An Excerpt of Next George R R Martin Book in Dragon Mag #305

[Sharpe]

For those anxiously awaiting the next Song of Ice and Fire book (A Feast for Crows) which was recently pushed back from April to October 2003, there is 20 page excerpt in the newest issue of Dragon Magazine.

I just read it today and it whetted my appetite for more :).

Plus Dragon has some interesting commentary on the proposed Revision of the 3rd Edtion AD&D rules. Not sure how this will affect games...

Dan

[Tyjenks]

For those anxiously awaiting the next Song of Ice and Fire book (A Feast for Crows) which was recently pushed back from April to October 2003, there is 20 page excerpt in the newest issue of Dragon Magazine.

I just read it today and it whetted my appetite for more :).

Dan

Dammit Sharpe!! I had finally put SoIaF and the delay out of my mind and was moving on with my life. You had to rip the scab off, didn't you?

[Anonymous]

Goddamnit... I'm halfway reading the excerpt in Dragon Magazine and all I can keep telling myself is I HAVE ANOTHER SIX TO NINE MONTHS OF WAITING TO GET THE REST OF THIS STORY.... Arghhhhhhh...

I also keep telling myself that if Martin is gonna wrap this thing up in six books, and if he's gonna take 3 years to write each of the remaining books, we won't be done with these series until 2009, or just about when Robert Jordan will finally get around to the halfway point on his series.

It doesn't help if you look at George Martin's photo on his web site. He looks like he could keel over from a heart attack or something. I just pray to god he doesn't die before this series is done. Cause that would well and truly suck.

[Qenan]

Can't bear to spoil the book for myself, must... hold... out... longer...

[Xero]

I loved the first three books and regularly rub my hands together in glee anticipating the fourth book.

[Woolen Horde]

You can get another chapter if you buy the new Mass Market paperback of Storm of Swords. They have a Cersai chapter previewed in the back. A lot of people are wondering if that means Cersai can become as sympathetic a character as Jaime became, but from what I've read so far, she's beyond redemption.

[Tyjenks]

Who would have thunk we would see this before we got the next book:

http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/images2/agotbg.jpg

[Woolen Horde]

Ooooooooooooooh..... please, please give me a link to the publisher. Every time I try doing a google search, it keeps giving me the CCG game.

[EviLore]

was recently pushed back from April to October 2003,

Argh.

[Tyjenks]

Ooooooooooooooh..... please, please give me a link to the publisher. Every time I try doing a google search, it keeps giving me the CCG game.

It's the same. Fanatasy Flight. (http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/products.html) It is listed under the "New Products" for June. Sorry I did not link before. There is precious little info there. Just a release date and this:


Winter Is Coming...
War and chaos are engulfing the lands of Westeros. The great Houses are vying for control of the Iron Throne using the old tools of intrique and war. Yet while the war for Westeros rages, grave dangers gather in the cold North, and an ancient enemy is gaining momentum in the distant East.

In A Game of Thrones the board game, players take control of one of the great Houses of Westeros. Via resource management, diplomacy, and cunning, they seek to win dominance over the land. Players must give orders to armies, control important characters, gather resources for the coming winter, and survive the onslaught of their enemies. A unique phase mechanic, battle resolution, and special ordering system make for an engaging game in which all players are actively involved at all times.



VA03
Available June

[Woolen Horde]

So they can make a boardgame out of a Game of Thrones, but I'd kill if someone made a computer strategy game. Anyone remember those *really old* C64 strat games based on Lord of the Rings?

Frankly, I wouldn't want a Wheel-O-Time-esque shooter (which was vastly overrated IMHO anyway). The Medieval: Total War engine would seemingly lend itself very nicely to this endeavour, especially a mod, but if someone could make a game that captured the epic feel along with the intricate backstabbing, I'd buy that game in an instant.

[Tyjenks]

So they can make a boardgame out of a Game of Thrones, but I'd kill if someone made a computer strategy game. Anyone remember those *really old* C64 strat games based on Lord of the Rings?

