Steve Jackson's Blog, page 411

August 17, 2014: Did You Get Your Special Munchkin Card?

At the end of this year our special Munchkin Booster Promotion ends and the exclusive card forever vanishes and will not return. What? You say you haven't already participated in the booster promotion? Hurry, guys, because it would be terrible for you to miss out on this silly card that gives the monsters in your Munchkin game one adorable boost in power. See the promotion page for details, and then get out to your favorite local game store and grab five booster packs to redeem for the special card.



The Munchkin Booster Promotion offer expires on December 31, 2014.



– Phil Reed



Warehouse 23 News: The Future Is Here



The future is here, and it's totally digital! GURPS Classic: Ultra-Tech is available as a downloadable PDF, only from Warehouse 23. Search it, print out the pages you need, carry it with you on a portable device . . . the future is awesome!

August 16, 2014: Announcing Munchkin Love Shark Baby!

Love is a many-splendored thing. So is loot. And we love loot.



So you know what we did? We asked Katie Cook to help us make a Valentine's Day-themed booster pack for Munchkin , and the result is Munchkin Love Shark Baby . With Katie's fantastic art and our . . . fantastic? . . . puns, we're making a love-themed booster dripping with cuteness and romance. Also killing things and taking their stuff. Munchkin Love Shark Baby is due out January 2015.



– Brian Engard



Warehouse 23 News: Give Me One With Everything.



Get a little taste of all Al Amrja has to offer in the On the Edge trading card game.  The Burger Box (which takes its name from the slang word for newcomers and tourists on Al Amarja) contains a cross-section of the core game (starters and boosters) and all three On the Edge expansion sets released to date: The Cut-Ups Project, Shadows, and Arcana .  Available from Warehouse 23 .

August 15, 2014: Munchkin Gloom and Steve's Worldcon Schedule

We're giving you two announcements in one Illuminator, because we've got so much news we can't wait to share it!

Announcing Munchkin Gloom!



Gloom , by Atlas Games, is a fantastic game. You take control of a family of miserable people and make them more miserable, trying to become the most miserable family before you kill your family off. Plus, the transparent cards are pretty cool.



Now what if you combined  Gloom  with  Munchkin ? Keith Baker of Atlas Games is doing just that!  Munchkin Gloom  is a game about making a family of monsters miserable until you kill them off. We just announced it last night at the Tavern, and it's due out in 2015!



-- Brian Engard

Steve's London Worldcon: Signings And Panels



I'm at Worldcon, having a great time, even though I'm already totally fried. This convention is being very good to the gamers! There are a lot of gaming-related program items, and there's a big Gaming Tent in the fan area. With, dare I say it, lots of games. I'm especially impressed by the giant Ticket to Ride and Pandemic boards!



Due entirely to my own not being on top of things, I didn't sign up ahead of time to participate in panels. So I volunteered once I got here. So maybe (though nothing is certain) I'll be on the following panels. But considering the subjects, they're all going to be worthwhile even if I am not sitting up there blabbering, so you should go.



Today (Friday the 15th) - The Future of Boardgames, at noon in Capital Suite 16.



Today (Friday the 15th) - Playtesting Boardgames, at 7pm in Capital Suite 1.



Tomorrow (Saturday the 16th) - Getting Kickstarted in Games, at 10am (ugh!!) in London 3.



I'll also be doing three signing sessions, about 50 minutes each, during which I can deface your games, shirts, or whatever - and I'll have some new and even some unreleased goodies at these signings for your viewing pleasure.



Today (Friday the 15th) - House Atreides, in the dealer room starting at 5pm.



Tomorrow (Saturday the 16th) - Dicing on the Cake, in the dealer room starting at 4pm.



The day after (Sunday the 17th), Eclectic Games, in the Gaming Tent starting at noon. (And they are keeping my show-and-tell games for me between signings, so if you go down and ask them nicely, maybe they'll show you!)



– Steve Jackson



Warehouse 23 News: Get Good GURPS Gear!



A classic is here, in digital form for the first time! GURPS Classic: High-Tech is the definitive guide to modern-day gear for GURPS Third Edition games. Download it today, only from Warehouse 23!

August 14, 2014: New Approaches To Old Bones

What's the future of paleontology? Maybe 3D virtual fossils – all the research, none of the digging. This phys.org story has more details.



