Gamebook Friday: And the artist who will be illustrating Alice's Nightmare in Wonderland is...

... the very talented, zombie wrangler...

Kev Crossley!

Kev will be best known to fans of Fighting Fantasy for illustrating the 30th anniversary FF gamebook, Ian Livingstone's Blood of the Zombies. However, he has also painted covers for 2000AD and is an accomplished nature artist.

If you want to know what Kev's artwork for Alice's Nightmare in Wonderland is going to be like, imagine, if you will, a cross between his Dark Fairies work, and his paintings of fungi (appropriately enough), with plenty of brass and rivets thrown in.

I am very excited about this collaboration, as is Kev, and you should be too. So, if you want to see Kev Crossley's take on the Caterpillar, or the Cheshire Cat, or a host of other famous Carroll characters, then back the Kickstarter today.

And remember, if you back at the £80 DODO level or above, you'll receive a signed, collector's edition hardback copy of the Alice's Nightmare in Wonderland gamebook, which will include Kev's sketchbook as well as his finished illustrations.

Kev Crossley

Just some examples of Kev's work. For more, follow this link.

Fighting Fantasy Fest Costume Competition

I know that some of those attending Fighting Fantasy Fest are already preparing what they're going to wear for the day, and I have it on good authority that will we see at least one Zagor the Warlock!

It's not too late to put together your own FF-themed outfit for the day. Indeed, anyone dressing up for FFF 2014 will be able to take part in a costume competition, the winner being decided by the other attendees on the day. The prize? A framed, signed  poster of Ian Livingstone's Blood of the Zombies book cover!

So what are you waiting for? Get out that needle and thread and get sewing! (And buy your ticket here.)

Fighting Fantasy Fest 2014 - Hitting the Headlines!

Well, the geek press anyway.

YOU ARE THE HERO and FIGHTING FANTASY FEST both get a mention in the latest issues of SFX and SciFiNow magazines.

In SFX, FFF 2014 appears in the 'Event Horizon' part of the mag*, while SciFiNow features a full interview and six-page article with Messrs Jackson and Livingstone**.

Ian Livingstone on Blood of the Zombies, Fighting Fantasy Fest, and Karen Gillan. Obviously.

Perhaps you've stumbled across this very blog because of the aforementioned magazines. Well, have no fear, tickets for FIGHTING FANTASY FEST are still on sale here, and you will soon be able to pre-order your very own copy of YOU ARE THE HERO - A History of Fighting Fantasy Gamebooks (all 270 pages of it!), which now has an official publication date of Sunday 7 September - the same day as FIGHTING FANTASY FEST!

YOU ARE THE HERO in big, bold letters. Cool. 

Curse of the Mummy features one of the ten nastiest deaths in Fighting Fantasy, apparently. 

* Although the piece was written by the work experience girl and features one glaring inaccuracy.

** And Curse of the Mummy even gets a mention!

Fighting Fantasy Fest 2014 - Featuring Legend Photography

There are now just 6 days left in which you can buy tickets for Fighting Fantasy Fest 2014...

One of a guest traders at the event will be Legend Photography, who specialise in fantastical photographic portraits. The company will be bringing various props with them on the day, so if you've always wondered what you'd look like as a contestant about to enter Deathtrap Dungeon, or an Analander heading into Kakhabad, wonder no longer. Just come along on the day and let your imagination run wild.

You may, of course, want to come in costume for the day. This is absolutely fine and, indeed, welcomed. There has been so much interest in dressing up as a Fighting Fantasy adventurer, or one of your favourite villains from the books, that we've introduced a brand new event to the schedule for the day.

Fighting Fantasy Fest 2014 is going to feature a costume competition, voted for by those attending, and with the prize of a framed, signed Blood of the Zombies poster on offer.

So what are you waiting for? Purchase your ticket for Fighting Fantasy Fest 2014 and start preparing your Zagor costume today!

Fighting Fantasy Fest 2014 - Featuring the Warlock of Firetop Mountain

There is now just 1 day left in which you can buy tickets for Fighting Fantasy Fest 2014...

A number of people who are already attending have asked if they can come in costume. The answer is, of course you can, and there has been so much interest in dressing up as a Fighting Fantasy adventurer, or one of your favourite villains from the books, that we've introduced a brand new event to the schedule for the day.

Fighting Fantasy Fest 2014 is going to feature a costume competition, voted for by those attending, and with the prize of a framed, signed Blood of the Zombies poster on offer.

