July 17 2015: All hail the return of OPHIDIAN 2350!

All hail the return of OPHIDIAN 2350!

We have signed a licensing deal to allow Hack and Slash Gaming Company to reprint, recreate, and revamp Ophidian 2350!

The guys at HackAndSlashGames.com are supporting Ophidian 2350 with new updated video play instructions, new updated cards, new updated rules, and expanded game play.

They are currently on a convention tour (actually started in March) bringing the game back into the public eye.

Shortly they will be launching an enormous 3000 plus game give a way to put Ophidian 2350 in the hands of over 3000 new game players!

They are already working with new graphic artists and illustrators to revamp the card templates and modernize them for 2015.

They will be launching a COMIC AND GAME STORE based KICKSTARTER campaign to release the Rise of Champions Expansion with ALL NEW art and modern card templates. This alternative to traditional Kickstarter campaigns will be sure to get retail shops involved and actively supporting Ophidian 2350!

http://hackandslashgames.com/kickstarter-the-right-way-our-plans-to-deviate-from-the-standard-ks-campaign/

Everything else you need to know can be found at:

http://hackandslashgames.com/

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Information about our upcoming Kickstarter can be found here:

http://hackandslashgames.com/ophidian-2350/countdown-to-kickstarter/

http://hackandslashgames.com/kickstarter-the-right-way-our-plans-to-deviate-from-the-standard-ks-campaign/

Link to our forums on boardgamegeek can be found here:

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/7203/ophidian-2350

Link to our blog can be found here:

http://hackandslashgames.com/blog/

You can visit us live at the conventions listed on our calendar page here:

http://hackandslashgames.com/calendar/

Thanks for reading and be sure to spread the word!

OPHIDIAN 2350 RISES FROM THE ASHES!

-Robert Shofkom
President, Hack and Slash Gaming Company

October 9, 2013: Free Ophidian For All 10th Anniversary Gift
After 10 years, we have recently gained access to an inventory of the Ophidian 2350 base set. In order to spread the word and support the many things to come, while supplies last, we will be giving Ophidian 2350 away for only the cost to ship it to you!

If you want to learn how to play, teach others, or introduce the game to your friends, just message us on Facebook. We will gladly provide you the inventory you need.

Many of you have asked us, why after 10 years are you now bringing Ophidian 2350 back? The answer is: Because you asked and because we can.

This is just the first step. Expect more to come...

The Ophidian Team

September 18, 2013: Our Story
It's now the ten year anniversary of Ophidian 2350, and we felt it was finally time to tell our story. The story of how high school friends from Queens, New York, had a dream to bring change to the game industry they loved.

Till this day, only a handful of people know our story. But with Ophidian starting to return from its long slumber, we want those of you coming to our page--maybe returning after many years or maybe coming for the first time--to learn a little about what drove us to create Ophidian 2350.

In the game Universe, the Ophidians are a mysterious and secretive race of aliens who run and control the Ophidian games. In the real world, you had three close friends who grew up playing role playing games and CCG's together, and many other amazing people who, just for the love of games, joined us and helped us make Ophidian what it was and is.



The World That Was

At the time when we created what became Ophidian 2350, the CCG industry was dominated by the Big Three: Magic, Yu-gi-oh, and Pokemon. There were a number of independent companies holding on, mainly releasing licensed titles.

We submitted a patent for the flow mechanic, hoping to use it as an umbrella for ourselves and other Indie-minded companies to move in new directions, bringing more innovation and original concepts into the space.

With no history, no contacts, and little more than a couple thousand dollars between us, we contacted publisher after publisher trying to find someone willing to give us a shot.

Let's remember that Ophidian existed in a time without: Facebook, Twitter, major blogs, digital distribution, Youtube, kickstarters...making finding a publisher our only option.

Then, after rejections from nearly every player in the game and shortly after receiving our patent, we got a meeting with the heads of Fleer to finally show our game.

As the meeting approached, our demo game just wasn't right. At the last moment, while sitting in a pizza joint drowning our sorrows in hot dough and melted cheese, Shaun got an idea to add multiple gladiators to the game as a focus for the other cards, and by the time the last slice was gone, we had a demo we were happy with.

When we walked into the boardroom we were all nervous from the pressure, but as we went into our demo, things started to relax. When we finished our prepared game, the head of the family in charge of Fleer--a steely-eyed grizzled pro--almost pulling our worst fears out said, “Do it again.”

We had only prepared for that one demo, but we trusted the cards, shuffled up, and played it again without any script. After sweating it out for what seemed like hours in a room filled with Fleer card memorabilia and history, we shook hands and gained ourselves a publisher. We knew we couldn't possibly do such a massive undertaking alone, and were extremely fortunate to connect with Carl Van Ostrand , Kevin Coleman, and others. They all responded to our ad looking for testers, and became valuable members of the team, and many are still involved with Ophidian today.Ophidian 2350 allowed us to take risks, create a new property, try new mechanics, and innovate. We were all gamers, so we pushed for a “by gamers, for gamers” approach to everything we did. Most important, we wanted to make something both fun and deep.

