Posts Tagged ‘Simeon Cortezano’
This week in gaming: PAX East 2015
Thursday, March 12th, 2015
Welcome back to another issue of “This week in gaming.” As you may have noticed we weren’t around last week, and there was a good reason for that. Some of us were a little busy getting ready for PAX East 2015.
I’ve been going to PAX East since the first time it came to Boston in 2011. If you weren’t there for the first year, it was actually held at the Hynes Convention Center located on Boylston St. in Boston. If you complain about the limited space on the exhibit floor now, it was crazy back then when the convention was at the Hynes.
There also wasn’t much of a tabletop area as well. With the exception of the exhibit hall, it seemed like everything was jumbled. The year it was announced that everything was being moved to the BCEC was a great welcome. The first year at the BCEC was also first year that Battleground had gone as a vendor and has been there ever since; each year getting bigger and bigger.
If you’ve never been to one of these events before, then I highly recommend it. From 10AM – 6PM you can browse some of the major AAA titles that have already come out or a slated to come out. Afterwards, as a thank you, the company will give you some free swag in the form of a T-shirt, stickers, or even another game. Sure, 10AM – 6PM doesn’t seem like a lot of time, but have no fear. From the exhibition hall to the tabletop area, this place doesn’t close until midnight. So learn a new game or play one you’ve always loved.
This was my third year doing media coverage. The past few years I had been so busy for me conducting interviews and other activities that I had become too busy to stick my face in the tabletop area. However, I was lucky enough to keep a light schedule. I got to learn a few games I’ve been wanting to learn and hang out with the BG crew most of the weekend. One of those games I learned was Splendor. First thing, don’t be fooled by the look of this game. It looks pretty simple, but there is quite a bit of thinking involved in the game. Additionally, the mechanics of the game randomize it to the point that each game will be a little different – so different that there is no set strategy.
There is probably some bias in this statement, but one of the best sights at PAX East has to be the Arena that Battleground Games breaks out for this special occasion. It was so popular one year that it made it’s way into Penny Arcade’s own gaming publication. What makes it so popular, besides the sight of the Arena, has the to be those who host the games throughout the day and night. It’s completely free to enter. You can participate by either using one of the beginner level figures or purchasing a Dungeons and Dragons booster pack and using one of the figures you pull from the box.
I feel that this year’s PAX East was one of the most successful years for the store. Although, ultimately, you’ll have to ask Derek that question. Still, you can’t deny that there were a lot of people (probably the most I have seen in all of the years Battleground Games has been there) demoing games from the time the doors opened up until the enforcers reminded you that there was only 30 minutes left remaining in the tabletop area. If you still haven’t been to one of these yet, what are you waiting for? You’re lucky that the convention has committed itself to Boston until 2023, so there is plenty of time. Until then enjoy some photos that were taken at the convention. Hope to see you all there next year!
About the author
Simeon is now the Community Manager for Battleground Games & Hobbies. If you have any questions or inquiries, then you can reach him at Sims@battlegroundgames.com. He is also an avid gamer who loves to play board games and video games. He graduated college with a degree in Political Science, and now serves the public by writing about games. You can check that out here. Don’t forget to “like” him on Facebook as well. It’ll update you on all of his newest content. Best of all, you can follow Simeon on Twitter (@SimeonCortezano) for some real time hilarity. Thanks for reading!
The Extra Life 2015 campaign is underway. Donate today!
Join the Battleground Games & Hobbies community forums!
Please don’t forget to check us out on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @battleground_gh!
Tags: pax east, PAX East 2015, Simeon Cortezano
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Announcing ‘Magic Duels: Origins’
Tuesday, March 10th, 2015
- Improved Deck Builder with step-by-step deck construction guidance
- First-ever playable Planeswalker cards
- Solo Battle mode featuring virtually endless AI opponents
- Expanded multiplayer options, including Two-Headed Giant mode
- Quest system with new individual and community challenges every week
- Limitless Free-to-Play with 100% earnable content
- All-new Skill Quest tutorial system
Magic Duels: Origins arrives this July to console on Xbox One, PC via Steam, and iPad tablets, with PlayStation 4 joining later this year.
