Steve Jackson's Blog, page 360

January 19, 2016: Munchkin Holiday Games Leaving Warehouse 23 Soon!

The holiday season is coming to a close, and you're almost out of time to grab our holiday themed Munchkin games! Santa is shuttering his doors for vacation, so the following holiday themed expansions and extras are going with him:



Munchkin Christmas Lite
Munchkin Holiday Surprise
Munchkin Naughty & Nice
Munchkin Holidazed
Stocking Stuffers
Jolly Jumbo D6
Munchkin Journal Pack 3
Munchkin Christmas Greeting Card
Munchkin Monstrous Christmas Card



These items will be available on Warehouse 23 until January 31st, or until supplies run out, whichever comes first. Get them fast before they get loaded back into the sleigh!



– Hunter Shelburne



Warehouse 23 News: Cities Never Sleep . . . And Neither Does Magic!



When they're working right, cities can seem magical. GURPS Thaumatology: Urban Magics takes that to the next level, by showing you how to add magic to urban environs. Discover how magic can make a city run; tap the essence of sacred architecture; unleash one of the featured campaign ideas; and more. Download the magic, but only from Warehouse 23!

January 18, 2016: Munchkin Guest Artist Edition Shipping to Distributors Today!

The first release of Munchkin Guest Artist Edition is now shipping to distributors! This first version stars classic Munchkin , reimagined through the art of Ian McGinty. Ian has done some amazing work with the and comics from BOOM! Studios, and he's really gone all out with this edition. This is the inaugural game of our Munchkin Guest Artist Edition line, which helps us celebrate 15 years of Munchkin !









If you're a retailer, you can contact your distributor today to order! Gamers can preorder at your Friendly Local Game Store or at Warehouse 23.



– Hunter Shelburne



Warehouse 23 News: Fight Your Robot Overlords



If you're not doing anything this weekend, maybe you can help overcome the terrifying robots that have enslaved the world? The details you need to battle for either side are within the pages of GURPS Reign of Steel: Will to Live , which updates the GURPS Reign of Steel setting to GURPS Fourth Edition. Unleash the power of Will to Live 's character lenses, martial-arts styles, robot templates, and more. Download it today, only from Warehouse 23!

January 17, 2016: Nuremberg Toy Fair!!!

Late this month Ross and I will be in Germany for the Nuremberg Toy Fair. This trip is our chance to sit down with our European licensing partners to review the 2016 Munchkin releases and begin discussions on 2017 games. Nuremberg, while an important trade show, is one of the easier conventions I attend each year and a great way to ease gently into a few months of heavy travel. Unlike the New York show – that comes in February – the Nuremberg event is all about outgoing licensing projects. Game sales never even enter into the picture. This makes the show low-stress and actually a fantastic opportunity to look at the rest of the toy and game industry and see what is coming later in the year.



What new toys and games will I see while in Germany? I've no idea, but if I'm lucky I'll get a few moments to chat with the team at The Loyal Subjects -- Jonathan's and his crew are always a source of entertaining conversation – and time at the Jumbo booth to see if there's anything new for Stratego .



– Phil Reed



Warehouse 23 News: They Just Won't Stay Down!



Those pesky monsters are at it again, only this time, they are the Munchkin Undead ! This booster comes with 15 cards chock full of monsters, curses, and treasure to add to your Munchkin game. Grab a copy today from Warehouse 23!

January 16, 2016: Gods Of Mars

If you're a font geek, you already know about Dave Nalle's Scriptorium, purveyor of fine typography since way back when. And if you're not a font geek but you do play Munchkin , you're very familiar with one of their fonts: we use Windlass for the box logo and card titles on the original Munchkin set, and a lot of the others too.



Scriptorium just released a very cool new Art Deco font going back to the days before Deco was even recognized as a movement. "Gods of Mars" is based on the cover design on the 1918 edition of the Burroughs classic. And it looks FINE. I can imagine this one on a bronze nameplate on the front of a 1930s skyscraper . . .



We have to use this one sometime. I have no idea for what, but we have to use it.



– Steve Jackson



Warehouse 23 News: The GURPS Underground Movement?



Don't be left in the dark! Discover the facts, myths, and possibilities of underground adventuring with GURPS Underground Adventures . It's a download away, and only from Warehouse 23!

January 15, 2016: Announcements For May

May is the month of GURPS and Munchkin , with several supplements and games hitting shelves!



