Happy Gary Gygax Day!

27 July is Gary Gygax Day. Observed on Gygax's birthday, it is an opportunity for fans pay tribute to the father of the modern RPG.

Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone first met Gary Gygax when Games Workshop and TSR were just starting out. Gary Gygax happened to see one of the free copies of Owl & Weasel, Games Workshop's first magazine. Seeking outlets for his new game, he wrote to the budding entrepreneurs, and told them about his product. Intrigued, Livingstone and Jackson gave him a call and ordered six copies of Dungeons & Dragons. (They would have ordered more, but Gygax only had six copies to sell.)

Jackson and Livingstone thought they were negotiating with a new, successful and innovative games company, selling products all over the States. Gygax thought he was dealing with a top UK games distribution company. The truth was, it was one guy in his flat selling some stuff to a couple of other guys in their flat. As Livingstone put it to Gygax some years later, it was basically two role-players role-playing at being businessmen. 

Gary Gygax, Don Turnbull, Ian Livingstone and Steve Jackson in 1979.

The three remained good friends until Gygax passed away in 2008. When Wizard Books republished Temple of Terror in 2004, Ian Livingstone wrote a new dedication for the book:

For Gary Gygax, the pioneer of fantasy role-playing games.

You can read more about Jackson and Livingstone's interactions with Gary Gygax in Dice Men: The Origin Story of Games Workshop.

Today, also marks six years since Nomad Games released Fighting Fantasy Legends on Steam. Right now you can buy the Fighting Fantasy - Collection Bundle (which includes Fighting Fantasy Legends and the Deathtrap Dungeon Trilogy) at a saving of 15%. To purchase this bundle, either click this link or the image below.

Fighting Fantasy Legends out now for Nintendo Switch!

Nomad Games' adaptation of Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone's Fighting Fantasy gamebooks, Fighting Fantasy Legends, is available to buy now from the Nintendo eShop!

Based on the classic Fighting Fantasy gamebooks by Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone, Fighting Fantasy Legends recreates the classic adventure books and adapts them into an exciting digital quest featuring three iconic books.

Create your own adventures in a dangerous land of monsters, treasures and traps in Fighting Fantasy Legends, a role-playing card game set in the world of Fighting Fantasy. Travel across the land of Allansia, rising from the ranks of an unknown adventurer to a legendary warrior. 

Play through the stories of three iconic gamebooks - City of Thieves, The Warlock of Firetop Mountain and Citadel of Chaos as you meet iconic characters such as Nicodemus the Wizard, Gareth Yaztromo and O'Seamus the Leprechaun.

If you've already downloaded the game, let the Warlock know what you think in the comments below.

Fighting Fantasy Legends is coming to Nintendo Switch

The Warlock is delighted to announce that Nomad Games' extremely popular digital adaptation of Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone's Fighting Fantasy gamebooks, Fighting Fantasy Legends, is coming to Nintendo Switch on 23rd September 2021!

Based on the classic Fighting Fantasy gamebooks by Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone, Fighting Fantasy Legends recreates the classic adventure books and adapts them into an exciting digital quest featuring three iconic books.

Create your own adventures in a dangerous land of monsters, treasures and traps in Fighting Fantasy Legends, a role-playing card game set in the world of Fighting Fantasy. Travel across the land of Allansia, rising from the ranks of an unknown adventurer to a legendary warrior. 

Play through the stories of three iconic gamebooks - City of Thieves, The Warlock of Firetop Mountain and Citadel of Chaos as you meet iconic characters such as Nicodemus the Wizard, Gareth Yaztromo and O'Seamus the Leprechaun.

So put the date in your diary and don't forget to visit the Nintendo eShop on 23rd September 2021!

The 12 Fighting Fantasy Days of Christmas - Day 10

If you have yet to pick up Nomad Games' Fighting Fantasy Legends or Deathtrap Dungeon Trilogy, you will no doubt be keen to hear that Fighting Fantasy Legends will be discounted on the App Store, Steam and Google Play Store from 22/12/20 to 5/1/21, while Deathtrap Dungeon Trilogy will be discounted on the App Store, Steam, Google Play Store and Nintendo Switch eShop from 22/12/20 to 5/1/21.

Remember, you heard it here first!

Deathtrap Dungeon Trilogy - now on Nintendo Switch!

Did you know that Deathtrap Dungeon Trilogy - Nomad Games' adaptation of Ian Livingstone's popular Deathtrap Dungeon, Trial of Champions and Armies of Death gamebooks - is now available for the Nintendo Switch? If not, now is a great time to pick up for the game as it is currently on sale!

Start as a novice adventurer and rise up through the ranks in these epic tales of deadly traps, fearsome monsters and devious adversaries. Relive these exciting adventures in a whole new way – by powering up your Skill and Luck dice and collecting powerful cards to help you on your quests. Featuring a detailed branching narrative system and multiple difficulty levels, relive these classic adventures like never before!

