White Dwarf Wednesday #18

It's April/May 1980.  Bon Scott has been replaced with Brian Johnson in AC/DC, Ronnie James Dio is in for Ozzy in Black Sabbath and a photo of the USS Enterprise has replaced fantasy art on the cover of White Dwarf #18.

This is issue is full of big news.  First off, though in the form of an ad, we see that TSR Hobbies has arrived and is open for business in the UK.  They open their doors on March 31, 1980.  Don Turnbull will be in charge.

The next full page ad is one for Tunnels & Trolls.  Like so much else in this OSR world this ad could run right now and still work.

Ian Livingstone asks "Why do people like playing role-playing games?"  It is interesting because now we are getting more "RPGs" and less "SF/F Games".  American influence I am thinking.

Next up we get a fairly detailed minatures game for Star Trek the Motion Picture. No idea if they got the permission to do this or not, but it is a pretty detailed game (4 pages).  You do need the minis to play, but those were new from Citadel Miniatures,  so easy to get.  The game assumes you are using these, but they also state others can be used.

We have some reviews in Open Box.  A psychic battle game based on the Darkover novels (9/10).  Swordquest from the new Task Force Games gets a 6/10. Dra'k'ne Station from Judges Guild for Traveller gets 8/10.

Albie Foire gives us a very detailed (6 pages, 3 new monsters) mini-adventure for D&D, The Halls of Tizun Thane.  Oddly enough this lists 3-6 players with 6-12 characters.  This is the only adventure I have seen where the assumption is people will be playing more than one character.

Treasure chest gives us some very useful tables on weather conditions by season.  As well as some random NPC generators.

Fiend Factory gives us four also-ran monsters; Mandrake People, Hounds of Kerenos, Phung, and the Couerl.  All have Monstermark ratings and all come from various Sf/F novels.
We also get the top 10 and bottom 5 FF monsters as chosen by the readers.



Top 10
1. Necrophidius
2. Russian Doll Monster
3. Svart
4. Needleman
5. Hook Horror
6. Githyanki
7. Imps
8. Volt
9. Urchin
10. Dahdi

Bottom 5
1. Nas Nas (the worst)
2. Dahdi (both lists)
3. Withra
4. Stinwicodech
5. Pebble Gnome

The Magic Brush is back with mini painting tips.

Finally 6 pages of classifieds and ads.  Ending with a new ad for TSR's Top Secret game.

The type seems denser and the quality of the work seems better than the last couple of issues and I think we are entering another growth period for WD.  Looking forward to the rest of 1980.



BTW here is that T&T ad.  Still works today.

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Amazing Adventures

As you know I have recently been turned on to the fantastic Castles & Crusades game by my son.
It is really cool and it really does feel like 1st Ed AD&D.

But does it feel like Gangbusters?

Well my friend Jason Vey aims to find out with his new game out from Troll Lords called Amazing Adventures.
http://www.trolllord.com/cnc/aa_preorder.html

Here is the sales blurb:

Amazing Adventures

Siege Engine Game for the Pulp Era
Product Type/Format & Price: Softcover; 176 pages; $24.99
Written By: Jason Vey
Ordering Info: TLG 7601, ISBN: 978-1-936822-02-7

"Pulp: Hard-boiled detectives, fedora-wearing action heroes, and steampunk gadgeteers rocketing to battle with their jet packs against bloodthirsty Thule cultists of the Third Reich." 


That's when all Hell broke loose. The back window shattered, there was a distinct "ZING!" sound, and the front window followed suit. Kate let out a yelp and jerked the wheel, sending us into a fishtail. I grabbed the door frame and held on for dear life while drawing my Colt 1911. I looked over my shoulder, and sure enough there was that pink Model T. I couldn't see if Frenchie was behind the wheel; too much sun glare off the windows. But two goons leaned out. At first I assumed they just had pistols. I leaned out the window to draw a bead, and that's when the one goon opened up with a bloody fire-spewing hand-cannon.


I ducked back into the car. "Great," I muttered. "Just my luck. The SOB's got a Tommy Gun."


Kate snorted. "Look at the bright side. He can't aim very well on full auto."


"That's a bright side?"

Another long burst of fire went wild into the air. Tires squealed as cars bootlegged around us, and the screams of bystanders rang out.

