The Big Update - Episode 1: Hobby Recap, Board Games & Advent Calendars

Hey folks, it's been a while since we've been together doing this. So yeah. >> Yeah, welcome back. >> Thank you very much. Um, you turned you back for five minutes. M goes mad the amount of cool stuff that I've been seeing coming down the line. So I thought we'd get together, do our usual kind of round up, find out what's been happening, and we'll start with like hobby products, miniatures games, that kind of thing. So I think first of all, we'll start off with Kings of War 4 cuz this wasn't around when I was last here. >> Okay. So that's good time Marcus. So the end of last year, fourth edition hit alongside invasion and fracture. The Zakari landed, the invasion happened, you know, and this is kind of just moved the map on if you like. I mean, there's just a whole big invasion. It's shaking everything up. And what we're trying to do now is just put it back and the >> and the game side of it we've been working on. I think by the end of this year when arrogance hits, we want it to be back where third was. >> Yeah. >> But built upon a much more fluid core rule system. >> Yes. There's a few niggles when we know that, you know, aiming is a pain and everything else, but we didn't want to start tinkering. We're going to make a big change with arrogance. Y >> and um we go there. Nature came out, beautiful army, really good fun. So, both of the areas that we wanted to lean into and do something well and then revisiting some of the classics like the Baselons and the ogres and abyss. >> And arrogance is the next book in next book coming up. But I think the next time you come back down from from Jordy Land, we will do a full hobby review. >> Yeah. >> Until then, Siege of Samarit just ended, which was our big global event. >> Yeah, I've seen that online. Seemed to be doing really well. And the result was >> the the Samarit stood. It's not fallen. It was pretty close. Uh but yeah, so on the map, you know, that was a it was a fall. It was a go no go point, but it stood. And we've got Clash of Kings coming up depending when this video goes out, but very soon this weekend or just without last weekend, but you know, I went to Lone Wolf, >> Kyle went down to Masters in the US, and I went over to um >> the Olds Clash of Kings this year at KCON. So, you know, it's been a real good year where we tried to stay close to it. We knew the changes on the engine underneath were big, >> and we probably underestimated how big, >> but I think, you know, the the core mechanics are there. There's some big rules that need tweaking like AIM, but the guys are on it, the people are on it. We wanted to have a full year of gaming >> and then we'll put it right. I think we've frustrated people with the army builder as well. Um, >> so you know, I don't play competitive, so I got lots of soldiers, but actually people want to have themed armies and everything else. So, we've listened, we've heard, we did a big survey and I think come Arrogance will be in a great place for that. >> Yeah, new edition's always a testing time. you're going to get some kind of some bigger than you think and we're not going to do it for a very very very long time, you know, having done this. >> Awesome. So, Kings of War in a good place and some tweaks to make it even better. >> Getting better. >> Halo when I was last around. So, the last thing I was working on was the release of the banished. That shows you how much has been around since I was last around here. So, yeah, tell me about Halo. >> So, there I mean a lot going on with Halo. Firstly, Feet First and Tail came out. We have the ODST. H in a couple of weeks we are shipping the grunts and the jackals. >> Y >> having said we're never doing another uh different edition. We've just put Spartan 1.5 out and this was when we launched it, you know, the license was giving us this and now they're letting us go into a lot more places. So we future proofed it. >> It's growing like crazy. >> We won't talk too much about it because we're going to do I think a proper dedicated Halo video because there's so much happening with that. It's growing. Um, we've just done the largest print run of the core game since the original print run. Yeah. So, it really is taking off, particularly in the US, Oz UK. Um, so we're going to go a whole video on that. But there is a lot going on with Halo. >> Great crossover game, people starting wargaming for the first time, four figures. >> Plenty plenty happening there. >> Definitely. It's been exciting for me almost as an outsider looking in as well having kind of so much behind the scenes and seeing to the point where it was like okay now I don't know what's coming next because everything I knew about is is now out. So it's great to see the new stuff coming. >> Yeah. And yeah when we deep dip in I think there'll be some good stories there because you were right there from the from the concept. >> Yeah. So another thing talking about being there from the concept. So one of the first jobs I ever had when I when I joined Mantic was Epic Warp after