Around the Sphere - Wk Commencing 25/11/2013

Well this is only going to be about one thing this week. Mantic's Open Day and what we learnt from it...

Dreadball isn't going to D12. We heard that it might be in the morning so we panicked and asked Jake, fortunately he had no clue what we were on about. He doesn't see the need for it either.

We talked to Chris "Curis" about Forge Fathers and he talked of maybe making them Speed 4+ (Something I will go into tomorrow) I am really against a speed increase for the little fellows. Stay tuned tomorrow for my thoughts.

The Dreadball Tournament was great fun, with some amazing looking teams and a Teraton Ref.

Asterians are really good.

Ronnie's current plan is to have Extreme out next year sometime with new teams which can play in both formats. He also plans to release yearly annuals starting in Jan. These will contain possible rules tweaks and new stuff as well as annual rules that can be used for that year and new cards. (Not sure if you can use the annual rules outside of the year depends how much they effect the game)

The 2014 Annual will have a new MVP and the annual extras will include open air stadiums, so weather now comes into play. Snow storms anyone?

In Extreme you play as a coach of a certain type, which will make certain player roles cheap and others expensive and you can select your team from everything with your 100mc.

Ronnie said that they are looking at rules for having injured players stay on the pitch in Extreme, so you can kick them when they are down and he also hinted at the crowd being more involved in the game.

Spoke to James briefly about what we would like to see, he specifically mentioned cheerleaders and how are people using them. Maybe a price change and perhaps also give them the ability to be the support coaches themselves. He also liked hearing ideas on new support staff like medics etc He hinted at a hacker to change the score?

Sculpts for the New Convicts and Forge Father Brokers are done, these look like they will be in Extreme. Didn't hear anything rules wise.

And Breath.

Around the Sphere Wk Commencing 14/10/2013 ( Drunken Lateness)

I told Walker Cocktails were a bad idea.

This week has seen some nice additions to the Mantic store, especially some helpful packs to complete your teams. These come in the shape of free agent packs, one for each of the first 2 seasons and as a bonus for being a robot coach you get the quick change artist pack. Which is really helpful to build a full robots team. Go grab them.

With only a few weeks left before the end of Outpost off season, its soon time to start Season 3 of the Outpost League. The Daily Punter with all its new found investment is going to be your hub of info on the comings and goings of new and old teams, and of course your favourite duo will be back bringing you the scoops and Gaby "The Beard" Logan will be pitch side for interviews and more.

If you are still yet to sign up for the Outpost League head over to the Outpost forums and sign up.

Stay tuned Dreadball fans, this time its going to be 'Giant'!

In other news, Mantic have recently released info around their favourite crossover MVP, "Blaine" from extreme. He is now making an appearance in Mars Attacks (such a PR Hussy). In other Mars Attacks/Dreadball News Ronnie Renton all but confirmed a Martian team in the future, and in true Mantic fashion stole Thomas Silcock's Xmas Elves idea - how cheeky (not that Mantic have done this before hey Tom?)

That's all for this week. Catch you [ed - on time hopefully] next week.

Around the Sphere - Wk Commencing 30/09/2013

Welcome back sports fans.

Been a pretty quiet week as far as Dreadball goes. One piece of info I dug up was that Ronnie Renton let slip was a planned stretch goal for Mars attacks was a possible Martians team. Which then started comments being disclosed on facebook that there is possible 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th teams in the pipeline. Looks like mantic were watching last weeks wish list.

In other news ONLY a few more weeks left to sign up for the third season of The Outpost League. I believe there are about 5 more spaces left with a few people showing interest. So if you live around Sheffield head to the Outpost Forums and sign up. We are just putting the final touches on the league and having the experience of 2 previous league this one is going to ge better than even. Six player games I here you ask yep we will git them in.

As well as all this just a quick reminder that if you have a team that you want to show off then the Daily Punter is your premium broadcaster. Send details to Gerald Dorksworth with pictures if you have them and lets see who makes the front pages.

That's all for this week.

Sound of the Underground

With slim details emerging of an underground movement of unregulated Dreadball, the Daily Punter sent its inconspicuous investigators Thonk and Walker to find out what the fuss is about...

[Walker] Hi sports fans, Thonk and Walker here reporting from what could be a Dreadball Extreme arena.

[Thonk] Or it could be an empty warehouse.

[Walker] Possibly, but lets allow our imaginations to run wild. Some may be asking, what is Extreme Dreadball?

[Thonk] And it would be a good question because no-one knows yet, and I doubt we are going to shed any light on it with you in your neon glow Digby gear parading round here.

[Walker] I have you know that this is a limited edition! Anyway we're are supposed to be looking for information on a shady and mysterious version of Dreadball, Extreme!

[Thonk] Yes. A version that is banned by Digby, hidden away by the mysterious sponsors and loved by those that can find a game to watch. Extreme is a game with very few limits, and some have even said its the way the game should be played.

[Walker] Let's look at what we do know. It's violent.

[Thonk] Correct, these teams of criminals, thugs and would-be stars are as violent as they come and most would make a "Beasting" feel like a weekend onboard a space spa in comparrison. That combined with no referee, and teams that could possibly be composed of 8 Orx Guards leads to some bloody games.

[Walker] Games have also been rumbled by DIGBY and their personal enforcers "The Wardens", Those guys are not the type to leave witnesses. This means that it's not only the players that are playing with their lives. Which is why so many people love to go watch. What else do we know?

[Thonk] Teams are not sponsored by the Glamourous Corporations of the big leagues but shady characters with even shadier bank accounts.

[Walker] And even even shadier friends and tactics. Star player disappearance is as common as muck and that makes for the most exciting unpredictable mess since Dorks Goblin "Mallory" tried Striker tactics.

[Thonk] Quite right Walker. Did you hear the rumours that teams in Extreme can be even more varied, with owners paying for the best of the best from all manner of thugs, ex players, bounty hunters and rising stars. Credits are the only limit.

[Walker] Indeed. If you want to see an Orx Guard backing up a pair of Judwan strikers then Extreme is your kind of high speed sport.

[Thonk] I understand that pitches are different as well. Gone are the pristine marked out pitches of the Majors. Games are played in dark alleys and buildings like this one, crates, pipes and other rubble are part of the pitch and make plays even more tactical.

[Walker] You mean there could have actually been a game here, lets get a snap of me scoring a strike!

[Thonk] No one is going to believe that could happen, you hardly scored when the pitch was flat. Either way we aren't hanging around much more, I'm sure there's someone watching us.

[Walker] Other than the viewers you mean? Wait, whats that noise?.... Oh no! Run for your lives we've been rumbled, its the "Wardens" to take us down and hide this sport forever...... Helga I love you..................

[Thonk] Calm down. Those "Wardens" are just a myth but I am with you on leaving. Speak soon sports fans.

[Legal-Bot] Gerald Dorksworth or the Daily Punter do not endorse any illegal Dreadball matches. All matches should be played in a DIGBY certified stadium. The Wardens are a Myth.