Latest News - 9th May 2013

How are you all getting on with the new Sorcery! app? According to fans on Twitter, most that have played it say they can't wait for the next installment and the team at Inkle are working hard to make that happen. This is a favourite quote supplied by Jon Ingold, Creative Director at Inkle,

"Sometimes I feel like I'm wasting my time writing a review when I should really just be pointing at a game and demanding that people play it. This is one of those times. Steve Jackson's Sorcery! is an absolutely marvelous fantasy storybook adventure. Lushly illustrated and expertly told, it should not be missed by anyone even remotely interested in the genre."

Latest News - 2nd May 2013

Don't forget that the first Sorcery! app by Inkle is now out on iTunes. Send your Reviews to mail@fightingfantasy.com and let us know what you think.

Issue #11 of the Fighting Fantazine is out and available for download here. Alexander Ballingall has excelled himself as ever and pulled a mighty edition together worthy of any high street newstand near you. The on-line magazine now caters for other Gamebooks in the genre for a wider audience to enjoy. Stuart Lloyd has joined him as Editor.

Exclusive News - 22nd April 2013

Clear your diaries for Thursday 2nd May 2013, the Sorcery! app is officially on its way!

Inkle have exclusively announced to fightingfantasy.com that the much anticipated Steve Jackson Sorcery! app will reach us on Thursday 2nd May. The first installment, The Shamutanti Hills, will be available on the iPod Touch, iPhone and iPad. Books 2-4 will follow and it is anticipated that it will be developed for Android as well some time in the future.

Latest News - 21st April 2013

The Warlock (a.k.a Jamie Fry) has released the 2013 Fighting Fantasy Collector Checklist and Price Guide. It is available for viewing or download here. Or if you prefer a copy direct from the Warlock himself or give him feedback, please e-mail jamie@fightingfantasy.com

Latest News - 29th March 2013

Another update from Inkle. Due for release in May, the first installment of the Sorcery! quartet, The Shamutanti Hills will entrall all those who grace its paths. I am for one looking forward to it due to the fact it is going to be very different from previous apps of the same genre. You will be circumnavigating the world by means of a 3D map and partake in unique dynamic fight scenes. To find out more read here and if you haven't seen the trailer for it yet then go here for a 7-minute YouTube spectacular.

Latest News - 19th March 2013

Inkle have been busy with the new Sorcery! app, The Shamutanti Hills, by releasing new screenshots before its release in the spring. See more here.

Latest News - 2nd March 2013

Just under a year later, since winning 'The Something Unreal' event at 'The Gadget Show Live', Commando Kiwi have finally released "The Warlock of Firetop Mountain: Lost Chapters on the iOS platform. Head over to their Facebook page for more information.

Fellow competitors, Indigo Jam, have also released Deathtrap Dungeon. However, the intention to release on iOS didn't work out and they have released it onto PC instead. The download is available from their website.

These are not be confused with any original gamebook adaptions being released by Tin Man Games. Look out for a Blood of the Zombies quiz coming soon.

Latest News- 3rd February 2013

Remember the Hill Giant and the Sightmaster Sergeant of Analand? The last time I posted anything substantial regarding the forthcoming Steve Jackson Sorcery! app by Inkle was back in September last year. Jon Ingold, the Creative Director at Inkle has provided us with these exclusive new images for The Shamutanti Hills app by illustrator Eddie Sharam (the moving gif images) to compliment the original artwork by John Blanche as a teaser of what is to come in April.

Will this app beat Forest of Doom by Tin Man Games to our tablets and phones or will you get this first instead? Either way both are worth the wait and I am sure new and old fans alike will enjoy both. In the meantime enjoy House of Hell.

Latest News - 31st January 2013

Number 10 in the original series of Fighting Fantasy books, House of Hell is a classic and a favourite for many but many a time has the book met criticism as well for its darker side. Equally, it stands out as one of the few in the series in the horror genre and not set in the original setting of Allansia. Play it as it was intended and stay true to the original system or use the many features within the app to enhance your experience. Once again Tin Man Games have worked their magic, following the success of the new release that is Blood of the Zombies and bought this original classic back to life in the different formats a new generation can enjoy alike, Download now.

