Get ready for a high-octane, AR adaptation of Sir Ian Livingstone's Freeway Fighter

The first entry in a new wave of adaptations from the legendary Fighting Fantasy series will bring Sir Ian Livingstone's Freeway Fighter to a new audience through a high‑octane augmented reality experience.

Peasoup, the pioneer behind interactive augmented reality Smart Books, has announced a partnership with Sir Ian to transform the iconic gamebooks into its proprietary format. Their debut collaboration, Freeway Fighter, is scheduled for release in 2027.

Peasoup’s Smart Book system is far more than a traditional book or gamebook. It is a full‑colour, physical reading experience enhanced by cutting‑edge technology. Using a dedicated augmented reality app, the Smark Book system animates the printed page, allowing readers not just to imagine the post‑apocalyptic car chases of Freeway Fighter, but to see and interact with them digitally as they progress through the story.

Founded by veteran writer and videogame designer Søren Jønsson, Peasoup was created to inject excitement back into reading. To date, the company has produced four Smart Books featuring original adventures across fantasy realms, pirate voyages, and daring escapades.

Extending this technology to the Fighting Fantasy series is a natural evolution, and one that promises to redefine how readers engage with classic FF gamebooks.

Sir Ian Livingstone commented: “The Fighting Fantasy series was designed to place the reader at the heart of the story, letting them take control of where the story goes. Choice is exciting and empowering, and partnering with Peasoup for these new adaptations takes the experience to the next level, where choices and actions in an augmented reality setting further affect the outcomes of the story. This high-octane, AR adaptation of Freeway Fighter will take the adventure to new audiences.”

Freeway Fighter will be available in 2027, and the next Smart Book Fighting Fantasy adaptation will be announced soon. Retailers looking to find out more should contact Rory Kelly, Zatu's Head of Distribution, at rory.kelly@zatu.co.uk or call 01603 937 846.#

Choose Wisely in the Scorpion Swamp!

The newest adventure available from Tin Man Games, as part of the Fighting Fantasy Classics library, is... Scorpion Swamp!

Sharpen your swords, steady your nerve, and maybe pack a spare pair of socks, because Scorpion Swamp has officially arrived as the latest DLC gamebook for Fighting Fantasy Classics!

A new edition of Scorpion Swamp - featuring brand new artwork by Tazio Bettin - is also on the horizon. It is coming as part of the second tranche of FF titles going from Steve Jackson Games in the States. You can back the Kickstarter here.

40 years of Appointment with F.E.A.R.

Another Fighting Fantasy gamebook celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2025 is Steve Jackson's superhero smackdown Appointment with F.E.A.R.

Back in 1985, Steve Jackson had not written a Titan-set FF adventure since The Citadel of Chaos and his fifth title in the series continued this trend. Appointment with F.E.A.R. (FF17) took as its inspiration the comic books Jackson had so loved as a child and involved more problem-solving as opposed to the item collection ‘shopping list’ approach of some gamebooks.

The action takes place in the suspiciously familiar sounding Titan City with the hero assuming the role of Jean Lafayette and his alter ego, the crime-fighting Silver Crusader.

The Silver Crusader does battle with such colourful characters as the Scarlet Prankster, the Serpent, and the Alchemists, as he struggles to discover the time and location of the next meeting of F.E.A.R. – the Federation of Euro-American Rebels – an evil organisation led by Vladimir Utoshski, a.k.a. the Titanium Cyborg.

It is the Titanium Cyborg who is the subject of the book’s cover art by legendary comic book cover artist Brian Bolland, while internal illustrations were provided by Declan Considine, who made his artwork look like panels from the pages of a comic book.

The Macro Brain, a super-villain from Appointment with F.E.A.R.,
by Declan Considine.

The adventure begins with the reader choosing one of four superpowers for the Silver Crusader from Super Strength, Psi-Powers, Enhanced Technological Skill (or ETS), and Energy Blast.

Appointment with F.E.A.R. also made use of a new HERO POINTS attribute. These points are awarded for every villain the Silver Crusader captures and every potential disaster he manages to avert. (Although it doesn’t necessarily affect the outcome of the game, it does allow players to compare performances from one read-through to the next.) Rather like Batman, the Silver Crusader is not permitted to kill his enemies, and any such deaths that may occur result in the loss of precious HERO POINTS. In one-on-one combat, when an enemy’s STAMINA score drops to 2 STAMINA points, the enemy simply surrenders.

