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Post by thealmightymudworm on Aug 11, 2017 15:07:29 GMT
Peter Hoskin released the full transcript of his interview for the TLS with Ian Livingstone, which is much longer and more informative on the history. As to the future, IL is intending to write another book set in Blacksand at some point (aside from being committed to writing one for the 40th anniversary with SJ). No mention of resurrecting books by other authors though. Still can't quite get over the line "You’ve got to do the gameplay balancing, so that the monsters aren’t so tough that readers can’t get past them." Gold spines galore from the Forbidden Planet event - quite cool
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Post by thealmightymudworm on Aug 20, 2017 15:14:06 GMT
Does anyone know if they will release every gamebook? Is there any possibility we could 'engineer' some rational changes in the books which are broken? I realise there would need to be a 'structure' for this? Can I ask to be a 'House Of Lords' in this structure i.e I will send back any changes on the books I own for a second reading. Unless they've managed to agree terms with every author, there's no chance of a re-release of the entire range. I'll be pleasantly surprised if they manage more than Wizard did. A reissue of Spellbreaker that puts the surrender option in the right place would be welcome. And if it becomes possible to visit the healing well after checking out the market stalls, so much the better. Do we know if there are any signs that there are plans to release any gamebooks by non-founding authors? It would be something of a feat to arrange a re-release of the entire series, but on the whole most authors would presumably be quite happy for a new edition of their work to be put out. You would think a publisher who is prepared to try marketing eg Citadel of Chaos would be keen to follow up with books which already have a familiar theme such as Vault of the Vampire or Sword of the Samurai. I'd guess that there are two possibilities: books by some authors other than IL & SJ are to be published if and only if sales are going well, or there are no plans to release them regardless. Perhaps we should be making noise for particular books/books from a particular author to be made available...? Sometimes publishers just need reassurance that they won't actually make a loss on things.
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Post by philsadler on Aug 20, 2017 15:37:49 GMT
As usual, they'll only release their own books first (including the crappy ones and the ghost-written ones). Only after they have dredged the bottom of their own barrels will they even consider other books.
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Post by a moderator on Aug 20, 2017 21:51:14 GMT
It would be something of a feat to arrange a re-release of the entire series, but on the whole most authors would presumably be quite happy for a new edition of their work to be put out. One FF author who used to contribute regularly to a related Yahoo! group was sufficiently annoyed by the way he'd been treated that he wouldn't have been willing to allow his books to be republished if approached by Wizard. Unless steps have been taken to effect a reconciliation, I imagine he'd still be opposed to a new edition.
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Post by thealmightymudworm on Aug 22, 2017 23:02:06 GMT
As usual, they'll only release their own books first (including the crappy ones and the ghost-written ones). Only after they have dredged the bottom of their own barrels will they even consider other books. I'd pretty much expect that, yeah. It's just a matter of whether there are others penciled it down the line. It would be something of a feat to arrange a re-release of the entire series, but on the whole most authors would presumably be quite happy for a new edition of their work to be put out. One FF author who used to contribute regularly to a related Yahoo! group was sufficiently annoyed by the way he'd been treated that he wouldn't have been willing to allow his books to be republished if approached by Wizard. Unless steps have been taken to effect a reconciliation, I imagine he'd still be opposed to a new edition. That's interesting – and unfortunate. I'm now wondering who this was – did they ever post on TUFFF? Was their problem to do with their authorship not being properly acknowledged? (That could be at least two authors with different issues, I suppose.)
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Post by thealmightymudworm on Aug 24, 2017 23:31:18 GMT
Another article about an interview, this time apparently with both the rock troll and the goblin. Although the most remarkable thing about it is perhaps that... "...along with the first new Fighting Fantasy gamebook for decades, Livingstone’s Port of Peril." "(They had a 13-year run until, with sales falling off, the series was dropped. The 60th book, Blood Bones, never came out.)" ...the author seems either unaware of the Wizard re-launch(es) or to be under instruction to deny their existence. www.spectator.co.uk/2017/08/the-dungeons-dragons-loving-geeks-who-became-the-godfathers-of-gaming/
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Post by johnbrawn1972 on Aug 27, 2017 17:41:18 GMT
I will offer one last suggestion to the ones who have access to power. It looks as though significant suggestions are impossible.
If anyone has access to the systems available can 'we' at least argue for 'necessary' changes. Roughly speaking can we change the routes that are clearly obviously incorrect i.e. my example would be the shield reference in Night.
It looks as though it is a money making issue so no structural changes can be made. Can we influence 'necessary' changes where no money would need to be spent?
