Ask Marc Gascoigne anything!

Fighting Fantasy Brand Manager Marc Gascoigne is going to be taking part in an AMA on the FF Reddit group on Friday 13th November 2026 at 6:00pm UK time.

You can send in your advance questions now. Simply check out this thread on Reddit.

Fighting Fantasy Fest 6

One week ago, Fighting Fantasy Fest 6 took over the University of West London in Ealing.

A host of guests, exhibitors, traders, and adventurers spent the day celebrating all things Fighting Fantasy and gamebook-related.

Our Guests of Honour were FF co-creator and author Sir Ian Livingstone and artist Karl Kopinski, who were joined on the day by special guest editors Gerladine Cooke and Philippa Dickinson.

Sir Ian Livingstone and Karl Kopinski signing for fans.

Philippa Dickinson, Sir Ian Livingstone, and Geraldine Cooke.

Fans were delighted to get their hands on the new collector's hardback editions of City of Thieves and Tomb of the Golden Skull.

The queue to buy Sir Ian's new hardbacks.

The day was chock full of talks and panels, and we were delighted that so many creators - artists Malcolm Barter, Alan Langford, Tony Hough, and Rob Ball, as well as authors Marc Gascoigne, Peter Darvill-Evans, and Jonathan Green - overseas publishers and FF licensees were able to join us too.

The World of Fighting Fantasy panel with
Marc Gascoigne, Alex Ballingall, Florent Haro, and Morten Gottschalck.

Artists, from foreground to background:
Malcolm Barter, Tony Hough, and Alan Langford.

A huge thank you must go to Lord Azzur's City Guard - James, Stuart, Pete, Sally, Simon, Lyndsey, Julian, Scott, Jake, Mattie, and Ariana - who made sure everything ran smoothly, but the biggest thank you is reserved for all the adventuerers - both young and old - who attended. But a special mention should go to Hamad and Layla who were attending FFF6 on the second day of their honeymoon!

Newlyweds Hamad and Layla.

You can watch FF author and historian Jonathan Green's review of the day here...

The night before FFF6, the now traditional charity You Are The Beer-o Pub Puiz took place at The Forester in West Ealing, which raised an astonishing £1,200 for Guide Dogs UK in memory of FF artists Pete Knifton, who passed away last year.

The winning team!

Attendees received a collectible programme and autograph book, lanyard, and golden dice. There are a few of these items left over so, if you would like one of them, follow this link.

City of Thieves collector's hardback

Sir Ian Livingstone's seminal Fighting Fantasy gamebook City of Thieves is returning this summer in an exclusive collector's edition.

Limited to only 2,000 copies, the City of Thieves limited edition hardback will feature the original cover art and internal illustrations by Iain McCaig, ‘The History of Port Blacksand’ by Marc Gascoigne, Leo Hartas's 2017 update of his map of Allansia, and László Kupe's map of Port Blacksand.

Attendees of Fighting Fantasy Fest 6 will be among the first people who will be able to buy a copy and get it signed at the same time.

Are you ready to return to the City of Thieves?

Fighting Fantasy at the UK Games Expo 2026

This weekend - Friday 29th May through to Sunday 31st May 2026 - the UK Games Expo is celebrating its 20th anniversary - and Fighting Fantasy gamebooks have been along for much of that ride, as can be seen in the Expo Museum.

Sir Ian Livingstone is in attendance against this year - on Stand 2-359 in Hall 2 - as is FF historian Jonathan Green, and brand manager Marc Gascoigne*.

Sir Ian will be taking part in a number of events across the weekend:

2:30pm - 3:30pm on Friday, 29th May - Main Stage, Hall 1: Life is a Game talk

11:30am - 12.30pn on Saturday, 29th May - Main Stage, Hall 1: 20 Years of Gaming panel with Luke Gygax and Steve Jackson (US)

2:00pm - 3.30pm on Saturday, 30th May - Toute Suite: City of Thieves playthrough with John Robertson

You will also be able to pick up copies of Magic Realms, Dice Men, and even a few copies of the hardback edition of The Warlock of Firetop Mountain - all from Stand 2-359.

