By the way, if you're interested in learning more about Korea, click here.
Many thanks to EVERYONE who volunteered; even if you weren't picked this time, we're still keeping your info on hand, in case we need help again in the future.
Quick history lesson for you newbies: Gary Gygax founded Tactical Studies Rules in 1973, a company that grew up to be TSR. He left the company in the mid 1980s, and he has been designing games and writing books ever since.
Features of the site include a FAQ where Gary tells his side of some of the industry's earliest, dirtiest fights; A virtual residence (which you need a Java-capable browser to go through); and an "alpha-test version" of his latest fantasy roleplaying game, Legendary Adventures.
For a taste of roleplaying history and a look at one of the founding fathers of the hobby -- warts and all -- this is a fascinating site.
-- Scott Haring
Subtitled "Letterboxing: Vile Censorship of Movies on Tv and Video," this
site exposes the conspiracy of "film makers, film critics, and their
followers" to prevent you (yes, you) from enjoying movies on TV by blocking parts of the screen with black bars. Don't give in and accept this treatment! Fight for your right to watch cropped-down versions of big-screen hits! Join the anonymous author of this site in his/her crusade for cinematic integrity!
(Submitted by
-- Shig the Unmentionable
For the full story, check out cnn.com, or www.eff.org.
Wizards CEO Peter Adkison said in the press release, "Five Rings Publishing is a young, dynamic company that has created an impressive model for producing high-quality games over a short period of time. The company excels at combining strong property licenses with superb game play, and its expertise in the adventure game category greatly complements Wizards of the Coast's line of products."
Wizards, of course, just completed the purchase of
TSR a couple of weeks ago. But if you
read the Illuminator regularly, you knew that, didn't you?
-- Scott Haring
What sort of little stuff? It would boggle the mind . . . business forms, retailer newsletter, ads for convention program books and magazines, graphics for product reviews in other magazines, convention signs, t-shirt designs, and lots more . . . it's amazing how much stuff we do around here. And now David is around to help. Welcome!
-- Scott Haring
When Richard C. Hoagland looked at Mars, he believed he saw a humanoid face looking back at him. Based on this compelling evidence, this
respected scientist took a flying leap to the conclusion that the
rock-and-shadow formation not only was constructed by intelligent
beings, but also proves beyond all doubt that Creationism, not
evolution, is the correct model. All we can say is, it's a good thing
he didn't notice the gift shop and mini-golf course next to the giant
face...
Also, if you missed it, we've set up an auction mailing list that sends
out daily updates (once a day) to the auction. To subscribe, send
email to majordomo@pyramid.sjgames.com with the message "subscribe auction".
Troublesome though it is, offshore manufacturing may be the best way to get (for instance) Ogre miniatures back in the stores. Not the only way; I'm following up a new US contact even now. But . . .
Anybody out there have connections with a manufacturer in Hong Kong? Or Taiwan, or Mexico, or Korea? Sure, we could open up a directory and start calling. But a personal recommendation might save us some time. And "Bob" knows, I've been trying long enough.
-- Steve Jackson
2. The deadline is July 31, 1997. Entries received after that date will not be considered.
3. Winning entries will appear in SJ Games' upcoming In Nomine Relics supplement (tentatively titled The Librum Reliquarium, and scheduled for a late 1997 release). Winning contributors will be listed in the credits, and receive a free copy of the book.
4. All entries become the property of Steve Jackson Games Incorporated. Entries will not be returned.
Each entry should include:
* A physical description of the relic.
* A history of the relic. Is it unique, or a common artifact?
* Who uses it? Describe the owner (briefly) if it is a unique relic, or its present location.
* A mechanical write-up, including details of its use and performance, any Songs contained in the relic, Limitations, Essence requirements, whether the relic comes in different levels, and character point cost.
* Ideas for using the relic in a campaign.
You may create powers that do not correspond exactly to any Song in the rulebook, and you may create new Limitations as needed (but try to stay in line with those given in the rules.)
In general, use the examples on pages 70-71 of the In Nomine rulebook as your guide. Be more elaborate as necessary, but brevity is a virtue! We want to fit as many great ideas into the book as possible.
