Steve Jackson's Blog, page 167

May 3, 2021: Illuminati Confirmed Live On Kickstarter!

The secret's out: Illuminati Confirmed is back on Kickstarter! This digital take on the classic Illuminati: New World Order card game comes from Derek Pearcy and the folks at RadioFree.net. It's based on the original collectible card game, but adds modern elements and references to the game. You can find out more about the game and the project on the Kickstarter page, as well as in an interview with Derek and Steve Jackson from #SJGamesLive. 

Uncover the secrets of I lluminati Confirmed on Kickstarter and back today!

– Hunter Shelburne

Warehouse 23 News: War On The High Seas!

If you thought the roads were tough in 2040, maybe you should stay out of the water . . . Boat Wars brings Car Wars mayhem to the high seas! Includes counters, a big blue ocean map, and instructions on how to build boats and hovercraft. Get this classic on Warehouse 23 today!

May 2, 2021: 2021 Pocket Box Campaign Coming Together Nicely

We've slowly been constructing everything we need to launch a Kickstarter campaign for a new wave of Pocket Box games and supplements. We mentioned the Ogre Battlefields Pocket Box in an earlier Daily Illuminator post, but that's just one of the titles we're preparing for Kickstarter.

One of the games we're getting ready is a "what might have been" title. Steve's Demonwand game from Fantasy Gamer #5 (April/May 1984) was described in that magazine as a "War between wizards on an ever-changing magical landscape" and is a perfect addition to the upcoming Pocket Box campaign. After all, here is a two to four player hex and counter magical wargame that will fit right alongside my . . . I mean, uh, your . . . copies of Necromancer and Undead . The old/new Demonwand very much fits the mold of "this could have been a Pocket Box game in the eighties," making this very much a "what if?" game from an alternate dimension. (The box, as you can see below, strives to support that same message with a retro-styled approach to the design.)

Demonwand is only one of the games scheduled for our second Pocket Box Kickstarter campaign. Please make sure to follow both Steve Jackson Games and Warehouse 23 on Kickstarter so that you don't miss this project. (And yes, we'll offer some of the games from the first Pocket Box project in the new campaign, giving those of you who missed out a chance to get the older games right alongside the new titles.)

– Phil Reed



Warehouse 23 News: It's The End Of The World, Again?

Arm yourself for the next round of the end times with Munchkin Apocalypse 2 Guest Artist Edition ! Grab your Patriot Axe and Ketchup Gas to take on the Thawed Reich! Just watch out you don't open The Singularity! Grab your copy now on Warehouse 23!

May 1, 2021: GURPS Villains Designer's Notes

One great thing about the GURPS On Demand series is that it shines a spotlight on GURPS titles that have been lost to the depths of time. First published over twenty years ago, in May of 2000, GURPS  Villains is one such title that has a new life as a print-on-demand book available right now as part of the GURPS On Demand series. Even though it has been decades, I can still remember working with Alex on the graphics and layout of the book. The cover was an especially fun project, and seeing it again while reviewing the progress of our print-on-demand program was a treat that reminds me of an ancient time when my time was spent making things.

And it wasn't just the cover to GURPS Villains that caught my eye as I was scanning over the GURPS On Demand titles. Who can forget the days when we would post designer's notes articles to Pyramid, almost for every single GURPS book that we published? It was a different age, but thanks to the wonders of the internet, we can relive those days right now.

Check out the GURPS Villains designer's notes, and then visit the official webpage to find links to buy the book in print or PDF!

– Phil Reed

Warehouse 23 News: Don't Fail!

Gather your guild of adventurers and take on quests in Hack & Slash ! Arm wrestle a troll, plunder pirates, and more! If you succeed, you may recruit a new member, but remember "Don't Fail!" – or you will have to slink back to the tavern in shame. Order now on Warehouse 23!

April 30, 2021: Don't Miss The Biohazard D6 And Radiation D6 Dice Sets!

You're a fan of dice, right? After all, what gamer isn't on the hunt for new dice to add to their collection?

