Katherine Kerr wrote that castle article! She would go on to be a noted fantasy author (if they wasn't already?). Ares Magazine used to have two really cool articles. Facts for Fantasy, and Science for Science Fiction, where actual historians would write about the middle ages, and actual physics professors would write about cool new stuff happening in theoretical physics, just as inspiration fodder for GMs. Super cool!
As always, a river to your people. Medieval fantasy always feels better to me when it's grounded in medieval fact, but more importantly it's just cool.
1:34 I used to have that game ^~^ That was one of my favorites hehe My sister's favorite was a different AD&D game where you were an archer and you went through caves full of monsters to get to a cloudy mountain on the other side of the map. That was for Intellivision, too.
We used to play those FGU games such as Space Opera, Aftermath, and Bushido. I'm not sure how we managed it, as the rules always seemed so complicated and practically unplayable.
Flashing Blades, Villains and Vigilantes, and Merc were pretty easy to play. Bushido wasn't difficult, it's more a matter of the rules not being laid out in the best order in the books. Never played Aftermath or Space Opera. FGU still exists and you can still get their games for very low prices.
@@CaptCook999I found some options for picking up some of the old content still around. There was more than I realized and still some folks producing for it, I think
Thanks for the video! I always loved that doppelganger split picture. That treasure article speaks volumes! Griffins are a favorite of mine. UK Steve Jackson is no relation to Steve Jackson of Steve Jackson games here in the USA. You can check out a book of UK Steve Jackson and Ian Livingston called Dice Men about the origins of Games Workshop published early this year. They also brought D&D to the UK and Europe. The Fighting Fantasy series was the basis for those Choose Your Own Adventure books later introduced in the USA. They were Warhammer but so much more. I think Games Plus was still on the north side of the tracks in 1983, across from their current location. I need to take a trip down there soon. It's been too long. I'm trying to remember when Dragon stopped doing reviews of competing products and became a D&D-only TSR mouthpiece. I think the altruistic rising tide raises all boats origins was commendable but, in retrospect, it couldn't last once they had to write critical reviews of their competition as it would always be seen in the worst light. At least they still ran adverts from the competition.
I knew someone would beat me to it! At least I get to note that our Steve Jackson here in Austin ALSO wrote three books in that series... going to look them up to be sure... Scorpion Swamp, Demons of the Deep, and Robot Commando!
Yes. The English Steve Jackson hasn't gone crazy as far as I know. Sadly the American one went off his rocker and spends all his time politicking and insulting anyone who doesn't agree with him. So 2020s.
I think I had this issue! I never realized the hotbed of publishing activity that was the NW suburbs of Atlanta... Norcross in a previous episode and now Marietta. Do you have a copy of Grimtooth's Traps? That would really crank my nostalgia meter off the charts.
Those were the days!
Clyde Caldwell has always been known for his evocative and inspirational artwork, and that cover is certainly no exception.
i always preferred jeff easley. larry elmore was good too.
Katherine Kerr wrote that castle article! She would go on to be a noted fantasy author (if they wasn't already?).
Ares Magazine used to have two really cool articles. Facts for Fantasy, and Science for Science Fiction, where actual historians would write about the middle ages, and actual physics professors would write about cool new stuff happening in theoretical physics, just as inspiration fodder for GMs. Super cool!
Also thr Marvel Phile, which we used a LOT even for games that weren't Marvel Super Heroes.
As always, a river to your people. Medieval fantasy always feels better to me when it's grounded in medieval fact, but more importantly it's just cool.
Marietta GA!
Great video. Happiness holidays, 2023!
Hope the family and yourself had a very Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas Tony. Thanks for a great video.
I saw the cover and it took me back. All the ads were very familiar. Thanks for the trip down memory lane!
i always loved dragon magazine. gave my whole collection to a book store years ago. if only they kept up with the dragon mag software.
1:34 I used to have that game ^~^ That was one of my favorites hehe My sister's favorite was a different AD&D game where you were an archer and you went through caves full of monsters to get to a cloudy mountain on the other side of the map. That was for Intellivision, too.
Hope your Christmas was wonderful and that you have a very Happy New Year! Thnx for this! 👊🤓🎲🛡🗡
We used to play those FGU games such as Space Opera, Aftermath, and Bushido. I'm not sure how we managed it, as the rules always seemed so complicated and practically unplayable.
I ran a Chivalry and Sorcery game for 6 months - we were glad to go back to AD&D 😂
Aftermath was one of my favorite games to play. It would have been nice if they could have put out more material for it.
Flashing Blades, Villains and Vigilantes, and Merc were pretty easy to play. Bushido wasn't difficult, it's more a matter of the rules not being laid out in the best order in the books. Never played Aftermath or Space Opera. FGU still exists and you can still get their games for very low prices.
Played a LOT of Aftermath in the 80’s. Bought Space Opera, but could never get the system figured out. 😂
@@CaptCook999I found some options for picking up some of the old content still around. There was more than I realized and still some folks producing for it, I think
Line numbered basic. That is awesome
Thanks for the video! I always loved that doppelganger split picture. That treasure article speaks volumes! Griffins are a favorite of mine.
UK Steve Jackson is no relation to Steve Jackson of Steve Jackson games here in the USA. You can check out a book of UK Steve Jackson and Ian Livingston called Dice Men about the origins of Games Workshop published early this year. They also brought D&D to the UK and Europe. The Fighting Fantasy series was the basis for those Choose Your Own Adventure books later introduced in the USA. They were Warhammer but so much more.
I think Games Plus was still on the north side of the tracks in 1983, across from their current location. I need to take a trip down there soon. It's been too long.
I'm trying to remember when Dragon stopped doing reviews of competing products and became a D&D-only TSR mouthpiece. I think the altruistic rising tide raises all boats origins was commendable but, in retrospect, it couldn't last once they had to write critical reviews of their competition as it would always be seen in the worst light. At least they still ran adverts from the competition.
Did the magical crimping iron that the sorceress used on her hair ever appear in Unearthed Arcana?
I use that "5% Principle" matrix for my games. Len almost always had good stuff to add to or modify the game.
Warlock of Firetop Mountain was the English Steve Jackson of Games Workshop fame, rather than the American Steve Jackson of Steve Jackson Games.
I knew someone would beat me to it! At least I get to note that our Steve Jackson here in Austin ALSO wrote three books in that series... going to look them up to be sure... Scorpion Swamp, Demons of the Deep, and Robot Commando!
Yes. The English Steve Jackson hasn't gone crazy as far as I know. Sadly the American one went off his rocker and spends all his time politicking and insulting anyone who doesn't agree with him. So 2020s.
I think I had this issue! I never realized the hotbed of publishing activity that was the NW suburbs of Atlanta... Norcross in a previous episode and now Marietta.
Do you have a copy of Grimtooth's Traps? That would really crank my nostalgia meter off the charts.
I never bought Grimtooth's Traps.
Alas, Game Towne in San Diego is no more (closed 5? 10? years ago)
Pretty sure I have this issue on a shelf somewhere
Yep. I was just reading it last night.