My latest essay, “Finding the Narrative,” is up at Storytellers Unplugged. This time around, I examine the needs of narratives through the lens of the inauguration of President Obama. Please check it out.
Break Time Is Over
Tonight is effectively the last night of Winter Break. Although the kids don’t go back to school until Monday, that makes Sunday night a school night–and therefore tonight the last break night. It’s been a busy, fun couple of weeks, but I’ve not gotten as much work done as I’d hoped. I love having the kids around–maybe too much. They’re …
Four from Forbeck: Why Santa Must Be a Gamer
Top 1d4 Reasons Why Santa Must Be a Gamer He’s surrounded by munchkins he calls “elves.” (Come on. Real elves [4E: eladrin] are much taller, specialize in more than “toy magic,” and are wicked with a bow.) Collects magic items and mounts. (A bag of holding [for the toys] and a sleigh of flying, plus eight flying reindeer led by …
Noncompulsive Storytelling
My latest essay, “Noncompulsive Writing,” is now up at Storytellers Unplugged. It’s about how I motivate myself to write when I rarely find that just can’t do without it. Stop by and give it a read!
LOTRO Screentography
Will Hindmarch‘s latest in his series of excellent articles on The Lord of the Rings Online has been posted to the game’s website. “Hero’s Guide to Zelem-melek” takes you on a guided tour of one of the coolest parts of Moria. I edit many of these articles, so I know how much sweat Will puts into every bit of his …
eBay, Baby!
I have a lot of games, and not enough room for them all. It makes me sad to know they’re stuffed away in boxes in my attic like refugees from the Island of Misfit Toys that came just this close to being useful and then failed. I want them to find good homes with gamers who will play with them …
Foundations in LOTRO
Will Hindmarch‘s latest article about The Lord of the Rings Online, “Hero’s Guide to the Foundations of Stone,” is now up. Will’s words (which I edited) and screenshots capture one of the strangest and deepest parts of the new Mines of Moria expansion. Be sure to check it out.
The Family Games 100 Coming Your Way
I’ve just received my assignment for the upcoming Family Games: The 100 Best, the family-friendly sequel to last year’s Hobby Games: The 100 Best. For those not in the know, the award-winning original featured 100 essays from 100 top game designers, each writing about one of his or her favorite games. (Mine covered Space Hulk.) I’m not yet supposed to …
The Night of the Long Wands
Word is that Wizards of the Coast laid off up to a couple dozen people yesterday, including some of the most talented members of its game design staff. Wizards has a long history of shedding employees in December, presumably to improve Hasbro’s balance sheet before the end of its fiscal year. They also often end up hiring again early the …
More LOTRO
The Lord of the Rings Online website features more LOTRO-y goodness. Look for “Hero’s Guide to the Silvertine Lodes.” As usual, Will Hindmarch wrote it, and I edited it. By the way, if you haven’t checked out the game, I recommend it. The Mines of Moria expansion really rocks. I’m also getting into Guild Wars these days. The fact that …