The fine people at Flames Rising have posted an interview with my pal James Lowder. Jim is probably the best anthology editor in gaming tie-in fiction. (That’s a short list to begin with, but he’s squarely at the top.) If you’re interested in writing, editing, and working in the gaming-related fiction, the article is well worth the read.
Dungeon Master on Stage
Speaking of odd roleplaying-related things, has anyone out there ever seen Dungeon Master? It’s a live-action fantasy RPG played on a stage with professional actors. They select a party from the audience and then improv an adventure for each show. It sounds like a blast, although for me it’ll have to wait until the next time I’m in LA.
Next Up: Billy Campbell
Last week, I conducted the third in my series of celebrity gamer interviews for Games Quarterly Magazine. This time around, I talked with Billy Campbell of The Rocketeer, Once & Again, The O.C., and The 4400 fame. He’s a true gentleman and a great fan of games, and he made my job a breeze.
I found out years ago that Billy was a gamer. Back when I developed the second edition of Silent Death, the guys at ICE used to tell me how much he loved Rolemaster. Billy grew up in Charlottesville and once in a while came by to visit ICE’s HQ there.
When I talked with Billy, he hadn’t been home for a year and a half, having spent much of that time on a boat sailing around the world. Despite that, he still made time for a pleasant chat. Look for the article in this winter’s issue of Games Quarterly Magazine.
A Friend in Need
This may not interest most of you, but I know that some folks local to me read this blog too.
One of my stepbrother Dan Schooff’s best friends is Steve Shea, and Steve’s wife Sallie is in serious trouble. You can read the details after the break, but the upshot is that Sallie needs a lung transplant. Dan and his wife Alyssa, along with some of Steve and Sallie’s other friends, are hosting a fundraiser in Milwaukee tomorrow night. Of course, if you can’t make it there, you can always donate directly to the cause instead.
As I said, details are below. After that, we return you to your irregularly scheduled blather.
Marvel MMORGP from Cryptic
ICv2.com reports that Cryptic Studios, makers of the hit MMORPGs CIty of Heroes/City of Villians, have the license to produce an MMORPG set in the Marvel Comics universe. Yowza!
Games Expo Site Up
The new games industry trade show, Games Expo, has its website up. It looks like they have a great lineup of exhibitors and speakers already, and the show’s not until March 18—22, 2007. It’s mostly only open to professionals involved in the industry, but I hear they will have some days open for members of National Games Week (which runs November 19—25 this year) who can make the trek to Las Vegas.
I don’t know if I’m going to attend Games Expo, the GAMA Trade Show (which is April 23—26, also in Vegas), or both. I think both shows have great staffs, and I’d love to be able to spend a couple weeks in Vegas this spring, but with all the running around I do with my kids, getting away from home this school year will be tough.
Conan Guide Out
Yesterday, a copy of Conan: The Ultimate Guide to the World’s Most Savage Barbarian showed up at my house, courtesy of Fred Malmberg of Conan Properties. This is a gorgeous book, and best of all it’s written by Roy Thomas, who wrote most of Marvel Comics‘ issues of Conan.
If you’re a Conan fan, run right out and pick this up. I saw a preview of it at this summer’s Comic-Con, and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the real thing.
Queen of Death Book Club Starts in October
The fine folks at WorldsofDnD.com have set up a book club for The Queen of Death, the climactic novel in my Eberron trilogy. It should start just as soon as the book hits shelves (October 10, I’m told), but it will go on for the entire month of October.
I’m eager to find out how people like the trilogy now that it’s all wrapped up. If you can, read the book fast and stop on by to chip in your two bits.
John M. Ford Dies
I’ve seen a number of reports today that John M. Ford died yesterday. I never knew John (or Mike, as his friends apparently called him), but I enjoyed his work. While he’s probably better known for his fiction these days, he also did a fair amount of game design, mostly for GURPS. He co-wrote GURPS: Infinite Worlds with Steve Jackson and my pal Ken Hite and also wrote the foreword for Ken’s Suppressed Transmissions 2. I best remember his hilarious The Yellow Clearance Black Box Blues for West End Games’ version of Paranoia.
Farewell, Mr. Ford. We’ll miss you.