Cyber Monday Madness

It's Cyber Monday, so why not considering purchasing a Pax Britannia eBook, or the Temple of the Spider God gamebook app, or Warlock's Bounty: Revenge of the Sorcerer over on Google Play, or even GAME OVER - a book all about cyber-related shenanigans?

Gamebook Friday: DestinyQuest - Unlucky for some

It can't have escaped your notice that today is Friday the 13th, and for one gamebook series, this week certainly seems to have come with more than its fair share of bad luck.

On Wednesday, Michael J Ward announced that Gollancz have called time on his DestinyQuest series, and that development of Book 4 is now enjoying an indefinite hiatus. DestinyQuest had been one of the gamebook success stories of recent years, re-inventing the genre for the Xbox generation and securely a print publication deal with a major genre publishing house.

But what does the cancellation of the DestinyQuest series mean for the future of gamebooks and print gamebooks in particular? While my forthcoming YOU ARE THE HERO looks back to the creation of the gamebook genre, it also considers its future. And as I have various interactive fiction ideas in development, I have a vested interest in what DestinyQuest's fate means for the future of gamebooks.

Can print gamebooks only work now as crowd-funded projects, supported by a small, but loyal and dedicated, fanbase? Does their future lie in apps only, such as Warlock's Bounty, and Temple of the Spider God? What do you think?

And while we're considering the future, consider this.

Warlock's Bounty: Revenge of the Sorcerer - The Remix!

Warlock's Bounty: Revenge of the Sorcerer is available once again from Google Play for all you Android users out there.

If you've not heard of Warlock's Bounty before (a gamebook app with card-based combat developed by Emil Bakalinov of Attic Squad and written by Yours Truly) then check out the blurb below, read the reviews, and then click this link to buy it for your own device.

You are a mighty wizard, once apprenticed to the sorcerer Corax Whiteraven, guardian of the lands of Lloegyr. When Whiteraven’s familiar appears out of the blue carrying an urgent message from its master, you embark upon a mission that will test your mettle and magical abilities to the full. For Lloegyr’s guardian – the greatest sorcerer of them all – is in danger, and needs your help!

 

 

"Takes me back to the day when I used to read these types of books. The subtle music adds much to the story. The card game is easy to learn and fun to play." 5 out of 5!

 

"One of the best games I've played in a while, having loved the Choose Your Own Adventures since I was a kid this game brings back a lot of happy memories, the design, look and flow of the game is perfect." 10 out of 10!

 

"The storyline is good and the writing is great."

 

"I love gamebooks and I love collectable card games, so Warlock's Bounty is like a dream come true for me... There is an excellent story and the combat system provides you with many decsions." 5 out of 5!

 

"Great game. Lots of fun and entertainment. I look forward to the sequel." 5 out of 5!

 

 

Happy Apple Day

In case you didn't know already, 21 October is Apple Day, an annual celebration of apples and orchards.

Now I like apples as much as the next middle-aged man minded to make sure he has his 5-a-day (I even wrote a bit about them in What is Myrrh Anyway?) but I'm also quite keen on the other Apples - the kind you don't eat.

So far I have one Apple app available - Temple of the Spider God - but there's another in the works, and hopefully Warlock's Bounty will be released for iOS in due course.

Gamebook Friday: Warlock's Bounty

Some of you may have noticed earlier in the year that I was working on a new gamebook app. Well I can now reveal what it was I was working on...

Warlock’sBounty

By Emil Bakalinov

Available now from Attic Squad Games, a new concept in role-playing games.

Warlock’s Bounty

Are you a fan of interactive fiction or collectible card combat games? Then Warlock’s Bounty is the game for you. A brand new concept in gaming, Warlock’s Bounty combines strategic magic card combat with an involving, story-driven gamebook experience, written by one of the leading authors in the gamebook genre.

Book 1

Revenge of the Sorcerer

By Jonathan Green

You are a mighty wizard, once apprenticed to the sorcerer Corax Whiteraven, guardian of the lands of Lloegyr. When Whiteraven’s familiar appears out of the blue carrying an urgent message from its master, you embark upon a mission that will test your mettle and magical abilities to the full. For Lloegyr’s guardian – the greatest sorcerer of them all – is in danger, and needs your help!

Game features:

      Your choice affects how the story progresses.

      Novel approach to interactive storytelling focused on locations; your previous actions can change what happens at locations when you revisit them.

      Determine the outcome of magical duels using cards as opposed to rolling dice.

      Tailor your card deck to create the optimum spell and weapon combinations for the many battles ahead.

      Find and collect even more powerful weapons and spells throughout your adventure.

      Features fantastic fantasy artwork throughout and every card is illustrated in full colour.

      Studio produced music and sound effects.

      Play in bite-sized chunks; your progress is saved at every step so you can continue from exactly where you left off playing last.

Developed by Emil Bakalinov – a highly experienced coder, life-long fan of interactive fiction and magic card strategy games, and founder of Attic Squad Games.

Written by Jonathan Green – a veteran of the gamebook genre having penned numerous titles for many popular franchises, including Fighting Fantasy, Doctor Who, Star Wars and Tin Man Games’ Gamebook Adventures.

Warlock's Bounty: Revenge of the Sorcerer is available for download from Google Play now!