It could be argued that Appointment with F.E.A.R. is only a science fiction adventure in as much as Spider-Man or Superman comics are science fiction stories. It is, in truth, a comic book superhero gamebook; nothing more, nothing less.

To date, Appointment with F.E.A.R. is the only non-fantasy adventure published by Scholastic, and the gamebook also exists now as a video game from Tin Man Games.

Will we ever see an Appointmentwith F.E.A.R. comic one day? We can but hope.

If you enjoy watching playthroughs of Fighting Fantasy gamebooks, GoneHollowMedia have recorded their own attempt at tackling the adventure.

And if you want to learn more about the history of your favourite gamebooks, pick up Jonathan Green's YOU ARE THE HERO: An Interactive History of Fighting Fantasy Gamebooks today.

Crypt of the Sorcerer - coming soon!

Coming soon to the Fighting Fantasy Classics library, from Tin Man Games, is Sir Ian Livingstone's legendary FF adventure, Crypt of the Sorcerer.

An ancient evil is stirring!

The long-dead sorcerer Razaak has been re-awoken and is poised to fulfil his promise of death and tyranny. The Forces of Chaos are at large across Allansia and it seems that they are all pitted against YOU! For it is up to you to battle against the odds - to find the only weapon to which Razaak is vulnerable, to arm yourself with protections against his awesome powers, and to face him in his lair, the Crypt of the Sorcerer!

Descend into one of the most punishing dungeons in Allansia with Crypt of the Sorcerer, a legendary Fighting Fantasy adventure by series co-creator Ian Livingstone!

First published in 1987, Crypt of the Sorcerer has earned its reputation as one of the most challenging and deadly gamebooks in the entire Fighting Fantasy series. With its dark, oppressive atmosphere, brutal encounters, and iconic villains, this book is not for the faint of heart.

You must take up arms against the resurrected sorcerer Razaak – a being of pure evil whose return threatens to plunge the world into eternal darkness. Armed with only your courage, your sword, and a handful of enchanted relics, can you survive the sorcerer’s devious traps, ruthless minions, and the final confrontation with death itself?

Whether you're a seasoned veteran eager to face one of the toughest trials Fighting Fantasy has to offer, or a brave newcomer ready to test your mettle, Crypt of the Sorcerer delivers a merciless and unforgettable experience.

FEATURES

• Les Edwards' original front cover from the 1987 Puffin edition!
• Amazing original black and white line artwork by John Sibbick.
• A new difficulty setting to make things a little easier if needed and a special ‘Free Read’ mode to explore the book with no restrictions.
• Built-in mapping system tracks your progress across playthroughs – perfect for planning your next run (or brutal demise).
• Unlimited bookmarks let you retry difficult sections as often as you like.
• Automated Adventure Sheet that handles all your stats, inventory, and key decisions – so you can focus on surviving!

Fighting Fantasy Classics - Eye of the Dragon

Sir Ian Livingstone's 14th Fighting Fanasy gamebook, Eye of the Dragon, is now available as part of the Fighting Fantasy Classics app from Tin Man Games.

In a tavern in Fang, a mysterious stranger offers YOU the chance to find the Golden Dragon, perhaps the most valuable treasure in all of Allansia. But it is hidden in a labyrinth beneath Darkwood Forest and is guarded by the most violent creatures and deadly traps.

To begin your quest YOU must drink a life-threatening potion, and to succeed, you must find maps, clues, artifacts, magic items, jewels and an imprisoned dwarf.

Step into a world of peril and legend with Eye of the Dragon - a must-have for any Fighting Fantasy fan! Originally published in 2005 during the celebrated Wizard Books revival, Eye of the Dragon marked the triumphant return of the series after a brief hiatus. This gripping dungeon-crawling adventure is a true standout, penned by Fighting Fantasy co-creator Ian Livingstone himself.

