What I’m working On
The last few months have not been my most productive. Between the summer school holidays, travel, and my wife’s return to full-time teaching, my schedule has been all over the place and my opportunities for sustained creative time have been few. Still, I have made at least some progress on most of my games systems. For those that are interested, here is what I’ve been working on:
Frostgrave
I have just seen and approved the final pieces of artwork for Frostgrave: Mortal Enemies. Although aRu-Mor has been at it for awhile now, I am continually amazed by her work on the series. There is a wonderful depth to her colours, and a sense of menace in even the simplest compositions. While this is the only Frostgrave book currently on the schedule, I am in discussions with Osprey on another one.
Stargrave
Bold Endeavour was just released last week, and I’m excited to see what players make of it. With the new rules for starships and space encounters, it brings a completely new aspect to the game that can really increase the sense of adventure and narrative within a campaign. I loved working on it. But that’s not the last for Stargrave, because I have also been working on a full, book-length version of the Dead or Alive solo expansion that was originally released when the game first released. This book greatly expands the possible settings, complications, and marks that bounty hunters can pursue across the Ravaged Galaxy!
Rangers of Shadow Deep
I have nearly finished a big project with Modiphius that will hopefully be announced soon. I have also been working on something much smaller, which I intended to self-publish, that looks at the game from a completely different angle…
Old Bones
Old Bones #3 is in the final stages of production. This o
ne is basically an all Frostgrave & Ghost Archipelago issue. Actually, Old Bones #4 is not running far behind!
Oathmark
I’m not allowed to say much about this, but there are ongoing discussions…
The Silver Bayonet
I have just completed my final read-through of the layouts for Egypt: Shadow of the Sphinx. It was a lot of fun to take The Silver Bayonet out of its European setting and bring in some other classic horror monsters! I delight in seeing how much fun can be packed into these small books!
Deathship One
This is a small-scale, ‘limited’ wargame that I originally wrote for Blaster. As it is now unavailable in that form, I am working to bring it back, in a slightly expanded form, as a stand-alone, self-published book.
The Renaissance Troll
Over the last couple of years, I have been quietly working on one other major project – I have been writing my ‘gaming autobiography’. Essentially, the story of my life in games, or perhaps how games have related to my life. It covers my earliest encounters with hobby gaming, the great games and game stores that influenced me, my immigration to Britain, working with Osprey, right up to the writing and publication of The Silver Bayonet. I have now finished the first draft of the manuscript and am slowly editing my way through it. It is the longest single work I have ever written. I don’t know what I’ll do with it once it’s finished, or if anyone will ever want to read it, but it has been an enjoyable exercise in self-reflection, nostalgia, game-philosophy, and writing in a different genre.
So, plenty of irons still in the fire!
Excellent news! Keep up the good work
Many thanks. I’ll try!
Lovely to see all the progress! You know, these compilations make me exited to try the systems you made that I don’t currently own. Which is really fun!
As long as you are having fun, I must be doing something right!
I’d love to read the autobiography. Can’t wait for the chapter where your disgust at the climbing abilities of Gorillas began. Ha! Have a good one dude.
Good to know!
Fantastic – Our group have totally been enjoying playing the co-op Stargrave game after completing all the Rangers games. More co-op would be awesome.
Been said by others, but we it be awesome to enable a cross over/ connection between Oathmark & Rangers games either in game mechanics or miniatures. Is there any chance of something like that?
Really appreciate what you bring to games. All the best.
I don’t know. I own Rangers while Osprey owns Oathmark, so it’s not that simple.
Hi Joseph, what happened to blaster?
It just became hard for the 5 designers to work at the same pace and level, so we decided to wrap it up. The editor decided to take it over and move it forward without us. I’ll be looking at getting all of my Blaster material available elsewhere.
I expect no fewer that 10 pages about our time at Dream Wizards.
It certainly gets its time in the spotlight!
Nice work. I have been playing and enjoying Silver Bayonet. Just bought Rangers of shadow deep and cannot wait to jump into it. All I got to say is keep them coming.
Glad you are enjoying them. I’ll do my best!
Wow, you have been busy.
The potential depth of the Silver Bayonet setting has surprised me. I assumed it would be one-and-done; but you’ve revealed so much cool space to expand in to.
I’m looking forward to the expanded Dead or Alive setting.
I also thought it was going to be one and done, but people liked it too much!
Coool!
Co-op Silver Bayonet would be grand!
Great work and updates Joe! I love Frostgrave, Stargrave and Oathmark! Hope to see more for Oathmark it’s such a great system!
Awesome news. Anything “grave” with solo/coop content is an auto buy from me. And of course Rangers of Shadowdeep.
Thanks, Dave!
You’re a machine Joseph! Love your games
Thank you!
Great news about DOA! I’m excited to see more marks.
Is Mortal Enemies going to be the Frostgrave version of that system?
No, Mortal Enemies is a different system, not specifically for solo play (though certainly usable for it), but which has more variation and progression for the bad guys.
I’m very excited to hear about any new StarGrave works, and an expanded version of Dead Or Alive sounds excellent!