About the author
Simeon is now the Community Manager for Battleground Games & Hobbies. If you have any questions or inquiries, then you can reach him at Sims@battlegroundgames.com. He is also an avid gamer who loves to play board games and video games. He graduated college with a degree in Political Science, and now serves the public by writing about games. You can check that out here. Don’t forget to “like” him on Facebook as well. It’ll update you on all of his newest content. Best of all, you can follow Simeon on Twitter (@SimeonCortezano) for some real time hilarity. Thanks for reading!
The Extra Life 2015 campaign is underway. Donate today!
Join the Battleground Games & Hobbies community forums!
Please don’t forget to check us out on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @battleground_gh!
Tags: magic duels origins, magic origins, Magic the Gathering, MTG, origins, Simeon Cortezano
Posted in Blog, Card Games, Featured Author, Featured Post, Magic: The Gathering, Popular Posts | No Comments »
This week in Magic: How I got started
Thursday, February 26th, 2015
It’s that time again! Time for another edition of “This week in Magic.” Have I ever told any of you how I got started in the game of Magic? I’ve talked to a few of you and some had expressed how they would always like to tell the story of how they got started playing Magic: The Gathering. If you ever want to, the podium is always available, but, for now, I’m stealing your idea and taking this time to tell my story.
If my memory serves me right, it all started in 1993-94. Around that time, I believe Ice Age was the newest set to come out. When I was younger, I attended a private school. At about 10:30AM every day we would have snack time. It was during these times that some of the other boys in the class would take out a deck of cards and play against each other. The game had finally caught my attention when a small group formed one day to watch the action.
It didn’t take long for me to convince my dad to get me a starter deck the following week. I remember like it was yesterday. Opening the very first pack of Magic cards is something I remember pretty well. Thinking back on it now makes me a little sad. When I opened that starter deck, I went through each card and stared at each one. I inspected the artwork and read every word on that card. Today, I rip boosters like a pro and go straight to the back where the “good stuff” tends to be.
When I opened that starter deck, the first card staring back at me was a Wrath of God. The card’s artwork showed bodies laying everywhere. There were Orcs and Humans in the image, and right in the center was a face. I thought it was cool. The text box was even great. It was simple and all it said was, “Bury all creatures.”
The artwork on the lands were awesome. I was a big fan of all of the artwork for the Forests in the set. This is definitely that can still holds true today. Not necessarily the artwork for Forests, but I’m speaking in terms of the artwork for lands in general. The artwork for lands have always been important for players and collectors. This can be seen when players break out their Beta lands or play with lands from Unglued or Unhinged. I know people who still enjoy playing with lands that have white borders. They have chosen to remain anonymous though.
When I first started playing Magic, you’d think I was crazy pulling off some of the plays I tried to make. If you saw how I used to play the game, I’d give you a pretty good laugh. One of my best memories has to do with the card Wild Growth. I used to think that Wild Growth added accumulated green mana over time. So when I eventually tapped it for mana it would make seven green mana. That was just enough mana for me to cast my Scaled Wurm (which was one of my favorite creatures at the time).
My time with the game slowed down when I got to high school. In fact, that was the first time I had sold any of my cards. There was a local card store near my high school and I ended up selling some of my cards. I thought that I wouldn’t have enough time thanks to after school activities and a teenage social life. That quickly changed once I got to college.
My freshman year I met a bunch of other people who had put together a legitimate “Magic: The Gathering” club. When I say “legitimate” I mean it. We put in the paperwork and somehow, the university approved our application and gave us a budget. The club was great. I remember when I first got invited to attend. I shook my head and said I would show up, but just to hang out and watch. That didn’t last long either.
