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Illuminated Site of the Week
August 31, 2006: And Their Stock Went Up When They Did It
Radio Shack fired some 400 employees by e-mail.
Read the Business Week story.
Warehouse 23 News: But Wait, There's More!
You can't keep a a good monster down. But you can get tired of painting the walls with his entrails over and over. Keep your games fresh and keep your players guessing with the Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual IV.
I've had worse flights home after conventions. Looking for the silver lining: if you get to the airport two hours early and they need only an hour to process you, you have a stress-free hour to read at the gate. And one of my thoughts after the convention is the wistful awareness that I haven't gotten to read NEARLY as much as I would have liked in the past few years.
As it happens, though, the airport bookstore had His Majesty's Dragon (the convention booksellers all ran out, it seems) as well as both sequels. So between the airport and the flight home, I read it and half of the next book. Still enjoying it!
And now, the unpacking, the terrible, terrible unpacking.
-- Steve Jackson
Warehouse 23 News: Mua Ha Ha Or Bua Ha Ha?
Eh, you can work out the details later. Your first order of business on your Rule the World agenda is to pick your alter ego. Blind them with science as Villainy: Dr. Oblongata, get your mojo rising with Villainy: Mallory Maleficarum, or just throw poo with Villainy: Mugga Mugga.
is an unnerving hypothesis. 90% of the matter in the universe is . . . not like us? Is, in fact, so different that we can hardly detect it, interacting with "normal" baryonic matter only through gravity?
But evidence is piling up, including this paper . . .
Warehouse 23 News: Samurai Pewter Cats
Latest in the Off The Wall Armies line, the Katana Kats are the perfect gift for the gamer that has everything. Everything except miniature, anthropomorphic, samurai cats.
August 28, 2006: The Last Worldcon Report For A While
We survived. The Chaos Machine had a good and busy day, and then we tore it all down, inflicted order on it, and put it into boxes.
As we were packing out, I got to watch the lunar rover drive down the hall, followed by the Batmobile.
Denver won the bid for the 2008 Worldcon. The other two candidates were excellent too . . . it was a no-lose situation for the fans. And I know a couple of bonny pirates in Denver, arrrr, so it's all good.
Monday: a bit of sightseeing, and some meetings. Tuesday: fly home. Wednesday: come up to speed in a hurry, because there's a lot to do. It beats boredom.
It's been a good trip. Special thanks to the Internet Lounge staff, who stayed late so Monica could traverse the hell that is the UPS website and print shipping labels for the Machine!
-- Steve Jackson
Warehouse 23 News: It's A Mad Mad Mad Mad Haven
The cultural and financial center of New York, Manhattan isn't typically known for its ancient secrets or powerful relics. Rifts: Madhaven sets that silly misconception straight.
Another fun day with the Machine. No abandoned kids to stress about today! The system just gets bigger and gaudier. Outside the exhibit area, I got to my one program item for the day, in which I basically made approving noises while some nice folks from across the Atlantic entertained kids with a simple, clever Lego game of pirates vs. mecha. And I got to watch one other panel, entitled "The Future We Didn't Expect," with several excellent speakers.
It's funny how much of a convention experience boils down to "I talked to this one person, and watched this other one's panel." But so it goes:
- I crossed paths with a fellow wearing a shirt with the logo of Xcor, the private launch vehicle company. Told him to keep up the good work. It turned out that I was talking to Jeff Greason, who is president of the company . . . and who was one of the credited advisors for GURPS 3e, way back when. SMALL world!
- Yesterday I attended a filk concert by Jeff and Maya Bohnhoff. Years ago, I heard Maya sing her "Knight's in White Satin" (a tale of chivalry and cross-dressing). I have always wanted to get that on CD, and now I have heard it again live AND have the CD. Win, win.
- I read the first chapter of His Majesty's Dragon. I liked the idea when I first heard about it . . . the Napoleonic wars, with the addition of dragons. And it turns out that the writing is really excellent, not a mockery of classics like the Hornblower books, but a sincere evocation of the period. But with dragons. I'm buying the next copy I see.
- And I had a long talk with David Friedman about MMOs, economics, and his new book Harald, and that's another book I plan to buy. We had dinner with the designer of a game which I think has potential but will not name in order not to pressure him . . .
