Atlas Dispatches

WaRP Open Call

2012-05-29T11:21:00.005-05:00

To encourage development of WaRP System content, Atlas Games is sponsoring an Open Call of short WaRP-based adventures. Submissions are due on July 30th, and should be fully developed adventures of 3,000 to 15,000 words in length (not proposals). The best submitted adventures will be selected for inclusion in an adventure anthology published by Atlas Games. Those that are chosen will be given a contract for 3 cents/word and a complimentary copy of the book.

We're looking for adventures that push the boundaries of what can be done with the WaRP System. They may be based in the Over the Edge setting, but could as easily be set in an entirely different place, time, or genre. They should be edgy, and surprising or weird in some way, going beyond the expected ... we're not looking for ho-hum dungeon crawls. Extra consideration might or might not be given to adventures that include any (but not all) of the following example themes: contagious disease or contagion in general, language (especially in an unexpected or inhuman context), mystical chakras, forbidden weapons, biological metamorphosis, or passions.

Submissions should include the following: An envelope with "RELEASE FORM ENCLOSED" written on the outside; a signed copy our Release Form; and a print-out of your adventure with the following at the top -- your name, address, phone number, email address, title of the adventure, word count, and a 1-sentence plot summary.

DOWNLOAD THE RELEASE FORM HERE

Mail submissions to:
ATTN: WaRP Submission
Atlas Games
885 Pierce Butler Route
St. Paul MN 55104

To discuss the Open Call with other WaRP fans, visit the Atlas Games forums. For more information on our general submission policies, please see our Writers'/Designers' Guidelines. Specific questions on the WaRP Open Call may be directed to info@atlas-games.com. Emailed submissions will not be accepted.

This WaRP Open Call is just part of our year-long celebration of Over the Edge's 20th anniversary, which also includes the release of the special signed and numbered 2nd Edition core book. Reserve your copy now!

Spell Indexes Updated

2012-05-23T11:00:00.002-05:00

Spell Indexes for Ars Magica 5th Edition have been updated through Apprentices, thanks to Erik Tyrrell. Download them by Form or by Technique now!

WaRP Forum

2012-05-16T13:20:00.004-05:00

To encourage WaRP fans to connect with each other and to create new material, Atlas Games has created a special discussion forum dedicated to the system. Join the talk at forum.atlas-games.com !

WaRPed Character by Robin Laws

2012-05-16T10:39:00.003-05:00

To celebrate/publicize the release of the WaRP System under the Open Game License, Over the Edge co-author Robin Laws has put up on his blog a new character he created using the rules system. Check it out!

Releasing your own WaRP content? Let us know about it!

WaRP System RELEASED Under OGL!

2012-05-15T11:58:00.006-05:00

Atlas Games is pleased to announce that the rules system for the Over the Edge RPG has been released under the Open Game License today. Its official name is the WaRP System (Wanton Role-Playing System), and a new WaRP logo has been released along with it under the OGL (without a special trademark license). The WaRP System Reference Document (SRD) contains the basic rules system used in Over the Edge, but not the game's unique setting. (Interested parties may contact Atlas Games about licensing the setting separately.)

VISIT THE WaRP SYSTEM PAGE AT www.Atlas-Games.com/warp TO DOWNLOAD THE OGL, SRD, & LOGO NOW!

The release of the WaRP System is just part of our year-long celebration of Over the Edge's 20th anniversary, which also includes the release of the limited edition deluxe 2nd Edition core book, available for advance reservation now.

We know that Over the Edge fans and independent game designers alike will be as excited about the WaRP System as we are. Enjoy!

Lee Moyer Kickstarter

2012-05-10T10:13:00.002-05:00

Veteran Atlas Games illustrator Lee Moyer sent me an update on his Cthulhoid Monopoly-esque board game that I thought might might interest everyone ...

"This week my game "The Doom That Came to Atlantic City" debuts on the fundraising site Kickstarter: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/forkingpath/the-doom-that-came-to-atlantic-city. We made a short film you can watch at the top of their page that explains more.

"This game has been more than twenty years in the making (I write a detailed history of the game here in my online journal: http://leemoyer.wordpress.com/2012/05/07/the-doom-that-came-to-atlantic-city/), it's a fun light-hearted role-playing game I began with dear friends in DC. Over the years, it grew to combine the writings of H.P. Lovecraft with the horrors of Atlantic City (You remember Atlantic City right? The place so many of us struggled and cried over as children playing an "innocent" game).

"I did all the art and design. Keith Baker made the gameplay fun and interesting. And the brilliant Paul Komoda sculpted the eight lovely (or terrifying as the case may be) playing pieces. While elements of Doom are reminiscent of an infamous real estate trading game, the gameplay is completely different. Instead of playing a puny mortal building a city and making your little brother hate you, you play one of the Great Old Ones, seeking to tear down Atlantic City."

Grogs Contents

2012-05-09T12:00:00.003-05:00

Grogs is almost ready for press, so we've put up its Table of Contents to give you a sneak peek. You'll find it on the Grogs product page, in the right column. Enjoy!

