Matt Forbeck's Blog, page 25

The Dangerous Games on Sale Day!

Dangerous Games: How to Win — the third in my trilogy of thrillers set at Gen Con — goes on sale today. You can buy it at Amazon, Smashwords, DriveThruFiction, or right here. Better yet, both How to Cheat (Book 2) and How to Win are on sale today in print-on-demand editions as well, which means you can get the whole set in both hardcover and paperback editions — with the ebooks tossed in for free — as you like.

How to Win is a wild ride of a novel that ramps up hard from the first two books. How to Play (#1) is a basic murder mystery, although it’s a why-done-it rather than a who-done-it. How to Cheat (#2) bumps up from there to a crime novel, complete with professional assassins hunting down targets.

I often describe How to Win as “Die Hard meets Gen Con.” Ken Hite tells me it’s his favorite of the three books — the one he most wished was longer — and he cited Die Hard too, as well as The Taking of Pelham 123. The action hockey-sticks here, and the body count rockets right alongside it.

To celebrate the release of How to Win — and the fact that I’ll be at Gen Con starting tomorrow — I put How to Play on sale this week for only 99¢. It’s a great chance to get in on the ground floor and then hop on the roller coaster ride from there.

Melanie Meadors posted about the series today and calls How to Play “just plain FUN!”

Abhinav Jain (a.k.a. Shadowhawk over at the Founding Fields) gave the first book a great review and raved yesterday about How to Cheat too. He says, “It continues to amaze, despite the constant exposure, that Matt can write in so many different genres so well and that his books are always a blast to read.” And he gives the book a rare 10 out of 10.

James Floyd Kelly, who’s reviewed each of the books over at GeekDad.com, covered How to Win today and says, “It’s violent… horrifying… vengeful. And totally entertaining as you keep reminding yourself that it’s only a story… it’s only a story… GenCon is safe… GenCon is fun.“ 

Things like that just make me smile. I hope the books will do the same for you. Grab them, read them, and spread the word.

Thanks for your support!

 

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The Dangerous Games: How to Win Roll Call

Dangerous Games: How to Win debuts today! As with the previous two Dangerous Games novels — How to Play and How to Cheat — How to Win is packed full of real-life people, mostly game designers I know and hang out with when I can. This time around, a big chunk part of the novel takes place in the Writer’s Symposium at Gen Con, so a large number of the names that appear in the book belong to other authors I know through the symposium.

I kept track of them all as I went along, and here’s a checklist of the folks that show up throughout How to Win. I could tell you who each of them is, but that’s part of the fun of the books: finding those folks and figuring out how they all fit not only into the story but into the show.

Aaron Williams
Adrian Swartout
Alex Gygax
Allen Varney
Amanda Valentine
Andrew Hackard
Ann Forbeck
Anthony Gallela
Ben Dobyns
Bob Brynildson
Bob Carty
Boyan Radakovich
Brad Beaulieu
Brandon Sanderson
Cam Banks
Christian Moore
Christian Petersen
Chuck Wendig
Cindy Gygax
Clark Valentine
Cliff “CJ” Jones
Coleman Charlton
“Dammit” Liz Smith
Dan Wells
Daniel Solis
Darrell Hardy
Darren Orange
Darren Watts
Dave Arneson
Dave Gross
Derek Guder
Dylan Birtolo
Ed Greenwood
Eddy Webb
Elise Gygax
Elizabeth Vaughn
Eric Hautemont
Eric Lang
Erik Mona
Erik Scott de Bie
Ernie Gygax
Felicia Day
Frank Mentzer
Gary Gygax
George Strayton
Heidi Gygax
Helen Forbeck
Howard Tayler
Jason Sizemore
Jean Rabe
Jeannette LeGault
Jeff Dohm
Jeff Tidball
Jennifer Steen
Jeremy Keller
Jerry Corrick
Jerry Gordon
Jess Hartley
Joanne Gain
John Nephew
John Scalzi
John Wick
John Zinser
Jonni Emrich
Keith Baker
Kelly Swails
Ken Hite
Kenneth Forbeck
Kevin Wilson
Larry Roznai
Lillian Cohen-Moore
Logan Bonner
Lucien Soulban
Luke Gygax
Marc Tassin
Margaret Weis
Mark Kaufman
Martin Stever
Marty Forbeck
Mary Robinette Kowal
Matt Vancil
Matt Wilson
Matthew Grau
Maurice Broaddus
Michelle Nephew
Mike Gray
Mike Stackpole
Mike Vaillancourt
Nicholas Forbeck
Owen Seyler
Pat Rothfuss
Patrick Forbeck
Paul Kemp
Pete Adkison
Pete Fenlon
Phil Lacefield
Phillipe-Antoine Ménard
R. A. Salvatore
Rich Baker
Rich Gain
Richard Lee Byers
Richard Thomas
Rob Donoghue
Rob Stone
Robin Laws
Ryan Macklin
Scott Elliott
Sean Lashgari
Shane DeFreest
Stefan Pokorny
Steve Kenson
Steve Long
Steve Wieck
Steven Saus
Tobias Buckell
Tracy Hickman
Troy Denning
Wil Wheaton
Will Hindmarch

