The Fighting Fantasy Fest

And what an event it was too!

Speak to and meeting so many of you old school role-players there really gave us the bug for getting involved in a wider variety of games and systems. Seeing Russ Nicholson (you can read our interview with him here), Chris Achilleos and Duncan Smith among many other long-established and well-loved artists gave us inspiration to create, build and love what we do that much more. And of course, rubbing shoulders with Ian Livingstone and Steve Jackson gave us the sense that, while we all tend to put these names up on a pedestal and perhaps think they're so far removed from us, they are actually really in touch with the community at a grass roots level; Steve Jackson was in fact was telling us that he has a few unopened boxes of Magic: The Gathering's Alpha and Beta just kicking around somewhere in his garage! Yes, these guys were there when it all began, struggling to get these ideas and institutions off the ground and were pioneers and trailblazers for many of us that have come since.

These days things are still tough for the gaming companies as we meander through this gaming renaissance, prices get squeezed for shops and game designers seek ever longingly to get their ideas published and funded. Of course, with the likes of crowd funding, social media and many more events and exhibitions available the cream can indeed rise to the top. But with such a saturated environment it can be a real struggle...

Above we have some artwork by a friend of ours, Emmie; she is an up-and-coming, very talented digital artist. She also sits at our D&D table when we get a chance to play together and these are some character evolution portraits of her Sorcerer, Lila.

For the many others we've spoken to lately, games developers old and new, individuals who commission artwork, sculptors, terrain builders and creators of all stripes, we were blown away by the work you've done. Keep plugging away, embrace your talents, your skills, and keep us posted on your endeavours. 

Keep fighting the good fight.

- Rogue