- Not to mention catching up with Raph Koster, Eric S. Raymond, and Howard Tayler. Poor Howard. Stood wistfully outside the boundary tape and compared the Chaos Machine to crack . . .
-- Steve Jackson
Warehouse 23 News: Take A Walk On The Dark Side
Fighting for truth, justice, and the Arythian way is all well and good, but what does it get you? The pay is lousy, the hours suck, and the dental plan . . . let's just not even go there. So get off your high horse and grin sinisterly as you buy Midnight: Hand of Shadow.
So here I am in Anaheim. A good time is being had, but Stevie's tired. The Chaos Machine seems to be a big hit. It's almost always extremely busy . . . so busy that just picking up the bits that people leave on the floor is nearly a full-time job all by itself. And the convention is short enough on volunteers that none of the promised gophers have materialized; Monica and I haven't seen much of the convention yet, because we've been Machine-watching. Fortunately, some friends and MIBs have popped up to help. And it's still FUN . . . but my, a few more breaks would be good, so we could, well, visit Worldcon.
And the next time I do this, the "No Unattended Children" rule will be more prominent than "in the handout AND on the large-type sign near the entrance." It will be in 144-point type, boldface, and, if possible, red and flashing. Because yes, there are parents here at Worldcon who have quietly walked off and left their young children in a busy crowd of strangers who are playing with swallowable objects, electricity, and hot glue . . . and then been sullen when the public address called them to recover their most precious possessions. I haven't had any bad children here yet, but I've met some bad parents.
OK, vent mode off. I don't mean to sound totally negative, because I'm not! We have been given a large and well-lit area, the con staff is uniformly helpful and intelligently supportive, and our visitors are building with such great enthusiasm that I'm out of some parts. That has never come CLOSE to happening before.
And in other news, the one panel I managed to attend gave me some great ideas for making a certain project more realistic. I've gotten to talk to a lot of people that I don't see often enough. A playtest set of Munchkin Cthulhu is in the gaming area and getting good reactions. And I have had two darned interesting discussions about digital gaming.
-- Steve Jackson
The short life expectancy, brutal violence, malnutrition, frequent mutilation, and lack of toilet paper aside, being a pirate is really cool. If you find you can't afford a boat, however, we recommend B-Movie Card Games: The Scurvy Musketeers of the Spanish Main. You get the same experience, only without having to be deloused afterwards.
August 25, 2006: Illuminated Site of the Week: Egad - 523 Did It
If you're looking for that beach-reading book as the summer wanes, here's a real page-turner. Tom Jennings reviews A Million Random Digits with 100,000 Normal Deviates, a book from the 50s that's all numbers. Page after page of nothing but digits, all meant to offer the cruncher in you a truly random selection. Is it possible? Sounds like. And the really weird thing is, he makes the whole thing sound fascinating. We won't spoil the ending for you, but it involves numbers. -- Suggested by Tiago Hackbarth
Warehouse 23 News: The Game Of . . . Er, "Mortal Existence"
Life is like a board game. There are rules, expectations, consequences, and lots of cards. Funny Friends is a board game that's like life. It's art imitating life imitating art. Wow. That's like, deep, man . . .
Worldcon is in full swing. So I am in Anaheim, not Austin. So if YOU are in Anaheim, come look me up. If I'm not at the Chaos Machine, I soon will be.
-- Steve Jackson
Warehouse 23 News: There Are Some Who Call Him . . . Cute
He's small, he's cute, and he knows that death awaits you with nasty, pointy teeth. He's the Monty Python: Tim the Enchanter Chibi Plush! Pyrotechnics sold seperately.
As we approach the end of the Warehouse 23 August shipping sale, I'd like to take this moment to point out that the lower shipping costs apply to preordered items, as well. So if you're planning to order something anyway, placing a preorder now will lock in the discounted shipping price.
Preorder items of particular interest include: GURPS Mysteries, GURPS Bio-Tech, and Pieces of Eight. But don't limit yourself to just the top items! Take a look at everything we're printing, and all the things on the way.
-- Shadlyn
Warehouse 23 News: Waste Not, Want Not
Why go to all the trouble of raising an army when you can just raise an army. Like, from the dead. The Necromancy T-Shirt will help the world remember to recycle our greatest natural resource: corpses.
