December 14, 2024: Munchkin Designers Appear On Really Dicey YouTube Channel

Munchkin experts Will Schoonover (our Munchkin Line Editor) and Devin Lewis (the Munchkin Associate Developer) were interviewed last month by Manny Ortiz from Really Dicey!

The conversation, which you can view here, discussed the origins of Munchkin Shadowrun, the art direction, illustrator Lar DeSouza, and how Shadowrun came to be combined with the Munchkin universe.

In addition to all the classic fun and puns you've come to love in the original fan favorite, a new mechanic has been added to Munchkin Shadowrun: the Matrix track. Will and Devin discuss how this mechanic allows players to win in an all-new way. It's a conversation you won't want to miss if you're interested in game design.

Munchkin Shadowrun is available now on Warehouse 23 and at your FLGS. Just be sure you're ready to 'Run, chummer!

-- Michelle Richardson

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December 13, 2024: Rockets Roar Cozily

If you're looking to set an appropriate wintery landscape and are of a certain geeky mindset, NASA has posted an eight-hour rocket-engine fireplace on YouTube. It also has an incredibly amusing closed-captioning. I don't want to spoil it, but it'd make a great Daily Illuminator title . . .

-- Steven Marsh

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December 12, 2024: Pay Once To Play, Then Play A Lot

All-you-can-play arcades are popping up around the nation. They've become incredibly popular in recent years, and for good reason: One admission price covers, as the name promises, as many games as you'd like to play! Often known as "barcades," they're absolutely family friendly, though many offer 18+ evening hours and great 21+ beverages.

Here in Texas, we have a small chain known as Cidercade, with locations in Fort Worth, Arlington, Dallas, Houston, and our SJGames headquarters city of Austin.

Residing in the former Legal Draft Brewing building, which housed both a large taproom and a full brewhouse in the back, the Arlington Cidercade is truly massive. Over 300+ new and classic arcade games are available for play; just pay an entry fee of $12 and you'll get unlimited gaming for up to 14 hours! That's right, you could play Mario Kart, pinball, Q*bert, Street Fighter, air . . .

[more]

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December 11, 2024: How About Not-Quite-Advent Calendars?

Our household is currently enjoying a few different Advent calendars, with daily treats from IKEA, cheeses and hot sauces from Aldi, and Professor Charlie's World Tour. And I've drooled over the various LEGO Advent sets in stores. For gamers, I know of companies who offer their own "dice set a day" Advent calendars.

As much fun as we're having with these, I'm curious: Why hasn't the idea caught on the rest of the year – even on a personal level?

I imagine this lack outside of December has to do with logistics, mass production, etc. But it could also be that no one's considered the possibility. Maybe I should put on my thinking cap and see if I can come up with a "month of amusement" for loved ones in my life, to keep a birthday or anniversary celebration going for 12-30 days. Hmmm . . .

-- Steven Marsh

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December 10, 2024: BGG.CON 2024 Post-Convention Report

I recently attended BGG.CON at the Hyatt Regency Reunion Tower in Dallas, and there were over 2,500 players present!

A few of our team members staffed a booth in the exhibit hall, and we featured demos of some of our newest/coolest releases, including Car Wars Orange/Purple, Pathfinder Revolution!, and Hack & Slash Deluxe.

This was 5-day con, and while the library did close at night, gaming was otherwise happening aoround the clock! There were scores of entertaining events to sign up for, including some from SJ Games' friend Nathaniel T. Nathaniel hosted a Car Wars tournament, along with several sessions of The Fantasy Trip, and I'm exccited to report that 13 whole new players were introduced to our games through his events!

One of my favorite features this year was a sensory room in which folks could relax in a quiet space with dim lighting, comfortable seating, coloring books, . . . [more]

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Previous Illuminators • Steve's Appearance Schedule

Winston Churchill teases the besotted shark and the sweet DVD. December 14, 2024: *Munchkin* Designers Appear On Really Dicey YouTube Channel Munchkin experts Will Schoonover (our Munchkin Line Editor) and Devin Lewis (the Munchkin Associate Developer) were interviewed last month by Manny Ortiz from Really Dicey! The conversation, which you can view here, discussed the origins of Munchkin Shadowrun, the art direction, illustrator Lar DeSouza, and how Shadowrun came to be combined with the Munchkin universe. In addition to all the classic fun and puns you've come to love in the original fan favorite, a new mechanic has been added to Munchkin Shadowrun: the Matrix track. Will and Devin discuss how this mechanic allows players to win in an all-new way. It's a conversation you won't want to miss if you're interested in game design. Munchkin Shadowrun is available now on Warehouse 23 and at your FLGS. Just be sure you're ready to 'Run, chummer! -- Michelle Richardson Share this post! December 13, 2024: Rockets Roar Cozily If you're looking to set an appropriate wintery landscape and are of a certain geeky mindset, NASA has posted an eight-hour rocket-engine fireplace on YouTube. It also has an incredibly amusing closed-captioning. I don't want to spoil it, but it'd make a great Daily Illuminator title . . . -- Steven Marsh Share this post! December 12, 2024: Pay Once To Play, Then Play A Lot All-you-can-play arcades are popping up around the nation. They've become incredibly popular in recent years, and for good reason: One admission price covers, as the name promises, as many games as you'd like to play! Often known as "barcades," they're absolutely family friendly, though many offer 18+ evening hours and great 21+ beverages. Here in Texas, we have a small chain known as Cidercade, with locations in Fort Worth, Arlington, Dallas, Houston, and our SJGames headquarters city of Austin. Residing in the former Legal Draft Brewing building, which housed both a large taproom and a full brewhouse in the back, the Arlington Cidercade is truly massive. Over 300+ new and classic arcade games are available for play; just pay an entry fee of $12 and you'll get unlimited gaming for up to 14 hours! That's right, you could play Mario Kart, pinball, *Qbert, Street Fighter, air . . . [more] Share this post!** December 11, 2024: How About Not-Quite-Advent Calendars? Our household is currently enjoying a few different Advent calendars, with daily treats from IKEA, cheeses and hot sauces from Aldi, and Professor Charlie's World Tour. And I've drooled over the various LEGO Advent sets in stores. For gamers, I know of companies who offer their own "dice set a day" Advent calendars. As much fun as we're having with these, I'm curious: Why hasn't the idea caught on the rest of the year – even on a personal level? I imagine this lack outside of December has to do with logistics, mass production, etc. But it could also be that no one's considered the possibility. Maybe I should put on my thinking cap and see if I can come up with a "month of amusement" for loved ones in my life, to keep a birthday or anniversary celebration going for 12-30 days. Hmmm . . . -- Steven Marsh Share this post! December 10, 2024: BGG.CON 2024 Post-Convention Report I recently attended BGG.CON at the Hyatt Regency Reunion Tower in Dallas, and there were over 2,500 players present! A few of our team members staffed a booth in the exhibit hall, and we featured demos of some of our newest/coolest releases, including Car Wars Orange/Purple, Pathfinder Revolution!, and Hack & Slash Deluxe. This was 5-day con, and while the library did close at night, gaming was otherwise happening aoround the clock! There were scores of entertaining events to sign up for, including some from SJ Games' friend Nathaniel T. Nathaniel hosted a Car Wars tournament, along with several sessions of The Fantasy Trip, and I'm exccited to report that 13 whole new players were introduced to our games through his events! One of my favorite features this year was a sensory room in which folks could relax in a quiet space with dim lighting, comfortable seating, coloring books, . . . [more] Share this post! Previous Illuminators • Steve's Appearance Schedule		Latest Videos You are the 490th alien being here today. (30242590 since August 1, 1995)