New in Print (Apprentices), New in PDF (The Church)

2012-05-09T08:15:00.002-05:00

Today is the day that Apprentices should be arriving at our distributors' warehouses all over the US. With a new Ars Magica book in the print-distribution channels, it's time to release another of the past titles into the digital channels. So while you wait for your local store (or our mail order partners at Warehouse 23) to sell you Apprentices, hop on over to e23 and get yourself a copy of The Church!

Apprentices Now Shipping

2012-05-03T11:44:00.000-05:00

The newest Ars Magica sourcebook, Apprentices, is shipping to our US distributors starting today. Expect it to be appearing in stores late next week!

Over the Edge System Going OGL

2012-04-23T09:00:00.002-05:00

Atlas Games is pleased to announce that work is in progress to release the Over the Edge RPG's rules system under the Open Game License this year. Its official name will be the WaRP System (Wanton Role-Playing System), and a new WaRP logo will be released along with it under the OGL (without a special trademark license).

This year is the 20th anniversary of Over the Edge, and fans have noticed. We've received several inquiries just in the last month from parties interested in publishing content using Over the Edge's rules. The release of the WaRP System is just part of our year-long celebration of the Over the Edge RPG, which also includes the release of the limited edition deluxe 2nd Edition core book, for which we're taking advance reservations now.

We know that Over the Edge fans and independent game designers alike will be as excited about the WaRP System as we are.

To see the latest info on the WaRP system, visit www.atlas-games.com/warp

Murder of Crows & Ren Faire in Spanish!

2012-04-23T08:30:00.001-05:00

Spanish translations of the rules for Murder of Crows and Ren Faire are now up on their respective product pages. Our thanks to Special Ops demo person Rodolfo Schmauk Ortúzar!

Once Upon a Time THIRD EDITION

2012-04-16T12:23:00.003-05:00

Atlas Games is pleased to announce that we're currently developing the THIRD EDITION for our classic Once Upon a Time storytelling card game. We expect it to be ready for Christmas release this year, and it features:

New Artwork: Entirely new artwork by fantasy artist extraordinaire Omar Rayyan, known for his work for Magic: The Gathering and his amazing children's books.
Revised Cardlist: A re-worked cardlist designed to make play smooth and easy.
Redesigned Box: A larger box with new graphic design and "book-like" front flap, for greater visibility and shelf presence.
Simplified Rulesheet: A simplified rules sheet designed to bring new players quickly into the game.

You can take a look at the new cover art and a rough graphic design for the cards on the Once Upon a Time Third Edition webpage. We know you'll be as excited about it as we are!

Cthulhu Gloom Rules in Spanish

2012-04-16T12:00:00.000-05:00

The Cthulhu Gloom rules are now available in Spanish, thanks to Special Ops member Rodolfo Schmauk Ortúzar. You can find it on the Cthulhu Gloom page.

Tabletop Episode on Gloom

2012-04-03T11:14:00.001-05:00

Keep an eye out on September 21st for the Tabletop episode featuring our own Gloom.

What is Tabletop? Think “Celebrity Poker” meets “Dinner for Five” and you’re ready for this new kind of web show that pairs notable celebs with must-play tabletop games. Hosted by actor and fan favorite Wil Wheaton.

A new episode releases every other FRIDAY starting now!

Check out tabletop.geekandsundry.com for more information, and the first episode.

Special Ops Drawing

2012-04-02T11:35:00.001-05:00

Atlas Games is pleased to announce that Stephen Sciame of Ossining NY is the winner of this quarter's Special Ops prize drawing. Stephen will get to choose a prize from among the rare and and one-of-a-kind Atlas Games items reserved for the Special Ops drawing.

Special Ops is Atlas Games' corps of loyal fans who organize and run demos and tournaments at retail stores and conventions across the country and around the world. At the end of each quarter, Special Ops demo team members who have run a game in the last three months are entered into a prize drawing for special Atlas items. The next drawing will be June 29th, and will feature a choice of prizes such as press sheets and original art from our popular Ars Magica, Feng Shui, and Unknown Armies RPGs, and from card game favorites like Dungeoneer, Lunch Money, and Once Upon a Time.

Atlas is also happy to announce that the following Special Ops members have gone up in rank this quarter:

Stephen Sciame (Corporal, 50 HP)

Congratulations, and keep up the great work!

Also, we'd like to welcome the following new recruits:

Mark Lehman
Matthew McInnis
Christopher Campbell
Paulo Santos
Matt Taylor
Matthew Hoadley
Romain Dames

Thanks for being a part of Special Ops!

If you're interested in joining Atlas Games' Special Ops demo team, just fill out and send in an Application Form. There's no obligation.

To request a Special Ops demo at your convention or retail store, send in our Demo Request Form .

Congrats Source Comics & Games!

2012-03-28T13:24:00.000-05:00

Atlas Games congratulates our sister company the Source Comics & Games on the opening of their NEW location today! The new space is just a few blocks north of their old place in the Twin Cities, now across from the HarMar mall. It's a full TEN THOUSAND SQUARE FEET of space, and WOW does it feel big! It's now one of the biggest hobby game stores in the US, hands down.

