Hello all!
This is just a quick reminder that the Lindenbaum entries are out
The voting period lasts until 11:59:59pm (GMT) on April 18th 2023.
In order to vote, you need to email your 3 choices to Lindenbaumprize@gmail.com.
Enjoy!
Sunday, March 19, 2023
Monday, March 6, 2023
Update to the gamebook reading list
Hello all! Back in 2017, I collected a list of blog posts that would help any gamebook writer to improve their trade and published them.
Dave Morris tweeted about it which reminded me about it, so I decided to ask people if there were any updates in the last 6 years. Someone reminded me that Victoria Hancox had been writing since I wrote the post and now and that she had also made many blog posts about writing gamebooks. So here is Victoria Hancox's posts.
In future, I will make the list an annual event. I will release it at the beginning of September so that future Lindenbaum entrants can read it to help them with their entries.
Enjoy!
(also, read the Lindenbaum entries and vote for them)
Friday, March 3, 2023
February news and upcoming March news
Hello all! I'm sorry the news is late again. Here are some of the latest things going on:
Lindenbaum
The competition is going with 13 entries! Vote for your 3 favourite books. Closing date is 18th April 11:59:59pm GMT.
Lloyd of Gamebooks: Voting is now open for the 2022/2023 Lindenbaum Prize!
New releases
Computer games
Colossal Cave on Steam
Colossal Cave is one of the first interactive fiction games and I used to love trying to work out what was in the author's head. It is now on Steam with graphics.
Colossal Cave on Steam (steampowered.com)
Deathtrap Dungeon
Deathtrap Dungeon is coming to Switch!
Deathtrap Dungeon: The Interactive Video Adventure heading to Switch (nintendoeverything.com)
Crowdfunding
Destiny's Role: Dimensions 1
Mark Lain has taken his old school style gamebooks into sci-fi territory. The Kickstarter is running and is already funded.
DIMENSIONS 1 is the first gamebook in the new science fiction spin-off series from DESTINY'S ROLE adventure gamebooks.
The book will feature a colour cover by Krystyna Nowek (who recently created the colour cover for the Scorpio Falls add-on module which was an exclusive to the Destiny's Role #4: Kaleidoscope Frenzy Kickstarter campaign and you can see more of her work HERE) and 20 black and white internal illustrations by Nick Spender (Fighting Fantasy #15: The Rings of Kether, Destiny's Role #3: Red Monsoon, Destiny's Role #4: Kaleidoscope Frenzy).
Destiny's Role: Dimensions 1 by Mark Lain — Kickstarter
Dungeon of Whatever
This one isn't out yet, but you can get notified.
A Gamebook of Unheard-Of DUNGEON CRAWLING MAYHEM intended for young readers of age 6+
Tales From Ane Moni: THE DUNGEON OF WHATEVER by Panagiotis Vlamis — Kickstarter
The Millenium Bomb
This is an interactive comic by Ricky Lima. It is already funded. 9 days to go!
The Millennium Bomb is a graphic novel that I developed between 2019 and 2021. It's about a group of bodiless Millennials who find themselves stuck inside an art gallery after the world has ended. The art gallery is monitored by an A.I. called the Multi-Operational Mega Intelligence or M.O.M.I. for short. As the Millennials learn more about the gallery and how they got there it becomes clear that they must get out any way they can!
The Millennium Bomb Gamebook by Ricky Lima — Kickstarter
Talamander Fantasy gamebook magazine issue 1
This is a kickstarter for a gamebook zine. It is already funded.
Fighting Fantasy green spines, Steve Jackson's Sorcery, Grailquest and The Way of the Tiger. That's where it all started for me back in the '80s.
I've always loved gamebooks and I've always wanted to write one, but the years ticked by and I never quite got around to it. Instead I published many fantasy small press comics and of course the terror and fantasy trumps, right here on Kickstarter with Rik and Chatri.
It was the Fantasy Trumps set that really convinced me to go for it. I've had ideas for an ongoing gamebook series for such a long time and I finally realised if I wanted to do it, I should just do it!
Talamander Fantasy gamebook magazine issue 1 by Tim Brown — Kickstarter
Social
Dragon Warriors meet up
Simon Barns of Red Ruin publishing is planning a meet up in the summer for Dragon Warriors fans. If you would like to join in, fill in the survey below.
https://forms.gle/BBMHGVZoTaooY81B6
Blogs
Here is another playthrough blog I have recently discovered.
ALL THINGS FIGHTING FANTASTICAL : 2023
Podcasts
Fantastic flights has covered a couple of Transformers books and Sky Lord.
Fantastic Fights — Haunted Phonograph
Tuesday, February 21, 2023
Voting is now open for the 2022/2023 Lindenbaum Prize!
Hello all!
I am pleased to announce that you can download the 12 Lindenbaum entries from the link below. Enjoy!
Lloyd of Gamebooks: Voting is now open for the 2022/2023 Lindenbaum Prize!
Wednesday, February 15, 2023
Entries have closed for the Lindenbaum competition
Entries have closed for the 2022/2023 Lindenbaum competition. We have 12 excellent entries this year.
