December 23, 2024: Escape Ordinary Gift Cards?

Last year I had some not-so-humble suggestions for how to make a gift certificate (such as those for the wondrous Warehouse 23) a little more exciting. So, when the holiday spirit spurs you to gift-giving greatness, consider taking a little extra time to make the gift-getting experience even better.

If your recipient is of the right temperament and mindset, I recommend a puzzle hunt. These can be as straightforward or elaborate as your inclination and skills allow. I enjoy making puzzles, and it's fun to inflict, err, create challenges for others to endur- enjoy. I meant enjoy. However, the challenges don't need to be grandiose. Even a series of sequential notes provides a momentary flush of excitement: "Check the oven" leads to "go to the dryer," which has a note saying "behind the TV," etc.

Any of those steps can be either obfuscated (by a puzzle, riddle, or the like) and/or enhanced, . . . [more]

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December 22, 2024: PAX Unplugged 2025 Wrap Up

In 2004, the folks behind the Penny Arcade webcomic decided to take their community to the next level and set up a show that was a celebration of games and gaming culture. The Penny Arcade Expo, aka PAX, has grown ever since, expanding to multiple shows across the country and even an Australian show. Noticing that the tabletop gaming sections of their shows also kept growing every year, in 2017 they decided to dedicate an event specifically for them, and so PAX Unplugged was born.

The Steve Jackson Games team headed back to Philadelphia once again for this year's PAX Unplugged the first week of December. We were in the exhibitor hall along one of the main aisles, so we got to see a lot of folks over the weekend. The large center aisle was great for cosplay watching from the booth! For those that stopped by, we were showing off Munchkin Shadowrun, the new 2-player starter set Car Wars Orange/Purpl . . . [more]

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December 21, 2024: See You In 2025!

The Steve Jackson Games office and warehouse will be closed beginning Saturday, December 21, for our holiday break. We'll return on Thursday, January 2, and shipping will resume at that time.

But don't worry – the Daily Illuminator will continue! We'll keep bringing you great content here and on our social media channels.

Have a great holiday, and we'll see you in 2025!

-- Michelle Richardson

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December 20, 2024: Get 15% Off Digital Downloads During Our Solstice Savings Sale

Winter is here (well, technically it starts tomorrow!), and it's the perfect time of year to stay indoors reading and playing games. While the holiday shipping deadline may have passed, you can still find great gifts during our Solstice Savings Sale. From now until January 2, we're offering a discount on PDFs and STLs from some of your favorite games, including GURPS, Car Wars, The Fantasy Trip, and much more. Whether you want to catch up on Hexagram, print some new STLs, or gather around the table with friends, this sale has something for you.

A couple of notes: New releases are excluded. A minimum $20 purchase of qualifying items is required for the discount to be applied. Once unlocked, the discount will be reflected in your cart.

Hurry over to Warehouse 23 today – this deal won't last long!

-- Michelle Richardson

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December 19, 2024: The Politics Of Dropping

How do you handle fumbled dice? Does out of the dice tray (if you use one) but still on the table count? Off the table? What about "off the table, but it's a really good roll?" Cocked dice trapped in the corner of dice trays, lying on counters or figures, etc.?

As I thought of the question, I realized it's actually a really tricky question. Since most games I play with my family are pretty casual (or even co-op), we tend to be generous and forgiving in our rolls and interpretations. Even so, I realize our method could lead to some really sour moments at some tables, depending on how cutthroat the game is. ("Oops, let me re-roll that one," I mutter as the security guards escort me away from the craps table . . .)

Does everyone at the table have to follow the same policy? Do you sort that out ahead of time, or as it comes up? How "in depth" is the code of honor?

If there's some . . . [more]

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Previous Illuminators • Steve's Appearance Schedule

The ski lift from Endsville will go to the Phoenix Project. December 23, 2024: Escape Ordinary Gift Cards? Last year I had some not-so-humble suggestions for how to make a gift certificate (such as those for the wondrous Warehouse 23) a little more exciting. So, when the holiday spirit spurs you to gift-giving greatness, consider taking a little extra time to make the gift-getting experience even better. If your recipient is of the right temperament and mindset, I recommend a puzzle hunt. These can be as straightforward or elaborate as your inclination and skills allow. I enjoy making puzzles, and it's fun to inflict, err, create challenges for others to endur- enjoy. I meant enjoy. However, the challenges don't need to be grandiose. Even a series of sequential notes provides a momentary flush of excitement: "Check the oven" leads to "go to the dryer," which has a note saying "behind the TV," etc. Any of those steps can be either obfuscated (by a puzzle, riddle, or the like) and/or enhanced, . . . [more] Share this post! December 22, 2024: PAX Unplugged 2025 Wrap Up In 2004, the folks behind the Penny Arcade webcomic decided to take their community to the next level and set up a show that was a celebration of games and gaming culture. The Penny Arcade Expo, aka PAX, has grown ever since, expanding to multiple shows across the country and even an Australian show. Noticing that the tabletop gaming sections of their shows also kept growing every year, in 2017 they decided to dedicate an event specifically for them, and so PAX Unplugged was born. The Steve Jackson Games team headed back to Philadelphia once again for this year's PAX Unplugged the first week of December. We were in the exhibitor hall along one of the main aisles, so we got to see a lot of folks over the weekend. The large center aisle was great for cosplay watching from the booth! For those that stopped by, we were showing off Munchkin Shadowrun, the new 2-player starter set Car Wars Orange/Purpl . . . [more] Share this post! December 21, 2024: See You In 2025! The Steve Jackson Games office and warehouse will be closed beginning Saturday, December 21, for our holiday break. We'll return on Thursday, January 2, and shipping will resume at that time. But don't worry – the Daily Illuminator will continue! We'll keep bringing you great content here and on our social media channels. Have a great holiday, and we'll see you in 2025! -- Michelle Richardson Share this post! December 20, 2024: Get 15% Off Digital Downloads During Our Solstice Savings Sale Winter is here (well, technically it starts tomorrow!), and it's the perfect time of year to stay indoors reading and playing games. While the holiday shipping deadline may have passed, you can still find great gifts during our Solstice Savings Sale. From now until January 2, we're offering a discount on PDFs and STLs from some of your favorite games, including GURPS, Car Wars, The Fantasy Trip, and much more. Whether you want to catch up on Hexagram, print some new STLs, or gather around the table with friends, this sale has something for you. A couple of notes: New releases are excluded. A minimum $20 purchase of qualifying items is required for the discount to be applied. Once unlocked, the discount will be reflected in your cart. Hurry over to Warehouse 23 today – this deal won't last long! -- Michelle Richardson Share this post! December 19, 2024: The Politics Of Dropping How do you handle fumbled dice? Does out of the dice tray (if you use one) but still on the table count? Off the table? What about "off the table, but it's a really good roll?" Cocked dice trapped in the corner of dice trays, lying on counters or figures, etc.? As I thought of the question, I realized it's actually a really tricky question. Since most games I play with my family are pretty casual (or even co-op), we tend to be generous and forgiving in our rolls and interpretations. Even so, I realize our method could lead to some really sour moments at some tables, depending on how cutthroat the game is. ("Oops, let me re-roll that one," I mutter as the security guards escort me away from the craps table . . .) Does everyone at the table have to follow the same policy? Do you sort that out ahead of time, or as it comes up? How "in depth" is the code of honor? If there's some . . . [more] Share this post! Previous Illuminators • Steve's Appearance Schedule		Latest Videos You are the 2155th helpless victim here today. (30268310 since August 1, 1995)