October 17, 2024: Offline Gaming Is Good!

Our household has gotten burned a couple of times in recent years by games in our Closet of Shame that relied on an online or app component that no longer worked, basically rendering it unplayable. That makes us sad.

I understand how app-component-type games can push the envelope of gaming possibilities. When it works, it's truly magical. Conversely, it's annoying when we now have a chunk of cardboard that we can't do anything with.

Having had too many of these experiences makes me grateful for the vast majority of games in my collection that are playably evergreen, such as (for example) Groo: The Game, which delivers fantastic klutzy-barbarian fun whether you own the recent long-awaited reprint or the original version from last century.

-- Steven Marsh

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October 16, 2024: Steve Jackson Games February 2025 Releases

Though we haven't yet entered winter, and we're still a few months away, we at Steve Jackson Games would like to announce our new game releases for February 2025. Five exciting items are coming to Warehouse 23 and your Friendly Local Game Store soon!

Last Shot takes players into the Cold War era in a fast-playing card game that is full of international espionage, strategy, and intrigue. You'll need to protect yourself while simultaneously working to eliminate your rivals. The best part? Each game is totally unique and won't be played the same twice! MSRP $16.95

The first wave of Car Wars Expansion Packs is now available, and we look forward to the next set of three debuting in late October. But the first six aren't all of the fun cards you can add to your Car Wars Sixth Edition game – there are several more coming! The final four single-player expansion packs will be released . . .

[more]

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October 15, 2024: Software Recommendation: IINA

If you're on MacOS and are looking for an attractive, free media player, you might consider IINA. I don't consider it a replacement for my venerable VLC, but it's an interesting and robust player that's found a spot on my Dock. I especially appreciate that it seems to be designed to feel like MacOS software in a way that (for example) VLC doesn't. It's fast, stable, open source . . . and did I mention free?

-- Steven Marsh

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October 14, 2024: One-Page Bulge 2nd Edition Heads To Kickstarter

For the first time in over 20 years, One-Page Bulge returns to print in honor of the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge!

This single-page wargame was one of the first of four games Steve Jackson created in 1980. Now, in collaboration with Dana Lombardy of Lombardy Studios, One-Page Bulge Second Edition will be crowdfunding on Kickstarter.

As the name states, the entire game fits on one sheet of paper and can be played in a single session. Wargame fans will enjoy the state-of-the-art illustrations and high-quality components as they attempt to conquer the German front, destroy bridges, capture Allied supply, and more with regimental-style play.

Stay tuned to our social media channels over the coming weeks for sneak-peeks of the artwork, a video interview with Steve and Dana, and behind-the-scenes information.

The Kickstarter campaign page for One-Page Bulge . . .

[more]

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October 13, 2024: Support Your Local Toy Store

My grandmother used to take me to toy stores when I was little, but I haven't set foot in one since I worked at KB Toys back in high school. (Note that I'm not talking about my Friendly Local Game Store – I'm in there more often than I care to admit.) While my purpose for going was to pick up a gift for a young relative, I think I may need to return at some point soon to make a purchase and do my part to keep my local store alive. Why? Because toy stores spark joy.

No, really. During my trip to my friendly local toy store, I was amazed to find how excited I was for . . . well, for everything. Keep in mind that I'm not a toy collector, nor do I possess the spatial reasoning skills necessary for toys like model kits or Legos. (I have trouble assembling the stuff I bring home from Ikea.) And yet, I found myself wandering the aisles, my head full of fond memories about Barbie, kid-friendly . . .

[more]

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Previous Illuminators • Steve's Appearance Schedule

Buffy hides in Poland and stomps the hot tub. October 17, 2024: Offline Gaming Is Good! Our household has gotten burned a couple of times in recent years by games in our Closet of Shame that relied on an online or app component that no longer worked, basically rendering it unplayable. That makes us sad. I understand how app-component-type games can push the envelope of gaming possibilities. When it works, it's truly magical. Conversely, it's annoying when we now have a chunk of cardboard that we can't do anything with. Having had too many of these experiences makes me grateful for the vast majority of games in my collection that are playably evergreen, such as (for example) Groo: The Game, which delivers fantastic klutzy-barbarian fun whether you own the recent long-awaited reprint or the original version from last century. -- Steven Marsh Share this post! October 16, 2024: Steve Jackson Games February 2025 Releases Though we haven't yet entered winter, and we're still a few months away, we at Steve Jackson Games would like to announce our new game releases for February 2025. Five exciting items are coming to Warehouse 23 and your Friendly Local Game Store soon! Last Shot takes players into the Cold War era in a fast-playing card game that is full of international espionage, strategy, and intrigue. You'll need to protect yourself while simultaneously working to eliminate your rivals. The best part? Each game is totally unique and won't be played the same twice! MSRP $16.95 The first wave of Car Wars Expansion Packs is now available, and we look forward to the next set of three debuting in late October. But the first six aren't all of the fun cards you can add to your Car Wars Sixth Edition game – there are several more coming! The final four single-player expansion packs will be released . . . [more] Share this post! October 15, 2024: Software Recommendation: IINA If you're on MacOS and are looking for an attractive, free media player, you might consider IINA. I don't consider it a replacement for my venerable VLC, but it's an interesting and robust player that's found a spot on my Dock. I especially appreciate that it seems to be designed to feel like MacOS software in a way that (for example) VLC doesn't. It's fast, stable, open source . . . and did I mention free? -- Steven Marsh Share this post! October 14, 2024: One-Page Bulge 2nd Edition Heads To Kickstarter For the first time in over 20 years, One-Page Bulge returns to print in honor of the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge! This single-page wargame was one of the first of four games Steve Jackson created in 1980. Now, in collaboration with Dana Lombardy of Lombardy Studios, One-Page Bulge Second Edition will be crowdfunding on Kickstarter. As the name states, the entire game fits on one sheet of paper and can be played in a single session. Wargame fans will enjoy the state-of-the-art illustrations and high-quality components as they attempt to conquer the German front, destroy bridges, capture Allied supply, and more with regimental-style play. Stay tuned to our social media channels over the coming weeks for sneak-peeks of the artwork, a video interview with Steve and Dana, and behind-the-scenes information. The Kickstarter campaign page for One-Page Bulge . . . [more] Share this post! October 13, 2024: Support Your Local Toy Store My grandmother used to take me to toy stores when I was little, but I haven't set foot in one since I worked at KB Toys back in high school. (Note that I'm not talking about my Friendly Local Game Store – I'm in there more often than I care to admit.) While my purpose for going was to pick up a gift for a young relative, I think I may need to return at some point soon to make a purchase and do my part to keep my local store alive. Why? Because toy stores spark joy. No, really. During my trip to my friendly local toy store, I was amazed to find how excited I was for . . . well, for everything. Keep in mind that I'm not a toy collector, nor do I possess the spatial reasoning skills necessary for toys like model kits or Legos. (I have trouble assembling the stuff I bring home from Ikea.) And yet, I found myself wandering the aisles, my head full of fond memories about Barbie, kid-friendly . . . [more] Share this post! Previous Illuminators • Steve's Appearance Schedule		Latest Videos You are the 1358th covert operative here today. (30102222 since August 1, 1995)