Steve Jackson's Blog, page 32

December 19, 2024: The Politics Of Dropping

How do you handle fumbled dice? Does out of the dice tray (if you use one) but still on the table count? Off the table? What about "off the table, but it's a really good roll?" Cocked dice trapped in the corner of dice trays, lying on counters or figures, etc.?

As I thought of the question, I realized it's actually a really tricky question. Since most games I play with my family are pretty casual (or even co-op), we tend to be generous and forgiving in our rolls and interpretations. Even so, I realize our method could lead to some really sour moments at some tables, depending on how cutthroat the game is. ("Oops, let me re-roll that one," I mutter as the security guards escort me away from the craps table . . .)

Does everyone at the table have to follow the same policy? Do you sort that out ahead of time, or as it comes up? How "in depth" is the code of honor?

If there's some kind of universal thought or treatise on the topic, I'd love to hear about it (maybe on the forums?). But playing it back in my mind, I'm realizing I'm a lot looser in my randomizer morality than I'd realized on first thought . . .

– Steven Marsh

Warehouse 23 News: The City Never Sleeps Because Of All The Action

There are a million stories in the city, and they're all exciting! GURPS Action 9: The City shows how you can add GURPS City Stats to your GURPS Action campaigns. It also features six sample cities to use with your own action-packed adventures. Download it today from Warehouse 23!

December 18, 2024: The Transhuman Space Bundles Of Holding

The future is what you make it. The future is also what makes you, in Transhuman Space . It's never been easier to reach for tomorrow, thanks to the Transhuman Space Bundle of Holding.

This limited-time bundle begins at $17.95, and gives you everything you need to start exploring the world of Transhuman Space . The core collection includes the main Transhuman Space Classic core rulebook, a collection of ready-to-use characters; an introductory adventure; and four supplements to take you to the moon, the seas, and the highs and lows of Earth itself.

Plus, if you upgrade your bundle, you'll get even more near-future fun, including more adventures, more sourcebooks, and even a conversion and GM guide that lets you change this GURPS Third Edition setting to Fourth Edition.

Do you want to move beyond augmenting humanity? You can augment your game itself by picking up the GURPS Third Edition Core Collection Bundle, which comes with the , , and GURPS Compendium II – all for a mere $12.95.

But hurry! These Bundles will only be available until January 6. That may seem like forever from now, but trust us: The future is closer than ever . . .

– Steven Marsh

Warehouse 23 News: The City Never Sleeps Because Of All The Action

There are a million stories in the city, and they're all exciting! GURPS Action 9: The City shows how you can add GURPS City Stats to your GURPS Action campaigns. It also features six sample cities to use with your own action-packed adventures. Download it today from Warehouse 23!

December 17, 2024: How To Be A GURPS GM: Combat Encounters Is On Warehouse 23!

A while back we had a special treat: How to Be a GURPS GM: Combat Encounters .

This Sean Punch-written supplement was originally only available for a limited time as a special promo item for Warehouse 23 customers. It's been offered since then via GURPS Kickstarter BackerKit windows, but it hasn't been part of the "regular" catalog — until now.

Combat Encounters uses the same level of diligence and insight that's made the core How to Be a GURPS GM supplement one of our most popular, only focussing laser-like on helping your battles to be awesome: establishing conflicts, designing appropriate matchups, making the battlefield memorable, and adding interesting variations and complications.

Now there's no reason to be fighting mad if you've missed this supplement before. Download How to Be a GURPS GM: Combat Encounters today, only from Warehouse 23!

– Steven Marsh

Warehouse 23 News: The City Never Sleeps Because Of All The Action

There are a million stories in the city, and they're all exciting! GURPS Action 9: The City shows how you can add GURPS City Stats to your GURPS Action campaigns. It also features six sample cities to use with your own action-packed adventures. Download it today from Warehouse 23!

December 16, 2024: Are You One Of Today's 10,000?

XKCD has a fun comic called "Ten Thousand" that talks about the mathematical idea of "something everyone knows" by adulthood and the numbers needed to make that work; the upshot is that, each day, folks are just learning about things that "everyone" knows. There are (very roughly speaking) about 10,000 such folks (at least in the United States) – "the lucky 10,000."

