International Gamebook Day 2022

Three months today, Saturday 27th August, is International Gamebook Day. It is an online event that celebrates all things gamebook-related, featuring interviews with creators from all over the world. This year, International Gamebook Day also just so happens to be Zagor the Warlock's 40th birthday, so you can expect some Fighting Fantasy themed material in particular on the day.

And a week later, on Saturday 3rd September, Fighting Fantasy Fest 4 is taking place at the University of West London in Ealing, at which Steve Jackson and Sir Ian Livingstone will be talking about their new books, Secrets of Salamonis and Shadow of the Giants.

But before then, we have the UK Games Expo, which kicks off a week today, on Friday 3rd June, at the NEC in Birmingham. Although Sir Ian is no longer able to attend himself, Olly McNeil - of Steve Jackson's House of Hell LIVE! fame - has kindly agreed to step in for the Friday night live reading of The Warlock of Firetop Mountain, and help guide the audience, and The Dark Room star John Robertson, to a successful outcome or an untimely death. May his STAMINA never fail!

Fighting Fantasy at the UK Games Expo 2022

Unfortunately, following a recent operation, Sir Ian Livingstone is no longer able to attend the UK Games Expo this year. However, fortunately, Olly McNeil - of Steve Jackson's House of Hell LIVE! fame - has agreed to step in for the Friday night live reading of The Warlock of Firetop Mountain, and help guide the audience, and The Dark Room star John Robertson, to a successful outcome or an untimely death.

2022 marks the 40th Anniversary of the publication of this groundbreaking interactive adventure gamebook. The player takes the role of an adventurer travelling to find the treasure of a powerful Warlock hidden deep within Firetop Mountain. People from a nearby village advise that the treasure is stored in a chest with two locks, and that the keys are guarded by various creatures within the dungeons. The player must then navigate the dungeons beneath Firetop Mountain, battle monsters and attempt to locate the keys.

You can also read an interview with Sir Ian Livingstone if you pick up a copy of the UK Games Expo programme at the event.

Get on the road with Freeway Fighter

The latest release from Tin Man Games, for their Fighting Fantasy Classics app, is Sir Ian Livingstone's Freeway Fighter - surely the most suitable FF gamebook to add to their library in this year of all years!

You can download the app now for your PC, Mac, Android and iOS device. Check out Steam, Google Play, and the App Store now.

Fighting Fantasy Fest 4 Tickets

Tickets are on sale now for Fighting Fantasy Fest 4, and are strictly limited to 400* in total.

The Convention of Firetop Mountain is returning to the University of West London, three years since FFF3, on Saturday 3rd September 2022, to celebrate 40 years of The Warlock of Firetop Mountain and the Fighting Fantasy Gamebooks series co-created by Steve Jackson and Sir Ian Livingstone.

Everyone who purchases an adult ticket will receive:

• A uniquely numbered 40th anniversary ticket (strictly limited to 400 in total)
• A souvenier programme and autograph book
• A pair of Fighting Fantasy dice
• Access to the event, including the Traders' Hall and Artists' Alley, and all signing opportunities
• Access to all talks and panels
• Access to a special screening of Martin Gooch's new film Argh and the Quest for the Golden Dragon Skull, featuring Sir Ian Livingstone!

Attendees may also pre-order an exclusive Fighting Fantasy 40th anniversary T-shirt and enamel pin badge, ready for collection at the event.

There are also a limited number of Young Adult and Children tickets. (Please note that anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult ticket holder.)

Steve Jackson and Sir Ian Livingstone will be attending as Guests of Honour, and other guests include authors Rhianna Pratchett, Jamie Thomson, Peter Darvill-Evans, and Jonathan Green, artists John Sibbick, Malcolm Barter, Tony Hough, Mel Grant, and Rob Ball, and original commissioning editor Geraldine Cooke.

Fighting Fantasy Fest 4 is likely to be a very popular event and entry is by pre-paid ticket only*.

If you've been before, you will know what to expect and will doubtless be keen to attend again. If you've not been before, then this is the year to attend your first Fighting Fantasy convention!

So, don't delay and make sure you secure your place at Fighting Fantasy Fest 4 now!

* Tickets are limited to 400 adult tickets, plus 50 Young Adult tickets, and 50 Children tickets.