the launch of the Kickstarter. By the time I was I was leaving, Kickstarters were starting to get theirs, but it wasn't on retail shelves. It wasn't kind of out into the wider world, if you like. So, tell me about Epic. >> Well, this is big. I mean, crazy good fun. I mean, we we learned during it that there was a real demand for race specific, lots of choice in that epic scale. Super heavies were a big feature in it. So again, we got caught with a joyous amount of, you know, tariffs and dimminimous hitting and everything else, but we the guys worked really hard. They got our head down. I think it was a bigger project. When we started it was four factions. >> Yeah, >> I think we got a little bit excited, which is always dangerous in a Kickstarter. We probably should have done four and come back and did the other four. We didn't. There's eight factions. Again, we'll feature this in the hobby video we'll do in a couple of weeks, but >> there is a new Warp Path Universe Command Protocols book coming out before the end of the year. >> Excellent. >> It's going to have new units for every single epic army. It's going to have nameless plastics for both Dead Zone and Firefight. >> Fantastic. >> So, it's Rude Health, you know, and we've worked hard. We've kind of put it all together in one book that's going to cover it. There's a lot of people that love it and particularly epic. We've seen some fantastic armies coming out. So, all shipped, more to come. >> Fantastic. And and it's great to see it kind of in the flesh now, like all like the range all hanging together on the shelf. It looks really impressive as well. And I've seen some amazing stuff online of people with big battles and stuff. So, >> yeah, it's been great. >> Very creative project >> talking about big battles as well. Terrain. >> Yes, >> I've been seeing some of this stuff doing the rounds. So, tell me what's what's happening here. >> The joy with this is it's not this isn't Kings of War terrain. I mean, we've got that. Yeah. Okay. That is a complete Kings of War Games table. >> Yeah. And I think it's going to be featured at Clash this weekend of table number one. The size of everything is exactly >> everything's designed. You can put trays of minis on it and everything. Here's your woods. So the >> years of gaming take away all those friction points and argument points, but it isn't just for Kings of War. So the battlefields terrain, these hills are going crazy now. People are picking them up for any game you want to play. And they're flat, so they're practical while pretty. >> Yeah. >> And I think that's what we're trying to do. We did it with the terrain crate years ago with the walls and the hedges and the fences. >> But we've learned from there. So there's little templates so you can take it away. You know whether you're on it or off it. >> It's a great idea. >> And because I think you know when you spending this much on your war games army, you [clears throat] want your gaming term to look good. >> Of course you do. >> But it must be practical. >> Exactly. Yeah. And I think I mean this [laughter] >> I was going to say this one's very nicely done. But whilst this one looks like it's suitable for fantasy, looking at them there and then kind of the bare plastic as well, you can nothing to stop them being sci or anything like that. So historical and they're sturdy. Yeah, >> we purposely pretty enough practical. It's obviously a hill. Yeah, >> little bit detail and I black spray, brown spray flock. >> Job done. >> Little bit of water thing. So I had some water left over from my Northern Alliance champions [clears throat] faction. But uh yeah, really useful. And there's craters coming. It's just going to continue expanding. We're doing all the mats now. They're proven very popular. >> Um so >> lots and lots of hobby stuff going on from January to August. >> Yeah, just a bit mine. I must admit it. [laughter] turn away for two minutes. >> I was going to say like it's moved the needle a bit since I was last here. So, but it's good to see. So, that's hobby stuff and miniature war gaming. I think we'll take a little pause and then you can tell me all about board games with some exciting new news. Right, Ronnie? Before we get on to Mantic's other projects, I want to talk about Plans versus Zombies. And we got a bit of a world exclusive. We have. So, we announced it a while ago, but a lot of people missed it. It was a little bit of a just we're doing it. We went over to Pop Cap a while ago and I said, "Look, I really need to make this. It's in the theme of worms. Yeah. But that was a player versus player. Lot of fun, lot of chaos. >> This is cooperative. >> It's very similar to the computer game. One to four players. >> The big difference is as you complete a level, you will unlock new game components and then play again. So, it's a 15-minute game, but then you can play two or three or four games with your family, with your friends. You have a real good hoot of it. And the mechanics are very straightforward and layer up as you start adding more zombies or more plants to your