Steve Jackson's Blog, page 359

January 29, 2016: Pre-Order The Munchkin Book Today!

The Munchkin Book, a collection of essays about your favorite game, is coming in February from our partners at BenBella, and the book is now available for pre-order at Amazon. Edited by James Lowder, this book includes exclusive game rules, original artwork by John Kovalic, and Munchkin secrets from Steve and Andrew. The book has been years in the making – we officially announced the project back in 2013 – and it's only through the hard work of James, Miranda, and the BenBella staff that we're getting our hands on the finished work next month.



This book is for every Munchkin fan who has ever wanted to know more about what happens behind the-scenes, and everyone who enjoys collections of essays about games as much as I do. (Please don't judge me by my collection of books.) The Munchkin Book is one of those titles I've personally wanted for years now; please ignore the rumors that I happily encouraged Steve, Andrew, James, and Miranda to wrap this up only so that I could read the finished book.



Now to convince someone to start work on a solitaire adventure Munchkin book . . .



– Phil Reed



Warehouse 23 News: Watch Your Step, GURPS Dungeon Fantasy Heroes!



You never know what dangers lurk under foot, thanks to GURPS Dungeon Fantasy Monsters 2: Icky Goo . It includes seven archetypes, covering fungi, molds, oozes, slimes, and other icky things. Download this supplement from Warehouse 23, and make your squishes come true!

January 28, 2016: Request Your Munchkin Guest Artist Edition Retail Promo Kits Today!

Retailers, rejoice! We're getting revved up for Munchkin Guest Artist Edition Come and Play events on Saturday, February 20, 2016! Starting today, retail stores will be able to order FREE promo kits that include:







A "Teach Your Friends to #PlayMunchkin" poster, 12" x 36"


A "Celebrating 15 Years of Munchkin " poster, 18" x 24" featuring the Guest Artist Editions


15 never-before-seen, nobody-else has-them promo cards


18 Guest Artist Edition bookmarks (6 each of Munchkin , Star Munchkin , and Munchkin Fu )


20 stickers to apply to titles of their choice: "Free Munchkin Promo with Purchase!"​
That's a lot of goodies for you, as well as for your local Munchkin fans! Help us celebrate the release of our very first Munchkin Guest Artist Edition, featuring art by Ian McGinty. In addition to the excellent swag mentioned above, Steve Jackson Games will be running a contest on Instagram for your patrons to take pictures in your store to win a copy of the game!



Munchkin fans, proceed quickly to your Friendly Local Game Store and make sure they order this promo kit AND the Munchkin Guest Artist Edition. Mark February 20 on your calendar, bring your friends, and, well - Come and Play! Enjoy a great game and get some awesome loot at the same time. Munchkin Guest Artist Edition sold out in THREE DAYS from our main warehouse; you don't want to miss this opportunity.



Retailers, contact Joshua to order an promo kit. Fans, get in touch with your FLGS to make sure they get involved. See you there!



Are there other events coming later this year, you ask? Why, yes, but they're a secret for now!



– Hunter Shelburne



Warehouse 23 News: Part Of What Makes GURPS Special?



When you're in the high-octane world of cinematic modern action, sometimes you need heroes who are willing to break the mold. GURPS Action 4: Specialists is a collection of over 100 areas of expertise; pick what you're good at, put the blocks together, and have a hero that's ready to go before the alarms go off. Download it today, only from Warehouse 23!

January 27, 2016: Steve Jackson Games At PAX South!

This weekend is the second annual PAX South convention in San Antonio, TX! This is close to home turf for the Steve Jackson Games crew, so you know we'll be there. We're bringing great games to demo, like Munchkin Guest Artist Edition , Simon's Cat The Card Game , I Hate Zombies , and Bill & Ted's Excellent Boardgame . There will be limited quantities of Ian McGinty's Munchkin Guest Artist Edition , and an even smaller quanitity (only 24) of Len Peralta's Star Munchkin Guest Artist Edition ! They are going to go super fast, so get there early! We'll also have a ton of other products on sale at the con, and you can get exclusive promos from one of our capsule or card machines. Swing by the booth if you're looking for some sweet loot or a demo with one of our awesome staff . . .or just to meet me, I won't tell!



PAX South runs from January 29th through the 31st, and is located at Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, 200 East Market St., San Antonio, TX 78205. 



– Hunter Shelburne



Warehouse 23 News: The Past Returns? It Must Be Magic!



Artifacts from the earliest years of Ars Magica are here again, ready to download! Revel in the adventures of The Broken Covenant of Calebais , Tales of the Dark Ages , and the super-rare Ars Magica: The Bats of Mercille . Or rediscover the earliest versions of Faeries, A Complete Handbook of the Seelie and The Order of Hermes . Get them today from Warehouse 23!

January 26, 2016: The Geeks Control The Boat!

