Three Train Games and More from FRED Distribution in 2010

U.S. publisher FRED Distribution has announced its mid-2010 line-up of game releases, which includes three train-related games through its Eagle Games brand – one a brand new title and the other two new editions of previously released games.

To start with the fresh blood, Railways of the World: The Card Game – designed by James Eastham and Steve Ellis – streamlines the game play of the company’s Railways of the World by putting everything on cards and putting those cards in player’s hands. (2-4 players, ages 8+, 30-60 minutes, $35) Starting from a central pentagonal city board, players use track and city cards to build a railroad network and deliver goods, upgrading their engines as needed in order to get goods where they need to go. The game includes two sets of rules, one for families and another for experienced players (who may or may not be part of the same family).

Fred expects to debut Railways of the World: The Card Game at the Origins Game Fair in June 2010. For a better idea of the game play, check out the two sides of the player aid reprinted below:

As for the new editions of old games, Glenn Drover’s Railways of Europe should be available before the end of March 2010. This item is a straight reprint of the 2008 release Rails of Europe – an expansion for Railroad Tycoon / Railways of the World – with the name change being the only difference between the two. (2-5 players, ages 13+, 90-120 minutes, $35)

Coming in Q3 2010 is a new edition of Eddie Robbins’ Baltimore and Ohio, which Winsome Games first published in 2009 as part of its annual Essen Set. To use FRED’s description, “It introduces some very clever stock market mechanics and a new streamlined way to show track ownership.” (3-6 players, ages 16+, 180 minutes, $60)

As previously announced on Boardgame News, FRED will debut Richard Launius’ Defenders of the Realm in June 2010 at the Origins Game Fair. Here’s a brief description of the game:

Like Launius’ Arkham Horror, Defenders of the Realm is a cooperative game that pits players against an onslaught of outside forces. In this fantasy world, with artwork by Larry Elmore, players take on the role of one of the Realm’s eight heroes, such as an eagle rider, a rogue, a sorceror or a paladin. To win the game you must defeat the four Generals who are leading armies against your stronghold of Monarch City. If one General makes it to Monarch City – or any five minions inhabit the area – all players lose the game. You can also lose if one General brings its entire army onto the board or if the enemies can taint your homeland to a certain degree.

For more details on the game play of Defenders of the Realm, head to this Feb. 2010 news item on BGN. I plan to post more images from the game in the near future. (1-4 players, ages 13+, 90 minutes, $75)

The second edition of Xavier Georges’ Carson City, which FRED is handling with original Dutch publisher QWG, should be in U.S. stores before the end of March 2010. (2-5 players, ages 13+, 90 minutes, $60)

Other games on the way from FRED, with little info other than titles for now, are Glenn Drover’s Ages of Rome, Charon, Inc. and Bridgetown Races, a Carey Grayson design which is described by FRED as “a tactical racing game where players try to cross all eight bridges first using eight different forms of transportation.” Here’s a pic of the prototype for those who want to start speculating about the details of game play.

These games have been updated on Gone Cardboard.

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