Factory Games Blog- News, Views, and Reviews

Thurn und Taxis

2006-07-03T17:04:00.000-04:00

Holy crap, it's here at last. Thurn und Taxis, the game I'm betting will win SDJ this year. I will have the game in hand thursday. If you asked me for one in the past, I'll have it for you so get ready to...DELIVER MAIL!!!!

BE THE SNAKES!

2006-06-28T17:53:00.000-04:00

Damn it! Someone beat me to the punch on this...you've got to admire a game that is

1) An unlicensed knock-off of a big hollywood movie (Like "Jurassic Island")
2) That tells you up front what it's about in its title- no pasted-on theme here!
3) LETS YOU BE THE SNAKES

Check it out- http://www.cobrasinthecockpit.com/

Nyarlathotep- My Funny Friend

2006-06-26T16:02:00.000-04:00

Oh no, it's Nyarlathotep! Yes, Fantasy Flight Games' long-awaited first expansion to ARKHAM HORROR will be in stock this Thursday! CURSE OF THE DARK PHAROAH ($14) should be a real thrill for those of (like the old AGF crew) who played Richard Launius' masterpiece to the point where taking down the Great Old Ones became a shockingly efficient routine. Richard's shown me some of the work he's done on the _next_ expansion, and all I have to say is that this is just a teaser for DUNWICH HORROR!

In completely unrelated news...those of you who have long dreamed of a game that will have you in bed with that pudgy bearded man in your game group one turn and hooked on heroin the next will hail the arrival of the English version of Friedemann Friese's FUNNY FRIENDS ($23)- I anticipate its arrival within the next week, so get your order in if you want in. It's a fun activity, but don't come to it expecting the strategic gameplay of POWER GRID. I'll miss Frank Branham's attempts to interpret some of the cards from the German and I'll wager the, um, "semen stealing" card is on the cutting room floor.

Das Zepter Von Zandavor- Next week!

2006-06-21T17:09:00.000-04:00

If anyone would like to preorder Z-Man games' English edition of SCEPTER OF ZANDAVOR, please contact me ASAP- I will have it early next week. It's $35.

It's an interesting game, I had the dire misfortune of playing the game with a big group of hyperanalytical folks that made the game run literally about 5 hours. So somebody convince me that it's a good game, because it seems like it ought to be.

MB
Factory Games

The Official Factory Games FAQ

2006-06-21T02:32:00.000-04:00

Lately I've had a lot of questions from new customers regarding Factory Games and our policies and practices, so here is the Official Factory Games FAQ. Please feel free to email me with any other questions you might have.

1. What is Factory Games?

Factory Games is a Blog-based business, sort of a new twist on the online retail store. In fact, what we do is more or less exactly the same thing as Our Esteemed Competitors do but we try to give it a more personalized, local touch because we've always felt that being a part of the gaming community in Atlanta is essential for the hobby (and the industry) to thrive. This is not a fly-by-night, selling out of the basement sort of operation- we are fully licensed for business in Dekalb County and are responsible for sales and use tax just like any other business. We pride ourselves on being able to offer a terrific, competitive discount (30-35% off retail on most products, not including 7% sales tax for Georgia residents) and also on the ability to get out and personally deliver games to your game groups, workplaces, meetings, and gatherings.

2. How do I place an order and how can I pay for it? How can I get it delivered?

Easy- just email factorygames@bellsouth.net. Alternately, you can call 404-839-0664 but please email a followup as well. We can take cash, checks, money orders and Paypal (factorygamesatl@yahoo.com- please note that it's a slightly different address until further notice). Paypal payments will incur a 3% upcharge tacked on by those pirates. Deliveries can usually be handled on friday afternoons/evenings and weekends. We're usually at the Mercer Meeples meetup on Thursday nights so that's always an option. Please arrange a delivery method when you order, we'll do our best to get it to you as soon as possible. Mail delivery is possible for an extra fee, and yes, we do ship out of state for a nominal and fair postal rate.

