Steve Jackson's Blog, page 117

September 11, 2022: Pick A Card Dice Coming Late This Year

When Steve outlined what he wanted for this specialty dice pack, we knew it would make for a fun pair of custom dice. What we didn't know, though, was that it would take so very long to work through the manufacturing process. Checking our internal tracking, we find that this project was started on May 4, 2021 . . . and it is taking over a year to get it right!

Why? Why would something as basic as a custom d4 and custom d26 take over a year to work their way through the manufacturing and freight stages? Because nothing is easy these days.

Fortunately, we pushed ahead and now Pick a Card Dice is finally ready to shift from the long process of manufacturing to the agonizing journey across the ocean to our primary warehouse in Georgia. At the moment, it looks like we'll hit a late 2022 in-store release . . . but who can really know in this world what will happen?

Need a card? Roll a card!

This "deck" will never get old and ragged or ruined by a spilled drink!

Roll these dice together to get any card from a standard deck. The 4-sider gives you the suit. The 26-sider gives you the rank.

Play poker with virtual cards! (An identical pair beats a regular pair.) Or just match cards to see who pays for dinner . . .

– Phil Reed

Warehouse 23 News: Pack Your Bags; The Fantasy Trip Awaits!

The classic sword-and-sorcery tactical RPG is back, better than ever! The Fantasy Trip Legacy Edition is a huge set that includes rules, counters, adventures, and more, providing hours of solo or group fun. Download it today from Warehouse 23!

September 10, 2022: Updating The Phases Of The Moon d6

When we received the initial test shots of the upcoming Phases of the Moon d6 , we were unhappy with how barren the blister card felt. We try to standardize the packaging for our various dice sets to make it easier for retailers to display the dice together, but this particular pack looked far too vacant once we had the test in our hands. So, after some thought and discussions, we decided to take advantage of the space to add two bonus dice to the package.

As you can see in the photo, we packaged the two bonus dice in such a way that the exact dice included are a mystery until the package is open. There are a handful of variations in the included bonus dice, meaning that the dice hiding behind that piece of printed paper could be one of a number of different six-sided pairings.

There are a finite number of dice combinations, though, so we do not suggest anyone buy more than one pack of the Phases of the Moon d6 . There's no real benefit to multiples. If you really want more six-sided dice, we have a wide vaiety of choices available right now without the need to blindly buy dice.

Phases of the Moon d6 is another victim of manufacturing and freight delays. The package should have shipped to stores earlier this year, but it took longer than expected to work through manufacturing and shipping. Fortunately, it is now in our primary warehouse and set to hit stores this month.

– Phil Reed

Warehouse 23 News: More Magic For Your GURPS Game

Pyramid #4/1: Fantasy/Magic I is the first of a new era of GURPS greatness, with fresh fantasy options, rules, spells, encounters, and more. This magic can be yours with a download from Warehouse 23!

September 9, 2022: Welcome To The T'reo School Of Martial Magic

On Kickstarter, right now, we have a campaign entitled Hexagram #10. But there's another release in that Kickstarter, and arguably I shot myself in the foot by dropping them together.  (Why release more than one thing in a Kickstarter? Because shipping these days is horribly expensive, and people don't like to pay shipping for a package with just one item.) Anyway . . . The other release is a 92-page sourcebook that a lot of you will appreciate. It's by David Pulver, and it's The T'reo School of Martial Magic . When I say "Magic School," you think "Harry Potter." Wrong. T'reo is definitely somewhat along the "British public school" line. But everything that T'reo teaches would be considered naughty, wicked Dark Arts at dear old Hogwarts. T'reo is an academy of martial magic. That is, killing stuff. Killing monsters, killing enemy troops, killing enemy wizards. (A statistic. Out of each entering class of about 32 teen-aged prodigies, two-thirds will survive to graduate. Some quit or die in training accidents. The rest are killed in duels with their fellow students. Including food fights. You do not want to get into a food fight with a wizard.) The book includes, among other things:A history of T'reo. The last century's intrigues and murders drive this century's academic politics.A guide to T'reo Island and the university itself, with maps.Character stats and stories for the faculty and for quite a few students, and details of who likes whom/hates whom/fears whom/is blackmailing whom. But not all! There's plenty of room to add your own inventions and your own player characters.Secret societies! Including one, the Circle of Iron, that is so far underground that the very suggestion that it still exists will send one of the senior wizards into a killing rage. Of course, we never come out and say that it DOES exist. *Lots of rules for magical dueling . . . formal, informal, tutorial, and "Die, you pompous ass!"And, of course, an academic calendar and many pages of general background material to let you set an adventure, or a whole campaign, at T'reo.And, absolutely of course, an index, because we aren't going to drop you into an unindexed sourcebook. There's even a new spell. Just one; new spells don't come easy on the world of Cidri. But wizards keep researching, and sometimes they come up with something good. (Actually, there are descriptions of a few "broken" spells in here as well, and that inspired an article which appears in Hexagram #10 . Everything connects.) The point of this screed is simple . . . We worked hard on T'reo. It ties in with many places we have already described, and I don't want those of you who are into magic – or fans of the growing story of Cidri – to miss out on it. In this golden age of RPG production, it's easy for things to get overlooked. Don't overlook this one. 

