Steve Jackson's Blog, page 83
August 11, 2023
August 11, 2023: Oops, All Books
Sometimes, on the
GURPS
side of the global empire, we devote our focus exclusively to one book. And sometimes we focus on doing lots of things all at once. Sometimes we end up ordering 30+ books in a batch . . . which ends up being two boxes that no doubt gives the UPS driver pause.It's one thing to work with stacks of supplements digitally on the screen; it's quite another to have a huge pile sitting in front of us . . . which prompted my photograph. Once we get these all double-checked and processed, these editions will become part of the expanding print-on-demand offerings at DriveThruRPG. Everything here is part of the core On Demand program, but we know that some folks prefer having options for their shopping needs, so we do what we can to help that GURPS goodness end up on your shelf however you like.
– 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!
August 10, 2023
August 10, 2023: Virtual Gen Con Sale Ends Today
Also, you have only a few hours to support the debauched intellectualism that is Caligula! Long live the Emperor! Drink!
Gen Con ended on Sunday, but our extended Virtual Gen Con Sale is running through the end of the day today! If you missed out on our awesome deals and new releases at the show, this is your chance to get that convention experience. Both Wiz-War and Tribes are available for early release and won't be available again until the retail release. And you can save 15% on select Munchkin , Car Wars , Fantasy Trip , dice games, sets, and bags!
Gen Con ended on Sunday, but our extended Virtual Gen Con Sale is running through the end of the day today! If you missed out on our awesome deals and new releases at the show, this is your chance to get that convention experience. Both Wiz-War and Tribes are available for early release and won't be available again until the retail release. And you can save 15% on select Munchkin , Car Wars , Fantasy Trip , dice games, sets, and bags!
As always, physical Warehouse 23 orders will include promos. Alll orders of $200 or more get free shipping, and you didn't even have to brave the Gen Con crowds! Get these deals and limited-time releases now – they end tonight.
– Hunter Shelburne
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!
August 9, 2023
August 9, 2023: Caligula Enters Final 24 Hours On Kickstarter
Hear ye, hear ye, Caesar commands you to back this project! Well, maybe command is a strong word, but Caesar certainly recommends it. And appreciates it.
Caligula
is a raucous party game designed by Steve Jackson in which the role of Caesar comes with the power to make laws just as silly as you want them to be. If your subjects break the law, they must accept the punishment, either paying a tithe or taking a drink! This is a lighthearted game perfect for pubs and parties, and not only has it funded, but we've unlocked the stretch goal for a set of eight coasters to enhance your
Caligula
party night. (For ages 21 and up, of course!) And we're dangerously close to unlocking the themed shot glasses, an item many folks have been asking for!
The campaign ends at noon Central time on August 10, so make sure to back Caligula soon, and bring a little hedonism to your next game night!
– Hunter Shelburne
The campaign ends at noon Central time on August 10, so make sure to back Caligula soon, and bring a little hedonism to your next game night!
– Hunter Shelburne
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!
August 8, 2023
August 8, 2023: Who Will Watch The AI Watchmen?
Under this proposal by David Brin, noted science fiction author (and game designer! Tribes!) the answer would be . . . all the AIs will watch each other, all the time, and they'll get rewarded for fingering others of their kind who misbehave.
Read the Wired story here.
– 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!
Read the Wired story here.
– 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!
August 7, 2023
August 7, 2023: "There Is No News"
A while ago, I stumbled across this short article, about how – on April 18, 1930 – the BBC news service announced that there was no news, and then proceeded to play music for the rest of the segment.
As a gamer, my mind immediately pivoted to the possibilities of this preternaturally quiet, seemingly invisible day. (Time to open up GURPS Timeline and GURPS Illuminati !) But it also made me realize: Sometimes around here, we simply don't have much to report, because we all at the company have our heads down and are working on making the best games and gaming goodies we can.
– Steven Marsh
(Postscript from SJ: One of these days we'll reprint Timeline , and we're going to add the no-news day to the entry for 1930. What do you suppose was going on that was so momentous that the Beeb itself had to join the cover-up? Or, in the alternative, why were the Times of London and its New York counterpart both publishing fake news on a day when, really, nothing happened?)
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!
As a gamer, my mind immediately pivoted to the possibilities of this preternaturally quiet, seemingly invisible day. (Time to open up GURPS Timeline and GURPS Illuminati !) But it also made me realize: Sometimes around here, we simply don't have much to report, because we all at the company have our heads down and are working on making the best games and gaming goodies we can.
– Steven Marsh
(Postscript from SJ: One of these days we'll reprint Timeline , and we're going to add the no-news day to the entry for 1930. What do you suppose was going on that was so momentous that the Beeb itself had to join the cover-up? Or, in the alternative, why were the Times of London and its New York counterpart both publishing fake news on a day when, really, nothing happened?)
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!
August 6, 2023
August 6, 2023: Flapping Con Badge Blues: A Counterpoint
Loose con badges are indeed a tool of the Devil. Especially since they spend most of their time backwards, signifying nothing. (Pro tip: Scrawl your name on the BACK of the badge. This confuses Murphy, like strapping a cat to a piece of buttered toast.)
