Steve Jackson's Blog, page 47

July 24, 2024: Gen Con Booth 1401 - It's The Place To Be!

Gen Con is mere days away – and Steve Jackson Games will be there! Our booth is number 1401, located just inside the exhibit hall.  You'll find many of your favorite Steve Jackson games including Zombie Dice , Hack & Slash , Munchkin Deluxe , and Deadly Doodles .  We'll have exciting new releases such as Express , Munchkin Pony Excess ,  Pathfinder Revolution! , Groo: The Game , and many more. Plus there will be demos! Best of all, you can be among the first to demo and purchase the Car Wars Orange/Purple Starter Set! We'll have limited stock with us, so stop by as soon as you can to grab your copy. (If you can't make it to the convention, it will be available for pre-order on Warehouse 23 on August 1st, and you can find it at your FLGS shortly after.) We'll be offering our Box of Astonishments , in which you'll find games, accessories, and other exciting Steve Jackson Games items. It's packed with more than $160 worth of loot! We wish we could tell you what's inside, but each box is unique and we don't want to ruin the surprise! Also we don't know . . . Will you be visiting us at Gen Con? Say yes!

– Michelle Richardson

Warehouse 23 News: The City Never Sleeps Because Of All The Action

There are a million stories in the city, and they're all exciting! GURPS Action 9: The City shows how you can add GURPS City Stats to your GURPS Action campaigns. It also features six sample cities to use with your own action-packed adventures. Download it today from Warehouse 23!

July 23, 2024: Crowdfunding Focus: Uncanny Magazine, Year 11

It should come as no surprise to long-time readers that I'm a fan of digital publishing. One of the more-vital science-fiction and fantasy publications of the 21st century – Uncanny Magazine – recently launched a Kickstarter as they begin their second decade. In its first 10 years, it's won seven Hugo Awards, the 2024 Locus Award, and the general acclaim of audiences everywhere.

If you're not familiar with Uncanny, the contents for the magazine are available online for free. You'll discover stories, essays, and poetry from a wide and vibrant swath of the writing world. You owe it to yourself to check it out and see if it's to your liking.

If you are familiar with Uncanny, then the odds are decent you've already hopped aboard the Kickstarter, which will get you new issues as eBooks (MOBI, PDF, and EPUB) – plus other goodies if you want to support a great cause by pitching in a bit more.

So much about digital publishing has become more challenging in recent years, yet editors Lynne M. Thomas and Michael Damian Thomas have spent a decade making sure some of the best short-form speculative and visionary writers have an Uncanny home. And it's a home that's always looking for warmhearted visitors . . .

The Uncanny Magazine Year 11 Kickstarter ends August 7.

– Steven Marsh

Warehouse 23 News: The City Never Sleeps Because Of All The Action

There are a million stories in the city, and they're all exciting! GURPS Action 9: The City shows how you can add GURPS City Stats to your GURPS Action campaigns. It also features six sample cities to use with your own action-packed adventures. Download it today from Warehouse 23!

July 22, 2024: On My Way Home

I spent the weekend at Imaginarium, in Louisville. Fun was had, games were played, people were met. My thanks to the concom for inviting me, and to all the friendly people I talked to! I did in fact make it to some of the non-Steve programming, and I did in fact learn some things that may be useful. So, a win.

I baaaaaarely made it to the con on Thursday – my flight went through Atlanta, and it seems to have gotten off the ground either just before or just after the big IT crash. A few minutes later and I might still be in Atlanta. And my return flight was canceled, as I learned only this afternoon . . . but fortunately I was able to book a quick return on another airline, and I expect to see my home Monday evening.

I am so ready. If I go dark here for a little while, it's because I am recharging my own batteries, which have gotten badly run down over the past month. I'll be back . . .

– Steve Jackson

Warehouse 23 News: The City Never Sleeps Because Of All The Action

There are a million stories in the city, and they're all exciting! GURPS Action 9: The City shows how you can add GURPS City Stats to your GURPS Action campaigns. It also features six sample cities to use with your own action-packed adventures. Download it today from Warehouse 23!

