The review of the latest issue at ENWorld is very kind, and points out for particular praise both the Ecology of the Phantom Fungus and the Tiefling article by David “Zeb” Cook.

As to whether we’ll be able to continue with color interior pages next issue, well, that depends on subscriptions and advertisers, as you might expect.

James Jacobs is the editor-in-chief of Paizo Publishing’s Pathfinder line. Over the years, he has worked as the associate and later the managing editor of Dungeon magazine. He’s been the developer, lead designer, the guy who adds material here and there, and even the cartographer on projects for Bastion Press, Green Ronin Publishing, Wizards of the Coast and, of course, Paizo Publishing.

As the Pathfinder line becomes increasingly more popular and Jacobs becomes more prolific, he has not lost the old spark and still clearly loves his job. In game writing, he advocates a strong theme and leaving room to expand.

In the weeks before GenCon 2008, Jacobs and I talked about world-building and [more]

You may know the RPG blogger Chatty DM, a fine fellow who offered a GM-Fu seminar at GenCon, and who has recently made quite a splash on the RPG scene.

Well, he’s doing it again, this time with an adventure design project. He calls it Kobold Love, and it’s taking a page from the Open Design playbook. He’s asking for donations, writing up the whole thing as a creative commons non-commercial project, and statting it for 4E. But it’s not just a 4E project: he’s challenging the gaming/blogging world to dive in and support the same adventure for 3E, Pathfinder, or whatever system you like (Toon, anyone?). It’s a kobold festival for all editions.

Now, I have no idea whether Chatty DM can design a credible adventure that I want to play, but based on the entertainment value of his blog, I’d say he’s got a pretty good shot at it.

Anyone here want to take him up on the challenge?

Matt Forbeck has been working full-time in the gaming industry for almost two decades. His CV reads like a hardcore gamer’s none-too-modest Christmas wish list. A freelancer for most of his career, he has worked, in some capacity or other, for everyone from Atari to Wizards of the Coast, from Games Workshop to White Wolf.

Forbeck has designed, as he says, “collectible card games, roleplaying games, miniatures games, and board games, and has directed voiceover work and written short fiction, comic books, novels, and computer game scripts and stories.”

Three threads run throughout all Forbeck’s work—humor, heart, and integrity. Put in print here, these traits may seem trite. But when Forbeck puts them in print, people have fun. Lots of fun.

Defining Fun…

I’m completely floored by it, but Open Design has tied for this year’s Diana Jones Award for Excellence in Gaming. My co-winner is Jason Morningstar, for Grey Ranks.

I’m shocked, but so very pleased. Who knew that the “weird” patronage approach would win awards?