Graveyard Greg: Who are you people?

First Unknown Stranger: That one’s yours, babe.

Second Unknown Stranger: I’m Sean Jaffe. I’m a freelance writer….We’re a bunch of writers, gamers, musician, and artists who needed work.

First Unknown Stranger: I suppose that’s one way of putting it…

Second Unknown Stranger: We decided to team up and create a crew here in the tri-state area to inject some style into a hurtin’ industry, and maybe wake a few people up in the process..

First Unknown Stranger: One could also say we’re the followers of a madman with a vision. I’m Hala Winter, writer and assistant creative director.

Third Unknown Stranger: Joshua Brain Jaffe.

Graveyard Greg: Gaming credits please–past and present!

Sean: I’ve worked for Inquest, Pyramid, White Wolf…Aetherco/Dreamcatcher,and the Apophis Consortium.

Josh: My creds in the “industry” are that page on the alpha release of Messiah.

Hala: As for me, my experience in the gaming industry is mainly collaboration with Sean.

GG: How did you guys get into the crazy Gaming Industry?

Sean: Well, the way I see it, this is the last great undiscovered art form. So I majored in it at a liberal-arts college. Of course, I got screwed, because no one understood what I was talking about. So, upon leaving I had to put my money where my mouth was. I knew close friend at Inquest. he got me some work…

Josh: I’ve been gaming 14 years now, reaching 15. It seems that through every family tragedy Me and Sean endured,it became apparent we needed to do something. Well, we started forming this concept for a game. I’ve always been the mac nut, so of course, I ended up designing it. And lots of drawing symbols in the edges of my psych notes turned into the symbols you saw on the webpage (www.lastexodus.com). That page in general was a 12 hour epiphany

Sean: Yeah- stay tuned- those sigils do something really cool in the game.

Hala: Well, I’ve been gaming for thirteen years…Roleplaying games have always appealed to me as an actress and writer. Although I never really thought I would go into the gaming “industry”. But one of things we’re trying to do with Sean is bring gaming back to the “Entertainment” industry, which it’s going to have to find a niche in if it’s going to survive.

GG: Some would say that’s already happened, Hala–thanks to MAGIC: The Gathering

Josh: uuuh…..

Sean: Nah, that’s not the same.

Hala: Magic…and CCgs…are something separate to what I think we’re talking about here.

Sean: We’re talking RPG’s - Interactive story arc. This is about BEING. Magic’s well done, but it’s a different animal.

GG: What is this “Messiah: The Last Exodus” all about?

Sean: Who wants this one? Should I take it?

Hala: Well, I believe Sean used the term “Epic Blasphemy”…Sean, take this.

Josh: Sean starts, me next

Hala: I’ll finish.

GG: Ball’s in your court, Sean…

Sean: Alright. The basic premise, without giving away too much, is that the second coming of Christ is hundreds, maybe thousands of people. The players.

Hala: Don’t forget the antichrist…

Sean: Well, yes, there are an equal number of Antichrists.

Josh: Basically, everybody wants to save the world. Question is, who should do it, and who do you save? Sometimes sh!t happens, and who ya gonna call?

Hala: Each of the individuals deatiled on the site represent a different group with a different ideology on how to save the world.

Josh: Which path do YOU choose to save humanity? Which path do you block?

GG: This just in–Nate from Oaklahoma asks: “How serious are you about the religion in the game? I mean - how are you going to make the game appear to non-Christian players - or is the game going to be more All Faith?”

Josh: Every and all faiths

Sean: We blaspheme everybody.

Josh: Hell, I’m Ba’hai, I beleive in all religions.

Sean: No one gets out of here safe.

Josh: religion =/= christianity

Sean: We’re pretty much all deists, no- It utlizes Christ, but he’s not entirley focal.

Hala: I think Messiah is all about breaking that mold…The capital-R Religions in Messiah are all new.

Sean: It’s really a game about creating religion. Faith is a major theme.

Josh: Your Religion will affect your status, power, politics, sexlife and more.