Based on a mini-adventure first introduced in his iconic book Dicing with Dragons, Eye of the Dragon delivers everything fans love: deadly traps, fearsome monsters, and unexpected twists. You'll encounter familiar faces from across the Fighting Fantasy universe - some returning from earlier gamebooks, others with ties to legendary figures from the broader fantasy world. Whether you're a seasoned adventurer or a newcomer to the series, this book is a thrilling journey you won't want to miss.

FEATURES

• Original artwork by Martin McKenna. Make the gamebook as easy or hard as you like and even turn on a special 'Free Read' mode to play the book like an old-school cheater!
• Map feature makes it easy to keep track of everywhere you have explored during current and previous playthroughs.
• Unlimited Bookmarks allow you to revisit difficult sections as many times as desired.
• Automated Adventure Sheet that keeps track of your stats, inventory and knowledge gained during your journey.

To download Eye of the Dragon and start playing today, click this link.

Starship Traveller now on Fighting Fantasy Classics

Steve Jackson's SF gamebook Starship Traveller is now available as part of the Fighting Fantasy Classics library app from Tin Man Games.

The fate of the Starship Traveller and her crew lies in YOUR hands!

Sucked through the nightmare of the Seltsian Void, the Starship Traveller emerges at the other side of the black hole into an unknown universe. YOU are the captain of the Traveller and her fate depends on YOU! Will you be able to discover the way back to Earth from the alien peoples and planets you encounter, or will the starship be doomed to roam uncharted space forever?

Relive Starship Traveller – the beloved fourth Fighting Fantasy interactive adventure gamebook from the 80s! Steve Jackson's classic science-fiction adventure adds a new crew management system, ship-to-ship combat, and phaser combat. It has been converted to a digital format using Tin Man Games' acclaimed Gamebook Adventures engine.

NEW FEATURES

• Beautiful, cosmic illustrations by Simon Lissaman.
• New crew management system for up to seven crew members. Beam down to planets and try and keep your team alive!
• Automated Adventure Sheet that keeps track of your stats, crew stats, and any space-time co-ordinates you discover. Starship Traveller also includes a special Adventure Sheet for ship stats during ship-to-ship combat.
• Make the gamebook as easy or hard as you like and even turn on a special 'Free Read' mode to play the book like an old-school cheater! 
• feature makes it easy to keep track of everywhere you have explored during current and previous playthroughs.
• Unlimited Bookmarks allow you to revisit difficult sections as many times as desired.

To download Starship Traveller, click here.

Return to the Caverns of the Snow Witch in the company of Tin Man Games

Here beneath Firetop Mountain, it is as cold as the Icefinger Mountains, as Farigiss - Old Man Winter himself - tightens his grip on northern Allansia.

So now would seem the perfect time to take advantage of Tin Man Games' current sale, which sees the company's adaptation of Sir Ian Livingstone's Caverns of the Snow Witch knocked down in price by 25%*.

And Caverns of the Snow Witch isn't the only game currently available at a knockdown price. You can buy the Fighting Fantasy Classics Collection at 13% off, and the Fighting Fantasy MEGA Bundle at a whopping 43% off!

So, don't let the god of ice and cold dampen your fiery passion for Fighting Fantasy gamebooks and grab yourself a bargain while you still can.

* Offer ends 13 January 2025.

40 years of House of Hell

For almost thirty years following its initial release back in 1984, House of Hell remained unique; it was the only FF adventure to have a wholly ‘contemporary’ setting. It was not a futuristic, superhero sci-fi yarn, or a post-apocalyptic adventure, but was Fighting Fantasy’s one and only specifically horror-themed adventure, until Blood of the Zombies was published in 2012.

The setting for House of Hell is the sort of nightmare you could imagine yourself ending up in if your car broke down on a lonely country road in a thunderstorm only for you to discover that you were in a mobile phone dead spot.

Other than the fact that there’s no mention of mobile phones, the plot of the book hasn’t dated in the intervening decades. As a result of the aforementioned breakdown and thunderstorm, the hero takes refuge in an old house, but it’s a decision that turns out to be the worst mistake of his life, since the house is home to a cult of devil-worshippers and their demonic Master.

House of Hell first appeared in a shortened form in Warlock magazine. A significant number of references were modified for the paperback version, with rooms being moved around and secret passageways added.

