CSRA Gamers Association Newsletter October 2010, Volume 3 Issue 9
ZOMBIES I also hear that “Last Night on Earth” is a lot of fun though I
By Rob Davis
Editor’s Note: Rob Davis has run his own local gaming group
for several years and has only recently joined the fold of the
CSRA gaming community. He brings with him not only his
passion for gaming, but also a broad knowledge of the hobby
and an appreciation of all things game.
Zombie… The word itself brings forth disturbing images of
shambling corpses, lifeless eyes and rotting flesh. These are the
creatures of our nightmares. We fear what they represent for us in
death. Zombies are the theme of this month’s article and no other
creature from the horror genre has seen as much publicity over the
years as they have. So as Halloween approaches let us take a
moment to look a little deeper at the workhorse of the horror
industry. Zombies first shambled from folklore into motion
pictures in 1932 with the film “White Zombie” and then its sequel
“Revolt of the Zombies” in 1936. So it is easy to say that for the
past 78 years zombies have been a major part of our….. Unlife.
Like the ever spreading plague that they are, zombies have
infested every part of our lives. There are shelves at our local
bookstores filled with everything from short stories to novels
dealing with…zombies. Comic books have had zombies for years
and one of the most popular ones (The Walking Dead) has been
made into a television show by AMC and will debut this
Halloween!
Video Games, Role-Playing Games, Board Games, Dice
Games, Card Games, Miniature Wargames and more have all
been touched by zombies! Almost any game you play has
zombies in it or…easily could. Back when I played “Magic The
Gathering” one of my favorite things to do was to build zombie
decks. In “Warhammer Fantasy Battles” I had a Vampire Counts
army, not because it had cool vampires, but because I could paint
and play with lots of zombies! Tons of RPG’s I’ve been involved
in have had zombies in them somewhere. With that being said I
would like to list what I feel are the best zombie games out there
and encourage you to try any of them that you haven’t.
Board Games: Zombies!!! by Twilight Creations is a winner
hands down! I’ve been playing since their 1st edition under the
name “Journeyman Press”. It’s a fun atmospheric game that will
leave you craving more………Brains!
must admit that I’ve not played it.
Video Games: Lots and lots of video games have featured
zombies but none have done a better job than the Resident Evil
series! Not to leave the “Left for Dead” fans out in the cold here
but L4D falls short in my book if for no other reason than the fact
that it has no real storyline. One of the things that made the
Resident Evil games so popular over the years is the storyline.
My personal recommendations would include Resident Evil 1, 2,
4, 5 and The Darkside Chronicles!
Role-Playing Games: The top of the list here would have to be
“All Flesh Must Be Eaten”, a zombie apocalypse based RPG by
Eden Studios. This is a very versatile system that is easy to create
characters for and easy to play. The combat is all handled in a
cinematic style to avoid turning it into a tactical wargame. The
main book is also supported by “themed” supplement books that
give specific details on sub-genres of play….like “Dungeons &
Zombies”, “All Tomorrows Zombies”, “Enter the Zombie” and
more.
Like most Game Masters I’ve used zombies over the years in
games such as Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, GURPS and I
even found a way to squeeze them into a game of Mutants &
Masterminds once. Bringing zombies into a “Normal” RPG is a
ton of fun, however of all the game systems I’ve used zombies in
I believe I had the most fun with “Warp Zombies” during my last
Dark Heresy campaign…..they were just nasty!
Miniature Wargames: There are a lot of miniature wargames out
there that utilize zombies. From Warhammer Fantasy Battles and
40K to….well the list is a mile long! You can even download
rules to a lot of them for free. When it comes to miniature games
there are so many companies making zombie miniatures and
miniature games that they can be found on most tabletops in one
form or another. Trust me; there is nothing more frightening than
hordes of undead coming across the table towards you! (Now if I
can just find a way to squeeze a few zombies into my Flames of
War armies!☺)
Much the same way that no matter where we hide, the zombies
will eventually get to us. No matter what genre of entertainment
that we hide behind, the walking dead will sooner or later come
crashing in.
Until the Zombies come…… and they will….. Rob
New Stores
October 17
Its not every issue that we get to announce a new store, and in this issue
Augusta Book Exch 1650 Gordon Hwy (706) 793-7796
we wish to announce two!