July 21, 2024: Let's See How Well I Did On My Writing Roll Today

Question for the tabletop-RPG fans: How common is it to envision one's actions in gaming terms, like "Wow, I made my Scrounging roll when I found this obscure computer cable" or "Honey, how good does my Fast-Talk need to be so you're not angry about this Kickstarter?"

Asking for . . . a friend. Who's a writer. You wouldn't know him.

– Steven Marsh

Warehouse 23 News: The City Never Sleeps Because Of All The Action

There are a million stories in the city, and they're all exciting! GURPS Action 9: The City shows how you can add GURPS City Stats to your GURPS Action campaigns. It also features six sample cities to use with your own action-packed adventures. Download it today from Warehouse 23!

July 20, 2024: Part 1: A Passion For Games And A Full Circle Journey

My love for boardgames and tabletop RPGs began when I was a child, huddled around a table with my friends, lost in worlds of imagination and strategy. Those nights of laughter, challenge, and camaraderie instilled in me a deep appreciation for the art of game design and the magic it can bring into people's lives. Little did I know that this passion would one day lead me to the helm of one of the most iconic game companies in the industry: Steve Jackson Games! Before stepping into the role of CEO here, I had the incredible opportunity to lead Turbo Dork, a company known for its innovative and vibrant paint products. This experience honed my leadership skills and taught me the importance of creativity, quality, and community. It was a colorful journey, quite literally, and it set the stage for my next big adventure. My career path has been anything but conventional. Before diving into the world of games and paints, I spent years working in the news and entertainment industry. As a producer, writer, and presenter, I learned the art of storytelling, the importance of timing, and the power of engaging an audience. These skills have proven invaluable in my current role. Leading a gaming company is, in many ways, like producing a show. Both require a clear vision, a cohesive team, and the ability to adapt to an ever-changing landscape. When I think about my journey from the newsroom to the game room, I see a series of interconnected experiences that have prepared me for this role. The strategic thinking I developed as a producer helped me navigate the complexities of the gaming industry. My background in storytelling fuels my desire to create immersive and captivating games. And my time in front of the camera has taught me the importance of clear communication and genuine connection, both with my team and with our fans. Running Steve Jackson Games feels like a full-circle moment for me. It's a return to the source of my passion, but with a wealth of experience and knowledge that allows me to contribute in meaningful ways. I am honored to lead a company that has brought joy to so many people, and I am excited to carry forward its legacy while also pushing the boundaries of what we can achieve.

– Meredith Placko

Warehouse 23 News: The City Never Sleeps Because Of All The Action

There are a million stories in the city, and they're all exciting! GURPS Action 9: The City shows how you can add GURPS City Stats to your GURPS Action campaigns. It also features six sample cities to use with your own action-packed adventures. Download it today from Warehouse 23!

July 19, 2024: Con In The Castle

Last weekend I made my way to Ravenwood Castle in Ohio's Hocking Hills region to attend Con in the Castle, an annual event where gamers get together to play tabletop games while enjoying one of the most beautiful areas of the state. My husband and I represented Steve Jackson Games as Guests of Honor – a first for me – and ran several events. We had a fantastic time, and it's safe to say that our players did too! Con in the Castle is a small-scale convention by nature of the venue and the location, but this doesn't mean the event is sedate. The attendees ran the gamut from families to FLGS owners, with some people coming from multiple states away to attend and run games. Steve Jackson Games ran two playtest sessions for an upcoming project, as well as Pathfinder Revolution , a Paint-and-Take event in partnership with Turbo Dork, and a Learn-to-Play session featuring Car Wars Orange/Purple . All of the events were well-attended, and participants were impressed with our games and how they were run. Our schedule kept us busy until late Saturday night, though we were able to participate in a game of Blood on the Clocktower . I did pretty well, though my deception was revealed in the end. . .  Con in the Castle is a favorite among Ravenwood devotees, so you'll want to reserve your spot early if you decide to check it out next year. (They also host another annual convention called Hoop-and-Stick Con.) If we're invited back for 2025, we'll be sure to let you know!

– Katie Duffy

Warehouse 23 News: The City Never Sleeps Because Of All The Action

There are a million stories in the city, and they're all exciting! GURPS Action 9: The City shows how you can add GURPS City Stats to your GURPS Action campaigns. It also features six sample cities to use with your own action-packed adventures. Download it today from Warehouse 23!