GURPS Basic Set: Characters



GURPS is back with the new printing of  GURPS Basic Set ! An RPG is nothing without its characters, and GURPS Basic Set: Characters gives players nearly limitless combinations of options. With over 400 advantages and disadvantages, and over 350 skills, spells, and techniques, players will be able to customize every aspect of their avatar. You can recreate a classic hero, or create a cyberpunk hacker from the future, the choice is yours! GURPS Basic Set is the 6th edition of our classic RPG, and is the perfect introduction to the exciting world of GURPS.



This is the only book you need to play. GURPS Basic Set: Characters is Book 1 of the two-volume GURPS Basic Set.




GURPS Basic Set: Campaigns



Enhance your GURPS universe with GURPS Basic Set: Campaigns ! This book is designed for Game Masters who want to add a bit more life to their campaign settings. Advanced players can take advantage of the new technology, animals, monsters, and even the cross-world setting Infinite Worlds! This is the perfect way for players getting into GURPS to grow their settings and stories, and create a deeper experience.



This is Book 2 of the two-volume GURPS: Basic Set. Only Book 1 is necessary to play, Book 2 is to help Game Masters expand their game.




Munchkin Fu Guest Artist Edition



Another month, another new take on a classic Munchkin game! This time it's Munchkin Fu Guest Artist Edition , with art by John Kovalic. You may know him from...oh I don't know, he's done something with us. Oh yeah, MUNCHKIN! Oddly enough, John wasn't able to contribute art to the original Munchkin Fu , so we finally tied him up...I mean asked him nicely, and he was more than happy to help! Relive your favorite hokey martial arts movies, with all new art for 168 cards, board and standies. HI-YAAAAAH!





Munchkin Knights



Here be dragons? Well, here come the Knights! The Munchkin Knights may not be traditional knights of the round table, but sometimes the hero the kingdom needs is Boogie Knight. Ian McGinty is back for art after doing his own Munchkin Guest Artist Edition  as well. So grab a Knight Cap: It's time to save the kingdom! And remember, 'tis but a scratch!



Munchkin Knights is a non-random booster pack expansion for Munchkin. A Munchkin base set is required to play.





Munchkin Meeples



Do you ever feel like your other games don't have enough Munchkin flair? Worry not! Our Munchkin Meeples let you add some iconic monsters to your games, in Mega-Meeple and Non-Mega-Meeple size. And of course you can use them with Munchkin as well! Players can spend Meeples to get more treasure, run away from a battle, or even kill monsters. Don't kick in a door again without a pocket of Munchkin Meeples !




Preorder these items and more at your Friendly Local Game Store!



– Hunter Shelburne



Warehouse 23 News: The Gloomier The Better



Backstabbing and death have always been a part of Munchkin , but now they are the way to win in Munchkin Gloom ! Inflict horrible things upon your party of adventurers before finishing them off, while keeping your opponents happy and healthy. The most miserable party wins! Grab a copy from Warehouse 23 today.

January 14, 2016: Stakeholder Report For 2015

Also known as: most timely Stakeholder Report ever. Way to go, Phil!



As I reviewed this one, I realized that you might ask "How could we hit so few of our goals AND get turned out of our office for months . . . and still call it a good year?



Short answer: you had to be here.



Longer answer: Sure, it could have been better. But it was still a good year because we shipped some fine games, lived through an unpleasant surprise and came back with a nicer office, and opened up a new mass market chain that hasn't, historically, been much involved with the hobby. And we got set up for an amazing 2016. And yes, we made a profit.



So go read the report here, and then, if you're so inclined, comment on the forum.



– Steve Jackson



Warehouse 23 News: Get The Latest Dungeon Crawl Classics



Hack-and-slash your way to greatness with the newest Dungeon Crawl Classics adventures: #84.2: Synthetic Swordsmen of the Purple Planet , #88: The 998th Conclave of Wizards , and #88.5: Curse of the Kingspire . Adventure is only a download away, from Warehouse 23!

January 13, 2016: Announcements For April

It may be cold outside, but we're already warming up for a big batch of Spring releases!



Chez Geek Spring Break



The Chez Geek crew hits the road for a Chez Geek Spring Break vacation! Pick up the Slack at exotic locations, but watch out for travel impediments like an Unexpected Blizzard! This expansion includes over-sized Event cards to let players change the rules. Soak up some sun and Slack off! 



This is an expansion for Chez Geek. It is not a stand-alone game.



