Dicehead Chattanooga is now at its New Location!
Our Second Dicehead Games & Comics Store is located at 6231 Perimeter Drive in the Sportsmans Warehouse Plaza at the Lee Highway/153 intersection.
This store is packed full of all of the regular Dicehead Stuff but is also an Awesome Cyber-Cafe!!! Featuring, X-Box, Playstation 2&3, Wii, PC LANS and Internet Gaming!!!

May 1, 2008
Revised 4th Edition 'Talisman Board Game'
From Fantasy Flight in October
Fantasy Flight Games has announced an October release for the Revised 4th Edition of the Talisman Board Game (MSRP $49.95). 2008 marks the 25th anniversary of this fan favorite magical quest board game and FFG's revised version adds 14 highly detailed plastic figures (toads included), a revision of the rules, and upgraded components all around. Upon the launch of the Revised 4th Edition, FFG will also make available an upgrade kit, which will include the new plastic figures, revised rules and cards, for those who purchased Games Workshop's 4th Edition of Talisman, which was released in October of 2007.
The 4th Edition of Talisman was based primarily on the 2nd Edition of the game, which was considered more popular with gamers than the 3rd Edition. It remains to be seen where Fantasy Flight, which has loads of experience creating board games, will take Talisman, which it acquired earlier this year along with the rights to Games Workshop's RPGs and card games (see "FFG Gets Games Workshop's RPGs, Card and Board Games").
FFG has also announced that "a plethora of expansions" for Talisman are in the works. The first of these, the Death and Glory Expansion (MSRP $19.95) is slated for release by Christmas 2008.

May 1st 2008
Marvel Studios' first production, Iron Man, which debuted last night, is sure to be the winner of the this weekend's box office derby, but industry analysts are anxiously waiting to see just how big that victory will be. After an early spring session that can at best be described as "lackluster," the Hollywood studios are hoping that a triumphant debut by Iron Man will kick off a stellar summer season.
Iron Man, which cost $150 million to produce and another $75 million to promote, will require a strong debut to keep the stock market analysts looking favorably on Marvel Entertainment's stock. Although with Marvel Studios' unique financing plan, the company actually has little immediate financial risk associated with the film (see "Marvel to Produce Its Own Films"),.
Now movie reviews don't mean much when it comes to summer blockbusters, but it should be pointed out that Iron Man, with a 94% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes has scored the highest grade ever received by a superhero movie. The buzz surrounding Iron Man has been stellar and stars Robert Downey Jr. and Gwyneth Paltrow have been all over the talk shows promoting the film, which has been advertised relentlessly and is being promoted in 7/11s, Burger Kings (which has upset a children's advocacy group, see "Advocacy Group Takes on Iron Man Promo") and even Audi showrooms. The question appears to be not, "Will Iron Man be big?" but just "how big?" The major competition that Iron Man will face this weekend will not be in the theaters-it will be this week's release of Grand Theft Auto 4, which could keep a good portion of Iron Man's potential audience glued to their consoles.
The Internet movie ticket service Fandango reports that more than 80% of its ticket sales for this weekend are for Iron Man and is extrapolating out to weekend gross of more than $70 million. Gitesh Pandya, the Movie Guru, predicts that with Thursday night sales added in, the total weekend take for Iron Man will be $83 million. Variety is not making any specific prediction but indicates that the film has a good chance of earning more than the $62 million that Ang Lee's Hulk brought in its debut in 2003, which would give Iron Man the second best non-sequel superhero debut ever (after the original Spider-Man), and, noting the string of failed Iraq War movies, wryly commented that "Finally, someone's found a way to make money with a modern Middle East war movie: Just send a Marvel superhero into the fray to kick some insurgent butt."