Here's a geek success story: the JoCo Cruise (JoCo, of course, being Jonathan Coulton) will be taking over an entire ship in 2017. Even as a mere "tour group" it's delivered a lot of fun to a lot of people ­– I was aboard in 2015, will be aboard for the 2016 event in a month, and think the 2017 plans sound pretty darn spiffy. The amount and variety of geekiness goes up exponentially (this is scientifically proven with peer review and chocolate sprinkles) when your group is THE CHARTERER for the whole liner. And so, of course, does the space for gaming. To quote their release:



JoCo Cruise 2017 will be a full ship charter – we control the whole boat!


March 4-11, 2017 (7 nights) aboard Holland America Line's MS Westerdam


Sailing out of San Diego, CA, with ports of call in the Sea of Cortez


Tickets on sale beginning Noon PST Friday, 1/29/16


 More information can be found at jococruise.com

A sad note: you can't get on board for 2016, because this year is sold out. So plan now for 2017: reserve early, reserve often, and bring your games. A happy note: Holland America is generally acknowledged as having the best food of any of the cruise lines. Can you say FOOD? How about FOOD AND GAMES? Are you with me yet?

Regardless: think good thoughts about a successful and growing element in geek culture . . . the boat where WE are in charge. And think about getting on the boat and helping us use that gaming space. You'll like it.



– Steve Jackson



Warehouse 23 News: Toast Your Fallen Drivers!



After a hard day at the arenas, toast your fallen Car Wars enemies with this stylish AADA Shot Glass. It comes in black glass with the American Autoduel Association logo in gold print. Available exclusively from Warehouse 23.

January 25, 2016: Munchkin Comic #13: Flower's School Of Hard Knocks

Issue #13 is available at your Friendly Local Comic Store, or if you aren't so lucky, online through BOOM! Studios directly.



– Hunter Shelburne



Warehouse 23 News: Toast Your Fallen Drivers!



After a hard day at the arenas, toast your fallen Car Wars enemies with this stylish AADA Shot Glass . It comes in black glass with the American Autoduel Association logo in gold print. Available exclusively from Warehouse 23.

January 24, 2016: Munchkin Guest Artist Editions Featured In Meeple Monthly

The December 2015 issue of Meeple Monthly featured an interview with our very own Phil Reed and Andrew Hackard about the Munchkin Guest Artist Editions , and some of the behind-the-scenes production aspects of making a set. They delve into the origins of the guest artist idea, development of some of the cards, and how the art of Munchkin is integral to the humor of the game. It's a unique inside view on this massive project for the 15th Anniversary of Munchkin , with two of the great minds behind it.



Meeple Monthly is a retailer magazine focusing on game releases, and you can find it at your Friendly Local Game Store!



– Hunter Shelburne



 



Warehouse 23 News: Lights, Camera, Action!



Robin D. Laws takes you into the world of action movies with Blowing Up the Movies , a compilation of essays examining 24 inspiring films. Intended for use with Feng Shui 2 , this guide is equally helpful for any adventures with swords or explosions in them. Available from Warehouse 23 in print or PDF formats.

January 23, 2016: Get Together With Friends, GURPS, And Pyramid!

It's dangerous to adventure alone; you need lots of help! And it's especially useful to have as many friends as you can muster. To that end, we proudly present Pyramid #3/86: Organizations , focused on insight and goodies of interest to groups everywhere.



This issue features a mini-supplement devoted to creating headquarters for your assorted agencies, using a system that's similar to GURPS Boardroom and Curia . Sort out your place's size, capabilities, features, and more . . . or use the included lair – the Lofty Heights – as inspiration for your own locations!



In addition, we have designer's notes for Boardroom and Curia and GURPS Dungeon Fantasy 17: Guilds from the author of those supplements, Matt Riggsby, with a bonus sample group – the Faerie Court – presented in both formats. Or you can tap the resources of a monster-investigative group thanks to David L. Pulver; learn about the Knights Templar of fact, fiction, and conspiracy with Graeme Davis; and delve into the intersection of education and organizations with GURPS Social Engineering: Back to School author William H. Stoddard. That doesn't even mention the bits we couldn't fit elsewhere, or the sneak peak at the under-construction world of Car Wars with new artwork by Brandon Moore, the mastermind behind this issue's amazing cover!



With Boardroom and Curia , it's never been easier to stat out GURPS groups of all sizes and abilities . . . and with Pyramid #3/86: Organizations, you'll see Boardroom and Curia in full action! Pick it up today!



– Steven Marsh



Warehouse 23 News: Ken Hite Does It Again!



Ken Hite has reimagined the classic "Good Night Moon" with imagery from "Azathoth" and other chilling tales. Mini Mythos: Goodnight Azathoth is a perfect way for parents to share their love of Lovecraft with their children. Grab a copy from Warehouse 23 today!

