Aconyte Books has announced the launch of the Play to Win podcast, accompanying Aconyte’s first non-fiction book, Everybody Wins: Four Decades of the Greatest Board Games Ever Made by James Wallis, and presented by the author himself. Like the book, this new podcast series chronicles the rise of the modern boardgame over the last forty years. James is joined for each episode by many of those who were there to see it happen – leading designers, publishers, and critics, including Games Workshop co-founder Sir Ian Livingstone, legendary German games designer Reiner Knizia, founder of Wizards of the Coast and GenCon organizer Peter D. Adkison, and many more.
In Episode One, available now, titled Opening Moves, James chats with two giant figures from the gaming world of the 1970s – Sir Ian Livingstone, founder of Games Workshop, and David Parlett, designer of Hare & Tortoise, the first game ever to be awarded the prestigious Spiel des Jahres (Game of the Year) Award.
Play to Win is essential listening for anyone interested in the current explosion of amazing games. Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, IHeartRadio, and Stitcher by searching “Aconyte” or by going to Anchor.fm/aconyte-books.
Everybody Wins: Four Decades of the Greatest Board Games Ever Made by James Wallis is out now in the UK and coming the US in March 2023.
Aconyte Books have announced the first two books in a brand-new non-fiction series, Play to Win. This new range of non-fiction titles will focus on the wide world of games and gaming, to entertain, inform and intrigue gamers and an interested general audience alike. The first two titles will launch in Fall 2022.
Everybody Wins: Four Decades of the Greatest Board Games Ever Made chronicles the recent revolution in tabletop gaming through an entertaining and informative look at the winners of the prestigious Game of the Year (Spiel des Jahre) award, known as the Oscars of the tabletop. Acclaimed British author and games expert James Wallis investigates the winners and losers of each year’s contest to track the incredible explosion in amazing new board games. From modern classics like CATAN, Ticket to Ride, and Dixit, to once-lauded games that have now been forgotten (not to mention several popular hits that somehow missed a nomination), this is a comprehensive yet hugely readable study, penned by one of tabletop gaming’s most knowledgeable commentators. Accompanying the book will be a dedicated podcast series, presented by the book’s author, James Wallis.
Rokugan: The Art of Legend of the Five Ringspresents stunning art and illustration from the Japanese-inspired fantasy realms of Rokugan, setting for the famed Legend of the Five Rings series of games, in a lavish, large-format hardcover art book. The Emerald Empire is captured in an age of strife and upheaval – war, intrigue, wild magic and celestial turmoil – through the very finest artwork from across the history of the series. Iconic pieces from the L5R roleplaying and collectible card games are presented in their full glory, together with never-before-seen images, taking the game’s many fans and lovers of fantasy art on a journey through this extraordinary world.
These titles are just the first in a planned series of in-depth non-fiction titles, Look for further announcements and more information on plans for the Play to Win range later in the year.
Aconyte Books is the book publishing imprint of Asmodee Entertainment, a game company that is leveraging its IP for a range of new prose novels.
The publisher had previously announced a partnership with Marvel for a series of prose novels and it has now revealed the initial lineup which launches in Fall 2020.
Legends of Asgard: Set in the legendary realm of Asgard and rich in Norse-inspired mythology, these fantastical stories celebrate heroism, adventure, fate, honor, and myth. Raise a flagon of ale and enjoy tales of the extraordinary exploits of heroes and heroines from the Ten Realms.
Marvel Heroines:These captivating stories feature some of Marvel’s best-loved female characters, some just coming to understand their powers for the first time and others firmly established among the ranks of legendary Super Heroes.
Xavier’s Institute:These novels follow the young members of the New Charles Xavier School for Mutants. Expect stories of adventure, defiance, and growth as these characters explore their abilities and their place in the world.
Marvel Untold:These tales round up the best villains, magic-wielding heroes, and more from the furthest corners of the Marvel Universe. Whether it’s seeing a famous confrontation from a different perspective or exploring a piece of a character’s backstory that we’ve never seen before, these novels will bring these stories out into the light of day.
FALL 2020 PUBLICATION SCHEDULE
Month
Strand
Title
Author
October
Marvel Heroines
Domino: Strays
Tristan Palmgren
October
Legends of Asgard
The Head of Mimir
Richard Lee Byers
November
Xavier’s Institute
Liberty & Justice for All
Carrie Harris
December
Marvel Untold
The Harrowing of Doom
David Annandale
December
Legends of Asgard
The Sword of Surtur
C L Werner
DOMINO: STRAYS by Tristan Palmgren
[Marvel Heroines] Sharp-witted, luck-wrangling mercenary Domino takes on both a dangerous cult and her own dark past, in this explosive introduction to the new series of Marvel prose novels.
