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Sideshow and Decipher wow them at Dragoncon

September 02, 2001 at 01:17:21

Tolkien fans were amazed to see a full display of Weta/Sideshow sculptures and many pre-release scans of cards from Decipher's upcoming collectible LoTR game.

Sideshow has a booth in the Dragoncon dealers' room in a prominent location. Their largest display includes all or nearly all of the busts which have been reported on the Internet. Amazed fans have been exploring the exhibit with a keen eye. Anticipation for the Peter Jackson "Lord of the Rings" movies continues to mount.

Sideshow is giving away free samples of their Gandalf busts, expected to ship later in September. On Saturday they were taking submissions for a drawing but they also graciously sponsored the Tolkien and Middle-earth fan programming track's Hobbit Madness party with five free Gandalf busts. Enthusiastic fans rushed out of the party to claim their prizes as soon as the main festivities had concluded.

Numerous fans have commented favorably upon the extraordinary detail provided by the busts, which are reproductions of actors in costume and makeup from the movies.

Representatives from Decipher, makers of the collectible card game and role-playing games based on Peter Jackson's LoTR films, offered gamers and fans a sneak preview of cards and some of the concepts being developed for the company's role-playing games.

The collectible card game should correct some of the perceived flaws in older Decipher card gaming systems while offering a fast-playing, easy-to-learn gaming system which is flexible enough to allow increasingly sophisticated levels of play and strategy. The representatives told the audience that play-testers were reporting their games were lasting about 20 to 30 minutes. The longest "first game" time, in which a new player learns the rules, was estimated to be about 45 minutes.

Although some concepts and the most recent design factors were not revealed, the Decipher representatives told their audience that the two basic decks would include sufficient cards in the Common set to enable new players to finish a game the first time they play. The representatives also pointed out that both their games utilize shared concepts to streamline the learning curve in moving from one system to another.

While discussing the role-playing game, which is much more complex and open-ended than the collectible card game, the Decipher representatives told fans that it would be possible -- though perhaps not preferable -- to play characters from the movies. Game organizers would, of course, have the freedom to decide how the scenarios will be managed and which established characters will be permitted.

Images from the collectible cards were projected for the audience, and a basic explanation of primary components of the gaming system was offered. Characters have attack factors, special abilities, and health statistics. The role-playing game will not rely upon traditional levels and professions, but will instead allow players to develop a broad set of skills for their characters through "Advancements". The concept of professions was paralelled but not exactly replaced by "Orders".

At least three methods of winning the collectible card game will be available. The role-playing game will provide sufficient background material to support the development of scenarios in different historical periods (of Middle-earth). Some freelance contracts may be awarded for future module development.