We have an immediate opening for an Assembly Worker at our Austin offices. You can find the details on our Job Opportunities Page. -- Shadlyn
Warehouse 23 News: It Means "Revolution"
Kakumei, that is. It's also an anime fanzine from the fine folks at The CaBil.
August 21, 2006: And They Don't Hurt When You Step On Them
Those who like teeny dice may now rejoice . . . especially if they also happen to have a great deal of money. Really, REALLY tiny dice are now available from Japanese company Iriso Seimitsu. If your character does super-ultra-mongo damage, you can now roll hundreds of dice out of a thimble. Read the Pink Tentacle story for the details.
Warehouse 23 News: Sad Girl In Snow, Revisited
Okay, technically speaking, there's no snow on the Last Leaves T-Shirt. But that's definitely a girl, and she might be sad. And really, that's what counts, right?
We have a game submission that just cries out to be illustrated with stick figures. But, while just about everybody can draw stick figures, not everybody is Pete Abrams. So we're looking for an artist who has really good Stick Figure Fu . . . the ability to create really expressive stick figures, along with their stick-figure possessions.
If that's you, send samples, or a URL to some of your work, to our Art Director, Will Schoonover.
Warehouse 23 News: It's Not "Sucking Up." It's "Currying Favor."
It's Good to Be the King. You, however, could have it better. But all hope is not lost, for if you cannot be the king, you can always be his well-rewarded toady. Provided you can out-smart, out-pace, and just plain oust the competition.
August 19, 2006: Illuminated Site of the Week: Art Really Nouveau
All right, so illustration isn't new, painting programs are old hat, and there are probably other ways to do this. But for convenience or just plain "Ooo . . . " factor, this is ultra-wifty.
-- Suggested by Martin J. Barela
Warehouse 23 News: Asbestos Sold Separately
You may not be an ancient, mystically-inclined, fire-breathing lizard, but that doesn't mean you can't show your support for dragons. We recommend doing so by buying a Fire Eyes T-Shirt. And we're not just saying that because we sell the shirt. Okay . . . maybe a little.
Steve Jackson Games announces for release in November, 2006:
Munchkin Cthulhu
Munchkins have hacked their way through dungeons, kung fu temples, starships,
haunted houses, and super-foes. Now they face their greatest foe – Cthulhu!
Will they survive? Will they retain their sanity? Will they . . . level
up?
Of course they will. If something's got stats, you can kill it and
Take Its Stuff.
Munchkin Cthuhlu is the newest standalone
game in the Munchkin line, this time lampooning Lovecraft's Mythos and the
horror gaming that surrounds it. Brought to you by Steve Jackson and John
Kovalic, this set summons classic monsters from outside reality . . . to let
you kill them, level up, and loot.
You can play Munchkin Cthulhu by itself,
or combine it with any number of other Munchkin games for
mind-bending silliness.
-- Paul Chapman
The revolution may not be televised, but that won't stop us from making a card game about it. Chez Guevara may not be compatible with its progenitor Chez Geek, but it's probably for the best. Having that many guns in an apartment is just asking for trouble the next time someone leaves the seat up.
August 17, 2006: Andrew Dawson Gets To Help Play With GURPS
. . . as our newest editor.
He describes himself thusly:
Andrew Dawson's path in life has included Air Force Academy cadet, research scientist, technical writer, and programmer. He has been gaming since the late 70s, when he spotted his first D&D book after reading The Lord of the Rings. A founding member of the SJ Games Men in Black volunteer program, he has been supporting SJ Games at gaming conventions and in the gaming community for almost two decades. His nongaming interests include religion, politics, and other things that shouldn't be discussed in polite company. He is currently living in Missouri with his wife Michelle and the minimum required number of cats.
Expanding, exploring, exploiting; these are all fine and good. But exterminating? That's where things get interesting. UltraCorps takes that ideal to heart, and now you can too, with the UltraCorps: Alpha Relaunch T-Shirt.
Next week and weekend I shall be in Los Angeles for the World Science Fiction Convention. I'm doing some panels, but mainly I'll be hosting the Chaos Machine, attending other peoples' panels, talking a bit of Left Coast business, and chatting with whoever I run into. So:
If you're planning to be at Worldcon, and (a) write for us already, (b) want to, (c) have computer game business to talk about, or (d) just want to play with, or help babysit, the Chaos Machine . . .
drop me an e-mail.
