July 14, 2025: A Tribute To Alarums And Excursions

For 49 years, Lee Gold has published Alarums and Excursions, an APA about the world of gaming. I have found it both fun and professionally useful . . . it was in A&E, for instance, that I saw the work of a fan named Robin Laws and said "This guy can write!" One thing led to another, and we are all the richer for it.

Lee has ended Alarums & Excursions with its 593rd issue because her eyesight no longer allows her to edit the zine. Lisa Padol is organizing a one-time tribute issue, and Spike Jones has reached out to former A&E contributors, silent subscribers, and A&E-adjacent folks to solicit one-sentence/one-paragraph memories and thank-you messages. (People who'd like to write longer contributions, even full-length zines, should contact Lisa at drcpunk [at] labcats [dot] org).

A&E will be missed, and it cannot be replaced. We shall not, as the new saying goes, see its like again.

I . . . [more]

July 13, 2025: So? I've Given Lots Of Chickens Degrees . . . 350 At A Time

If you like to get lost in the darker corners of Wikipedia – and perhaps, like myself, you're thinking of some out-of-this-world dogs lately – you might enjoy this list of animals awarded human credentials. It includes a cat with an MBA, a dog with a medical degree, and another dog with an American travel visa.

The article also contains one of my favorite Wikipedia subheads of all time: "Myrtle (chicken, parachutist)"

-- Steven Marsh

July 12, 2025: And It Was Game Night!

One of the things that lured me to Atlanta was the prospect of living near more gamers. We finally had our first Game Night here at the new house.

We started with 8-Legged Peacock, a fairly new one from Brexwerx. It's about the Maratus jumping spiders, which are beautifully colored; the males dance – really! – to attract mates. You're collecting cards to build the right dance. Absent from the game is the real-world consequence of a bad dance (nom nom nom). But no cannibalism is required to make it a great game-night opener. The rules could have used a soundtrack suggestion (Crab Rave, anybody?), and you should absolutely look up the Maratus videos on YouTube. PS: I won this one. Best line: "Yay! I get to mate with a green spider!"

Then we got to the main event: Free Ride, or Frei Fahrt in the original German, designed by Friedemann Friese. This has been cruelly described as "What . . . [more]

July 11, 2025: The GURPS Summer Sale Continues!

A few days ago we proudly announced the launch of the Pyramid V3 – First Collection at Bundle of Holding, collecting the first 60 issues of the PDF era of Pyramid at an unbeatable price.

We also mentioned that you might want to follow us on our other social media platforms for more cutting-edge GURPS news – including info on the Pyramid V3 – Second Collection that launched on Wednesday.

Well, if you heeded our suggestion, you already know about the GURPS Summer Sale currently going on over at Warehouse 23!

We're timing this sale to coincide with the Pyramid Bundle of Holding offers. As fans know, for over a decade, Pyramid provided top-notch GURPS support from many of your favorite GURPS authors. But perhaps you're a new fan of Pyramid – or even of GURPS, having taken advantage of the GURPS 4E Essentials bundle as well.

Maybe you've started looking through the thousands of pages . . . [more]

July 10, 2025: Behind The Scenes: Last Train To Bremen. Vote Now!

The proverbial train is barreling to the end of the line as Last Train to Bremen approaches its final weeks of crowdfunding on BackerKit. We've had a great first half, with over $55,000 in funding and nearly 1,000 backers With two weeks left, there is plenty more time to hop on at our next stop!

Caro Asercion, the designer of Last Train to Bremen, has offered to give backers a peek behind the curtain! For our next campaign update, we want your input! Help us decide what "Behind the Scenes" look at Last Train to Bremen you'd like to see:

• Meet the Band: A look at initial touchstones, inspiration, and the four main characters.
• Rules and Mechanics: Designing the game and the playtesting process.
• A Sight for Sore Eyes: Illustration, layout, and visual design.

Help us choose which update we dive into first. No pledge required – only a BackerKit account!