July 18, 2024: Dungeons & Dragons Stamps Available For Pre-Order

Do you want your tax return to depict a hero lost in a maze? Or perhaps your holiday cards could do with the festive colors of the five-headed dragon Tiamat? Good news! Dungeons & Dragons stamps are now available for pre-order from the US Postal Service!

Depending on the geek-type collector you've leveled up to, there is a treasure chest brimming with different options suitable for framing, collecting, or giving as potential loot to would-be adventurers. And they're "Forever" stamps, so you can send letters bearing an archlich with an undead army for decades to come.

According to the Nerdist website, if you'll be at Gen Con this August, there may be opportunities to get them at Lucas Oil Stadium – the location of different gatherings of gaming enthusiasts.

– Steven Marsh

Warehouse 23 News: The City Never Sleeps Because Of All The Action

There are a million stories in the city, and they're all exciting! GURPS Action 9: The City shows how you can add GURPS City Stats to your GURPS Action campaigns. It also features six sample cities to use with your own action-packed adventures. Download it today from Warehouse 23!

July 16, 2024: Random Idea: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Today's random idea: a text-based RPG campaign (maybe via Discord?), where all players communicate via emojis. Why? Who can say . . . maybe it's like A Quiet Place , only instead of "aliens can detect any noise," it's "aliens or an online intelligence can detect human text." Hey, I'm an ideas guy, giving you something to start with . . .

If anyone tries this (or has done something similar), feel free to post on the forums; if it's cool, I'll almost certainly respond with an "exploded head" emoji.

– Steven Marsh

Warehouse 23 News: Why Is The Darkness Blinking?

They're trapped between the realm of the living and the dead . . . and they're not too pleased about it. The Book of Unlife adds 44 unliving monsters to your The Fantasy Trip campaigns, along with a complete adventure setting. Live like there's too many tomorrows thanks to Warehouse 23!

July 17, 2024: Egads, Victoria! Which Of Us Pierced Reality Again?

I'm a huge fan of games that suddenly start playing differently. And I'm an armchair game tinkerer. And I have a bookshelf full of decades of awesome Munchkin stuff. So, putting it together . . .

The premise: Start with Munchkin Steampunk. You all are steampunk munchkins, doing steampunk munchkinly things! Play as normal. Then, once a player hits a predefined level (I suggest 5, 6, or 7), things get weird.

How weird? Well, it turns out that one of those "steampunk munchkinly things" maaayyyyy have accidentally breached the time barrier, in a way that makes H.G. Wells rub his forehead. Shuffle Munchkin 10 – Time Warp into the draw pile.

From here, either play continues as normal (the "well, that just happened!" option), or – if your group wants a bit of extra spice and a longer game – the game only ends if the winning level is a Time Warp monster (that is, you need to beat up some hapless thing to help get you to your own era).

Will this variant work? No clue! I just thought of it, and immediately trying to implement any whackadoodle thought that springs to mind without consideration of the consequences feels both steampunk and munchkinly. If anyone gives this a shot, feel free to let me know how it turns out on the forums.

– Steven Marsh

Warehouse 23 News: The City Never Sleeps Because Of All The Action

There are a million stories in the city, and they're all exciting! GURPS Action 9: The City shows how you can add GURPS City Stats to your GURPS Action campaigns. It also features six sample cities to use with your own action-packed adventures. Download it today from Warehouse 23!

July 16, 2024: Random Idea: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Today's random idea: a text-based RPG campaign (maybe via Discord?), where all players communicate via emojis. Why? Who can say . . . maybe it's like A Quiet Place , only instead of "aliens can detect any noise," it's "aliens or an online intelligence can detect human text." Hey, I'm an ideas guy, giving you something to start with . . .

If anyone tries this (or has done something similar), feel free to post on the forums; if it's cool, I'll almost certainly respond with an "exploded head" emoji.

– Steven Marsh

Warehouse 23 News: The City Never Sleeps Because Of All The Action

There are a million stories in the city, and they're all exciting! GURPS Action 9: The City shows how you can add GURPS City Stats to your GURPS Action campaigns. It also features six sample cities to use with your own action-packed adventures. Download it today from Warehouse 23!