Admittedly I watch some of the guys play and said to myself, “I could play better than some of them.” For the most part, I was wrong, and I’m glad I was. It was thanks to this group that not only did I gain a great group of friends, but I got that competitive itch to play. I slowly got back into the game by building some wacky “Vintage” decks. No power, no strategy, just a pile of cards that didn’t fit in any other format. You know, up to that point, I had always been a kitchen table Magic player. I didn’t know anything about formats or competitive rules. Learning about Standard really opened my eyes to the game. No more terribly “Vintage” decks. Now I could put together a deck that was considered good and was competitive. I got heavily involved in the game during my freshman and sophomore years in college. Like many times though, it didn’t last long.
I struggled my freshman year of college and had gotten myself on course for the five year plan. I took time off from the game to get myself back on track. Although, towards the end of my school days I had found time again to play the game while I was home on break. I was during one of those breaks where I discovered Battleground Games & Hobbies.
Once I finished school, I made the time play as much as I could. Since then I’ve sold the collection twice. The last time being the biggest mistake I’ve made in a long time regarding this game. That story is for another day though.
Well that’s it for now. I really hope you enjoyed the story how I got into the game. However, I would really like to hear how you got into the game. Sound off below in the comment section below and share your story!
About the author
Simeon is now the Community Manager for Battleground Games & Hobbies. If you have any questions or inquiries, then you can reach him at Sims@battlegroundgames.com. He is also an avid gamer who loves to play board games and video games. He graduated college with a degree in Political Science, and now serves the public by writing about games. You can check that out here. Don’t forget to “like” him on Facebook as well. It’ll update you on all of his newest content. Best of all, you can follow Simeon on Twitter (@SimeonCortezano) for some real time hilarity. Thanks for reading!
The Extra Life 2015 campaign is underway. Donate today!
Join the Battleground Games & Hobbies community forums!
Please don’t forget to check us out on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @battleground_gh!
Tags: Magic the Gathering, MTG, Simeon Cortezano
Posted in Blog, Card Games, Featured Author, Featured Post, Magic: The Gathering, Popular Posts | 1 Comment »
This week in gaming: Happy Anniversary!
Thursday, February 19th, 2015
Welcome to another edition of “This week in gaming.” Earlier this month was the one year anniversary of when I started writing for the Battleground Games website. For this week’s issue, I’d like to go over some of the content we’ve gone over and maybe where the future of this column could lead to.
Identity
You may have noticed that on a few occasions (especially this week), this column has been called, “This week in gaming” rather than “This week in Magic.” This is, of course, when I’ve got other topics I’d like to cover. However, there is no reason that “This week in gaming” can’t exist. In the end, though, it all comes down to the fact that most of my experience is in “Magic: The Gathering.”
Don’t get me wrong. I would love to cover more gaming topics for everyone out there. In fact, there has already been some talk about this. If all goes well, you may be seeing more topics in Dungeons and Dragons as well as more product reviews coming your way.
Something I’d, personally, like to see is more variety in the voices we read here on the site. With that said, I’m always looking for more people to write. We’ve already have some guest work done by local gamer, Ken Briscoe. We’ve also had a few tournament reports done by some of our local players. I think we can get more. Consider this an open invitation. If you’re a local player and would like to try your hand at this, let me know. I’m sure by now people are sick of reading about Mono Red Burn. While it may not be the only deck I know how to play, I do tend to write about it a lot. Are you experienced in Modern RUG Twin? Maybe you consider yourself more of an expert in the Limited format.
If the only thing holding you back is that you think you stink at writing, let me tell you that you have nothing to worry about. That’s what I’m here for. I’m not the solution to everything, but I will be there to help edit your writing.
Taking a look back
I think it’s been a pretty successful year writing for the website. My biggest hope is that many of you have been repeat customers. Somewhere along the way, I hope you’ve spread the word and told your friends about the kind of content you can find here.
I started writing for the website in the beginning of February. It wasn’t until the end of May where I had established a title for the weekly article I had been contributing. I’m glad I had finally come up with a name for the column. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t mind coming up with a title every week. By adding a formal name for the column, it gives it some uniformity. In addition, when things really get rolling on the site, it will give the column a confirmed identity from among the other weekly columns that may develop.
