Almost There...

We are (finally) wrapping-up design for Frontline and Phantom Leader! The files will go to the printer in a week or two. We’ll take a day or two off, and then on to the next games!

If you are new to DVG, we offer a unique feature in the gaming industry. If you pre-order one of our games through our web site, you get your name printed on all the game boxes. All you have to do is pre-order, and then send us an email saying it’s okay to print your name on the boxes.

Very easy!

If you’d like to pre-order more than one copy, you get a name for each game you pre-order.

Here’s the back cover of the Phantom Leader box to show you how it looks…

Phantom

Here’s our web site…

DVG

Soon to be famous Photo

Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Brett Bennethum was preparing to depart from Fort Dix, N.J., for Iraq. Paige Bennethum, 4, holds her daddy's hand as he lines up in formation. Photo Credit: Abby Bennethum

Dan's prediction: Ten, twenty years from now when we think back on this period in our nation's history, this will be the photo we remember.

When Its Done!

I’ve gotten some emails asking when Frontline and Phantom will be done. People have correctly said, “Hey, you said they would be done months ago…” And they’re right. I did. Here’s the problem.

They’re not done yet.

Months ago, both games were good. All modesty aside, I would even say they were great. But, they weren’t perfect, which is our design standard.

Both Frontline and Phantom are hugely important games for DVG. We hope that Frontline will be the cornerstone of a whole series of WWII tactical card games, and we hope Phantom will relaunch the Air Leader series that has lain stagnate for 15 years.

This all brings up one of the biggest bonuses to producing our own games. When we designed for other companies, there were always deadline clauses built-in to the contracts. Those game designs had to be turned-in on time or bad legal things could happen. As our lawyer has told us many times, “Contracts are signed on sunny days, but they’re only pulled out of the file cabinet on rainy days.”

The bad news is, they’re close to done, but they’re not done yet.

The really good news is, when they’re done, they will be wonders to behold.

Now, back to my game polishing…

"Them" Tax

The government has figured out a great new tax system. It’s a tax on “them.” After all, people don’t complain when someone else is paying taxes.

Here’s how it works…

If you tax a lot of people, they get upset and vote you out of office.

If you tax very few people, you don’t get enough revenue to make it worthwhile.

The sweet spot seems to be about 20% of the people

Tax 20% of the people and you rake in the bucks, but you don’t upset the masses.

Examples…

Tax on smoking

Tax on alcohol

Tax on SUVs

Proposed tax on sodas

Proposed tax on people without health insurance

Am I right? Let’s test the theory. Look through the above list. If I’m right, only 1, maybe 2, of the taxes will apply to you.

How does all this relate to game designs?

Nothing direct, but as a game designer, I need to be able to quickly spot trends or DVG would need to spend even more time testing games. I mention this taxing trend because I think it is something we should all be aware of.

15 + 15 + 15... Minutes of Fame

Step 1: Yell something inappropriate in Congress, Beat-up your famous girlfriend, Interrupt an awards ceremony, etc

Step 2: Gain notoriety

Step 3: Issue a “heartfelt” public apology

Step 4: Gain more notoriety

Step 5: Issue a “private” apology and notify the media

Step 6: Gain even more notoriety

Step 7: Play down the event as being no big deal, on national TV

Step 8+: Milk it, milk it, milk it…

Moving Forward

Things are moving along very nicely on Frontline and Phantom Leader. Phantom is almost done, and then we will turn our full attention to Frontline, which is pretty much done.

We’ll be updating the DVG site with new cards and rules in a day or two.

Once the press is done, we’ll launch Field Commander Napoleon for pre-orders.

Lieutenant Commander Michael “Scott” Speicher

I remember the first night of Desert Storm in 1991. Holly and I were working on Hornet Leader, and I was still living with my dad.

On that first night, one US pilot was shot down, Lieutenant Commander Michael “Scott” Speicher. He was flying an FA-18 Hornet. Because of the association with the game, his shoot down stuck in my brain all these years. It was unknown if he was captured or killed. Searchers found the Hornet’s wreckage, but no parachute or body. His fate remained unknown all these years.

Until today.

A local Iraqi led US troops to a grave containing skeletal remains. By using dental records, they were able confirm they were the remains of Lieutenant Commander Speicher.

After all these years, Scott is finally coming home.