March 04, 2008
Ernest Gary Gygax, the widely acknowledged "father of the roleplaying game," passed away on March 4th, 2008 at his home in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. It was in Lake Geneva in 1967 in Gygax's basement that a 20-person game tournament took place--the first GenCon, and the beginning of an annual tradition that has grown into the largest hobby gaming convention in North America.
Gygax was born on July 27th, 1938 and by 1950 he was immersed in the fiction of Robert E. Howard and Ray Bradbury. He began playing wargames in 1953 and was influenced by the Avalon Hill line of sophisticated historical war-themed board games. In 1966 Gygax founded International Federation of Wargamers, and in 1971 Gygax, who was always enthralled by all things medieval, created Chainmail (with Jeff Perren), a medieval-themed miniatures wargame from which Dungeons and Dragons evolved.
In 1974 Gygax and Don Kaye founded Tactical Studies Rules (TSR) and published the first edition of Dungeons & Dragons, which combined elements of Chainmail with what some called "acting gaming" (and quickly became known as "role-playing") to create the roleplaying game.
The RPG has arguably had a huge impact on all forms of gaming, including online and video gaming, thanks to its core elements of "character building," "levels," "spells," "class," and "race," etc. Dungeons & Dragons has also played a major role in the popularization of fantasy, not just in American pop culture but across the entire world, and its influence can be seen in movies, anime, comics and manga as well as in all forms of gaming.
Gygax certainly didn't create every element in the complex world of D&D by himself. He had help from Dave Arneson (who sued TSR five times before settling out of court in 1981) in the initial creation of the game, and the host of talented game designers who worked at TSR fleshed out the game, adding levels of complexity and new campaign settings and "worlds" to make it quite possibly the most multi-faceted gaming experience ever created.
When Don Kaye died in 1976, Gygax gained a controlling interest in TSR and created TSR Hobbies, Inc. But faced with financial difficulties, Gygax quickly ceded control to the Blume brothers, though he continued to work at TSR until 1985. In the mid-1980s Gygax was spending much of his time on the West Coast where he succeeded in getting the Dungeons & Dragons cartoon series on CBS. When he found out that TSR was in financial difficulties, he returned to Lake Geneva and became involved in a management dispute that eventually caused him to sell his remaining shares of the company and leave the company that he had founded.
Gygax returned to the world of D&D in 2005 through his work with Troll Lord Games. Although a heart attack forced him into semi-retirement, he continued to be an active member of the gaming community through his online comments at key gaming Websites such as EN World and Dragonsfoot.

March 04, 2008
The CW Network has announced that it has renewed the DC Comics-based Smallville series for an eighth season, making Smallville, which began on the WB network, the elder statesman on the CW's slate. While audiences have dwindled somewhat since Smallville's record-setting WB debut during which 8.4 million viewers tuned in, Smallville remains a potent TV franchise that has spawned a popular series of young-adult novels, soundtrack releases featuring the show's hip alt-rock playlist, and a DC comic book as well as Inkworks' popular season-by-season series of trading cards.
While the Smallville spin-off Aquaman pilot was not picked up (bad timing was at least partially responsible, since the decision against picking up the show was made during the merger and downsizing of the UPN and the WB into the CW network), the Web-based Smallville: Chloe Chronicles and Smallville: Vengeance Chronicles have done well online and Smallville has forged successful promotional tie-ins with Toyota, Verizon, and Sprint.

2/26/2008
Fantasy Flight Games to Exclusively Publish Board Games, Card Games, and Roleplaying Games based on Games Workshop properties.
Second deal to include Sabertooth Games' Universal Fighting System CCG
Roseville, Minnesota (February 22, 2008) - Fantasy Flight Games ("FFG") and Games Workshop ("GW") jointly announced today that they have reached an agreement for Fantasy Flight Games to become the exclusive publisher of board games, card games (including collectible card games), and roleplaying games based on Games Workshop's family of renowned intellectual properties including Warhammer Fantasy Battles and Warhammer 40,000. Additionally, the deal will grant FFG the exclusive rights to publish new versions of the classic board and card games titles published by Games Workshop over the last 25 years.
Additionally, a second agreement between the parties will transfer the publication rights and system of the Universal Fighting System CCG, formerly published by Sabertooth Games, to FFG.
"We are just so thrilled to partner with Games Workshop in such an encompassing deal," said Christian T. Petersen, CEO and founder of FFG. "Not only will we be able to continue the publication of some phenomenal roleplaying, card, and board games currently on the market, but we look forward to creating new games for the popular GW universes!"
"In Fantasy Flight Games, we've found a partner who shares our passion for gaming and our dedication to producing the highest quality products," said Andy Jones, Head of Legal and Licensing for Games Workshop. " The legacy of our board, card, and roleplaying games is in the best possible hands with them, and we are extremely excited about the prospects of seeing some fabulous new games set in our universes as well. "
"This is the beginning of an exciting new era for the Universal Fighting System," said Stephen Horvath, CEO of Sabertooth Games. "Fantasy Flight Games are the perfect choice to carry on the UFS line, and fans can expect great new content and more fantastic events supporting their favorite CCG going forward.
FFG will take over the production of Talisman, and plan to produce a new printing and expansions for the 4th edition of this ever-popular classic board game. Further, FFG will continue production and new-product support for the Universal Fighting System CCG, the Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay RPG, and the new smash-hit Dark Heresy RPG. More details on FFG's publication plans for these titles will be provided in the weeks to come.
The agreement does not include certain GW titles in which miniatures feature as the predominant component of the game, such as Space Hulk and Blood Bowl.
The Universal Fighting System CCG will continue to be sold as starter and booster packs in a traditional CCG format. FFG has no current plans to adopt the game to its LCG™ ("Living Card Game") sales model.

