Steve Jackson's Blog, page 364

December 10, 2015: Steve Jackson Games & Warehouse 23 Will Be Closed For The Holidays

Steve Jackson Games offices will be closed from December 17 through January 3 so that our staff may rest and relax and enjoy their families. You may order through Warehouse 23 up until 11:59PM on Friday December 18th; our normal hours will resume on Monday, January 4th. All orders received Friday will be shipped on Saturday, December 19, by our very own warehouse munchkins.



This means you have just a few days to take advantage of our Free Shipping Deal and our Munchkin Messenger Bag Bonus. And, if you're feeling lucky, you can roll the dice on one of our Holiday Grab Boxes!



If you're still jonesing for some Steve Jackson Games stuff after we've closed, don't fret – our games (and other neat things) are available at your Friendly Local Game Store.



"More?" you say. "What if we want even more Munchkin ?!" Glad you asked! Follow the yellow brick road to Munchkin Oz , now available only at Target. Or, if you're cool enough, you can head over to ThinkGeek for the 30-card, totally non-fat booster, Munchkin Hipsters . Need help keeping all those levels straight? BAM! has the ideal Munchkin accessory: the exclusive Munchkin Yule Log comes with a board, standies, and four brand-new Munchkin cards.



– Andreas Stein



Warehouse 23 News: Slime, Slime, Everywhere A Slime . . .



Sure, "stab it in the face" is a great idea against the threats faced by most GURPS Dungeon Fantasy heroes . . . but what happens when they don't have faces? With GURPS Dungeon Fantasy Monsters 2: Icky Goo , you'll get a plethora of options for molds, jellies, slimes, spore clouds, and more. Download it today – only from Warehouse 23 – and have your heroes do an about-face!

December 9, 2015: Promo Cards And Bookmarks, Just In Time For The Holidays

When we're talking to our Munchkin fans, one of the questions we hear fairly often is, "Why can't I order specific promo cards and bookmarks to complete my collection?"



Why, indeed, loyal fans.



It only took us mumblety years of having the idea beaten against our skulls, but we've finally made it possible to do exactly that, thanks to the talented team at Warehouse 23. You can select promo cards or bookmarks to add to an order, or just order them by themselves. Go crazy!



And thank you, fans, for your patience – we hope this was worth the wait!



– Andrew Hackard



Warehouse 23 News: Threatened From Beyond The Stars!



The dangers of GURPS Monster Hunters extend beyond the supernatural, to those of a more scientific bent. With GURPS Monster Hunters 5: Applied Xenology , you'll fight aliens, battle plagues, unleash technomagic, and much more! The truth is in here . . . and it's awaiting your download, only from Warehouse 23!

December 8, 2015: New Ogre Survey

We've posted a backers-only update on the Kickstarter page, because once again it's surrrvey time!



The questions have to do with the promised supplement for the Ogre box - not that that box really NEEDS a supplement, but we promised, and it'll be thoroughly spiffy.



So, backers, let us know what you want to see! (To answer an expected question, yes, the supplement will be available to everyone, but the survey is backers-only.)



– Steve Jackson



Warehouse 23 News: Start Your Own Zombie Worlds, With GURPS



If you have the awesome resource GURPS Zombies and are looking for exciting ways to use it, we have a world of possibilities. Eight worlds of possibilities, actually! GURPS Zombies: Day One presents several campaign frameworks, ranging from supers to post-apocalyptic to science fiction . . . and more! Download it today, only from Warehouse 23.

December 7, 2015: Announcing Two More Munchkin Guest Artist Editions!

Coming in September 2016: Munchkin Zombies Guest Artist Edition by Greg Hyland! See all the creepy-crawly, foot-dragging, brain munching action of Munchkin Zombies through a new muck-covered lens! Greg Hyland is the creator of Lethargic Lad , a long-running webcomic that started out as a comic strip in the late 1980s. He has worked with Steve Jackson Games on several projects, including Munchkin Fu , Burn In Hell , and Chez Guevara . Hyland also illustrates Murphy's Rules for the monthly Pyramid PDFzine .