But as any new game studio working under a publisher could tell, it was a constant struggle to see that original vision make it through: We had only five months from start to finish to get the entire game made and ready for stores. Not a single member of the Fleer staff were familiar with CCGs or the special needs involved compared to sports cards and we were just as new to their side. It wasn't until very late when David Chase arrived at Fleer, that we found a partner on the game side of the project that clicked for us.

Weekly threats of cancellation, endless milestones, resistance to every change. Working with Fleer was a mixed bag. While the business side of the company had a very cutthroat corporate culture, the creative team were nearly all kindred spirits that made us feel at home in a place we didn't truly belong.

We learned how to turn our weaknesses into strengths; Fleer had no artist contacts in the CCG space and a limited budget, so they contacted students, amateurs and friends to work on cards. We realized that there were some amazing undiscovered talents in those groups, so we pushed for the ability to work more closely with them and help give them a vehicle to improve and grow as artists. The result is an incredible raw power to a lot of the art, and many artists went on to do incredible things in the field.

Despite all the obstacles, all the frantic 5am phone calls to stop another threat to kill the project, at the end of those hectic months we had something we were all truly proud of.

Our game was released in August 2003 to great acclaim, with Scrye Magazine giving it the only 5 Star Gameplay in all of 2003. Things were looking very promising--Then the game was put on hold by Fleer only three months after release, and canceled in another two, leaving the now nearly finished first expansion on permanent hold.

Looking back, there were a few reasons why; Although Fleer wanted the game to succeed, they weren't willing to give it the time it needed. New concepts and new properties don't blast sales records at release, but grow over time.

Additionally, we faced legal intimidation and strong arm tactics from a competitor, whose patent dominates the industry, starting just days after our release. Between the efforts to launch the game, and the legal intimidation, Fleer gave in to the various pressures and put Ophidian 2350 and everything we had worked for into deep freeze.

Ultimately, it was a sad day for everyone because so much work from so many people had gone into the game and all that was planned to come after.

The World That Is

In the few months that Ophidian 2350 was supported by Fleer, we developed an amazing fan base who have since released nine expansion sets, wrote countless amounts of fiction, ran tourneys at the major conventions for many years running, and even inspired two video games.

Ten years later, those same feelings we had then hold true for us today. We're still die-hard gamers and still want to make our games with what's best for gamers first. It continues to amaze us that a game that only sold for three months has managed to grow a dedicated community of fans that has survived for over ten years.

The World That Will Be

Recently, from all directions, almost like a massive ethereal switch had been pulled, pieces are coming together for us to bring Ophidian back. Fans have been coming to us and telling us their stories; about what they've been doing and also how important Ophidian was to them.

For those of us that worked together on Ophidian, as designers, artists, writers, testers, there's been nothing like it since. It was a place where people who loved games could come together and do amazing things. It was the type of opportunity that only comes once in a lifetime.

We became a brotherhood. And even though we now have families and full-time jobs and live in different places, we still hear the roar of the crowds telling us to open the games once again. To step back into the arena once again.

Do you hear the roar of the crowds?

Thanks for listening,
Shaun, Gregg, and Raffi

May 14: Gencon 2006 schedule
Gen Con 2006 Events
It's that time of year everyone...World Championship time!!!! Below is the Ophidian 2350 tourney schedule:

Thursday 1 PM - 5 PM - Sealed Deck - Receive 1 random starter and 2 random boosters to build a deck. Winner gets to design an Arsenal card for inclusion in a future fan set.
Friday 10 AM - 2 PM - World Championships - all printed and fan set cards are legal, except the Holiday set. Winner is immortalized as a custom-designed Gladiator in a future fan set.
Friday 4 PM - 8 PM - Mano-a-Mano - all printed and fan set cards are legal, except the Holiday set. No cards with the Keywords "Weapon" or "Minion" may be used. This is gladiator versus gladiator alone! Winner gets to design new Quick-Hit card for inclusion in a future fan set.

February 09: Ophidian Compedium is Online
Check out the latest & greatest site to get your Ophidian fill. Featuring an archive of much of the Ophidian Universe, creating by YOU, the fans. Head to the Ophidain Compendium
Remember to email Hugo any card submissions/stories!
GO OPHIDIAN GO

February 05: New Fan Created Set
Damn we have a loyal fan base. We want to thank all of you for your contributions to the Ophidian world. Check out this most spectacular set, the Outworlds Revelation, featuring some fantastic additions to the Ophidian World. ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Outworlds Revelations PDF

July 4: Fireworks and Fiction
While you watch the fireworks, enjoy this all-new Ophidian Legends fiction and experience Walter "Boom-Boom" Drake's Last Great Match.