Kate jerked the wheel left, down a narrow alley, just as I pulled up to lean out again. I nearly toppled head-first out the window into a wall. My fedora flew off my head.
This was definitely turning into a bad day.

"Geez, Doll, watch it!" I said, and squeezed off a couple shots as the goon with the Thompson tried to reload. He ducked back into the car while his buddy returned fire.

Welcome to two-fisted adventure with the SIEGE engine!

Amazing Adventures, the newest core game powered by Troll Lord Games' celebrated SIEGE engine, allows you to create any type of pulp adventure hero you want, and customize them as you like! Be it arcane scholars, mentalists, tomb-raiding archaeologists, Asian martial arts masters, or gangsters and G-Men, this game has you covered. And best of all, if you're a fan of Castles & Crusades, you can pick this game up and get playing in a matter of minutes! Inside this book you'll find:

• Eight brand new character classes: Arcanist, Gadgeteer, Gumshoe, Hooligan, Mentalist, Pugilist, Raider, and Socialite
• Character customization options: Generic Class Abilities, Traits, Backgrounds, Fate Points, Pulp Costumes, Sanity rules, and more!
• A streamlined presentation of the SIEGE engine, which uses a single Challenge Base
• Rules for vehicular combat
• Guidelines on how to run a pulp game
• A complete Monster section with all kinds of pulp beasties from giant apes to Lovecraftian horrors
• A complete starting adventure for 4-6 new pulp heroes
• And tons more!

I think I am really going to enjoy this game.  It is in pre-order now (I happen to know for a fact the game is done) and there are some sweet pre-order incentives.

I also understand that it is 95% to 100% compatible with the C&C books you own right now.  So all those monster books I bought can now roam the streets of New York OR a pulp-inspired Greyhawk.  "The dame was from Urnst. My daddy always said never trust a dame from Urnst. But I don't have to trust her, just work for her." 

So please check it out and pre-order.
http://www.trolllord.com/cnc/aa_preorder.html

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COSPLAY: The Series (Interview with Eka & Yogi)

In the bridging period of COSPLAY: The Series Season 1 towards Season 2, I did an interview with the cast of CTS. The last few interview entries I published can be found in the links below.

• Interview with Agnesya, Annisa, Anya
• Interview with Bonni Rambatan (Producer)

Today, the limelight has finally been shifted towards the males in the series. Featuring Ikhsan Maulan and Bram Agusta who acted as the Hentai Eka and the Hacker Yogi respectively. Pretty interesting that the male characters in the series all have a somewhat negative moniker except Vincent Sempai xD

	Ikhsan Maulan as  Eka Ananta
	Bram Agusta as Baskara Prayogi

 

TCC: How did you get the role and what was your first reaction/thought?

 IM: I was surprised at first, but why not try it!

 BA: I got the role by accident! We were just hanging out, and I was selected! *laughs*

BR (Producer): Ah, it sounds so terrible when you put it that way! *laughs* We couldn’t get a suitable talent for Yogi, and I really wanted to have a hacker in the group, and then we saw Ibam sitting there just typing on his laptop, and he seemed pretty fitting! Originally, his role was a minor one, a guy who was in love with Annisa, but that character got deleted in the final few revisions because time restrictions of our episodes won’t allow us to develop their relationship properly.

TCC: Did you have to sacrifice anything (school, homework, club activities, work, partners, family, etc) to take part in this series?

IM: Nope!

BA: Nothing really, since production happened during holidays for me when I really had nothing else to do!

TCC: How was the whole filming process like? Describe with details :D!

IM: It was cool... I’ve enjoyed acting since I was a kid, anyway.

BA: The process was so awesome!! So much laughter, but also very tiring... As a photographer, I also learned so much from the series’ cinematographer Fadli Rozi!

TCC: Have you ever acted before? How was it like to be an actor/actress?

IM: Yes, ever since I was in kindergarten, I’ve always been a school or neighborhood representative for one of those quiz shows on TV, so I’m pretty used to it.

BA: I’ve never acted for a film before, this was the first. I usually act for cabaret performances.

TCC: How was it like working with Bonni Rambatan/ Producer and the entire crew?

IM: It was exciting!!! A lot of friends, a lot of learning new skills and knowledge, simply exciting. I had nothing else to do at the time besides filming, too!