I could have thrown a lot more people into the book, but I tried to stick to friends that have been able to get to Gen Con in the past few years. Otherwise — well, this week I’ll attend my 32nd Gen Con in a row. If I put everyone one I know or met at the show into a book, I wouldn’t have room for anything other than a list of names. As it is, the book is chock full of plot and story too!

 

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How to Play Only 99¢

To celebrate Gen Con starting this week — and the release of Dangerous Games: How to Win tomorrow — I’ve put Dangerous Games: How to Play on sale for only 99¢. You should be able to find it at the following places for this bargain price:

Amazon
Barnes & Noble
DriveThruFiction.com
Right here at Forbeck.com

Please share the love and tell your friends and neighbors. I’m thrilled to be heading to Gen Con this week, and I want you everyone to be able to get in on the fun too, even if only through my books.

If you’re going to be at the show, you can grab the book too, but be sure to also come to one of my events and say hi. I have a special Dangerous Games panel on Thursday at 6 PM, and I’d love to see you there — or at any other time during the show too. I have my full schedule posted under “Upcoming Appearances.”

Happy Gen Con Week!

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Stretching for the Red Aegis RPG

My pal Matt James (founder of Loremaster.org) and his brother Brian James launched a Kickstarter drive earlier this month for their brand-new roleplaying game Red Aegis. It’s a game about sweeping epics, in which you play not just a character but a familial line. Besides Matt and Brian — both excellent, proven designers in their own right — they’ve lined up help from folks like Ed Greenwood, Erik Scott de Bie, Stephen Radney-McFarland, Miranda Horner, Eytan Bernstein, and Claudio Pozas.

They’ve already funded and have reached a number of stretch goals, bringing in support for Pathfinder and Fate Core versions of the game. They also have 13th Age and Dungeon World rules on the horizon, as well as skirmish miniatures rules. Plus, if they hit $65k, I’ll write a short story for them as well.

Given that they’re already at $40k with 15 days left, there’s a solid chance they’ll make that goal. If you enjoy epic fantasy that gives you the sense of the world’s strong sweep of history, be sure to check it out.

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The Battle Isle: Threshold Run Comic

I’m working with the fine folks at Stratotainment on some material for their upcoming video game, Battle Isle: Threshold Run. Although the game’s not ready yet, you can already start to enjoy some of it in the form of a series of short online comics I’m writing for them.

For those who don’t remember, Battle Isle was a hit series of turn-based tactical games that launched in the early ’90s. Thomas Hertzler, who worked on both the Battle Isle and Settlers series, co-founded Blue Byte Software, which published those classics. He sold the company to Ubisoft back in 2001 and retired from games, but he’s back now with Battle Isle: Threshold Run, which already looks like fantastic fun.

Stay tuned for more information about the game, and be sure to check in at the Battle Isle: Threshold Run site for more episodes of the comics soon.

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Star Trek Catan at Gen Con (and Me)

My friends at Mayfair Games are running a huge event at Gen Con based around their game Star Trek Catan, and they’ve invited me to be a part of it. They’re taking over Georgia Street, which runs east out of the convention center (it was the place with all the food trucks last year), and they’re hosting a free block party open to the public. It starts at 6 PM on Thursday, August 14, and it runs until 11.

The center of the event is the Star Trek Catan charity tournament. Tickets go for $100 each, with all proceeds going to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Indiana. There will also be entertainment by magician Michael Mirth and music from DJ M4RC3L0.

While the tournament’s going on, Mayfair’s going to record a live episode of their Bob & Angus YouTube show, in which two sheep puppets host a variety show centered on games. To lead off, they’re going to interview Mike Stackpole and me at around 7:15. After that, Walter Koenig will be on the show, followed by a number of other gaming industry guests. Wil Wheaton himself will be there to play in the tournament too.

In short, it’s going to be a huge amount of fun, and the money raised will go toward a wonderful cause. If you’re going to Gen Con — or if you happen to be anywhere near downtown Indianapolis that night, be sure to come out and join us.

[Edited: Corrected Wil's involvement.]