And I have nothing bad to say about the noble tie bar. But wearing a tie implies wearing a buttoned shirt, which is a style that nowadays I leave to those who can pull it off with more finesse and less abominable abdominal addenda.
In fact, I do not like wearing lanyards, not at all, not with any accessory whatsoever. My earliest journalistic experience involved hot-lead print shops and big Heidelberg presses, and in those places you do not wear ANYTHING around your neck. The machinery can reach out and GRAB you, and then you are boiled alive or smashed flat, and that really impairs your productivity. I think the clip-on tie was invented by a printing company executive. Take the tie, Herr Heidelberg, but leave the rest of me un-crushed!
Some days I can ignore that old hangup and wear a lanyard if I have to. Some days the OCD kicks in and I just cannot.
So one of the things in my con kit is a simple clip that will attach to a shirt pocket, lapel, or collar. This lets me lose the lanyard. As a bonus, the badge is now at shoulder level rather than waist level. And face it, shoulder level is a better place for a nametag, at least at the kind of parties I get invited to.
– 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!
And I have nothing bad to say about the noble tie bar. But wearing a tie implies wearing a buttoned shirt, which is a style that nowadays I leave to those who can pull it off with more finesse and less abominable abdominal addenda.
In fact, I do not like wearing lanyards, not at all, not with any accessory whatsoever. My earliest journalistic experience involved hot-lead print shops and big Heidelberg presses, and in those places you do not wear ANYTHING around your neck. The machinery can reach out and GRAB you, and then you are boiled alive or smashed flat, and that really impairs your productivity. I think the clip-on tie was invented by a printing company executive. Take the tie, Herr Heidelberg, but leave the rest of me un-crushed!
Some days I can ignore that old hangup and wear a lanyard if I have to. Some days the OCD kicks in and I just cannot.
So one of the things in my con kit is a simple clip that will attach to a shirt pocket, lapel, or collar. This lets me lose the lanyard. As a bonus, the badge is now at shoulder level rather than waist level. And face it, shoulder level is a better place for a nametag, at least at the kind of parties I get invited to.
– 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!
August 5, 2023
August 5, 2023: Flapping Con Badge Blues – SOLVED!
When I'm attending a convention, more often than not, I can be found wearing a tie. Now, this isn't just for aesthetics (although I do enjoy a good tie) – there's actually a practical reason. Wearing a tie gives me an excuse to wear a tie bar.
Have you ever leaned over a table at a con to get a better look at a boardgame, only to have your badge swing wildly, scattering meeples asunder to the dismay of the whole table? Or been plagued by your lanyard constantly flipping around, your badge and ribbons slapping at your arms and midsection as you rush from panel to panel? No more, thanks to the noble tie bar!
![[Image]](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1691234118i/34564845._SY540_.png)
I discovered this hack last year and it's since become a staple of my convention wardrobe. It's so much more convenient than using a magnetic badge (which has a tendency to drop its backing magnet down your shirt) or a pin (same problem, plus it's pointy and hard to reposition).
Now, wearing a tie is not strictly necessary for this trick; there are very short tie bars (made for skinny ties) that can clip a lanyard directly onto the placket of a shirt without any unsightly overhang. But ties are fun!
![[Image]](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1691234118i/34564847.png)
Maybe it's time for the tie bar to make a comeback, joining the steampunk goggles and fez in the Convention Accessories Hall of Fame? Try it out and let me know what you think!
– Irene Zielinski
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!
Have you ever leaned over a table at a con to get a better look at a boardgame, only to have your badge swing wildly, scattering meeples asunder to the dismay of the whole table? Or been plagued by your lanyard constantly flipping around, your badge and ribbons slapping at your arms and midsection as you rush from panel to panel? No more, thanks to the noble tie bar!
![[Image]](http://www.sjgames.com/img/newsq/illq/2023/tiebaractionshot.png)
I discovered this hack last year and it's since become a staple of my convention wardrobe. It's so much more convenient than using a magnetic badge (which has a tendency to drop its backing magnet down your shirt) or a pin (same problem, plus it's pointy and hard to reposition).
Now, wearing a tie is not strictly necessary for this trick; there are very short tie bars (made for skinny ties) that can clip a lanyard directly onto the placket of a shirt without any unsightly overhang. But ties are fun!
![[Image]](http://www.sjgames.com/img/newsq/illq/2023/tiebar2.png)
Maybe it's time for the tie bar to make a comeback, joining the steampunk goggles and fez in the Convention Accessories Hall of Fame? Try it out and let me know what you think!
– Irene Zielinski
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!
August 4, 2023
August 4, 2023: Virtual Gen Con Sale On Warehouse 23
We're having fun at Gen Con, but we know that not everyone can make it to The Best Four Days in Gaming™️. That's why we're bringing Gen Con home to you! Come by our "Virtual Booth #1401" and pick up a copy of
Wiz-War
and
Tribes
, our new releases for Gen Con. This is the first time these have been available outside of Kickstarter, and they will only be available for this limited time until their official release. This is your first chance to get a retail copy!
