For your discussion, a campaign seed. The world is always stranger than fiction.
Bar of soap sells for $18,000
"Perhaps the oddest piece of work at Art Basel is a bar of soap, displayed on a square of black velvet, purportedly made from Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's fat, removed during liposuction."
Sunday, June 19, 2005
Monday, June 13, 2005
Origins Awards Ceremony Changes
Friends and Colleagues in the Games Industry,
We have taken a careful look at the Origins Awards Ceremony. Despite recent attempts to make the awards more interesting and entertaining (last year's 30th Anniversary show, in particular), Origins Awards ceremonies have been very lightly attended. We have concluded from this, and from the success of previous social events, that both gaming fans and industry professionals would rather celebrate the awards in a party-like atmosphere than sit down to a 2-hour ceremony.
As such, we've chosen to announce the Award Winners to the public on Thursday morning at 9:30 a.m. from the entrance of the Exhibit Hall, where the nominated products will be on display. We've replaced the Awards Ceremony with a celebratory Gala, scheduled from 9:00 PM to 12:00 AM Friday night in the Fusion Room on the Ballroom level of the Crowne Plaza Hotel, across the skywalk from the Convention Center. Origins Award statuettes ('Callies') will be distributed at the party to those winners in attendance.
The party is free for the primary creators of nominated products and Supporting members of the Academy, and $30 for others. Tickets for the party may be purchased at the Special Services desk at Main Registration.
We are confident that this approach is much more in keeping with the spirit of our industry, and we hope you will all take the opportunity to enjoy the celebration.
On the behalf of the GAMA/Origins Staff
Sean Patrick Fannon
Events Coordinator, Origins/GAMA
Events@gama.org
www.originsgames.com
www.gama.org
We have taken a careful look at the Origins Awards Ceremony. Despite recent attempts to make the awards more interesting and entertaining (last year's 30th Anniversary show, in particular), Origins Awards ceremonies have been very lightly attended. We have concluded from this, and from the success of previous social events, that both gaming fans and industry professionals would rather celebrate the awards in a party-like atmosphere than sit down to a 2-hour ceremony.
As such, we've chosen to announce the Award Winners to the public on Thursday morning at 9:30 a.m. from the entrance of the Exhibit Hall, where the nominated products will be on display. We've replaced the Awards Ceremony with a celebratory Gala, scheduled from 9:00 PM to 12:00 AM Friday night in the Fusion Room on the Ballroom level of the Crowne Plaza Hotel, across the skywalk from the Convention Center. Origins Award statuettes ('Callies') will be distributed at the party to those winners in attendance.
The party is free for the primary creators of nominated products and Supporting members of the Academy, and $30 for others. Tickets for the party may be purchased at the Special Services desk at Main Registration.
We are confident that this approach is much more in keeping with the spirit of our industry, and we hope you will all take the opportunity to enjoy the celebration.
On the behalf of the GAMA/Origins Staff
Sean Patrick Fannon
Events Coordinator, Origins/GAMA
Events@gama.org
www.originsgames.com
www.gama.org
Sunday, June 12, 2005
Hasbro Reacquires Game Rights From Infogrames
Hasbro Reacquires Game Rights From Infogrames
"French-headquartered publisher and developer Infogrames, recently in the news over the resignation of CEO Jim Caparro at its wholly owned U.S. subsidiary Atari Inc., has made another major change to its line-up, with the news that Hasbro has reacquired many of its gaming rights from the company, for a sum of $65 million.
"Infogrames, which now publishes its games under the Atari label, originally acquired Hasbro Interactive in 2000 for $100 million, in a deal that included rights to all Microprose games, the Atari hardware and software, the Games.com online gaming site, and electronic rights to all Hasbro properties for a period of 20 years. Infogrames then merged the company with acquired U.S. property GT Interactive under the current Atari Inc. brand."
"French-headquartered publisher and developer Infogrames, recently in the news over the resignation of CEO Jim Caparro at its wholly owned U.S. subsidiary Atari Inc., has made another major change to its line-up, with the news that Hasbro has reacquired many of its gaming rights from the company, for a sum of $65 million.
