Secret Project: Playtest #2

So, having revised the rules following on from the first playtest, I gave the new card game another spin. I reduced one stat and the number of cards in each Player's hand. However, I am still considering increasing the quantity available of a particular type of card in the deck, and making the game for up to six Players, rather than just four.

I wasn't very far into the second playtest when I realised that nowhere in the rules does it explain what the icons on the cards mean and, as a result, had forgotten about one of the benefits of one of the icons. Clearly that is the most obvious change that needs to made before playtesting again.

This time the game lasted for 20 minutes, with Player K being knocked out by becoming the victim of everyone else's attacks. Player F left the proceedings unexpectedly early, leaving Player L and Player S to fight it out between them. In the end, Player S won, but only because Player L suffered the same sudden end as Player F.

Once I've made those fixes to the rules, I think the game will be ready for some more intensive playtesting sessions involving people who have never played it before.

Wish me luck!

Secret Project: Playtest #1

Last Christmas, I created the prototype for a new card game. I was hoping to playtest it with the family over the festive period, but in the end that didn't happen. So, I put it to one side and, with everything else that's going on this year, pretty much forgot about it. That was until this week...

Next weekend, I will be attending the UK Games Expo for the first time in three years, and meeting up with some likeminded friends. In the past, on a Saturday night, we've borrowed some games from the Games Library at the Expo and ended up in fits of laughter as we attempt to play them. However, this year, I hope to be able to persuade them to help me playtest my new card game.

With that in mind, I got out my prototype deck, reread the rules, and set about playtesting it myself. I'm really glad I did, because it immediately helped me see where the rules need clarifying - something I probably wouldn't have realised so easily had I playtested it back over Christmas - and possibly where there might be some balance issues.

The game itself lasted about 30 minutes, not including the rereading of the rules. Player L was knocked out very quickly, on the draw of two cards, while Player K, who was hanging on by the skin of their teeth for most of the game, ended up the winner, with Player S meeting the same fate as Player L, only much later in the game, and Player F being worn down by a relentless war of attrition. A completely unexpected outcome, but quite a satisfying one.

As a result, I am now drawing up Version 2 of the rules and considering rebalancing the deck. Once I've done that, I hope to playtest it myself again before heading to Birmingham. I thought it might be interesting to others, as well as helpful to myself, to keep track of how the playtesting goes, hence this blog post, and the others like it that I will write from time to time, hopefully until the game itself is released. So, watch this space...

Gamebook Friday: ACE Gamebooks at Somerset Comic Con

This weekend I will be at the Somerset Comic Con and Gaming Festival, on Saturday 30 April 2022, at the Wellsprings Leisure Centre in Taunton.

I will be selling signed copies of my ACE Gamebooks, including Dracula - Curse of the Vampire, in both paperback and hardback formats. So, if you happen to be in Taunton this weekend, or live in the surrounding area, why not drop by on and say hello? You can find out more about the event here, and buy tickets here.

ACE Gamebooks at Somerset Comic Con

Somerset Comic Con and Gaming Festival is a new one for me, but I will be there a month today, on Saturday 30 April 2022, at the Wellsprings Leisure Centre in Taunton.

This will be the first event at which I am selling Dracula - Curse of the Vampire. The next, assuming I don't sell out at Somerset Comic Con, will be the UK Games Expo in June.

So, if you live in Taunton, or the surrounding area, why not drop by on and say hello? You can find out more about the event here, and buy tickets here.

#SelfPromoSaturday September Sale!

There's currently a sale running  on the ACE Gamebooks Roleplay page, over on DriveThruRPG, where select items are available for up to 30% off their recommended retail price.

If you've not yet checked out 'TWAS - The Roleplaying Game Before Christmas, now would seem like the perfect time to do so. Please note, the sale runs until 9:00am next Saturday, 26 September 2021.

International Gamebook Day 2021

International Gamebook Day is only in its second year but it has already expanded to take over the whole weekend, from Friday 27 - Sunday 29 August!

There is a lot going on this weekend, including interviews with gamebook authors and designers, and livestreamed games as well.

Check out the schedule below, and join us online to enjoy the interviews and post links to your favourite gamebook projects.

International Gamebook Day weekend(!) concludes with an online meet-up hosted by James Spearing.

Bardsung: Legend of the Ancient Forge

I am delighted to be able to announce that I am one of the guest writers on the new board game Bardsung: Legend of the Ancient Forge, from Steamforged Games, that is currently funding on Kickstarter.

Here's the newsflash that appeared on an update this week:

I will be writing a standalone adventure for the game, which includes gamebook mechanics, as well as those of a board game and tabletop wargame.

Anyone who is already aware of my work will know that I have an abiding love of steampunk, golems, things with too many tentacles, and Scandinavian/British folklore. I also enjoy a good mystery, so I plan on my adventure containing elements of all of these.

There are daily updates and unlocks on the Kickstarter campaign page, and I have been particularly excited by those revealing new monsters that will be appearing in the core box, as well as the Lost Levels expansion.