3. Is X in stock where X=product?

Again, just email for more information. If we don't have it on hand, we'll get it for you. Typically we can have most items in your hands within 3-7 days depending on availability. Whether you're into RPGs, CCGs, miniatures, or any other type of hobby game- we can get it for you and usually at the stated discount levels.

4. Will there be a storefront?

We're still working on it...that's the long-term goal of course, to re-establish what was destroyed at Atlanta Game Factory. There are several options that are out there, but please bear in mind that it's a slow process. For now, we're a "virtual" storefront and all I can say is that it's definitely better than being out of business!

5. What happened at Atlanta Game Factory, anyway?

Watch chapter 3 of the "Twin Peaks; Fire Walk With Me" DVD and all will be explained.

MB
Factory Games

Factory Games European Vacation- A flop!

2006-06-21T02:29:00.000-04:00

Well, unfortunately Belgium didn't turn out to be the hotbed for copies of CASH N' GUNS as we had hoped for. Factory Games' own Dan Cornett has returned and unless you wanted a copy of Bohnanza or Carcassonne in Flemish or the Knizia talking King Arthur game (yikes), he was not successful. So please, by all means, resume your search for imports elsewhere for the time being.

MB
Factory Games

DEFLEXION Update

2006-06-21T02:26:00.000-04:00

I'm still waiting to hear from a few folks that wanted a DEFLEXION. If anyone is still interested, please contact me ASAP. This is a special order item, I will probably only do one shipment from these guys so if you want in, email me!

Thanks
MB

New/Current Releases Available Late June/Early July

2006-06-21T02:09:00.000-04:00

It's been a fairly slow season for releases but things are about to heat up dramatically. Last week CLEOPATRA AND THE SOCIETY OF ARCHITECTS ($35) showed up, which should please you Days of Wonder acolytes. It looks like a fun family game with big, chunky pieces and the promise of throwing corrupted officials to the crocodiles. Speaking of DoW, the MEMOIR '44 PACIFIC THEATER ($25) expansion will be available next week so you armchair MacArthurs can do a little island hopping. Rio Grande Games has just released another batch of Queen games including Stefan Dorra's BUCCANEER ($17) and ATON ($17) along with the English edition of Leo Colovini's MAUER BAUER, MASONS ($25). SPIRITS OF NIAGARA ($17) is out and it comes with a real wooden beaver, which Face 2 Face's WINNER'S CIRCLE ($22) can not claim.

A little closer to mid-July, we should be seeing some of the more hotly anticipated games that haven't arrived yet. From Fantasy Flight Games we should be see the first ARKHAM HORROR expansion, CURSE OF THE DARK PHAROAH ($13) which will add even more variety and evil to an already great game. A GAME OF THRONES gets the expansion treatment again with A STORM OF SWORDS ($27) which probably _still_ won't convince Robert Martin that it's a great game. Rio Grande will soon be releasing FUNNY FRIENDS ($23) which is an absolutely hysterical experience with the right group- have sex, take drugs, and get crushed by a falling crucifix. Well, unless Jay cleans it up. We should also see THURN AND TAXIS ($21) soon, which seems primed to take Spiel Des Jahres this year and the new edition of EL GRANDE ($35) will be available soon for the 3 of you out there who have never played it. Z-Man Games should have THE SCEPTER OF ZANDAVOR ($35) ready soon, a game I wish I liked but I just don't- probably because my first game was a 5 hour long analysis paralysis torture session. Finally, there's reports that TEMPUS ($35) starting to appear but they're completely unsubstantiated. I love Martin Wallace's designs (usually), so out of all this it's probably what I'm the most excited about.

MB
Factory Games

Belated Blog Update/Changes- 6.21.06

2006-06-21T02:00:00.000-04:00

Hi folks, sorry for the long delay in updating the ol' blog here...your humble narrator has never had a blog before and is still learning about the care and feeding of one so please forgive the absence of new information. Let's get to it, shall we?

