Steve Jackson's Blog, page 424

April 9, 2014: Help Stop The Trolls

Patent trolling - which is often no better than simple extortion - threatens thousands of small businesses every year. Through a haze of shell companies, lawyers, and deliberately vague paperwork, the trolls shake down tech startups, inventors, and often even end users. "So . . . you have a fax machine in your office? You're in violation of our patent . . ."



The House of Representatives passed serious reforms in December with the bipartisan Innovation Act. Now the Senate needs to step up, brush aside the pro-extortion lobbyists, and pass a strong bill to stop this abuse. Read about current status here at The Hill blog.



You can call your senators with the "Fix Patents" call tool at fixpatents.org, created in partnership with Public Knowledge and the EFF. I just did it. Got a quick connection with the office of Senator Cornyn, who is in support. I had to redial to get Senator Cruz, whose nice office minion had no idea whether the Senator had a positon on this issue. So we chatted a bit.



Please do it today! Some of the startups this threatens are digital game creators. You want these folks to stay in business.



– Steve Jackson



Warehouse 23 News: Retribution Is A Lot Of Fun!



Heroes, now you can start your careers with a healthy dose of retribution. Retribution Collector's Edition pits first-level heroes against an atmospheric creepy threat . . . one they might even survive. Buy it today and download it immediately, from Warehouse 23!

April 8, 2014: Join Us At PAX East

Going to PAX East? What a coincidence, so are we! We're going to be there showing off Zombie Dice , Chupacabra: Survive the Night , and Castellan , and we're even going to be previewing Mars Attacks – The Dice Game ! And if you want to get your Munchkin stuff signed, Andrew Hackard will be available at our booth (that's Booth 801) on Saturday, April 12 from 3:30pm to 4:30pm, signing all manner of things! Oh, and if you want to take in a panel or two (and really, you should check out the panels), go to "The Art of the Table: GMing Beyond the Basics," in the Cuttlefish Theater on Friday the 11th at 7:30pm. Our own Randy Scheunemann will be a panelist!



Come see us there!



– Brian Engard



 



Warehouse 23 News: Push GURPS To The Limit!



For those brave tinkerers who push GURPS to new and interesting realms, we salute you. Oh, and we also present you with Pyramid #3/65: Alternate GURPS III , which includes new options for character creation, skills, working together, and more. Pick it up itself, or subscribe today and get this issue and many more months of Pyramid . . . only from Warehouse 23!

April 7, 2014: Build Character Like Never Before . . . With GURPS!

Character templates are massively handy for GURPS players. However, there hasn't really been much information about how to build these useful tools . . . until now. Sean Punch – Line Editor of GURPS and co-author of GURPS Basic Set for GURPS Fourth Edition – has created the definitive guide to making character templates, with GURPS Template Toolkit 1: Characters .



This guide includes information on how to create good character templates for your worlds. Learn how to make a template that works on its own, or how to make a batch of templates that carve useful niches in your game world.



In addition, this supplement is also an invaluable tool for players as well; by following its advice, you can make efficient adventurers who will fulfill their chosen roles effectively. Whether you want to speed up play, define aspects of the world to spark the gaming group's inspiration, or make the best character you can, GURPS Template Toolkit 1: Characters has expert advice that will bring your heroes to new heights.



– Steven Marsh



Warehouse 23 News: Hit The Road With The Dead?



It's an open dungeon crawl . . . but it might also be a "dead end"! Road of the Dead Collector's Edition is a meaty adventure for fledgling heroes looking to brave a cunning death trap. Download it to your computer or tablet today, from Warehouse 23.

April 6, 2014: Crowdfunding Focus: WaCon!

Last fall, I attended the inaugural WaCon game convention in Waco, Texas, and had a fantastic time. (Far better than this orange-blooded Longhorn ever expected to have in Baylor country.) If you're anywhere close to central Texas, consider blocking out the October 24-26 weekend and attending WaCon 2.



They're running a Kickstarter campaign to pump up WaCon 2, and they've got some really neat reward levels and stretch goals . . . including some Munchkin stuff!



– Andrew Hackard



Warehouse 23 News: Uh-Oh . . . It's Magic!



When you find the right group of friends, it's like magic. Take this idea to new heights with GURPS Magical Styles: Dungeon Magic , a collection of seven magical organizations who are always looking for new recruits. Download it today . . . only from Warehouse 23!

