Lock ‘n Load: Band of Heroes Available for Pre-Order!

[Alex Fiedler]

New Tactical World War II Board Game Nears Release

Matrix Games and Mark H. Walker (www.locknloadgame.com) are very pleased to announce that Lock ‘n Load: Band of Heroes is now available for a special pre-order price of $64.99 via the Matrix Games online store.

Printing is also about to begin on the first board war game to be published by Matrix Games, which with six mounted geomorphic mapboards and over 480 counters will be available online and through retail stores.

Mark Walker’s Lock ‘n Load: Band of Heroes is a squad level board game that is easy to learn, fast to play and loaded with exciting scenarios. The game features the 82nd and 101st Airborne divisions in multiple scenarios across Normandy in June of 1944. If you don’t have a handy opponent, solitaire suitability is high with random scenario events and unfolding storylines. In addition, Lock ‘n Load supports online play through free virtual board game utilities such as VASSAL, which allow you to play an opponent across the world without having to set up a single board or game piece, except online.

As with the first Lock ‘n Load in the series, each hex is 50 meters, turns are a few moments, counters represent squads, leaders, heroes, medics and even the occasional chaplain or scout. In addition to their own firepower, squads employ machine guns and squad automatic weapons, including for the Americans the .30 Cal, the Browning Automatic Rifle and the bazooka; for the Germans the MG-34, MG-43, Panzerfaust and Panzerschreck. Both sides are supported by tanks and assault guns, including Stuarts, StuGs, Shermans and an array of Panzers.

David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games said, “We have greatly enjoyed working with Mark Walker to bring Matrix's first board game to print. We hope to have printed copies ready at Origins and look forward to all the fans that can meet us there at the end of June to play a few games and join in the excitement of this release.”

Lock ‘n Load: Band of Heroes includes sixteen scenarios which play to the game’s strong suit... story telling. We have the Medal of Honor battle (XYZ Complex)... where two paratroopers (later supported by a platoon) took down an entire German artillery battalion. The Alamo depicts the final battle in Saving Private Ryan, Flash... Thunder demonstrates the chaotic struggle of the first scattered paratroopers as Germans and Americans randomly appear, and still another (The Call of Duty) dishes up some tough choices for the commander of the 327th Glider Regiment.

New Game Features Include:

* Enhanced armor rules

* Simplified artillery rules

* Streamlined spotting routine

* Straightforward Assault Movement rules

The Game Box Includes:

* Six MOUNTED geomorphic maps

* 480+ beautiful four-color counters

* 16 Scenarios printed on quality card stock

* Rule and example of play book

* Player’s Aid charts

* 16 Colorful Skill Cards

* Two six-sided die.



Lock ‘n Load: Band of Heroes is scheduled for a Summer release at the Origins 2005 Gaming Convention in Columbus, Ohio. Mark H. Walker is scheduled to personally attend Origins and demo Lock ‘n Load: Band of Heroes to interested gamers. For more information on Origins please visit www.originsgames.com.

For more information about Lock ‘n Load: Band of Heroes and other Matrix Games titles, or to pre-order Lock ‘n Load: Band of Heroes, please visit www.matrixgames.com and www.locknloadgame.com.

Distributors or retailers wishing to discuss ordering Lock ‘n Load: Band of Heroes should contact dealers@matrixgames.com.

[Fred98]

ORIGINAL: Alex Fiedler for a special pre-order price of $64.99

Gee thats expensive! Please delete the artwork and reduce the price

_

o

! / \

joe for artist![&o]

[ravinhood]

special pre-order price of $64.99 via the Matrix Games online store

$64.99???? LOL

[Erik Rutins]

ORIGINAL: ravinhood $64.99???? LOL

Boy you guys are spoiled. [;)] It costs a bit more to print a boardgame on good stock with six mounted mapboards, counter sheets, scenario and skill cards, etc. Have you taken a look at the sample shots we've posted? Most boardgames including this type of production quality are in the $79.99 range, you can't compare directly to computer prices and this is definitely not a "budget' title in any sense of the word.

Regards,

- Erik

[wodin]

£35 in my opinion its a very good price indeed.

A pc game here can cost upto £39.99.

A console game £49.99

I'd pay £39.99 for the PC version.

Come on Ravinhood its not that expensive.

£35 for what would be many hours of entertainment!

[FlyingElvis]

Placed my order this morning. Congrats to Mark Walker and his new partners at Matrix for getting this game to pre-order phase. Hope you realize tons of success with this title.

[Terminus]

$65 for a board game isn't that much, considering all the stuff that goes into the box. Not going to buy it myself, but best of luck to you with it!

[ravinhood]

$65 for a board game isn't that much, considering all the stuff that goes into the box. Not going to buy it myself, but best of luck to you with it!

Lol Terminus I like your style, $64.99 isn't too much, but, I'm not going to buy it anyway. lol Yeah that's the way to put it across. lol

[wodin]

Hey Streets of Stalingrad costs £150!

[aysi]

six mounted boards for sixty bucks and all those counters,I think for this game Wodin we agree,its cheaper than the ATS system

[markhwalker]

Folks, you know it's not my style to be abrupt... but if you think 64.99 is expensive you are COMPLETELY out of touch with the war and strategy gaming community.

Many Critical Hit, MMP, and L2 design publications cost anywhere from 75$ to $150... and I'm not dissin those folks. I OWN a copy of Streets of Stalingrad, and it is worth EVERY penny. These maps, these counters, and this system is something I don't think anyone with the slightest interest in tactical gaming will want to miss. Hetre's a look at the included scenarios.