Although his artwork later appeared on the cover for The Citadel of Chaos, Houseof Hell was Ian Miller’s first work for the Fighting Fantasy series. Steve Jackson was so impressed by Miller’s work on House of Hell that he purchased the original painting.

The book was illustrated internally by Tim Sell. However, one of his illustrations - depicting a naked woman on an altar dripping with blood, with her modesty protected by a convenient cultist’s sleeve - was removed from subsequent printings after a number of complaints were received by Puffin Books.

“That did give us a problem,” recalls editor Philippa Dickinson. “We had a lot of complaints. The media suddenly got hold of, ‘was this suitable for children?’ We had various, no doubt very well-meaning, people claiming that we were encouraging children to believe in Satan and Satanism... But we had a lot of very bonkers letters. Some were genuinely concerned about whether this was suitable, and you could be respectful of their views, and we had a few who quoted Revelations at us.

“It was of that time, and it was because the books were so successful, and boys were getting so obsessed, so what were we doing? They were being obsessed by something, so this can’t be healthy, because they’re obsessed. But they’re reading! What are you complaining about?

“At that time our office in New York was at 666 Fifth Avenue… Every so often, they’d get people saying that the company was clearly run by an agent of evil because we operated out of the offices at 666 Fifth Avenue.”

However, attitudes can and do change, and recently an article in The Guardian newspaper recommended House of Hell as a good title for getting disillusioned children enthused about reading again.

The dedication written by Steve Jackson for the Wizard Books edition of House of Hell reads:

Games Night —
to Clive, Ian, Mark, Peter and Skye.
May their Dinner Winnerships be few.
But always more than mine...

The list of names are the members of an exclusive gaming group that’s been running since the mid-1990s, and which includes Peter Molyneux of Populous and Lionhead fame (and more recently with 22 Cans and Godus) among its membership. Games Night is still a regular event, and at the end of each season a cup is awarded.

If you are struggling to complete House of Hell, you can buy a solution map from Qatlas, and there is also one on the way from Scott Mackay.

House of Hell is now available as an app from Tin Man Games, either as a standalone adventure, or as part of the Fighting Fantasy Classics library.

To read more about the history of the Fighting Fantasy series, pick up a copy of YOU ARE THE HERO: An Interactive History of Fighting Fantasy Gamebooks today.

Steve Jackson's F.I.S.T. will return at Fighting Fantasy Fest 5

The news is out! Steve Jackson's F.I.S.T., the dial-up dungeon sensation of late '80s, will return on Saturday 7 September 2024, with the official launch of the game at Fighting Fantasy Fest 5!

Just as amazing as it was back in 1988, this time F.I.S.T. will be in the digital realm. The Sound Realms team will be attending FFF5 to celebrate the launch of the new adventure and give attendees and exclusive taste. 

To access F.I.S.T. once it is released, download the Sound Realms app - available on IOS and Android - now.

Armies of Death is coming to Fighting Fantasy Classics!

Tin Man Games recently announced that the next much-loved Fighting Fantasy gamebook to be added to the Fighting Fantasy Classics library will be Sir Ian Livingstone's Armies of Death.

And today, the Warlock can exclusively reveal the cover art for the game, which features a new logo as well as Chris Achilleos's original cover painting.

New artwork has been produced for the game by Joshua Wright. How many of these encounters do you recognise from the Armies of Death gamebook?

Armies of Death will be released on Steam in a few months' time and it will be the first of three gamebooks to be added to the Fighting Fantasy Classics  roster in 2024.

Keeping checking the official Fighting Fantasy blog to be kept up to date regarding these exciting new developments for Tin Man Games' Fighting Fantasy Classics.

International Gamebook Day 2023

International Gamebook Day is taking place on Saturday 14 October 2023 and Guest of Honour will be Fighting Fantasy's very own Sir Ian Livingstone.

This year International Gamebook Day has a Halloween horror theme and so Sir Ian will be discussing Blood of the Zombies*, the Fighting Fantasy adventure he wrote to celebrate the series' 30th anniversary.

Make sure you follow the IGBD 2023 Facebook page to keep up to date with developments, such as when Sir Ian's interview will be broadcast on the day.

* Which is 11 years old this year!