Hammacher Schlemmer puts out a few high-end, premium toys every year. They’re always cool, but this one is amazing: a life-size, working Robby the Robot. For only $50,000. I don’t think you’ll see that under too many trees this Christmas, but it’s the ultimate Forbidden Planet toy!
Hard Times for Gaming? Yes and No
Yesterday, the AEG website noted that they were laying off a number of people. Word has it that other companies have also let a few employees go in recent days. Still other publishers, like Decipher and Guardians of Order have had troubles this past year too. This naturally led some people to wonder if the entire RPG industry–or perhaps the …
Translations
Once upon a time, I tried to keep track of every thing I could about my publishing career. This long since proved impossible, but I still do what I can. Sometimes, though, it’s difficult to answer questions about what I’ve done. For instance, I have no idea how many languages my work has been translated into. Lots of times, games …
New High Stakes Drifter Preview
The fine people at WizKids have posted another preview of an important card in the upcoming High Stakes Drifter collectible card game I designed for them. Check it out!
Popcorn, Anyone?
My good friends and fellow Alliterates–Rob King, Lester Smith, and Steve Sullivan–just launched a new website aimed at e-publishing (at least for now) short fiction. They’re also looking for others to join them in their endeavor at Popcorn Press. Check them out, and wish them luck!
High Stakes Drifter Presale
WizKids has announced plans to sell early starters and boosters of High Stakes Drifter at Wizard World Texas. That’s November 4-6 in Arlington, Texas. I believe this will be the first chance to get your hands on copies of the actual game (as opposed to the demo decks used at Gen Con Indy this summer). Supplies should be tight, though, …
Pinter Wins the Nobel
Playwright, screenwriter, director, actor, and poet Harold Pinter won the Nobel Prize for Literature yesterday. I’ve enjoyed some of Pinter’s work, but not managed to read nearly all of it. However, Pinter wrote the last play in which I acted: The Room. So I feel some connection. Our production took place in the Residential College Theater in the East Quad …
Sudden Death Cover
Amazon.com has also posted the cover to Blood Bowl: Sudden Death, the third book in my Blood Bowl trilogy from the Black Library. The site lists the book to be released on April 25, 2006. Well before then, of course, you can pick up the second book in the trilogy, Blood Bowl: Dead Ball, on December 27, 2005. The colors …
The Road to Death Cover
Amazon.com recently posted the cover for The Road to Death, the upcoming second novel in my Lost Mark trilogy from Wizards of the Coast. You can see a larger version by clicking on the thumbnail to the left. Amazon lists the book to be released on January 10, 2006.
Beyond the Storm in Print–and a Preview for You
Beyond the Storm: Shadows in the Big Easy is now available in softcover as well as a PDF. You can order either or both versions from Lulu.com. All proceeds from the book go to support Katrina disaster relief. I’m going to order one for myself right now, and you should too. Not only is it a great book full of …