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Stephen Keller
Canada
Calgary
Alberta
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Merchants of Venus is a long out of print game that continues to interest and tantalize gamers. Released in 1988, designed by Richard Hamblen, and published by Avalon Hill, MoV is a 1 - 6 player game where players take on the role of space traders. Using the galaxy as their personal trading grounds players make deliveries and upgrade their ships until someone hits the predefined value to win the day. Projected to play in 180 minutes (depending on variable end condition) MoV offers a lengthy and engaging endeavor.
If you want to go out and buy a copy of this all you have to pay is a measly $180 (at a minimum). Or do you? Some dedicated gamers have bypassed this high barrier of entry on the open market by building their own versions of this game. The time, effort, and expense of doing this is just as off putting as the current high asking prices of the many auction sites offering this gem.
Well, the MoV drought is nearly over...maybe. You see, it was recently announced that fan favorite Stronghold Games was intending on releasing a reprint of this coveted title. Stronghold Games is known for reprinting a few games of yester-decades and the announcement wasn't really of much surprise.
What did come as a surprise is the even more recent announcement by Fantasy Flight Games that they also are intending to release a reprint of the very same game. Fantasy Flight Games of course being known for their stellar components and production values that are beyond reproach (Stronghold Games's productions are great too - FFG just has more resources).
First question: How did this happen? Rumor has it that FFG acquired the rights from Hasbro (title owners of Avalon Hill) and that Stronghold Games got permission for their project from the game's designer Richard Hamblen.
Second question: What does this mean? Who knows. Is it possible that two companies can each release their own interpretations of the same product to the same market? Will one company get the legal green light while the other gets the legal smackdown? Or will this untenable situation leave Merchants of Venus in a legal limbo where it may never see the light of day? Only time will tell.
*originally posted on http://www.reviewswithoutpants.com
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