– Steve Jackson  * It does. Bite me, Worshipful Master Shadrach. 

Warehouse 23 News: Two Parts Danger, One Part Gold

Explore 1919 Paris in an attempt to discover the mystery of GURPS Action Adventure 1: Templar's Gold , an adventure for GURPS Action . Excitement is just a download away from Warehouse 23!

September 8, 2022: And Then There Was DragonCon

I'm back from Atlanta. Been back since Monday night, actually . . . but I have been busier than a robotic hive of Busy Things. Not only did I miss most of a week of work, but all kinds of good stuff happened at DC that required massive typetypetyping.

The game design workshop went very well. Better than last year, and last year was good. We had fewer students, which may not SOUND good, but it meant we got to spend more time with each one of them, and Bill and I are not doing this for the tuition money. We're already discussing whether we need a format change for next year, assuming the con wants to continue the feature in some form.

I got to play games! Actual games! Spent hours and hours with Car Wars . Played a game of Caligula and yes, the beverages were alcoholic. Learned Netrunner , which I had managed to miss the first time around. (Okay, started to learn it. You do not "learn" a Richard Garfield CCG in one sitting.) Plus the student games at the workshop. Very satisfactory

Another thing I had never done before: "go to Medieval Times." That was fun. And I saw upwards of a million costumes; my favorite was a beautiful brunette cosplaying Hellboy, and yes, it worked awesomely. And as far as I know I did not catch COVID - at least, it is Wednesday night and I'm not sick. Knock on wood. The con was masked but the planes were not, ugh.

There were licensing discussions. There were interviews. There were panels. There was catching up with old friends. There was a big piece of Death By Chocolate cake. And, biggest deal of all, there was the announcement that Dire Wolf is doing Munchkin Digital. Coming this fall, people!

– Steve Jackson

Warehouse 23 News: Twist Your Dungeons!

GURPS Dungeon Fantasy 23: Twists mixes up some of the core assumptions of your GURPS Dungeon Fantasy games. Add horror, higher-tech threats and possibilities, and more. Download it today from Warehouse 23!

September 7, 2022: Announcing Munchkin Digital On Steam

You asked. You asked and you asked. For years one of the loudest and most oft-repeated requests we've received: When are we getting a digital version of Munchkin ? Well, the answer has now officially changed from "No comment" to "Fall 2022!" Our partners at Dire Wolf Digital made the big announcement at PAX West, and Munchkin is already available to wishlist over on Steam! Kick Down the Door and watch the first teaser trailer for the game now: 

A number of news outlets are already reporting on the game, and we'll be sharing more details as the game gets closer to the fall release. Keep an eye on the Munchkin Monthly newsletter and here on the blog, and be sure to wishlist it on Steam to get a reminder!

– Hunter Shelburne

Warehouse 23 News: Print Your Own Minis!

Do you own a resin printer? Are you looking to expand your personal miniatures collection for The Fantasy Trip ? Then you need to download The Fantasy Trip Foes . These digital files include octopi, skeletons, orcs, and more. Your army awaits a download from Warehouse 23.

September 6, 2022: Kickstarter Reports, September 2022 Update

August was another incredible month for fulfillment and we're down to three open campaigns (two of which are moving into the fulfillment stage this month). As always, we have more projects to take to Kickstarter than hours in the day, so we're balancing a mix of smaller and faster campaigns alongside big projects that will take up to a year to fulfill.  

Please follow us on Kickstarter – Steve Jackson Games and Warehouse 23 – to receive notice when we launch new campaigns.

Hexagram #10, an Old-School RPG Zine for The Fantasy TripAugust 31 to September 12452 backers and fundingThis latest expansion for The Fantasy Trip includes an experiment in international shipping. We're offering the project to the US as well as Canada, the EU, and the UK. The international option is expensive, but does include door-to-door tracking so we can better watch the process once we start mailing rewards.Steve Jackson Games' 2022 GURPS Pyramid SchemeAugust 2 to August 111,436 backers and on scheduleAll of the material is ready to go. We're waiting for the surveys to lock, and then we will ship the project rewards. (Some backers have already received their first wave of PDFs.)Steve Jackson Games' One Roll Chronicles RPG AdventureJune 30 to July 111,038 backers and on scheduleShipping starts this week! This is the last time this project will appear on this report.The next big task on our crowdfunding list is to secure a larger mailing list. At the moment, our reach is limited by the size of our mailing list, and we must add more gamers to that list if we're to survive in this new and changing world. If you have not yet joined any of our mailing lists, please visit this page and sign on today!

We do not yet have exact launch dates for our upcoming projects, so please follow both Steve Jackson Games and Warehouse 23 on Kickstarter so that you don't miss anything.