The poll will close at . . . [more]

Previous Illuminators • Steve's Appearance Schedule

You must meet Jimmy Hoffa at Callahan's Place and get the plant. July 14, 2025: A Tribute To Alarums And Excursions For 49 years, Lee Gold has published Alarums and Excursions, an APA about the world of gaming. I have found it both fun and professionally useful . . . it was in A&E, for instance, that I saw the work of a fan named Robin Laws and said "This guy can write!" One thing led to another, and we are all the richer for it. Lee has ended Alarums & Excursions with its 593rd issue because her eyesight no longer allows her to edit the zine. Lisa Padol is organizing a one-time tribute issue, and Spike Jones has reached out to former A&E contributors, silent subscribers, and A&E-adjacent folks to solicit one-sentence/one-paragraph memories and thank-you messages. (People who'd like to write longer contributions, even full-length zines, should contact Lisa at drcpunk [at] labcats [dot] org). A&E will be missed, and it cannot be replaced. We shall not, as the new saying goes, see its like again. I . . . [more] July 13, 2025: So? I've Given Lots Of Chickens Degrees . . . 350 At A Time If you like to get lost in the darker corners of Wikipedia – and perhaps, like myself, you're thinking of some out-of-this-world dogs lately – you might enjoy this list of animals awarded human credentials. It includes a cat with an MBA, a dog with a medical degree, and another dog with an American travel visa. The article also contains one of my favorite Wikipedia subheads of all time: "Myrtle (chicken, parachutist)" -- Steven Marsh July 12, 2025: And It Was Game Night! One of the things that lured me to Atlanta was the prospect of living near more gamers. We finally had our first Game Night here at the new house. We started with 8-Legged Peacock, a fairly new one from Brexwerx. It's about the Maratus jumping spiders, which are beautifully colored; the males dance – really! – to attract mates. You're collecting cards to build the right dance. Absent from the game is the real-world consequence of a bad dance (nom nom nom). But no cannibalism is required to make it a great game-night opener. The rules could have used a soundtrack suggestion (Crab Rave, anybody?), and you should absolutely look up the Maratus videos on YouTube. PS: I won this one. Best line: "Yay! I get to mate with a green spider!" Then we got to the main event: Free Ride, or Frei Fahrt in the original German, designed by Friedemann Friese. This has been cruelly described as "What . . . [more] July 11, 2025: The GURPS Summer Sale Continues! A few days ago we proudly announced the launch of the Pyramid V3 – First Collection at Bundle of Holding, collecting the first 60 issues of the PDF era of Pyramid at an unbeatable price. We also mentioned that you might want to follow us on our other social media platforms for more cutting-edge GURPS news – including info on the Pyramid V3 – Second Collection that launched on Wednesday. Well, if you heeded our suggestion, you already know about the GURPS Summer Sale currently going on over at Warehouse 23! We're timing this sale to coincide with the Pyramid Bundle of Holding offers. As fans know, for over a decade, Pyramid provided top-notch GURPS support from many of your favorite GURPS authors. But perhaps you're a new fan of Pyramid – or even of GURPS, having taken advantage of the GURPS 4E Essentials bundle as well. Maybe you've started looking through the thousands of pages . . . [more] July 10, 2025: Behind The Scenes: Last Train To Bremen. Vote Now! The proverbial train is barreling to the end of the line as Last Train to Bremen approaches its final weeks of crowdfunding on BackerKit. We've had a great first half, with over $55,000 in funding and nearly 1,000 backers With two weeks left, there is plenty more time to hop on at our next stop! Caro Asercion, the designer of Last Train to Bremen, has offered to give backers a peek behind the curtain! For our next campaign update, we want your input! Help us decide what "Behind the Scenes" look at Last Train to Bremen you'd like to see: • Meet the Band: A look at initial touchstones, inspiration, and the four main characters. • Rules and Mechanics: Designing the game and the playtesting process. • A Sight for Sore Eyes: Illustration, layout, and visual design. Help us choose which update we dive into first. No pledge required – only a BackerKit account! The poll will close at . . . [more] Previous Illuminators • Steve's Appearance Schedule		Latest Videos You are the 1877th artificial intelligence here today. (30859611 since August 1, 1995)