Drive,
Orlando

www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hd/mcoid

Yes you read that right, in the heart of Orlando. 3/4 of a mile from
I-4 and 2 miles from the Turnpike we are truly at the "heart" and
crossroads of Florida.

Let's get to the important stuff. More gaming room then ever and all
in real facilities! No more temporary lights in the Atrium or DBA
tournaments in hallways all spaces are fully enclosed and well lite.
The main ballroom is over 9,800 square feet compared to less then
half that for the ballroom in the Comfort Inn. We will be
subdividing that but the main gaming space will still be larger then
that at Comfort Inn. We also have several large breakout rooms to
use. And yes Seekrieg fans, once again you will enjoy your very own
Command Post!

And that's not all. There is yet another ballroom available to
expand into as well as even more breakout rooms! Can you all say
room to grow? And how about this for a change, they actually
designed the spaces as a Convention center which means separate
entrances NOT through the hotel lobby. For dealers you can drop off
your "goodies" mere feet from the main ballroom.

Rooms are new and guess what, the climate control systems actually
work! Tired of the old "no room at the inn" line? How about 652
rooms! Each room comes with a NEW mini fridge, NEW microwave (bring
that popcorn to go with the beer) and a safe. There are actually two
facilities there with the so called "resort rooms" in the main
facility and convenient to the pool and restaurants and the tower
rooms, directly adjacent. The tower rooms are a bit bigger. There is
a full service restaurant with breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Unfortunately no free breakfast but a nice breakfast buffet at a
reasonable price as well as ordering off the menu. Full service
lunch and dinner menus as well. There is a small food court for
those wishing a quick bite. Of course there is a lounge, in fact
two. One indoors and of course one outdoors by the pool, you would
expect anything less from us? Remember the little kiosk in the
Atrium? Multiple that by about 50 times and throw in a small grocery
and you have their equivalent.

And once you are there you park and that's it. Right outside the
door is literally hundreds of dining and shopping choices. Within a
5 minute WALK are an amazing selection to include a Pizza Hut,
Starbucks, Buffalo Wings and more and more and more. No more long
slogs to a restaurant or long waits for delivery of cold pizza.

Want to bring the family? Start with a world class pool, with
waterfall, that opens at 7:30 in the morning! Take a quick dip,
shower, grab breakfast and hit the game tables while the family
enjoys not only the pool but how about a beach volleyball court.
Right across the street and about a block down is Wet `N Wild Water
Park. 2 miles from Universal Studios and 3 from Sea World. I could
go on but you get the idea.

I could go on and on and on but I think a quick trip to their site
will convince you. Oh, and price. You knew there had to be some
downside right. Yes, you still have to pay for your room. Price for
the Convention will be $99. Yes a bit higher then the Comfort Inn
and yes, no mold garden in the bathroom and the soap dishes are
actually attached and not duct taped to the wall but then they do
change the sheets after each occupant.

So there it is. Our new home for this years HURRICON. We are also
completing a contract for RECON 07 and sincerely hope that this will
be our new home now and in the future.

IMPORTANT. What we need from you is to get the word out! Obviously
already short notice for HURRICON. We will soon add a link to the
website to allow you to connect directly to the Holiday Inn for
reservations. We are back to the good old days where use of the
facility is tied to room nights, no more food and beverage nonsense.
We NEED you all to get the word out. Many of you are members of
other groups and boards and we need for you to spread the word!

This is a new phase in YOUR Chapter's history. We firmly believe
that the location combined with the best damn gamers, game masters
and vendors anywhere will result in further growth.

For more info on Hurricon:

http://www.hmgs-south.com/

Chris Carpenter,
Ft. Myers, FL

KevCon: One of our House Cons

The happen about once every three months. Stay tuned here to find out about the next one. They usually happen on a weekend and often on a long weekend or during times
when most players have time off work.