"Infogrames, which now publishes its games under the Atari label, originally acquired Hasbro Interactive in 2000 for $100 million, in a deal that included rights to all Microprose games, the Atari hardware and software, the Games.com online gaming site, and electronic rights to all Hasbro properties for a period of 20 years. Infogrames then merged the company with acquired U.S. property GT Interactive under the current Atari Inc. brand."
A lexicon of teen speak
Here's a great resource for those "evolved" languages for your near future campaigns. Use the right "teen speak" (this article is from the UK) and your can equal any doublespeak written by Burgess, Womack or even Orwell.
A lexicon of teen speak
"A new campaign aims to persuade people to become teachers because they will learn new words. Teen speak can be confusing for anyone who is not a teen. So here is the E-cyclopedia's first annual guide to youth-speak for the not-so-young."
A lexicon of teen speak
"A new campaign aims to persuade people to become teachers because they will learn new words. Teen speak can be confusing for anyone who is not a teen. So here is the E-cyclopedia's first annual guide to youth-speak for the not-so-young."
Saturday, June 11, 2005
Mike Mearls Hired as Developer at Wizards of the Coast
Mike Mearls Hired as Developer at Wizards of the Coast
"I've received my offer letter, so I guess it's kosher to publicly announce this. I've been hired by Wizards of the Coast as an RPG developer." [via Jeff's Gameblog]
"I've received my offer letter, so I guess it's kosher to publicly announce this. I've been hired by Wizards of the Coast as an RPG developer." [via Jeff's Gameblog]
Experiment IV: Israel May Use Sound Weapon on Settlers
Here's something that could be useful for your RPG campaigns. It reminded me of the old Kate Bush song, Experiment IV:
We were working secretly
For the military.
Our experiment in sound,
Was nearly ready to begin.
We only know in theory
What we are doing:
Music made for pleasure,
Music made to thrill.
It was music we were making here until
They told us
All they wanted
Was a sound that could kill someone
From a distance.
So we go ahead,
And the meters are over in the red.
It's a mistake in the making.
From the painful cry of mothers,
To the terrifying scream,
We recorded it and put it into our machine.
Then they told us
All they wanted
Was a sound that could kill someone
From a distance.
So we go ahead,
And the meters are over in the red.
It's a mistake in the making.
It could feel like falling in love.
It could feel so bad.
But it could feel so good.
It could sing you to sleep
"I'll bet my mum's gonna give me a little toy instrument!"
But that dream is your enemy.
We won't be there to be blamed.
We won't be there to snitch.
I just pray that someone there
Can hit the switch.
But they told us
All they wanted
Was a sound that could kill someone
From a distance.
So we go ahead,
And the meters are over in the red.
It's a mistake we've made.
Hmm hmm hmm, hmm hmm hmm.
And the public are warned to stay off.
Experiment IV: Israel May Use Sound Weapon on Settlers
"Israel is considering using an unusual new weapon against Jewish settlers who resist this summer's
Gaza Strip evacuation — a device that emits penetrating bursts of sound that leaves targets reeling with dizziness and nausea.
"Security forces could employ the weapon to overcome resistance without resorting to force, their paramount aim. But experts warn that the effects of prolonged exposure are unknown.
"The army employed the new device, which it dubbed 'The Scream,' at a recent violent demonstration by Palestinians and Jewish sympathizers against Israel's West Bank separation barrier."
We were working secretly
For the military.
Our experiment in sound,
Was nearly ready to begin.
We only know in theory
What we are doing:
Music made for pleasure,
Music made to thrill.
It was music we were making here until
They told us
All they wanted
Was a sound that could kill someone
From a distance.
So we go ahead,
And the meters are over in the red.
It's a mistake in the making.
From the painful cry of mothers,
To the terrifying scream,
We recorded it and put it into our machine.
Then they told us
All they wanted
Was a sound that could kill someone
From a distance.
So we go ahead,
And the meters are over in the red.
It's a mistake in the making.
It could feel like falling in love.
It could feel so bad.
But it could feel so good.