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Post by offm on Aug 28, 2017 10:24:54 GMT
For what it´s worth it i think your very feet for the job , but for god sake dont make it for free as it would be a professional job.
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Post by johnbrawn1972 on Sept 1, 2017 21:21:54 GMT
Does anyone know what will be released next?
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Post by daredevil123 on Sept 2, 2017 8:48:40 GMT
Does anyone know what will be released next? Deathtrap Dungeon is confirmed. Which makes sense due to the heavy-handed ending of POP despite references to Throm meaning POP takes place after DD.
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Post by bloodbeasthandler on Sept 3, 2017 20:25:31 GMT
Charlie Higson lined up to write the 12th book in the new series.
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kieran
Baron
Posts: 2,547
Favourite Gamebook Series: Fighting Fantasy
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Post by kieran on Sept 4, 2017 12:32:33 GMT
Charlie Higson lined up to write the 12th book in the new series. Wow really? New books by a new author is quite exciting.
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Post by eviltimeban on Sept 4, 2017 15:15:44 GMT
Are the illustrations the ones from the original books?
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Post by lordomnibok on Sept 4, 2017 20:49:03 GMT
Are the illustrations the ones from the original books? I'm afraid not. Discussion about the new art can be found on the port of peril threads.
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Post by vastariner on Sept 14, 2017 6:47:15 GMT
Peter Hoskin released the full transcript of his interview for the TLS with Ian Livingstone, which is much longer and more informative on the history. As to the future, IL is intending to write another book set in Blacksand at some point (aside from being committed to writing one for the 40th anniversary with SJ). The main problem I have with Blacksand is why anyone would live there...even if you make money Azzur has your ass kicked.
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Post by lordomnibok on Sept 14, 2017 8:51:15 GMT
Peter Hoskin released the full transcript of his interview for the TLS with Ian Livingstone, which is much longer and more informative on the history. As to the future, IL is intending to write another book set in Blacksand at some point (aside from being committed to writing one for the 40th anniversary with SJ). The main problem I have with Blacksand is why anyone would live there...even if you make money Azzur has your ass kicked. ha ha well, I wouldn't fancy retiring there either, but there have also been some alarming stories that have come out of Juarez for instance, with death scenes that would have to be banned from a horror movie, so I'm not fazed by the idea that people would live in Blacksand, but I know what you mean.
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Post by offm on Sept 14, 2017 16:30:32 GMT
Still can't quite get over the line "You’ve got to do the gameplay balancing, so that the monsters aren’t so tough that readers can’t get past them." That's why i love gamebooks , if it's too hard just continue without fighting, if only for sake of curiosity, if i will finish it.
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Post by thealmightymudworm on Sept 23, 2017 14:47:25 GMT
Possibly most people know this by now, but the Charlie Higson book is expected to be named 'Gates of Death' (ambitious acronym that one). Quite enjoyed the replies on Twitter involving Steve Jackson (UK) on the Bible as a gamebook (conceivably offensive to some Christians). It reminded me slightly of the chat about FF books, graves and funerals on here.
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Post by offm on Sept 23, 2017 15:33:32 GMT
I am catholic still i believe religion is a way to keep you humble, knowing there can be great things to achieve because you have this strenght inside, still no harm taking because many people dont belive in any god but still have his goals to live for.
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Post by thealmightymudworm on Sept 29, 2017 15:41:49 GMT
It crossed my mind that there may be a few people finding this forum who are just now discovering Fighting Fantasy books for the first time following the Scholastic relaunch. People for whom The Warlock of Firetop Mountain and Port of Peril are equally new. If that's you, I imagine that this place might seem pretty weird – even intimidating. Most of the members here were born in the last millennium, which makes us over a thousand years old. Please be reassured that we welcome new blood around here. ...in fact it's essential, as we can make a magical paste of it to smear on ourselves and prevent this sort of thing: (I realise that this picture may just raise more questions for you, such as "Who the hell is that?" and "Why is the quality of illustration so much higher than in Port of Peril?" but it will all become clear.) So if you're a boy or, I dunno, some sort of non-boy, who's come to the series for the first time, please don't hesitate to introduce yourself either in this thread or the official introduction thread here. We don't bite, (except for the two with lycanthropy – I forget which they are).
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Post by The Editor (Alex B) on Sept 30, 2017 23:43:26 GMT
Quite enjoyed the replies on Twitter involving Steve Jackson (UK) on the Bible as a gamebook (conceivably offensive to some Christians). I'm secure enough in my faith not to be offended.
