Other Random People

http://www.sjgames.com/ill/a/2025-05-24

Walking my neighbor's dog has become a pleasant ritual these past few years, a bright spot in my week. It's not just the joy of spending time with his Malinois, but the surprising connections forged on those quiet journeys back and forth.

These aren't your everyday friendships – unless your inner circle has a desire for unsalted peanuts! Over the last few months, I've found myself in the delightful position of earning the trust of several cardinals who grace my usual route. I never imagined myself as a "bird person," yet these particular cardinals have captivated me. Their keen awareness and surprising boldness became apparent with each passing day; now a bonded pair greets me regularly, readily accepting treats from my outstretched hand.

I'm not suggesting you embark on a quest to befriend the first cardinal you spot! Instead, I encourage you to carve out some time for that walk you've been delaying.

You never know what unexpected companionship – feathered or otherwise – awaits! 

– Darryll Silva

Warehouse 23 News: The City Never Sleeps Because Of All The Action

There are a million stories in the city, and they're all exciting! GURPS Action 9: The City shows how you can add GURPS City Stats to your GURPS Action campaigns. It also features six sample cities to use with your own action-packed adventures. Download it today from Warehouse 23!

http://www.sjgames.com/ill/a/2025-05-24

http://www.sjgames.com/ill/a/2025-05-23

We recently gathered with some family to play a new game, because that's how we roll. (Literally! See, because there were dice in the game, and . . . )

Anyway! It was the first time I'd played the game, and it'd clearly been a while for the others. So, due to a couple of misunderstandings of the rules, I ended up missing out on one of the core scoring functions, and — long story short — I can happily say I came in dead-last place owing to that rules error, not because of any colossal strategic blunders on my part.

I'd found my footing after the game ended, and felt reasonably confident for a rematch . . . but by then we were out of game-playing time. Hopefully I'll retain all that knowledge for a future session of that game.

What I found interesting in thinking about that experience is how often the first time participating ends up feeling so weird and different compared to subsequent plays, after everyone's gotten used to the rules — or, if it's one new player, how that player not knowing basic strategies can throw the entire balance of the experience off. And it seems odd to me because it's a fairly rare form of entertainment that has that phenomenon. It's not like, "Oh, the first time you watch Iron Man the odds are decent you'll spend most of the time staring at the ceiling, but future viewings of the movie will make sense." Or: "Yeah . . . the first time someone drives the S-class Hesportra Sedan, everyone tends to crash into a tree." But for games, it's just sort of common and assumed that the first game or two are going to be a mess.

There aren't any real conclusions or action items here, outside of my stroking my goatee and saying, "That's interesting." Mostly, it gives me an appreciation for games like (say) Munchkin, where even if I don't know what I'm doing for the first few turns, I'm laughing and having a good time.

– Steven Marsh

Warehouse 23 News: Why Is The Darkness Blinking?

They're trapped between the realm of the living and the dead . . . and they're not too pleased about it. The Book of Unlife adds 44 unliving monsters to your The Fantasy Trip campaigns, along with a complete adventure setting. Live like there's too many tomorrows thanks to Warehouse 23!

http://www.sjgames.com/ill/a/2025-05-23