Steve Jackson's Blog, page 383

June 5, 2015: Origins Operation

Greetings from Columbus! I'm at the Origins Game Fair spending most of my time in meetings and interviews, doing everything I can to keep my head above water as everyone at the office continues pushing through the last of our 2015 releases. The magic of the future means that it's possible, if a little painful, to review materials and send over feedback even as I rush from scheduled meeting to scheduled meeting. Just in the first six hours of the show I saw things that tell me that we have packed this year's holiday season with Munchkin surprises.



At the show itself the one game that most caught my eye was Three Cheers for Master ; the artwork's fabulous and I'm going to have to take the time to sit in on a demo. I was also (again) drawn to the Dark Age miniatures game line and must do all I can to resist; seriously, there's not room in my life for me to get into a miniatures game . . . no matter how incredible the art or beautiful the miniatures.



If you're at the Origins show you may find me at the Adventure Retail booth on Saturday afternoon. Stop by and say hi, and maybe together we can give Three Cheers for Master a shot.



– Phil Reed



Warehouse 23 News: New Worlds Of Adventure For GURPS!



The stars await! With Pyramid #3/79: Space Atlas , you'll get several new planets to explore, and some new insight into how to get there with hard-science rockets or a new soft-science enigma! Get into orbit by buying this issue separately, or subscribe today for many more months of excitement – only from Warehouse 23!

June 3, 2015: Boom's Munchkin Comic Keeps Killing It!

Our partners at


"The combination of Ian McGinty's outrageous art and Tom Siddell's mostly understated writing creates comedy gold in Munchkin #5 and is really timely with the new Terminator film coming out this summer and even the return of Bill and Ted to comics."



The comic continues to delight. And things have been going so well with the Munchkin title that we've finished the comic's game cards for the rest of 2015. (In case you didn't know, the first printing of each issue includes a new Munchkin card.) At the very least, gang, we can enjoy the comic book adventures of Spyke and Flower for another seven months, and based on overwhelming response and strong sales the book will very likely continue into 2016.



– Phil Reed



Warehouse 23 News: This GURPS Magazine Has The Power Of Soul!



Harness your inner potential with Pyramid #3/78: Unleash Your Soul . It includes new rules for rebuilding the Blessed advantage and the Divine Curse disadvantage in GURPS , new GURPS Dungeon Fantasy options for clerics, and much more. This bundle of blessings is only a download away, from Warehouse 23!

June 2, 2015: Crowdfunding Focus: The Dwarves

Pegasus Spiele, our Munchkin translation partner for Germany and all-around excellent publisher of quality stuff, is doing a Kickstarter to bring one of their hit board games to the United States.



The Dwarves: The Saga is based on the tetralogy of the same name by fantasy author Markus Heitz, in which a foundling dwarf raised by humans discovers the nature of his heritage, and in so doing, finds himself embroiled in a struggle that engulfs the world. It's pretty classic high fantasy stuff, and it's also one of the most popular fantasy novel series in Germany.



In the game, you take control of the heroes from the novels — the main protagonist, Tungdil; and his friends, Balyndis, Boëndal, Boïndil, and Bavragor, guiding them through various quests and challenges in an effort to keep their homeland from succumbing to evil forces. (Incidentally, those are probably the most legitimate dwarven names I've ever heard.) The German version of the game has won a pile of awards already, and I'm excited to see it come across the pond.



– Leonard Balsera



Warehouse 23 News: Where Do You Store All Your Munchkin Cards?



If you're still trying to shove all those expansions into the core box, we've got the thing for you! Munchkin Boxes of Holding , Munchkin Cthulhu Crypts of Concealment , and Munchkin Zombies Meat Lockers are all designed to hold 1,000 unsleeved cards – that's enough for the core game and a couple expansions! As the cherry on top, each one comes with unique cards to add to your sets. Available from Warehouse 23.

May 27, 2015: Munchkin Steampunk Deluxe In August*!

We're getting closer to putting Munchkin Steampunk Deluxe in game stores! In order to make absolutely certain that all of you are aware of the release plan, we wanted to take some time to outline the schedule for this year's new Munchkin core game. Designed by Steve Jackson and illustrated by Phil Foglio, Munchkin Steampunk Deluxe is shipping first in a "Launch Kit," a pack that includes three copies of the game, three Munchkin posters, and three stacks of new promo cards that retailers are encouraged to hand out in their stores.