Delving into Deathtrap Dungeon

With the release of Branching Narrative's Deathtrap Dungeon: The Interactive Video Adventure this week, there are now more ways than ever to take on Baron Sukumvit's devious maze of misery.

If you're up to undertaking an epic quest, there's Nomad Games' Deathtrap Dungeon Trilogy, which is now available for the Nintendo Switch.

Like to game on the move? Then Tin Man Games' adaptation is for you.

If you're in the mood to simply listen to the story, rather than interact with the dungeon yourself, then there's the Fighting Fantasy audio drama Deathtrap Dungeon: The Last Champion, by David N. Smith.

Like it old school? Then there's this magical tome.

And tickets are still available for The StoryMaster's Tales Deathtrap Dungeon LIVE, which is happening at this year's UK Games Expo in Birmingham.

So, do you fancy taking a walk this weekend... through Deathtrap Dungeon?

What do you get the adventurer who has everything?

On the Earthly Plane, the festive season has arrived and the passing days are creeping ever closer to the Feast of the Nativity. Doubtless your mind has turned to the buying and receiving of gifts, but what can you give the Fighting Fantasy fan in your life this Christmas?

How about Nomad Games' Deathtrap Dungeon Trilogy on Switch?

Or how about one of the new Fighting Fantasy releases from Scholastic Books, including Ian Livingstone's new gamebook, Assassins of Allansia?

What about a late pledge to Dice Men, the history of the first ten years of Games Workshop, the company co-founded by Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone, ready for next Christmas?

Or maybe a copy of Jonathan Green's history of the FF phenomenon, YOU ARE THE HERO?

     

But if you really want to give your favourite FF adventurer a truly unique gift, and support a worthy charity in the process, you could bid to win The Ian Livingstone CBE experience of Deathtrap Dungeon.

You (or another FF fan) could get to play the new video game of Deathtrap Dungeon between 4.30pm and 6.30pm on 30th January 2020 with Ian Livingstone CBE.

This is the version of the game being developed by Branching Narrative, and stars British actor Eddie Marsan (Ray Donovan, Fast & Furious Presents Hobbs and Shaw, Deadpool 2), who will act as the narrator in the game and guide in a high-quality interactive video production that faithfully recreates the beloved fantasy book.

Branching Narrative’s Deathtrap Dungeon will be delivered as a video stream that prompts the user to make choices and direct the flow, and should offer enhanced gameplay over other ‘interactive movie’ type games, fully utilising the mechanics from the book.

Please note, if the person playing the game is under 18, they will need to be accompanied by an adult (someone over 18) to take part in The Ian Livingstone CBE experience of Deathtrap Dungeon.

But don't delay, there isn't much time left...

Dragonmeet 2019 with Special Guest Ian Livingstone

Ian Livingstone is appearing at Dragonmeet today, signing copies of his latest Fighting Fantasy gamebook, Assassins of Allansia, as well as copies of Board Games in 100 Moves.

      

Atlantis Miniatures, the company producing the 28mm range of Fighting Fantasy figurines, is also attending the event, as are FF author and historian Jonathan Green, and FF artist Tony Hough.

In other news, Nomad Games' adaptation of the Deathtrap Dungeon trilogy is now available for Nintendo Switch.

Deathtrap Dungeon is coming to Nintendo Switch

Nomad Games' Deathtrap Dungeon trilogy is coming to Nintendo Switch on Wednesday 20th November! This news will no doubt for of interest to owner of Tin Man Games' The Warlock of Firetop Mountain on Switch, as well as fans of Ian Livingstone's classic gamebooks.

Have you tried the award-winning Fighting Fantasy Legends Portal video game yet?

That's right, Fighting Fantasy Legends Portal can officially be referred to as an award-winning game after winning the 'Heritage Award' at the TIGA* Videogame Awards, hosted at the Guildhall in London last night.

Carl Jackson of Nomad Games holding the TIGA Heritage Award.

Based on the Deathtrap Dungeon trilogy by Ian Livingstone - featuring the gamebooks Deathtrap Dungeon, Trial of Champions and Armies of Death - you can play as a novice adventurer and rise up through the ranks to saviour of the world in this epic tale of deadly traps, fearsome monsters and devious adversaries.

Congratulations to Carl and the team at Nomad Games! Enjoy a mug of Skullbuster on us - but just the one mind.

You can try Fighting Fantasy Legends Portal for yourself here.

* TIGA = The Independent Game Developers' Association

Fighting Fantasy Legends Portal is here!

It's what Fighting Fantasy fans and gamers alike have been waiting for. After it was first announced by Ian Livingstone at the UK Games Expo, Fighting Fantasy Legends Portal is now available to download via Steam.

Based on the Deathtrap Dungeon trilogy by Ian Livingstone - featuring the gamebooks Deathtrap Dungeon, Trial of Champions and Armies of Death - you can play as a novice adventurer and rise up through the ranks to saviour of the world in this epic tale of deadly traps, fearsome monsters and devious adversaries.

So what are you waiting for? Download Fighting Fantasy Legends Portal today!