In the many months I’ve been writing this column, I’ve covered mostly “Magic: The Gathering.” I’ve also written a few product reviews as well as a few general gaming news roundups. One thing I’d like to try is writing a story. I don’t mean to come up with one on the spot. What I would really like to do (or someone else could do it if they have one) is to recount a Dungeons and Dragons session. The catch is that they would have to do it in story form. I’d like to hear about it from the perspective of their character. Also, I want the whole experience. If there was a foul odor in the air, I want to know about it and what it smelled like.
If I had to rank my articles, I think the best one would have to be “From couch to cash: Redefining the gamer stereotype.” That was an article that came very easily to me. I remember writing and not stopping for a bit to take a break. The best part about writing that article is that it lead to the Extra Life initiative and then eventually to all of us raising over $2500 in October of last year for the charity.
What’s next for you?
I’m going to keep writing here, that’s for sure. I’d like to branch outside of Magic some more though. If you have any suggestions as to what you’d like to see from me, then let me know. I’m game for almost anything.
PAX East is coming up in about two weeks. I’ll be doing media coverage for another outlet I write for, but I also intend on putting up some posts while the whole crew is out there. Whenever I’ve “worked” PAX, I’ve booked myself busy trying to meet with big wigs from the video game industry. This year, I’ve tried to keep an easy and free schedule so I can spend more time in the board game room. So, if you see me there, then stop by and say hello!
It’s time to wrap things up, but before I leave I figured I’d say a few things regarding Extra Life 2015. Due to the fact that last year was such a huge success, we’re hoping to do it all again this year. In fact, I’ve already gotten things registered and people can go donate for the 2015 campaign as we speak. Additionally, I’ve set things up so we can put a Battleground Games & Hobbies team together. If you’re interested in more information regarding joining the team, then let me know. I’d be more than happy to fill you in. It’s still early in the year, so stay tuned because I’ll be doing an article covering my plans for this year’s event as well as some fundraising ideas and I’m going to need all of your help.
Well that’s it for now. I hope you enjoyed this little look back and look forward. Until next week…
About the author
Simeon is now the Community Manager for Battleground Games & Hobbies. If you have any questions or inquiries, then you can reach him at Sims@battlegroundgames.com. He is also an avid gamer who loves to play board games and video games. He graduated college with a degree in Political Science, and now serves the public by writing about games. You can check that out here. Don’t forget to “like” him on Facebook as well. It’ll update you on all of his newest content. Best of all, you can follow Simeon on Twitter (@SimeonCortezano) for some real time hilarity. Thanks for reading!
The Extra Life 2015 campaign is underway. Donate today!
Join the Battleground Games & Hobbies community forums!
Please don’t forget to check us out on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @battleground_gh!
Tags: anniversary, extra life, Magic the Gathering, MTG, pax, pax east, Simeon Cortezano
Posted in Blog, Board Games, Card Games, Dungeons & Dragons, Events, Featured Author, Featured Post, Magic: The Gathering, Popular Posts, Role-Playing Games, Store Related | No Comments »
This week in Magic: Tiny Leaders – Alesha, Who Smiles at Death
Thursday, February 12th, 2015
Welcome back for another “This week in Magic.” This week, we’re going to cover a fun subject that has gone viral over the past several weeks, Tiny Leaders. This is a variant of the Commander format and has become so popular that, thanks to the new FNM format rules, has even begun making its FNM debut all over the country.
So let’s jump right into things. By now you’re wondering what some of the major differences are between Commander and Tiny Leaders. The biggest difference is that we’re dealing with a deck half the size of a Commander deck. Instead of 100 cards, we’re now dealing with 50 cards including your commander. Another major rule change is that everything in the deck (even your commander) cannot have a converted mana cost greater than three.
