Hi, Rob! I own still another version of the game with a cover which was clearly taken from Robert Asprin's Myth-series. Is it just a coincidence or has the game been influenced by Aahz and Skeeve?
I am sure it was a coincidence as the original design is based upon our King of the Tabletop bg as appearing in the Dragon #77. Another cover? I have not seen that. Only the Japanese version issued form Hobby Japan Bitd.
Yeah. That was Pegasus Spiele's German translation of the game with West End Games. This game has had quite a publishing history. The Dragon Magazine, West End Games (in concert with Games Workshop), Pegasus Spiele, Hobby Japan, back to Pegasus Spiele, then the English version through Z-Man, upcoming.
Ah Wicked!!, I love Wham's artwork.. What is the overall concept of this game?. Do you know if they are going to republish his older games?. I never got my hands on Mertwig's Maze. TSR put out some really neat board games in the late 70's. I found a copy of Warlocks & Warriors in the plastic, and it's a lot of fun to play with family & friends.
@Delve. I don't know what Tom is doing with his other games, there are so many. Some were published through Steve Jackson and through Troll Lords, with a semi-new one, Dragon Lairds w/James Ward, available.
Crumb influenced Tom to a high degree. He was also an avid collector of Shelton's comics (such as FFF Brothers, etc.), and many other Undergrounds...
I played the heck out of King of the Tabletop with my brother and a friend when it came in that Dragon issue. I bought the GW edition years later and it didn't quite hold up to the games we remembered, but I think the mechanics were pretty much the same. I lost the boxed set but might still have the Dragon version somewhere. Glad to see it's back in print!
February 24, 2010 at 7:51 AM
[Image](New Cover, 2010)[Image](Old Cover Art, sans lettering, 1985)
[Image]
[Original Design as KoTT from The Dragon Magazine #77, Tom Wham and Rob Kuntz, with Illustrations by David Trampier (see at BoardGameGeek) ]
For those who keep up on my board game designs you will be pleased to know that this year ZMAN Games will be re-releasing Kings & Things. Note the link at BoardGame Geek.
It has been OOP for too long a time, IMO. As it was an award winner, that makes it a double treat to see. :)
15 Comments
Close this window Jump to comment formI didn't realise it was yours.
--I saw it back in the Davie Compleate Strategist back-in-the-day, and always wondered after it.
I'll have to get a copy this time 'round. :D
February 22, 2010 at 12:16 AM
Love the art!
February 22, 2010 at 7:10 AM
@TS: Yeah, it's a cool game. Never plays the same way twice.
@Journalizer: I posted the original cover, which I still favor, even though the penguin is cute. :)
February 22, 2010 at 9:27 AM
Hi, Rob! I own still another version of the game with a cover which was clearly taken from Robert Asprin's Myth-series. Is it just a coincidence or has the game been influenced by Aahz and Skeeve?
February 22, 2010 at 9:48 AM
Hey Moritz! :)
I am sure it was a coincidence as the original design is based upon our King of the Tabletop bg as appearing in the Dragon #77. Another cover? I have not seen that. Only the Japanese version issued form Hobby Japan Bitd.
February 22, 2010 at 10:01 AM
Kings and Things is a personal favorite. Glad to see this classic getting a re-release!
February 22, 2010 at 10:10 AM
Here's a link to the cover I mean: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/de/5/51/KingsAndThingsBox.jpg
February 22, 2010 at 10:19 AM
Yeah. That was Pegasus Spiele's German translation of the game with West End Games. This game has had quite a publishing history. The Dragon Magazine, West End Games (in concert with Games Workshop), Pegasus Spiele, Hobby Japan, back to Pegasus Spiele, then the English version through Z-Man, upcoming.
It's kinda boggling.
February 22, 2010 at 10:27 AM
Ah Wicked!!, I love Wham's artwork.. What is the overall concept of this game?. Do you know if they are going to republish his older games?. I never got my hands on Mertwig's Maze. TSR put out some really neat board games in the late 70's. I found a copy of Warlocks & Warriors in the plastic, and it's a lot of fun to play with family & friends.
February 22, 2010 at 11:11 AM
Tom Wham's artwork reminded me of Crumb ... just had to add that thought. :-)
February 22, 2010 at 11:14 AM
Delve, the map is constructed anew, differently, each game, and things change during play.
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/58/kings-things
February 22, 2010 at 11:16 AM
@Delve. I don't know what Tom is doing with his other games, there are so many. Some were published through Steve Jackson and through Troll Lords, with a semi-new one, Dragon Lairds w/James Ward, available.
Crumb influenced Tom to a high degree. He was also an avid collector of Shelton's comics (such as FFF Brothers, etc.), and many other Undergrounds...
February 22, 2010 at 11:44 AM
I'll be catching up with Tom at GaryCon2 in March and will query him on his publishing activities then.
February 22, 2010 at 11:45 AM
Here's Tom's website: http://www.tomwham.com/
February 22, 2010 at 11:54 AM
I played the heck out of King of the Tabletop with my brother and a friend when it came in that Dragon issue. I bought the GW edition years later and it didn't quite hold up to the games we remembered, but I think the mechanics were pretty much the same. I lost the boxed set but might still have the Dragon version somewhere. Glad to see it's back in print!
February 24, 2010 at 7:51 AM