BA: Working with them makes me feel like I was in a sitcom! *laughs* It was just sooo fun, so random, and filled with laughter!

TCC: Okay, something totally different. What’s your favorite Ice cream and why?

IM: Vanilla and chocolate! They just taste so good!

BA: I don’t really like ice cream because I have sensitive teeth.

TCC: Which Anime/Manga/Game character would you date and why?

IM: Hmm... Akasia Moka, Fate Testarosa... Because they’re voiced by Nana Mizuki!

BA: Um... I don’t know, I’ve never felt any kind of special attraction towards anime girls, but if I have to answer this question, maybe Maho Minami from Beck?

TCC: Are you reallllly that openly hentai in Real life? Where do you store your prized collection? (don’t worry, we’ll make sure your mom don’t find out hehe)

IM: *laughs* No, I’m actually a good and pretty straightforward guy. I’m only openly hentai to close friends. *laughs* I don’t have a collection since I don’t really know where to buy those stuff around here!

BR: *laughs* Remember that Yoko oppai mouse pad? That was actually mine. I’m guessing I’m the openly hentai one here! *laughs*

TCC: Please don’t tell me the character name is based off the fact that you actually look a little like Yogi Bear! *laughs*

BA: No, definitely not, because I don’t look like Yogi Bear! Well, maybe a little... *laughs*

TCC: Yogi’s presence as a Hacker is pretty weird considering it’s a Cosplay club. Why do you think Yogi joined and stayed in the club??

BA: I think Yogi joins the club because he loves anime, too, and because he finds his greatest friends there. He’s well versed in cyber law and memes and stuff, which is highly useful to the club.

BR: The original script has a lot more to tell about Yogi that was deleted in the revisions. Originally, I wanted to talk a lot more about the interconnection of Japanese culture and Internet memes, copyright law vs. scanlations and fansubs, the whole bunch, so we needed a character who could very well be a member of Anonymous or something (originally, Yogi was also much more antisocial). In the end we decided to delete all those because it wasn’t very relevant, but we kept the hacker character anyway as it was required to advance the plot.

TCC: Tell us something about yourself that is totally different from your character!

IM: I never play around with girls because I’m quite strict about being loyal to only one partner.

BA: Well, I’m not a thief like Yogi! *laughs* I’m pretty good with computers, but I’m not what you’d call a hacker like Yogi. Also I don’t think I would need better ninja skills. *laughs*

TCC: How far do you think Cosplay: The Series would go?

IM: I think it will keep on sailing smoothly... As smooth as the thighs of moe girls... *laughs*

BA: As far as we can go!

TCC: Does the series have any affect on your life?

IM: I think so... I get more shy when people recognize me, for instance.

BA: New friends! And of course the knowledge and experience of filmmaking process.

TCC: What kind of future do you foresee for the hobby ‘Cosplay’?

IM: I think people will realize how positive a hobby cosplay is, because it really trains you to be creative and embrace teamwork. Personally, cosplaying has been a huge positive step for me. My old hobby was street motor racing, which is very dangerous to myself and others. I’m glad I turned to cosplay instead.

BA: I think more and more people will try out cosplaying, and some of those will make a living doing it.

 

*********************************************************************

Yeap, that was a lot of questions and they answered everything. Kudos to that! I hope you guys enjoyed it !

Season 3 of COSPLAY: The Series is still in the works but if you haven’t caught onto the series yet, pop over to their website and watch it now! Subscribe to their channel and liking their Facebook Page!

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White Dwarf Wednesday...

Will be a touch delayed.

Have a bunch of things at work I need to do first and the long weekend threw me off.

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Mary Pickford this Friday

This Friday I am participating in the Mary Pickford blogathon hosted over at Classic Movies.

http://www.aclassicmovieblog.com/2012/04/mary-pickford-blogathon-announcement.html
Please stop by all the bloggers participating and see what they have to say about this Hollywood Legend.

Now you might wonder what a silent screen star has to do with RPGs or Horror.  Well come back on Friday to find out how at least one of her films had a deep impact on a vast majority of my work.

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Japan May 2011, Day 2 (Shibuya 109 & Hachiko)

This entry is super backdated. It documents  the 2nd day of my trip to Japan in May 2011, shortly after the Japan Tsunami. Having too much on my plate while jostling a losing battle with my Computer eventually led me to forgetting about this entry entirely. Apologise much >.<!