“Taking refuge in the infamous House of Hell has to be the worst mistake of your life! The dangers of the torrential storm outside are nothing compared to the blood-curdling adventures that await you inside. Who knows how many hapless wanderers like yourself have perished within its gruesome walls? Be warned! Tonight is going to be a night to remember…”

Latest News - 29th January 2013

Following hot on the trail of the Android release, House of Hell by Tin Man Games will be released on the iOS (Apple) platform tomorrow. The digital wizards at Tin Man Games have placed a trailer on their blog as a teaser. Also to become available on Nook.

Latest News - 14th January 2013

The good news is that YOU ARE THE HERO funded at £21,421 which is well over the originally planned £15,000 target. It didn't quite reach the £23,000 stretch target Jonathan Green set to get it into hardback format. Well done everyone for contributing. Now just the wait until the end of the year!

In the meantime we have apps to look forward too. First up is not far away. Tin Man Games report that House of Hell has been submitted to Apple and it's just a short waiting game before it gets released. To keep you going these screenshots should make up for the wait and give you a taste of what to expect..

Latest News - 6th January 2013

Happy New Year to new and returning Fighting Fantasy fans. Here is to another fantastic year of Gamebooks.

No new paperbook releases are planned at this time, however expect to see plenty of the Gamebooks released into electronic formats by Tin Man Games (see previous posts) and don't forget the Sorcery! series being released by Inkle as well. I think the best ever news ever is that whilst I said no new books are coming out, we do still have YOU ARE THE HERO to look forward too by Jonathan Green at the end of this year. As I type it has less than 5 hours to go and will end at 3pm GMT (10am EST) today, Sunday 6th January 2013. The book has funded at £15,000 but it is now past £19,000 and the ever ambitious Jon has set a late stretch target of £23,000 to turn the book into a hardback release. This is certainly something I would like to see happen - Good Luck Jon. (Follow his blog to find out the latest). Tin Man have also contributed, so if you add £10 to your pledge you can get the first 7 Gamebook Adventures as well!

Just a heads up as well, the magazine SCIFI NOW #75 (out now) has another full page on Fighting Fantasy.

Latest News - 29th December 2012

Issue 10 of the Fighting Fantazine has been released this week. Its content over 104 pages includes all the latest news, an inteview with Paul Mason, a 235 paragraph adventure - Hand of Fate, 30 years of Fighting Fantasy by Ian Livingstone, 30 reasons why we love Fighting Fantasy, A History of the Development of Gamebooks and much, much more from the regulars of the gamebook world to keep you busy reading for hours.

Latest News - 24th December 2012

Those of you that didn't attend Dragonmeet 2012 this year or missed Ian Livingstone and Steve Jackson give an hour long presentation (like me as I was still selling Fighting Fantasy Books) can see the full footage on the GMS Magazine website. As reported before it is here that they announced the Kickstarter project by Jonathan Green (see below). The project, to bring us a 'Coffee Table' book called YOU ARE THE HERO - A History of Fighting Fantasy gamebooks, has 12 days to go and has nearly reached £10,000 of the £15,000 goal. I have funded, have you? I for one certainly want to see this happen, so go on and make myself and many more happy, buy yourself a gift now.

Whilst you are sitting around this holiday watching the video, you should also read the interview GMS Magazine has conducted with Jonathan Green about this project and his career. On top of all this goodness is the announcement made by Tin Man Games, 'On the Twelth Day of Christmas, The Warlock gave to me..... The Warlock of Firetop Mountain'. Tin people will be very busy releasing this and 6 other Fighting Fantasy titles in 2013, not to mention House of Hell as well is just around the corner.

It has been a very busy 30th Anniversary year for Fighting Fantasy and long may it continue.

Merry Christmas from The Warlock!

Latest News - 9th December 2012

Jonathan Green has launched his new project on Kickstarter. The name of his project is YOU ARE THE HERO - A History of Fighting Fantasy Gamebooks. Only 3 days in and Jonathan has already secured over £4,000 of his £15,000 target.

Some of you will already know that he is a huge fan of Fighting Fantasy Gamebooks (the series that began with Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone's The Warlock of Firetop Mountain in 1982) and has written seven titles in the series to date. 2012 marks the 30th anniversary of the publication of The Warlock of Firetop Mountain, and he wanted to mark the occasion by writing the definitive history of Fighting Fantasy.

