Hooks & Rumours #6

Ok, short one this week as I have to leg it to Charleroi airport in roughly 23 minutes and I still need to shower and pack. Still, I figured I'd keep the hot streak going and get another newsletter out and point you in the direction of some fun stuff. Right, I really do need to get going, so that really is it. Magazines are still for sale up on our site, and reading them is still the best way to spend a lazy afternoon, just in case that's something you need reminding about.

Oh, actually. one other thing, since social media no longer seems to do anything we are very reluctantly going to try something very new (for us) around the new issue and that's pay for some adverts. We'd love to include some brief one line quotes from happy Wyrd Science readers in the hope that it may help shift a few more copies and we can buy a bigger goose this Christmas. So if you strongly believe that Wyrd Science is not terribad then please feel free to drop us a line.

Right, with that distasteful business done let's get on with it shall we...

John

Ready Player Seven

I hope you all enjoyed browsing that mega-zine archive we posted last week, if you're looking for something with that vibe but catering to games then we're delighted to say that there's a new issue of The International Player's Review out this week. There might even be an advert for something called Wyrd Science in it (slightly more enticing there's also interviews with people like Brad Kerr, so check it out!).

Talking of Brad Kerr, there's a new episode of Between Two Cairns out looking at that old fave Expedition to the Barrier Peaks, this time in the company of music producer A.G. Cook (Charli XCX/PC Music etc), which is a somewhat unexpected coming together of two worlds I live in. Makes me realise I really do need to step up my game and try and make that Wyrd Science goes LARPing with OneOhTrix Point Never feature happen.

Hotter Than Hell

Talking of unexpected crossovers, who doesn't want to make their huevos rancheros a more grim, miserable experience? Not us. Luckily in one of the slightly more unlikely collabs of the year MÖRK BORG have teamed up with hot sauce maker's Chacho, to create something, well I quote, "Sickly yellow and rank with fermented peppers." As well as the actual condiment, there's a special boxed edition that comes with all sorts of extra bonus items, including an adventure, patch and t-shirt (and $150 price tag). Now, where are my apiarists at, as we're down to work on a Wyrd Science hot honey collab.

The Filmmaker's Journey

High end grot publisher Taschen aren't exactly known for doing things on the cheap, and this new two volume slipcase edition celebrating the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art will set you back even more than a MORK BORG hot sauce set but damn, it looks good. The book explores "narrative image-making across painting, illustration, photography, comics, and the arts of filmmaking" revealing "the shared visual language that connects fine art and popular culture, following the evolution of storytelling from canvas to the silver screen." Which sounds pretty good to us. Those looking to pick up a, more relative bargain, can rejoice too as the annual Taschen sale has just kicked off too with up to 75% off much of their back list. Will this finally be the year I treat myself to a massive Ellen Von Unwerth book to leave on the coffee table and make guests uncomfortable?

Simulacraism

As part of the currently ongoing Manifesto Jam, Jason Grinblat, one of the creators of Caves of Qud, just posted a short but interesting Simulationist's Manifesto on Itch, which I'd say is worth reading, comparing and contrasting to tabletop game designer Sam Sorenson's New Simulationism from a couple of years back.

Lonely Fun

What with a new Fighting Fantasy book out it's good timing for Christian Lindke to look back at his formative roleplaying experiences, and how they were shaped by the likes of Citadel of Chaos, and how games like Dragonbane are putting more effort into their solo modes these days. Also talking of Fighting Fantasy this weekend The University of West London plays host to the 6th Fighting Fantasy Festival, where the likes of Sir Ian Livingstone, Marc Gascoigne, Jamie Thompson and many more will be holding court.

Ok, there's definitely something in the air as I just noticed sometime Warhammer Fantasy Role-Play writer/designer, amongst many other things, is talking about game books this week too.

Ex Crawl

A very quick shout out to Clayton for this week's Explorateur, you know the drill, lots of interesting game/graphic design stuff to check out here. (Also damn, talking of game design, just typing Ex Crawl has given me an idea for a terrible game I may have to twiddle with over the next few weeks).

The Weather is Sweet, Yeah

Seeing as my art budget for this month is zero, I may have to forgo this but damn. I'm sure having this hung above my desk would be just the thing to fix me.

And Finally...

Faroese artist Eivør has a new album out in October and on the basis of dark, storm wracked lead single Dragon Maiden it's going to be something special. Music to launch a thousand dragon ships to and set off in search of new lands to plunder.

And Finally Finally...

Magazines we make 'em, you read 'em. Seems like a fair deal...