Other related entries of my Japan trip can be found here –>> Link !

It was my first trip to the Mecca of Anime and I was super excited. Hope you guys enjoy sharing my experience!

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Day 2 was also a very metropolitan day. We went to see Hachiko and the famous Shibuya 109.

Commencing the entry with our lunch! Cvy is a big fan of Omaguro ( Did I get this right? japanese help ???) and we found a Maguro restaurant just around our hotel (Sunshine Prince Hotel, Ikebukuro) so we decided to walk in!

The store front

Inside the restaurant. Sorry the picture’s such bad aim =\ Was a little too embarrassed to take more >.< U

Mine. Maguro cubes and shredded omelette, I think =X

Cvy’s. Raw minced meat (can’t remember if it was beef or pork or chicken) and fish roe

A quick twin pic before we dived into our lunch. We’re more foodie people than camwhore people =x

A pretty Love Hotel just opposite the restaurant xD I wonder what’s with the Disney castle theme ?

We then took the subway to Shinjuku to visit Hachiko!

And the famously loyal dog; Hachiko! I look very lonely because Cvy refuse to take a picture with me =_=. And yes! my curls are real!! Yes, I suck at posing =P

Some green cabin thingy just in front of Hachiko. I have no idea what it was because we didn’t go in =( But I’m assuming it’s a mini museum dedicated to Hachiko of sort?

The famous Shinjuku traffic Junction. I’m so sorry my picture did the place no justice at all!

Aoi no Excorcist!

And with some walking, we managed to find the highly prized, Shibuya 109! Apparently, there is also a Shibuya Men. Guess they were not kidding when they say everyone is Japan/Tokyo is extremely particular about their appearance =X

Shibuya 109 was way smaller than I imagined and pretty unimpressive on the outside. But once you get in, things change.

Video not by me. Just random googled :D

For one, it seemed to be an awesome mid scale fashion hub for young female adults. With a variety of shops selling everything from shoes to bags.

Next, all the female sales staff looked like they came out from Popteen or Vivi!!!

Like seriously. I'd recommend you go there very seriously dolled up or prepare a platinum card. Because all the sales girl with their PERFECT skin, hair , face and cute clothes will make any normal girl feel super insecure. Unless they are gorgeous Japanese themselves *sheepish*.

Something I noticed about the people there is their fashion sense. Everyone just looked really prim and proper and even their floor cleaner's uniform was frikin cute lah!!! Like seriously ?! Wai so cute?!

 

I bought a Liz Lisa lucky bag! It consisted of the bag, a book and 3 piece of garment!  I wasn’t expecting to see a Lucky bag sale since it was way over the season so you bet I was excited to get it. My only regret was not grabbing two but then again, $160+ on clothes is too much for me to accept >w< .

 

I'm letting this go for just SGD 30! Authentic Liz Lisa from Japan! If you're interested, email me! Yes....i successfully converted this into a bimbotic blog @.@

Never a fan of furs but this coat is really cute! This camwhore was taken at our hotel I wore this ensemble to the Swallowtail Butler Cafe.

After Shibuya 109 we ventured out to Lumiere, a seemingly more high end Shopping Mall.

Also bought a really cute compactable luggage with pastel flora prints!

Cvy bought a Starbucks cup and they gave her a free drink and she's super happy about it! Haha!

Resting our feet on of the lounging sofa in Lumiere shopping mall. After that we went back to Ikebukuro, dropped our loots in our hotel room and rushed off to meet Reiko, Decadence and Sunshine for dinner! It was really nice to see them again ! Final Fantasy 3 unite!!!!

We had our 2nd dinner at a Izakaya ( Japanese bar) sort of place. Was a very nice experience!

Raw marinated chicken sounds really gross but it was a surprisingly good appetiser! My taste buds suggests that the marinate consists of teriyaki sauce, sesame oil and some other awesome stuffs that i don’t know of.

And here’s the obligatory long slew of mouth watering food pictures

My outfit of the day was supposed to include this red checked cape . But it was pretty warm that day so I didn't wear it half the time. Wasted!

With my ‘Ex-Boyfriend”, Reiko darling !!!

The night ended with us eating combini (Convenience Store) ice creams at our hotel room

Guess what was on midnight TV XD?

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