He has already interviewed Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone (as well as various authors, artists, editors and some well known fans of the series) and has some cool rewards lined up for backers.

Please check out the Kickstarter page and pledge your support if you can (even £1 could make all the difference between the project being funded or not) and pass it on to your friends.

Latest News - 2nd December 2012

A very successful day for Fighting Fantasy was had at Dragonmeet 2012 yesterday at Kensington Town Hall in London.  Over 90 books were sold on the day, 36 of which were Blood of the Zombies. My son, Charlie, can been in the first picture just after we set-up and the next picture is Ian Livingstone and Steve Jackson in full signing mode, with a long line of fans waiting to see them in the background. I am the bald one stood up behind them. My Warlock t-shirt I ordered for the event never did arrive.

Fighting Fantasy author Jonathan Green came to see us, as did artist Tony Hough. Thanks to Neil Rennison of Tin Man Games who attended as well and lent me his Blood of the Zombies banner and iPad stand that was very popular with passers by. Lots of postcards (again donated by Tin Man) and posters were given away as collector's items. We also had the pleasure of Gamebook blogger, Stuart Lloyd pop by for a chat.

Sadly, the Fighting Fantasy documentary Kickstarter project 'Turn to 400' did not get funded despite all the efforts of Sean Riley and those who supported it. Just over £15,000 of the original target of £40,000 was funded and we are awaiting news as to what the next move is regarding this. Meanwhile at Dragonmeet it was announced that Jonathan Green will be starting his own Kickstarter project. He is to launch a campaign to fund a book he is writing called 'The History of Fighting Fantasy'. This is an exciting project and I am sure we are all looking forward to supporting this and seeing the fruits of his labour sometime next year.

Latest News  - 20th November 2012

Join me and over 60,000 others in watching 'Numberphile' on YouTube. James Clewett shows mathematically how the power of 400 applies to Fighting Fantasy.

Latest News - 17th November 2012

It has been confirmed that at Dragonmeet 2012, Ian Livingstone will be giving a talk at 12pm to discuss Fighting Fantasy and Blood of the Zombies.

Latest News- 15th November 2012

Fighting Fantasy to attend Dragonmeet 2012 - Saturday 1st December 2012 - Kensington, London.

Not only is Ian Livingstone attending again this year but he will be joined by Steve Jackson this time as well. Both will be joining The Warlock at their very own Fighting Fantasy table where they will be signing books. Blood of the Zombies will be for sale, signed of course, among other original titles. Come along and join us.

Latest News - 4th November 2012

"Turn to 400" is a documentary film which tells the story of Fighting Fantasy. MmBroadcast is using Kickstarter to raise the funding. The campaign began on Halloween, 31st October 2012 (and only lasts a month!) - please get involved and contribute. They need to raise a whopping £40,000 to get started, so dig deep and help keep Fighting Fantasy live on.

Latest News - 29th October 2012

Bit of a mixed bag to report on today. Tin Man Games can be congratulated on obtaining the Gold Award from Pocket Gamer with a 9 out of 10 rating and reaching no.1 in the iPad RPG chart with the new Blood of Zombies App. A free iOS app has been released by Mark Stoneham called the Gamebook Companion that acts as a virtual adventure sheet, ideal when playing your Fighting Fantasy books or similar. Don't despair if you don't have any dice or a pencil, or no longer fret about ruining your book by writing in it as this tool enables you store all your stats and more in one place.

Most exciting news of all is that MmBroadcast, the company responsible for bringing us the Fighting Fantasy documentary taster will shortly be releasing a UK Kickstarter project to fund the documentary. They have created a Facebook page - Turn to 400 in the build up to the 30-day project which starts on Halloween. Dig deep into those pockets and fund a film about your favourite subject, use it or lose it!

Latest News - 23rd October 2012

Latest News - 19th October 2012

Blood of the Zombies is now available for download from the Apple app store (iOS) and Google Play (Android), both at £3.99. No doubt it will become available on other platforms as have other Adventure Gamebooks released by Tin Man Games.