game. >> Fantastic. So, we'll have a link in this video that will take you across to the Kickstarter page where you can sign up to follow it. And if you sign up, we get a free gift. >> You get a free zombie dice. Who doesn't want a free zombie dice? >> Why would you not do that? Um, and what we're also going to do is we're going to do a deep dive or a deeper dive I should say on Plants Versus Zombies as well as a second video. So, make sure you follow the socials and then you'll see that as Well, so if it's something you're interested in, which you should be, um, that's worth checking out as well. >> Yeah. Great. Great fun. >> So, next up, we'll talk about Assassin's Creed. >> Right, Ronnie, we're getting on to more mantic projects now. This time, we're talking Assassin's Creed Animus. Uh, and yes, some Kickstarter backers are going to be very, very pleased when this drops through their door. Um, but if you didn't back at a Kickstarter or you're a retailer, we also have retail options as well. But for the crazy folk out there, let's talk about the Kickstarter. Well, 16 timelines. They're all in there. So, we went a little bit mad. We did everything and we put them in this just gorgeous box which folds away. And in it, you've got the trays. This is the minis tray. >> And every single sculpt is there. Um, and they're just lovely, gorgeous meeples. You got your timelines, you got all your card decks, and then all your other contents for the game that you need, your rule book, and everything else. >> Yeah. >> Um, >> the joy of it is is very much I'm trying to do my mission. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> And I'm trying to mess up you doing yours. So, if I've got a card that helps me, I'll play that first. But if I don't, I will have a card that will probably mess you up. >> Very occasionally, you get one that actually helps them, and you have to put it down because you have to do something >> and you're trying to do yours. There's a lot of asynchronistic play. Yeah. So, the core mechanics are the same. What Connor has access to is very different than what evil has access to. And so, the Viking just wants weapons that kill people. And >> every timeline is in here. >> Yes. And then over here we've got the retail version where you've got the four main characters from four of the different timelines. >> Amazing. >> So in terms of Kickstarter, when is this due to arrive? >> So this is literally on the water right now. It should be with us in very early October. We will ship those out. As always, we print to around number. So when all the Kickstarter backers have theirs, we will then um make available any of the leftover. Yeah. But there is very few. So if you want one of these crazy things, grab it immediately. there is almost none available. Yeah. Um and then the retail version is going to hit late October. Going to be in stores uh late October. It's beautiful. It's a nice price. It's a nice good fun. It's a great Christmas present for anyone that likes Assassin's Creed. >> Yeah, definitely. So, don't hang around if you do fancy one of these gorgeous chests here. Um but don't fret if you don't manage to get one. You can still get the fantastic Assassin's Creed animus gameplay from the retail version. Right. Next up, Ronnie, I think we'll talk worms. Southern Ronnie, we're going to talk about worms now as well. And I can see a fantastic 30th anniversary edition there. Nice gold box. So tell me about this. >> So Kickstarter was a few years ago that allowed us to tool lots and lots and bring everything else. Everything you could possibly want and more out. Retail edition came out black retail worms black as we call it. >> Been going absolute gang busters. Reprinted it three times. >> 30th anniversary is coming up. We thought let's celebrate it with a special edition. Uh, a lot of the times people have been asking us for the other worms. You don't need them, but boy oh boy, do you want them. They look great. Fantastic. And the five and six player option. >> Yes. >> So, what this gives you is a five and six player option. It's got a upgraded token. So, you can actually the fire tokens now 3D as well. And a real smattering of the worms from the uh from the Kickstarter collection. So, everything you need for the ultimate experience. It's just less than the Kickstarter, but more than the retail. It's a one-off print. It's been very very popular. We printed a bonkers number of them. We've got a few left on our website. >> Yeah. >> So, mantgaves.com you can get it. And then there is some out there in the wild. >> Yeah. >> But all of our print run are gone. >> Other than the few we have reserved for our own website. So, I think if you want this, pick it up. Don't mess around. >> If you're on the fence, don't hang about. >> And then obviously that's not the only way you can play a worms. You can also play a worms now through a advent calendar as well. >> Yeah. Yeah. So, that was one of last year's uh advent calendars. We did worms and we did last year The Walking Dead. >> Yes. >> The idea here is every day you unlock a