The GURPS WWII line will maintain GURPS' traditional excellence in supporting gaming that crosses genres or rules systems. The core book will provide a sweeping overview of the 20th century's defining conflict, while the following 128-page and 32-page supplements will contribute additional detail on nations that took part in the fighting, particular battles, etc.
"The second World War may be the most documented event in history," said Gene Seabolt, GURPS WWII line editor. "The GURPS WWII books will distill all that documentation, framing it in a gamer-friendly manner, and use that as a launching pad to explore all the dramatic possibilities that the war provides."
The first supplements will include GURPS WWII: Hand of Steel, a 32-page book on special forces, and GURPS WWII: Iron
Cross, 128 pages on Germany and its armed forces.
-- Scott Haring
The cartouche dates back to ancient Egypt. It is an oval frame containing a person’s name -- usually a pharaoh, queen, or other high-ranking official -- in hieroglyphics. Cartouches appeared on tomb walls to identify the person buried inside, on scrolls as a sort of official seal, and in amulets worn around the person’s neck for magical protection. “A cartouche is elegant and beautiful, and of course it has that whole pyramid tie-in going,” Steve Jackson said. “These books and other art products will live up to the Cartouche name.”
The decision to launch a separate imprint was made to give these products wider exposure. "When something is labeled 'Steve Jackson Games,' people expect it to be a game," Jackson said. "The 'Cartouche Press' imprint will let these books get the bookstore and mass-market exposure they deserve." Cartouche Press products will also be available to the hobby market through SJ Games’ normal distribution channels.
Ronin: The Art of Christopher Shy has been announced as an August release. In
September, look for Brom Postcards from Cartouche Press, too. And
in future months, Cartouche Press will be publishing art books and other art products from many of fantasy and science fiction's
best.
-- Scott Haring
We'll be back at it tomorrow.
His story, Matt and Gilly's Big Date (from Dork Tower #11) is nominated in the Best Game-Related Short Work of 2000 category. This is the first ever "graphic story" (you know, a comic book) ever nominated in this category.
In case you missed it, John has posted the entire story to the web at www.dorktower.com/comics/comicbooks/bigdate.html. You should definitely check it out.
And if you haven't voted for the Origins Awards yet, go do it!
-- Scott Haring
Alien Races 4 (for GURPS Traveller)
Enough aliens to fill a cantina! GURPS Traveller Alien Races 4 brings 16 strange species to life, including the winged Ael
Yael, the bureaucratic Bwaps, the nonviolent Virushi, and the newest species to be recognized as sentient, the aquatic Shalli. Compiled
and edited by Loren Wiseman and Steve Jackson, this book features the creations of several favorite Traveller authors, including Phil Masters, David Pulver, and David Thomas.
#6609 ISBN 1-55634-433-3. $24.95
GURPS Atlantis
Long ago, beyond the edge of the world, a great empire grew decadent . . . and sank forever beneath the waves. The Lost
Land; the Sunken City; the Ancient Birthplace of Secrets. It has haunted our dreams since the days of ancient Greece. In some of those
dreams, the Lost Land is still out there.
Written by Phil Masters (GURPS Discworld), this is a gamer's guide to the story, the history, and the myth. GURPS Atlantis includes rules for underwater operations, stats for a wide range of submarines, and no less than three campaign backgrounds - one high fantasy, one conspiratorial, and one for steampunk or superhero games.
#6536, ISBN 1-55634-478-3. $22.95.
Planetary Survey 3 - Granicus (for GURPS Traveller)
Granicus, in the Glimmerdrift Reaches sector, is home to over 25 million people. Its corrupt, faction-ridden government and
out-of-the-way location make it the perfect base of operations for pirate cartels, whose criminal enterprises reach into Imperial
space. The cartels are the secret masters of the planet. But in every corner lurk Imperial spies, looking for ways to combat the pirate
threat.
#6803 ISBN 1-55634-510-0. $8.95
Floor Plan 2 - The Great Salt Flats
Huge, flat, and completely featureless . . . well, we could have just called this set "Blank Map Sheets." But this is more fun.