Malifaux Halloween Themed Event
Arsenal Games and Hobbies 35 Stones Signups start at 1PM Entry Fee $5 Prizes based on
Belair @ Oakley Plaza, 198 South Belair Rd, attendance
Martinez, GA 30907, 706-364-2772
October 22
www.arsenal-games.com
Arsenal Games and Hobbies
This is a new full service store over in Martinez just off of I-20. They
Belair @ Oakley Plaza, 198 South Belair Rd,
carry a full range of gaming products and have a good gaming area.
Martinez, GA 30907, 706-364-2772
Augusta Book Exch Fort Gordon Phone # 706-790-9888. Star Fleet Battles reintroduction for players who want to get back into
Augusta Book Exch's Fort Gordon location (formerly Comic World) is the game.
located just to the left of the entrance to the PXtra complex. It is open
October 23
Tues through Sat: 9 AM - 6 PM & Sun: 10 AM - 5 PM. New comics every
Augusta Book Exch 1650 Gordon Hwy (706) 793-7796
Wednesday. New games (card, board, roleplaying & miniature) every
CSRA Gamers Association Meeting
week. There is a gaming area, with two tables, that can be used during
Theme All Things Scary. Games TBA, but look out for mummies and
normal store hours.
zombies. We will be discussing club organization and Siege of Augusta
Upcoming Events! at 5PM
October Fridays Magic Standard 16k
Format: Standard Constructed Entry Fee: $5 October 24
Augusta Book Exch 1650 Gordon Hwy (706) 793-7796 Augusta Book Exch 592 Bobby Jones Expressway
Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 860-6553
FNM Returns in November! Augusta Book Exch 1650 Gordon Hwy
1st event of the day.
(706) 793-7796 Entry Fee: $5
Breast Cancer Brawl,1-4:30pm. Charity event for Susan G. Komen for
Warhammer 40K League All gaming locations See the Augusta Book the Cure foundation. Players can donate a quarter for every time you
Exch Facebook Page or forum for Details want to "cheat" to get advantage over you opponent . There will be a
painting contest for the best painted pink mini. Entry is just donations
Sniper!
during the event.
Arsenal Games and Hobbies will be play testing their "Snipers" minaiture
2nd event of the day.
game throughout the month of October. Anyone wanting to help playtest
Warhammer Invasion Tournament, 4:30-9:00pm. Entry fee $5
this game designed by Jim Birdseye should stop by the store during
operating hours whenever they have an hour to kill. October 30
Augusta Book Exch 1650 Gordon Hwy (706) 793-7796
Fridays Arsenal Games and Hobbies
Magic Game Day Scars of Mirrodin
Belair @ Oakley Plaza, 198 South Belair Rd,
Format: Standard Constructed Entry Fee: $5
Martinez, GA 30907, 706-364-2772
Star Fleet Battles 6PM November 7
Arsenal Games and Hobbies
Every Saturday D&D RPG Event
Battlefield Evolution WW2 Demo in 1/72 scale 12PM to 6PM
Arsenal Games and Hobbies starting at 6PM
See the Arsenal Facebook Page for Details November 20
Tanksgiving
October 8-11
Augusta Book Exch1650 Gordon Hwy (706) 793-7796
Battletech demo and introductory games
WH40K Huge Apocolyopse tank game! Huge Eastern Front Flames of
Arsenal Games and Hobbies
War Game.
October 11- October 31
November 21
Augusta Book Exch 592 Bobby Jones Expressway (706) 860-6553
Malifaux Toys for the Tots Event
What: Shattered Grounds League: "Blighted Shadows" for Warmachine
The Augusta Book Exch 592 Expressway (706)860-6553
& Hordes.
A Malifaux 35 soul stone event sponsoring the Toys for Tots program.
Entry Fee: Battle Journals are $5 and get you in the door to all
Starting at 1pm with an early check in at 12:30pm for event participants
Warmachine/Hordes events for Free until 2011.
& staff only.
How to register?: Go to www.privateerevents.com and look up Augusta
Entry Fee: Free! Just bring at least one toy meeting the standards of the
Book Exch #2
Toys for Tots program to donate to their noble cause.
October 16
January 21-23
Augusta Book Exch 592 Bobby Jones Expressway
Siege of Augusta
Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 860-6553
Our own regional convention! Make plans now to attend all three days!
Magic Standard Tournament Registration starts at 11:00 am and play
Featuring video, card, board, and of course Miniature games. Website:
starts at 12:00. Entry is $5
www.siegeogaugusta.com Also find us on Facebook! We are taking
Arsenal Games and Hobbies preregistrations now!
Painting Clinic starting at 10AM Double Tree Hotel, Augusta GA
Arsenal Games and Hobbies
Evans High School Gamers Club Meeting Starts at 6PM