January 29, 2025: INWO In Japan

"Pix or it didn't happen!"

It happened. Here are our shiny new copies of the Japanese editions of INWO and The INWO Book.

This edition was published by Asukashinsha, with rights arranged through Japan Uni Agency. And it looks amazing!

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January 28, 2025: Diamond Bankruptcy: We Are Clear

Several of you have asked whether SJ Games was impacted when Diamond Comics filed for bankruptcy. The short answer is no. Obviously the whole industry is shaken when a large player falls, but we were not a Diamond creditor. We do a great deal of business with their subsidiary, Alliance Game Distributors, but Alliance is healthy and will probably have a new owner soon.

Diamond itself is not necessarily gone; it is seeking reorganization under Chapter 11.

If this is all news to you, check out the Baltimore Banner feature coverage. There is a list of creditors in this Graphic Policy article.

At any rate: Thank you for the concern, but we are fine and we expect our friends at Alliance to be fine too.

-- Steve Jackson

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January 27, 2025: What's In A Game?

Have you ever thought about how many different talents go into making your favorite games? The skillset that can devise and develop different gameplay options is subtly different from the skills that go into writing or editing them. Playtesters (and those who wrangle those comments) check that the games make sense and are fun. Graphic designers work with artists to help the games look awesome. Print buyers make sure the games are both high quality and as affordable as possible. Marketing folks promote games so that they find the right audience. Digital gurus work hard so that all the games have the right information online, including options to buy them. Various admin and support-office people get bills paid so that the lights stay on and progress can continue for the next games. I'm certain I'm forgetting about folks.

A lot of this effort can be invisible. It's rare for someone . . . [more]

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January 26, 2025: Explore The History Of The UK Video Games Industry With Kim Justice

When I was a child, I always assumed that video games came from either Japan or the United States. I had no idea that there was a huge video game industry across the pond, ranging from bedroom coders to major players. I've been spending these cold winter days catching up on this fascinating history thanks to Kim Justice, a UK YouTuber whose channel covers the history of British gaming, among other things.

Kim's work is truly remarkable. Each video features an impressive collection of archival footage, photographs, and gameplay to tell the stories of companies, industry luminaries, and even the rise and fall of genres like the text adventure. These videos may be a walk down memory lane for some, but for me they're a fascinating look at a time when computer gaming was in its infancy. Thanks to the proliferation of "microcomputers" like the BBC Micro, the ZX Spectrum, . . .

[more]

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January 25, 2025: Help Out Rodger MacGowan!

Rodger B. MacGowan is one of the most skilled and prolific cover artists that the boardgaming hobby has ever seen. He founded Fire & Movement Magazine and, later, C3i Magazine. He is a member of the Origins Hall of Fame. And, at the moment, he is practically a refugee.

Rodger's home and office/studio was completely destroyed by the Palisades Fire in California. Work on his projects has halted. He needs your help.

If you can contribute to his GoFundMe, your donation will be going to a pillar of the hobby. Thousands of people have been displaced by the fires, and every one of them is deserving of help, but I ask for your help specifically to Rodger because he and his family – for it's a family business – have done so much for gaming for so many years.

Thank you.

-- Steve Jackson

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Previous Illuminators • Steve's Appearance Schedule

Gumby intimidates Cthulhu and the impudent insect. January 29, 2025: INWO In Japan "Pix or it didn't happen!" It happened. Here are our shiny new copies of the Japanese editions of INWO and The INWO Book. This edition was published by Asukashinsha, with rights arranged through Japan Uni Agency. And it looks amazing! -- Steve J ackson Share this post! January 28, 2025: Diamond Bankruptcy: We Are Clear Several of you have asked whether SJ Games was impacted when Diamond Comics filed for bankruptcy. The short answer is no. Obviously the whole industry is shaken when a large player falls, but we were not a Diamond creditor. We do a great deal of business with their subsidiary, Alliance Game Distributors, but Alliance is healthy and will probably have a new owner soon. Diamond itself is not necessarily gone; it is seeking reorganization under Chapter 11. If this is all news to you, check out the Baltimore Banner feature coverage. There is a list of creditors in this Graphic Policy article. At any rate: Thank you for the concern, but we are fine and we expect our friends at Alliance to be fine too. -- Steve Jackson Share this post! January 27, 2025: What's In A Game? Have you ever thought about how many different talents go into making your favorite games? The skillset that can devise and develop different gameplay options is subtly different from the skills that go into writing or editing them. Playtesters (and those who wrangle those comments) check that the games make sense and are fun. Graphic designers work with artists to help the games look awesome. Print buyers make sure the games are both high quality and as affordable as possible. Marketing folks promote games so that they find the right audience. Digital gurus work hard so that all the games have the right information online, including options to buy them. Various admin and support-office people get bills paid so that the lights stay on and progress can continue for the next games. I'm certain I'm forgetting about folks. A lot of this effort can be invisible. It's rare for someone . . . [more] Share this post! January 26, 2025: Explore The History Of The UK Video Games Industry With Kim Justice When I was a child, I always assumed that video games came from either Japan or the United States. I had no idea that there was a huge video game industry across the pond, ranging from bedroom coders to major players. I've been spending these cold winter days catching up on this fascinating history thanks to Kim Justice, a UK YouTuber whose channel covers the history of British gaming, among other things. Kim's work is truly remarkable. Each video features an impressive collection of archival footage, photographs, and gameplay to tell the stories of companies, industry luminaries, and even the rise and fall of genres like the text adventure. These videos may be a walk down memory lane for some, but for me they're a fascinating look at a time when computer gaming was in its infancy. Thanks to the proliferation of "microcomputers" like the BBC Micro, the ZX Spectrum, . . . [more] Share this post! January 25, 2025: Help Out Rodger MacGowan! Rodger B. MacGowan is one of the most skilled and prolific cover artists that the boardgaming hobby has ever seen. He founded Fire & Movement Magazine and, later, C3i Magazine. He is a member of the Origins Hall of Fame. And, at the moment, he is practically a refugee. Rodger's home and office/studio was completely destroyed by the Palisades Fire in California. Work on his projects has halted. He needs your help. If you can contribute to his GoFundMe, your donation will be going to a pillar of the hobby. Thousands of people have been displaced by the fires, and every one of them is deserving of help, but I ask for your help specifically to Rodger because he and his family – for it's a family business – have done so much for gaming for so many years. Thank you. -- Steve Jackson Share this post! Previous Illuminators • Steve's Appearance Schedule		Latest Videos You are the 2347th tool of the Conspiracy here today. (30368755 since August 1, 1995)