Where: Kevin`s English School, Tsukahara Station,(Daiyuzan Line)
Minami Ashigara City, Kanagawa. It`s not your typical school in Japan.
It looks like a cottage with wooden floors and tables. It is pretty nice! Address: 2659-4 Tsukahara, Minami Ashigara City, Kanagawa

Bring a sleeping back and sleep over or
reserve one of the beds available in this Kari River side cottage-like
house. Views of Mount Fuji and surrounding rice fields can be had.

Come anytime! Bring your favourite games or play
what other people have brought. Also Kevin has an extensive collection of
wargames and boardgames in the club house or you can even check out
the games in Kevin`s War Store downstairs! http://www.KevinsWarStore.com

How to Get There from:
Tokyo, Fujisawa, Atsugi, Machida or Yokohama:
Take the Odakyu Line to Odawara and be sure to get into one of the
first four train cars as the train splits. Take a Kyuko (express
train) it has
red kanji on the side usually next to the door up top. It takes about
90 minutes.
Get off at Odawara Station and transfer to the Daiyuzan Line. Get off
at Iiwahara
Station, it takes about 11 minutes from Odawara. Take the only exit,
cross the
train tracks and take your first left. Walk straight until you see a
white house
across the street from the Fuji Supermarket. There will be a sign saying
Merry Lue and Kevin`s English School.

How to Get There:
From Shizuoka, Nagoya and other points South: Take the
Tokaido line or the Shinkansen and get off at Odawara. Transfer to
the Daiyuzan line and follow the directions above (for Tokyo).

**The Shinkansen also stops at Odawara. You take a Kodama Super
Express. It
takes about 40 minutes from Tokyo. Costs a little over 3,000 Yen one way.

Right next door is a restaurant. Across the street is the supermarket.
Downstairs is Kevin`s War Store and Merry Lue`s General Store if you
want some Doritos etc.

We have an oven, gas table stove, large fridge and microwave. Bath and
shower,
plus a load of games and game related books you can read. Plus you can
buy some
games from Kevin`s War Store which is located inside the cottage and
downstairs
on the first floor.

Take a break from the city and see some mountain views and breathe
some fresh air.

Email me if you`d like to come: greatpowers@yahoo.com

Feel free to pass this on to interested people. Games of all kinds
welcome. Bring whatever you would like to play, chances are, others
will want
to play it too.

I may run a game myself or see what people want to run. I will keep
posting updates of what games will be run at our various JIGG Clubs.

At one KevCon we had over twenty people and JIGG was actually featured
in The
Mainichi Daily News. It was great to see JIGG in the Tokyo media! Last
KevCon
was one of the best! It was great to meet so many of you!

What facilities do we have for playing games?
We have three large tables and two large rooms to play in. We also
have a large boardgame and wargame library to choose from.

Clean up:
Please wash your own dishes or put them in the dishwasher. Rinse out
your cans
or bottles. Some can be deposited across the street in the recyle bin
next to the drink
machine (across the street next to the supermarket). Please ensure to
separate recycle
ables into cans, pet bottles etc. This will help me to clean up faster.

Email Kevin at:
greatpowers@yahoo.com To tell me you are coming and I
will Email you my phone number should you need it.

Kevin Burns
Co-Founder of JIGG
http://www.eikaiwa1.com/game.html

http://www.KevinsWarStore.com

JIGG Information

神奈川県西部歴史シミュレーションゲーム協会

歴史シミュレーションゲーム(HSG)についてはこのページをご覧ください。(全文英語)

オンライン・ゲームコミュニティへもどうぞ。参加するとイベントの案内等をメールでお知らせします。参加無料です。
南神奈川歴史シミュレーションボードゲーム協会オンラインへ


ミーティングは通常神奈川県西部の小田原市か南足柄市で開催します。メンバーは歴史、政治、経済、未来、フィクション等のゲームを楽しむ人ばかりです。ゲームはボードゲームだったり、カードゲームだったり、コンピュータゲームだったりします.