Helping out those lucky 10,000 is one reason we repeat info in different ways – like the downloadable, printable holiday cards and gift tags we make freely available on our site. They're perfect for adorning Christmas-themed goodies we sell, but they also work great to add a touch of Steve Jackson Games love to the season.

To those who've heard about these downloads before, you're welcome for the reminder. If this is new to you, then congratulations! You've become part of today's 10,000!

And if this is the first time you're hearing about that particular comic . . . umm . . . then this might have just gotten self-referentially awkward.

– Steven Marsh

Warehouse 23 News: The City Never Sleeps Because Of All The Action

There are a million stories in the city, and they're all exciting! GURPS Action 9: The City shows how you can add GURPS City Stats to your GURPS Action campaigns. It also features six sample cities to use with your own action-packed adventures. Download it today from Warehouse 23!

December 15, 2024: Give The Elves At Warehouse 23 The Best Chance!

I swear . . . last time I checked, I was grumbling about Christmas decorations being for sale at the same as Halloween decorations were up, and now I look at the calendar and suddenly December 25 is a handful of days away. Time has no meaning . . .

If you've been thinking about waiting until the last minute to do your shopping from Warehouse 23, please consider this [checks watch] your official last-minute warning. To give your orders the best chance of arriving by Christmas, we recommend you order no later than Monday, December 16. We're not making promises, but we'll do everything within our capabilities to get it there on time. (From there it's up to the inscrutable powers of shipping, an elemental force slightly less understood than gravity.)

You'll want to order by December 16 anyway, because that's the last day of some great holiday deals and bundles!

Beyond Monday, time is hazier. Any orders that Warehouse 23 receives by December 19, 11:59 p.m. (Central) will be shipped by Friday, December 20. There's no guarantee it'll get to its destination in time to find a home under your tree, but who knows? Christmas is a magical time of year when yadda yadda . . . Anyway, if need be, you can always print out pictures of your loot and put them in a festive envelope (maybe with a fun card), with an intent to keep the holidays going in the days after Christmas.

So, make sure to help yourselves to help the elves!

– Steven Marsh

Warehouse 23 News: The City Never Sleeps Because Of All The Action

There are a million stories in the city, and they're all exciting! GURPS Action 9: The City shows how you can add GURPS City Stats to your GURPS Action campaigns. It also features six sample cities to use with your own action-packed adventures. Download it today from Warehouse 23!

December 14, 2024: Munchkin Designers Appear On Really Dicey YouTube Channel

Munchkin experts Will Schoonover (our  Munchkin Line Editor) and Devin Lewis (the  Munchkin Associate Developer) were interviewed last month by Manny Ortiz from Really Dicey! The conversation, which you can view here, discussed the origins of Munchkin Shadowrun ,   the art direction, illustrator Lar DeSouza, and how Shadowrun  came to be combined with the Munchkin universe. In addition to all the classic fun and puns you've come to love in the original fan favorite, a new mechanic has been added to Munchkin Shadowrun : the Matrix track. Will and Devin discuss how this mechanic allows players to win in an all-new way. It's a conversation you won't want to miss if you're interested in game design.   Munchkin Shadowrun is available now on Warehouse 23 and at your FLGS. Just be sure you're ready to 'Run, chummer!

– Michelle Richardson

Warehouse 23 News: The City Never Sleeps Because Of All The Action

There are a million stories in the city, and they're all exciting! GURPS Action 9: The City shows how you can add GURPS City Stats to your GURPS Action campaigns. It also features six sample cities to use with your own action-packed adventures. Download it today from Warehouse 23!

December 13, 2024: Rockets Roar Cozily

If you're looking to set an appropriate wintery landscape and are of a certain geeky mindset, NASA has posted an eight-hour rocket-engine fireplace on YouTube. It also has an incredibly amusing closed-captioning. I don't want to spoil it, but it'd make a great Daily Illuminator title . . .

– Steven Marsh

Warehouse 23 News: The City Never Sleeps Because Of All The Action

There are a million stories in the city, and they're all exciting! GURPS Action 9: The City shows how you can add GURPS City Stats to your GURPS Action campaigns. It also features six sample cities to use with your own action-packed adventures. Download it today from Warehouse 23!