First off, I am currently enrolled in an Electronic Writing/Publishing course at GSU as part of my mad dash to the graduation finish line (those of you who recieve the email newsletter have already been apprised of my insane 6 class schedule) and I will be experiementing with some things in the coming weeks as part of various class assignments related to successful blogging. Hopefully, we can tidy this place up a bit. The graphic design idiom that we will be moving towards is Aleksandr Radchenko meets Peter Saville. Wikipedia those guys.

Second, I'm going to change the format of the posts as I wasn't satisfied with the big, inclusive posts- I'd much rather provide smaller chunks of targeted information so you Vs. folks don't have to read all about Dinki Donki or whatever the latest Eurogame rolling down the pipeline is called to get to the useful stuff.

Third, the contact information on the blog has been completely updated. Please make sure you are emailing factorygames@bellsouth.net to place your orders or to ask questions.

That's all for now, thanks for reading.

Michael Barnes
Factory Games

FACTORY GAMES UPDATE 6.1.06

2006-05-31T03:38:00.000-04:00

FACTORY GAMES UPDATE 6.1.06
------------------------------------------------

WARRIOR KNIGHTS IS HERE! WARRIOR KNIGHTS IS HERE!
And boy does it look _great_. The classic Games Workshop game of medieval baronies duking it out for some chunk of vaguely European land has been reissued and refurbished with all new mechanics (including a more manageable playtime) and of course the great components we've come to expect from FFG. This has been my "game to watch" for a while and after reading the rules and trying a couple of turns, I'm not disappointed. This looks like it could easily be the game of the year for me, combining as it does smooth Euro mechanics with good, old-fashioned wargaming and a delicate sprinkling of CHAOS. Get 'em while they're hot- $34 is your buy-in price, tax excepted.

THE BELGIAN TREK HAS BEGUN!
Belgophile DAN CORNETT is currently waiting in the Airport security line to board for Brussels, so if any of you folks asked for something, the list is in his hands. I will contact you individually if we find anything for you. Pricing will be on par with Our Esteemed Competitiors in Macon, GA. Billy R.- the Van Damme autograph is out of the question.

A GAME WITH LASER BEAMS???
What is this, the future? Yep, it's DEFLEXION, a really nifty game that uses REAL LASER BEAMS (OMG!!!)...kidding aside, it's a neat looking abstract that's going to have oldtimers trying to fire up Laserchess on their antiquated Apple IIe. If anyone would like to order a copy, please contact me- They're $32 plus tax. They will be in stock soon, so please let me know ASAP. This is a "limited time" deal, when they're gone it might be a while before I can get more.

A LITTLE GAMER NETWORKING!
Hail to Mike Yearick of Iowa, who just traded me a copy of MUTANT CHRONICLES...he also sent me a message asking me to post the following:
__________________________________________________________________________

Would you mind posting a notice and spreading the word to your regular customers that I have a room and am looking for a roommate for ConCarolinas and need space at Origins? Thanks.

Looking for a spare bed at one of the Origins hotels listed below and would like to share costs.

Hyatt Regency Columbus (Attached)
Crowne Plaza (Walkway)
Drury Inn & Suites (Walkway)
Hampton Inn & Suites (Across St.)

0. I am interested in sharing a room but NOT sharing a bed (don't mind extra people in the room but want a bed of my own).
1. Must be a non-smoker.
2. Must be a non-party-animal (actually I don't care if you party all day and all night but the party CANNOT be in our room).
3. Must understand the importance of personal hygiene and the value of showering at least once a day.
4. Would prefer a board gamer but card gamers, RPGers and mini players are OK too.
5. Must be male. OK with sharing with a M-F couple but my wife has “suggested” that I NOT consider a single female.

My room at ConCarolinas is at the Marriott (host hotel).
_____________________________________________________________________________

Take note of point #3 folks...I think that includes belting your trousers if your a$$ is showing.