The job: infiltrate a Chicago conman’s cult to liberate some brainwashed twins. For former X-Force operative Domino, that’s a “hell no”. Fanatics are bad news. She still has nightmares about Project Armageddon, the super-soldier program that wrecked her life and destroyed her family. If only she’d had someone to help her back then, someone… like her. It’s a total pain in the ass, but maybe it is time to finally face those demons. With her probability manipulating superpowers she can turn even the worst of situations to her advantage.
Pub Date: Oct 6th, 2020 Trade paperback • ISBN 978-1-83908-050-0 • US$16.95 • CAN$22.95 • UK£8.99 Ebook • ISBN 978-1-83908-051-7 • US$9.95 • CAN$13.95 • UK£7.99
THE HEAD OF MIMIR by Richard Lee Byers
[Legends of Asgard] The young Heimdall must undertake a mighty quest to save Odin – and all of Asgard – in the first heroic fantasy novel set in Marvel’s incredible Legends of Asgard.
It is a dark time for Asgard. The Allfather is trapped in a bewitched Odinsleep, inspiring an all-out assault from the Frost Giants. They evade the gods’ defenses with uncommon ease as if guided by augury. Heimdall, a quick-witted young warrior still finding his place amongst Asgard’s defenders, believes it no coincidence that Odin lies enchanted and that the Giants are so well-informed. Sneaking into Odin’s inner chambers, he discovers that the severed head of Mimir, a great source of wisdom, is missing. Accompanied by his sister, Lady Sif, Heimdall must quest across the Ten Realms to retrieve it, lest mighty Asgard fall.
Pub Date: Oct 6th, 2020 Trade paperback • ISBN 978-1-83908-054-8 • US$16.95 • CAN$22.95 • UK£8.99 Ebook • ISBN 978-1-83908-055-5 • US$9.95 • CAN$13.95 • UK£7.99
LIBERTY & JUSTICE FOR ALL by Carrie Harris
[Xavier’s Institute] Two exceptional students face their ultimate test when they answer a call for help, in the first thrilling Xavier’s Institute novel, focused on the daring exploits of Marvel’s mutant heroes.
As part of their training at the New Charles Xavier Institute, Triage and Tempus are allowed to attempt their first solo flying mission. Some way into their mission, they pick up an urgent SOS message – Sentinels are attacking a superpowered mutant, who is struggling to protect an injured politician. When they abandon their lesson and answer the call, however, the identity of both will cause the two young X-Men far more problems than they bargained for.
Pub Date: Nov 3rd, 2020 Trade paperback • ISBN 978-1-83908-058-6 • US$16.95 • CAN$22.95 • UK£8.99 Ebook • ISBN 978-1-83908-059-3 • US$9.95 • CAN$13.95 • UK£7.99
THE HARROWING OF DOOM by David Annandale
[Marvel Untold] Our thrilling new line bringing new tales of Marvel’s Super Heroes and villains begins with the infamous Doctor Doom risking all to steal his heart’s desire from the very depths of Hell.
Notorious villain Doctor Victor von Doom has finally found a solution for his oldest obsession: rescuing his mother’s soul from the clutches of Hell. An alliance with the reclusive sage, Maria von Helm, has provided the key to Doom’s latest invention. Fusing their super-science and sorcery, Doom has created the Harrower, a device that will open a rift and wrench his mother’s soul from the netherworld. Back in the human world, however, rebel forces threaten to overrun Latveria and topple its dark leader – and revolution couldn’t come at a more dangerous time than when the gates of Hell itself have been unlocked.
Pub Date: Dec 1st, 2020 Trade paperback • ISBN 978-1-83908-052-4 • US$16.95 • CAN$22.95 • UK£8.99 Ebook • ISBN 978-1-83908-053-1 • US$9.95 • CAN$13.95 • UK£7.99
THE SWORD OF SURTUR by C L Werner
[Legends of Asgard] The God of War must explore a terrifying realm of eternal fire to reclaim his glory, in this epic fantasy novel of one of Odin’s greatest heroes.
Tyr, God of War and elder brother of Thor, embarks on a quest to seal his place at Odin’s side. Spurred on by loyal young Bjorn Wolfbane and the bewitching Lorelai, the trio set out to steal a sliver of Twilight, the sword of the fire giant Surtur, who will one day bring about Ragnarok and destroy Asgard. But the fiery realm of Muspelheim is fraught with volcanic trolls, lava Kraken, and Surtur’s brood of murderous warriors. Tyr must overcome both his own feelings and the motives of his allies, or risk triggering the apocalypse and cursing his name forever.
Pub Date: Dec 1st, 2020 Trade paperback • ISBN 978-1-83908-037-1 • US$16.95 • CAN$22.95 • UK£8.99 Ebook • ISBN 978-1-83908-038-8 • US$9.95 • CAN$13.95 • UK£7.99