Sean: We’re not afraid to offend people, rest assured. We’re respectful, but not reverent. We don’t just diss religion for the sake of it.

Hala: Sean and I both have studied a number of religions, both for Messiah and our own interests.

Sean: Josh is also heavy into sprituality.

GG: Here’s an easy question: Favorite Snack at midnight?

Josh: MCDONALDS. WE GOT A 24 HOUR MCDONALDS

Sean: Mc’D!

Hala: I’d have to say…Sean.

Sean: Nootch!

Josh: *doh*

Hala: Okay, so he’s a little more than a snack…

Josh: *my eyes are MELTING!!*

GG: So are mine! Next question! We hear the phrase too many times in game books - “This chapter details combat, though combat should not be the main percent of the game.” or blah blah.. then the chapter turns out to be 100 pages long and the book is only 186 pages or something… so are you guys going to like downplay combat - up-play it? Try to write more options than combat for the resolution of every adventure?

Sean: Combat is a focal point for most games because it’s a focal point for conflict- like in movies.

Hala: Can I answer that question? Please? From a chick-gamer perspective? Combat can help up the intensity of a roleplaying experience…but it can’t BE the roleplaying experience.

Sean: Hala pretty much nailed it.

Josh: I want combat to be quick and easy. So it can be as important or not, as a director wishes.

GG: What are your influences for this Messiah…let’s call it PROJECT, not a game, shall we?

Josh: My influences are certainly White Wolf before they got lazy and still had to fight for something, the modern techno-hiphop culture look, the family tragedies mentioned earlier, and the Wu-Tang Clan.

Sean: I took influence from the Old Testament, Star Wars, Busta Rhymes, Dream Theater, the Thrill Kill Kult, PREACHER, Hustler, Caligula, Hype Williams, Scot MAcCloud’s Zot (BIG ONE). and Savatages’ Dead Winter Dead

Hala: Hmmm…Neil Gaiman, definitely. William Gibson, Demonology, Hunter Thompson, and World of Darkness. My ideas for what makes good conflict in RPGs tend to be drawn more from The Iliad than from Starship troopers (although i LOVED that movie).

GG: OK, now it’s time for a surprise GAMER’S QUIZ! This will test your knowledge of gaming. Hala, pick your category!

Hala: Changeling!

GG: The question then: They are your teacher, banker, grocer, accountant: anyone who brings dullness and tedium to the world. Their very existence eats away Glamour. Who are they?

Hala: That would be the Autumn People for a thousand, Alex. Everyone knows that one, but thanks for the easy one.

GG: Yer welcome!

Josh: I’m gonna get banged up on this I know it.

GG: Then I’m saving you for last, Josh. Sean, pick your game!

Hala: Pick Werewolf, Sean. Star Wars is too easy for you.

Sean: Gimme Star Wars, I guess… Second Edition.

GG: Werewolf it is, then! Let’s see…Which of the following tribes went through a name change–Bone Gnawers, Red Talons, White Howlers, Silent Striders, or Glass Walkers?

Sean: The white howlers became Black Spiral Dancers and the Glass walkers were Iron Riders, and warders before that.

GG: Very Good! Josh, it is your turn!

Josh: TMNT!

GG: Teenage Mutant Turtles it is! Name the TMNT supplement that might be the foundation for RIFTS?

Josh: After the Bomb.

GG: Good! Next question!

On the website, it mentions “Deiforms”–What is a Deiform? I assume it deals with gods and stuff.

Sean: Um… It’s a soul. We really can’t reveal much else…Yet. Keep checking the website, tho..

GG: That’s what is called a “teaser”, folks!

Tell us about the other individuals involved with MESSIAH.

Sean: Well, Lets’ see. First, there’s Hala’s tentatively titled “Winter Arcane Press”

Hala: That’s the name for my company, a small press comic book company that may be branching out into other print media. We’re doing the Messiah: The Last exodus comic, among other things.

