Pandemic Expansion Scheduled for 2009

Game publisher Z-Man Games has announced an expansion for the cooperative board game Pandemic, although no details have been released other than the fact that it is scheduled to be available sometime in 2009. In the latest newsletter from Z-Man Games, "Pandemic Expansion" is listed on the list of upcoming games.

Pandemic, which will be near the top of my list of the best games of 2008, is an addictive board game in which all the players work together in an effort to eradicate four diseases from the world. Playing against the game system, the players -- each with a different role -- must travel the world to contain infections while developing the cures. Pandemic was recently named Family Game of the Year by Games magazine.

The Z-Man newsletter also includes a reprint of Pandemic this month, along with Heads of State (influence and prestige in the royal courts of Europe, complete with assassination attempts), Wasabi! (players compete as sushi chefs), and Neuroshima Hex (an apocalyptic strategy game). Tales of the Arabian Nights (described as an "unique, immersive game where your reactions to wondrous encounters will determine your rewards") is scheduled to be available in December or early 2009.

^{Image courtesy Z-Man Games}