June 20, 2026: Experience Fighting Fantasy With AR Smart Books

Sir Ian Livingstone is working with Peasoup to create "Smart Books" for the Fighting Fantasy series. The first one will appear in 2027.

In combination with a physical book – the first being Freeway Fighter – an augmented reality app will put readers directly into the story, letting them experience the journey and their choices in a whole new and unique way.
 

Of the project, Sir Ian said: "Partnering with Peasoup for these new adaptations takes the experience to the next level, where choices and actions in an augmented reality setting further affect the outcomes of the story."

-- Michelle Richardson

June 19, 2026: Hacking This Game Is, Ummm . . . A Pipe Dream?

This is just on the cusp of "maybe a too different kind of geeky for these parts," but I was enthralled, so maybe you will be, as well.

A video from YouTuber Kosmic shows how the discovery of a glitch in the Japanese version of Super Mario Bros 2 by a casual player led to a search for a new hack in one of the most-understood bits of computer code: the original Super Mario Bros. for the original Nintendo Entertainment System.

The goal? Arbitrary code execution . . . also known as ACE – a cool-sounding acronym that means the ability to reprogram the game from within the game. Jumping immediately to the ending, changing on-screen text to whatever you want, giving the iconic jumping hero Mario strange new powers . . . All may be possible if you can figure out how to allow ACE.

Did the hex-editing gurus dissecting the odd crash succeed? Well, that's part of the fun of the video . . . . . . [more]

June 18, 2026: Looking For All Of The Above

Back in a previous millennium, All of the Above was the standout GURPS fanzine. Edited by Brett Slocum, AotA contained just what the title said. It was a good read.

Time has passed, and even Brett no longer has copies of every issue.

By any chance, do YOU have any? We'd happily work with photocopies if you don't want to give up originals. I would make sure that a complete run went to our friends at the Museum of Games Ireland, too.

Thanks!

-- Steve Jackson

June 17, 2026: Yarro Studios Speaks Out

If you follow crowdfunding news, the word "scam" may have passed through your mind when you read the headline.

That might not be the right word.

Now Yarro is free to speak out about what they went through, and I have to say, the scale of their abuse at the hands of a "fulfillment company" sounds even worse – if such a thing is possible! – than what Possum Creek Games suffered.

In their own words . . .

-- Steve Jackson

June 16, 2026: What Do You Do Besides GURPS?, Part II

In Part I, I revealed one thing I do that has no connection to working on or playing games: study and dance Argentine tango. I pointed out that when you look past tango's exaggerated romantic image, it's a surprisingly geeky pastime, perfect for a nerd like me. I also mentioned that I had another hobby about which you could say the same thing. Let's take a look at that.

I am an amateur mixologist, for definitions of "amateur" that encompass "my friends have declared me their barman at every party I've attended since 1996, and I have a sizeable cocktail laboratory in my apartment." The bar in question occupies an entire wall of my living room, not including the fridge and the tall shelf full of glassware, because those are against other walls. I've even tended bar for money at tango events – a minor side-gig that links two of my passions.

You might wonder what this has to do with the geeky . . . [more]

Previous Illuminators • Steve's Appearance Schedule

Your evil twin avoided servants of the Bastille for the flaming hemisphere. June 20, 2026: Experience Fighting Fantasy With AR Smart Books Sir Ian Livingstone is working with Peasoup to create "Smart Books" for the Fighting Fantasy series. The first one will appear in 2027. In combination with a physical book – the first being Freeway Fighter – an augmented reality app will put readers directly into the story, letting them experience the journey and their choices in a whole new and unique way.   Of the project, Sir Ian said: "Partnering with Peasoup for these new adaptations takes the experience to the next level, where choices and actions in an augmented reality setting further affect the outcomes of the story." -- Michelle Richardson June 19, 2026: Hacking This Game Is, Ummm . . . A Pipe Dream? This is just on the cusp of "maybe a too different kind of geeky for these parts," but I was enthralled, so maybe you will be, as well. A video from YouTuber Kosmic shows how the discovery of a glitch in the Japanese version of Super Mario Bros 2 by a casual player led to a search for a new hack in one of the most-understood bits of computer code: the original Super Mario Bros. for the original Nintendo Entertainment System. The goal? Arbitrary code execution . . . also known as ACE – a cool-sounding acronym that means the ability to reprogram the game from within the game. Jumping immediately to the ending, changing on-screen text to whatever you want, giving the iconic jumping hero Mario strange new powers . . . All may be possible if you can figure out how to allow ACE. Did the hex-editing gurus dissecting the odd crash succeed? Well, that's part of the fun of the video . . . . . . [more] June 18, 2026: Looking For All Of The Above Back in a previous millennium, All of the Above was the standout GURPS fanzine. Edited by Brett Slocum, AotA contained just what the title said. It was a good read. Time has passed, and even Brett no longer has copies of every issue. By any chance, do YOU have any? We'd happily work with photocopies if you don't want to give up originals. I would make sure that a complete run went to our friends at the Museum of Games Ireland, too. Thanks! -- Steve Jackson June 17, 2026: Yarro Studios Speaks Out If you follow crowdfunding news, the word "scam" may have passed through your mind when you read the headline. That might not be the right word. Now Yarro is free to speak out about what they went through, and I have to say, the scale of their abuse at the hands of a "fulfillment company" sounds even worse – if such a thing is possible! – than what Possum Creek Games suffered. In their own words . . . -- Steve Jackson June 16, 2026: What Do You Do Besides GURPS?, Part II In Part I, I revealed one thing I do that has no connection to working on or playing games: study and dance Argentine tango. I pointed out that when you look past tango's exaggerated romantic image, it's a surprisingly geeky pastime, perfect for a nerd like me. I also mentioned that I had another hobby about which you could say the same thing. Let's take a look at that. I am an amateur mixologist, for definitions of "amateur" that encompass "my friends have declared me their barman at every party I've attended since 1996, and I have a sizeable cocktail laboratory in my apartment." The bar in question occupies an entire wall of my living room, not including the fridge and the tall shelf full of glassware, because those are against other walls. I've even tended bar for money at tango events – a minor side-gig that links two of my passions. You might wonder what this has to do with the geeky . . . [more] Previous Illuminators • Steve's Appearance Schedule		Latest Videos You are the 2571st (CENSORED) here today. (33113975 since August 1, 1995)