Sean: Peter Johnson (who is aware of the phallic nature of his name) is in his second year at SVA. Pat Helme is another artist, he does our computer stuff. Corinne, Hala’s artist, hopefully will be working with us, as well as some bigger names like Dave Fooden.

Josh: Charlie is a lab-pit-akita vampire lesbian dog with a donut attached to her rear. Bootsy (the cat) is our security force.

GG: Nice. Next question!

Favorite game of all time? Besides Messiah, that is…

Josh: Strip Poker

Hala: “Big Eyes, Small Mouth” and the Sailor Moon RPG or Cyberpunk, definitely.

Josh: Mage

Sean: I’d say Star wars or The Collective WoD…

Josh: Strip Mage–”Hahaha, you gain 2 more points of paradox, so take off that bra!”

GG: Hmmmmm…the World of Stripping? And now it’s time for CELEBRITY DEATHMATCH!

Sean, MARK*REIN HAGEN of the World of Darkness versus Gareth-Michael Skarka of HONG KONG THEATRE! The winner will get to face Round 2! Who would win, and how??

Sean: Damn, dude. I’ve seen Gareth. I’ve hung out with Gareth. I’ve kissed Gareth. He’d beat the piss out of hulk hogan.

Josh: Hala, you see the stiff competition you got?

Hala: Sean’s not ditching his redhaired queen anytime soon, I’m not worried.

Sean: Well, okay. Round one. Mark comes out and says “A gaming celebrity I am, lest a gaming celebrity I become.” Then Gareth comes out, and he’s got this flask of austrian vodka. He’s lookin for a fight–he lets out a mighty celtic bellow, and the fight is on. He beats Mark to death with a copy of 5th edition ars magica, then complains about distributors for a while. End of match.

GG: Ouch!

Josh, Gaerth has defeated Mark*Rein Hagen, but he now must contend with KEVIN SIEMBIEDA of Palladium fame! Who wins, and how?

Josh: Gareth, still blind from the drunken rage, is taken TOTALLY by surprise by Kevin and ALL four of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with Splinter. They get all ninja and leave Gareth a puddle of goo–but the ref disqualifies it because the TMNT weren’t really in the game.

GG: Hmmmm…seeing as how Gareth can’t move, I still will declare Kevin the victor by a technicality!

Any final words for the gaming fans out there?

Sean: I have some, yes. Prepare to be challenged. The teen white male stereotype will fall…We’re blacks, we’re hispanics, we’re women, we’re gays, and we’re coming to the industry. Make room..

Hala: The “diversity” things seems a good note to end it on, but I suppose I’d like to add that Messiah is bringing gaming out of the basement and into the world, into clubs, into music. Gaming needs to come out of hiding.

Josh: It’s time RPG’s put down the dice and donuts, got laid and let us run the show for a while. We are all gamers, yet we get laid, listen to music recorded since 1988, and can dance. It’s time that the gaming industry broadened it’s audience, and we intend to do that.

Sean: Naga noooootch!

GG: I think “Naga noooootch!” sums it up. Thanks!

Graveyard Greg: Who are you?

Unknown Zombie: I’m George Vasilakos, head Zombie Lord over at Eden Studios —
Artist/Designer/Dad.

GG: How did you get into the Gaming Industry?

GV: I started a gaming store after I finished art school. When a few of my
customers and friends formed a gaming company to make the Battlelords CCG,
they needed a graphic designer and art director (and some money). So I jumped
feet first into a small gaming company with big dreams called New Millennium
Entertainment.

The company didn’t do to well with Battlelords, but its second game
Conspiracy X did nicely. When NME went under, I aquired the rights to
Conspiracy X, found some investors, closed my store and started Eden Studios.

GG: I remember Battlelords…and speaking of gaming credits…

Give us your Gaming Industry credits–past and present!

GV: I co-authored D&D with Gary Gygax . . . before I came along it was called
Dungeons and Gophers . . . I set the bonehead straight and the rest is
history.

GG: Tell me you’re kidding.