If you are attending the UK Games Expo this weekend, stop by and say hello, and may your STAMINA never fail!

* Please note that Marc Gascoigne will be attending on the Saturday only.

Sir Ian Livingstone at the UK Games Expo 2026

From Friday 29th May - Sunday 31st May 2026, Sir Ian Livingstone will be attending the UK Games Expo at the NEC on the outskirts of Birmingham. You will find him on Stand 2-359, along with FF alumni Marc Gascoigne* and Jonathan Green.

Sir Ian is also taking part in two events.

2.30pm-3.30pm on Friday, 29th May, Main Stage, Hall 1:  Life is a Game

Ian will give an entertaining and visual account of his struggles as an entrepreneur in the 1970s when he and Steve Jackson founded Games Workshop and launched Dungeons & Dragons and Warhammer in Europe. He will tell the origin story of the multi-million-selling Fighting Fantasy gamebook series from its launch in 1982 with The Warlock of Firetop Mountain up to the present day with the announcement of a new title written by Ian coming out at Fighting Fantasy Fest 6.

2.00pm-3.30pm on Saturday, 30th May, Toute Suite: City of Thieves play through with John Robertson

Take the journey to Port Blacksand and help Ian lure a comedian to his doom for charity! 

(This sold out almost immediately, hence it is no longer shown on the UK Games Expo website.)

* Saturday only.

Happy Christmas from Fighting Fantasy

There have been a number of exciting developments in the worlds of Fighting Fantasy over the course of 2025.

The year started in January with the news that Marc Gascoigne had been appointed as the new FF Brand Manager and in February Steve Jackson Games launched a crowdfunding campaign to publish the first five of a projected 50 titles in the United States. (The Kickstarter for the second five titles is live now.)

Over the course of the year, more titles were added to Tin Man Games' Fighting Fantasy Classics library, including Starship Traveller, Eye of the Dragon, Crypt of the Sorcerer, and Scorpion Swamp.

In 2025, fans got to see Ulisses Spiele's Fighting Fantasy Quest: The Warlock of Firetop Mountain for the first time, it was announced that Sound Realms would be turning Fighting Fantasy gamebooks into audio adventures, Advanced Fighting Fantasy was released on Foundry Virtual Tabletop, and new editions of some classic FF titles were published in Finland.

One of the highlights of the year was the release of the new collector's hardback of The Warlock of Firetop Mountain, featuring new cover art by the extremely talented Karl Kopinski.

Another classic FF gamebook got a makeover when, with Steve Jackson's permission, Morten Gottschalck wrote some additional content for Starship Traveller, so that future editions will feature the classic 'Turn to 400', while recently Blue Giant Studios' Fighting Fantasy Heroes appeared on MyMiniFactory.

And, of course, in October, sadly we lost FF artist Pete Knifton.

Pete Knifton, 1958-2025

So, what does 2026 have in store for the world's preimere gamebook series?

Will there be a new adventure published next year? You'll have to wait and see. Will there be another Fighting Fantasy Fest? Yes, in September*. Will there be more ways to enjoy the worlds of Fighting Fantasy than ever before? We can only hope.

What we can tell you for sure is that the Kickstarter to produce the next five FF books in the new Steve Jackson Games' editions concludes at New Year. So, don't delay and pledge your support today!

* Look out for more news in the New Year.

Marc Gascoigne interviewed by Jordan Sorcery

Fighting Fantasy brand manager Marc Gascoigne has been interviewed by Jordan Sorcery about his involvement with the world's permier gamebook series over the years. And you can watch it here...

40 years of Seas of Blood

2025 marks 40 years since the publication of Seas of Blood (FF16). In a series of books in which YOU  are the Hero, in 1985 you got to play a bad guy for the first time.

The city of Tak is the greatest den of thieves, pirates and cut-throats that the civilized world has ever seen!

In this city of scum, there are two pirates infamous for their ruthless greed, their daring raids and their countless skirmishes with death. One of these villains is Abdul the Butcher. The other is YOU. Only one of you can be King of the Pirates. A wager is laid, a race is on. But which of you will win?

