Sad news...we've lost Gary Gygax, legendary co-creator of D&D. He died today in his home, at age 69. More details are in his obituary from the Star Tribune.
I liked this quote:
Gygax had been in declining health for several years but as recently as January he hosted weekly games of Dungeons & Dragons at their home, Gail Gygax said.
What do Ghostbusters and D&D have in common? Both were the basis for Star Wars RPGs!
I was taking a trip down memory lane recently, thinking about earlier editions of Star Wars roleplaying games. As much as I love the current edition, I was never more excited about a Star Wars game as I was the very first one from West End Games, released in 1987 (the 10th anniversary of Star Wars itself).
I thought maybe others might be interested in the history of the game too, so I did a little reading, and that's when Wikipedia told me that the 1st Edition of Star Wars was based on WEG's Ghostbusters RPG (another of my favorites). And, thinking back on that system, I can kinda see it. If we're generous with the term "based on."
Of course, there's no denying that the first edition that Wizards of the Coast put out after picking up the license from WEG was definitely based on D&D 3rd Edition. So why am I even bringing this up?
Somebody needs to make Ghostbusters d20, that's why! (Or maybe not; InSpectres looks pretty damn cool.)
Anyway, here's the honor roll of all Star Wars roleplaying game editions to date.
Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game
Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game
Star Wars Roleplaying Game
Star Wars Roleplaying Game
Star Wars Roleplaying Game
Star Wars Roleplaying GameThe first Star Wars RPG-related podcast is now available. The Order 66 podcast (a production of d20 Radio) promises to "provide a lighter look into the Star Wars Galaxy as it relates to the d20 Saga Edition."
In Episode 1 of the podcast, GM Dave and GM Chris give us an introduction, set the tone, and show us their unique brand of humor.
In Episode 2, Dave and Chris cover the Jedi class in depth. This episode has lots of cool tips, including a thorough discussion of the value of giving your Jedi another class at level 1 rather than Jedi. Also, the guys increase the content-to-humor ratio, which I (and some people in their forums) believe is an improvement.
In Episode 3, our hosts discuss the noble class, as well as noncombat encounters.
Dave and Chris are shooting for a new episode each Monday, so keep checking their site for updates. (I'll try to tell you about them here, too.)
Wizards has put up a short list of errata for Starships of the Galaxy. Don't worry, it's only a few items, things like little details on talents and ship abilities, table corrections, and reducing the super star destroyer's armament by half. Just kidding on that last one!
But they did boost the Y-Wing's Shield Rating from 10 to 25. Bet that was by popular demand, 'cause I saw some complaints about that little eggshell in the forums.
Wizards has just put up part 8 of their series on customizing Star Wars miniatures. The focus of this latest article is how to make additions to custom minis.
Check out the uncommonly cool cape on this common mini!
In case this is the first you've heard of this series about customizing miniatures (and I have to admit it escaped my notice until just now), here's an index of all the columns to date:
1: Tools and Precautions
2: Color and Paint
3: Basic Painting Techniques
4: Simple Repositioning Techniques
5: Moderate Repositioning Techniques
6: Advanced Repositioning Techniques I
7: Advanced Repositioning Techniques II
8: Additions to Customs
That Jack Irons really knows how to work a miniature! My favorite tip is in part 4, where he shows how to get a bent mini back into its proper shape. (Like, when they get all bent up in shipping. Grr!)
But I have to wonder...does he perform such surgery on rares as well? I mean, as much as I'd love to see my rare Mace Windu fig with a Pulp Fiction-style afro, I'd be afraid to ruin his near-mint status!
The other night I was in the mood to watch Return of the Jedi again, and I excitedly told my son we were going to watch Star Wars. He got all excited and said, "Clone Wars?" I said no, not exactly, but this is even better! (He had seen bits and pieces of a few Star Wars movies, but mostly only got excited when the droids were on screen.)
Well, I guess "better" is in the eye of the beholder. The boy still prefers the animated Clone Wars series to the live-action movies, and wandered away from my screening of ROTJ before we even got to the part where Jabba bit the big one. Kids...
Now I'm afraid to let him see The Phantom Menace all the way through...I worry that he will discover Jar Jar--and love him!