– Phil Reed

Warehouse 23 News: Tally Mark d6 Dice Set

You have things that need to be counted, right? Because who doesn't? No worries, we have just the dice for you! Whether you're counting how many dragons you've slain or how many orc lords you've vanquished, this 16mm black and white Tally Mark d6 Dice Set will come in handy. Get a bunch now on Warehouse 23, even if you're only tallying bananas!

September 5, 2022: Cthulhu Dice Returns This Fall!

Effectively out of print for a few years, we're happy to report that this game is returning. The games are in the warehouse and shipping to stores this month. First published in 2010, Cthulhu Dice was a staple in our catalog until we . . . err . . . ran out, with over a dozen different colorways released into the wild.

For this year's reprint, we're back with two classic colors: green and purple! It's been quite a few years since these original Cthulhu Dice were offered to our distribution partners, so this is your chance to add these colors to your game collection without paying aftermarket prices.

For even more Cthulhu in your life, please don't miss our Cthulhu page where we list all our Cthulhu-related games, expansions and accessories. There are . . . several . . . Iä Iä!

– Phil Reed

Warehouse 23 News: Become A Classic Offensive Driver

Car Wars Classic is the original game of high-speed highway hijinks. This downloadable version includes rules, counters, maps, and scenario ideas to let you make your own vehicles and then start them shooting. Download it today from Warehouse 23 and get ready to re-tire!

September 4, 2022: Steve Jackson Interviewed By Wobblies & Wizards

RPG podcast Wobblies & Wizards interviewed our own Steve Jackson about the history, gameplay, and future of The Fantasy Trip , among other things. Why is Steve so interested in D6 dice? Listen to find out! It's a perfect topic for W&W since they focus a lot on old school RPGs. If you're a fan of tabletop roleplaying new, old, and in between, check out this interview and the rest of the Wobblies & Wizards catalog. 

– Hunter Shelburne

Warehouse 23 News: Grab This GURPS Supplement

GURPS Martial Arts: Technical Grappling is a complete subsystem for GURPS that adds detailed rules for grabbing, wrestling, and other incapacitating combat options. Lock onto this download from Warehouse 23!

September 3, 2022: The Fantasy Trip's Hexagram #10 Now On Kickstarter!

Number 10!!! When we first launched Hexagram as a part of the Kickstarter Zine Quest event in 2019, we weren't sure how the world would respond to the concept. Clearly, with #10 now funding on Kickstarter and gaining support, the response was favorable, and your support has brought hundreds of pages of game rules, fiction, and scattered content to game tables everywhere.

This time around, we're experimenting with door-to-door tracking for international rewards and offering to ship print rewards to Canada, the EU, the UK, and the US. If you've been hoping we would offer international fulfillment on Kickstarter campaigns, this is your chance to support the project and help us test the new shipping option. 

The Kickstarter ends on September 12, so now's your chance to join in and show your continued support for The Fantasy Trip roleplaying game! We hope you'll back the Kickstarter campaign today!

– Phil Reed

Warehouse 23 News: Become The Best Fighter On Yrth!

Augment your GURPS Banestorm campaigns (or any fantasy world) with GURPS Martial Arts: Yrth Fighting Styles , a collection of combat styles and options for GURPS Martial Arts . Don't kick yourself for missing this; download it today from Warehouse 23!

September 2, 2022: Munchkin Cosplay Contest Entries Are Open!

We've flipped our calendars to September, and I know more than a few people are already planning their Halloween costumes! A good costume can take some thought, so now is an excellent time to start the process. If you're looking for an idea, why not make it Munchkin ? If you do, you'll have a chance to win some actual cash, plus swag signed by Steve Jackson! Signups are open now, and prizes include:  First Place: $150 cash prize, a Colossal Munchkin Level Die (color will be randomly chosen), and Munchkin Babies signed by Steve Jackson. And Munchkin Babies 2 – Stork Naked !Second Place: $100 cash prize, a Munchkin Dice Bag: Duck of Doom , and Munchkin Babies signed by Steve Jackson. And Munchkin Babies 2 – Stork Naked !Third Place: $50 cash prize, a Munchkin Dice Bag: Duck of Doom , and Munchkin Babies signed by Steve Jackson. And Munchkin Babies 2 – Stork Naked ! Plus, we'll share your awesome entry on social media! We're proud of everyone who takes the time to portray a character from our game – it's an honor! And you don't have to be a hero; there are many monsters to choose from (and many versions of Munchkin) . You've got 21 years of history to work with, so be creative! Entries are open now through Halloween, but don't wait till the last minute. We can't wait to see what you come up with! And while we are talking Munchkin , you'll want to sign up for our Munchkin newsletter if you're not already on the list. You'll get all the news that's fit to print, as well as a monthly bonus rule. You can't lose!

– Hunter Shelburne

Warehouse 23 News: A Supplement To Die For

GURPS Zombies is your guide to all things shambling in GURPS , with rules, options, and lots of variants. From slow to fast, weak to deadly, technological or magical, they're all here. Unleash exactly the undead threat you want, thanks to Warehouse 23!