Two dice, a pencil and an eraser are all you need for this rip-roaring adventure. YOU decide which course to sail, which dangers to risk and which monsters to fight.

The adventure was written by Andrew Chapman, who had already had two science fiction Fighting Fantasy adventures published - Space Assassin and The Rings of Kether.

Seas of Blood saw the hero take on the role of captain of the pirate ship Banshee, who undertakes a contest with rival buccaneer Abdul the Butcher. Whichever one reaches the island of Nippur within fifty days, and with the most gold, will be declared King of Pirates

The adventure is unusual because it allowed for combat between vessels, and between the Banshee and seas monsters, utilising both CREW STRIKE and CREW STRENGTH scores.

Seas of Blood was illustrated by Bob Harvey, his second of four contributions in the gamebook series...

... and bore a cover by the legendary album cover artist Rodney Matthews.

Matthews’ art medium of choice is pigmented acrylic ink: “I do it with those inks because they’re transparent, or at least translucent, and you can build up the colour gradually,” says the artist. “That’s why I use them, so you don’t overstate something, you can build it up and keep in control of things.”

But while the cover implies a Classical theme, the adventure itself (as older FF fans will know already) has a more strongly Arabian feel to it. And the reason for this mix-up? According to Matthews, it was down to a junior editor at Puffin misleading the artist when he was given the cover brief.

Despite this mix-up, Matthews is still proud of his involvement with Fighting Fantasy, however fleeting it might have been: “I enjoyed doing the cover. I think it probably enhanced the book, but a bit inaccurately.”

As with a number of locations from the other early Fighting Fantasy gamebooks, when FF editor Marc Gascoigne set about compiling Titan – The Fighting Fantasy World, the lands surrounding the Inland Sea, where Seas of Blood is set, were slotted into the newly-created continent of Khul.

However, the book’s author, Andrew Chapman, had already developed a more extensive geography and history for the lands of the Inland Sea which he would later go on to use in two more books – one of which, Ashkar the Magnificent, features the same map as appeared in Seas of Blood – as well as the unpublished FF adventure Deathlord.

Marc Gascoigne Announced as new Fighting Fantasy Brand Manager

LONDON, UK  |  23 JANUARY 2025

Steve Jackson and Sir Ian Livingstone, the co-creators of Fighting Fantasy, have recruited Marc Gascoigne as Brand Manager of the bestselling gamebook series. The classic series of adventure gamebooks, which began in 1982 with The Warlockof Firetop Mountain, continues to thrive with new titles being published by Scholastic UK, together with digital and audio editions, role-playing and board games, miniatures, and a growing range of licensed merchandise.

With more than 20 million books sold in over 30 languages, Fighting Fantasy remains a truly global phenomenon. The series will be returning to US bookstores in mid-2025 with 10 titles being published by Steve Jackson Games Inc (run by the other Steve Jackson in the USA).

Marc will be supporting existing Fighting Fantasy licensees, as well as seeking out appropriate partners for new ventures. Long-time Fighting Fantasy fans will already be familiar with Marc’s work from the legendary sourcebooks Titan—the Fighting Fantasy World and the Fighting Fantasy monster collection Out of the Pit, the gamebook Battleblade Warrior, and two Fighting Fantasy novels. He was also the series’ consultant editor in the 1990s for Puffin Books, before building a career in fantasy fiction as publisher of Games Workshop’s Black Library range of Warhammer novels, and later with his own award winning imprint Angry Robot.

Sir Ian Livingstone said: “We are delighted to have Marc join us to further promote and build Fighting Fantasy worldwide. A respected expert of the genre, he will be an invaluable member of the Fighting Fantasy team. May his STAMINA never fail!” 

Sir Ian Livingstone and Marc Gascoigne at Dragonmeet 2024.

You can read the full press release here.

Remembering Russ Nicholson

Sir Ian Livingstone joined industry veterans Marc Gascoigne (author of Titan, Out of the Pit, Battleblade Warrior, and much more), Dave Morris (co-author of The Keep of the Lich Lord), and James Wallis, to reminisce about the legend of fantasy art that was Russ Nicholson.

You can watch the discussion about his life and work, which was hosted by Inside the Rookery, below.