April 5, 2014: International TableTop Day Is Here!

Why are you still in front of your computer/smartphone/tablet/cybernetic eye? It's International TableTop Day; you should be at your FLGS learning about new games and showing new folk how to play the games you already know. Go spread the hobby!



Our MIBs will be running events around the world, and Steve will be at Wonko's in Austin for the afternoon.



– Brian Engard



 



Warehouse 23 News: Build Your Final Frontier



GURPS Space will help you create the ultimate space adventure.



Dodge laser fire in an asteroid belt, face off against a bug-eyed monster, or build a planet.



The possibilities are endless . . . in space.



Available from Warehouse 23 .

April 4, 2014: Gaming While Walking

I frequently find myself on long walks with my wife Nikki Vrtis (who you may recognize as responsible for nearly all the production and some of the editing on the GURPS side of things) and our seven-year-old son. Weather permitting, we've walked four to five times a week as long as we've been together. This means we're really good at talking to each other . . . but it also means that sometimes we get a little bored. (This is especially true with our child, who no doubt wishes sometimes Mom and Dad would just shut up.)



When that happens, we fill the silence by playing games. In fact, "games you can play while walking" probably represents the majority of our game-playing nowadays. We've come up with a pretty good repertoire of amusements that can be whipped out whenever we're on Hour Two of a Saturday walk, or stuck in the cereal section of the grocery store.



One such game is called "Hinky Pinky." I honestly can't remember where I picked this one up, but – as I was researching this – I discovered it was also a childhood favorite by recently departed author Aaron Allston.



In this game, the clue giver comes up with a clue phrase that leads to a two-word rhyming phrase; then the other players need to guess what the rhyming phrase is. (These are prefaced with "Hink Pink," "Hinky Pinky," or "Hinkity Pinkity," depending on the number of syllables in the final answer.) For example, "Hink Pink: a gargantuan oinker" will hopefully lead to someone guessing "big pig." Similar clues might be:



"Hink Pink: the Grim Reaper's halitosis"


"Hinky Pinky: something a bunny does without thinking about it"


"Hinkity Pinkity: being assigned to a lesser job because you're angry, sad, or happy."
In recent months, our son has started coming up with his own Hinky Pinkies, and he's actually getting really good. (His Hink Pink of "a tool used to fix a wide, flat seat" stumped us all, but it was totally fair.)



So don't let the lack of a board let your companions be bored; you can play games whenever you have a captive audience! (And if anyone is stumped by any of the above, feel free to post to the forums and I'll help you out.)



– Steven Marsh



Warehouse 23 News: Get Your Garb On



You and your friends are at the Renaissance faire for the first time when you realize that you stick out like a sore thumb.



Now you have one afternoon to assemble the greatest Renaissance costume!



Perform for the crowd to earn money and buy your gear.



Ren Faire is available from Warehouse 23 .

April 3, 2014: Remember Adam Power? He's Back! And He's In Glyos Form!

Adam Power, an obscure character from an obscure line of toys and a three-issue DC comic series from 1983, is back and ready for fun! You may or may not remember the Power Lords toys of the early eighties (Wikipedia can help you out), but once you see what my buddies over at Four Horsemen Studios have done to relaunch the series I think you'll be impressed. Combining the original Wayne Barlowe concept art and character designs with the Glyos System joints created by Onell Design, Jim, Eric, and Cornboy of Four Horsemen Studios have sculped and produced some truly amazing action figures.



I love that my battlegrip.com website has allowed me to meet so many amazing toy artists, and watching some of the best sculptors in today's action figure market recreate classic designs – just as the Four Horsemen have done with Mattel's Masters of the Universe toys for over a decade now – is far more rewarding than you can imagine. Getting sneak peeks at early stages, opportunities to talk with the guys about manufacturing, and even random calls about future plans are just some of the perks of knowing the trio. They're awesome, and I think once you take a look at their work you'll see why I'm so proud to have Four Horsemen Studios in my address book.



Now if I can just find a way to bring them to one of our game projects . . .



– Phil Reed



Warehouse 23 News: What Is Good In Life?



Killing monsters, taking their treasure, and backstabbing your buddies!