The entries will be made available on the 21st February when voting begins.
Voting will close on the 18th April.
More details for the Lindenbaum competition can be found here:
Saturday, February 4, 2023
January news and upcoming February news
Hello all! Late again. Really sorry.
Here's what is going on so far...
Releases
Betrayal in Neo Sybaris: A gamebook from Samuel Isaacson
Neo Sybaris, the hedonistic city made possible by the Cybernetic Regime of Liberty and Justice, is a living hell for the Dust, the underclass that barely survive on scraps. But some are determined to bring change.
One small group of Insurgents, with connections into the privileged Veblen Stratum, sets off on a mission where a mysterious stranger approaches.
The Insurgent he approaches is you.
Immerse yourself in this dystopian web of lies in which no-one is to be trusted.
Betrayal in Neo Sybaris: A gamebook from Samuel Isaacson : Isaacson, Sam: Amazon.co.uk: Books
Zines
Warlock Returns
The Warlock Returns is an Advanced Fighting Fantasy Zine. Issue 8 is out now as a pdf and physical version.
The Warlock Returns Issue #08 - Arion Games | Advanced Fighting Fantasy | DriveThruRPG.com
Blogs
Andrew Wright
Andrew Wright, who has written many, many Advanced Fighting Fantasy supplements is making an AFF dungeon for the Dungeon 23 challenge.
Fantasy Game Book: #Dungeon23 Inspires Dead Blog Resurrection!
Deathtraps and Dungeons
They have done Appointment with Fear.
Deathtraps and Dungeons : Appointment with F.E.A.R
Adventure Gameblog
Various gamebooks from this blog.
Adventure Gameblog (myadventuresendhere.blogspot.com)
Gamebook Odyssey
More gamebook reviews. The latest is Proteus 8.
Gamebook Odyssey (gamebookreviews.blogspot.com)
Nicholas Andriani
I think I found this on Facebook. It is a great post about interactive Midsummer Night's Dream.
A Midsummer Night’s Maze: Interactive Fiction and Narrative Design – Nicholas Andriani Rankin
Films
There's an interactive Deathtrap Dungeon film in the works!
Deathtrap Dungeon: The Golden Room | Wales Interactive
Crowdfunding
Destiny Quest
Destiny Quest book 5 is coming soon!
DestinyQuest: The Wrath of Ragnarok by Michael J Ward — Kickstarter
Box of Delights
The Box of Delights - The Roleplaying Game (Make 100) by Jonathan Green — Kickstarter
The Box of Delights - The Roleplaying Game is an adaptation of John Masefield's Christmas children's classic, written by Jonathan Green and illustrated by Tony Hough - the creators of 'TWAS - The Roleplaying Game Before Christmas - and licensed through The Society of Authors, the Literary Representative of the Estate of John Masefield.
The Box of Delights - The Roleplaying Game is a rules-lite RPG, designed to be picked up and played with minimal preparation. Players take on the roles of Kay Harker and the Jones children as they experience the events of the book first-hand, encountering the mysterious Punch-and-Judy Man and becoming embroiled in the sinister plot being perpetrated by the wizard Abner Brown and his coven of wolf-worshipping witches around the Winter Solstice in the run up to Christmas.
The Box of Delights - The Roleplaying Game (Make 100) by Jonathan Green — Kickstarter
The Temple of Shadows
In this gamebook you'll take on the role of a young ranger who wants to protect his home village Brinthal. On your way you'll have to explore an underground temple, fight against shadow creatures, discuss with troll spirits, solve puzzles, survive traps and face a sinister threat from ancient times.
The Temple of Shadows stands within the tradition of gamebooks like Lone Wolf and Fighting Fantasy, which I've always liked. This interactive book uses modern game mechanics to create the most varied and enjoyable game experience possible. The rules of the game are intentionally kept simple. All you need for playing is two six-sided dice (2d6) and a pencil.
The Temple of Shadows - A Fantasy Gamebook by Christopher Bünte — Kickstarter
Quick and Dirties #4: The Priory of Red Peitor
That's an embarrassing thing to explain, innit? I kid. Don't worry, I'll explain the ins and outs of it, if you know what I mean.
Marching Order quick and dirties is a new type of delve. They're no nonsense adventures meant to be played in a single sitting. Each one comes on a twelve panel fold out brochure that fits real nice in your Marching Order box. If you're lucky, you'll survive your trip to the Priory and can spend some loot back in Rotbottom. But ya probably want to know who Red Pietor is, huh?
Read on, Rogue.
Quick and Dirties #4: The Priory of Red Peitor by Crumbling Keep — Kickstarter
Interactive Fiction and Gamebook Discussion group
February's book is Rulers of the NOW, by yours truly! Discuss it over at the group!
Interactive Fiction & Gamebooks Discussion Group (Book Club) | Facebook
Lindenbaum!
Entries to the Lindenbaum Compeitition close on Feb 14th!