I hope to use elements of these in the story I want to tell, and already have a number of ideas jotted down in my planner. 

So, if you've not checked out the Kickstarter campaign page already, why not do so today, and pledge your support?

Thought for the Day

"The essence of a role-playing game is that it is a group, cooperative experience... The secret we should never let the gamemasters know is that they don't need any rules."

~ Gary Gygax, creator of Dungeons & Dragons

Thought for the Day

Warhammer Wednesday: Tales From the Underhive

In case you've been living under a boulder in the sump beneath Hive Primus, you may not have heard that the classic skirmish game Necromunda has been resurrected and reimagined by Games Workshop, and is now available for pre-order as Necromunda: Underhive.

As well as bringing the game back from the dead, Games Workshop - or at least its publishing arm, the Black Library - is also bringing back the Necromunda fiction range, some of it available for a limited time as Print on Demand. This includes the short story anthology Status: Deadzone, which features the very first Nathan Creed short story Bad Spirits.

A digital version of Status: Deadzone also comes as part of the Tales from the Underhive eBundle*, and can be purchased here.

* Which makes the rather bold claim of being, 'all the Necromunda prose fiction Black Library has produced, all in one place and at one great price', even though it only contains one of my five Creed stories.

The Wicked Wizard of Oz at GamesFest 2017

Just a quick reminder that this Saturday, 21st October, I shall be attending GamesFest 2017.

GamesFest is a one day tabletop gaming convention based in Tring, in Hertfordshire, that aims to introduce new tabletop games alongside some well loved classics in an informal atmosphere. Gamesfest events continue to gather fans and plaudits as they encompass war-gaming, RPGs, board games, comics, cosplay and much more.

It's been a while since I first attended GamesFest but the event is now firmly established in the annual convention calendar, providing a platform for new entrants and a great day out for all those attending.

So why not come along, participate and try something new?

I'll be there selling my ACE Gamebook The Wicked Wizard of Oz, as well as YOU ARE THE HERO Parts 1 & 2. And I also hope I'll be able to preview the forthcoming NEVERLAND - Here Be Monsters.

You can find out more about the event here.

Gamebook Friday: JG at Nine Worlds Geekfest 2015

I shall be at Nine Worlds Geekfest this weekend (7-9 August 2015), at the Radisson Blu Edwardian, Heathrow.

The reason for posting this news under the 'Gamebook Friday' banner is because I am there in my capacity as an author of gamebooks and games designer.

On Friday night I shall be taking part in Knightmare Live,at 8.00pm in Commonwealth...



Following which I shall be attending the Rebellion Publishing Party (Books, Booze & Kazoos) in Royal B from 10.15pm (should I survive the dungeon, that is).

On Sunday, after a signing session in Commonwealth East (11.00-11.30am), I shall be moving next door to Commonwealth West to take part in the debate TV vs Books vs Comics vs Games: FIGHT! (11.45am-1.00pm) during which I shall be championing the cause of Games (unless things change again before the weekend is over).

On top of all that, a number of GAME OVER contributors are appearing at Nine Worlds this weekend and are planning a meet-up on Saturday evening. So do come and find us (in a bar probably) and chat to us about what's going to be in the book.

Tie-in Tuesday: Frostgrave - Tales of the Frozen City

In a change from all the news about the Alice's Nightmare in Wonderland Kickstarter, I'm pleased to be able to announce that Frostgrave - Tales of the Frozen City is now available from Osprey Games.

Frostgrave is a fantasy skirmish wargame, set amidst the frozen ruins of an ancient city. Each player takes on the role of a wizard from one of ten schools of magic, and then builds a band of followers. Tales of the Frozen City is a new fiction anthology that collects together eleven stories of wizards and adventures as they venture into the ruins of the Frozen City.

I have contributed one of those stories - The Thief of Time - along with ten other authors, including Matt Ward, Sarah Newton, Ben Counter, David A McIntee, and Graeme Davis.

You can pick up your copy of Frostgrave - Tales of the Frozen City by clicking this link.

YOU ARE THE HERO at Dragonmeet 2014

I can't believe that it's three months since Fighting Fantasy Fest 2014, where YOU ARE THE HERO - A History of Fighting Fantasy Gamebooks was launched, and I realised yesterday, whilst at the 15th Dragonmeet convention, that it was two years since I launched the Kickstarter* to fund the creation of the book in the first place.

What was great about yesterday was the number of YOU ARE THE HERO backers and Fighting Fantasy Fest attendees who stopped by my stable to say (a) how much they had enjoyed the book, and (b) asking if there would be another Fighting Fantasy Fest in 2015.

Several people who have already read YOU ARE THE HERO also persuaded their friends to pick up a copy on the day. As to the other matter, discussions will be taking place in the new year...

