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Origins 2006, Day 1

	Author: Jim Zabek Article Type: Convention Coverage Publication Date: 6/30/2006 Related Categories: Business and Industry, Convention Coverage

Origins 2006 - Day 1 (continued)

I watched the players as their Defcon status elevated to three…then two…and then the US forces stood down. It was all high drama and great fun – compressed into just a single hour of an eight hour game. It’s the kind of game I got a real kick out of just watching. I’m already hooked and will be signing up for a game for GenCon in Indianapolis later this summer. 

In addition to the wargaming companies, several other favorites of mine are back. The folks at Slugfest Games have sold out of Kung Fu Fighting, and are furiously working on an expansion even as they order more copies of the original because it has sold out. They have a new dueling game called En Garde! that does an excellent job of simulating a fencing duel. It has some elements of tongue in cheek, but I was very pleasantly surprised at how well it represented the thrust and parry of western renaissance swordplay. 

As far as fantasy miniatures go, Magnificent Egos has a new dragon that stands about 18 inches tall. Running $250, for those who pre-order the game they’re adding an additional limited edition figure. It’s expected to be released on August 10th, just a day before GenCon opens. The Magnificent Egos figures are some of the most detailed I have ever seen and they can be a challenge to paint, but they sure look good.

One of the more interesting RPG events is the return of Paradigm Concepts’ Battle Interactive. In it, 221 Dungeons & Dragons players will participate in a grand battle for control of a Dwarven Mine. The event will be held on Saturday and I’ll get a birds’ eye view of the action as role-playing meets tactical wargame. It’s a very intriguing concept and one that I’m looking forward to.

With events for tens of thousands of gamers there is a great deal of gaming going on. Keep visiting The Wargamer for more info in the coming days as we continue to bring coverage of the events through the weekend. 

Magnificent Egos new dragon	The Great Cthulhu from Wiz Kids.
Slugfest Games	Yarrr matey.  Costumes are light on Thursdays.

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