The following November, we will be releasing a second version of the Munchkin Guest Artist Edition basic set, this one by Skullkickers illustrator Edwin Huang – it's sure to be an over-the-top take on the classic set! Aside from Skullkickers, Huang has worked on various comics, designed video game characters, and even drawn story boards for commercials.



See the press release for details!



– Rhea Friesen



Warehouse 23 News: Keep Your GURPS Magic Grounded . . . UNDERgrounded, Even!



Make your dungeon-delving easier with magical styles designed specifically for underground adventurers! With Sean Punch's GURPS Magical Styles: Dungeon Magic , you'll find seven societies, each with their own delving gifts and secret spells. Download the magic yourself, only from Warehouse 23!

December 6, 2015: G.I. Joe Case Study At HBR.Org

Many of you who are familiar with my work already know that I enjoy studying the history of the toy industry. For over seven years now I've written about toys at my site, BattleGrip, and I've also written and published a handful of books about various toylines and marketing within the toy industry. All of that should make it no surprise, then, that I bought the HBR G.I. Joe Case Study the moment I knew that the document existed. $14 for a 21-page PDF may feel like a lot to pay, but as soon as I finished working my way through the document I found myself wishing that HBR would publish more studies focused on the marketing of different toylines.



"Billy Lagor, Hasbro's brand manager for G.I. JOE, grinned broadly as he gazed about his office. Every square inch of wall space was covered with shelves that contained G.I. JOE action-figure toys, accessories, vehicles, and other G.I. JOE paraphernalia." 



The document, perfectly written by Gail McGovern, gives us an inside look at the marketing planning behind the G.I. Joe toyline for 2004. The discussion on the history of toys and licensing, a brief overview of Hasbro's history, and a look at how Hasbro transformed G.I. Joe in the eighties (and, arguably, impacted toys and entertainment forever), are all worth $14 if you're as interested in toys and the history of modern toys as I am.



I'd love to see someone tackle a similar study of Steve Jackson Games and Munchkin , if only because getting an expert's thoughts on how we've handled the brand over the last fifteen years would be educational and likely quite entertaining. I'm always available if anyone from HBR wants to talk. Call me.



– Phil Reed



Warehouse 23 News: Futuristic Help Is Here, Today!



In Transhuman Space , the Japan Emergency Rescue Agency travels around the world, ready to help with any disasters! Discover their history, resources, capabilities, and technology in Transhuman Space: Wings of the Rising Sun . The future is just a download away, and only from Warehouse 23!

December 5, 2015: Toy Fans: The Super7 Magazine Archive Is Online!

If you've never read the Super7 toy magazine, then you've been missing out. For 15 issues, Super7 brought us news on designer and Japanese vinyl toys, features covering classic toylines of the seventies and eighties, and so many fantastic photos and layouts that I think some of my issues have fallen apart because I read them too many times.



Fortunately, the crew at Super7 must have heard about the poor condition of my collection because they have released all 15 issues as free PDFs! Download the entire run today!!!



– Phil Reed



Warehouse 23 News: Get On Board, With GURPS



Statting out organizations of all types has never been easier, with GURPS Boardroom and Curia . Tell at a glance how strong your groups are, how they can respond, how many people are part of it, and more. And with the info herein, you'll also know how to use these write-ups in your own games! Download it today, only from Warehouse 23.

December 4, 2015: Car Wars Classic Rules Now Free Online

We've posted the rulebook for Car Wars Classic , in handy PDF format. Get your free copy right here!



– Scott Haring



While you're grabbing your free rules, don't miss these other great Car Wars supplements that work perfectly with the classic edition:



Car Wars Classic Counter Set  -- A fantastic companion to the classic rules. Need physical components? Here they are!


Car Wars Arenas – The Kickstarter rewards have been shipped and you'll soon see this new expansion in stores.


Uncle Al's Catalog from Hell – The monster guide to weapons, accessories, and Car Wars tools is available now in PDF.
You can find the complete list of available Car Wars supplements right here.



– Phil Reed



Warehouse 23 News: Add Some Mythos To Your Holiday!



Kenneth Hite brings you the fantastic tale of Mini Mythos: The Antarctic Express . Hop on a plane bound for the Antarctic, and see what happens to young Danforth as he explores the depths of an eldritch city. This parody of classic children's literature is available from Warehouse 23.