Some additional rules include starting at 25 life, there is no more commander damage, as well as a slightly modified banned list. Another important rule is that this format is specifically made for 1v1. Oh, I forgot to mention, you can have a side board of up to ten cards. For more information on that, you can click here.
It’s funny because by really limiting the player in their deck building, it created a larger challenge, which, in my opinion, is what makes Tiny Leaders a lot of fun to play.
For my first Tiny Leaders deck, I chose to run with Alesha, Who Smiles At Death. The reason I chose her was because she was the only Tiny Leader I owned at the time. However, while she may be a last minute addition to the team, she packs quite the punch and has a great ability to boot. Also, she is technically the only Mardu colored leader available.
Here is what my deck list looks like right now:
Creatures (22):
1 Alshea, Who Smiles at Death
1 Gnarled Scarhide
1 Banisher Priest
1 Master of Pearls
1 Mardu Shadowspear
1 Spiteful Returned
1 Generator Servant
1 Bloodsoaked Champion
1 Underworld Coinsmith
1 Goblin Rabblemaster
1 Seeker of the Way
1 Chandra’s Phoenix
1 Borderland Marauder
1 Mardu Skullhunter
1 Tormented Hero
1 Mardu Strike Leader
1 War-Name Aspirant
1 Mardu Woe-Reaper
1 Torch Fiend
1 Mardu Hordechief
1 Battle Brawler
Spells (10):
1 Unearth
1 Act on Impulse
1 Crater’s Claws
1 Wild Slash
1 Barrage of Boulders
1 Mardu Charm
1 Spear of Helliod
1 Mardu Ascendancy
1 Harsh Sustenance
1 Deflecting Palm
Lands (17):
2 Mountain
2 Swamp
2 Plain
1 Scoured Barrens
1 Cave of Koilos
1 Boodfell Caves
1 Isolated Chapel
1 Temple of Triumph
1 Temple of Silence
1 Nomad Outpost
1 Dragonskull Summit
1 Godless Shrine
1 Sacred Foundry
1 Wild Scarred-Crag
The entire time I was building the deck, I tried to stay on course as much as possible. What I mean by “stay on course” is that I tried to stick with creatures that had a come into play ability. Or, in the example of Torch Fiend, have a creature whose ability I can use and then bring it back with Alesha. Some of the best creatures in the deck are those with the raid abilities. The cool interaction is that when you bring a creature with raid back from the graveyard with Alesha, it should trigger the ability.
As far as other spells go, there weren’t many I could think of that I felt were essential for the deck. One card did stand out, and that was Unearth. Not only is it cheap, but it can bring back any creature from your graveyard back into play. The only downside is that we have one shot with it. So use the spell wisely. Act On Impulse was another spell I felt really belonged into the deck. In a format where the CMC is extremely low, if you draw Act On Impulse late game where you have the mana to support it, we could be talking about a huge game changer.
Many of the other spells are pretty self-explanitory, but my favorite, overall, has to be Mardu Ascendancy. With all of the one and two drops in the deck, there is reason that this card will be abused quite a bit. It will also help end things quickly by supporting a possible large number for Harsh Sustenance.
What the deck will need work on is the mana base. If you couldn’t tell by now, I kind of threw it all together. It’s obviously missing a Blood Crypt and a Temple of Malice, but is there anything else? Depending on my curve, I may not actually need them. Up to now, I had not really thought about it.
Before I let you go for this week, I’d like to give you an assignment. I’m going to be putting some more work into the deck, but I’d like your help doing this. Take a good look at the list I have going. In the comment section below, let me know what you would add or take out of the deck. I’m fairly sure there is a card or two that I am overlooking. Is the overall strategy of the deck working for you?
That’s it for now. My hopes is that this format catches on around here. If it does, then I’d love to keep exploring it some more. There are plenty of Tiny Leaders out there. Is there a Tiny Leader you’d like to see me work on? Let me know. Until next week…
About the author
Simeon is now the Community Manager for Battleground Games & Hobbies. If you have any questions or inquiries, then you can reach him at Sims@battlegroundgames.com. He is also an avid gamer who loves to play board games and video games. He graduated college with a degree in Political Science, and now serves the public by writing about games. You can check that out here. Don’t forget to “like” him on Facebook as well. It’ll update you on all of his newest content. Best of all, you can follow Simeon on Twitter (@SimeonCortezano) for some real time hilarity. Thanks for reading!