This packet contains six sheets, the same size as those in all our other floor plans . . . two-sided, with hexes on one side and squares on the other . . . but except for that, they're completely blank. Use them to expand or customize any Floor Plan or Deck Plan, or create your own!
Or use them for a parking lot, football field, warehouse . . . Never mind. We'll stop now.
Stock #7302, ISBN 1-55634-503-8. $9.95.
Paneuropean Set 4 - Luftpanzer Company (for Ogre Miniatures)
Here's the first Company Set for the Paneuropean forces. The reusable plastic case contains five 3-vehicle lances . . . there are 9
"Galahad" GEVs and 6 of the new "Cossack" Light GEVs. The Galahad is the original GEV that Ogre players know and love. The Cossack is
its little brother - but it still packs a punch. This set adds 72 points to your Ogre
Miniatures force.
#10-2204 ISBN 1-55634-489-9. $19.95
-- Keith Johnson
Whether you're a fan of dangerous cop shows or you're just planning on having friends back home videotape your flight from justice, PursuitWatch offers you quick access to car chases across the nation. Sign up and they'll page
you any time there's a televised pursuit in your area.
Doc tells us that the game themes/genres will be announced at the time of the game. No real cream pies, seltzer or anvils allowed. No
Exploding Robotic Baby Ducks, either. Interested parties who have the wretched Pre-Reg con book can look up all these details on page
80.
Now other companies are getting in on the action. Three upcoming books from Guardians of Order and Grey Ghost Press are also now available for playtest, with discussions open on the Pyramid discussion boards.
The products up for playtest are:
Hong Kong Action Theatre!, 2nd Edition, from Guardians of Order;
Terra Incognita: The NAGS Society Handbook, from Grey Ghost Press; and
The Deryni Roleplaying Game, also from Grey Ghost.
Check out the Pyramid playtest page for access to the files.
And if you don't subscribe to Pyramid, here's yet another reason to ...
-- Scott Haring
Game Trade is published by Alliance Distributors, and while it has a lot of product listings for game retailers, it is trying
hard to include game content to interest the gamers. In addition to our big cover story, this issue also has stuff for the DC
Roleplaying Game and Shadowrun, and a preview of -- I'm not kidding about this -- the D&D Clue
game. ("Raistlin, in the Tomb of Horrors, with the Fireball...")
-- Scott Haring
While paper ballots will be available in a number of gaming magazines, the vast majority of votes last year were cast online. Opening up voting on the net resulted in a huge turnout last year, several times greater than any previous year.
This year's voting is also online, with a spiffy new interface that's better than last year's. Of course, we want you to vote your conscience, and pick the most deserving entry in each category you are familiar with. But we would be remiss if we didn't note that several Steve Jackson Games products are nominated, including:
Pyramid Magazine for Best Professional Game Periodical of 2000;
GURPS Steampunk for Best Roleplaying Supplement of 2000;
And both Cardboard Heroes Dungeon Floors and The Munchkin's Guide to Power Gaming for Best Game Aid or Accessory of
2000.
So go vote already!
-- Scott Haring
Feeling the South was getting short shrift, the Gulf Coast Bigfoot Research Organization was formed
to point the Bigfoot-hunting spotlight at the southern states.
The GCBRO has databases of sightings for the 50 states, Australia, and the rest of the world. They also have a site dedicated to weird
stuff.
-- Suggested by Josh Marquart
 | At long last, the men and their big
orange machines are here to repair our driveway. It made for a slow Friday, with most staff electing to stay away from the rumbling and
occasional ominous crunch. Kudos to William Toporek, Traffic Manager Extraordinaire, for finding us a contractor that couldn't run
away! -- Ben Kimball |  |
Frag is coming in July . . .
Combine Set 2 - Ogre Mk. III (for Ogre
Miniatures)
The little brother of the fearsome Mark V, the Mark III was still
big enough to stand in the line of battle . . . and like the Mark V, it
fought on both sides, built by the Paneuropeans from captured templates. It
adds 100 points to your army - on whichever side you choose!
This set contains a complete Ogre Mark III; a full "repair kit" (an extra tower and a full extra set of guns) in case of battle damage; a "swimming tower" to represent the Ogre when it's underwater; and a record card.
