Showing posts with label Olly Mc. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Olly Mc. Show all posts

Friday, 27 October 2023

Ten Classic Horror-themed Fighting Fantasy Gamebooks

Halloween is next Tuesday, so today we open the vault to revisit some classic horror-themed Fighting Fantasy gamebooks.

House of Hell, by Steve Jackson

Taking refuge in the infamous House of Hell has to be the worst mistake of your life! The dangers of the torrential storm outside are nothing compared to the blood-curdling adventures that await you inside. Who knows how many hapless wanderers like yourself have perished within its gruesome walls? Be warned! Tonight is going to be a night to remember ... Two dice, a pencil and an eraser are all you need to make your journey. YOU decide which way to go, which dangers to risk and which monsters to fight.

 

Talisman of Death, by Mark Smith & Jamie Thomson

The once-peaceful world of Orb is in terrible danger! Dark forces are at work to unleash the awesome might of the Evil One, but their plans cannot be completed without the legendary Talisman of Death. YOU are the one who carries the Talisman, and only YOU can stop the Dark forces. YOUR mission is to destroy the Talisman before the dark lord's minions reach you. But beware! Time is running out! Two dice, a pencil and an eraser are all you need to make your journey. YOU decide which way to go, which dangers to risk and which monsters to fight.

Beneath Nightmare Castle, by Peter Darvill-Evans

Creatures from your worst nightmares lie beneath Neuberg Keep! In this book, you find yourself in Neuburg, once a pleasant town in Khul, but now home to the vile monsters begotten of warped sorcery. An age-old horror has been re-awoken deep beneath the Keep, and it is up to you to face it and free the town and your friend, Baron Tholdur, from evil enchantment. But beware! Deep underground lie hideous traps and terrors, waiting to ensnare you! Will you succeed? Only if you are the resourceful hero you claim to be ... Two dice, a pencil and an eraser are all you need for this adventure. YOU decide which routes to follow, which dangers to risk and which monsters to fight.

Vault of the Vampire, by Keith Martin

Can you put an end to Count Heydrich's evil reign of terror? YOU are a hardy adventurer and have journeyed to the icy mountains of Mauristatia in search of great wealth and fortune ... but what you find there makes your blood run cold. You discover by chance the terrible secret of the local villagers. Can YOU free them from the evil tyranny of the bloodthirsty Count, or will you too succumb to a horrifying fate? Two dice, a pencil and an eraser are all you need. YOU decide which paths to take, which dangers to risk and which foes to fight!

Dead of Night, by Jim Bambra & Stephen Hand

The Demon Lord Myurr seeks revenge! YOU are renowned throughout the land as a Demon-Stalker, waging war against the creatures of Chaos. More than once you have thwarted the Demon Lord's evil schemes, but now Myurr has discovered a cunning way of exacting his revenge. There is no alternative. YOU must confront and destroy the Demon Lord, for the whole of the free world is threatened! Myurr's evil powers may soon enable him and hordes of his vile demons to cross from the Demonic into the Earthly Plane! Two dice, a pencil and an eraser are all you need. YOU decide which paths to take, which dangers to risk and which foes to fight!

Island of the Undead, by Keith Martin

Ancient evil has come to Solani Island! The mysterious sorcerers of Solani Island have protected the local people from danger for many years. Now, it seems, their power has been usurped. An evil force holds sway across the land, an evil that seems to hold the power over life and death itself! A hero is urgently needed to journey to Solani Island and discover what has happened to the wizards. Dare YOU be that adventurer? Who knows what terrible fate awaits you on the island where death rules? There is only one way to find out. Are YOU brave enough to solve the mystery of Solani Island?

Revenge of the Vampire, by Keith Martin

Count Heydrich, Vampire, is back from the dead! A half-forgotten evil has arisen from the grave to stalk the Old World in search of fresh blood and new victims to enslave. Count Reiner Heydrich, undead Vampire Lord, is ancient beyond the reckoning of mortals. This time, however, there is someone on his trail, a brave hero who is determined that he shall not succeed in his evil plans. That someone is YOU!


Howl of the Werewolf
, by Jonathan Green

Lupravia is a cursed land; a chill place of snow-capped mountains, brooding forests and mist-shrouded moors, haunted by the spirits of the restless dead. Peasants struggle daily with survival, living in constant fear of attacks from ravenous wild beasts. Only the foolhardy or insane would willingly pass beyond its borders and enter that benighted realm of predators. But enter you must, after a vicious wolf attack sets you on the path to murder and madness. Steadily succumbing to the call of the wild and the beast within, YOU must seek out a cure to your condition before the next full moon. But how long can you survive in a land where the powers of darkness hold sway and all live in fear of the Howl of the Werewolf? Part story, part game, this is a book with a difference - one in which you become the hero! A pencil and an eraser are all you need to make your journey. YOU decide which route to take, which creatures to fight & which dangers to risk.


Night of the Necromancer
, by Jonathan Green

Returning to your castle home, Valsinore, after three years away crusading against the forces of darkness, it seems as though evil has been laid to rest. But then, out of nowhere, you are cut down in the final stages of your journey. Caught between the living world and the Lands of the Dead, your ghostly form must battle to uncover the most malignant evil of all that has taken root in the heart of Valsinore. Before the night is out you must have your revenge or face a fate even worse than death itself.


