Steve Jackson's Blog, page 357

February 19, 2016: Join Our Munchkin Guest Artist Edition Celebration!

It's almost here! This Saturday, February 20th, friendly local game stores nationwide are hosting  Munchkin Guest Artist Edition Celebration events! These parties are honoring the release of our first Munchkin Guest Artist Edition, featuring Ian McGinty's artwork. Stores will have brand new promo bookmarks, as well as the Nexus Demon promo card, with new art from Ian featuring a character from his animated series Welcome to Showside . Munchkin Guest Artist Edition sold out quickly from our main warehouse, so get one at the event while you still can! 



You can even enter to win a copy of the game! All you have to do is share a picture of yourself playing Munchkin Guest Artist Edition at one of our Celebration events on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook, with the hashtag #PlayMunchkin. We'll randomly select 3 winners!



We'll also be hosting our own local event at Wonko's Toys and Games in Austin, TX from 4PM to 6PM on Saturday, which we'll be live streaming over on Twitch. If you don't have an event near you, join us in chat and watch us play Munchkin Guest Artist Edition.



So hit up our event listing, find a store near you, and help us celebrate 15 years of Munchkin !



– Hunter Shelburne



Warehouse 23 News: Your School Year Is Magic



Go to college for four years and become a wizard! It's easier than you think, thanks to GURPS Locations: Worminghall . This medieval university sparkles with arcane possibilities, and you'll discover information on its curriculum, secrets of its scholars, and even a new variant GURPS magic system. Download it today, only from Warehouse 23!

February 18, 2016: Munchkin Marvel Edition Q&A With The USAopoly Team

The USAopoly team shared some behind-the-scenes info with Steve Jackson Games on the game development process of Munchkin Marvel Edition , including game play additions, their favorite cards in the set, and the best part of working on the game.

From Left to Right, Luke: Creative Director, Casey: Game Designer, Andrew W.: Content Creation Manager





SJ Games: How did you come to assemble Munchkin Marvel Edition?



Andrew W.: We're always thinking about what license would make the next great mash-up for Munchkin, and we try listen to what the fans are asking for. We've been really excited for a while now to explore all the iconic heroes, villains and items in the Marvel Universe and what they would look like as a Munchkin game.



Casey: Yes and the Marvel Universe has such rich content that couples well with the illustrative nature of Munchkin. The two seemed to go hand in hand. I think everyone at USAopoly agreed the combination was a good call.



SJ Games: What's new about the game play for this set?



Andrew W.: We have a ton of new superpowers that give players a fighting chance in taking down some of Marvel's most famous baddies. The game includes player role cards, like the cards we included in Munchkin Adventure Time, that also function as level trackers, which is also really cool. And then there's the Infinity Gauntlet and Gems, but I probably shouldn't say much more about that …



SJ Games: Who is your favorite Marvel character included in the set and why?



Casey: It's hard to narrow it down. I really like that all the characters can interact with others that don't typically cross paths within the Marvel Universe.



Andrew W.: I've always been a big fan of Spider-Man. His origin story is just such a classic. Oh, and also The Hulk, 'cause Hulk SMASH!



SJ Games: What is your favorite card from the set?



Andrew W.: I have two. The first is actually the Monster Absorbing Man. I designed him so that he "absorbs" the material for the table you are playing on as a bonus. I like cards that can interact with the environment to create unique game play experiences. The other is the Steal a Level card Pym Particles. It makes me chuckle every time I see it, with the growing up a level and shrinking down a level!



Casey: I like the Mysterio and Venom Monster cards. The Mysterio one is really horrible if you draw it, but it's really great if you can play it with a Wandering Monster on someone. It's probably the most detrimental card in the set in my opinion.



SJ Games: Have you worked on other Marvel themed games? How was that?