May 27: Wave of Fictions Set is Here
That's right arena fans; an all new Ophidian set has arrived! Wave of Fictions is an explosive 140 card expansion with new strategies, new gladiators, and a bunch of new tricks. Just click on the WOF link below to grab yourself a copy.
WOF PDF

May 23: New Bios and a Whole Lot More
In preparation for the upcoming Wave of Fictions set, Hugo has released five new bios. Get your first peek at Zagda, S'karthka, Kinax, Mastermind, Dagor Akk'thun, and Senwin Oldos . Also, Kronax has been updated.
Stay tuned for more updates coming soon.

March 11: Ophidian Summer 2005 Schedule
Origins 2005 Events
6/30 at 2pm - Sealed Deck
7/1 at 11am - Constructed Deck
7/1 at 3pm - Sealed Deck
7/2 at 11am - Constructed Deck - Beat the Agent, beat the designated Agent and recieve a booster box on the spot.
7/2 at 3pm - Sealed Deck
7/3 at 10am - Triple Crown Event - 1 round of sealed, 1 round of booster draft, and 1 round of constructed.

All tournaments are $3.00 to play, except the Beat the Agent, which is $4.50.

Gen Con 2005 Events
8/18 at 2pm - Sealed Deck
8/18 at 6pm - Constructed Deck - Worlds Warm Up
8/19 at 10am - 2005 Worlds Championships

All tournaments are $3.00 to play, except Worlds, which should be $6.00.

All online sets, except the Holiday Set, will be legal for all Constructed tournaments, and the Gladiators from those sets will be legal for Booster Drafts.

If you would like to volunteer for the tourneys, email Ryan at Ryan@ophidiangames.com

January 26: Ophidian Fiction Website brought to you by Hugo
Bookmark http://www.geocities.com/ophidianstories/ to get the latest Ophidian fiction. It is a constantly growing arena, so feel free to email Hugo, and maybe you can get YOUR Ophidian fiction published on the site. Enjoy!
The Ophidian Team

December 24: Hugo's Holiday Set
Happy Holidays, and don't forget to play with our holiday set created by Hugo, who runs the Ophidian fan-fiction, and fan-created set. Enjoy.

October 21: Ophidian's first Fan Created set is looking for Playtesters
You heard correctly. Hugo Ferreira has put together the first ever Fan-created set from all the cards that have been submitted to him. Now he needs some help testing them out. Please email him at Hugo@ophidiangames.com if you are interested.

June 17: Summer Con Schedule
Gen Con, August 19 Thru 22, Indianapolis Convention Center, Inidianoplis, Indiana.
Thrusday Aug 19 2pm, Ophidian Sealed Deck Tournament
Thrusday Aug 19 6pm, Ophidian Constructed Tournament
Friday Aug 20 10am, The First Annual Ophidian World Championships
Saturday Aug 21 Noon, Ophidian Sealed Deck Tournament
Saturday Aug 21 4pm, Ophidian Constructed Tournament
Sunday Aug 22 11am, Ophidian Constructed Tournament

All Gen Con tournaments (except Worlds) have an entry fee of $3.00, including Sealed Decks. A lot of prizes for everyone who plays. World Championships will have an entry of $6.00.

Origins, June 24 thru 27, Greater Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, Ohio.
Thursday June 24 4pm, Ophidian Sealed Deck Tournament
Thursday June 24 8pm, Ophidian Sealed Deck Tournament
Friday June 25 Noon, Ophidian Constructed Tournament
Friday June 25 4pm, Ophidian Booster Draft Tournament
Saturday June 26 Noon, Ophidian Constructed Tournament
Saturday June 26 4pm, Ophidian Sealed Deck Tournament
Sunday June 27 11am, Ophidian Constructed Tournament

All Origins tournaments have an entry fee of $4.50, including Sealed Decks and Booster Draft. A lot of prizes for everyone who plays.

Please contact Ryan Patterson at ryan@ophidiangames.com to sign up as a volunteer.

June 10: CAST YOUR VOTE FOR OPHIDIAN
The time has come to vote for Ophidian 2350 for best CCG of the year. You don't have to be a member of the academy to vote for Ophidian. Please head to originsawards.com for more information.
Thanks,
The Ophidian Team

May 12: Ophidian 2350 nominated by GAMA for Trading Card Game of the year!
We would like to thank all of the GAMA members who voted for us, sending us into the final round. We are very close to winning this prestigious award, but we will need ALL your help. Please speak with your store owners, distributors, or anyone you know in the industry and make sure they vote for Ophidian 2350. This is sure to increase the chances of bringing Ophidian back from the brink.
Much appreciated,
The Ophidian Team