Blood of the Zombies
, by Ian Livingstone

Terrible things are happening in Goraya castle... Insane megalomaniac Gingrich Yurr is preparing to unleash an army of monstrous zombies upon the world. He must be stopped and his undead horde defeated. In this life-or-death adventure the decisions YOU make will decide the fate of the world. Can YOU survive or will YOU become a zombie too?


Watch Sir Ian Livingstone's interview with Olly Mc of The Storymaster's Tales about Blood of the Zombies below.

Friday, 2 June 2023

Fighting Fantasy at UK Games Expo 2023

The UK Games Expo 2023 starts today, and Sir Ian will be in attendance on the Friday*. 

You will find him at Stand 2-T21 where you will be able to get your Fighting Fantasy gamebooks signed.

Also, on Saturday 3rd June 2023, Olly Mc of The Storymaster's Tales fame will be guiding John "The Dark Room" Robertson through the infamous City of Thieves* in the adventure's 40th anniversary year.

Terror stalks the night as Zanbar Bone and his bloodthirsty Moon Dogs hold the own of Silvertown to ransom. John Robertson's mission will take him to Port Blacksand's dark, twisting streets, where thieves, vagabonds and creatures of the night lie in wait as he tries to find Nicodemus. Beyond Port Blacksand lies the stronghold of the Night Prince Zanbar Bone. 

Olly and John will be playing their way through City of Thieves on Saturday 3rd June at 5:00pm in the Hilton Pavilion.

Tickets for the event are available here, and half of the revenue from each sale will be added to the UKGE Charity donations.

To find out more and book your ticket, follow this link.


 * It had previsouly been advertised that Sir Ian would be attending on Saturday as well, but he is no longer able to for personal reasons.

Friday, 19 May 2023

Sir Ian Livingstone attending UK Games Expo 2023

The UK Games Expo 2023 kicks off two weeks from today, and Sir Ian will be in attendance on Friday 2nd June.

You will find him at Stand 2-T21 where you will be able to get your Fighting Fantasy gamebooks signed.

Not only that, but on Saturday 3rd June 2023, Olly Mc of The Storymaster's Tales will be guiding John "The Dark Room" Robertson through the infamous City of Thieves* in the adventure's 40th anniversary year.

Terror stalks the night as Zanbar Bone and his bloodthirsty Moon Dogs hold the own of Silvertown to ransom. John Robertson's mission will take him to Port Blacksand's dark, twisting streets, where thieves, vagabonds and creatures of the night lie in wait as he tries to find Nicodemus. Beyond Port Blacksand lies the stronghold of the Night Prince Zanbar Bone. 

Olly and John Robertson will be playing their way through City of Thieves on Saturday 3rd June at 5:00pm in the Hilton Pavilion.

Tickets for the event are available here, and half of the revenue from each sale will be added to the UKGE Charity donations.

To find out more and book your ticket, follow this link.


Friday, 27 May 2022

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!

Friday, 20 May 2022

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.


Friday, 3 September 2021

Steve Jackson interview for International Gamebook Day 2021

As part of the International Gamebook Day celebrations last weekend, the co-creator of the Fighting Fantasy series, and co-founder of Games Workshop, Steve Jackson himself was interviewed by Olly Mc of The Storymaster's Tales.

In case you missed it at the time, or you do not use Facebook, you can watch it again now below.


If you were unaware of International Gamebook Day until now, make sure you sign up to next year's event - which will be held on the 40th anniversary of the publication of The Warlock of Firetop Mountain - here.


Tuesday, 25 August 2020

Rhianna Pratchett at International Gamebook Day

In an exciting development, Rhianna Pratchett is also going to be interviewed by Olly Mc, as part of International Gamebook Day, on this Thursday, 27th August 2020.

If you have a burning question you would like answered, you can post it here. And don't forget you can also post questions for Jamie Thomson, Russ Nicholson, Charlie Higson, and Guests of Honour Ian Livingstone here.

Rhianna Pratchett

Share the International Gamebook Day Facebook event page with all your Fighting Fanasy friends and join in the with the fun on Thursday.


Monday, 24 August 2020

International Gamebook Day - Thursday 27 August 2020

The very first International Gamebook Day is taking place on this Thursday, 27th August 2020, and Fighting Fantasy gamebooks are going to be part of the celebrations.

Co-creator of the Fighting Fantasy series Ian Livingstone is going to be Guest of Honour on the day, and will be talking to Olly Mc, of the StoryMaster's Tales, about his gamebook work, which spans almost four decades.

Ian Livingstone

Also being interviewed by Olly for the event are FF authors Charlie Higson and Jamie Thomson, and FF art legend Russ Nicholson.

Charlie Higson

Jamie Thomson

Russ Nicholson

You can get involved by letting know what you want Olly to ask his interviewees on Thursday, and the place to post them is here.

The day's festivities will conclude with a Virtual Beer-o, hosted by James Aukett, which will be kicking off at 8:00pm.

A number of companies have special offers lined up for the day, including Branching Narrative, so you will be able to pick up Deathtrap Dungeon: The Interactive Video Adventure at 50% off!



So keep an eye on the International Gamebook Day Facebook event page and join in the Fighting Fantasy fun on Thursday.