The front view of the Source is modern and attractive, facing Snelling Ave. The main entrance and plenty of parking are around back.

Friendly staff greets you at the door (that's Pat and Hans at the desk). A vaulted hangar-style curved ceiling arches over everything, with 6-foot aisles, new fixtures, and bright, friendly lighting. Two WHEELCHAIRS can pass each other in the main aisle, for gosh sakes!

The Wall 'O Comics stretches on practically forever, with everything face-out!

The offices are up by the entrance now, and the Source's manager Bob has a view over his domain through his sneaky mirrored window (that's Nick on the right, too).

The gaming area is ENORMOUS, with a handy kitchenette including a sink for washing brushes, brand new bathrooms and water fountains conveniently close, and lots of light from the big display windows.

Even the Source's iconic soldier has a place of honor right up front in the new store.

Make time to come by the Source this week and congratulate the guys on a job well done. I hear it took them less than 2 hours to move all the inventory over! Phew!

Robert Scott Kickstarters

2012-03-28T10:54:00.001-05:00

I recently got a "Things I'm Working On" update from artist Robert Scott, who does such excellent work for our Ars Magica sourcebooks. I'd thought I'd pass it on, since it involves two Kickstarter projects. Robert says:

"Most importantly for me, I'm currently in the middle of trying to fund a Kickstarter project to complete a tarot deck I've been doing on and off for about ten years now: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/278983245/the-urban-tarot-deck

"Secondly, I thought you'd definitely want to be aware of the Prismatic Art project, if you're not already: http://www.sarahdarkmagic.com/content/why-prismatic-art

"I'm going to be one of about 12 illustrators (and one of only 2 men) contributing work with the specific goal of making more fantasy images of women and people of color available for game publishers to make use of. The Kickstarter page for this project will be launching very soon, and they've asked my permission to use the image of the moorish wizard I sent you for ROP: Magic as part of their fundraising efforts."

I hear Daniel Solis of "Happy Birthday, Robot!" fame is also working on the Prismatic Art project, along with respected gamer-blogger Sarah Darkmagic/Tracy Hurley, so it's something to keep an eye on. The twitter feed for it is @PrismaticArt

Good luck, Robert!

Origins Award Nominations

2012-03-21T11:20:00.000-05:00

Atlas Games is pleased to see two of its newest products receive Origins Award Nominations:

Cthulhu Gloom by Keith Baker with Todd Remick's artwork, for Best Traditional Card Game

Cliffourd the Big Red God by Kenneth Hite with Andy Hopp's artwork, for Best Game-Related Publication

Congrats to our designers and artists for this recognition of all their hard work, and be sure to give them your vote at Origins this summer!

Also, a word of congratulations to all my co-authors on The Kobold Guide to Board Game Design, for our Origins Award Nomination for Best Game-Related Publication, as well!

Ars Magica Errata

2012-03-14T10:49:00.000-05:00

New Ars Magica errata is up, through Hermetic Projects. Check it out now!

Reserve Your Copy of OTE20 NOW!

2012-03-08T13:46:00.004-06:00

We've had such a positive response from fans excited about Over the Edge 20th Anniversary Edition, that we've decided to offer advance reservations for the book. You can find the form and more info in the left column of the OTE20 product page.

On Location Online

2012-03-01T13:03:00.000-06:00

The Feng Shui GM Screen and booklet, On Location, is now available as a PDF from e23. Buy yours today!

Unfortunate Expeditions Tour

2012-02-29T12:06:00.001-06:00

Better late than never, we present the tour of characters for Gloom's Unfortunate Expeditions expansion. Check out the Terrible Travellers promo now! (Our thanks to Mathew Pauley for pointing out the omission.)

Special Deals for Atlas Fans!

2012-02-28T13:43:00.004-06:00

Deniath is a new service that offers 72-hour deals--a little like Groupon or LivingSocial--to its members on a wide variety of products especially aimed at smart, discerning consumers. Since that perfectly describes the fans of Atlas Games, we're teaming up with Deniath to offer some great discounts on a few of our popular games!

Starting Friday, March 2, Deniath clients will be able to get our bestselling card game Gloom for only $14.99, 40% off the retail price--a special price for some copies in which the decks are complete, but collated backward. We're also offering a smashing deal on three of our board games--Grand Tribunal, Recess, and Seismic--only $9.99 each, a discount of over 60%!

Normally, these great deals are only available to subscribers to Deniath's service, but they're offering a free trial membership to Atlas fans so you can take advantage of these great prices and check out Deniath's selection and service. Just follow the directions on this coupon, and Deniath will make sure you're in on the deal!

Updated Indexes

2012-02-28T11:52:00.000-06:00

Updated indexes for Ars Magica are now available courtesy of Erik Tyrrell:

Spell Index by Technique
Spell Index by Form
Shape and Material by Bonus
Shape and Material by Shape

You can find them in the right column at http://www.atlas-games.com/arm5

Latest ArM PDF: Rival Magic

2012-02-28T08:02:00.003-06:00

Our digital bookstore of Ars Magica titles continues to grow, with the latest addition being the 5th Edition supplement Rival Magic. Buy it today at e23!