So what are you waiting for? Purchase your ticket for Fighting Fantasy Fest 2014 and start preparing your Zagor costume today!

Two new rewards announced for YOU ARE THE HERO

I have Ian Livingstone CBE and Tin Man Games to thank for these two...

SPIDER - £10
Receive a copy of GAMEBOOK ADVENTURES 7: TEMPLE OF SPIDER GOD digital gamebook app written by Jonathan Green and created by Tin Man Games. The app will be available in two versions that will work on PC or Mac. Tin Man Games will also throw in GA1: An Assassin in Orlandes and GA2: The Siege of the Necromancer! (Add this reward to any other simply by adding £10 to your existing pledge level.)

ZOMBIE - £25
Receive a BLOOD OF THE ZOMBIES poster signed by Ian Livingstone himself. (Add this reward to any other simply by adding £25 to your existing pledge and selecting this reward level.)

So check your pledge level and tell all your friends!

Dragonmeet 2012 and Fighting Fantasy's 30th Anniversary

So yesterday I attended Dragonmeet 2012, with my two noise familiars in tow for the first time. (The two of them discovered the wonders of dice, so that kept them quiet, as did the demonstrations games.)

I wasn't really there as a guest this year, although that didn't stop me signing copies of my various Fighting Fantasy gamebooks at the Warlock's table, along with Messrs Jackson and Livingstone.

There were many highlights - including catching up with various gaming acquaintances, such as James Wallis and Raplh Horsley, and meeting enthusiastic fans like Oliver - and here are just a few more of them...

I met Michael J Ward briefly, he of DestinyQuest fame. He sold out of all the stock he brought with him, so a very successful Dragonmeet for DestinyQuest. (Michael was also kind enough to refer to me as a 'Gaming Legend' and 'Godfather of the Modern Gamebook Format'.) 

Graham Bottley (of Arion Games and AFF 2nd edition) showing Steve Jackson the latest AFF products. 

 The Warlock (Jamie Fry) works his magic.

 Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone signing books for their fans.

 Ian was promoting Blood of the Zombies in particular.

 The queue for the Jackson & Livingstone signing really did wind right around the hall!

 Stuart Lloyd - FF blogger and gamebook fan - chats with Ian Livingstone.

 Tony Hough (FF artist) also dropped by to say hello.

 Artist Andy Hepworth at the Art Show. (Andy illustrated my Warhammer short story The Nagenhof Bell, and it was a pleasure to meet him at long last.)

 A demonstration game of Dobble (a great game for all the family), which kept my minions occupied while I made the most of the opportunity to network.

Without doubt, the biggest highlight of the day was the Fighting Fantasy 30th Anniversary seminar with Steve and Ian. Neil Rennison (the Tin Man's flesh avatar) was in attendance, as was FF blogger Stuart Lloyd, and FF artist Tony Hough.

At the end of their talk, Ian invited me to stage (to a round of polite applause) to announce my next FF project for the first time. This is something I've been working on for a while, ever since I wrote my piece about FF's 30th anniversary for SFX Magazine.

I'm planning on writing a comprehensive history of Fighting Fantasy gamebooks, from the early days of Games Workshop right through to the latest Tin Man Games digital versions. I have interviewed all manner of artists, authors, editors and fans of the series, and I hope to fund the project via Kickstarter.

There are still a few details to iron out, but I hope to launch the Kickstarter within the week, and you can be sure I will plug it to death on my blog, so watch this space...

The MCM Expo*

Over a week ago now, I was the guest of Tin Man Games at the MCM Expo in London. The Tin Man himself was there promoting the brand new app of Ian Livingstone's Blood of the Zombies, as well as the Judge Dredd Gamebook Adventure.

The day flew by (although my legs knew I'd been on my feet for multiple hours by the end of it) and I had a great time as always. So thanks to Neil and my Steamie friends who I also ran into, and here's to the next one!

Here's some of the stuff that happened.

The Tin Man's flesh avatar, Neil Rennison.

 Some steampunks.

A steampunk's vampire hunting kit (featuring Kit Cox's How to Bag a Jabberwock).

Major Jack Union (a.k.a. Mr Kit Cox) startles a lady (as is his wont).

A steampunk has a close encounter with some cutting edge, 21st century tech.

A bonsai triffid.

 

Somebody has a tidy up after all the fun is done.

* Which kind of qualifies for Tie-in Tuesday, considering how many franchises were present at the event.

JG and Tin Man Games at the MCM Expo

Breaking news!

I shall be at the MCM Expo on Sunday (28 October), this year as a guest of Tin Man Games.

