David Neumann

Kickstarter for Handelabra’s next game, Aeon’s End, is now live

November 5, 2018 David Neumann 6

PC/Mac/Linux • Since the release of Sentinels of the Multiverse on iPad way back in 2014 Handelabra, has established themselves as one of the top board game devs in the biz, right up there with Playdek and Czech Games. While I get that Sentinels, Bottom of the 9th, and One Deck Dungeon aren’t in everyone’s wheelhouse, you can’t deny that everything they touch is polished to a blinding sheen. Thus, when they announce a new project or, as is the case today, launch a new Kickstarter, we listen. We already knew they’re working on digital versions of both Spirit Island and Aeon’s End, and it’s the latter that is now available on everyone’s favorite crowdfunder.

Stately Scrying: What we’re playing this weekend

November 2, 2018 David Neumann 20

It’s autumn here in the northern midwest [it’s autumn everywhere north of the equator, you idiot -ed.] and we’re getting our last batch of sun-filled days cool enough to comfortably wear a sweatshirt, yet warm enough that you can sit outside and not converse through chattering teeth. As such, I’ve decided to take this afternoon off and go hang out with my kids when they get home from school. What will we do? No idea, but I assume it will involve jumping and leaf piles. Why am I telling you all this? Because it appears the Stately Staff is doing the same. We’re awfully light on glimpses into the future this week, but we’ll give you what we got. Just a warning, I’m dying to get out there and enjoy the weather, so we might be light on links, too. Yep, it’s a full-blown disaster of a post. Huzzah! Have a good weekend, everyone!

Carrier Battles for Guadalcanal is trying to become Carrier Battles for PC/Mac and more

November 1, 2018 David Neumann 1

iOS Universal, Android, PC/Mac • While I used to talk quite a bit about iOS war game gem, Carrier Battles for Guadalcanal, over at another site I used to write for, our coverage here at SP has been shamefully light. I apologize not only to the one-man development team of Cyril Jarnot, but to you as well. CB4G is a pretty great hex-and-counter war game for iOS (the only one I can think of) and we’re the kind of audience that should be eating it up. With a little (or a lot–that’s a big $ number) luck, CB4G will be a little less niche than it currently is. A Kickstarter started today to not only bring CB4G to other platforms–namely, PC/Mac–but also adding a ton of functionality making “the little war game that could” into the sprawling epic war game that Cyril envisioned from the beginning.

Is that Istanbul on a Switch? Yes, yes it is.

October 30, 2018 David Neumann 3

I really have nothing to add here other than I’m wondering if I need an iPad anymore. That answer is looking more and more like a big, fat “no”. Then again, those new iPad Pros they announced today do look mighty shiny… [Dave was unable to finish this post due to a head wound inflicted by his wife who walked in while he was salivating over the new iPads on the Apple Store. He’ll get better. Can’t get much worse, can he? -ed.]

I realize I’m the only one who cares, but Divine Divinity 2 is finally coming to Mac

October 30, 2018 David Neumann 2

Xbox, PS4, PC/Mac • Before 2014 I had never heard of Larian Studios or their Divinity universe. Somehow, I stumbled onto Divinity: Original Sin that year, however and instantly became a fan. Here was a throwback to the Baldur Gates and Icewind Dales of my youth [late 20s. Your “youth” involved games like The Bard’s Tale and Pools of Radiance -ed.], only better. I mean, it didn’t use the D&D license, so I was confused as hell about how to build a decent character and whatnot, but here was an isometric RPG with turn-based combat. I don’t hate the real-time, pausable combat of the Infinity Engine games, but it’s definitely stopped me from getting giddy about other epic, recent RPGs like Pillars of Eternity. On top of the turn-based sundae, the story, graphics, and sheer amount of stuff you could pull off in their engine was pretty great, as well. In other words I fell, hard, for what Larian was selling. Fast forward to Kickstarter in 2015 and there I was putting down cash to ensure that Divinity: Original Sin 2 would, someday, be on my laptop next to its predecessor. It’s more than three years later and I’m still waiting, but not for long.

Stately Scrying: What we’re playing this weekend

October 27, 2018 David Neumann 17

As you may have heard, I’m on west coast time this week and I can’t quite get my head around it. I’m waking up way too early in the morning and going to bed right after the sun goes down behind the San Rafael Hills. At least I think those are the mountains I’m looking at. To be honest, after driving around this county for the last 4 days, I don’t know east from west anymore and am wondering how everyone who lives here doesn’t have constant headaches. I’m a simpleton. Nevertheless, time never rests and neither will our attempts to look into the future and see what we’ll be playing on our devices this weekend. See what’s planned after the jump.

Stardew Valley now out for iOS and it’s pretty great

October 24, 2018 David Neumann 8

iOS, PS4/Vita, Xbox, Switch, PC/Mac/Linux • I talked last week about my recurring addiction to Stardew Valley, the overly cute and surprisingly deep farming simulator that’s been the bee’s knees since it released on PC back in 2016. We knew it was coming out for iOS today but it actually popped up on the App Store last night giving me a little time to try it out while the family slept. It’s pretty great.

Aye, Robot! The Colonists now live for Windows

October 24, 2018 David Neumann 0

PC • I don’t think it’s much of a secret that Factorio has been (and still is) one of my favorite video games of all time. The open-endedness, seemingly endless research tracks, and mind-twisting efforts to crank just a little more efficiency out of what’s turned into a bowl of spaghetti are, apparently, what I’m looking for in a game as I turn into a grumpy old man. It doesn’t end with Factorio, though. I’ve always loved city-builders and simulations that allow you to create something amazing from a blank slate. Today a new challenger to the throne arrives from the one-man dev house, Codebyfire, called The Colonists.

The Color of Madness comes to Darkest Dungeon on iPad

October 22, 2018 David Neumann 3

iPad, Switch, PS4, Xbox, PC/Mac/Linux • While it doesn’t happen very often, every now and then things turn out okay. Last Friday I mentioned that I’m leaving for a 4.5 hour plane trip with my entire family [on Spirit Airlines, no less. The only airline folks with three kids can afford -ed.] and was dreading it. Red Hook Studios was listening and, I’m sure it’s because of me, have finally released the Color of Madness DLC for Darkest Dungeon on iPad. Now I can get frustrated and angry at my tablet instead of my kids! Huzzah!

Stately Scrying: What we’re playing this weekend

October 19, 2018 David Neumann 11

Next week I’ll be heading on vacation with the family to sunny California. I’m dreading it for a couple reasons. First of all, this involves flying and I probably wrote some of the code that’s keeping the plane in the air. As the editor will surely tell you, self-confidence isn’t my strong suit [no shit -ed.]. Secondly, I’m heading out there with three kids, one of whom is 16 years old and angry at all times. Earlier this week I got my first “fuck you” from him and I’m just super excited to sit next to him in confined quarters for 4.5 hours and then a hotel room for a week. Kill me. Before I leave, however, we have a weekend to kill and that means playing games. What, you ask, will we be playing? Come see after the break.