I always enjoy attending cons because it's a chance to catch up with friends in the gaming community (in the case of Dragonmeet) and it was good to see Tony Hough, Graham Bottley, James Wallis, Dom McDowall, Jamie Fry, Stuart Lloyd, Daniel Gooch, Sarah Newton, Mark Crew, Helena Nash (check out her new Choose Your Own Adventure style story here) and many others. It was also good to properly meet Chris Birch (who, along with his team, did a great job of organising his first Dragonmeet), Michele Howe**, Pete Wood, Sam Ockham and Andrew Harman, who was wowing everyone with Frankenstein's Bodies.***

Dr Frankenstein (a.k.a. Andrew Harman) and his latest test subject.

I also met Pookie, who posted this recent review of YOU ARE THE HERO online. And the most unlikely meetings of the day was with Alex Day off of YouTube (who was promoting his Sopio Cards), and the Krankies, who had parked next to us in the car park! (I don't think they were attending Dragonmeet, but I could be wrong.)

Ian and Steve stopped by after their Top 10 games talk, to sign books (including a couple of copies of YOU ARE THE HERO), which was nice, and they were joined by ace artist Tony Hough.

Steve, Ian and Tony signing for the FF fans.

Thanks to all the organisers, everyone who stopped by my table, as well as Linda, Nimrod and Thea who kept the Greens company during the day (and an eye on all our stuff from time to time). Here's to Dragonmeet 2015!

My stand and my minions. (They're actually getting quite useful now.)

* Talking of Kickstarters, I might be running another one next year. Watch this space...

** A special thank you to Michele's friend (I'm sorry but I don't remember his name) who told me a great fact about reindeer that will have to go in a future edition of Christmas Explained. 

*** Talking of which, I really need to get my Steampunk dice game sorted out.

Gamebook Friday: YOU ARE THE HERO at Dragonmeet 2014

I shall be at Dragonmeet 2014 tomorrow, attending as a guest author, and I shall have a few remaining hardback copies of YOU ARE THE HERO - A History of Fighting Fantasy Gamebooks with me. Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone are also going to be in attendance, and will be signing copies of the book after 2pm. I'm also hoping that FF illustrator and long-time collaborator Tony Hough that will be there as well.

If you would like to pick one up, make sure you drop by the Author area. I'll also have some badges and dice for sale. After all, Dragonmeet wouldn't be Dragonmeet without the dice. And remember, if you are planning on popping along, this year Dragonmeet is being held at the Ibis Hotel Earls Court and ILEC Convention Centre (47 Lillie Road, London, SW6 1UD).

Maybe I'll see you there...

YOU ARE THE HERO at Dragonmeet '14

I shall be at Dragonmeet at the ILEC Convention Centre, London, this Saturday 6th December, along with the few last hardback copies of YOU ARE THE HERO - A History of Fighting Fantasy Gamebooks. 

Tickets are just £8 until Friday night, and £10 on the day. It's free entry for children under 16 attending with an adult and there's are free local parking. (You can find out more at www.dragonmeet.co.uk.)

Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone are also going to be in attendance. They will be giving a talk about their Top 10 Games at 1.00pm and afterwards (at around 2.00pm) they will be stopping by my table to sign copies of YOU ARE THE HERO. So if you've yet to pick up a copy and missed Fighting Fantasy Fest 2014, why not pop along on Saturday?

Gamebook Friday: Thought for the Day

"Games are the most elevated form of investigation."

~ Albert Einstein

Warhammer Wednesday: Warhammer Quest reborn

In case you didn't know already, the classic Warhammer dungeon bash is now available as a highly-addictive app for your iPad.

To find out more, follow this link.

There is such a thing as too much of a good thing...

A man from Ayrshire was hospitalised last Christmas after eating too many Brussels sprouts.

The traditional Christmas vegetable contain lots of vitamin K which promotes blood clotting. However, this counteracted the effect of anticoagulants the man was taking because he had a mechanical heart.

Doctors at the Golden Jubilee Hospital in Clydebank eventually realised too many sprouts were to blame. Consultant cardiologist Dr Roy Gardner said, "Patients who are taking anticoagulants are generally advised not to eat too many green leafy vegetables, as they are full of vitamin K, which antagonise the action of this vital medication."

Jill Young, chief executive of the Golden Jubilee Hospital added, "Whilst we think this is possibly the first-ever festive admission to hospital caused by the consumption of Brussels sprouts, we were delighted that we were able to stabilise his levels."

So don't go mad this Christmas and enjoy your Christmas dinner. Just lay of the baby cabbages, okay?

Play Christmas with the Sproutifarts here.

Forthcoming Events

I shall be attending Dragonmeet this Saturday 1 December, and generally hanging out with the Tin Man and the Warlock at the Fighting Fantasy stand. Also in attendance will be Steve Jackson, Ian Livingstone, Ralph Horsley, Sarah Newton, and the guys from Cubicle 7 (who are actually organising everything). If you see me on Saturday, do come and say "Hi!"

I shall also be a guest at next year's Sci-Fi Weekender - 1-3 March 2013 - where I shall hosting at least one panel, taking part in a signing session or two, and hopefully selling some of my books. Gav Thorpe is also going, and the two of us have been cooking up some ideas for the weekend - but more on that another time. The doyenne of crime-horror Sarah Pinborough herself shall also be in attendance.

And that's your lot for now. Until next time...