December 3, 2015: A Peek At Creating Munchkin Kittens

When I was tasked with writing Munchkin Kittens , I knew I'd need to become an expert on felines in order to deliver the very best quality Munchkin jokes. I headed out into the savannah to truly become one with the cats there. 



This was a terrible mistake. They're very big, horribly fast, and I was just food to them. After being chased down, maimed a little, partially-eaten, and just generally batted about, I escaped back home . . . where I managed to lose a staring contest to my friend's twelve-pound Siamese.

The lesson I learned was that cats are jerks. No matter the size or the location. When you run into one of the  Munchkin Kittens  in a dungeon, like this Munchkin Cat card, my advice is to throw them some Catnip and run the other way.



– Devin Lewis




 



 



Warehouse 23 News: Adorbs Kittens!



Don't let these little furballs fool you! They come armed with claws, fangs, and ... seige weaponry? Grab Munchkin Kittens today and let the fur fly. Available from Warehouse 23.

December 2, 2015: Get Munchkin Christmas Lite Now!

It's always wonderful to learn that a new game is selling well – it means we're doing something right!



Apparently, we're doing something very right with Munchkin Christmas Lite , because our distributors are saying lots of copies are heading out to stores. Thanks, retailers!



Munchkin fans, remember that this is a complete game, not just an expansion (although of course you can mix it in with your existing Munchkin sets); it's meant to turn new players into Munchkin fans. And with all the great holiday-themed art, it's a great game for family get-togethers . . . as long as your family doesn't mind a little good-natured back-stabbing! To learn more about how this set came to be, read the Designer's Notes.



Be sure to ask your Friendly Local Game Store if they've ordered Christmas Lite ; you don't want to miss out. Stores that order from Southern Hobby might even get signed copies – now there's a great gift for your favorite cousin's stocking!



– Andrew Hackard



Warehouse 23 News: Kenneth Hite Reveals The Truth About Dracula!



Bram Stoker's Dracula wasn't a novel; it was an after-action report of a failed mission! Kenneth Hite and Gareth Ryder-Hanrahan bring you the truth, in The Dracula Dossier campaign.



The Director's Handbook has the gaming intel, while Dracula Unredacted is the "original" version of Dracula with new letters, documents, and more. Download both in The Dracula Dossier Bundle and save; if you don't yet have the indispensable  Night's Black Agents roleplaying game, get the complete Dracula Dossier Starter Kit and save even more . . . all at Warehouse 23!

December 1, 2015: Get Random At Warehouse 23

Do you like games? Do you like swag? Do your friends like games and swag? Do you like a good deal? Do you like surprises? Wait, is that too many questions? If you have trouble trying to choose gifts for your best gaming buddies, just "let the fates decide"!



We're excited to introduce our brand new 2015 Holiday Grab Boxes. They come in 2 flavors: the Surprise Me! Grab Box , for when you want something seriously random, and for those who want a little less mystery in life, there's the Mostly Munchkin Grab Box choice, which gives you – as the name implies clearly states – mostly Munchkin stuff.



Each of these beguiling boxes is just $40 and guarantees you at least $80 worth of games, gear, and goodies.



What's in them? Who knows? Maybe some hard-to-find Warehouse 23 exclusive swag, maybe that one game you've been meaning to buy, maybe something no longer available in most retail stores! You can count on at least $80 worth of games and accessories, and of course we'll throw in plenty of promos as well. The W23 munchkins will hand pick each item for you when your order is placed.



Share with a friend, gift it, or keep it all for yourself. We won't tell. And if you buy one of each, your shipping (in the U.S.) is FREE! From now through December 18 (our last shipping day of the year), free shipping applies to all physical purchases of $65 or more.



– Andreas Stein



Warehouse 23 News: The Future Of Tech Is Here, With GURPS!



Train better with ultra-tech weapons, design bleeding-edge armor, and rock on like it's 2099! With Pyramid #3/85: Cutting Edge , you'll have the future at the tip of your fingers. Download it individually or subscribe today – only from Warehouse 23!