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Post by offm on Oct 6, 2017 16:00:21 GMT
Potential Gathes of Death Cover ?! /photo/1 (by Kevin Abbotts on Twitter)
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Post by thealmightymudworm on Oct 6, 2017 22:10:33 GMT
Potential Gathes of Death Cover ?! /photo/1 (by Kevin Abbotts on Twitter) Is that just someone having a go? I think I like it better than the actual covers so far tbh.
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Post by offm on Oct 7, 2017 6:47:19 GMT
I also think it is very good, I don't know if this will be the elected cover because the time span for this new release is yet long (2019) and the echoes of port isn't yet over. Curious fact is Ian Livingstone liked it .
Sent from my SUNSET2 using proboards
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Post by johnbrawn1972 on Oct 22, 2017 19:44:08 GMT
The next batch of books is now showing. My memory fails but Deathtrap, Creature Of Havoc, Island Of The Lizard King and Appointment With Fear. Not surprisingly Sorcery as well so The Shamutanti Hills is one of the first batch as well.
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Post by johnbrawn1972 on Nov 12, 2017 16:39:53 GMT
I think it is best to reply about the updates to the solutions that Champskees had delivered so far. It seems he has addressed himself to the entries up to City of Thieves while Deathtrap Dungeon is next. I have had only a cursory glance at them but this is partially what the board is all about. There must be fun threads as well. Throwing dice all day will make Jack a dull boy.
I cannot 'criticise' what Champskees has done but what he has done is give an overall strategy along with very cleverly designed boxes to show probabilities from 7-14-7 right up to 12-24-12.
The changes to Warlock seem especially ingenious where there is now the possibility to use all the provisions in a kind of iterative process but I have not investigated how this works in practice.
Depending on how much free time you have the adjustments made so far seem interesting.
My instinctive 9 skill for City Of Thieves is about right as the probabilities with 7 or 8 skill are very punishing.
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Post by johnbrawn1972 on Nov 13, 2017 14:11:56 GMT
I hope Champskees will update all his entries with either limited or significant changes. From my point of view I think this is healthy competition and what the board is all about.
Champskees gives an overall strategy. The only thing I might do is alter my 7-14-7 solutions accordingly. My idea is to extract the maximum value with the least input.
The probability boxes for Caverns, Trial, Crypt and Spellbreaker are going to be hilarious.
I know Deathtrap is the next in line for an update and I would love to see the percentage for 7-14-7.
I love how the initial attempt to find the chance of victory for Crypt with 12-24-12 was 0.3% and this is the same percentage as City with 7-14-7. I think this can be called degeneration in action. Thank goodness other writers started to inject fresh ideas and impetus.
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Post by champskees on Nov 14, 2017 6:20:00 GMT
I hope Champskees will update all his entries with either limited or significant changes. From my point of view I think this is healthy competition and what the board is all about. Champskees gives an overall strategy. The only thing I might do is alter my 7-14-7 solutions accordingly. My idea is to extract the maximum value with the least input. The probability boxes for Caverns, Trial, Crypt and Spellbreaker are going to be hilarious. I know Deathtrap is the next in line for an update and I would love to see the percentage for 7-14-7. I love how the initial attempt to find the chance of victory for Crypt with 12-24-12 was 0.3% and this is the same percentage as City with 7-14-7. I think this can be called degeneration in action. Thank goodness other writers started to inject fresh ideas and impetus. I'll probably do 10 books at a time then take a breather. My life is too busy at the moment to entertain more than this. Although it may not appear to be the case, i'm not as interested in 'the perfect solution' as I once was. Starting to find the minutiae quite tedious in fact. More interested in knowing the chances of an adventurer surviving each book. I'd surmise that our solutions are probably the best path to a 80-95% accuracy anyway. Only expecting small modifications going forward - but never say never I suppose.
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Post by offm on Nov 14, 2017 11:08:03 GMT
How i envy you for having time to read a book, i still dont know many secrets, to many of the books.
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Post by johnbrawn1972 on Nov 14, 2017 14:18:35 GMT
I must admit my autistic self with strict categorical thinking can only take things so far. My main thinking has been about Night Of The Necromancer and to a lesser extent Stormslayer. I can take things so far and then I need a break.
My guess is it is best to attack in chucks as you are doing and then have a rest. I think most of the hard work has been done.
The 'chess like' number of moves in Night Of The Necromancer meant I attacked for a time and then took a rest followed by more attack. I am all attacked out at the moment. In about 2 years time(?) when you reach my hobby horse I am 'sweating' if the probabilities prove me 'wrong' in some deep sense. Will it be possible to write a program to explore all the possibilities or is it too complicated?
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