GV: Just kidding . . . aside from running Eden Studios, I’ve done all the graphic
design and art direction on the Conspiracy X line, the layout and covers for
the WitchCraft line, and some freelance art for Pinnacle’s Hell On Earth RPG.
I also designed the Abduction non-collectible card game.

GG: Are you the Pumpkin King?

GV: No. I’m a mild mannered game designer/artist.

GG: Right now everyone is slavering for the newest RPG coming soon from Eden
Studios–ALL FLESH MUST BE EATEN. Sounds gross! Mind telling the uninformed
about the concept behind this creepy game?

GV: Unlike most traditional RPGs out there, ALL FLESH MUST BE EATEN doesn’t have
one set campign setting or world background. You are presented with numerous
“Deadworlds,” each with a unigue setting and reason why the dead are walking
about. This style of presentation allows gamers to play in any genre,
background, theme or manner they wish. Play a serious survival game, a campy
comedy horror game, a heavy supernatural game, a lighter, more “real” world
game — it’s up to you.

To me, the core of this game is the idea of being trapped and having to deal
with mindless smelly zombies and their insatiable hunger. It’s a game about
survival horror . . . did I mention I used to run a game store?

GG: How did the title come to exist?

GV: Well Christopher Shy, cover artist and co-concept creator of ALL FLESH MUST
BE EATEN, gets the credit for the final title. I was dying when he suddenly
spewed out the name. A game with a name like that is a guaranteed sell, I
thought to myself.

GG: I…see.

Were there other titles in consideration? If so, name a few!

GV:

• ERNEST vs THE ZOMBIES
• EAT THIS FANBOY
• CORPSE: THE ROTTING
• ZOMBIE: THE SLAVERING
• SOCK MONKEYS MARCH ON BROADWAY

As you can see, they just didn’t seem to have the same impact as ALL FLESH
MUST BE EATEN.

GG: You got that right!

Favorite Zombie music?

GV: Brittany Spears. Nine Inch Nails comes a close second.

GG: Did you do all of the writing for All Flesh?

GV: Heck no. I came up with most of the concepts and found people who are good at
writing to “flesh” it out. Richard Dakan gets first credit as he worked up my
admittedly sketchy descriptions for the various “Deadworlds” and zombie
creation. The game mechanics credits go to CJ Carella since we are using his
Unisystem, the same rules used for WitchCraft and Armageddon. The flavor text
and short stories get attributed to Albert Bruno III, a very talented horror
writer and old buddy of mine. The book also has a nice Forward by Shane
(Deadlands) Hensley about Zombies. Finally, there’s Alex Jurkat, my partner
in crime over here at Eden. As head editor at Eden, he cleans up everyones
writing, fills in the gaps and transitions, and organizes it all into a
polished product. That said, ALL FLESH MUST BE EATEN does contain my first
attempt at writing. I wrote the introduction chapter.

GG: Favorite Zombie food?

GV: Brittany Spears. Mexican food . . . behold the power of cheese and the All
Flesh Must Be Eaten Chocolate Bar. Yum.

GG: How did you come up with this crazy game, anyway?

GV: That’s a funny story actually . . . see I was on a “date” with a transexual
Vietnamese escort when I happened to spot Tom Hanks across the alley from me.
I said to my companion, “Hey that’s Tom Hanks!” Thing is he/she didn’t
understand a word of English and when he/she tried to speak with her mouth
full, it sounded like “Zombie games are the next big thing.” Who was I to
argue!

But seriously . . . I think AFMBE been something every gamer has wanted. I
know I’ve wanted a game like this since the first time I saw DAWN OF THE
DEAD. Once Resident Evil came out and brought those damn zombies back into
the light, it was only a matter of time before we saw a paper and pencil
roleplaying game based on zombie survival horror. I remember sitting in front
of my TV playing Resident Evil 2 coming up with initial designs for the game.
Someone had to do it and take the blame. So blame me.

GG: What is the best zombie movie you’ve ever seen?

GV: Titanic.

GG: Oooooooookay.

Worst zombie movie you’ve ever seen?

GV: The Brittany Spears Story.

