DreamPunk Productions

The Ruthless Diastema Podcast had some nice thing to say about The Stork. Check it out here: http://ruthlessdee.com/index.php/?p=2065

I bring you the first documented account of someone delivering a package to a stranger! I must commend the bravery and generosity of this person. Really great stuff! Read their tale below.

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Firstly, I received the package and was excited to open it up. After reading through the well illustrated pages I began to feel nervous. I’m generally a pretty easy going guy but the thought of trying to give a stranger a nondescript package and walk away was interesting. I wanted it to be a stranger – I feel as though that passes the message on better, has more impact and it truly is about just paying it forward and knowing nothing is coming back your way (maybe a thank you and some good karma).

As opposed from going about my normal day and driving to uni I thought I’d jump on the bus.. better chance to interact with someone. I picked a woman, about 35 years old and talking on the phone. After she got off her mobile I asked her if I could borrow her phone to make a quick call as my phone had just died (that was a lie). I suppose I was attempting to qualify her and know the stork would be passed on, even if only once more. I wouldn’t have walked away if she said no, I wanted to gauge though how she would react. Without hesitating she offered me her phone. I said “thank you”, and after a moment said “actually can you hold that for a second while I grab something”. It all became just a little more weird from here.

People around us started to look as I did my best to explain to this woman why I was trying to give her a mysterious object, in a box, with something rigid inside wrapped in an envelope. Very apprehensively she says “is this a bomb?”. Deviating for a moment I think some design aspects could be modified. Was a little confusing and can give away a surprise if you write what you gave them in the ledger – a lot to type so if ever you had a chance for to Skype would be great to talk.

After the initial awkward moments of my poor explanations and her puzzled questions (like, “is this stolen?”, “are you sure it’s not stolen”, “ok but what if it’s stolen, why would you give me this if it were yours”) she was smiling with her new (second hand but in near new condition) iPod touch as well as some foreign currency and a little note. The iPod was used rarely since I bought my phone. Was an upgrade from the tattered mp3 player she had clipped on her shirt.

My stop arrived and I just told her to have a great day and to pay it forward.

A nice lady that left me with a smile all day. I still think about who the stork is and what’s happening out there. Would love to hear the stories.

Hey, everyone! I trust that everyone has received their copy of The Stork by now. I’ve heard a few accounts from friends about their experience choosing and delivering a package. It would be great to hear more stories. So please let me know what you think of the book and what your experience was like!

Two big boxes arrived today via UPS! The book looks really great. No issues at all. The cover is a nice glossy red.

Over the next few days I will be mailing out the book to all of you as well as Indie Press Revolution. For those of you in the States, you should have your copy next week. It will be a little longer for our friends around the world.

Thank you all again. It will be in your hands soon!

I got the minor printing issue worked out with the printer and the job is now in their queue. Unfortunately, it will be about 2-3 weeks before it is ready to ship (they are a small shop that is very busy). In the meantime, I am working on a more robust web site for The Stork. I’ll share the link once I have something to show you.

I received the print proof for The Stork the other day. It looks really good. It will look even better with the UV coating on the cover. There was a minor issue on one page (a thing strip of the image was in greyscale instead of color). Once that is resolved, the printer can do the full run. Continue reading →

Ookoodook

Noble Knight Games

Gizmet Gameworks is a group of game designers here in Austin, Texas. I can personally vouch for the awesomeness of their games as I have played every one of them. Their games are elegant, easy to learn, yet have deep strategy and replayability. If this were an ABC After School Special, House of Whack would play the unruly punk kid from the poor side of Wonderland sent to live with his idiosyncratic cousins at their British Boys’ Boarding School. Hijinx, arson and Cockney accents ensue! While you laugh at this classic heartwarming fish out of water tale, you just might learn something about yourself. But probably not!

Visit Gizmet Gameworks right now!

I will be at GenCon Indy 2008 running a demo session of House of Whack.

This is event ID BGM01104 on Thursday, the 14th at 1:00 PM. There is room for 6 players, so be sure to sign up ASAP!

I will also be available to demo the game in the open gaming area.

The All Games Considered podcast reviewed House of Whack in episode 74. Mark is befuddled and amused!