July 17, 2026: A Very Special Tier For Seven-Part Pact

We're now a couple days into Seven-Part Pact's launch, and I want to take a moment and talk about the most important tier on the Kickstarter. Backers of the highest tier will receive, amongst all the other gubbins and doodads associated with that tier, a limited print hand-illuminated and hand-painted version of the Orrery illustrated by Conner Fawcett, with coloration done by my actual mother Jen Dragon.

Jen Dragon has spent more than 40 years working in the Hudson Valley as a curator, painter, carpenter, and antique map restorer. She entered the business during her first year in the mountains, living alone in an otherwise-empty house with no heat and no running water. She worked out a deal with the old artist next door – she interned for her and helped her paint maps in exchange for showers. Since then, my mom has become one of the world's best antique map restorers, . . .

[more]

July 16, 2026: Reddit AMA About Seven-Part Pact

Jay Dragon (that's me) and Ruby Lavin are doing an AMA on Reddit on the r/rpg board to promote Seven-Part Pact! If you have any questions about the game, its mechanics, design, or artistic vision, we'll be there to answer. The AMA will launch at 10am EST on July 16th.

-- Jay Dragon

July 15, 2026: In Memory Of LeMar Mattox

LeMar Mattox, Senior Sales & Exhibits Manager for Gen Con, tragically passed away on Saturday, July 4, after a six-year battle with cancer. It is a monumental loss for the gaming community and, of course, for his family, friends, and loved ones.

LeMar had a long career at Gen Con, spanning 18 years. He was a friend of Steve Jackson Games and was one of the most patient people I've ever had the pleasure of collaborating with. He met every question with kindness and understanding and was tremendously helpful to everyone on our team. We will sincerely miss working with him, and it was wonderful to have known him.

At Gen Con on Saturday, August 1, a toast will be held in his honor. Exhibitors are welcome to join at 6:30 pm at the back of the Exhibit Hall by the Entrepreneurs Avenue. 

If you would like to share a memory of LeMar, you can do so here, and photos can be emailed . . .

[more]

July 14, 2026: Seven-Part Pact Releasing Today On Kickstarter!

Seven-Part Pact, an ornate, fantastical TTRPG-meets-board game about seven great wizards and the tribulations they face, is launching today on Kickstarter.

"If you're a sucker for hoary tomes and dread grimoires, if your heart cries out for wicked homunculi and crafty familiars, if at the end of the day you're out here just trying to ponder some goddamn orbs, then Jay has crafted the perfect game for you. Seven-Part Pact is a vast, robust, visceral game about the powers and limitations of magic, the invisibility and essentiality of the work it takes to change/save/destroy the world, and an epic saga sung to the part of our soul that wishes to stroke our beard and sunder our staff upon the very mountainside."

— Brennan Lee Mulligan, Dimension 20

Players each take on one of seven powerful wizards. Each of these wizards has their own Codex and Domain, a board game that represents . . .

[more]

July 13, 2026: A Munchkin Reflection

As I reorganized the gaming shelves today, my eye fell on a copy of the new edition of Munchkin, and I realized what a good group we've got right now, both on and off the staff. Yes, we've lost some stars over the last decade, both to life changes and to tragedy. But there are brilliant new people to be thankful for, as well as the staunch supporters who have been part of the SJ Games team for many years. I'm not going to name a single name right now, and I am definitely not just talking about the silly game with the chainsaw. I'm talking about everybody. I'm going to say "People, I appreciate you all, for the great things you've put onto our shelves already, for the great things you are building right now, and just for making all this happen. Thank you all."

-- Steve Jackson

Previous Illuminators • Steve's Appearance Schedule

Jay Leno may not visit Hollywood and commands the mason jar. July 17, 2026: A Very Special Tier For Seven-Part Pact We're now a couple days into Seven-Part Pact's launch, and I want to take a moment and talk about the most important tier on the Kickstarter. Backers of the highest tier will receive, amongst all the other gubbins and doodads associated with that tier, a limited print hand-illuminated and hand-painted version of the Orrery illustrated by Conner Fawcett, with coloration done by my actual mother Jen Dragon. Jen Dragon has spent more than 40 years working in the Hudson Valley as a curator, painter, carpenter, and antique map restorer. She entered the business during her first year in the mountains, living alone in an otherwise-empty house with no heat and no running water. She worked out a deal with the old artist next door – she interned for her and helped her paint maps in exchange for showers. Since then, my mom has become one of the world's best antique map restorers, . . . [more] July 16, 2026: Reddit AMA About Seven-Part Pact Jay Dragon (that's me) and Ruby Lavin are doing an AMA on Reddit on the r/rpg board to promote Seven-Part Pact! If you have any questions about the game, its mechanics, design, or artistic vision, we'll be there to answer. The AMA will launch at 10am EST on July 16th. -- Jay Dragon July 15, 2026: In Memory Of LeMar Mattox LeMar Mattox, Senior Sales & Exhibits Manager for Gen Con, tragically passed away on Saturday, July 4, after a six-year battle with cancer. It is a monumental loss for the gaming community and, of course, for his family, friends, and loved ones. LeMar had a long career at Gen Con, spanning 18 years. He was a friend of Steve Jackson Games and was one of the most patient people I've ever had the pleasure of collaborating with. He met every question with kindness and understanding and was tremendously helpful to everyone on our team. We will sincerely miss working with him, and it was wonderful to have known him. At Gen Con on Saturday, August 1, a toast will be held in his honor. Exhibitors are welcome to join at 6:30 pm at the back of the Exhibit Hall by the Entrepreneurs Avenue.  If you would like to share a memory of LeMar, you can do so here, and photos can be emailed . . . [more] July 14, 2026: Seven-Part Pact Releasing Today On Kickstarter! Seven-Part Pact, an ornate, fantastical TTRPG-meets-board game about seven great wizards and the tribulations they face, is launching today on Kickstarter. "If you're a sucker for hoary tomes and dread grimoires, if your heart cries out for wicked homunculi and crafty familiars, if at the end of the day you're out here just trying to ponder some goddamn orbs, then Jay has crafted the perfect game for you. Seven-Part Pact is a vast, robust, visceral game about the powers and limitations of magic, the invisibility and essentiality of the work it takes to change/save/destroy the world, and an epic saga sung to the part of our soul that wishes to stroke our beard and sunder our staff upon the very mountainside." — Brennan Lee Mulligan, Dimension 20 Players each take on one of seven powerful wizards. Each of these wizards has their own Codex and Domain, a board game that represents . . . [more] July 13, 2026: A Munchkin Reflection As I reorganized the gaming shelves today, my eye fell on a copy of the new edition of Munchkin, and I realized what a good group we've got right now, both on and off the staff. Yes, we've lost some stars over the last decade, both to life changes and to tragedy. But there are brilliant new people to be thankful for, as well as the staunch supporters who have been part of the SJ Games team for many years. I'm not going to name a single name right now, and I am definitely not just talking about the silly game with the chainsaw. I'm talking about everybody. I'm going to say "People, I appreciate you all, for the great things you've put onto our shelves already, for the great things you are building right now, and just for making all this happen. Thank you all." -- Steve Jackson Previous Illuminators • Steve's Appearance Schedule		Latest Videos You are the 1720th Illuminati here today. (33234178 since August 1, 1995)