Andrew W.: Yes. I worked on Marvel RISK, which was also a lot of fun but very different from making a Munchkin game. With our RISK games, we are trying to tell a specific story; explaining why various factions are fighting for control of territories on a map. With Munchkin it's a knock-down, drag-out fight to be the biggest, baddest, and best new hero in the Marvel Universe! Both are a lot of fun, but from a game designer perspective we have to be approach them in very different ways.



SJ Games: What was your favorite part of working on Munchkin Marvel Edition?



Casey: Probably getting to browse all the Marvel art and content. It was easy to get lost in their database. The artists are all so talented.



Andrew W.: I'm excited about the core set and both of its subsequent expansions coming out later this year. It was a lot of fun to map out what a whole year of Marvel Munchkin Edition content all at once and to try and put together a program that can really build on itself from one release to the next.



 



Fan Questions!



@ScyStorm: Are Marvel villians gonna be the "Monster" cards, amidst some more generic Munchkin-type enemies most likely? 



Andrew W.: All of the Monsters are iconic named villains from the Marvel Universe, from Spider-Man baddies like Electro and Vulture to Avengers foes like Ultron and Loki.



@ScyStorm: Does [Munchkin Marvel Edition] use Classes and Powers like Super Munchkin, or is there something new/different? 



Andrew W.: Marvel Munchkin Edition will include Powers like in Super Munchkin. Instead of Classes, there are Team Affiliations, so you can be an Avenger, Spider-Friend, or Inhuman.



@DeuceDM: Will there be X-men!? 



Andrew W.: Unfortunately, no, not at this time, but maybe in an expansion.



@Shad0fx: Will Punisher and Blade make an appearance in the base game? 



Andrew W.: They will not be in the core game, but keep an eye out for them in an expansion . . .



 



Thank's to the USAopoly team for the behind the scenes look at production. We're excited for the launch of Munchkin Marvel Edition in April!



– Hunter Shelburne



Warehouse 23 News: Give This Catalog A Shot, Wild West Heroes!



It's a dangerous world for Victorian adventurers and Wild West sharpshooters, but equipping them for conflict is a breeze thanks to GURPS High-Tech: Adventure Guns. This catalog contains weapons, rules, historical details, and more for GURPS shootists of the mid-19th and early 20th century. It's a download away, and only from Warehouse 23!

February 17, 2016: Cutting-Edge Low-Tech Info For GURPS

The past isn't what it used to be; it's better than ever! With Pyramid #3/87: Low-Tech III , you'll have more rules, options, and insight into making your pre-modern GURPS games come to life.



This issue includes two looks at trading in GURPS : one where David L. Pulver adapts his rules from GURPS Spaceships 2: Traders, Liners, and Transports for seafarers, and another that lets you dabble in merchant-related perks or take a full-time job as a trader. Pyramid #3/87 also helps you ramp up your combat tension with "cutting edge" optional rules for weapon quality from GURPS Martial Arts: Technical Grappling scribe Douglas H. Cole.



But that's not all! Learn about accessing, surviving, or ascending the halls of power of the famous ancient Chinese bureaucracy from GURPS Low-Tech author Matt Riggsby, discover the history and dramatic possibility of master artisan Stradivarius and his fabled violins, and much more.



With Pyramid #3/87: Low-Tech III, your olden times never looked so golden! Pick it up individually, or subscribe to Pyramid today and fill your cargo holds with many more months of collected coolness!



– Steven Marsh



Warehouse 23 News: Summon-Chanting Evenings With GURPS Dungeon Fantasy



Take to the crypts as a demonologist, necromancer, shaman, or elementalist, as you call upon allies and servitors to do your bidding. Thanks to GURPS Dungeon Fantasy 9: Summoners , making friends has never been easier or more literal! Summon your download today, only from Warehouse 23!

