September 28, 2026: Made By GPI

Our friends at Grand Prix International have been a huge help over the years in managing our projects at overseas manufacturers. They have a skilled team to help any individual or company turn their concepts into creations. Whether it's a simple game or a complex one, they offer their expertise throughout the process and can facilitate as much or as little as needed. GPI is also willing to go above and beyond if any manufacturing timeline hiccups occur. Their team is well-informed, offering their knowledge on everything from crowdfunds to the latest on tariffs to scaling up your business. They also go beyond making just games, so if you need any help venturing outside of game manufacturing, we highly recommend them to help guide you.

-- Sabrina Gonzalez

September 27, 2026: A Different Fantasy Western Setting

Fantastic Wild West is not a new idea, of course. I've been planning a game based on the old TV show Wild Wild West for years, and what is that but fantasy gone mainstream? But when my favorite miniatures YouTube channel, Boylei Hobby Time, announced that they were producing a game based on their fantasy Wild West setting, I was one of the first Kickstarter backers. I figured if nothing else, it would have awesome illustrations.

The game arrived last week. It exceeded my expectations by a lot. I doubt if I'll ever play the rules as written – though they are good and very much fit for the setting – but it is a super resource for any other game, such as GURPS. Honestly, I think that is unquestionably its best use.

The book lays out the setting with maps, history, and so forth. It details the creatures found there, which are memorable. They are what the creator has been building . . .

[more]

September 26, 2026: True Tales Of The Illuminati

We had the pleasure of supporting this excellent 'cast (and its excellent cast) in its last crowdfund, and Beck, our very favorite Deputy Head Underboss, sent the attached message, which we found both deeply moving and cosmically significant. I mean, how often does that happen?

I have inside information fnord to the effect that Season 3 will premiere on Thanksgiving. Hide and watch!

-- Steve Jackson

September 25, 2026: Critter-cal Hits

This may be one of the most-niche yet neatest resources I've ever shared here. It's called Xeno Canto. It provides info and samples of various wildlife recordings from around the world – including meta-data that's pretty useful in certain gamer situations.

Do you want to know what Sulphur-billed nuthatches sound like . . . and when they're active? Do you want to know what the fox says? Do you want to provide a memorable audio clue to help a naturalist hero realize the party has been teleported half a world away? Xeno Canto has you covered. It's a site that's for the birds . . . but in the best possible way.

-- Steven Marsh

September 24, 2026: Pocket RPG Coming Soon!

I almost walked right by this incredible prototype in the Dragon Con dealer hall because it's just so teensy! Look at this!

See the Pokémon cards (upper left of the bottom photo) for scale!

This is the upcoming Pocket RPG from Yarro Studios. It's the smallest functional set of dungeon miniatures I've ever seen, with a brilliantly-designed fold-up carrying case. The maps are printed on metal and are incredibly clear and vibrant. The miniatures all have strong magnets, and the way they click onto the map is incredibly satisfying. And the terrain is so cute. I really want to paint these.

I already own one Yarro Studios product – an Immersive Battle Map book full of sci-fi maps. It's an enormous atlas with lie-flat binding and dry-erase pages, full of vibrantly colored futuristic maps. It's totally sick. Currently, I can only find the digital version on their site, so you'll have to . . . [more]

Previous Illuminators • Steve's Appearance Schedule

Jon Stewart tortures the well-dressed phone and the splendid manuscript. September 28, 2026: Made By GPI Our friends at Grand Prix International have been a huge help over the years in managing our projects at overseas manufacturers. They have a skilled team to help any individual or company turn their concepts into creations. Whether it's a simple game or a complex one, they offer their expertise throughout the process and can facilitate as much or as little as needed. GPI is also willing to go above and beyond if any manufacturing timeline hiccups occur. Their team is well-informed, offering their knowledge on everything from crowdfunds to the latest on tariffs to scaling up your business. They also go beyond making just games, so if you need any help venturing outside of game manufacturing, we highly recommend them to help guide you. -- Sabrina Gonzalez September 27, 2026: A Different Fantasy Western Setting Fantastic Wild West is not a new idea, of course. I've been planning a game based on the old TV show Wild Wild West for years, and what is that but fantasy gone mainstream? But when my favorite miniatures YouTube channel, Boylei Hobby Time, announced that they were producing a game based on their fantasy Wild West setting, I was one of the first Kickstarter backers. I figured if nothing else, it would have awesome illustrations. The game arrived last week. It exceeded my expectations by a lot. I doubt if I'll ever play the rules as written – though they are good and very much fit for the setting – but it is a super resource for any other game, such as GURPS. Honestly, I think that is unquestionably its best use. The book lays out the setting with maps, history, and so forth. It details the creatures found there, which are memorable. They are what the creator has been building . . . [more] September 26, 2026: True Tales Of The Illuminati We had the pleasure of supporting this excellent 'cast (and its excellent cast) in its last crowdfund, and Beck, our very favorite Deputy Head Underboss, sent the attached message, which we found both deeply moving and cosmically significant. I mean, how often does that happen? I have inside information fnord to the effect that Season 3 will premiere on Thanksgiving. Hide and watch! -- Steve Jackson September 25, 2026: Critter-cal Hits This may be one of the most-niche yet neatest resources I've ever shared here. It's called Xeno Canto. It provides info and samples of various wildlife recordings from around the world – including meta-data that's pretty useful in certain gamer situations. Do you want to know what Sulphur-billed nuthatches sound like . . . and when they're active? Do you want to know what the fox says? Do you want to provide a memorable audio clue to help a naturalist hero realize the party has been teleported half a world away? Xeno Canto has you covered. It's a site that's for the birds . . . but in the best possible way. -- Steven Marsh September 24, 2026: Pocket RPG Coming Soon! I almost walked right by this incredible prototype in the Dragon Con dealer hall because it's just so teensy! Look at this! See the Pokémon cards (upper left of the bottom photo) for scale! This is the upcoming Pocket RPG from Yarro Studios. It's the smallest functional set of dungeon miniatures I've ever seen, with a brilliantly-designed fold-up carrying case. The maps are printed on metal and are incredibly clear and vibrant. The miniatures all have strong magnets, and the way they click onto the map is incredibly satisfying. And the terrain is so cute. I really want to paint these. I already own one Yarro Studios product – an Immersive Battle Map book full of sci-fi maps. It's an enormous atlas with lie-flat binding and dry-erase pages, full of vibrantly colored futuristic maps. It's totally sick. Currently, I can only find the digital version on their site, so you'll have to . . . [more] Previous Illuminators • Steve's Appearance Schedule		Latest Videos You are the 428th frothing gamer here today. (33507587 since August 1, 1995)