As a part of our Steve Jackson Games Button Pack project (now on Kickstarter), we're offering the new Biohazard d6 Dice Set and Radiation d6 Dice Set . Each pack includes six dice, all with the same design, giving you plenty of dice for your next GURPS game . . . or any game that uses six-sided dice! 

These dice were first listed for pre-order earlier this year and the Warehouse 23 team is shipping the pre-orders now. If you missed pre-ordering, or if you pre-ordered and simply need more of these dice (we won't judge), join the Button Pack campaign on Kickstarter today!

– Phil Reed

Warehouse 23 News: Spyke Has Your Back!

Need someone to take the blame the next time you backstab your buddy in Munchkin ?  This Spyke  Munchkin Vinyl Figure has you covered! It even comes with a special card for your Munchkin game. Order now on Warehouse 23!

April 28, 2021: Steve Jackson Games Button Packs!

We're launching a Kickstarter campaign today for something a little out of our usual field: buttons! This one-week project offers up two different packs of buttons and unlocking stretch goals add more buttons to each pack. 

In addition to the buttons, we also have several wonderful add-ons as well as reward levels that include the Biohazard d6 Dice Set and Radiation d6 Dice Set , two new packs of six-sided dice that are great for your post-apocalyptic GURPS campaigns. 

Whether you want to decorate your jacket, backpack, or anything you can stick with a pin, these new button packs are a great addition to your collection!

– Phil Reed

Warehouse 23 News: Puppies Galore!

Do you need to add some puppies to your game night? Then grab the Puppy Litter d6 Dice Set – with 36 puppy-themed dice featuring artwork from Katie Cook. Order now on Warehouse 23!

April 29, 2021: Illuminati Confirmed! It Lives!

         Just launched on Kickstarter is the second incarnation of Illuminati Confirmed , the licensed digital version of Illuminati / INWO . (The first incarnation launched last year but was withdrawn in order to respond to some really excellent user feedback.)

         This game is the product of RadioFree.Net, Derek Pearcy's new game studio. Illuminati fans will remember Derek as a big part of the energy behind INWO when we released it last century. Derek has continued to gain experience and level up among the Secret Masters, and he's coming out of the gate strong.

         This time, they're leaning into the game's history as well as its tabletop background. Conspire across the ages with three game modes: Classic Illuminati (1980s), Illuminati: New World Order (1990s) and Illuminati Confirmed (NOW). It's still an adaptation, though their plans are now much closer to the original gameplay, making it easier to take over the world without sacrificing much complexity.

         Plus, they took advantage of the time between then and now to make progress on the game itself—expect a playable mini-version available to some backers within weeks of the Kickstarter's end!

– Steve Jackson

Warehouse 23 News: Clean Air, Sparkling Water, And Zombies?

Welcome to Black Lake, California! Enjoy your stay in this idylic small town, but beware! Mystery is afoot with phones stuck on busy signals and a suspicious van cruising the streets. And then the dead begin to walk . . .  Get your copy of GURPS Zombietown, U.S.A. on Warehouse 23 today!

April 27, 2021: Counterfeit Games

It happens - these days, it happens more and more. A company finds that its sales of its big hit are dropping . . . and they are getting complaints about reduced quality, maybe even mistakes on the box or missing parts. They've been counterfeited.

Most fake games come out of Asian factories and are sold in bulk to third parties - sellers on platforms such as, but not limited to, Amazon. (Recent good news on that: Amazon has started listing detailed contact information – including addresses – for third-party sellers.)

Personally, I've seen fake Chinese-language Munchkin , and some really badly-made counterfeit INWO cards.

The problem could get much worse than it is. If it's not reined in, it could become a serious threat to mid-size publishers and to creators who have just broken into the market with a single big hit. Especially if they can't keep up with demand . . . they may find they are getting "help" they don't want.

Keep an eye on this issue.

Two relevant articles by Cameron Brown:

What Can We Do About Counterfeit Board Games?