February 16, 2016: Munchkin Hidden Treasures Available On Calendars.com

Finding hidden treasure is fun, but it's also time consuming. There's all the searching, digging, it's an ordeal. To that end, we've made it a bit easier to get some hard to find Munchkin treasures in the Munchkin Hidden Treasures expansion! This pack includes some of our rarer or out-of-print cards from different  Warehouse 23 promo packs. There are still some promos exclusive to the online packs, but this is a way to collect some more elusive cards, all in one box. To help jumpstart your adventure, we're also giving a copy away on our Twitter and Facebook pages! Just respond to either post with the hashtag #MunchkinHiddenTreasures for a chance to win.



Munchkin Hidden Treasures is available exclusively through Calendars.com and Go! Toys and Games retail stores. Happy hunting!



– Hunter Shelburne



Warehouse 23 News: Conan And GURPS – A Mighty Combo!



Draw your blade and wade into battle with the greatest hero of the Hyborian Age! GURPS Classic: Conan has a world of information at your fingertips drawn from the timeless Conan stories of Robert E. Howard, L. Sprague de Camp, and others, while four solo adventures let you step into the footsteps of the legendary barbarian. Download them all today, only from Warehouse 23!

February 15, 2016: Star Munchkin Guest Artist Edition Available For Preorder

We're very proud to announce that Star Munchkin Guest Artist Edition is now available for pre-order in Warehouse 23 ! It's time to fire your lasers with all new art from Len Peralta, the man behind Geek A Week trading cards and Munchkin The Guild . We had an amazing response with advance copies at PAX South, where we demoed the game and sold out of our entire 24 copy supply in less than a day! This is a limited edition version, so make sure you contact your Friendly Local Game Store, or Warehouse 23 if you don't have one, to reserve your copy. While you're there, grab a copy of Ian McGinty's Munchkin Guest Artist Edition. Supplies are limited, and it's almost sold out as well! 



Len is also working hard on some other projects for us, like Bill and Ted's Excellent Boardgame . Check out this speed inking of the game cover!



– Hunter Shelburne



Warehouse 23 News: Prepare For Januari In February!



What if the world-hopping wonder of GURPS Infinite Worlds wasn't fueled by science, but by magic? That's the premise behind GURPS Infinite Worlds: Collegio Januari , a campaign framework from Kenneth Hite that can add a different interdimensional intrigue to fantasy settings, Infinite Worlds , and other low-tech milieus. It's just a download away, only from Warehouse 23!

February 14, 2016: 3-D Car Wars At OrcaCon

The inaugural OrcaCon recently took place in Everett, WA, and an epic Car Wars setup made an appearance! Greg, a local Car Wars enthusiast, has built an impressive 3-D playing area using toy cars as the playing pieces! 

The car carnage is turned up to 11 with a setup like that! Thanks to Greg and the OrcaCon organizers and attendees for playing with that amazing display. The pictures don't do it justice; it's really an incredible way to play Car Wars. It's hard work to make a mod of that size, so we're honored that Greg chose Car Wars for the project!



– Hunter Shelburne



 



Warehouse 23 News: We Sell These Spells Down By The GURPS Store



GURPS Magic has formed the foundation of countless conjurations for decades . . . but sometimes you need more spells! GURPS Magic: Plant Spells provides dozens of new ways to let you unleash the vigor of vegetation, while GURPS Magic: Death Spells provides four dozen varieties of instant death for every college of magic – and insight for creating your own! They're both a download away, only from Warehouse 23!

February 13, 2016: Munchkin Math

Three J's Learning blog featured Munchkin as a teaching tool for students! Using just the Munchkin core set, the students determined the strongest monster combination, hero combination, and even "toughest" monster to beat. Surprisingly enough, the toughest was not the highest strength monster! It just goes to show that games are fun, but can also be great for education! Considering that 90% of the time Munchkin is used for more . . . back-stabby purposes.



We're always excited to see our games used in new ways!



– Hunter Shelburne



Warehouse 23 News: Gladiators, In GURPS? Thumbs Up!



Fight for glory and gold in times of old, with GURPS Martial Arts: Gladiators . In addition to GURPS templates, rules, and equipment, this supplement includes the details and history of the ancient Roman martial milieu – and insight into how to transport its evocative arenas into other eras! The fight begins with just a download, and only from Warehouse 23!