To make 100% certain that you can get your hands on Munchkin Steampunk Deluxe – and those new promo cards! – when the game ships in August*, please visit your favorite local game store and ask them to order the " Munchkin Steampunk Deluxe Launch Kit ." To make life easier, you can print this Munchkin Steampunk Deluxe Launch Kit sell sheet and take the copy to your local store. This sheet has all of the information they need to order the kit directly from their distributor. (You need to order the game through a store: our distributors won't be selling these to individuals.)



The fun doesn't end after Munchkin Steampunk Deluxe reaches stores! We have two Munchkin Steampunk accessories coming out before the end of 2015. Watch our New Releases page; that's where the information on these will appear online first!



*Edit: Previously stated July, however the release is now August.



– Phil Reed



Warehouse 23 News: The Ants-Er To Your Lovecraftian Questions?



The Book of Ants is a diary that paints a vivid portrait of life in Paris of the 1920s and 1930s, and a look at the Lovecraftian Dreamlands where the fantastic and the mad collide. Download it individually from Warehouse 23, or get it as part of a bundle with Trail of Cthulhu: Dreamhounds of Paris !

June 1, 2015: Collaborating With The Decemberists

Some of you may have seen over the weekend that The Decemberists were handing out a special  Munchkin promo card at their concert in Quincy, Washington. Here's how that happened.



One day, when I was still the Marketing Assistant, I came into work to find an email in my inbox from Chris Funk. Chris Funk, for those who don't know, plays the banjo (and a host of other instruments) for The Decemberists. I've been a fan of The Decemberists for a while now; I enjoy their music for its own sake, but some of their songs also have deeply personal meanings to me, for a variety of reasons that I won't get into here. So, when Chris contacted me, I was over-the-moon excited. Seriously, if you'd been here, you'd have seen me going around to all of my co-workers, telling them about it.



Turns out, Chris is a  Munchkin fan, and he wanted to help us promote our stuff somehow. We started talking, and we came up with an idea we both liked: a special  Munchkin  card, based on one of the songs from the band's new album, What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World. The Cavalry Captain seemed like a natural fit. For those unfamiliar with the song of the same name, we used these lyirics to come up with the rules on the card:

I am the cavalry captain
I am the remedy to your heart
I am the common collective
I am imprinted upon your stars



Andrew Hackard and John Kovalic took it from there. The rest, as they say, is history.



– Brian Engard



Warehouse 23 News: Who Doesn't Want To Relive Their Gothic High School Days?!



You don't? Well, what if I told you that you'd be able to do it in a way that rewarded you for being lazy? Now I've got your attention! Chez Goth lets you relive the black lipstick and '90s prog rock to your heart's content. Show them all that you are no poser...pozer...poseur? Whatever. Carpe noctem. Available from Warehouse 23.

May 31, 2015: ODIN Spring Invitational

One of the best things about the resurgence of Car Wars is when we get a report of some upscale high-speed action from game stores all over the country. Just a little while ago, Rich "DickNervous" Neves put on his ODIN 2065 Spring Invitational. ODIN (the appropriately named Offensive Driving Institute) and Hicksville, NY's Game Master Games hosted the event. Rich sent us a complete report, with pictures! Check it out.



 



– Scott Haring



Warehouse 23 News: Make Your Own Munchkin Cards!



Everyone always comes to us with card ideas that we're unable to use for various reasons. While we regret being unable to make your card come to life for mass market, you can still make it come to life in your own game! We have Munchkin Blank Cards that come with both Door and Treasure cards. On top of that, we have blank cards from Munchkin Cthulhu , The Good, the Bad and The Munchkin , Munchkin Fu and Star Munchkin !  All these are available exclusively from Warehouse 23.

May 30, 2015: Summer Convention Season Is Here! Where Are Your Munchkin Shirts?

It's officially summer convention season, team, so it's time to make sure your Munchkin shirts are all fresh and ready for action at the big cons. Our partners at We Love Fine have over two dozen shirts in stock right now, so check the list and grab a shirt or two for your next convention trip. With so many different shirts available – including my favorite of the contest winners – you're unlikely to run into a fashion faux pax and sit down at a game table wearing the same shirt as your competition.



But, I can hear you asking, what happens if you are wearing the same Munchkin shirt as another player at the table? Hmmmm. Maybe I can convince Andrew to write a special rule just for this unlikely event. Let me run out and see if I can find him.