November 2007
Marvel Announces Digital Comics Unlimited
Marvel unveiled their biggest push to date into the digital publishing world this week with the announcement of Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited!
Offering over 2,500 titles, these comics are available as streaming files rather than downloadable comics, representing the history of Marvel comics in a groundbreaking digital reader format. The digital comics offered are not day- and-date releases with their printed counterparts, rather they are all at least six months old and represent classic runs as well as “entry level” comics for a new generation of reader.
“The only time we will deviate from this six month date,” said Marvel Senior Vice President of Sales David Gabriel, “is when we feel there is a marketing opportunity to expose the broader internet audience to the product and drive more traffic into stores to pick up that product as well as related titles.”
Marvel Publisher & President Dan Buckley said of the announcement, “Marvel remains 100% committed to the direct market retailers as the best outlet for new material as well as trades and hardcovers. The launch of this new digital arm we hope will help revolutionize the industry, spreading comics to new demographics exposing them to the medium, and educating them in where to find more product.” Since the announcement, Marvel’s exciting new initiative has attracted attention from several mainstream media outlets, including The New York Times, USA Today and Yahoo.com News, as well as industry news sources like Comic Book Resources, Newsarama and ICv2, which featured an in-depth interview with Buckley.
Retailers will be pleased to know that all digital comics feature the Comic Shop Locator Service and include an advertisement for the collected edition each book is found in, helping drive a whole new audience into brick and mortar stores across the country. Contact your Diamond Customer Service Representative for a free week-long trial subscription to see how Digital Comics Unlimited can work for you!

August 16, 2007
D&D 4th Edition Announced @ Gen-Con
Wizards of the Coast is announcing at GenCon today that it will release the 4th Edition of its category-leading Dungeons and Dragon roleplaying game in 2008, the first full new edition in eight years. The three core books will be released next summer on a monthly schedule: Player’s Handbook in May, Monster Manual in June, and Dungeon Master’s Guide in July. Pricing and page counts of the new products will be consistent with current packaging. Graphics have been updated, art will be used on the covers, and interior design has been opened up to make the books less intimidating to new players.
Lead-in products, Wizards Presents: Classes and Races and Wizards Presents: Worlds and Monsters, will be released in December. An April release, Keep of the Shadowfell, will include a set of quickstart rules for 4E.
While there are changes in play (such as incorporating “epic-level play,” with 30 levels instead of 20), they are described as “evolutionary” rather than “revolutionary.” Other changes include new power sources, changes in resource management, and new encounter design, and more clearly defined monster roles. Changes will speed play, make the game easier to learn, and make DM-ing easier. Concepts for 4th Edition gameplay were tested in the new Star Wars RPG, and the Book of 9 Swords.
What the company does describe as revolutionary is the method of product delivery, which will incorporate online play for the first time. WotC is incorporating online components into the game through a new Website, DnDInsider.com. Each paper product will include codes to unlock digital versions on the site for a “nominal” activation fee. Players will also be able to use DnDInsider tools and access regular new content similar to the material that was previously released in Dragon and Dungeon magazines (see “Interview with Liz Schuh“) for a monthly fee (as yet undetermined) greater than the old subscription price, but less than a MMORPG subscription. Magazine-style content will be added to the site three times a week and compiled into digital “issues” monthly.
Gameplay features on the Web will include a digital D&D game table, and voice chat and text messaging, to allow online players to communicate with each other. The online play is designed to “supplement, not replace” meatspace play.
The Open Gaming License will continue as it has in the past, allowing the use of the rules in other publishers’ games.
Work on the new edition began in 2005, with the major work all accomplished in the last year.
D&D products released between now and the launch of 4th Edition will fall into three groups. Edition-proof products (which are mostly story) will not include mechanics that are edition-specific. Some products will be “enhanced” to 4th Edition mechanics after release through DnDInsider, and a couple of series will end as 3.5 products.
The setting for the core books are campaign neutral. Forgotten Realms will be the first campaign setting to be updated (in August 2008). Other campaign settings will be updated at a rate of one per year.
Marketing support will initially focus on migrating the existing player base, and then move to an acquisition strategy to re-activate lapsed players and acquire new ones. Midnight launch parties will be used to kick off sales of the first new release in May.