Frankly, I wouldn't want a Wheel-O-Time-esque shooter (which was vastly overrated IMHO anyway). The Medieval: Total War engine would seemingly lend itself very nicely to this endeavour, especially a mod, but if someone could make a game that captured the epic feel along with the intricate backstabbing, I'd buy that game in an instant.

A strategy game with the competing families and factions would truly be an ass kicking thing of beauty. Damn. Now I am not as excited about a boardgame and lamenting the absence of a PC title. Thanks a lot WH!

[Woolen Horde]

One more note: the newest issue of Dragon (the May issue) has an entire section on modifying D&D so you can set it in the Game of Thrones universe. Lots of interesting info describing the major Houses and figures of the novels. They also have a 2-page profile and bio of George RR.

[Idar Thorvaldsen]

A strategy game with the competing families and factions would truly be an ass kicking thing of beauty. Damn. Now I am not as excited about a boardgame and lamenting the absence of a PC title. Thanks a lot WH!

Well, it's been out for a while, but I just played the board game yesterday. While not a computer game, it's still an ass kicking thing of beauty. It's more than just some lame Risk-alike; more like a combination of Axis and Allies and Diplomacy, with some of the turn-order-fancyness of Puerto Rico. There's no dice and the mechanics are sound and pretty clever. I just played a three-player game; it's specifically designed for five players, and I can see how that could be an absolute blast. With a fixed turn limit, it doesn't take forever to play either. Highly recommended, and not just for fans of the books; it's a great game which looks like its got a lot of replay potential.

Articles, info, review and link to rules on the publisher's site:
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/viewitem.php3?gameid=6472

[Ryan A]

I absolutely loved the first books of this series, but fear it is headed in the same direction as the Wheel of Time series... I thoroughly enjoyed the first few books in that series as well.

What's with modern fantasy authors trying to create mega-series that eventually wind up as pure crap? Whatever happened to ending with a bang rather than a whimper?

[Idar Thorvaldsen]

I absolutely loved the first books of this series, but fear it is headed in the same direction as the Wheel of Time series... I thoroughly enjoyed the first few books in that series as well.

What's with modern fantasy authors trying to create mega-series that eventually wind up as pure crap? Whatever happened to ending with a bang rather than a whimper?

Well, if he keeps going through characters at the current rate, there won't be anyone left to write books about. I don't think he can keep it going for more than two more books, at most.

There's a big thread on the books here, if you're interested.
http://www.quartertothree.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=193

[Anaxagoras]

I don't get it. I thought Martin's books were just pretty good. Well written, well thought out, switching the characters is a very clever and well-used idea, but I didn't find the series all that earth shattering. Of course, this may change when I see how he finishes the series, but as it stands now, they seem like enjoyable but forgettable light reading.

[Woolen Horde]

I absolutely loved the first books of this series, but fear it is headed in the same direction as the Wheel of Time series... I thoroughly enjoyed the first few books in that series as well.

What's with modern fantasy authors trying to create mega-series that eventually wind up as pure crap? Whatever happened to ending with a bang rather than a whimper?

Come on. Jordan's on Book #10 and how many of his main characters have died? One, and that one is really iffy, because it was Morraine, who everyone just knows is going to pop up again.

Martin has 3 books out, and he has already taken out a gawdawful number of primary and secondary characters.

I can't see it going past 7 books. For one, he will run out of characters at the rate he's offing them. For another, there's a sense of craftsmanship and direction that Jordan doesn't have. And, finally, even he has to figure at the rate he's writing the books, we're going to be awfully lucky if he doesn't keel over a heart attack before he's done.

That board game is so on my wish list. Next month is a 3-paycheck month, and I am so ready to buy it.

[Timemaster Tim]

Come on. Jordan's on Book #10...

So that's the current count. I've long since given up on it. It has become dull and repetitive. I'd say Jordan had enough material for about, let's say, guestimatingwise, one book.

[Mark Asher]

I think Martin will end the series with six books. There's no reason why he can't set another book or series in that same world, however.

I'm waiting on book four before I read book three. I want to read two back-to-back.

[John Reynolds]

Where's a good online store to buy the GoT board game at?

[Tyjenks]

The goto site (www.kumquat.com/cgi-kumquat/funagain/14383) for board games.