* Fifteen versions of the Holy Grail. (All right, if you think you have the definitive In Nomine write-up of the Holy Grail, or the Shroud of Turin, or Excalibur, go ahead and submit it, but you'll probably have lots of company . . .)
* Artifacts that will drastically unbalance the game. (Hint: anything that can kill a Superior, summon God, or permanently alter the universe is probably unbalancing.)
* New Songs, new Choirs & Bands, new Superiors, short stories, long lists of new Artifact Limitations, or anything except Relics. Brief descriptions of the character who uses a noteworthy artifact (such as, "This relic was last seen in the hands of a Calabite Knight of Baal named Balak", or "Laurence often gives these items to his favored Servitors") are fine, but we're not looking for full-length NPC write-ups.
* Poor writing. This includes both content and format. Use a spellchecker, and be concise. Anything that gives the contest administrator a headache will probably be thrown out.
Snail Mail submissions should be sent to:
Relics Contest
c/o SJ Games
PO Box 18957
Austin, TX 78760
Questions about the contest may be directed to either of the above addresses. The contest administrator will not be able to comment on any submissions received, nor verify the receipt of each individual submission. Any further news or details about the contest will be distributed in the same manner as this announcement. Fnord.
-- Scott Haring
Future Publishing has announced that issue #20 of arcane will be their last. Future is a large publishing conglomerate with dozens of titles, and while arcane may have been considered a success by game magazine standards, it wasn't doing well enough to satisfy its corporate masters. Latest word is that they plan to continue to keep arcane alive at their website, though you'll have to do some navigating to find arcane among the rest of the stuff. Too bad -- arcane was one of the better mags, and shone brightly for the nearly two years it was around.
Around much longer (five years), but apparently just as dead, is Australian Realms, a nice little magazine that didn't get seen much in America, but was a mainstay of the Australian gaming scene. Their last issue was Number 30, published November 1996. Editor Nick Leaning said in the announcement, "The decision to close Australian Realms was not taken lightly. We know it will come as a great disappointment to our many loyal readers. Australian Realms proved that Australian RPG designers, writers and artists are the equal of any in the world. The magazine gained international recognition in its own right and on behalf of many of the Australian talents we showcased. By any artistic criteria the magazine was a great success that we can all be proud of."
Again, too bad. I have a soft spot in my heart for game magazines, and there seem to be damn few of us left. (Though my sources tell me that as a result of the Wizards of the Coast buyout of TSR, Dragon magazine will finally be back soon -- probably in time for GenCon.)
-- Scott Haring
Well, now some of that great Dan Smith artwork -- mostly original In Nomine pen-and-inks -- is available for you to own. The Dan Smith Auction page is up and running, with the first eight pieces now available. All the money goes to Dan. Bid early and often!
-- Scott Haring
Saint or subversive? Messiah or madman? White wine, or red? Everyone
who's heard of Timothy Leary has a
different opinion about him; the truth,
of course, is known only to us. All we can say, however, is that we
categorically deny any and all involvement in his life and alleged death.
The real-life incarnation of Heinlein's "General Services" is called U S Assist. Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, U S Assist specializes in doing the impossible for those who don't have to ask about price. They can get you tickets to sold-out shows, reservations in swank restaurants. They can look up obscure information to settle a bet or win a contract. They can find someone who will make a tuxedo for your dog, or locate 500 pairs of edible underwear.
And they're hiring. If you speak more than one language, have a good phone personality, and can keep a straight face, this might be a Truly Weird Job . . .
-- Steve Jackson
This project let us shake down our In Nomine
"studio" quite a bit . . . we learned many things about producing this sort
of product. The following ones are already going better.
And now they're online. Current editor Robert Gilson has set up a web site that has some neat Dan Smith artwork (Dan's a member), information on back issues (coming soon) and even how to join up! Check it out.
-- Scott Haring
Carol Burrell has been named Art Director of Steve Jackson Games. Carol came on board a few weeks ago to fill the hole left by the sudden departure of our last art director (Diana went to San Francisco to work for Survival Research Laboratories, the folks who build giant metal fire-breathing dinosaurs and such). Anyway, Carol's done a bang-up job, so we're making it official.