5-20-2007
WIZKIDS ANNOUNCES HALO ACTIONCLIX COLLECTABLE MINIATURES GAME
WizKids Inc. announced an agreement with Bungie Studios and Microsoft to develop Halo™ ActionClix®, a collectable miniatures game (CMG). The Halo ActionClix CMG brings the Halo universe to the tabletop via the Clix miniatures game engine.
"Expanding the Halo universe into the Clix CMG is a perfect fit," said Brian Jarrard, director of Franchise and Community Affairs at Bungie Studios. "WizKids' commitment to authentic detail ensures that Halo ActionClix will appeal to collectors and CMG players alike."
Halo ActionClix will feature more than 80 miniatures from the Halo universe, including preview content from Halo 3. Vehicle Packs will be produced, including a surprise for San Diego Comic-Con.
"We are proud to be associated with the Halo brand," said Lax Chandra, WizKids® president. "The phenomenal Halo universe provided a springboard for innovation in tabletop miniatures gaming."
The Halo ActionClix CMG, expected to be released in September 2007, will prerelease figures at San Diego Comic-Con July 26 - 29, and Gen Con Indy August 16 - 19.
©2007 WizKids Inc. All rights reserved. ActionClix, HeroClix, HorrorClix and WizKids are trademark of WizKids Inc.

5-9-07
Spider-Man Movies to ContinueSo Says Sony Honcho
May 08, 2007 Sony Pictures CEO Michael Lynton told the BBC that Spider-Man 3 would not be the wall-crawler's finale at Sony: "Everybody has every intention of making a fourth, a fifth, and a sixth and on and on." According to Lynton Sony will make as many Spider-Man movies "as we can make good stories for." Lynton told the BBC he wanted to give the Spider-Man principals some time to recuperate before pressing them to make another film in the franchise: "When everybody comes up for air, we can think about how to make the next one."
Perhaps it was the strain of making and promoting Spider-Man 3, but director Sam Raimi and star Tobey Maguire haven't sounded too enthused about making a fourth film.
The cost of producing another Spidey epic with the same cast and crew would undoubtedly rise due the cost of securing the personnel for another round, and Spider-Man 3 was already the most expensive film ever made.

5-1-2007
Games Day Atlanta was a blast this year.
We brought home 2 Trophies this year - Best Costume and Overall Champion in the Lord of the Rings RTT!!
Congratulations to Ricky for Best Costume and John Baker for 1st Place in the LOTR RTT!!!

4-20-2007
Paizo Publishing to Cease Publication of DRAGON and DUNGEON
Magazines to continue through September 2007 April 19, 2007 (BELLEVUE, Wash.) - Paizo Publishing and Wizards of the Coast today announced the conclusion of Paizo's license to produce DRAGON and DUNGEON magazines effective September 2007. Publication of DRAGON and DUNGEON will cease with issues number 359 and 150, respectively.
"Today the internet is where people go to get this kind of information," said Scott Rouse, Senior Brand Manager of DUNGEONS & DRAGONS®, Wizards of the Coast. "By moving to an online model we are using a delivery system that broadens our reach to fans around the world. Paizo has been a great partner to us over the last several years. We wish them well on their future endeavors."
"We at Paizo are very proud of the work we've put into DRAGON and DUNGEON during the past five years," says Erik Mona, Paizo's Publisher and Editor in Chief of DRAGON. "While we'll all miss working on these venerable magazines, our talented editorial and art staff as well as our phenomenal team of freelance contributors will continue to produce high-quality, exciting, new OGL releases that are aimed at supporting our existing customers and beyond. We look forward to sharing useful and provocative new products that support our favorite hobby."
Subscribers should visit paizo.com/transition to learn more about the future of their subscriptions. Multiple options will be available for customers whose subscriptions extend beyond the final issues of the magazines. The final issues will be DRAGON #359 and DUNGEON #150-both of which will contain special content commemorating the history of the these incredible magazines. The Savage Tide Adventure Path will conclude as planned in DUNGEON #150.