It doesn't stop here, Tin Man are releasing House of Hell (hopefully this year), Forest of Doom and Appointment with F.E.A.R in 2013. They also plan to release other titles such as Warlock of Firetop Mountain, Citadel of Chaos and Deathtap Dungeon as in the future. Tin Man has also set up fightingfantasyapps.com for all related apps.

Tin Man Games have released this promotional video to help you make up your mind.

Every fan should own this app, so what are you waiting for, go slay those Zombies. And whilst you are, don't forget to tweet your achievements and death endings, let the Warlock know how you are getting on.

Latest News - 10th October 2012

Fighting Fantasy: Blood of the Zombies is almost here for iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android smart phones and tablets!! It will be available on Wednesday October 17th, first appearing in New Zealand and then making its way to the various Apple iTunes and Google Play App Stores around the globe!

Latest News - 9th October 2012

A review of Blood of the Zombies by fan Ed Reilly,

“A new Fighting Fantasy adventure by Ian Livingstone is always a cause for celebration and this one is no exception. In many ways, Blood of the Zombies is Ian's own version of House of Hell in that you must navigate your way through a castle full of adversaries (in this case, zombies).

At times, I found myself missing the sheer variety of monster encounters in the standard Fighting Fantasy books. However I did appreciate Ian's inclusion of a pretty female companion who helps you. (I'm sure the male readership will agree with me!) I couldn’t understand why Gingrich Yurr would turn himself into a zombie. There are several coded references to Fighting Fantasy history and Ian makes his customary cameo in the art. The cover and interior art are striking, a particular favourite being the chainsaw zombie (which I sincerely hope wasn’t Amy!)

The return of the green spine is the icing on the cake. So, all in all. a most enjoyable adventure. Let us hope that both Ian and Steve return for one last great adventure in Allansia to enrich the Fighting Fantasy mythos.”

Latest News - 7th October 2012

A few tantalising details about the new version of Steve Jackson's Sorcery! have surfaced.

The developers at inkle say: "We've almost finished our first pass at adapting Book One: The Shamutanti Hills. (Just the final descent into the caves of the dread MANTICORE still to do.) The new version contains every word of the original, alongside about three times as many new words to go with!"

Have they cut anything? "Absolutely not. We're going deeper; making things more detailed."

So dedicated players of the original book will be at an advantage? "Perhaps. But we've talked about adding a couple of traps just for people who can remember the originals. Will we do that? Well. That would be telling, wouldn't it?"

Sorcery! is due out on iPhone and iPad next year. Sign up to the mailing list here www.inklestudios.com/sorcery

Latest News - 25th September 2012

Hot of the press are these Blood of the Zombies iPad images courtesy of Tin Man Games Gamebook Adventures. They signal the final submission to iTunes and therefore it will not be long before you can all download the gamebook to your devices for some interactive Zombie slashing.

Exclusive News - 18th September 2012

Sorcery! coming to iPhone and iPad in 2013

Steve Jackson has teamed up with software company inkle, developers of the rave-reviewed Frankenstein app, to bring all four Sorcery! books into the twenty-first century in a series of four cutting-edge iPhone and iPad apps. Find out more in this press release. More news on this too follow.

Latest News - 17th September 2012

Love Fighting Fantasy art? Well, issue #88 of ImagineFX magazine is out now. It contains 10 glorious pages of pictures from generations of some of the best Fighting Fantasy artists, in particular that of Iain McCaig nonetheless. Blood of the Zombies artists, Greg Staples (cover) and Kev Crossley (internal), command over 3 pages between them to show off how the cover and illustrations made it to the page including the trials and tribulations of the commission. A sneak preview of the iOS version artwork by Tin Man Games is also shown.

Latest News - 10th September 2012

Congratulations to three lucky winners. In August we ran a quiz based on The Warlock of Firetop Mountain to celebrate the 30th Anniversay of Fighting Fantasy to win a signed copy of Blood of the Zombies. The winners were, Matt Gilson, Jaldar Vyas and Charlie Mortenson. Welll done!

Ian Livingstone will be joining fellow author Charlie Hisgson at the Cheltenham Literature Festival on Sunday 6th October at 4pm to talk Zombies. Expect to see the iOS and Android versions of Blood of the Zombies to be released at the end of this month.

Read archived news here.