February 12, 2016: New Promos And Patches In Warehouse 23

You want loot, we have loot! We have a selection of shiny new Munchkin promos to add to your collection! Curse! For Munchkin , Curse! Cat Nap will give your friends nightmares, and add . . . Of Smiting! to your items to return the undead from whence they came. The Onomatopeon will biff bam pow you right in the kisser in Super Munchkin . If you prefer Munchkin Cthulhu , there's Embrace the Madness to ignore all the pesky downsides of insanity, or The Stars are Cruel can counter any of these nasty promos – because Cthulhu says, that's why!







We've also added the Car Wars patch with stylish silver and black lettering. Add it to the shoulder of your autoduelling jacket! You don't have an autoduelling jacket? You should probably get one to store all your patches.



– Hunter Shelburne



Warehouse 23 News: Live The Vorkosigan Saga At Your Gaming Table!



The award-winning science-fiction stories of Lois McMaster Bujold come to life with the Vorkosigan Saga Sourcebook and Roleplaying Game . This complete, standalone RPG (that's completely compatible with the GURPS system) has characters, rules, insight, and more – all you need to enter the world of Miles Vorkosigan. Buy it today, from Warehouse 23!

February 11, 2016: The Munchkin Book Releasing This Month!

You might not know this, but you have a lot of fellow munchkins in the tabletop gaming industry and beyond! For instance, Ed Greenwood of Forgotten Realms fame is a munchkin. In fact, he wrote a foreword for The Munchkin Book , which was edited by another industry veteran: James Lowder. Matt Forbeck, who some say never sleeps due to his prolific writing, is also a munchkin, as are Jaym Gates, Jennifer Steen, and so many more. You'll also find essays from our very own Steve Jackson, Andrew Hackard, John Kovalic, and Randy Scheunemann in this collection. Read what these folk have to say about one of our favorite games, plus use the Munchkin rules in this book to make your next game even more fun to play.



That's a very munchkinly thing to do, after all, and you'll have plenty of enjoyable reading moments in this book, courtesy of several talented and very munchkin-minded authors and editors!



– Miranda Horner



Warehouse 23 News: An Alien Race Invades Your GURPS Games?!



GURPS Aliens: Sparrials has all the intel you need to add the lovable, larcenous sparrials to your GURPS Space campaign. (Or use them with your fantasy or GURPS Dungeon Fantasy games!) Within its pages, you'll find templates, rules, professions, gear, and more. Download it today, only from Warehouse 23!

February 10, 2016: Munchkin Dice Bag Promotion For February

We love our cozy Munchkin Dice Bags , and we know players do too. But what if you don't have anything to go in the bags yet? Well, it's your lucky day! For one month only, February 1st through March 1st, when you buy a Munchkin Dice Bag from Warehouse 23 , you will receive ten random Munchkin Dice with it. That's right, TEN DICE! Fill your new bag to the brim with a mix of Munchkin Jumbo D6 , Munchkin D6 , and Munchkin Level Dice , hand picked by our high-rolling warehouse staff. The Munchkin Dice Bag is even available in one of 2 colors! In addition to the sweet bag and free dice, the bag also includes a special rule to use with Munchkin Dice . So if you really want to unlock your dice's luckiest potential, you've got to have the bag.











All you need to do is add the Munchkin Dice Bag to your cart on Warehouse 23, and you will receive the promotional dice with it. Now go throw some bones . . . and roll some dice too!



– Hunter Shelburne



Warehouse 23 News: Your GURPS Dungeons Just Got More Epic!



Loot is good . . . and memorable loot is even better! With GURPS Dungeon Fantasy Treasures 2: Epic Treasures , your GURPS Dungeon Fantasy games can harness the power of the Blade of Destiny, the Armor of Perfect Suitability, the Sun Chariot, and much more. Download it today, only from Warehouse 23, and make your games more epic!