Dream Pod 9, the Montreal-based game company, is making major waves with its Origins-nominated ('Miniature Game or Expansion of the Year,' see 'Origins Finalists Announced') Heavy Gear Blitz Rulebook ($21.95), which provides a streamlined version of Dream Pod's classic science fiction mecha Heavy Gear tabletop tactical wargame that has been around in one form or another since 1994.  The height of Heavy Gear's popularity might have been the late 1990s when Activision published two popular Heavy Gear PC games, though the property also got a boost in 2001 from a CGI animated Heavy Gear cartoon produced by Mainframe Entertainment.

But Dream Pod 9 has revived and energized the property by developing a new set of rules under which a major conflict involving four squads fighting against four squads can be concluded in under two hours.  In addition to the Rulebook Dream Pod 9 has released Hammers of Faith ($19.95), a 64-page sourcebook on the Armies of the North and Swords of Pride ($19.95), a similarly-sized compendium of information on the Armies of the South.  Dream Pod 9 also offers an impressive array of highly detailed miniatures, which are available in both box sets ($39.95 to $49.95) and blisters.  To obtain Dream Pod 9 miniatures and books retailers must order directly from the company and the minimum order is $125 wholesale.

Dream Pod also offers a number of 'Starter Kits' for retailers.  The Starter Kits contain a mix of books, box sets, and blisters specifically designed to introduce the game to a store clientele that is unfamiliar with the new Heavy Gear tabletop wargame (though many may well be familiar with the property from the video game or the cartoon series).  So far three factions have been introduced to the Heavy Gear Blitz game.  Eventually each faction will encompass five box sets and 20 blisters and Dream Pod 9 is maintaining a steady flow of new products for the Heavy Gear Blitz.