May 26, 2024: The End Of Time?

As a writer and editor, I realize I'm having a hard time keeping up with recent history. By which I mean, I can conjure what life was like in – say – the 1950s, or the 1970s, or the 1990s with vivid clarity. But my brain breaks down totally when I try to recall what life was like in, say, 2004. Or 2014.

Part of that could be because period-piece history has a way of collapsing; when I think "the 1970s," my brain tends to conjure "earth-tone yellow-brown kitchens" alongside ABBA's "Voulez-Vous," even though there's nearly 10 whole years dividing those two. Nonetheless, I'd be happy if my brain could come up with what "something vaguely 2000s-y" felt like. It's felt like now for an awful long time.

I don't know if anyone else feels the same way, but if you have any writerly resources, period-piece recommendations, or other insight, I'd love to hear about it on the forums!

-- Steven . . . [more]

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May 25, 2024: The Fantasy Trip Is At BGG.Spring

The BGG.Spring convention is now through May 27th at the Hyatt Regency DFW Airport, and we have some fun news.

Our friend Nathaniel has organized Those About to Die, Salut You - The Fantasy Trip Tournament at 10:00am on Saturday for a chance to win some great prizes from Steve Jackson Games.

You can sign up for this and other great events here.

If you have a chance to participate, send us an email after and tell us all about your experience!

-- Michelle Richardson

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May 24, 2024: Off To UKGE

This morning I head to England for, among other things, the UK Games Exposition. My first visit! By all accounts, it's big and fun. I will be running the TFT adventure The Effigy of the Oil Wastes, participating in a couple of panels, and catching up with some old friends. I will also be doing some signings at the Catalyst booth. Look me up there, if you are in the neighborhood, or catch me elsewhere. I will be one of the ones wearing a "Steve Jackson" nametag . . .

-- Steve Jackson

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May 23, 2024: Inventory On The First Play?

Am I alone in taking inventory of new games as I open 'em? When I'm enjoying that new-game smell, I'll generally do a quick count of the cards, parts, etc., and compare them with the parts list in the game itself. If I'm really feeling my oats (especially if I'm the one who has to put the game away), I'll do an inventory after the game as well. If a game doesn't have a complete parts list, I'll often whip up my own before the game gets sequestered back into its cardboard home. There's nothing more frustrating than discovering one has lost a die, pawn, chit, or card a few months down the road, long after vacuum cleaners or free-roaming house rabbits have made a tasty snack of something irreplaceable.

I'm especially grateful when publishers provide detailed inventory lists. If I'm looking for a complete card list for (say) Munchkin 9 — Jurassic Snark, it's awesome to get it straight . . . [more]

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May 22, 2024: The Impossible Is Daily With GURPS Infinite Worlds: Atlantropa

Welcome to Atlantropa-1, a timeline where the mega-project to dam the Mediterranean and create 250,000 square miles for settlement came to fruition. And thus new land, new sources of energy, and new geopolitical problems became the norm.

Book your passage to an amazing world with GURPS Infinite Worlds: Atlantropa. This supplement includes the history, geopolitical situation, and near-future challenges faced by its residents. It also offers adventure ideas, hints of other worlds where Atlantropa came to be, and suggestions for how to add the setting to a GURPS Infinite Worlds campaign.

Whether you're admiring an incredibly ambitious global achievement, researching its unusual global challenges, or trying to defuse a five-way Cold War, Atlantropa is your ticket to the improbable but amazing. Download it today, only from Warehouse 23!

-- Steven Marsh

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Previous Illuminators • Steve's Appearance Schedule

Captain Kirk is the insane laptop; Thor takes refuge in Endsville. May 26, 2024: The End Of Time? As a writer and editor, I realize I'm having a hard time keeping up with recent history. By which I mean, I can conjure what life was like in – say – the 1950s, or the 1970s, or the 1990s with vivid clarity. But my brain breaks down totally when I try to recall what life was like in, say, 2004. Or 2014. Part of that could be because period-piece history has a way of collapsing; when I think "the 1970s," my brain tends to conjure "earth-tone yellow-brown kitchens" alongside ABBA's "Voulez-Vous," even though there's nearly 10 whole years dividing those two. Nonetheless, I'd be happy if my brain could come up with what "something vaguely 2000s-y" felt like. It's felt like now for an awful long time. I don't know if anyone else feels the same way, but if you have any writerly resources, period-piece recommendations, or other insight, I'd love to hear about it on the forums! -- Steven . . . [more] Share this post! May 25, 2024: The Fantasy Trip Is At BGG.Spring The BGG.Spring convention is now through May 27th at the Hyatt Regency DFW Airport, and we have some fun news. Our friend Nathaniel has organized Those About to Die, Salut You - The Fantasy Trip Tournament at 10:00am on Saturday for a chance to win some great prizes from Steve Jackson Games. You can sign up for this and other great events here. If you have a chance to participate, send us an email after and tell us all about your experience! -- Michelle Richardson Share this post! May 24, 2024: Off To UKGE This morning I head to England for, among other things, the UK Games Exposition. My first visit! By all accounts, it's big and fun. I will be running the TFT adventure The Effigy of the Oil Wastes, participating in a couple of panels, and catching up with some old friends. I will also be doing some signings at the Catalyst booth. Look me up there, if you are in the neighborhood, or catch me elsewhere. I will be one of the ones wearing a "Steve Jackson" nametag . . . -- Steve Jackson Share this post! May 23, 2024: Inventory On The First Play? Am I alone in taking inventory of new games as I open 'em? When I'm enjoying that new-game smell, I'll generally do a quick count of the cards, parts, etc., and compare them with the parts list in the game itself. If I'm really feeling my oats (especially if I'm the one who has to put the game away), I'll do an inventory after the game as well. If a game doesn't have a complete parts list, I'll often whip up my own before the game gets sequestered back into its cardboard home. There's nothing more frustrating than discovering one has lost a die, pawn, chit, or card a few months down the road, long after vacuum cleaners or free-roaming house rabbits have made a tasty snack of something irreplaceable. I'm especially grateful when publishers provide detailed inventory lists. If I'm looking for a complete card list for (say) Munchkin 9 — Jurassic Snark, it's awesome to get it straight . . . [more] Share this post! May 22, 2024: The Impossible Is Daily With GURPS Infinite Worlds: Atlantropa Welcome to Atlantropa-1, a timeline where the mega-project to dam the Mediterranean and create 250,000 square miles for settlement came to fruition. And thus new land, new sources of energy, and new geopolitical problems became the norm. Book your passage to an amazing world with GURPS Infinite Worlds: Atlantropa. This supplement includes the history, geopolitical situation, and near-future challenges faced by its residents. It also offers adventure ideas, hints of other worlds where Atlantropa came to be, and suggestions for how to add the setting to a GURPS Infinite Worlds campaign. Whether you're admiring an incredibly ambitious global achievement, researching its unusual global challenges, or trying to defuse a five-way Cold War, *Atlantropa* is your ticket to the improbable but amazing. Download it today, only from Warehouse 23! -- Steven Marsh Share this post! Previous Illuminators • Steve's Appearance Schedule		Latest Videos You are the 42nd tool of the Conspiracy here today. (29881494 since August 1, 1995)