Marvel's Multiverse Missions launching at Fighting Fantasy Fest 4!

In something of a coup for Fighting Fantasy Fest, the first place you will be able to get hold of physical copies of Marvel's much-anticipated Multiverse Missions gamebooks in the UK is at FFF4 on Saturday 3 September.

Both books have been written by renowned game designer Tim Dedopulos, while the mastermind behind the new series is none other than Aconyte Books' Publishing Director, and Fighting Fantasy alumnus, Marc Gascoigne. Marc will also be attending Fighting Fantasy Fest again this year, and taking part in an author panel as well as signing books for fans.

FF consultant editor and author Marc Gascoigne

Unfortunately, previously announced guests Jamie Thomson, Malcolm Barter and Gary Mayes, are no longer able to attend FFF4.

Blast from the Past! Seas of Blood

Having already had two science fiction Fighting Fantasy adventures published (Space Assassin and The Rings of Kether) Andrew Chapman’s third contribution to the FF series, was Seas of Blood (FF16).

Seas of Blood saw the hero take on the role of captain of the pirate ship Banshee, who undertakes a contest with rival buccaneer Abdul the Butcher. Whichever one reaches the island of Nippur within fifty days, and with the most gold, will be declared King of Pirates

The adventure is unusual because it allowed for combat between vessels, and between the Banshee and seas monsters, utilising both CREW STRIKE and CREW STRENGTH scores.

Seas of Blood was illustrated by Bob Harvey, his second of four contributions in the gamebook series...

... and bore a cover by the legendary album cover artist Rodney Matthews.

Matthews’ art medium of choice is pigmented acrylic ink. “I do it with those inks because they’re transparent, or at least translucent, and you can build up the colour gradually,” says the artist. “That’s why I use them, so you don’t overstate something, you can build it up and keep in control of things.”

But while the cover implies a Classical theme, the adventure itself (as older FF fans will know already) has a more strongly Arabian feel to it. And the reason for this mix-up? According to Matthews, it was down to a junior editor at Puffin misleading the artist when he was given the cover brief.

Despite this mix-up, Matthews is still proud of his involvement with Fighting Fantasy, however fleeting it might have been: “I enjoyed doing the cover. I think it probably enhanced the book, but a bit inaccurately.”

As with a number of locations from the other early Fighting Fantasy gamebooks, when FF editor Marc Gascoigne set about compiling Titan – The Fighting Fantasy World, the lands surrounding the Inland Sea, where Seas of Blood is set, were slotted into the newly-created continent of Khul.

However, the book’s author, Andrew Chapman, had already developed a more extensive geography and history for the lands of the Inland Sea which he would later go on to use in two more books – one of which, Ashkar the Magnificent, features the same map as appeared in Seas of Blood – as well as the unpublished FF adventure Deathlord.

Blast from the Past! Portal of Evil

Thirty years ago, Puffin Books published the 37th book in the Fighting Fantasy series - although the book didn't have the number 37 appear anywhere on its cover - and the second title to be written by Peter Darvill-Evans.

Set in the area surrounding the city of Neuberg in Khul, Portal of Evil was an adventure involving magical portals and a dinosaur invasion of Titan. “I wanted to write something different,” says Darvill-Evans, “so a portal to another world of dinosaurs seemed appropriate. And everyone likes dinosaurs.”

The book featured a cover by Games Workshop artist David Gallagher cover, who had also painted the cover for Marc Gascoigne's Battleblade Warrior. “Battleblade was the first cover I did for Puffin,” says Gallagher. “I was freelancing and this was Puffin’s response to my initial approach for work.”

Portal of Evil featured illustrations by Alan Langford, back on dino duties following Battleblade Warrior and Ian Livingstone's Island of the Lizard King. “Zdeněk Burian, Ray Harryhausen and Frank Frazetta – they were my influences as far as dinosaur art went,” says Langford.

Both Peter Darvill-Evans and Alan Langford will be attending Fighting Fantasy Fest 3 in August, and talking about their collaborations. So if you have a burning question you would like to ask either of them, make sure you book your place at the Convention of Firetop Mountain today!