(Thanks to Robin Laws for the tip!)



– Andrew Hackard



Warehouse 23 News: Invest In Silver!



Expand your portfolio with the Munckin Level Die (silver with black ink) .  The "10" space has been replaced with a Munchkin head so when you win everyone knows you are the ultimate Munchkin .  This is only one of six Munchkin Level Dice .  Available exclusively from Warehouse 23 .

August 12, 2014: Our Twitter Followers Get Sneak Tweets!

If you aren't following the official @SJGames Twitter account, there's a very good chance you're missing out on the latest news from the office. Several of us – especially Rhea, Andrew, and Steve – post to the account on a regular basis, and every now and then we like to share stuff that isn't 100% ready for the world. A few recent examples include:



This first look at the plastic pieces for the new edition of Tile Chess .


A gorgeous shot of one of the Hipster Dice colors.


A secret look at an early playtest for not  Mars Attacks – The Dice Game . . . but something very close to the game.


A little something that Car Wars fans will want to see.
And much more!



Follow us on Twitter and don't miss out on what we're going to share next. What's the next sneak tweet? We won't tell . . . here.



– Phil Reed



Warehouse 23 News: Happily Ever After. . .



Once Upon a Time is a storytelling game that lets you create a story using cards with typical fairy tale elements.  This is a game for all ages – all you need are basic reading skills, a healthy imagination, and friends or family to enjoy playing with.  Check out the full line here!
 

August 13, 2014: Announcing Munchkin Steampunk!

Sure, everybody likes going down into the dungeon and killing monsters for their stuff; that's a given. But what if that stuff had all sorts of clockwork gadgetry and steam-powered awesomeness attached to it? And what if the monsters were automatons and bad guys with flame throwers and flintlock pistols? And what if you had a fancy pocket watch? What then?



Well, then you'd have Munchkin Steampunk – a new core set with all new monsters, treasures, and other goodies for you to use to backstab your buddies. And it's got brand new art from Phil Foglio! Due out in 2015.



– Brian Engard



Warehouse 23 News: Saving The World, Atomic Robo Style



Two-fisted science adventure is just a download away, with the Atomic Robo RPG ! Start playing in 10 minutes or less, thanks to the fast-paced Fate Core System . This standalone RPG is one small step for super-science, and one giant leap for rocket packs, crazed dinosaurs, intelligent robots, and so much more. Get it today from Warehouse 23!

August 11, 2014: Mars Attacks, The Munchkin Tavern, Car Wars: Gen Con Is This Week!

It's time! Our staff is packed and on the way to Indianapolis for Gen Con where we'll be teaching games, entertaining many of you at the Munchkin Tavern, and (please, please, please) scoring a copy of Fantasy Flight Games' Star Wars: Empire vs Rebellion . (Well, maybe I'm the only one hoping the game will be there, but since I'm The Boss I'll just pretend that everyone at the office wants this game as much as I do.)



This is our second year running the Munchkin Tavern and we're taking everything we did right last year and pushing up the voltage even higher with both floors of the Tavern devoted to Munchkin , special industry guests, and Munchkin announcements each night. Check our Munchkin Tavern page to learn all about the event, and don't miss us at booth 1401 where you'll be among the first to get your hands on Car Wars Classic (the game I spent so much of my junior high years on is back!), Mars Attacks: The Dice Game , and more (see this Daily Illuminator for a list of advance releases expected at the show). Oh, and did we mention there's a prize wheel, and that every spin wins something? There's a prize wheel! Every spin wins something, and you might even win a celebrity dinner at the Tavern!



And don't miss Andrew's panels! Andrew is an Industry Guest of Honor this year, so make sure to attend all of his panels and follow him around until he gives you a 2014 Munchkin Silver Piece or maybe even a promo card or bookmark. Trust me, Andrew is loaded like a pinata at Christmas and if you ask nicely he will share some of the Munchkin swag he's got in his nifty bag.



See you at Gen Con!



– Phil Reed



Warehouse 23 News: A Tale Of Adventure? How Novel!



