Newsbriefs for July 7, 2008

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ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL ORIGINS WRAPS IN COLUMBUS, OHIO
Despite record-setting gasoline prices and a date change that moved the show away from its traditional position on the July 4th holiday, this year’s Origins Game Fair delivered five great days of gaming to thousands of attendees.

The show’s new “fair pass” received tremendous support from attendees. Exhibitors also reported receiving plenty of business from “fair pass” wearers.

Watch for final show numbers coming soon!

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ORIGINS AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED
This year’s Origins Awards presentation took place on June 28, 2008 during the Origins Game Fair in Columbus, Ohio.

Submissions for 35th Origins Awards will open soon. Watch http://www.originsgamefair.com/aagad/submission for updates and submission forms. The final submission deadline for the 35th Origins Awards is January 15, 2009.

Miniatures Rules of the Year
Classic Battletech
Published by Catalyst Game Labs
Created by Jordan Weisman
Edited by Michelle Lyons, Diane Piron-Gelman

Miniature or Miniatures Line of the Year
Titanius Fury
By Dragonfire Laser Crafts Inc.

Collectible Card Game of the Year
Legend of the Five Rings
Published by Alderac Entertainment Group
Mark Wootton (lead designer), Charles Urbach (cover artist)

Historical Miniature Game of the Year
“Check Your 6!”
Published by Skirmish Campaigns
Designed by Scott Fisher

Historical Miniatures Line of the Year
Romano-British 15mm
Published by Splintered Light Miniatures
Designed by David McBride

Historical Board Game of the Year
Age of Empires III: The Age of Discovery
Published by Tropical Games
Designed by Glenn Drover

Non-Fiction Publication of the Year
Hobby Games: The 100 Best
Published by Green Ronin
Edited by James Lowder

Fiction Publication of the Year
Astounding Hero Tales
Published by Hero Games
Edited by James Lowder

Game Accessory of the Year
Call of Cthulhu Dice Set
Published by Q-Workshop

Roleplaying Game Supplement of the Year
Codex Arcanis
Published by Paradigm Concepts
Written by Team Paradigm

Roleplaying Game of the Year
Aces & Eights
Published by Kenzer and Co.
Written by Jolly R. Blackburn, Brian Jelke, Steve Johansson, Dave Kenzer, Jennifer Kenzer and Mark Plemmons

Traditional Card Game of the Year
Zombie Fluxx
Published by Looney Labs
Created by Andrew Looney

Board Game or Expansion of the Year
StarCraft: The Board Game
Published by Fantasy Flight Games
Created by Corey Konieczka and Christian Petersen

Hall of Fame Inductees
* R. A. Salvatore
* Vampire: The Masquerade (White Wolf Games)
* Paranoia (Mongoose Publishing)
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ORIGINS AWARD WINNERS AND NOMINEES -- GET YOUR SEALS!
Promote your game! If your game either won an Origins award or earned an Origins Award nomination, visit http://www.originsgamefair.com/aagad/academy-store to purchase the self-adhesive foil seals that tell the world about your game’s honor. You can also download high-resolution artwork (300 dpi JPEG files) at that page to use on your products and in promotional literature.

Congratulations on being recognized -- now tell the world with Origins Awards and Origins Award Nominee seals and logos!

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HEAR THE BEST OF GTS 2008 SEMINARS AT PULP GAMER
Relive the best of both the retailer and publisher seminar track from GTS 2008 thanks to the folks at the Pulp Gamer podcast. Hear the seminars for free at http://www.pulpgamer.com/gama/.

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BUILD YOUR BUSINESS WITH KNOWLEDGE AND CONNECTIONS!
Expand your network of professional retailers and game industry experts through GAMA’s forums: the Game Industry Network and the GAMA Retail Division forum, both on Delphi Forums.

* The GAME INDUSTRY NETWORK (GIN) hosts an industry-only discussion on all aspects of games, from creation through sales. Game professionals use the forum to discuss issues, make announcements, look for and give advice, and more.

To join the conversation, send your request to Anthony Gallela (ed@gama.org). Please include the following:
* your first and last name
* preferred email address
* for retailers: name, location, and your title of your store
* for other industry pros: name of your company and your title

* The GAMA RETAIL DIVISION FORUM gives GRD members a place to discuss GAMA-related topics (the organization itself, things that members want GAMA to do, and such) with fellow members and GAMA staff.

To join the GRD forum, please send your contact information to Trey Reilly (programs@gama.org).
 

John Kaufeld
GAMA Communications
pr@gama.org