We've also got some show deals that match our booth sales. Save 15% on a number of our most popular games including: Select Munchkin games, expansions, and accessories.Select Car Wars Sixth Edition games, expansions, and accessories.Select dice games, dice sets, and dice bags.Select Fantasy Trip games, expansions, and accessories. And more!The sale runs August 3-10, so avoid the crowds, save some coin, and get our brand new releases at our Virtual Gen Con Sale!
– Hunter Shelburne
We've also got some show deals that match our booth sales. Save 15% on a number of our most popular games including: Select Munchkin games, expansions, and accessories.Select Car Wars Sixth Edition games, expansions, and accessories.Select dice games, dice sets, and dice bags.Select Fantasy Trip games, expansions, and accessories. And more!The sale runs August 3-10, so avoid the crowds, save some coin, and get our brand new releases at our Virtual Gen Con Sale!
– Hunter Shelburne
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!
August 3, 2023
August 3, 2023: 3-2-1, Con Time!
It's convention season, which means a lot of folks will be having fun and enjoying the latest and greatest gaming goodness (such as
Wiz-War
)! But in addition to having all the fun ever, it's important to take care of yourself. Shortly before attending my first con in my super-secret Steve Jackson Games polo shirt well over a decade ago, I was given important advice I haven't forgotten: the 3-2-1 rule. To wit, make sure you get, at a bare minimum:Three hours of sleepTwo mealsOne shower. . . every day. ("Is that three hours of sleep, two meals, and one shower for – like – the whole convention?" my smart-alecky self asked my supervisor, shortly before I was smacked for no reason.)
This is also known as the 5-2-1 rule and the 6-2-1 rule, depending on how much sleep you need as an essential baseline. This insight also gets more nuanced for each individual: try to eat healthily if possible (fruits, salads, and fiber are your friends), determine if a morning or evening shower is better, etc. But I found that my convention season greatly improved if I just kept the 3-2-1 rule as a mantra, and to this day, my brain will start muttering "3-2-1" if I'm at a con and it's been too long since I've eaten something real.
This may be old news to a lot of you – some quick Internet-searching indicates this is venerable advice – but I heard it for the first time myself once long ago, and it's not impossible that you are part of today's lucky 10,000 who are learning it for the first time.
– 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!
This is also known as the 5-2-1 rule and the 6-2-1 rule, depending on how much sleep you need as an essential baseline. This insight also gets more nuanced for each individual: try to eat healthily if possible (fruits, salads, and fiber are your friends), determine if a morning or evening shower is better, etc. But I found that my convention season greatly improved if I just kept the 3-2-1 rule as a mantra, and to this day, my brain will start muttering "3-2-1" if I'm at a con and it's been too long since I've eaten something real.
This may be old news to a lot of you – some quick Internet-searching indicates this is venerable advice – but I heard it for the first time myself once long ago, and it's not impossible that you are part of today's lucky 10,000 who are learning it for the first time.
– 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!
August 2, 2023
August 2, 2023: Visit Us At Gen Con!
The Best Four Days in Gaming™ are almost here! Gen Con 2023 runs from Thursday, August 3, to Sunday, August 6, and the SJ Games crew will be out in full force. You can find us at booth #1401, where we'll be running demo tables and offering
Wiz-War
to the general public for the first time! You can also check out some of our Learn-to-Play ticketed events. Many are already filled, but a few still have available seats, and if you have generic tickets and we have an empty slot, we'll be happy to show you a game! You can even get a sneak peek at
Caligula
, currently on Kickstarter.
Our friend Matt Forbeck and his family will be hosting the Andrew Hackard Memorial Munchkin game on Sunday, and there are still available seats! This is a great way to honor our late, great Munchkin Czar with some of his best friends.
You'll see some new faces among our staff as well, so come by and say "Hi" and meet the team. We love talking to fans and teaching a game or two. Of course, we'll also have promos, plus our brand new Pride merch that you may have seen Irene wearing on #SJGamesLive or Tik Tok. Come and spend the weekend with us at Gen Con!
– Hunter Shelburne
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!
Our friend Matt Forbeck and his family will be hosting the Andrew Hackard Memorial Munchkin game on Sunday, and there are still available seats! This is a great way to honor our late, great Munchkin Czar with some of his best friends.
You'll see some new faces among our staff as well, so come by and say "Hi" and meet the team. We love talking to fans and teaching a game or two. Of course, we'll also have promos, plus our brand new Pride merch that you may have seen Irene wearing on #SJGamesLive or Tik Tok. Come and spend the weekend with us at Gen Con!
– Hunter Shelburne
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!
Steve Jackson's Blog
- Steve Jackson's profile
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Steve Jackson isn't a Goodreads Author
(yet),
but they
do have a blog,
so here are some recent posts imported from
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