Dig this:

Uncovered scenes from original Star Wars - "Biggs' Return"

I particularly love the discussion of economics and politics towards the end...

***

All of which puts me in mind Mag*Blast, which is nearing completion.

It really is a joy to work with Fantasy Flight, especially developer Robert Vaughn. Fantasy Flight's putting out some amazing-looking games, and though Mag*Blast is taking quite a bit longer than I thought it would, I think the results are worth it. It's been like working with the Cadillac of Art Departments...

Bonus: they even call me "inimitable." Score!

I had a very dry joke for two cards - "Space Dock" and "Super Space Dock." "Super Space Dock" would have been exactly the same drawing as "Space Dock," but now with a sign on top, reading "Buffet."

Dry humor. James Ernest dry. Far too dry for an in-your-face game like Mag*Blast.

Still, there'll be plenty o' small gags throughout. I threw a tiny TARDIS into the "Time Flux" card at the last minute, for example.

It's interesting to see that the new edition will be genuinely new - the card list seems quite streamlined from the last release. Some cards are missing entirely, and some are brand new. Mag*Blast has always (if you'll pardon the pun) been a blast to play, but without seeing the new rules, or how some of the cards are now played, I have to say it looks like it'll be even faster and more furious than before.

As always, towards the end of a project, I find myself really getting into a groove, and wishing it could just go on and on.

Fortunately, this time, it won't. Because I'm jonesing for the new deck to be done and printed, if only to start playing it again.

I was given a lot of leeway in the art, which was a ton of fun. Especially with the races, which I was allowed to create. But what really makes the cards sparkle is the top-notch graphic design job on them. Honestly, it would make anybody's work look good. Great graphic design is a much-undervalued commodity. Fantasy Flight has it in spades

Anyhoo (that was for YOU, Scott "Sketchbook of Secrets and Shame" Bateman), here are some cards from the new edition..


(The small sign on the Super Dock says "Lowest Prices on Death Sticks," btw...)

( more Mag*Blasty goodness behind the cut )

****

Wanna know how much I love Warpcon?

I just subscribed to irishgaming.

Honestly, I feel like I know everyone there already...

As most readers here should be well aware, scottbateman is doing an animation every day for a year.

It's an amazing project - mind-blowing, really - and Scott's now over two-thirds of the way through it.

Unfortunately, his money's running tight.

Anyone who can help, please consider doing so. Scott's an amazing guy, and his talent never ceases to amaze me.

If it's any extra incentive, anyone who contributes $100 (and lets me know about it) will receive a FREE signed collection of Dork Tower trade paperbacks - Dork Covenant, Dork Shadows and Heart of Dorkness, to be precise. (anyone who donates more, I'll try and come up with something commensurate.)

I've posted here before about being a patron of the arts. Now's your chance to do something very direct and supportive of the arts.

My check is in the mail. I know many folks just can't afford something like this. Bit I'm hoping there'll be a few readers here who can...

This is from Scott:


URGENT: BATEMAN365 NEEDS YOUR HELP!

Making an animated film every day for a year has taken a toll on my ancient Mac laptop. It will die very, very soon--the battery is already dead and gone, and it has a serious power supply problem. And without a working laptop, the Bateman365 will, sadly, end before the 365th day.

If you have enjoyed the Bateman365, please consider donating money to help me buy a new laptop. Those who donate at least $10 will be thanked in the credits of the Bateman365 feature film; those donating at least $100 will be listed as producers (finally, you'll be on IMDB!).

My goal is to raise $1500 for a new MacBook. So if you've enjoyed those subway musicians, or Scurvy Steve and Bob The Damn Bunny, or the many famous guest stars I've featured over the past nine months (today was the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, for heaven's sake), please help the Bateman365 by
clicking the PayPal button at batemania.com.

Seriously, all - if I had half of Scott's talent, guts and imagination, I'd be a heppy, heppy ket.

Who's with me,here?