Join the Battleground Games & Hobbies community forums!
Please don’t forget to check us out on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @battleground_gh!
Tags: alesha, Magic, Magic the Gathering, MTG, Simeon Cortezano, tiny leaders, who smiles at death
Posted in Blog, Card Games, Featured Author, Featured Post, Magic: The Gathering, Popular Posts | 1 Comment »
Announcing ‘Magic Origins’
Wednesday, February 11th, 2015
In an announcement made during Pro Tour Fate Reforged, this summer’s core set will be titled, “Magic Origins.” Some of you may or may not know, but this set is going to be a very special one. Just several months ago, it was also announced that Magic will no longer have a core set. So sets like “Magic 2015,” “Magic 2014,” etc. will no longer be. This will be considered the last core set for “Magic: The Gathering.”
Interestingly enough, Wizards of the Coast had several suggestions to call the final core set, “Omega.” However, they saw this as more of a beginning and therefore went with the name Origins. Uniquely, Origins has taken five Planeswalkers and will tell of, as you may have guessed, their origin stories.
Here is what the official press release had to say,
“In the Magic: The Gathering Multiverse, some mages are born with a rare gift, simply known as “the spark.” When such mages face a great ordeal, their spark’s potential is unleashed, elevating them to become Planeswalkers and travel between the planes of the Multiverse. Magic Origins will reveal for the first time these pivotal moments for five Planeswalkers: Gideon Jura, Jace Beleren, Liliana Vess, Chandra Nalaar, and Nissa Revane.
Magic Origins is a different kind of core set than we’ve ever done before, one with ambitious story goals and deep creative impact,” says Doug Beyer, Magic’s senior creative designer. “All core sets in recent years have had Planeswalker cards, but Magic Origins doesn’t just contain five Planeswalkers-it’s also about those Planeswalker characters. It’s about certain points in time in those Planeswalkers’ lives-the events that led them to become Planeswalkers-and is meant to set up a lot of our plans for Magic’s future story. We’ll see these characters’ home worlds, learn about the joys and crises of their early lives, and discover how they became the Multiverse-traveling Planeswalkers we know today.”
Two amazing samples of artwork were released with the announcement. They depict Liliana as a healer during her younger years. The second piece of artwork shows Liliana sometime after she had chosen the darker path. One can only speculate, but how cool would it be if we got to see Liliana as a White Planeswalker?
Other Planeswalkers included in the storyline will be Geideon Jura, Jace Beleren, Nissa Revane, and Chandra Nalaar. This being considered the last core set, it can also be considered a milestone, and, therefore, Wizards will most likely make something special here. However, it’s way too early to start guessing what may even be in the set. Nonetheless, let’s not forget how Wizards like to put in special surprises every now and then for their players and devoted customers.
Magic Origins is set to release this July 11-12, 2015. For more information, click here.
About the author
Simeon is now the Community Manager for Battleground Games & Hobbies. If you have any questions or inquiries, then you can reach him at Sims@battlegroundgames.com. He is also an avid gamer who loves to play board games and video games. He graduated college with a degree in Political Science, and now serves the public by writing about games. You can check that out here. Don’t forget to “like” him on Facebook as well. It’ll update you on all of his newest content. Best of all, you can follow Simeon on Twitter (@SimeonCortezano) for some real time hilarity. Thanks for reading!
Join the Battleground Games & Hobbies community forums!
Please don’t forget to check us out on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @battleground_gh!
Tags: Magic, magic origins, Magic the Gathering, MTG, origins, Simeon Cortezano
Posted in Blog, Card Games, Featured Author, Featured Post, Magic: The Gathering, Popular Posts | No Comments »
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