June 11, 2024: Steve Jackson And Jordan Sorcery

If you're interested in the history of tabletop gaming, then you're probably familiar with the work of Jordan Sorcery. Jordan is a YouTuber whose videos cover a wide range of tabletop gaming topics, including gaming history, reviews, interviews with creators, and more. Recently, Jordan sat down to interview our own Steve Jackson to learn more about his career, company highlights, and what people can expect in the months and years ahead. You can also watch Mad Max in Your Pocket, in which Jordan offers a "micro-history" of Car Wars. Check it out!

-- Katie Duffy

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June 10, 2024: Questions Three: Sean Punch

As noted in a previous Daily Illuminator, we've been asking some folks around here interesting questions in an abbreviated version of the Questions Three format, as found in Hexagram.

I recently sought out GURPS Line Editor Sean Punch, who has written, edited, contributed to, and guided countless supplements for more than 20 years.

You've been with GURPS since last millennium. What's the biggest change you've seen in your time in the professional tabletop RPG world?

Given my rules-geek reputation, you might expect me to say something like "narrative gaming," "rules-light systems," or "the OSR" – but my answer is "the digital revolution." When SJ Games hired me in 1995, the RPG world revolved around printed games, brick-and-mortar stores, physical gaming tables, and attending cons; today, PDFs, online shops, VTTs, and participation in crowdfunding are becoming the norm.

What's your . . . [more]

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June 9, 2024: Two Nights (Or Four Hours) Of Adventure Possibilities?

Like many on the Internet, I was recently enthralled by Jenny Nicholson's YouTube video about the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser live-action roleplaying hotel experience set in (obviously) the Star Wars Universe. It's a four-hour video, so it's not for the faint of heart, but I found it worthwhile. The video gives a great overview of the history, build-up, and actual experience of attending the event in an honestly pretty objective-seeming review that detailed both good and bad elements.

As a tabletop gamer chewing on ideas constantly, I was – of course – intrigued by the notion of a space-opera game that expanded on the core premise of the Galactic Starcruiser, as far as an open-world ship-exploring sandbox game on a tight timetable. But I also envisioned running (say) a modern-day mystery campaign set in a similar hotel, with expensive set pieces and a tightly packed LARP experience . . . [more]

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June 8, 2024: Add Sparkle To Your GURPS Game With Pyramid #4/4: Fantasy/Magic II!

Exciting character options and adventure ideas for GURPS Dungeon Fantasy! New spells for GURPS Ritual Path Magic! Weird tomes that perhaps ought to be left alone! No, you're not living a dream . . . at least, we don't think you are. (It's always hard to say with certainty.) Rather, those are just some of the delights that await you in Pyramid #4/4: Fantasy/Magic II.

For those who missed the super-successful 2022 GURPS Pyramid Scheme, the first issue from that campaign is now available separately. It has 11 articles covering a variety of topics. Gain insight from the Alchemists' Guild, undertake aquatic adventures, harness the Orbs of Power, or become a dungeon-delving aristocrat. All this and more awaits you in the pages of this issue. Download it today, only from Warehouse 23!

-- Steven Marsh

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June 7, 2024: Dive Into Oceans Of Fun - Save 15%!

World Ocean Day is observed yearly on June 8th. To coincide with this celebration of the seas, we're highlighting some of our ocean-themed titles during a special sale.

The Ocean d6 sets come in six varieties. Whatever your favorite aquatic creature is – be it killer whales, turtles, sharks, starfish, octopi, or seahorses – we have dice for you! You can combine all six beautiful sets to play Nanogames: Aquarium and Eat Thy Neighbor. It includes a poster with game instructions that can be folded small enough to fit right into your favorite dice bag.

If you missed out on our 2022 Kickstarter for the ocean-themed Munchkin bookmarks, now is your chance to grab the full set and add them to your collection! Each includes special rules to enhance your Munchkin game. Some of the irreverant titles are: The Official Munchkin Bookmark of Seahorse Sea-nanigans!, The Official Munchkin . . .