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My Gen Con Schedule

In honor of Dangerous Games: How to Cheat launching today, I’ve updated my schedule at this year’s Gen Con, where the novel is set. This year, the show runs from August 15–18.  I’m an Industry Insider Guest of Honor again, 11 years running. I’m also working with the Writer’s Symposium once more.

If you can make it down to Indianapolis for the show, be sure to track me down at one (or more!) of these events and say hi. My schedule includes:

August 14

9 PM: The Diana Jones Award ceremony/party

August 15

2 PM: Gaming with Kids: The Next Generation

Raising new gamers doesn’t happen by itself. Parents need games that meet kids where they are at each age. Guests will talk about games for different ages, & what gaming with kids can teach adults. With Jessica Banks and Nicole Lindroos. (Room 211)


5 PM: Reading: Matt Forbeck & Howard Andrew Jones

Origins Award winner Matt Forbeck and Black Gate editor Howard Andrew Jones read from their latest works. (Room 244)


6 PM: Matt Forbeck’s Dangerous Games Trilogy 

Award-winning game designer and author (and 11-time Gen Con guest of honor) Matt Forbeck released a trilogy of thriller novels set at Gen Con. Come meet Matt and learn who lives and who dies. (Room 245)



August 16

10 AM: Playing with Other People’s Toys: Licensed Games

Making a game based on your favorite movie or comic book can be a process with both pleasures and pitfalls. Designers of games based on TV, novels, toys and even other games tell their tales. With Mitch Gitelman and Seth Johnson. (Room 211)


12 PM: Business of Writing: Career Building

Explore ways to make a career out of writing, and learn to build that career once you have it. With Gregory Wilson, Kerrie Hughes, and Brandon Sanderson. (Room 245)


1 PM: Business of Writing: Networking, Not Name-Dropping

Build professional networks without coming across as a weasel. Plus, learn how to network effectively with your fans! With Jaym Gates, Monica Valentinelli, and Mary Robinette Kowal. (Room 245)


2 PM: Worldbuilding: Intelligent Design or Evolution?

Should you build your world in advance or let it evolve as you write? We’ll help you decide. With Elizabeth Vaughan, David Farland, and Lou Anders. (Room 244)


4 PM: Industry Transformers: Rise of the Kickstarter!

An examination of the promise, problems, and overall effect crowd funding is having on companies and consumers in today’s gaming world. With Matt James, Tom Lommel, and Luke Peterschmidt. (Room 211)


6:30 PM: InSpectres: The Movie Premiere

In a world where the supernatural are common, the InSpectres are the only ones capable of eliminating these supernatural nuisances! This is the feature film based upon Jared Sorensen’s InSpectres! With director Darren Orange and select cast and crew. (Westin: Capitol II)


9 PM: Reactor 88 Studios 5th Annual Afterparty

August 17

1 PM: Writer’s Craft: Stunning Action Scenes

Learn to use words alone to plunge the reader straight into the action in your stories. With Erik Scott de Bie, Larry Correia, and Scott Lynch. (Room 244)


2 PM: Pen to Page: Book Signing with Matt Forbeck

Join me in Author’s Avenue for autographs and answers.


3 PM: Time Management for Creatives

How to get the most bang for your buck out of your 168 hours a week, as well as sleep and pay the bills. With Stan!, Liz Danforth, and Seth Johnson. (Room 211)

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Dangerous Games: How to Cheat on Sale Now!

How to Cheat, the second book in the Dangerous Games trilogy of thrillers set at Gen Con, is on sale now. I uploaded the ebook to the various resellers last night, and at the moment you can purchase it through:

Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Smashwords
DriveThruFiction.com

Or you can grab it right here on my site. I’ll have it up with other resellers soon, and I’ll have print copies available in about a month.

Over at GeekDad.com, James Floyd Kelly gives it a rave review. He says:

It’s a whirlwind story… I read the entire 200 pages within hours of getting my digital copy. Matt’s thrown a great little mystery into the mix along with some fun name drops, more behind-the-scenes details of the game publishing world, and a very likable lead character and a despicable villain.

At Amazon.com, John Patrick gives it 5 stars! He says:

In this book we see the tone shift from mystery story to suspense story. The final act is straight out of an 80′s action film, complete with a Rocky-style reunion between the hero and his lady. This book was a quick, fun, read just like book one. I can’t wait to read book three and find out what happens in the final act.

At DriveThruFiction.com, Megan R. gives it 5 stars too! She says:

Fun. Fluff. Eminently readable. Something to curl up with and enjoy….

For a taste of the book, look below for a free preview that include the first four chapters of the book, including the murder of the book’s first victim.

Spread the word! Thanks for your support!