The Impact of Counterfeits on the Board Game Hobby

 

– Steve Jackson

Warehouse 23 News: The Possibilities Are Infinite!

Get ready for endless adventure with The Fantasy Trip: The Infinite Arena ! 54 cards of mayhem await: Have a Battle in the Dark or face off against a Zombie Horde! Order now on Warehouse 23!

April 26, 2021: Comics and Board Games Share One Universe!

Recently, acclaimed comic author Gail Simone (Secret Six, Birds of Prey, Deadpool) has expanded her boardgame horizons with a variety of games from around our industry. She's been sharing her exploits and new acquisitions over on Twitter, and one of the things she's mentioned is being a longtime fan of Steve Jackson Games. She's talked about Munchkin and Zombie Dice , and extolled  Ogre in particular as one of her early favorites. Now she is diving into the full depth of the boardgame hobby, and it's awesome to see. Her "Magic Porch" has been magnetically attracting all sorts of new games to her. I need to get one of those for me!

It's always fun when games and comics collide, and we're proud to be an influence for someone to explore a lifetime of gaming. Was Munchkin your first game? Maybe it was Car Wars or GURPS . Whatever you started with, everyone has a first game, so help spread the love and introduce your non-gaming friends to some classics, or even modern classics. Maybe you've got more gamers in your life than you think! 

– Hunter Shelburne

Warehouse 23 News: A Lite Take On Munchkin

Killing monsters, backstabbing your friends, looting treasure . . . admit it, you love it. But maybe you'd like a quick, "lite" version. Well, we have just the thing! With Munchkin Lite , you get the madness of the original Munchkin with a quicker play time. Order today at Warehouse 23!

April 25, 2021: So Many Cats And Dogs!

If you're looking to confuse everyone at the table the next time you need to roll handfuls of six-sided dice at once, we have two large packs of dice that should do the trick. Puppy d6 Litter Dice - This bag is loaded with 36 dice featuring puppies and bones, illustrated by Katie Cook.  Kitten d6 Litter - If kitties are more your style, this set of 36 dice will work perfectly the next time your dice pool calls for over 30 different dice. Or for those days when you want to add a decorative jar of dice to your home.Retailers, do you sell single dice and need more six-sided dice to stock your jar 'o dice at the counter? Please email retailers@sjgames.com and ask for information on a direct account. These two bags of dice are only available from Warehouse 23, but that doesn't mean you cannot order them at a retailer discount and stock your jar with puppies and kitties.

– Phil Reed

Warehouse 23 News: Adventures Await!

The Fantasy Trip Adventures gives you five ready-to-use adventures for The Fantasy Trip . Quest after unfathomable energies, a clockwork tower, a wizard-king straddling life and death, and more. Each one includes the background, encounters, and rewards possible for would-be heroes. Get this trove today from Warehouse 23!

April 24, 2021: Follow Illuminati Confirmed On Kickstarter!

Coming soon to Kickstarter! Have you always wanted to play Illuminati as a video game? RadioFree.Net is returning to Kickstarter with Illuminati Confirmed , a digital implementation of the classic Illuminati: New World Order card game with upgrades and improvements spearheaded by Derek Pearcy. Taking everything he learned from his first Kickstarter campaign, Derek has completely restructured the Illuminati Confirmed project and is so close to launch that there's very little time to click the green "notify me" button on this page to receive email notification when the project launches!

"Illuminati Confirmed is a game of secret conspiracies, power systems, and a struggling resistance, under license from Austin's legendary Steve Jackson Games. Newcomers and existing fans will love this updated twist on a classic, with incredible new artwork."

Follow Illuminati Confirmed on Kickstarter today!

– Phil Reed

Warehouse 23 News: Take It Off-Road!

Do you have the skills to battle in the scenic Ozark Off-Road Autoduel Arena? Test yourself with  Car Wars Expansion Set 7  –  Off-Road Dueling . With two 21" x 32" maps, counters, and new scenarios, you will add hours of carnage to any Car Wars game. Grab yours from Warehouse 23 today!