-- Steve Jackson
Warehouse 23 News: You Will Buy This Book!
Do not shame your ancestors! Purchase the Ninja Burger Honorable Employee Handbook right now! This manual is your key to staying successful (and alive) both in the field and at your franchise. You can also kill a man 17 different ways with it. Buy it now or die like a cowardly dog!
I removed myself from a Gamasutra mailing list and the confirmation mail said, "If you would like to rejoin this mailing list simply click here to remove yourself from it."
I called American Airlines with questions about flight restrictions. I was sure that the information had been on their site before. Yes, they said: "nobody was reading the instructions on the screen" . . . so they removed them.
-- Steve Jackson
Warehouse 23 News: Magical Meetings Make Master Mages Mirthful
In Ars Magica, magic serves a very specific, very important role in the world, and it's obvious to everyone what that role is: impressing your peers. Specifically, impressing the judges at the Ars Magica: Grand Tribunal.
Scientists in Japan are going to give it a try. Read the sentido.tv story.
Marcus Rowland, who sent us the link, comments: "It's all very well making baby universes, and they are very pretty when they're small, I suppose, but will they be able to afford to feed them when they grow up? And what about accommodation
and lighting? Any rescue organization can tell you that they have more universes than they know what to do with, most of them badly neglected or even abandoned by their owners. And as for dumping them down black holes, the interdimensional sewers must be full of them by now!"
Warehouse 23 News: Because It's Hard To Stop For Directions In A Vacuum
Reputable sources claim that space is big. Really big. We recommend you bring a map. Specifically, the GURPS: Interstellar Wars Sector Map Poster. You don't have to, of course, but good luck finding a gas station between here and Tau Ceti.
August 13, 2006: OCD Man Says: Watch Those Commas!
I'm told from time to time that I am needlessly picky about grammar. Usually I am told that by people whose grammar I am correcting; it's funny how that works out. But I really like our books to be right. I like contracts to be right, too.
And in Canada right now, there's a company that's going to spend more than two million dollars extra because they didn't pay attention to one comma in a contract. Read it and weep. Or giggle, if you like.
-- Steve Jackson
Warehouse 23 News: A Fist Full Of Cards
This town ain't big enough for the two to four of us . . . If you wanna prove that you're the biggest and baddest Cowpoker in town, you'll need more than just guts. You'll need a lot of heavily armed friends. Oh, and cattle. Someone else's cattle, preferably.
After a brief delay (thank goodness GenCon only happens once a year! What do you mean "SoCal is coming"??), the second episode of the Fnordcast has been posted!
As promised, we include segments previewing Munchkin Impossible and GURPS Bio-Tech. Wayne offered another Shameless Plug, and we review A Scanner Darkly.
We've also made a few changes to make this episode more accessible. As promised, we added an RSS feed, and we discovered that a lower bitrate didn't affect the audio quality nearly as much as I'd feared (I'm a 'fraidy cat), so the file size is be smaller. Will has posted a summary, with the timeline, over on the forums, so you can jump ahead to your favorite parts.
Take a listen, and let us know what you like!
-- Paul Chapman
Warehouse 23 News: Urban Blight Redefined
Sporting a population of 100 million citizens (give or a take a mill') The Great Metropolis is bound to have some sort of adventure for your Etherscope players. And if not, well, you can probably find a really kickin' steam-powered night club.
August 11, 2006: Illuminated Site of the Week: "I Have Made Better Lightning Than That"
If you have what it takes, you, too, can be a member of the Tesla Engine Builders Association, and what it takes would seem to be a keen intellect and the desire to figure out that last missing piece to his grand design. An ego and a madness equal to Nikola's is useful, but not necessary, and certainly not included in your membership package. And not to harp on it, but they claim they've got machines that can end greenhouse gas emissions, so that's nice. -- Andy
No eyes shall penetrate the extremely opaque Exalted Storyteller's Screen. None! And those that try shall be burned from their sockets, as the secrets of the Storyteller are too glorious, too radiant in their perfection for your pitiful mortal peepers!