December 12, 2024: Pay Once To Play, Then Play A Lot

All-you-can-play arcades are popping up around the nation. They've become incredibly popular in recent years, and for good reason: One admission price covers, as the name promises, as many games as you'd like to play! Often known as "barcades," they're absolutely family friendly, though many offer 18+ evening hours and great 21+ beverages.  Here in Texas, we have a small chain known as Cidercade, with locations in Fort Worth, Arlington, Dallas, Houston, and our SJGames headquarters city of Austin.  Residing in the former Legal Draft Brewing building, which housed both a large taproom and a full brewhouse in the back, the Arlington Cidercade is truly massive. Over 300+ new and classic arcade games are available for play; just pay an entry fee of $12 and you'll get unlimited gaming for up to 14 hours! That's right, you could play Mario Kart , pinball, Q*bert , Street Fighter , air hockey, and Guitar Hero for over half of an entire day. What a great deal! They even have pool tables, shuffleboard courts, and ping pong tables. Cidercade was created in collaboration with Bishop Cider, which makes some of the best craft hard cider in the state. They boast a large menu that includes dry, sweet, semi-sweet, and tart options. Pro tip: Try the Eleven, which is themed to Stranger Things and tastes of waffles and maple syrup, finished with a dollop of whipped cream. Coming with kids? Don't worry – they also have unlimited sodas for just $4. While no outside beverages are allowed, gamers can bring in food from anywhere to enjoy in the party rooms, taproom, or in small alcoves throughout the building.  Where do you play in your city? Share it on the forums!

– Michelle Richardson

Warehouse 23 News: The City Never Sleeps Because Of All The Action

There are a million stories in the city, and they're all exciting! GURPS Action 9: The City shows how you can add GURPS City Stats to your GURPS Action campaigns. It also features six sample cities to use with your own action-packed adventures. Download it today from Warehouse 23!

December 11, 2024: How About Not-Quite-Advent Calendars?

Our household is currently enjoying a few different Advent calendars, with daily treats from IKEA, cheeses and hot sauces from Aldi, and Professor Charlie's World Tour . And I've drooled over the various LEGO Advent sets in stores. For gamers, I know of companies who offer their own "dice set a day" Advent calendars.

As much fun as we're having with these, I'm curious: Why hasn't the idea caught on the rest of the year – even on a personal level? 

I imagine this lack outside of December has to do with logistics, mass production, etc. But it could also be that no one's considered the possibility. Maybe I should put on my thinking cap and see if I can come up with a "month of amusement" for loved ones in my life, to keep a birthday or anniversary celebration going for 12-30 days. Hmmm . . .

– Steven Marsh

Warehouse 23 News: The City Never Sleeps Because Of All The Action

There are a million stories in the city, and they're all exciting! GURPS Action 9: The City shows how you can add GURPS City Stats to your GURPS Action campaigns. It also features six sample cities to use with your own action-packed adventures. Download it today from Warehouse 23!

December 10, 2024: BGG.CON 2024 Post-Convention Report

I recently attended BGG.CON at the Hyatt Regency Reunion Tower in Dallas, and there were over 2,500 players present! 

A few of our team members staffed a booth in the exhibit hall, and we featured demos of some of our newest/coolest releases, including Car Wars Orange/Purple , Pathfinder Revolution! ,   and Hack & Slash Deluxe .

This was 5-day con, and while the library did close at night, gaming was otherwise happening aoround the clock! There were scores of entertaining events to sign up for, including some from SJ Games' friend Nathaniel T. Nathaniel hosted a Car Wars tournament, along with several sessions of The Fantasy Trip , and I'm exccited to report that 13 whole new players were introduced to our games through his events!

One of my favorite features this year was a sensory room in which folks could relax in a quiet space with dim lighting, comfortable seating, coloring books, and an assortment of fidget toys. It was a great escape for anyone looking to get away from the large crowds or loud halls.

According to the library stats, 2,786 unique games were checked out with Let's Go! To Japan leading the pack at a whopping 116 times!

The next Board Game Geek event, BGG.Spring, will take place over the 2025 Memorial Day weekend, May 22-26, at the Hyatt Regency DFW Airport. We hope you're there!

 

– Michelle Richardson

Warehouse 23 News: The City Never Sleeps Because Of All The Action

There are a million stories in the city, and they're all exciting! GURPS Action 9: The City shows how you can add GURPS City Stats to your GURPS Action campaigns. It also features six sample cities to use with your own action-packed adventures. Download it today from Warehouse 23!