Gamebook Friday: The Warlock of Firetop Mountain

As regular readers of this blog may already know, I was part of the design team on Tin Man Games' re-imagined The Warlock of Firetop Mountain app.

In the latest update, the Tin Man himself Neil Rennison posted some of the brand new artwork that Russ Nicholson has produced for the app, in the style of his original illustrations for the book, and a couple of them feature things that I added to the game.

So we have a hall of Dwarven statues...

A terrified acolyte fleeing from the School of Sorcery...

(The figure on the right is Oriana the Soulkeeper. Not one of my creations, but she looks awesome!)

And another sorcerous apprentice cowering in fear in the corner of a potions laboratory...

(The figure on the left is Sindla, the Goddess of Luck and Chance.)

You can keep up to date with the latest updates regarding The Warlock of Firetop Mountain via the project's Kickstarter page, as well as via Tin Man Games' Facebook page, and courtesy of Tin Man Games' own blog.

Gamebook Friday: The Warlock of Firetop Mountain

Exciting news, Fighting Fantasy fans... It's here at last!

That's right, Tin Man Games' Kickstarter to complete work on The Warlock of Firetop Mountain* is now live, and in under 24 hours has already raised almost half its funding target of $15,000AUD.

I'm sure you'll agree that that's an amazing achievement and if you are a fan of Fighting Fantasy, RPGs, or Tin Man Games' previous gamebook apps, then you will want to be a part of this! 

Rewards on offer include having your name appear in the credits, unique digital miniatures to use in the game (which also unlock additional content and story), and even having your name appear on the wall in Zagor's crypt!

So click this link and be a part of this project! And may your STAMINA never fail!

* I might have had my own small part to play in this project.

Dragonmeet 2013

Just a quick one to let any interested parties know that I shall be attending Dragonmeet 2013 tomorrow (Saturday 7 December).

Also in attendance from the world of Fighting Fantasy will be Steve Jackson, Ian Livingstone CBE, Tony Hough, Graham Bottley and Neil Rennison (and they're just the ones I know about), along with artists of my professional acquaintance Andy Hepworth and Ralph Horsley, and gamebook legend Joe Dever!

So if you're in the vicinity of Kensington Town Hall, London, tomorrow, why not stop by and say "Hi!" (but only early on because I'll be gone by 2.00pm).

Maybe I'll see you there...

Gamebook Friday: The Choosatron

Gamebook Friday: G*M*S Magazine

I first met Paco Garcia-Jaen at Dragonmeet 2011. He interviewed Neil Rennison and myself about Tin Man Games' Gamebook Adventures, an interview that later formed part of a podcast.

We ran into Paco again at this year's UK Games Expo where he interviewed the two of us again, this time on camera. And the video of the interview is now up. (Our bit begins at about the 12 minutes 40 second mark.)



And while we're on the subject of Paco Garcia-Jaen and G*M*S Magazine, Paco also reviewed Temple of the Spider God back in December. I liked these bits in particular:


The story is, to say the least, gripping... The story is just fantastic, the writing is very appropriate... providing plenty of descriptions clear enough to help create a good visual reference in your mind of where you are and what’s happening. And it is a lot deeper than you expect too. It was only after the first time I rushed to the end, and the book begun to ask me if I had items I should have collected in the way, that I realised how much more to it there was. And I had to start again. With pleasure. 


If you are a parent, you must buy this book and read it with your children... If you are one of those lucky ones who grew up with Fighting Fantasy, this is the time to have a good time again. Great story, easy mechanics and a ton of fun! (5 out of 5 Stars) 


You can read the complete review here.

Gamebook Friday Part 3: Some rather big news from Tin Man Games

Surely this has to be the biggest gamebook-related news item of the day.

Tin Man Games and Fighting Fantasy!

Tin Man Games and Fighting Fantasy are sure to be the talk of the town* this weekend in Birmingham at the UK Games Expo where both will be in attendance. Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone will be there, talking about their favourite boardgames, and Neil Rennison - the Tin Man himself - will be manning a stand in the dealers' room too, along with Nick Robinson, author of the Judge Dredd Gamebook Adventure Countdown Sector 106, and Yours Truly.

So if you happen to be in Edgbaston this weekend, do stop by the Tin Man Games stand and say "Hi!"

Maybe I'll see you there...

And talking of Tin Man Games, to celebrate their BIG NEWS and ahead of the UK Games Expo, they've got a sale on!



* If that expression doesn't sound too dated!