Launch Pad Giveaway Contest   Stratus Games’ new card game of rocket construction and destruction, Launch Pad, is scheduled to hit stores on November 24, 2010. To kick off the launch countdown, Stratus Games is hosting a giveaway contest!
Those who wish to participate can enter the contest by reading the freely-available Launch Pad instruction booklet and filling out a survey containing trivia questions about the rules. Odds of winning can be increased by selecting the correct responses, following Stratus Games on Twitter, and referring friends to the contest. One winner will be selected to receive a free copy of Launch Pad, along with the individual that provided the referral, if any. The contest will expire at 11:59 PM MST on November 23, 2010. On November 24, a winner will be selected and announced. Click here for more contest details. Launch Pad is already being hailed as “a lot of fun” and “intuitive,” with “crisp, whimsical graphic elements and superb artwork, card design and typography,” according to a review on DiceHateMe.com. “Launch Pad seems to have a good combination of victory and vexing, and with the excellent card mix, even a player who falls behind can find themselves back in the game within a couple of turns.” Launch Pad can be purchased wholesale from game distributors, Publisher Services Inc. (PSI), or directly from Stratus Games. The game will be officially available to consumers on November 24, 2010, and retail copies can currently be ordered from the Stratus Games online store. Stratus Sphere Rewards Club: Join the Fun!  Stratus Games recently launched a private club, Stratus Sphere, that will allow fans to join in on the game development process by playtesting games, filling out surveys, and attending events. Each task that is carried out by a club member earns reward points, which can be cashed in for free games and prizes!
Stratus Games will periodically publish current point-earning opportunities via the Stratus Sphere email newsletter. Club members can then choose what tasks, if any, they are willing to carry out in exchange for reward points. Club membership is not necessarily limited to residents of Tucson, Arizona, as there will be opportunities to fill out surveys and even print game prototypes to playtest remotely. Anyone in the United States is welcome to apply for membership. To join, users need to sign up for an account on the Stratus Sphere home page (limit one account per household). If new club members are currently being accepted, the account will be activated and points can be earned right away. Latest Gold Mine Review Reviews of Gold Mine continue to trickle in. The latest review was recently published by The Board Game Family, a family that enjoys the quality time that board games provide and publishes written and video reviews of the ones they enjoy the most. So...what did they have to say about Gold Mine? Here are some excerpts from their review: "Gold Mine has fantastic components!" "Gold Mine scores high on our "Let’s play again" board game meter. With cute playing pieces, the good balance of planning and luck, and the variability with the way the board/mine builds as you go, the kids are always up for another game." "One of the reasons why we like Gold Mine as a family board game is that it allows up to 6 players to play at a time. It’s also great for families because it’s simple to learn and play. So even the young kids in the family can join in the fun. But just because it’s easy for younger kids to play doesn’t mean the older kids and adults won’t like it too." "Thanks, Stratus Games, for a fantastic family board game!" Click here to read the full review and watch the video. Monthly Game Nights Stratus Games holds an official game night on the 3rd Saturday of each month. Attendees may play any of the provided games, playtest new ones, or bring their own to share. Everyone is welcome to attend and join in on the evening of fun and games! Game nights are held at the Sunny Daze Cafe at 4980 S. Campbell Ave. in Tucson, AZ (click here for a map). They take place on the 3rd Saturday of each month, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Please plan on joining us for the following dates: 11/20 and 12/18. | 
