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Post by vastariner on Apr 17, 2018 23:01:34 GMT
Yes, the Bum-Faced Monster just screamed Sky Lord to me. What's more inexcusable is Higson doesn't even do anything with the concept. It could just be a standard demon.
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Post by thealmightymudworm on Apr 18, 2018 3:16:55 GMT
I don't have a copy of GoD yet. Does the Bum Monster look like Ben Affleck?* I imagine that almost everyone just uses a separate sheet of paper. If someone uses the actual adventure sheet then i would presume it was their first go at a gamebook. Even with a pencil and an eraser, I think I would end up rubbing a hole right through most books before completing them. Though I would love to see someone try to use the actual equipment box on a Livingstone adventure. I used (a photocopy of) The Port of Peril's adventure sheet. I think the equipment box had overflowed by the time I got to the caves! * South Park ref
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Post by offm on Apr 18, 2018 9:50:05 GMT
I saw it on a facebook group post , my own copy should arrive on Friday , if you want i can post a picture, You will have one of this two reactions i reckon 1. You will have a deception or 2. You will laught of it/her/him.
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Post by offm on Apr 18, 2018 10:05:27 GMT
Charlie Higson interview , and his challenges on writing the gamebook, www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p064n6fg , the author is (for what i know ) a very prolific writer writing novels!
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Post by Zhu Bajie on Apr 18, 2018 13:59:56 GMT
Well I've almost run out of Fighting Fantasy Quest Pack adventure sheets so need to make my own anyway.
Meanwhile I've finished Gates of Death. Without spoiling, is it just me or is it impossible to complete without cheating at the end - claiming to have an object that you can't actually have at that point?
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Post by lordomnibok on Apr 18, 2018 14:21:09 GMT
Well I've almost run out of Fighting Fantasy Quest Pack adventure sheets so need to make my own anyway. Meanwhile I've finished Gates of Death. Without spoiling, is it just me or is it impossible to complete without cheating at the end - claiming to have an object that you can't actually have at that point? I seriously hope that this isn't the case. I haven't heard anyone else mention it yet so hopefully you've missed something. Really like your potion drawings on the adventure sheet by the way.
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Post by johnbrawn1972 on Apr 18, 2018 16:05:39 GMT
Well I've almost run out of Fighting Fantasy Quest Pack adventure sheets so need to make my own anyway. Meanwhile I've finished Gates of Death. Without spoiling, is it just me or is it impossible to complete without cheating at the end - claiming to have an object that you can't actually have at that point? There are two Khopesh swords. One is given to you on the warrior path and makes sense if you have a high skill.
The other sword is 'hidden' in the door if you take the magic route which is more suitable for a low skill. On this route talk to the Sinna bloke with a seed of knowledge. He tells you the page to look at and (I think) gives you the weakwater which reduces your skill to 2 allowing you to die when fighting then your spirit is transported to the door where the Khopesh is allowing you to fight at endgame. Use the four seeds to reduce the 400/800 and then the Khopesh divides the stats by 10. You should have magical/flea boots.
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Post by Zhu Bajie on Apr 18, 2018 21:19:26 GMT
Thanks, lordomnibok I might finish them up. Yes, maybe I have just misunderstood or missed something, it's entirely possible, and I'd be happy to be proved wrong but... How can you be wearing the magical/flea shoes if you've become a spirit, gone through the Gates, then possessed a warriors body? As the Book of the Dead explains (p.122) you can't take anything with you, unless it 'belongs to Ulrakaah herself' - which explains the Kopesh, but not the shoes.
So either the warrior body is already wearing magic shoes, or the magical/flea shoes (p.253) belong to Ulrakaah. I don't think either of these are established in the text, so its a mistake.
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Post by johnbrawn1972 on Apr 18, 2018 21:28:24 GMT
Thanks, lordomnibok I might finish them up. Yes, maybe I have just misunderstood or missed something, it's entirely possible, and I'd be happy to be proved wrong but... How can you be wearing the magical/flea shoes if you've become a spirit, gone through the Gates, then possessed a warriors body? As the Book of Death explains - para 122 - you can't take anything with you, unless it 'belongs to Ulrakaah herself' - which explains the Kopesh, but not the shoes.
So either the warrior body is already wearing magic shoes, or the magic shoes belong to Ulrakaah. I don't think either of these are in the text. It wont let me insert a spoiler.
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Post by johnbrawn1972 on Apr 18, 2018 21:31:19 GMT
I am fairly sure it means body/attire and not some kind of magic stripping a la Mr Ben.
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Post by Zhu Bajie on Apr 18, 2018 22:03:00 GMT
I am fairly sure it means body/attire and not some kind of magic stripping a la Mr Ben. Dunno. Seems pretty clear you pass through the Gates as an incorporeal spirit only able to take the Kopesh because it "belongs to Ulrika-ka-ka-ka". You leave your body and all your worldly goods (and shoes) on the other side...