Be a Cimmerian Warrior in Munchkin Conan !



Fight a Black Scorpion with the Maul of the Titans.



Available from Warehouse 23 .

April 1, 2014: Elio: My New Car Is Ordered!

I've been considering buying a Can-Am Spyder, but the open air experience doesn't quite fit nicely with Texas summers – there just aren't enough nice days in Texas to make it an enjoyable ride – so all I've done is think: "That would be fun." Instead I've taken the leap and registered for the Elio, a new closed-cockpit trike that looks like it's going to be a lot of fun to drive.



Right now the Elio isn't ready for purchase, but the company is taking what are effectively pre-orders so I've dropped down my cash and secured a place in the first wave of release. I jumped in for the "I'm All In" non-refundable option, which will make this the first vehicle I've ever purchased without taking a test drive. I know it's a bit of a risk, but the car looks far too awesome for me to not have a great time driving it.



And besides, at an estimated 84 mpg and $6,800 purchase price it shouldn't take all that long for this to turn into a perfect daily commuter for me . . . once I have it.



I really hate waiting.



– Phil Reed



Warehouse 23 News: Knock, Knock . . .



You'd better open the door for these guys: the Special Ops Miniatures have arrived.



The six miniatures in this set, sculpted by Richard Kerr, depict an entry team from any modern army or SWAT team.



You get Command, Shooter, Entry, Breach, Rearguard, and a kneeling Sniper!



Get yours from Warehouse 23 today.

April 2, 2014: Reminder: International TableTop Day

Did you forget? How could you?!



Well, it's a good thing we're here to remind you: April 5th is International TableTop Day! It's your cue to head on down to your friendly local gaming store and play some games (and if you're not sure which stores are participating, this forum thread should help). Bring people along; newbies welcome! We're sponsoring ITTD this year, and there will be plenty of Steve Jackson Games stuff to play. 



If you're in the Austin, TX area, you might even be able to stop by one of these stores and play some games with one of our staffers, and maybe get some goodies while you're at it!



Wonko's Toys and Games: David Arlund will be there running games from 12 p.m.-4 p.m. From 1 p.m.-6 p.m.(ish), Steve Jackson will be there! At 1 p.m., Steve will be signing autographs. At 1:30 p.m., he'll start answering your questions about the  Ogre Kickstarter. At 3 p.m., he'll give everyone an intro to  Ogre . Then, at 5 p.m., there will be a raffle for a ride in Steve's Tesla!



Tribe Comics and Games: James Holder will be there from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.



Dragon's Lair Comics and Fantasy: Devin Lewis will be there from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.



Emerald Tavern Games and Cafe: Andrew Hackard will be there from 2 p.m.-5 p.m.



Rogues Gallery Comics + Games: Max Clontz will be there from 12 p.m.-6 p.m.



See you there!



– Brian Engard



 



Warehouse 23 News: Uncover A Murder Most Foul...



Reveal six story elements that describe the gruesome deed and spell MURDER.



But beware of your fellow players - you need to counter their actions or call on a Crow to influence the murder before they do!



Get your copy of Murder of Crows from Warehouse 23 .



 

March 31, 2014: Drive Yourself Crazy On The West Coast!

Some people drive themselves crazy looking for adventure. Others act like they're already there, and they've got a road map. Regardless of how you find trouble, you can get there quickly and easily with the AADA Road Atlas V2: The West Coast .



Newly released to Warehouse 23, this digital reprint classic is perfect for fans of both Car Wars and GURPS Classic: Autoduel . It includes a post-apocalyptic history of the western states; a guide to California, Oregon, and Washington, including noteworthy cities; mini-scenarios for Pacific action; and even a Hollywood-based adventure suitable for Car Wars or GURPS .



Whether you're looking for gang activity in Portland, a map of Monterey Peninsula, insight into the Scout Command Corps, or just need an excuse for Hollywood mayhem, the AADA Road Atlas V2: The West Coast is sure to get you pointed in the right direction.



– Steven Marsh



Warehouse 23 News: Vy For Dominance!



On Al Amarja, a strange island in the Mediterranean sea, surreal conspiracies abound.



Take on the role of an arch-conspirator and use the resources and inhabitants of the island to wrest control from your fellow conspirators.



On the Edge Starter Deck POP is available from Warehouse 23 .