Writer Rob Gard–who played varsity soccer with me waaay back in high school–just launched a new blog dedicated to the appreciation of whisky in its various, delicious forms. Rob’s a good writer with a clear love for his subject. If you share in that love (I’m looking at you, Dansky), be sure to stop by and see what Rob has to say.
The Gamer Economy
It looks like games aren’t as recession-proof as they’ve seemed to be in the past–at least if you’re a mass-market tabletop games company. According to various reports, Mattel is laying off 1,000 people, 4Kids is still losing millions of dollars, and Topps is closing its WizKids division.
First, my condolences to those employees caught up in all of this. It’s never fun to lose a job, especially when the economy is so rough.
Second, this shows just how big gaming has become. The companies in these reports aren’t five guys working out of a basement. They’re mass-market, publicly traded, multinational giants. Because of that, they expand and contract along with the global economy rather than being able to relay on a small but dedicated base of fans to help them chart their own courses.
Times like this make me glad to be working for myself. Many people fear to make the jump to freelancing because they prefer the security of working for large companies. However, while my income may be varied and sporadic–that’s an inbuilt hazard for any freelancer–at least I never have to worry about being let go.
A (Not So) Horrible Controversy
A few weeks back, I heard a rumor that the Christian Children’s Fund had refused a donation from a benefit auction honoring Gary Gygax at this year’s Gen Con. I didn’t post anything about it at the time because it sounded a bit off-kilter. While the report understandably irritated some tabletop gamers, wiser heads (like those of Andy Chalk at the Escapist and Simon Rogers of Pelgrane Press) decided to investigate further.
Turns out the CCF isn’t all that Christian in the proselytizing sense (but certainly in the good works it undertakes) and that this was all a silly misunderstanding. Simon has the best report on it I’ve seen so far, and I applaud him taking the time to look for the truth behind the easy controversy.
Blood Bowl Killer Contract Collected
The inimitable Ian Brill, my editor at Boom Studios, tells me that the collected edition of Blood Bowl: Killer Contract should show up in stores on or around November 19. This, which contains all five issues of the miniseries, comes in two versions: the (extremely reasonable “what a steal!” $15.99) trade paperback and the (wildly spendy “you deserve to treat yourself, really!” $49.99) very limited edition hardcover.
Sometime in the next week, I’ll spend an afternoon signing the tip-in plates (an extra page to autograph) for inclusion in the hardcover, which I presume will eventually be both signed and numbered. If you’re so inclined, be sure to put in an order for the collection of your choice soon. Thanks!
The TAGIE Nominees
The nominations for the inaugural Toy and Game Inventor Awards (the TAGIES, because they’re part of the Toy and Game Inventors Expo) came out on October 23. You can read all about them on Richard Gottlieb’s blog at Playthings.com.
Longtime tabletop games fans should recognize at least two of the names on the list: my friend Richard Borg and Curt Covert of Smirk & Dagger Games. Congratulations to them both, as well as all the other nominees, and good luck to them in the final round. I’ll be there at the awards banquet in Chicago on November 21 to cheer them on!
Pro NaNoWriMo Novel for Free
My friend Steven Savile and David Niall Wilson (one of our fellow conspirators at StorytellersUnplugged.com) have leaped into NaNoWriMo in a big way. They’re writing a new novel in tandem and posting the results every day. You have to register at the site to read it, but it promises to be worth the time.
Hometown Lowder Done Good
The Whitman Times wrote an excellent “local boy done good” article about my pal Jim Lowder. Horror writer that he is, it appeared on Halloween. The article also features a few short quotes from both Elaine Cunningham and me about how great Jim is. Check it out.
A Real Horror Story
My fellow Alliterate and friend Steve Sullivan has a heartbreaking post about friends in the Philippines who lost their baby. That’s hard enough, but the hospital is refusing to release the baby’s body for burial until the bills for her care are paid.
I know, it sounds like an e-mail scam–too terrible to be true–but Steve personally vouches for the people involved. The family is asking for donations to help out. I’ll chip in a few bucks for sure.
Project Donut Revealed
My friends Jared Sorenson and Luke Crane have finally announced FreeMarket, the new game they’ve been working on for the past year or more. Everything I’ve heard about it sounds fantastic, and I cannot wait to see–and play–the final game.
President Obama
Those words are music to my ears.
Thanks to everyone out there who got out and voted, no matter which way your vote was cast. Democracy works best when we all pay attention and pitch in.