If you'd like to be considered for art assignments, just drop Carol a line. We're looking to expand our stable of illustrators, and if you've got what it takes, we'd love to have you.
-- Scott Haring
Anyway, on to our connection. I was channel surfing the other night and saw one of those promotional "The Making of ..." shows on the E! Entertainment Network for The Lost World. In addition to the usual film clips and interviews with the stars and stuff, they spent a lot of time with the movie's lead technical advisor, Dr. Jack Horner, who talked about how scientifically accurate all the dino stuff was.
So what's the connection? This is the same Dr. Jack Horner who reviewed, approved and wrote the foreword for GURPS Dinosaurs. Small world, eh?
-- Scott Haring
CSICOP is one of our most
surprising successes to date. Who would have thought that all it would
take to discredit the possibility of "paranormal" abilities would be to
replicate their effects using physical trickery? Telepathy and
psychokinesis are complicated concepts, and the normals will take the
simplest world view every time. Which is fine with us; the fewer
unregistered telepaths we have to deal with, the better."...Anyway, like any good gaming club, the Strategic Games Club of Brookline High (MA), of which I am the Eternal Freshman, has in our archives about a 6' tall bookcase of GURPS books, and in one of them (GURPS Goblins) my predecessor discovered an interesting project. Upon further consideration and hard work, the SGC put on a production of The Abridged Macbeth With Just The Witches And The Fighting in front of the whole school last month (my legacy is a great one, no?). We managed to use an entire pint-and-a-half bottle of stage blood, and the production was a cosmic financial success (ish). I just wanted to let you guys know that the entire population of Brookline High School wishes to thank you people at SJG for allowing this kind of social refinement to easily reach the public. Oh, and please don't be annoying and sue us or something."
Our influence is everywhere . . .
-- Scott Haring
After the con, a couple of committee members were good enough to guide me on a four-day marathon drive/hike through Utah, looking at dinosaur sites - everything from Dinosaur National Monument to a remote hike-an-hour-around-the-reservoir-and-see-if-the-tracks-are-above-water site. (Some of them were. Three-toed theropod tracks. Way cool.)
Then I came home and fell down.
-- Steve Jackson
The word from inside TSR is that at today's announcement to the employees, they were told that TSR operations would be moved to Seattle later this summer, through GenCon at the latest, and that most if not all of them would be asked to stay on. And by all accounts, GenCon is still very much a go. Given that GenCon is now only two months away, should make for an interesting con. Among other interesting things.Wizards of the Coast Completes Acquisition of TSR Inc.
June 3, 1997 (Renton, Wash.)--Wizards of the Coast Inc. today announced the completion of its acquisition of TSR Inc., finalizing a transaction that began in April when the two leaders of the adventure gaming industry announced the signing of a letter of intent. Both companies are privately held, and financial terms of the deal are not being disclosed. A product and employee integration plan is currently being developed and details will be announced at a later date.Wizards of the Coast is the publisher of the world's best-selling trading card game, Magic: The Gathering. Lake Geneva, Wis.-based TSR is the publisher of the world-renowned adventure game Dungeons & Dragons.
Peter Adkison, president and CEO of Wizards of the Coast, commented, "I am personally and professionally thrilled with the finalization of this agreement. The Dungeons & Dragons legacy has dominated the adventure roleplaying game category for more than 22 years, and we are thrilled to be new providers to its enormous worldwide audience."
-- end quoted material --
Of the 373 surveyed so far, angel characters outnumber demons by a greater than 4-to-1 margin, 301 to 72.
Of the Angelic Choirs, the most popular by a long shot is the Malakim (81), followed by the Seraphim (42) and the Mercurians (40). Most popular Demonic Bands are Impudites (18) and Lilim (16), though there are four more Bands just a few behind those two.
Most popular Angelic Superiors: Michael (55), Eli (41), Yves (38) and Gabriel (37). Everyone's favorite Demon Prince is Kobal (17), with only Saminga (12) also even making double digits.
What to make of this? Some of our In Nomine writers seem genuinely pleased that most of the players have decided to play the "good guys," while others worry that the lack of demon players just means that we haven't adequately explained the moral ambiguity of the game world that makes playing the damned so appealing. Me, I haven't made up my mind yet...
-- Scott Haring