Grown-ups aren't the only ones who enjoy pulp-action fun; young adults love it, too! Sally Slick and the Steel Syndicate tells the tale of the titular Sally Slick (who owns a racing tractor . . . which sounds totally awesome). Join author Carrie Harris and see how Sally saves the city and those she loves. Adventure is a download away from your favorite e-reading device, thanks to Warehouse 23!

August 10, 2014: Headed For Worldcon!

Worldcon is approaching fast . . . it starts August 14 . . . and this year it's in London. I have not visited London nearly enough times. I'm not sure you CAN visit London enough times.



Highlights of the show for me will include:

Many, many panels, on both SF/fantasy and science subjects. London has two great universities within its boundaries and two more nearby, not to mention several world-class museums; the pool of available speakers was both deep and wide.
Live theater, including a Girl Genius radio play performed by the Foglios, an adaptation of Tim Powers' The Anubis Gates, and direct assaults on Shakespeare from at least two directions.
A large dealer room with at least four different game stores. So I get to meet some retailers, and who knows what new or old stuff I might pick up . . . and, of course, there will be a LOT of book dealers, so a lot of books will come home with me.
Random discussions. At Worldcon, more than anywhere, it is important to read the nametags, whether you're at a panel, attending a party, or just walking through the halls. You never know when you'll run into an author that you want to thank . . . or a friend you haven't seen for 20 years, who doesn't look quite the way you remember!
So: It will be fun. If you're coming, look for my nametag, and say hi!



– Steve Jackson



Warehouse 23 News: A Double Dinocalypse Dose



Pulp adventure gets turned up to 11, with the Dinocalypse Trilogy by Chuck Wendig. The adventure begins with Dinocalypse Now and continues with Beyond Dinocalypse . Your favorite electronic-reading device will thank you if you download these today from Warehouse 23!

August 9, 2014: Dominic Postiglione

We are extremely sad to report that Dominic Postligione passed away yesterday.



Those of you fortunate enough to see the Adventure Retail team in action at San Diego Comic-Con, Gen Con, or DragonCon, or who were able to visit The Source Comics and Games in Minnesota, don't need to be told what a kind, helpful man Nick was. Nick was a fixture in gaming and comics in Minnesota for decades, and touched so many more lives than he could possibly have realized. We've had the good fortune to have worked with Nick at many of these shows over the last 15 years, letting him and his team do what they do best – sell games – so that we have our minds free to meet y'all and teach you the games in our booth. It's definitely not going to be quite as much fun without him.



We extend our condolences to all our friends at Adventure Retail, The Source, and Atlas Games, and especially to his son Adam, who was a vital part of the AR team at many shows over the past few years.



On a personal note: I am very glad that I took the time at San Diego this year to talk with Nick in between meetings. I'm glad I didn't know this would be the last time, or I might have made a sappy fool of myself. Nick was one of the best people I've ever met. I'm hosting the dinner at the Munchkin Tavern one week from today, and I hope those of you who are there that night will join me in raising a glass to my friend's memory.



– Andrew Hackard



Warehouse 23 News: Hack Your Fate



Gamers who enjoy tinkering have lots to love about Fate Core System – and now, it's easier than ever, with the Fate System Toolkit . Get more options to modify, tweak, and hack your game like never before. Get it digitally from Warehouse 23 by either paying what you like or downloading it for free.

August 8, 2014: Join Us At PAX Prime!

PAX Prime is coming fast, striking at the end of this month, and once again the Steve Jackson Games crew will be out in force and ready to teach you games. You can again find us on the second floor in the "corral," over by the juice bar and Rock Band stage (unless they've moved it again this year), and we're going to be there with games to play and stacks of Munchkin promos to hand out to you all. If we can swing it we'll have final copies of Revolution! Anarchy for you to play, a copy of Car Wars Classic you can flip through (please, no drooling on the game), as well as a fully playable set of Tile Chess plastic pieces.



We look forward to gaming with you at the show, so don't forget to stop by and roll some dice with us. We're ready to game!



– Phil Reed



Warehouse 23 News: The Fate Of The Worlds?



The Fate Core System offers fast-paced gaming fun; where do you go from there? With the rich story settings of Fate Worlds ! Fate Worlds: Worlds on Fire and Fate Worlds: Worlds in Shadow each present six worlds ready for adventuring, from the quills of acclaimed gaming authors. Download them today, from Warehouse 23!