January 22, 2016: Grab Ian McGinty's Munchkin Guest Artist Edition Before It's Too Late!

We warned you guys, and now we're happy to report that our first Munchkin Guest Artist Edition game, the classic Munchkin re-illustrated by Ian McGinty, has sold out at our primary warehouse in an impressive three days. The games have shipped out to distributors around the world, and late this month Ian McGinty's Munchkin Guest Artist Edition will reach your favorite local game store.



This Munchkin Guest Artist Edition , like all of the releases in our 2016 series of Guest Artist Edition games, is limited, and we do not have plans to reprint the game. Visit your friendly local game store today to pre-order a copy before they're gone; those of you without a FLGS can pre-order directly from Warehouse 23.



Congratulations, Ian, on a fast sell of your first complete Munchkin game. We can't wait to see your Munchkin Knights booster reach stores later this year. You've set quite a bar for Len Peralta's upcoming Star Munchkin Guest Artist Edition . And as to that other Munchkin game you're working on . . . well, we've said too much in public already. We'll call you.



– Phil Reed



When the office heard Munchkin Guest Artist Edition sold out in three days, we were floored. We knew it would be popular, but it still came as a surprise! The new art is incredible, so please get your orders in fast. We don't want anyone to miss out!



And don't forget, we have more Guest Artist Edition games coming out to celebrate the 15th Anniversary of Munchkin, so keep an eye out for more announcements here, and via Twitter and Facebook!



– Hunter Shelburne



Warehouse 23 News: Show The World You're A Star!



Grab the Star Munchkin Guest Artist T-Shirt featuring art from Len Peralta (Geek a Week, Ten State, Munchkin The Guild ) and show off your cosmic side. The shirt even comes with a rule for all Munchkin games. Available exclusively from Warehouse 23.

January 21, 2016: Thursday Is GURPS-Day!

GURPS fans know that Thursday is new-release day at Warehouse 23. We don't release a new digital supplement or Pyramid issue every week – but when we do, it's on Thursday. That has been a tradition for . . . well, my records show we were doing it in 2009, which means it's older than that.



But there's another tradition that GURPS fans might not know as much about. Douglas Cole has been blogging about RPGs on Gaming Ballistic since December 26, 2012, and he started setting aside Thursday as " GURPS -day" on February 7, 2013. Since then, many other bloggers have started reserving Thursday – a.k.a. " GURPS -day," " GURPS Day," " GURPS Thursday," and "Thurpsday" – for GURPS content, including (alphabetically!):



The Collaborative Gamer (by Joseph North)


Dark Paths and Wandered Roads (by Jason Woollard)


Dungeon Fantastic (by longtime GURPS writer Peter Dell'Orto)


Game Geekery (by How to Be a GURPS GM author Warren "Mook" Wilson)


GURPS Calculator (technically a tool and not a blog, but updated on Thursdays by creator Jeff Demers)


One Yard Hex (by Paul Stefko)


Ravens N' Pennies (by prolific Pyramid contributor Christopher Rice)


Shooting Dice (by GURPS firearms-meister Hans-Christian Vortisch)
You can keep up with these and other blogs by watching this sticky thread in the Steve Jackson Games Forums. Heck, why not join in and add your blog to the roll? Oh, and keep an eye on Gaming Ballistic, too, because Doug is making plans to aggregate links to new blog content.



Here's a big "Thank you!" to Doug and to all the stalwart GURPS bloggers!



– Sean Punch



Warehouse 23 News: Unleash The Power Of All Five Elements!



Forget what the periodic table says; earth, fire, water, wood, and metal make the world go round. Harness their might with GURPS Thaumatology: Chinese Elemental Powers , a collection of over 60 ready-to-use magical powers that are an elemental source of flavor and fun! Download it today, only from Warehouse 23.

January 20, 2016: Munchkin Hipsters Out Now!

Munchkin Hipsters

Oh, you haven't heard about Munchkin Hipsters ? It's only the hottest underground Munchkin expansion; you're probably not cool enough to know about it. But I mean, you can get it now, right? You won't be as cool as me, but it's a start. You probably don't even own Munchkin 1st Edition IN SHRINK. I can't believe I'm even talking to you; this is embarrassing.



Please, just buy a Nonfat Soy No-Whip Skinny Half-Caf Fair Trade Ventitré Mocha Latte, put on a Knit Cap, and head down to your Friendly Local Game Store to grab a copy today. Unless you already have it on a vinyl first-edition pressing, like me. But you probably don't.



– Hunter Shelburne



Warehouse 23 News: It's No Mystery Why This Is A Bestseller!



GURPS Mysteries tells you how to add all aspects of sleuthing to your campaign, whether designing tough (but fair) enigmas, creating memorable villains, finding clues, piecing together the facts, and more. Don't delay; download today – from Warehouse 23!