You can see the requirements here - Lloyd of Gamebooks: 2022/2023 Lindenbaum Prize announcement
The Lindennbaum Prize is sponsored by Peter Agaopv, contributor to Lloyd of Gamebooks and owner of Augmented Reality Adventure Games who is very generously providing the first prize.
The Lindenbaum Prize is also sponsored by Crumbly Head Games who is providing free licenses to The Gamebook Authoring Tool as prizes and also has a free version of the Gamebook Authoring Tool that goes up to 100 sections.
Many thanks to Tammy Badowski for donating her time to the Lindenbaum Prize.
Adventures in social media
I found this on the Reddit gamebooks group.
Someone called Jay is mapping out the optimal paths for the Fighting Fantasy books. Have a butchers.
Monday, January 9, 2023
The Lindenbaum competition is way underway
Hello all! Here's a reminder that the Lindenbaum competition is underway. The deadline is 5pm GMT on the 14th February. Get writing!
Entry requirements for the 2022/2023 Lindenbaum competition
All entries must be in English.
All entries must be original works incorporating unique characters and world settings. This can include real world settings, people and events as long as they aren't the property of someone.
All entries must be previously unpublished works.
All entrants must state clearly on the first page of their entries that they are the authors of the work submitted.
All entries must be provided in rich text format (rtf) and sent as an email attachment All entries must be in any format that I can edit and turn into a pdf and sent as an attachment and link to lindenbaumprize@gmail.com.
Formats I know I can do this with are: RTF, doc, docx, Google docs, pdf, - leave a comment if there is a format that you want to know about.
All character or status sheets provided with entries must be presented in a simple layout that does not include complex table formats.
All entries must be spell-checked and thoroughly tested prior to submission.
The total length of the entry does not exceed 100 sections and a word count of 25,000 words.
Illustrations will not be accepted as a part of an entry except in two specific circumstances.
Exception 1: Maps that are integral to navigation within the gamebook.
Exception 2: Graphics necessary as a part of puzzles or clues integral to the entry's narrative.
Graphics provided for these purposes must be in either BMP or JPG format and be included as a part of the RTF entry forwarded.
Graphics purely of an illustrative nature will not be accepted.
The entry may either be a complete stand-alone story or a self-contained excerpt from a larger gamebook adventure of your own creation.
The entry can be of any genre except erotica.
There is no entry fee.
All rights remain with the author and the author can withdraw their entry at any time during the course of the competition.
An entrant can submit one entry only.
All participants must have a valid PayPal account at the time of submission. For reasons given below you must have a valid PayPal account if you wish to receive a cash prize. Account information is not required by the organisers of this competition unless you are one of the winning entrants. Only at the time of winning a prize will you be asked for your PayPal details.
Hyperlinking
Last year, I hyperlinked most of the entries. Response was lukewarm with one entrant specifically asking not to hyperlink. It seems that for a short gamebook, hyperlinks aren't completely necessary, so I won't do it this year.
Competition deadlines for 2022/2023
16th October 2022: Competition guidelines released
6th December 2022: Entry submissions begin
14th February 2023: Entry submissions close.
21st February 2023: Voting begins.*
18th April 2023: Voting closes.*
30th April 2023: Winners announced.*
* If there are more than 14 entries, these dates will be extended.
Voting
The prize is awarded to the entrant who receives the greatest number of reader votes. This prize relies on votes provided by readers who have read enough of the entries to make a considered choice as to the relative merits of the gamebooks submitted. It is expected by the sponsor of this competition that votes will be provided on this basis. For 2022/2023 the voting system applies as follows:
A valid vote must be forwarded by email to lindenbaumprize@gmail.com. A valid vote must nominate the three gamebooks most favoured by the voter from the competition entrants. A vote with less than three nominations cannot be accepted. A vote forwarded with more than three nominations will only have the first three accounted for in the voting tabulation.
Only one voter email is allowed per reader. All votes will be checked for duplication of email addresses.
Feedback to the authors may be forwarded to the competition sponsors at lindenbaumprize@gmail.com. All feedback given will be provided to authors at the end of competition as a part of the email notification of results.
Prizes
Winning entrant
A cash prize of £100 GBP (Great British Pounds) to be paid within 48 hours into a PayPal account of the winner's choosing. If you do not have access to a valid PayPal account the cash prize cannot be paid.
A desktop licence to the Gamebook Authoring Tool which lasts for 1 year.
A First Prize certificate memorialising their success in the competition.
Merit awards
Two entries are chosen for Merit awards. These entrants receive:
A cash prize of £30 GBP (Great British Pounds) to be paid within 48 hours into a PayPal account of the Merit Award winner's choosing.
A Merit Award certificate memorialising their success in the competition,
Commendation awards
If there are 10 or more entries, there will be 3 commendation awards. The entrants receive:
A Commendation Certificate memorialising their success in the competition.
Gamebook writing help
If you haven't written a gamebook before, you might think that arranging and randomising the sections might be a problem. However, there are now good gaembook writing programs out there. One is The Gamebook Authoring Tool, which has a free version specifically designed to write a 100 section gamebook and export it to Rich Text Format. You can try it here: About The GameBook Authoring Tool – Crumbly Head Games
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)