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Post by johnbrawn1972 on Apr 18, 2018 22:21:01 GMT
There is something screwy about this. Don't you take the sword and then are rebooted or something? I think you are reading too much into this?
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Post by Zhu Bajie on Apr 19, 2018 8:52:27 GMT
There is something screwy about this. Don't you take the sword and then are rebooted or something? I think you are reading too much into this? No, you're not rebooted, and besides taking the door-stuck khopesh is entirely optional. I suggest reading the relevant passages again. If someone can cite any text that explains why you should still have the boots (or any other equipment) that overrides what is unambiguously established in P.122 and P.366 regards leaving equipment behind, I might be convinced that this isn't just a simple error.
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Post by Ed on Apr 19, 2018 11:23:04 GMT
I was pleasantly surprised to find ALL of the re-prints in my bookshop.
Only one copy of Creature of Havoc plus loads of the others.
The gold spine renders them almost invisible on a bookshelf.
But my biggest gripe is still with the art re-do. I can understand if Scholastic wanted all of the re-prints to have a unified art style but here's the thing -
The original FF series wasn't like that.
Every adventure was unique and different with its own unique and distinctive art.
I've no problem with art for a new adventure but to re-work art by John Blanche and Alan Langford is just plain wrong.
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Post by johnbrawn1972 on May 8, 2018 17:30:18 GMT
If they release another half a dozen books what would you like to see released?
I am not sure as I do not know the collection very well. All I will say is I want 'quality' released first before 'rare' books are released.
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Post by daredevil123 on May 8, 2018 17:37:42 GMT
If they release another half a dozen books what would you like to see released? I am not sure as I do not know the collection very well. All I will say is I want 'quality' released first before 'rare' books are released. Ideally I would like six new books by Steve Jackson and Jonathan Green. Realistically, I think books 13, 15 and 17 will be the rest of the Sorcery! epic and book 18 will be a new title. That leaves 14 and 16, which I think will be Jackson/Livingstone books, maybe Starship Traveller and Trial of Champions.
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Post by Zhu Bajie on May 9, 2018 18:52:52 GMT
Not really interested in reprints as I have the originals, and aren't really a collector in the multi-edition multi-format sense.
I'd definitely like to see some more established writers that are new blood to FF like Charlie Higson. Maybe Mark Gatiss, or some of the other Doctor Who writers. Are Ian and Steve still friends with Peter Molyneux, I imagine he'd write an interesting FF novel. A spiritual sequel to Sorcery! (including new art from John Blanche) would be top of my wants list.
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Post by Wilf on May 10, 2018 20:33:11 GMT
If they release another half a dozen books what would you like to see released? I am not sure as I do not know the collection very well. All I will say is I want 'quality' released first before 'rare' books are released. I've no interest in reprints, so I'd like to see six new titles.
As that's not going to happen, what do I think will come out next?
Khare - Cityport of Traps is a must. Caverns of the Snow Witch can't be much further down the list. Temple of Terror, Trial of Champions, Crypt of the Sorcerer and Return to Firetop Mountain are all in contention. Two of those. There's been one non-Titan book in each wave so far; Freeway Fighter coming out again might shift a couple of comics. Surprised they haven't released it already, actually. Do Scholastic have the rights to the titles that were first published by Wizard?
What are the best books they could reprint, regardless of authorship? Siege of Sardath, The Crimson Tide, Masks of Mayhem, Spellbreaker, Moonrunner, Slaves of the Abyss, Talisman of Death.
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Post by johnbrawn1972 on May 10, 2018 20:57:06 GMT
Wilf has answered my question but Spellbreaker? You cannot be serious. Even the so-called, and I say this with irony, fixed book is so broken it is ridiculous.
How about Spectral Stalkers? Maybe Black Vein Prophecy?
I much prefer your final list to any in the list save Khare which is manifestly wonderful and logical.
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kieran
Baron
Posts: 2,462
Favourite Gamebook Series: Fighting Fantasy
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Post by kieran on May 11, 2018 10:18:56 GMT
If they release another half a dozen books what would you like to see released? I am not sure as I do not know the collection very well. All I will say is I want 'quality' released first before 'rare' books are released. John, I imagine you'd really like Keith Martin's books. They require a lot of assessment as regards the pros and cons of each path and the order you should do things - bit like Night of the Necromancer. Sadly, I can't imagine them being re-released any time soon and his later books are getting very rare and expensive second-hand.
If I had to choose my 6 favourite books that Scholastic haven't yet rereleased, I would maybe go with: - Stealer of Souls
- Portal of Evil
- Daggers of Darkness
- The Crown of Kings (though obviously they'd have to release Khare and the Seven Serpents first)
- Trial of Champions
- Black Vein Prophecy
Though like Zhu I have all the books already in other editions and I'm not enamoured enough with the Scholastic art and style to be particularly excited about Scholastic editions of the above. So would prefer brand new books too - though preferably better ones than Gates of Death.