1. Counter Attack at Ste Mere Eglise: The 82nd AB fights elements of the German 91st Infantry Division. 2. The Call of Duty: Glider troops from the 82nd face some interesting decisions as they battle men from the 6th Fallschirmjager Regiment. 3. The Bridge at Chef du Pont: The 82nd AB attempts to force a crossing at Chef du Pont against determined defense from elements of the German 1058th Infantry Regiment. 4. Le Manior: Troops from the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment fight tooth and nail for control of a huge farmhouse overlooking the Meredet. 5. Ewell’s Charge: Elements of the 501st PIR battles with German Fallschirmjagers near Dead Man’s Corner. 6. Doggin’ Down the Road: Meeting engagement between the 506th /101st and the German 919th/709. 7. Medal of Honor: Two paratroopers take on an entire artillery battalion. 8. Alamo: Recreates the climatic battle in Saving Private Ryan. Even has a Tiger tank. 9. Coming Through: Men from the 502nd PIR and Combat Command A of the 2nd Armored Division, battle the 37th Regiment, 17th SS Panzergrenadiers. 10. Flash… Thunder: Alone, without support, American paratroopers try to find each other and battle Germans. 11. Brothers in Arms: Lieutenant Turner Turnbull, and his men defend Neuville from the Germans from the 91st Infantry Division and a pair of StuG IIIGs. 12. Roosevelt’s Butchers: Big battle between the 502nd PIR, supported by 2nd Armored Division tanks and Fallschirmjager and SS men and armor. 13. The Road to Foucarville: the 502nd PIR attacks against the German 91st Division into Foucarville. 14. Rebecca Can you See Me?: Scenario about the Pathfinder Company of the 101st. 15. Carentan: Lt. Winters and the men from Easy Company engage the remnants of the 6th Fallschirmjager Regiment. 16. Tameville Breakout: The 327th Glider Regiment and 4th Armored Division battle toe-to-toe with German Paratroops. To be released as PDF downloads: 17. Mission Koebuck: An Airborne patrol searches for a dead commander and lost documents. 18. Get a Prisoner: Units from the 101st are ordered to bring back a German officer. Frantic, exciting scenario.

Units: As mentioned above, 101st AB, 82nd AB (Glider and Paratrooper), German —6th Fallschirmjager Regiment, 17th SS Panzergrenadier, 91st Division, 709th Infantry Division.

[markhwalker]

BTW, Flying Elvis... I don't know your envolvement with the Flashpoint team, but quick note... a guy over at CSW wanted to buy BoH, but wanted to get two games to mitigate the shipping charges. He asked what everyone else would reccomend and I said Flashpoint Germany... I love the game, I love the time period (I hope we take LnL there some day).

I currently have two FPG PBeM games going. Great system.

Best, Mark

[markhwalker]

Ravinhood,

I'll tell you what... buy the game, send me proof of purchase, and I'll send you $10 bucks. That drops it to $54. What do you say?

In fact, I'll do that for the next ten folks that send me proof of purchases.

Let's belly up to the bar.

Best, Mark

[W Thorne_MatrixForum]

Mark any estimate on a ship date?

I hate to admit this but I've never played a board wargame but have wanted to try one. My first wargame was Close Combat.

I tend to lean towards small unit action and infantry so your game is really looking interesting.

IMO with this type of system the price is not an issue. What I look forward to is the many hours my sons and I can spend beating the h3ll out of each other.

[markhwalker]

Ship date? Erik or David could give a more precise answer. The last little bits go to layout today. I would say very soon, but the exact date? We hope before Origins. Maybe Reic or Dave can get more specific.

BTW, I play the game with my 15 year old daughter.

Best, Mark

[Erik Rutins]

Mark, Thorne,

We don't know the exact ship date yet, because a lot has to do with the printers. It will either be right before (end of June)or right after (early July) Origins, depending on how quickly they can get things done. Pre-orders will be sent out before other orders as soon as stock is available.

I've played board wargames since I was a kid and still do - just getting together around a table is a completely different experience from playing on a computer. As a wargamer, I enjoy both styles. Have your kids done any wargaming before?

Regards,

- Erik

[W Thorne_MatrixForum]

Thanks Erik and Mark.

Have your kids done any wargaming before?

Only on the computer. This will be new for all of us. Should be a lot of fun.

[Erik Rutins]

ORIGINAL: W Thorne Only on the computer. This will be new for all of us. Should be a lot of fun.

Cool, I think they'll love it and I personally feel that you'll all probably have even more fun with this than computer wargames, in terms of gaming together as a family.

Regards,

- Erik

[FlyingElvis]

ORIGINAL: markhwalker

Ravinhood,

I'll tell you what... buy the game, send me proof of purchase, and I'll send you $10 bucks. That drops it to $54. What do you say?

In fact, I'll do that for the next ten folks that send me proof of purchases.

Let's belly up to the bar.

Best, Mark

I already pre-ordered the game, but I have the feeling I'm going to get way more than $65 of entertainment from it. But talk about putting your money where your mouth is. Clearly you believe in your own product. Props.

[FlyingElvis]

ORIGINAL: markhwalker

BTW, Flying Elvis... I don't know your envolvement with the Flashpoint team, but quick note... a guy over at CSW wanted to buy BoH, but wanted to get two games to mitigate the shipping charges. He asked what everyone else would reccomend and I said Flashpoint Germany... I love the game, I love the time period (I hope we take LnL there some day).

I currently have two FPG PBeM games going. Great system.

Best, Mark

I'm just a recent fan of FPG. The game is a refreshing spin on a different time period (Cold War what-if). Big thumbs up.