JIGG小田原ウォーゲームサクル。私達は歴史のゲームが好きです。たとえば「将軍」や「関が原」のよな日本の歴史のゲームをします。世界の歴史のゲームもします。私達はPEACEが大すきです。戦争のことをよく考えるので本当に悪いことだとわかります。ご連絡下さい:
カテゴリ: ウォーゲーム

KevCon: ゲーム競技大会 Information

KevCon: ゲーム競技大会

土曜日の夜はインターナショナルパーティーがありますので、もしよければ参加して下さ
い。参加ご希望の方は、greatpowers@yahoo.comまでご連絡下さい。

場所: ケビンズイングリッシュスクール塚原校 大雄山線塚原駅近く 日本の代表的なス
クールとは違います。木製のフロアとテーブルのある、コテージのような所です。とても
良い所です。住所は、神奈川県南足柄市塚原2659-4です。

参加は1日でも毎日でも構いません。寝袋持参で泊まっても構いません。なお、狩川に面
したこのコテージのような家にはベッドが備えてあります。富士山が見えて、畑に囲まれ
た家です。

いつでも来て下さい。好きなゲームがあったら持ってきて下さい。そのゲームや他の方が
持ってきたゲームでも遊びましょう。このクラブハウスにもたくさんのウォーゲームや
ボードゲームがあります。また、1階のケビンズウォーストアもチェックして下さい。
http://www.KevinsWarStore.com

東京、藤沢、厚木、町田、横浜方面から来られる方:
小田急線小田原行、急行(必ず前4両)に乗って下さい。ほとんどの車両のドアの上の方
に赤く漢字で急行と出ています。小田原駅までおよそ90分。小田原駅で大雄山線に乗り換
え、岩原駅下車。小田原からだいたい11分位です。 出口を出て(ひとつしかありませ
ん)踏切を渡り、左折。そのまままっすぐ歩くと、白い家が見えます。Fujiスーパーの向
かい側で、「メリールー&ケビンズイングリッシュスクール」の看板が見えます。

静岡、名古屋などの西方面から来られる方:
東海道線か新幹線に乗り、小田原駅下車。大雄山線に乗り換えたら、上と(東京方面か
ら)同じです。

*新幹線は小田原にも止まります。こだまに乗って下さい。東京から40分。片道3000円。

食堂の隣、スーパーの向かい側にあります。一階はケビンズウォーストア&メリールー
ジェネラルストアです。何か欲しい物があったら立ち寄ってみて下さい。

オーブン、ガスコンロ、冷蔵庫、電子レンジあり。お風呂、シャワーもあります。たくさ
んのゲームやゲーム関連本もあります。このコテージ内のケビンズウォーストアや一階で
ゲームを購入できます。

都会から離れて、息抜きしましょう。山を見たり、新鮮な空気を吸いましょう。

参加希望者は、greatpowers@yahoo.comまでご連絡下さい。

興味のある方は遠慮なく参加して下さい。何のゲームでも構いません。遊びたいゲームを
持参して下さい。他の参加者にもその楽しさを教えてあげて下さい。

私自身もゲームをしたり、皆さんがどんなゲームをしたいのか、チェックするつもりで
す。このJIGGクラブで行われるゲームは最新の情報としてお知らせしていきます。

ある時のKevConでは20人強が参加し、そのJIGGは毎日デイリーニュースで特集されまし
た。東京のメディアで紹介されるのはすばらしいことです!前回のKevConもとても楽しみ
ました。たくさんの方に出会えて嬉しかったです。

必要な設備は?
大きなテーブルが3つ、ゲーム用の部屋が2つあります。ボードゲームとウォーゲームのラ
イブラリーもあり、好きなゲームが選べます。

掃除について:
お皿は自分で洗うか、食器洗浄機へ。缶やびんはすすいで下さい。道を渡った所に自動販
売機があり、缶を捨てられます。必ず缶、ペットボトルなど、分別して下さい。ご協力、
お願いします。


ケビンバーンズまでご連絡下さい。
greatpowers@yahoo.com

参加者には、希望であれば電話番号を教えます。


ケビンバーンズ
JIGG共同設立者
http://greatpowers1.googlepages.com/jigg%3Ajapan%60sinternationalgamersguild

http://www.KevinsWarStore.com