Win a copy of Nomad Games' Fighting Fantasy Legends this Free RPG Day!

This Free RPG Day, you could win one of 10 Steam keys for Nomad Games’ Fighting Fantasy Legends.

All you have to do is 'Like' and 'Retweet' this Tweet, and then reply, completing this statement: "If I could step through a portal to the Fighting Fantasy world I would..."

Entries must be submitted via Twitter and the 10 winners will be selected on Sunday.

Fighting Fantasy at UK Games Expo 2018

Last weekend, Ian Livingstone attended the UK Games Expo and was greeted by a host of grateful fans, who asked him to sign their much-loved and well-thumbed Fighting Fantasy gamebooks, or took selfies with the gaming legend, or interviewed him for their podcasts and YouTube channels.

Highlights of the event included Ian's live reading of Deathtrap Dungeon, in which he lured The Dark Room's John Robertson to his death again and again and again. The tables were turned later than same evening, when Ian was lured to his death in The Dark Room, although he did walk away with a flamboyant potato for his troubles.

On the Saturday, Ian gave a talk about the history of Games Workshop and also broke the exclusive news that Nomad games are launching Fighting Fantasy Legends Portal later this month.

All Rolled Up were also there, selling their Fighting Fantasy licensed products, including dice trays and bags.

Thank you to everyone who came along to Stand 2-C2 over the course of the weekend to say hello, and it was great to see so many fans passing the torch to the next generation. May your STAMINA never fail!

Asmodee Digital and Nomad Games announce Fighting Fantasy Legends Portal

The news has broken this weekend, at the UK Games Expo, that Nomad Games are releasing a sequel to their hugely popular and successful game Fighting Fantasy Legends...

Fighting Fantasy Legends Portal is a gateway to adventure in the Fighting Fantasy world!

Play as a novice adventurer and rise up through the ranks to saviour of the world in this epic tale of deadly traps, fearsome monsters and devious adversaries. Play three classic Fighting Fantasy gamebooks by author Ian Livingstone - Deathtrap Dungeon, Trial of Champions and Armies of Death.

DEATHTRAP DUNGEON is an adventure through a deadly labyrinth. Countless adventurers before you have taken up the challenge, but none have survived.

TRIAL OF CHAMPIONS sees you return to the deadly labyrinth where new traps and terrors, mazes and monsters, await your every turn.

ARMIES OF DEATH approach from the east, and you must build up a force of veteran fighters to confront Agglax the Shadow Demon.

Re-live these exciting adventures in a whole new way - powering up your Skill and Luck dice and collecting powerful cards to help you on your quests.

These three books are just the start of your adventure - more content will be added!

Features List

• Officially licensed game based on the multi-million selling Fighting Fantasy gamebooks.
• A card-based RPG with Rogue-like elements.
• A detailed branching narrative system ensures that no two games are ever the same.
• Uses the classic Skill/Stamina/Luck attributes from the gamebooks.
• Unlock monster cards in your Creature Codex.
• Earn XP and level-up your Skill & Luck dice.
• Three difficulty levels.
• Take on powerful beasts from the Fighting Fantasy world such as the Bloodbeast, the Pit Fiend and Agglax the Shadow Demon.
• Unlock character Titles based on your choices.

Fighting Fantasy Legends Portal is published by Asmodee Digital and will be available on Steam (PC/Mac), Google Play and the App Store soon.

Can you write an entire story in one tweet?

How would you like to win a copy of Nomad Games' Fighting Fantasy Legends, as well as Scholastic Books' new editions of the original Fighting Fantasy books that inspired the game?

If you would, all you have to do is write a story about a caveman, a librarian and a mouse – all character that appear within the game - in one tweet!

You have until Monday 30th April 2018 to enter and full terms and conditions can be found here.

Fighting Fantasy Classics

After a number of months in development, Tin Man Games have finally released the much anticipated Fighting Fantasy Classics, which is now available to download from the App Store.

Fighting Fantasy Classics is a brand new library app for iOS that will also be released on Android and PC/Mac very soon. The app will ultimately collect together many of your favourite Fighting Fantasy gamebooks from the 1980s until now!

The app is free to download and the Tin Man has very generously included Jonathan Green’s Bloodbones for FREE, with The Warlock of Firetop Mountain, The Citadel of Chaos, City of Thieves, The Forest of Doom, Caverns of the Snow Witch, and Island of the Lizard King available to buy for just $1.99USD for a limited time!

There are plenty more releases to look forward to as well, including Deathtrap Dungeon, Freeway Fighter, Sword of the Samurai, Trial of Champions, Temple of Terror, and many more. Tin Man Games will also be re-releasing House of Hell, Starship Traveller, Appointment with F.E.A.R. and Blood of the Zombies in this new/old format!

To find out more, simply follow this link to the Tin Man Games blog.



This week, Nomad Games also announced that they have a new publishing partner for their FF game Fighting Fantasy Legends. And that partner is Asmodee Digital, the folks behind many digital ports of tabletop favourites.