NEW RELEASES
Other than WARRIOR KNIGHTS, which I'm convinced that every man, woman, and child should have as part of their game collection this week also sees the release of SPIRITS OF NIAGARA ($17) the expansion to last year's deserving SDJ winner; Caylus nuts will likely want to take a look at Ystari's new MYKERINOS ($20); Rio Grande reissues a fairly well-regarded reissue of Dirk Henn's TIMBUKTU ($30); the very underappreciated CATAN CARD GAME ($14) and the expansion (also $14) gets a facelift and if you have the old set you can completely upgrade including the new Barbarians set for a measly $7. Solitaire gaming and submarine enthusiasts will be thrilled with Compass Games' SILENT WAR ($50) and those of you who salivate when you hear the phrase "tactical hex-based space combat simulation with playable vector movement based on a Newtonian physics model" will likely flip your wig over ATTACK VECTOR TACTICAL ($39).

FEDERATION COMMANDER- BRIEF REVIEW
Speaking of tactical space combat simulation blah blah blah...former AGF hired hand BILLY "MOTION" RAWLS roped me into playing Amarillo Designs' supposed simplification of the Star Fleet Battles system FEDERATION COMMANDER: KLINGON BORDER ($42). Now, let me get two things straight. One, I like the nimble and grossly unrealistic space battles of Star Wars over Trek's impetus on making friends with aliens with bizarre facial structures and two, the image of seeing grotesque, hulking men pouring over grotesque, hulking rules binders whilst playing SFB in the basement of Dragon Con circa 1992 is a harsh warning about what sort of company you're getting close to by getting involved with perhaps the most nerdly of all the nerdly games. Sorry, but the energy allocation was closer to filling out IRS forms than "having fun". That bit of nastiness out of the way, I'm pleased to report that the game is a smash, it's extremely playable even though the rulebook and the player aids still have that "written by an engineer" look (Tech folks, I'm pointing at you). Between the easy-to-use player aid cards, the ship diagrams, and the extremely structured sequence of play this is a fairly easy game to pick up even for a first-timer. Billy still has to coach me from time to time through bits but I found it fairly easy to get the hang of halfway through the first session. The game offers two scales/levels of detail and features all the familiar Trek vessels- at least the Federation and Klingon ones. I was really surprised at how viscerally exciting the game was as our ships closed in on each other and started to unload phasers, photon torpedoes and the like and I was also surprised at what a huge difference a simplified energy allocation mechanic made in terms of bringing out the fun of the game. As the batteries and warp drives get shot up, the tension rises as you try to determine how to wisely spend your energy- and when. Unfortunately, it does feel like an Age of Sail naval battle at times more so than a starship game since it doesn't have any sense of moving in a 3D environment (that's vector movement, BTW) but that's not necessarily a bad thing since it models the way the ships fight in Trek pretty well- broadsides and boarding parties, indeed! The production is utilitarian at best with simple typesetting and fairly plain graphic design, but given that this is a small press game it's a quality affair and you even get a FedCom pencil. I'd definitely recommend it to sci-fi nerds like myself, Trek fans (who might openly weep happily throughout the game), and anyone who wants to make decisions that don't involve sets of colored, numbered cards or area control of any description. Billy suggested we "Euroize" it by auctioning the ships off before the game but I threatened to figure out some way to stab him with a brown wooden cube. There's plenty of support for the game and expansions are on the way, so get in on the ground floor- it's definitely worthwhile.

Nothing left to see here...unti next time!
Michael Barnes
Factory Games
www.factorygames.blogspot.com
404-839-0664

Factory Games Update 5.18.06

2006-05-19T16:12:00.000-04:00

Hello again- first of all, to "Anonymous", who left some negative posts in the comments- I know who you are, you're not a very clever guy for someone that's been to law school. Anybody care to take a guess as to who it was? ;-)

EUROPEAN GAMES!
Right, now that's out of the way...Factory Games associate DAN CORNETT is traveling to Belgium at the end of May and we are extending an offer to you guys- if you want anything that's available only in Europe- say, a copy of something like DIAMANT or CASH N' GUNS- email me as soon as possible to get on the list. This list will go with Dan to Europe and he'll do the best he can to get what you're looking for. Prices will likely be around European retail, we unfortunately can't run our usual deep discount but hey, you save on shipping at least.