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Dangerous Games: How to Cheat Insider’s List

My next novel — Dangerous Games: How to Cheat — releases today, Tuesday, July 2. This is the second book in Dangerous Games, the third of the 12 for ’12 trilogies I wrote last year, and it’s set at my favorite place on Earth: Gen Con, the largest tabletop gaming convention in America. 

People who read the first book in the trilogy — Dangerous Games: How to Play — often commented on how many real-life gaming personalities showed up in the book. (I posted a long list of them earlier.) To some, it may seem like I’m dropping names, and to an extent that’s true. I had a ball putting all those people into the book, but that’s because they’re all my friends.

I’ve been going to Gen Con since I was 13 years old, and I’ve gotten to know a lot of people in the tabletop gaming industry. For a long time, I made my living as a full-time freelance tabletop game designer, something I still keep my hand in. I’ve worked with literally dozens of companies and hundreds of different folks.

Once I started putting friends into the book, I found it hard to stop. There were just so many personalities that were perfect for one line or another. The main problem is that, even with three books to play in, I couldn’t possibly manage to work in everyone I wanted — or put them into the spotlight for as long as I would have liked.

Still, I did find space for a lot of them. Consider the following a checklist for the fine people who made their way into How to Cheat. 

Aaron Acevedo
Adrian Swartout
Allen Varney
Angus Abranson
Ann Forbeck
Anthony Gallela
Ben Dobyns
Ben McFarland
Bill Bodden
Bob Watts
Brian James
Bruce Cordell
Calye Lacefield
Carinn Seabolt
Chance Lacefield
Charlton Coleman
Christian Moore
Cindi Rice
Cliff “CJ” Jones
Clinton Boomer
Colin McComb
D. J. Trindle
Dan Tibbles
Dave Williams
Dawne Weisman
Derek Guder
Don Perrin
Doug Niles
Ed Bolme
Ed Greenwood
Greg Stolze
Helen Forbeck
James Wallis
James Wyatt
Jamie Chambers
Jared Sorensen
Jason Blair
Jeannette LeGault
Jeannine Acevedo
Jen Page
Jennifer Brozek
Jennifer Steen
Jim Koplow
Jim Pinto
John Frank Rosenblum
John Kovalic
John Wick
John Zinser
Jon Leitheusser
Jonathan Tweet
Jordan Weisman
Julie Zinser
Karen Conlin
Ken Forbeck
Kenneth Hite
Ken St. Andre
Larry Roznai
Lessa Trindle
Lester Smith
Leticia Hayler
Luke Crane
Marcelo Figueroa
Margaret Weis
Marty Forbeck
Matt Forbeck
Matt James
Matt McElroy
Matt Vancil
Matthew Grau
Michelle Hensley
Mike Elliott
Mike Mearls
Mike Stackpole
Miranda Horner
Monica Valentinelli
Monte Cook
Nick Forbeck
Owen Seyler
Pat Forbeck
Paul Czege
Pete Fenlon
Peter Adkison
Phil Lacefield Jr.
Phil Norton
R. A. Salvatore
Randy Porter
Ray Vallese
Ray Wehrs
Rich Rogers
Rick Loomis
Rob Daviau
Rob Heinsoo
Rob Schwalb
Rodney Thompson
Ryan Macklin
Ryan Miller
Schar Niebling
Scott Elliott
Sean Patrick Fannon
Seth Johnson
Shane Hensley
Steve Horvath
Steve Sullivan
Steve Wieck
Tom Vasel
Tracy Hickman
Troy Denning
Will Niebling

Just like last time around, some of the people here are just referred to and don’t have any lines at all. Others — like Ken Hite, Phil Lacefield Jr., Anthony Gallela, and Sean Patrick Fannon (who has a Kickstarter of his own running at the moment) — play a major role in the tale. Thanks to all of them for being good sports about it!

 

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Dangerous Games: How to Cheat Slated for July 2 Release

How to Cheat, the second novel in the Dangerous Games trilogy of thrillers set at Gen Con, is slated to be released to the public as an ebook on July 2. Backers of the Kickstarter campaign that funded the books have already been enjoying the story for weeks, but this is the chance for the rest of the word to get in on it too.

Print copies should go on sale through DriveThruFiction in August.

If you’re interested in grabbing the first book in the series — Dangerous Games: How to Play — you can purchase it here or through any of the regular channels. For one more week, you can also grab it as part of the Bundle of Holding +3 package, a pay-what-you-like bargain that features fiction from my fellow RPG writers Colin McComb, Greg Stolze, Mur Lafferty, Scott Fitzgerald Gray, John Scott Tynes, and Robin D. Laws too.

Either way, get reading. I’ll have How to Cheat ready for you next week, and How to Win — the third book in the trilogy — should be out in early August, just in time for Gen Con.

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