If you're at the MCM Expo on Saturday, Steve Jackson (co-creator of the Fighting Fantasy series of gamebooks) will be signing at the Tin Man Games stand, whilst the Tin Man himself will be showing off the new Judge Dredd app as well as Blood of the Zombies.

Maybe I'll see you there...

Gamebook Friday: Blood of the Zombies - From Book to Screen

The latest Fighting Fantasy adventure, Blood of the Zombies, written by Ian Livingstone himself to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the publication of the first book in the series, The Warlock of Firetop Mountain, is now available for iOS and Android devices courtesy of Tin Man Games.

But how does the app compare to the original processed tree carcass gamebook experience? Well you'll just have to try it out to find out. But to whet your appetite, here's the suitably creepy trailer that's been put out by the Tin Man.

Gamebook Friday: Blood of the Zombies

Blood of the Zombies, Ian Livingstone's brand new Fighting Fantasy gamebook, is officially released tomorrow!

Open publication - Free publishing

Don't forget, Blood of the Zombies is launching at Forbidden Planet, 15:00-16:00.

Gamebook Friday: Blood of the Zombies launch at Forbidden Planet

Blood of the Zombies – 30 Years of Fighting Fantasy

In 1982, Ian Livingstone and Steve Jackson wrote The Warlock of Firetop Mountain and changed the publishing landscape. It was the first interactive gamebook in the Fighting Fantasy series that went on the sell over 17 million copies worldwide.

This August, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the legendary series, Wizard Books (the children’s book imprint of Independent Alliance publisher Icon Books) is publishing a brand new title written by Ian – Blood of the Zombies.

‘I’ve really enjoyed writing Blood of the Zombies having been inspired by Fighting Fantasy fans everywhere. It is very gratifying to meet so many people who grew up reading The Warlock of Firetop Mountain, remembering it so fondly. I hope that today’s 10 year old, or the 10 year old of the 1980s, will consider my new book a worthy addition to the series – assuming they survive the zombies!’ said Ian Livingstone.

Ian will be signing exclusive copies of his new zombie-slaying adventure at Forbidden Planet London Megastore, Shaftesbury Avenue on 4 August 2012, 3-4pm.

‘We’re delighted to be hosting the launch for Blood of the Zombies and welcoming Ian back to Forbidden Planet,’ says Danie Ware, who runs social media and marketing at the iconic store.

• Ian Livingstone OBE is, with Steve Jackson, the originator of the Fighting Fantasy gamebook series. He co-founded Games Workshop in 1975, launching Dungeons & Dragons in Europe and subsequently its retail chain and White Dwarf magazine. 
• Ian has become a major figure in the world of computer games and is Life President of Eidos, the company behind Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. As the government’s skills and games champion, he sits on many boards including trade body UKIE, industry charity GamesAid, Creative Skillset games council, BAFTA games committee, the Creative Industries Council and is an advisor to the British Council.
• He recently co-authored the NextGen report for the British government, urging changes in education policy to assist the UK games and digital creative industries. He was listed as the 16th most influential person in the UK’s digital economy in Wired magazine’s Wired 100 list for 2012. Twitter @ian_livingstone

Warhammer Wednesday: Herald of Oblivion in the flesh (so to speak)

So, these arrived in the post today...

And so did this...

And here are a couple of photos comparing the two...

It's a real thrill to be able to hold Herald of Oblivion in my hands at last (about a year since I began work on my first Warhammer 40K Path to Victory gamebook). And it's great to see Ian Livingstone's new book Blood of the Zombies in print too (having first talked to Ian about it almost three years ago).

While we're on the subject of Herald of Oblivion, unfortunately it would appear that the powers of the Warp have been up to their old tricks and interfered with the printing process meaning that the wrong set of rules, and a couple of other errors, made it into the first few printed copies.

If you're one of those affected, you can download a list of errata here, and the correct set of rules here.

I am assured that any copies of Herald of Oblivion that are ordered from here on in will have the necessary corrections included. So what are you waiting for? If you haven't picked up a copy already, do so now!

Gamebook Friday: A quick update

Having been all about my new Warhammer 40,000 Path to Victory gamebook HERALD OF OBLIVION last week, this Friday I've got a quick update for you concerning certain other gamebook properties.

First up there's some tantalizing news and images from Tin Man Games.

Secondly, there's up update from Attic Squad Games about Warlock's Bounty.

Thirdly, Mr Ian Livingstone - Games Industry Analyst - was spotted on the news this week.