NEW RELEASES
Before you ask- no, Face 2 Face's WINNERS CIRCLE ($20) is _still_ not out yet. A couple of review copies have been in ciruclation, giving rise to that rumour. WARRIOR KNIGHTS ($35) should be available next week or possibly the week after- I'm hearing conflicting information, but Fantasy Flight is usually really good about shipping when they say they will. Usually. The new Ystari game MYKERINOS ($20) arrived today, so fans of YS and CAYLUS- get excited. Looks dull to me, but hey, I like rolling dice and CRTs...I should also have Compass Games' SILENT WAR ($50) next week, a few folks have asked about it, also Kenzer's THE GREAT SPACE RACE ($34).

Slow news week...that's all for now!

Michael Barnes
Factory Games

Factory Games Update 5/7

2006-05-07T23:39:00.000-04:00

Hi all...just a few updates for ya...

WAR OF THE RING: BATTLES OF THE THIRD AGE will be available this week! I'm pretty excited about this one myself, those of you who know me best know of my fondness for WotR- I think it's the best light wargame on the market. Factory Games is pleased to offer this extraordinary (I hope) expansion for $34- as always, it's 35% off the retail price. Please contact me if you want want by wednesday- those of you who have, I already have you taken care of.

MERCER MEEPLES!
I attended the MERCER MEEPLES group last thursday night and I have to say that it's a great group- I was definitely pleased to see old-school nerd games like TALISMAN and DUNGEONQUEST going on as well as newer Euro stuff (KRONE UND KRAGEN!) and classics like AVE CASEAR. I will be attending the Mercer Meeples group on a regular basis from now on and I will typically bring an assortment of new-ish/hot-ish titles with me, all available for purchase at 35% off retail as usual. If there is anything anyone wants in particular, please let me know ahead of time and I will make sure to bring it for you. I won't be able to take credit card payments, so please either bring cash or check or arrange with me via paypal.

SOME STOCK UPDATES!
Just a couple of new things here and there, mostly restocks since there's been very little released lately...HACIENDA, RAILROAD TYCOON is back in stock, FAIRY TALE, SETTLERS, T2R: MARKLIN is back but DoW has jacked up the retail price on it, causing you and I both to pay more for it (it's now $29), CELTICA, VINCI (used, $20)...despite my best efforts TWILIGHT STRUGGLE slipped through my wanting hands and it won't be back for a while.

COMMAND AND COLORS: ANCIENTS Mini Review

I really loved MEMOIR '44 at first...I thought it was a great lightweight wargame with some cool bits and the best elements of BATTLE CRY welded on to an all-around better chassis. However, after playing it into the ground and realizing that the system really portrays something completely different than squad-level WWII combat and tiring of the "cute" Euro graphics, I sort of waned on it and then the expansions with their exorbitant retail pricing and ludicrous packaging sort of sunk it for me. Now, Richard Borg unleashes the third iteration of the Command and Colors system and it's a total knockout. The system seems like it's found the place where it belongs now, and that's in epic, set-piece sword & sandal battles. With new cards such as Line Commands and a much more detailed order of battle, the game approaches simulation a tiny bit more, adding a little extra complexity but without sacrificing accessibility. I was really impressed by the way momentum and melee are depicted a well as the effectiveness of battlefield command- things hinted at in previous incarnations of the system but brought to full fruition here. Materially I think it's the best production GMT has ever done- even the virtually indestructible box is top-shelf material and the rulebook is- get ready- in COLOR! Much internet drama was made over the decision to use blocks over miniatures and as an old-timey chit pusher, I have to say the blocks were the best way to go in terms of clarity and value. Remember in M44 trying to keep those stupid Ranger badges with the units? No more. Each unit is distinct and easy to identify after the first game and they aren't nearly as cumbesome to move around. The dice do, in fact, suck as everyone has said but so what? The internet has created a pandemic of crybabyism, and all the fuss over the dice is a good example. They function just like any other D6. Live with it. In all, I think C&C: Ancients is a tremendous game that really reaches the potential that BATTLE CRY and M44 fell short of in different ways and is probably the best (and most playable) tactical Ancients game I've ever seen. The promise of expansions has me pretty excited too, here's hoping for an Alexander versus Persia set with a Gaugamela scenario!