 



 



 



Munchkin 6.5 Terrible Tombs



You want more dungeons? Do you REALLY want more dungeons? Then you're in luck! Munchkin 6.5 Terrible Tombs adds 20 dungeons and 16 portals to mix with your other dungeons sets. Mix this expansion with Munchkin 6 Demented Dungeons to push your party to the brink of sanity!



This is an expansion for Munchkin 6 Demented Dungeons (or any product using Dungeon cards), it is not a stand-alone game.

 



Munchkin Puppies



Cat people had their time, now the dog lovers will have their day! Munchkin Puppies includes 30 new cards portraying a prolific pack of puppies. They're cute, but I hear they haven't been dungeon-broken yet, and require some training. But watch out, they're ruff customers! 



This is an expansion for Munchkin. It is not a stand-alone game. This is NOT a collectible or randomized set. Every Munchkin Puppies pack is the same as every other.

 



Munchkin Spyke Gets Suckered Playmat



It's Spyke versus the octopus, and Spyke is pretty sure he's winning! Maybe? The octopus has other ideas it seems. This playmat has areas for all your Munchkin cards and stat-keeping, and features vivid art from Ian McGinty. 




Your Friendly Local Game Store can preorder these items for you; just ask them!



– Hunter Shelburne



Warehouse 23 News: Take The Challenge!



Even more arenas await you in Car Wars Classic Arenas 2 ! It's packed with four arenas printed in full Car Wars Classic scale and a rules booklet explaining the special features of each arena. Available exclusively from Warehouse 23!

January 12, 2016: Announcements For March

The 15th anniversary of Munchkin rockets to new heights in March!



Star Munchkin Guest Artist Edition



Go where no Munchkin has gone before with Star Munchkin Guest Artist Edition ! All the intergalactic heroes, baddies, and weapons are being beamed up by our friend, artist Len Peralta. Len has worked with us before on Munchkin: The Guild , in addition to his Ten State comic and Geek a Week trading cards. 



Check out Len's awesome speed drawing of the Star Munchkin Guest Artist Edition cover! He's not only fast, he's incredibly talented!



Ask your Friendly Local Game Store about preorders! 



– Hunter Shelburne



Warehouse 23 News: You've Got The Power!



Power up your GURPS Dungeon Fantasy game with GURPS Dungeon Fantasy 18: Power Items , a look at acquiring and boosting the abilities you need to crawl through crypts like a champion. Download it today, only from Warehouse 23!

January 11, 2016: Game Trade Magazine Talks Munchkin!

The first in our series of Guest Artist Edition games celebrating 15 years of Munchkin is set for release later this month, and now we're excited to announce that our friends at Game Trade Magazine have shared a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the project. It's always a blast to talk about the process of making games, so when the team at GTM asked us to write about the Guest Artist Edition series we were happy to put fingers to keys.



I get the official credit for the writing, but it was the editing work of Susan and Andrew that made this article come together as wonderfully as it did. I'm lost without their assistance, and trust me when I say that you should be happy that the two of them chopped and refined my first draft; they saved all of you from a horrible experience.



Thank you, Susan and Andrew, and thanks as well to GTM for including the article in the magazine and on the GTM website!



– Phil Reed



Warehouse 23 News: Time To Go Cosmic!



Take to the stars with the Star Munchkin Cosmic Demo ! It comes with 17 cards that can be added to your Star Munchkin game or used as a quick rigged demo to get your friends hooked. Strap on your Moon Boots, and get ready to fight that Cyborg! Grab one today from Warehouse 23.

January 10, 2016: The 1957 Walt Disney Visual Flowchart Is Beautiful

I ran across this Walt Disney illustrated flowchart at The Economist and can't stop staring at it! The entire Disney empire, as Walt imagined it, diagrammed for us to see how every part of the puzzle fits together and feeds every other piece of the business. Words like "plug" and "feed" and "promote" and "exploits" makes it clear how Disney was thinking of the overall corporate engine and how the parts interact, and staring at it is inspirational and intimidating all at once. I need this as a poster in my office.



 



 



"An intricate flow chart drawn by Walt in 1957 (see pop-up) elegantly lays out the firm's component parts and strategy, with films at the centre surrounded by theme parks, merchandise, music, publishing and television."



– Phil Reed



Warehouse 23 News: Take To The Stars, With GURPS!



Have you had the itch to fly through the interstellar skies with your very own spacecraft? You can! The voyage starts with the meaty core GURPS Spaceships supplement. With it and the GURPS Spaceships line, you can tailor your trans-planetary transport however you like! Download them all today, only from Warehouse 23!