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Post by The Editor (Alex B) on May 13, 2018 6:13:34 GMT
As that's not going to happen, what do I think will come out next?
Khare - Cityport of Traps is a must. Caverns of the Snow Witch can't be much further down the list. Temple of Terror, Trial of Champions, Crypt of the Sorcerer and Return to Firetop Mountain are all in contention. Two of those. There's been one non-Titan book in each wave so far; Freeway Fighter coming out again might shift a couple of comics. Surprised they haven't released it already, actually. Do Scholastic have the rights to the titles that were first published by Wizard? ==Wave 3== Kharé is likely due to Shamutanti being in Wave 2. We'll also get a non-"Sorcery!" Steve Jackson title, so Starship Traveller. At least 2 more Ian Livingstone titles: perhaps Caverns of the Snow Witch and Temple of Terror. That leaves 2 slots for a new title and a reprint from another author. Wizard only had the 2 Mark Smith/Jamie Thomson and the many Jonathan Green titles to draw on. Scholastic are likely to be in the same boat, so I'm guessing a Green title.* *For anything not already reprinted by Wizard, Scholastic would likely have to negotiate with each individual writer for the right to reprint the books**. Given they've plumped for new art in the new books I can't help but wonder if that was a money saving exercise. ie. they don't have to pay the original artists large fees to use their art. So I wonder if it's cheaper to publish new books than attempt to renegotiate royalties/residuals on older titles. **{Please treat the following with sensitive kid gloves as it is based on various hints - some old, some new - rather than concrete facts} Paul Mason seems slightly miffed with SJ/IL so he's possibly unlikely no matter the money offered. Lich-Lord has already been reprinted as a "Fabled Lands" books, so that's likely off the table too. Carl Sergant (AKA Keith Martin) hasn't been heard from since about 1996, so his titles aren't likely to be considered either. Scholastic aren't likely to offer enough money for the US Steve Jackson to say 'okay', and I can't see them reaching out to 1 book authors like Allen, Gascoigne, Davis, or Phillips. Andrew Chapman has seemingly dropped off the net in the last 10 years or so (his long un-updated blog has no means of contact) and rumour has it Stephen Hand wants to be left alone. That leaves Robin Waterfield, Peter Darvill-Evans, and Alkis Alkaviades (AKA Luke Sharp).
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Post by johnbrawn1972 on May 24, 2018 13:12:03 GMT
Is there a site where buyer and seller can send the book and money to a central provider so once both criteria are satisfied the book is then posted and money transferred to you?
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Post by bloodbeasthandler on Jun 2, 2018 9:52:32 GMT
Not about reprints, but I think Peter Darvill-Evans would be happy to write a new book if asked to do so - I seem to remember him saying as much at FF-Fest - mentioning that he's going to be retiring from his job in the not too distant future so will have the spare time.
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kieran
Baron
Posts: 2,462
Favourite Gamebook Series: Fighting Fantasy
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Post by kieran on Jun 2, 2018 10:53:55 GMT
Not about reprints, but I think Peter Darvill-Evans would be happy to write a new book if asked to do so - I seem to remember him saying as much at FF-Fest - mentioning that he's going to be retiring from his job in the not too distant future so will have the spare time. That would be awesome!
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Post by a moderator on Jun 2, 2018 17:30:29 GMT
Great if he writes something like his previous FF books. Less so if he writes something like his Doctor Who novels.
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Post by johnbrawn1972 on Jul 9, 2018 20:15:48 GMT
If +1 enemy advantage is 45/55 then what is
+2 +3 +4
this is part of a thought experiment.
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Post by unknown on Jul 17, 2018 22:49:24 GMT
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aggsol
Wanderer
Bored...
Posts: 93
Favourite Gamebook Series: Lone Wolf
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Post by aggsol on Jul 21, 2018 11:28:38 GMT
I just got the forest of doom. the cover is great but the the illustrations inside are very bland und lack contrast. if you flip through the pages you see the repetitive usage of the same 4 filler illustrations over and over. even worse. one is reused in large for an item you can find. this is lazy. I am very disappointed und will try to get older prints in the future.
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sylas
Baron
"Don't just adventure for treasure; treasure the adventure!"
Posts: 1,679
Favourite Gamebook Series: Fighting Fantasy, Way of the Tiger
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Post by sylas on Jul 21, 2018 12:24:30 GMT
A Solution is up for ALICE’S NIGHTMARE IN WONDERLAND in the Other Minor Series thread.
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Post by unknown on Jul 24, 2018 20:45:40 GMT
What they need to do is write up a book on Chiang Mai. There's not enough out there on Fang. Just reference books in general complete with maps. I wouldn't mind a book on herbs, weapons, spells, and character bios/history. There's Out of the Pit yes, but need more info.
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