That's it for now, be seeing you!

Michael Barnes
Factory Games

May/June Preorders available, Splotter Games Happening?

2006-04-28T00:41:00.000-04:00

Hello all, just wanted to make you all aware that I am accepting preorders on some items that are scheduled to be released in the May/June window- of course, we all know how slack the game industry is, so please don't blame me when Rio Grande says "May" but they mean "October". If you'd like to preorder any of these items, just shoot me an email with what you want and I'll guarantee you have it as soon as it's released, 35% off retail as usual. No down payment required, I just need your name to stick on it when it arrives. Please preorder if you're interested as it will prevent disappointment when I don't have enough of a title to go around!

There is a very good chance that I will be stocking both ROADS AND BOATS and ANTIQUITY as Splotter is releasing new print runs of both games. I'm pretty excited, these are terrific games that deserve your attention. I do not have pricing available as of yet, but the price point might be slightly higher than the usual 35% off- consider it a "premium" item, imported straight from the Netherlands. If you are interested, let me know and I will put you on the list for either of these games and we'll discuss further as the release (June) approaches. Their print runs tend to vanish as soon as they're published so if you're interested, don't hesitate.

PREORDERS NOW AVAILABLE:
Warrior Knights (FFG)
Cleopatra and the Society of Architects (DoW)
Funny Friends (RGG)
Scepter of Zandavor (ZMG)
War of the Ring: Battles of the Third Age (FFG)
Blue Moon City (FFG)
Catan Card Game (MFG)
Tempus (Cafe...is this vaporware or something?)
Memoir '44 Pacific Expansion (DoW)
Winner's Circle/Royal Turf (F2F)
Wizard's Brew/Das Amulett (F2F)
Winehandler/Weinhandler (MFG)
Masons (RGG)
Spirits of Niagara (RGG)
Thurn And Taxis (RGG)
El Grande Decennial (RGG)
Rum & Pirates (RGG- new Alea)
Hollywood Blockbuster/Traumfabrik (Eagle)
Die Macher (Valley)
Dungeon Twister 3/4 Player Expansion (Asmodee)
Dungeon Twister- Goodies Pack #1 (Asmodee)
Arkham Horror: Curse of the Dark Pharaoh (FFG)

Preordering guarantees you'll get it!

Thanks
Michael Barnes
Factory Games

Used Games List 4/21/2006

2006-04-21T03:32:00.000-04:00

*Edited 4/23- Many games sold!*

Hi folks, some of you have asked about used games...well, just like at AGF I'm proud to offer some lightly used games for sale at cut-rate prices! All are satisfaction guaranteed- complete and in good to like-new condition. Have a look at the list here and let me know if there's something you want.

Age of Mythology $15
Air Baron $15
Axis and Allies (original) $20
Battle Cry (Avalon Hill) $20
Bootleggers $20
Caesar and Cleopatra $10
Canasta Caliente $1
Diceland Ogre $5
En Garde $5
Java $20
Phase 10 $1
Settlers Das Buch $7
Trivial Pursuit 1980's (cards only) $3
Uno $1
Vampire Hunter $5

Usual sale policies apply...keep your eyes on this spot for more later!

Michael Barnes
Factory Games

"It's Alf! He's back in Pog form!"

2006-04-18T03:57:00.000-04:00

On the cover of the March issue of Comics and Games Retailer, an industry trade magazine, is a big, undoubtedly expensive paid advertisement that proudly proclaims "POG IS BACK!" An "extreme" anime-style character with "attitude" entreats us to "Stack 'em and Slam 'em" beneath the official logo for the Global Pog Association.

Pogs. Their lasting legacy on pop culture is a joke from the Simpsons, where Milhouse trades Bart's soul to the Comic Book Guy for Alf pogs.

That being said...if anyone has any souls for trade, I'd be happy to get you a box when they release.