August 10, 2006: Jimmie Bragdon Returns To Active Duty
It's true what they say. You may think that you have left the Conspiracy behind, but in truth, They are just shuffling you around to other branches that you're not clued in on. A decade ago, I joined the Network branch under the guise of Illuminati Online and began my foray into helpdesks, network administration, and [Not Available at Your Clearance]. Since then, I've been through the back rooms and data centers of businesses, telecom companies, and even a major computer manufacturer (that you couldn't compare with an orange).
Now, with my 10-year field assignment completed, I've returned to the home office to patch myself into the heart of the Network once again. I'm happy to be back and working with all of the fine folks here. Most of you won't be hearing from me, since the majority of my work is internal. However, you can be sure that I'll be seeing you.
-- Jimmie Bragdon, new IT Manager at Steve Jackson Games
Warehouse 23 News: Cute, In A Fearsome Sort Of Way
Dragons are scary, after all. Or was it scaly . . . oh, whatever! Cover your feet dragon slayer style with the Here Be Monsters: Red Dragon Slippers. It's your way of saying to the world: "I didn't just kill one dragon. I killed two. With my feet."
And you should too.
-- Steve Jackson
Warehouse 23 News: Pillars Of The Magi
If not for the True Lineages, there would be no Order of Hermes. No Order of Hermes, no Ars Magica. No Ars Magica, no . . . oh, perish the thought! Do yourself a favor and grab a copy of Ars Magica: Houses of Hermes - True Lineages. The alternative is much too dire to consider!
Since it's been almost a week since I grabbed the Illuminator and babbled about pirates . . .
First, an idea whose time has come. Use pirates to teach science. Really, why not? Yes, it's silly. But not stupid. And we've all seen enough stupid recently that we ought to be able to tell the difference.
Second: After so many years of hearing "They're destroying the rainforests to make napkins!", we don't usually think of McDonald's as a friend of the ecology. But McDonald's has been doing its bit recently to save the planet. Their recent promotion had kids all over the country dressing up as pirates . . . which, as we should all know by now, will help reverse global warming. The Flying Spaghetti Monster says it, so it must be true.
-- Steve Jackson
Warehouse 23 News: Steam Clean Someone's Clock
Magic? Pah! What is magic, indeed, before the might of a big, honkin', steam-powered Thingie of Ultimate and Terrible Destruction? You can see for yourself in DragonMech: Steam Warriors, but the outcome should be obvious. Of course, it's so big that it doesn't move yet, but we're working out the kinks.
The solitaire rules for King's Blood have been added to the website, joining the card images and the downloadable PDF of the rules. And, yes, wallpapers!
-- Paul Chapman
Warehouse 23 News: Shirk Responsibility Like A Man
Management Material: Information Technology is the light-hearted game of weaseling out of doing your job. Not that we know anything about that sort of thing. No, sir, not us. We're always hard at work on . . . um, that one thing.
August 6, 2006: Warehouse 23's August Shipping Sale
During the month of August, Warehouse 23 will be running a store-wide sale. All domestic UPS Ground shipping prices will be cut by 50% or more until the end of the month.
If you've been holding off on a purchase or two, waiting for a better time, now is that better time!
What should you buy with such a great shipping price? Try the Apples to Apples Crate Edition. Or a hefty hardback like the Spycraft 2.0 or A Game of Thrones RPG.
We would suggest the glorious World of Warcraft Board Game, but it already has free domestic shipping because, as always, UPS Ground is free for domestic orders of $80 or more. -- Shadlyn
Warehouse 23 News: Cardboard You Can Count On
You see, because it's Counter Collection: Untamed Woodlands. Counters. You can . . . count . . . on counters. Ha ha ha? Okay, fine! "For all your tile-based, forest creature needs, look no further than Counter Collection: Untamed Woodlands." Sheesh . . .
August 5, 2006: GURPS Bio-Tech And GenCon Indy
The proofs are back from the printer, and the special POD version of GURPS Bio-Tech looks very good. These will make it to GenCon Indy, as will the first printing of GURPS Mysteries.
If you like these, I can definitely see us doing more POD products in the near future.
