I still have both, as well as Advanced Melee (though my copy of Wizard is a different printing than the one shown here). I still have 4 or 5 of the old, mini- bagged micro-games, chits (mostly), maps n' all. We loved 'em as kids, plus they "transported" really well. (i.e.;)They were easily smuggled, unlike D&D, or even the Traveller books.
Robert Fairbanks Good to hear. I love the micro-game format. I've never owned any of these myself, though I have some bootleg pdfs of Melee/Wizard around here somewhere...rummages about on computer
Andy C Thanks. Interestingly, Holmes used the 3d6-roll-under for "feats", but not for combat, which uses a 2d6 Chainmail (or Dungeon)-like roll for to-hits, although there is sometimes an opportunity to dodge using a "feat of dexterity".
I have that commemorative edition the $2.99 (I think), O.G.R.E. reprint "Same packaging, same price" it read. I was thrilled to find it.
And yeah Thom Hall if it (tFT) turns into some massive collector's platform, I'd be bummed, that flies in the face of what those games (Melee & OGRE in particular,) represented .
That's why they sold like mad, why kids collected 'em like Conan books or D&D modules, or comics. Because they were fk'n M I C R O-games.
Case in point: How well did SJG large format "evolutions" do before the GURPS craze? How popular was Advanced Melee or Wizard, or even Car Wars (post micro-game)?
I still have both, as well as Advanced Melee (though my copy of Wizard is a different printing than the one shown here).
ReplyDeleteI still have 4 or 5 of the old, mini- bagged micro-games, chits (mostly), maps n' all. We loved 'em as kids, plus they "transported" really well.
(i.e.;)They were easily smuggled, unlike D&D, or even the Traveller books.
Cool.. interesting observations about the dice mechanics Holmes used for his sample game in his RPG book.
ReplyDeleteRobert Fairbanks Good to hear. I love the micro-game format. I've never owned any of these myself, though I have some bootleg pdfs of Melee/Wizard around here somewhere...rummages about on computer
ReplyDeleteAndy C Thanks. Interestingly, Holmes used the 3d6-roll-under for "feats", but not for combat, which uses a 2d6 Chainmail (or Dungeon)-like roll for to-hits, although there is sometimes an opportunity to dodge using a "feat of dexterity".
ReplyDeleteBased on this comment, looks like a Kickstarter for a Melee reprint may be the first project: forums.sjgames.com - Steve Jackson Games Forums - View Single Post - December 26, 2017: The Fantasy Trip Returns Home
ReplyDeletePotentially good news, unless it turns into a very expensive boxed set with minis.
ReplyDeleteIm hoping even if there is a massive reprint a pocket edition comes througj like ogre
ReplyDeleteI have that commemorative edition the $2.99 (I think), O.G.R.E. reprint "Same packaging, same price" it read. I was thrilled to find it.
ReplyDeleteAnd yeah Thom Hall if it (tFT) turns into some massive collector's platform, I'd be bummed, that flies in the face of what those games (Melee & OGRE in particular,) represented .
That's why they sold like mad, why kids collected 'em like Conan books or D&D modules, or comics.
Because they were fk'n M I C R O-games.
Case in point: How well did SJG large format "evolutions" do before the GURPS craze?
How popular was Advanced Melee or Wizard, or even Car Wars (post micro-game)?
Exactly.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/GQLEso8zss45QBc56CKeW9ePxSJkz9yrbc4rOYD1cnWMmS0n8MZyXmVfAs2Kqrt61KUcYrtHMDiqQMPMsO-dqzm8mIp2MyOdVYQ=s0
ReplyDeleteThe announcement has me thinking of revisiting melee for a little DEATH TEST tonight hehe
ReplyDelete