It could sing you to sleep
"I'll bet my mum's gonna give me a little toy instrument!"
But that dream is your enemy.
We won't be there to be blamed.
We won't be there to snitch.
I just pray that someone there
Can hit the switch.
But they told us
All they wanted
Was a sound that could kill someone
From a distance.
So we go ahead,
And the meters are over in the red.
It's a mistake we've made.
Hmm hmm hmm, hmm hmm hmm.
And the public are warned to stay off.
Experiment IV: Israel May Use Sound Weapon on Settlers
"Israel is considering using an unusual new weapon against Jewish settlers who resist this summer's
Gaza Strip evacuation — a device that emits penetrating bursts of sound that leaves targets reeling with dizziness and nausea.
"Security forces could employ the weapon to overcome resistance without resorting to force, their paramount aim. But experts warn that the effects of prolonged exposure are unknown.
"The army employed the new device, which it dubbed 'The Scream,' at a recent violent demonstration by Palestinians and Jewish sympathizers against Israel's West Bank separation barrier."
Comics and graphic novels, not just men in tights
Comics and graphic novels, not just men in tights
"Who would win a fight between Batman and Balzac, Superman and Steinbeck?" [via Colleen]
"Who would win a fight between Batman and Balzac, Superman and Steinbeck?" [via Colleen]
Church Sex Case Stuns Louisiana Town
Sounds like something from a Lovecraft story. See, there are still debased cults down in the "swamps" of Louisiana.
Church Sex Case Stuns Louisiana Town
"From his tire store next door, Donald Moore got an up-close look at the strange changes that went on at the once-bustling Hosanna Church.
"For one thing, the congregation had dwindled to a handful of reclusive members who chased away visitors. For another, the windows were painted white so no one could see in. And just before it closed its doors for good a couple of years ago, eight dump trucks came in and spread dirt over the church's back lot." [via Jonny]
Church Sex Case Stuns Louisiana Town
"From his tire store next door, Donald Moore got an up-close look at the strange changes that went on at the once-bustling Hosanna Church.
"For one thing, the congregation had dwindled to a handful of reclusive members who chased away visitors. For another, the windows were painted white so no one could see in. And just before it closed its doors for good a couple of years ago, eight dump trucks came in and spread dirt over the church's back lot." [via Jonny]
Thursday, June 09, 2005
Cleveland Gamers: Next Gathering
The next gathering of Cleveland Gamers will be at Seekers Coffehouse in Middleburgh Heights, June 18th at 8:00pm. If you're a role-playing in the Cleveland, Ohio area you should come by and say hello. While slightly scary looking, we are a friendly bunch.
Send an email to Cleveland Gamers at Yahoo to join the mailing list.
Send an email to Cleveland Gamers at Yahoo to join the mailing list.
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
Announcing True20 Adventure Roleplaying
From the Green Ronin website:
"Green Ronin Publishing is proud to announce to upcoming release of the True20 Adventure Roleplaying game. Based on the innovative new rules system from Blue Rose, our Roleplaying Game of Romantic Fantasy, True20 provides a complete set of rules for fast, easy, and fun adventure roleplaying. All you need is a single 20-sided die to play, and the system guides you through the process of creating your own heroic character, with plenty of options to choose from, letting you create the hero you want to play! True20 Adventure Roleplaying will be available next week in PDF format from RPGNow. Whether you are an experienced roleplayer or just looking for a new, simple, and fun game system, True20 is roleplaying done right!"
"Green Ronin Publishing is proud to announce to upcoming release of the True20 Adventure Roleplaying game. Based on the innovative new rules system from Blue Rose, our Roleplaying Game of Romantic Fantasy, True20 provides a complete set of rules for fast, easy, and fun adventure roleplaying. All you need is a single 20-sided die to play, and the system guides you through the process of creating your own heroic character, with plenty of options to choose from, letting you create the hero you want to play! True20 Adventure Roleplaying will be available next week in PDF format from RPGNow. Whether you are an experienced roleplayer or just looking for a new, simple, and fun game system, True20 is roleplaying done right!"
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