door. We all know what advent calendars are. The end of the 24 days, there's a rule book somewhere down the back. Yeah. >> You pop that out. There's a mat down the back. >> We've been listening to feedback. So, they've got um the new editions um have Velcro on them. So, the box reseals up so when you open all the doors. So, it's both a game and a joyous experience that if you're disciplined and organized, you can paint the models every day and on Christmas Day you can go and uh paint. So, we've got the usuals. Yeah. >> You know, Barin Brawl, Deep Space 9, some sci-fi fantasy. And then we've got a new one for this year. >> New one is Hellboy. >> So, this has been very popular. And obviously, right now we're talking to the Mantic fans. So, if you want to renew your subscription, the Hellboy, it's also the best game we've ever done. Uh it's definitely not snakes and ladders, frogs and ladders, but it just means you can pop it out Christmas Day and play because you already kind of know the core rules. Some of these are a bit complicated, let's say. Um and you get you get a hell boy, you get a sapion and >> so you get to do all the hobby that you enjoy doing and the family gets to enjoy a game that they don't have to spend. >> You don't have to spend hours learning in the game. There's a few little tweaks that make it a bit more hobbyesque, but it's the basics. Oh, you roll your dice, you move that many, don't land on a ladder. So, we also have the advent calendar as well, which is the fantasy dungeon scenery. Now, there's a couple of these now, isn't there? >> Fancy dungeon scenery and fancy dungeon heroes and monsters. >> Yes. So, this one has all of the kind of the 3D scenery to if you're an RPG player, you're a miniature gamer, you just want some cool scenery, you want a gift for your DM or something like that. >> Correct. I can see very much this is a gift for the DM. Thank you very much. Or someone that loves D and D. Some >> It's a great way of getting some figures on the table. And the joy of unpocking one of these. These are the two that don't have a game in them. >> Yes. >> But you end up with 24 pieces of terrain, 24 miniatures. I think the hero one, the heroes and monsters has abyssal dwarfs and goblins and skeletons and the four heroes from from the dungeon saga games. You got barbarian, a wizard, and so that's lovely and joyous. And then there's a terrain crate here. Yeah. And if you really want to say thank you to your GM crate, to your GM, or you really want to get into kind of role playing, the the GM's crate that we've got, we did a few years ago, but everything's been updated. So, you get the lovely new dragon. >> Uh get lots of skeletons, lots of goblins in this one. You get tons of terrain. Yeah. >> Uh and that's coming out probably in the next week, month or so as well. So, going up for pre-order, be out into the wild. That was very popular. have just brought it back but with everything new and upgraded. >> Amazing. So, good range of things there. It's never too early to pick up your advent calendar stuff. So, yeah, make sure you pick them up before you can't before they're all sold out. >> Yeah, they will sell out. The print run is the print run on these ones. When it hits zero, it's zero. >> And then in terms of uh Halo, we said we're going to do um an an update video specifically around the Halo stuff because there's so much to talk about. We might have a small little >> but we're in the board game section series. about all things you might want gifting for Christmas. There is the Halo campaign evolve the board game. >> Yeah. >> This is a solo play. >> Okay. >> So, you're going to get Master Chief. >> Yeah. >> And he's going to land on a spaceship thing, you know, Halo [snorts] and start killing Covenant. Um we've recreated the the campaign evolved from the computer game and he just does level after level. He just chunks his way through. Um >> great fun. It's going to come out alongside a new faction. There will be a third faction for Halo before the end of the year. So, but we wanted to also kind of celebrate for those people that aren't yet hardcore gamers. This is a lovely way to get into it. But there is a new Master Chief in there. There's also a new Covenant model is in there and they have the stats to to put them back into Flashoint. So, amazing. >> If you're into it, it's a lovely thing. If it's not, it's a great way of um playing some solo gaming over there. >> Fantastic. So, no doubt we'll we'll pick up on that again later near the time. But yeah, stay tuned. Make sure that you do subscribe to the Mantic YouTube channel and all of our socials where we'll be telling you a lot more about um about Planets Versus Zombies and we'll also be telling you the full lowdown as well on all of the new Halo stuff coming. So, from me, Ronnie, thank you very much. >> Yep. We'll see you all a few weeks time and we'll be doing a deep dive on all of the hobby stuff we have coming. So, we'll be revisiting Kings of War and War Path universes with a deep dive on those two. And until then, see you soon. >> See you folks.