Oh, and remember: this special pre-release run of GURPS Bio-Tech will have very limited numbers. Once they're gone, you'll need to wait for the release in October. So get 'em while you can from Booth 1321 at GenCon Indy, August 10 - 13 -- tell 'em Paul sent you!
-- Paul Chapman
Warehouse 23 News: Lost And Found And Tossed Around
Even kung-fu-fighting demigods need stuff. Cool stuff. The sort of stuff that uses descriptors such as "ancient," "legendary," and "freakin' sweet." Don't you think it's time you outfitted your Exalted characters with some Wonders of the Lost Age?
August 4, 2006: Illuminated Site of the Week: The Answers Are On The Backs Of Your Eyelids
You may have heard the name come up: The Oregon Institute of Science and Medicine, or OISM, is a think-tank out of the Northwest, and they're determined to help you survive almost anything. If the Big Flash rolls around, they know how you can seal yourself up tight. If the ozone is being depleted, just put quote marks around the word "depletion." And the best defense against global warming? Apparently we're already doing it. -- Suggested by William B. Smith
Warehouse 23 News: Roleplaying The Lamont Sanford Way
Having a little trouble putting together that perfect campaign? Can't quite figure out how to buy skills? Well stop worrying, ya big dummy! GURPS For Dummies is there for your leisurely hours of need.
We've been watching Print On Demand (POD) technology mature for a number of years. Being able to shrink print runs down to a few hundred (or even just one!), while keeping the product affordable and up to our standards of physical quality, has obvious advantages. While the prices are still quite high compared to a traditional print run in our normal quantities, the quality is good enough for a “live fire” test.
At GenCon Indy, we will have a limited number of a special edition of GURPS Bio-Tech. This edition will be softcover and have black and white interiors. Don't worry; the regular print run will be both hardcover and full color inside. All the text in both editions will be the same, so you'll be able to get all the data, just two months early.
And since we were testing the POD technology, we decided to try another project as well: GURPS Mysteries, in print. The best-selling e23 product will also be available at GenCon, as a black and white softcover. Warehouse 23 will also carry printed copies, beginning in late August.
But don't delay! We'll only have a limited number at the Steve Jackson Games booth (#1321), so get there early.
-- Paul Chapman
Warehouse 23 News: First, Cleveland. Then, The World!
MUA HA HA HA HA! As you can clearly see, all the fun there is to be had as a hero is directly proportionate to the diabolicalness (diabolicosity?) of your opposing villains. Pulp Hero: Masterminds And Madmen offers up a fine selection of truly entertaining whackjobs.
Leaving the office today, I noticed a HUGE banner outside our local McDonald's. Must have been 20 feet long. Obviously they've got a "Pirates of the Caribbean" promotion going on. It said "Pirates be here."
That would be a great addition to the Pirate Game. Stevie wants!
So, mateys . . . This be a scavenger hunt. If ye can be gettin' me one of them things, I be owin' ye a favor. Ye no doubt has somethin' ye wants, too. We can discuss tha' details at our leisure, after ye gets yer hands on tha' goods.
It should go without saying, but I'm going to say it anyway: keep it legal. This must be an honestly acquired banner. I has no doubts that among me readers there be many wi' th' talent ta jest scarper off wi' one, but that be not th' way t'me heart. Gettin' th' treasure all legal-like may be th' harder way, so consider it a challenge.
And if I happens to get two, well, I knows someone who would lubs it as much as I would. Tell ye tha' details later, if it comes ta pass.
Arrrrr.
-- Steve Jackson
Warehouse 23 News: Psionics. And Then Some.
Stem to stern, end to end, top to bottom, inside and out, head to toe, Dungeons & Dragons: Complete Psionic provides you with more psionics that you could ever conceivably use in one lifetime. Good thing your cleric knows true resurrection.
. . . is a mega-convention in Lucca, Italy. It's the biggest Italian games convention and one of the world's biggest comic and game shows. It's November 1 through 5 this year. John Kovalic says it's great.
And I'm going!
I have the great pleasure of being the Guest of Honor, and I'm looking forward to it. I hope this gives me the chance to meet a lot of our European fans. And play some games!
Here's their site, for those of your who parle Italiano.
-- Steve Jackson
We don't see what the cows are so angry about. We think the GIANTmicrobes: Plush Mad Cow looks kinda cute.
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