[SIGNIFICANT TIME PASSES]



I had to track him down in the warehouse, digging through old archive copies. He said he was "looking for the one truth" or something like that. Honestly, I stopped listening. Fortunately, I had paper with me, so here's what Andrew wrote for a rule:



If two or more players shall be seated at a Munchkin table while attired in the same garment, they shall fight to the death until there is a sole victor who has earned the right to wear that most sacred of garments.



Nah, just kidding. If there are multiple people at a Munchkin table wearing the same Munchkin shirt, they are required to assist each other when asked without asking for a reward, unless the fight be for the win.



Perfect! Now even if you find yourself wearing the same shirt as one of the other players at the table, there's still a bit of awesome wrapped up in your Munchkin shirt. You're welcome.



– Phil Reed



Warehouse 23 News: Ever Wanted To Show Off How Much Of An Ogre Fan You Are?



We have you covered! Our Ogre Sherpa Case is the perfect way to prove you're the baddest fan around. They're in limited quantities and, because it is a case, it will never go bad! This comes with one free Sharpie to start you off. Get yours from Warehouse 23 today!

May 26, 2015: Munchkin Boosters And Expansions Set To Go Out Of Print

Andrew, Ross, and Devin were reviewing the numbers recently and constructed a list of Munchkin boosters and expansions that we are expecting will go out of print over the summer. We have no immediate plans to reprint any of these, so if there's something on this list you're wanting I suggest grabbing it soon before we sell our last copies.



Munchkin Gets Promoted


Munchkin Naughty & Nice


Munchkin The Guild


Munchkin Tricky Treats


Munchkin Holidazed


Munchkin Conan the Barbarian


Munchkin Booty: Fish & Ships


Munchkin Board of Health


Munchkin Zombies Decay d6
Check with your local store and grab these before they're gone!



– Phil Reed



Warehouse 23 News: The World Awaits



Travel from the concrete building of the Silver Waste – the only home you've ever known – and explore the mysterious lands beyond, in Death Ziggurat in Zero-G , an adventure for Metamorphosis Alpha . The tale of a lifetime is a download away, from Warehouse 23!

May 27, 2015: Munchkin Steampunk Deluxe In July!

We're getting closer to putting Munchkin Steampunk Deluxe in game stores! In order to make absolutely certain that all of you are aware of the release plan, we wanted to take some time to outline the schedule for this year's new Munchkin core game. Designed by Steve Jackson and illustrated by Phil Foglio, Munchkin Steampunk Deluxe is shipping first in a "Launch Kit," a pack that includes three copies of the game, three Munchkin posters, and three stacks of new promo cards that retailers are encouraged to hand out in their stores.



To make 100% certain that you can get your hands on Munchkin Steampunk Deluxe – and those new promo cards! – when the game ships in July, please visit your favorite local game store and ask them to order the " Munchkin Steampunk Deluxe Launch Kit ." To make life easier, you can print this Munchkin Steampunk Deluxe Launch Kit sell sheet and take the copy to your local store. This sheet has all of the information they need to order the kit directly from their distributor. (You need to order the game through a store: our distributors won't be selling these to individuals.)



The fun doesn't end after Munchkin Steampunk Deluxe reaches stores! We have two Munchkin Steampunk accessories coming out before the end of 2015. Watch our New Releases page; that's where the information on these will appear online first!



– Phil Reed



Warehouse 23 News: The Ants-Er To Your Lovecraftian Questions?



The Book of Ants is a diary that paints a vivid portrait of life in Paris of the 1920s and 1930s, and a look at the Lovecraftian Dreamlands where the fantastic and the mad collide. Download it individually from Warehouse 23, or get it as part of a bundle with Trail of Cthulhu: Dreamhounds of Paris !

May 28, 2015: Munchkin Treasure Hunt Comes To Your FLGS

Want Munchkin Treasure Hunt , but don't have a Toys R Us near you? Good news! In October, you'll be able to get a copy at your local game store! (Don't know where your local store is? Check our Store Finder today for a store near you!)

Munchkin Treasure Hunt



Explore the Dungeon!



Be careful, though. Monsters live here, and they don't want you taking their stuff. Too bad! Chase away the monsters, grab that loot, and run! Get the most treasure and win!



– Brian Engard



Warehouse 23 News: Hip, Hip, Hooray!!!



Is your master feeling down, feeling like he just can't conquer anymore?  Well, cheer him up with Atlas Games newest addition, Three Cheers for Master .  Hold a cheer-leading competition between minions and the best one will surely win Master's heart.  Available from Warehouse 23.