Michael Barnes
Factory Games

T2R: Marklin, Caylus, and Runebound: Midnight are in

2006-04-13T02:19:00.000-04:00

Hi folks, just a little inventory update-

TICKET TO RIDE: MARKLIN EDITION ($27)- While not quite the level of double/triple/quadruple dipping that the Carcassonne ongoing series of games has turned into, T2R enters its 3rd iteration with the Marklin edition- a German map, some new mechanics including passengers, and a tie-in with a major German manufacturer of toy trains. This is a great looking version.

CAYLUS ($34)- Yes, it's back...the blowup hype game of 2005 has returned in a second edition. Frankly, I didn't care for it because I prefer games that have really broad decision making thresholds and I felt it played like a flowchart. But hey, I'm in the minority! This is definitely one of the better Eurogames of recent times despite my protests and it sure seems like it has the hardcore appeal of Puerto Rico or Princes of Florence...I'd bet that Ystari is gunning to take Alea's place.

RUNEBOUND: MIDNIGHT ($27)- Runebound gets expanded yet again in this new expansion that takes place in FFG's proprietary RPG setting. It looks like an all new map, new characters, new adventures...more, more, more. Say what you will about Runebound, but it's definitely an expandable, flexible system...I still can't believe it's a Martin Wallace game...I mean, you're not broke the whole freakin' game and the rules are written in readable english!

RAILROAD TYCOON ($39)- Speaking of Martin Wallace...Call me a heretic, but I enjoy RRT more than Age of Steam. I think the game is more accessible but no less interesting and I like that it has a little more theme to it. Sure, the cards make it all a little more random but I think that adds to the fun of it all. Better components, cleaner gameplay, and the economic brutality is dialed back down to about "6". I think there's room in a collection for both games, but having to choose one, this is the one I would play more over AoS.

That's it...more later...HORDES next week!

Michael Barnes
Factory Games

Announcing Factory Games Atlanta!

2006-04-12T01:08:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone...this is Michael Barnes, whom most of you remember from the late, great Atlanta Game Factory.

Atlanta Game Factory met with a most unfortunate fate at the hands of a greedy, incompetent "smarmy jackass in khaki shorts" (as one AGF fan eloquently put it) but rather than dwell on that unpleasantness, I would like to formally announce that the tradition of AGF will live in in the form of FACTORY GAMES. I am dedicated to bringing Atlanta the best that gaming has to offer because I have been in love with gaming ever since I bought a copy of Star Frontiers at the tender age of 8 from a bookstore at Cumberland Mall. I grew up going to Sword of the Phoenix (R.I.P.) and I've been around for practically every gaming trend, fad, and flop since the early 1980s. Back in the mid 1990s, I discovered the European game craze through a copy of Settlers of Catan I purchased on a whim and I've come all the way up to owning my own game business. I hope you folks know that I love this industry and I want to do everything I can not only to support the hobby in all its forms by providing you with the best prices and the best selection anywhere but also to generate a sense of community amongst gamers in Atlanta by providing a great place to meet and play with other gamers. We had that at AGF, and that was worth more than any dollar the store ever made.

So here's the deal. We're getting into position to open back up better than ever, but right now we are doing all of our business online and through personal transactions. This blog is our temporary website, I'm going to use it to keep you guys up-to-date on what's happening with the store and also to let you know what we've got in stock until we have an official site online and later a physical location. Almost every product line is _35%_ off retail price...crazy? Maybe, but getting into this business is crazy in and of itself! If there is something you want, just email me or give me a call at 404-839-0664 and I'll do everything I can to get in your hands ASAP. We'll be posting some information on preorders as well in the coming weeks so watch this spot to see if what you're waiting for shows up. Right now we are dealing strictly with cash, personal checks, money orders, and Paypal. Credit card payment is in the works though, so bear with us as we go through the rebirthing process!

Finally, I want to thank all of you who supported AGF and I hope that you will all rally 'round this new flag and help to make Factory Games the best game store _ever_.

Thanks
Michael Barnes
Factory Games