Miniatures in a box with a slip cover, #10-2102, ISBN: 1-55634-466-X, $16.95
Combine Set 7 - Howitzer Battery and Reinforced Infantry Battalion (for Ogre
Miniatures)
Build a solid defense against the worst that the Paneuropeans can
throw at you. Start with a hard-hitting battery of two "Minotaur"
howitzers, with its security section of two "Yankee" light tanks. Screen
these assets with a whole infantry battalion - 3 companies of 4 platoons
each, plus a reinforcing heavy-weapons company of 4 more platoons. (That's
a total of 48 infantry figures, plus 12 heavy-weapon models.) Total value
of these units is 150 points.
Miniatures in a box with a slip cover, #10-2107, ISBN: 1-55634-471-6, $19.95
-- Keith Johnson
Recalling the finer publications of yesteryear, Timothy McSweeney's reminds us of a time when
bands played in gazebos and kids rolled hoops down the streets. It then delves into advertising for the Great Old Ones and regales us
with tales from Traig & McGrath, shut-in detectives.
-- Suggested by Richard Guy
I expect to see the Cthulhu fans, the Kovalic fans, and the unclassifiable loonies all slugging it out for this one. Don't disappoint
me.
-- Steve Jackson
And when you're done, check out the other features on SatireWire.
Modern medicine is all about speed: the faster you act, the better the patient's chances are. It should come as no small relief, then,
that Leeches U.S.A. Ltd. can FedEx leeches to you. Housing is available, should your long-term
needs demand a leech mobile home. Be aware: Users should be professionals, and
the leeches are non-returnable.
-- Suggested by Steve Jackson
The following products left our warehouse last week, headed for your local game store:
![[GURPS Lensman (Second Edition)]](/gurps/books/lensman/img/cover_sm.jpg)
GURPS Lensman (Second
Edition)
Based on the Classic Novels by E.E. "Doc" Smith
The Galactic Patrol is the army and police force of the Civilization that fills two galaxies. Its prime agents are the Lensmen . . . incorruptible, powerfully psionic, ready for anything. They stand between Civilization and the ancient evil of Eddore. The Eddorians infiltrate with drugs, crime and corruption. The Lensmen fight back with everything from blasters to space fleets.
Players take the part of Lensmen, ultra-tech warriors for good from many alien races. Major characters, important planets, weapons, and the Lens itself are described for player and GM use. The "Space Opera Combat System" lets referees quickly moderate space battles to determine who won and what happened to the major characters.
Stock number 6067, ISBN 1-55634-283-7. $22.95.
Planetary Survey 2 - Denuli (for GURPS Traveller)
The second of this new GURPS Traveller series, each of which has complete stats and
adventure information for a new planet. Planetary Survey 2 presents the homeworld of a recently discovered intelligent
race . . . the Shriekers. Unfortunately, all that most of Humaniti cares about the Shriekers is that their eggs are precious
jewels. Will you help the Shriekers, or help wipe them out for profit?
Stock number 6802, ISBN 1-55634-496-1. $8.95.
Floor Plan 1 - Haunted House
The mice play in the empty rooms, and the bats flit through the broken windows. The stairs squeak. . . even when no one is on
them. and something is watching. . .
Lights in the upstairs windows. . . strange sounds. . . rumors of madness and death. Every horror game needs a haunted house.
Here is the first in a series of game aids suitable for use with GURPS and any other roleplaying game. This set includes eight sheets depicting a huge old house perfect for your next chilling scenario. One side has hexes, the other squares. . . so it will work for any system!
Also included: horror adventure seeds, and a sheet of all-new Cardboard Heroes miniatures created specifically for this terrifying set. Intrepid adventurers, chanting occultists, and brain-eating zombies. . . everyone you need for the perfect night of screams.
Stock number 7301, ISBN 1-55634-502-X. $16.95.
GURPS Historical Folks will be a collection of templates for generating characters who have mundane – as opposed to "adventuring" – occupations in low-tech (TL0 to TL3) settings. Interested parties should see the submission guidelines.
GURPS Magic Items 3 will be a collection of magic items from every time period and setting. The submission guidelines for this book are here.
We hope to be hearing from you!