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Previous Illuminators • Steve's Appearance Schedule

The conquering chair transforms the dehydrated paddle. June 11, 2024: Steve Jackson And Jordan Sorcery If you're interested in the history of tabletop gaming, then you're probably familiar with the work of Jordan Sorcery. Jordan is a YouTuber whose videos cover a wide range of tabletop gaming topics, including gaming history, reviews, interviews with creators, and more. Recently, Jordan sat down to interview our own Steve Jackson to learn more about his career, company highlights, and what people can expect in the months and years ahead. You can also watch Mad Max in Your Pocket, in which Jordan offers a "micro-history" of Car Wars. Check it out! -- Katie Duffy Share this post! June 10, 2024: Questions Three: Sean Punch As noted in a previous Daily Illuminator, we've been asking some folks around here interesting questions in an abbreviated version of the Questions Three format, as found in Hexagram. I recently sought out GURPS Line Editor Sean Punch, who has written, edited, contributed to, and guided countless supplements for more than 20 years. *You've been with GURPS* since last millennium. What's the biggest change you've seen in your time in the professional tabletop RPG world? Given my rules-geek reputation, you might expect me to say something like "narrative gaming," "rules-light systems," or "the OSR" – but my answer is "the digital revolution." When SJ Games hired me in 1995, the RPG world revolved around printed games, brick-and-mortar stores, physical gaming tables, and attending cons; today, PDFs, online shops, VTTs, and participation in crowdfunding are becoming the norm. What's your . . . [more] Share this post!** June 9, 2024: Two Nights (Or Four Hours) Of Adventure Possibilities? Like many on the Internet, I was recently enthralled by Jenny Nicholson's YouTube video about the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser live-action roleplaying hotel experience set in (obviously) the Star Wars Universe. It's a four-hour video, so it's not for the faint of heart, but I found it worthwhile. The video gives a great overview of the history, build-up, and actual experience of attending the event in an honestly pretty objective-seeming review that detailed both good and bad elements. As a tabletop gamer chewing on ideas constantly, I was – of course – intrigued by the notion of a space-opera game that expanded on the core premise of the Galactic Starcruiser, as far as an open-world ship-exploring sandbox game on a tight timetable. But I also envisioned running (say) a modern-day mystery campaign set in a similar hotel, with expensive set pieces and a tightly packed LARP experience . . . [more] Share this post! June 8, 2024: Add Sparkle To Your GURPS Game With Pyramid #4/4: Fantasy/Magic II! Exciting character options and adventure ideas for GURPS Dungeon Fantasy! New spells for GURPS Ritual Path Magic! Weird tomes that perhaps ought to be left alone! No, you're not living a dream . . . at least, we don't think you are. (It's always hard to say with certainty.) Rather, those are just some of the delights that await you in Pyramid #4/4: Fantasy/Magic II. For those who missed the super-successful 2022 GURPS Pyramid Scheme, the first issue from that campaign is now available separately. It has 11 articles covering a variety of topics. Gain insight from the Alchemists' Guild, undertake aquatic adventures, harness the Orbs of Power, or become a dungeon-delving aristocrat. All this and more awaits you in the pages of this issue. Download it today, only from Warehouse 23! -- Steven Marsh Share this post! June 7, 2024: Dive Into Oceans Of Fun - Save 15%! World Ocean Day is observed yearly on June 8th. To coincide with this celebration of the seas, we're highlighting some of our ocean-themed titles during a special sale. The Ocean d6 sets come in six varieties. Whatever your favorite aquatic creature is – be it killer whales, turtles, sharks, starfish, octopi, or seahorses – we have dice for you! You can combine all six beautiful sets to play Nanogames: Aquarium and Eat Thy Neighbor. It includes a poster with game instructions that can be folded small enough to fit right into your favorite dice bag. If you missed out on our 2022 Kickstarter for the ocean-themed *Munchkin* bookmarks, now is your chance to grab the full set and add them to your collection! Each includes special rules to enhance your Munchkin game. Some of the irreverant titles are: The Official Munchkin Bookmark of Seahorse Sea-nanigans!, The Official Munchkin . . . [more] Share this post! Previous Illuminators • Steve's Appearance Schedule		Latest Videos You are the 984th (CENSORED) here today. (29906243 since August 1, 1995)