GG: …

In your opinion, what makes zombies so scary?

GV: They look human but they’re not . . .
They cannot be reasoned with . . .
They have no jobs, no desires, no hopes . . .
They smell bad . . .
They are ruled by their undying hunger for more . . . more . . . more.

(Did I mention I used to run a game store that sold collectible card games?)

GG: Yes, you did.

Waiting at the 3rd tombstone is John Kovalic, creator of DORK TOWER. His
opponent is none other than JOLLY BLACKBURN, creator of KNIGHTS OF THE
DINNER TABLE. Both are famous for making people drop dead with laughter, but
the one who loses tonight will be fresh meat for the undead! Who wins, and
how do they achieve victory? (NOTE: Be as creative and funny as possible.
You want to add some cameos, go right ahead!)

GV: Well, first John “draws” a large black marker, and pens a Muskrat Pokemon
called Dorkachew. Then, Jolly dives behind a conveniently placed dinner table
and whips out a John Wick Gaming Voard. “No fair!” cries John. Suddenly a
battle beyond description ensues between the John Wick Voard and the
Dorkachew.

Awed by the spectacle, no one hears the shambling of a hoarde of zombies as
they enter the arena. Flesh is ripped from the bone as John and Jolly try to
escape. Stabbing at the undead with art tools, but to no avail, they cannot
stop them. It gets ugly really quick and no one is laughing.

When the dust settles and the blood dries, the only thing left “alive” are
the zombies.

GG: Shameless plug time! You can find your very own Gaming Voard at http://voard.tripod.com/Voard.htm

What kind of supplements can we expect for All Flesh Must Be Eaten?

GV: Pending any Y2K complications here at Eden, we hope to release Enter the
Zombie shortly after the mainbook’s release. This book strives to open whole
new vistas for your zombies-gaming enjoyment. It includes everything
necessary to bring together the thrills of Hong Kong action films and good
old fashioned flesh-eating excitement. This book will have detailed rules on
how to play martial arts zombies. It also introduces four new campaign
settings inspired by John Woo movies, Big Trouble in Little China and Mortal
Kombat. It should be a nice little book.

We are also working on Zombie Master Screen with a 48-page insert that will
come with new archtypes, equipment and an intro adventure. Finally, we have a
a pulp setting campaign sourcebook for AFMBE, currently entitled Pulp Zombie.
This book will introduce various magics and settings set in the 30s and 40s.

GG: Any last words before we send you back to your grave?

GV: Yes, I keep seeing posts and groanings that the gaming industry’s salad days
are behind us. That paper and pencil and dice are going to be replaced by the
modem, the internet and the graphics card.

I don’t believe that. I believe that the gaming industry is headed for a
shining new Renaissance, and new age of creative freedom.

And I believe that the gaming Voard (http://voard.tripod.com/Voard.htm) will
be the bridge that brings us to this new Golden Age.

Remember . . . all flesh must be eaten.

GG: …sometimes I wonder where I dig up these interviewees…

In the summer of 1993, Wizards of the Coast released Magic: The Gathering. Two years later, the CCG market was flooded, as everyone and his dog sought to cash in with their own game. A lot of these games didn’t catch on, and the companies stopped making them. You’ve seen these “dead games” gathering dust on dealers’ shelves, or sitting around in online auctions, and not given them another thought. Many of them probably deserved to go, but better games may have slipped through the cracks before they had the chance to build a following. This article is about finding the better games, and giving them a second chance.

You might say, “Even if I do find a decent game, it’s not being supported anymore, so why bother?” One reason is financial. For the price of two or three starter decks of Magic, you can buy a whole BOX of cards. If a few friends go in with you, the cost becomes negligible. You’ll have enough cards at your disposal to keep you going for some time. If you find that you don’t like the game, it’s only a small loss. If you do like it, any additional cards you buy are just as affordable.

What about the lack of support? Expansion sets are fun because they offer new possibilities to play with, but let’s not forget that the vast majority of games are non-collectible. Monopoly is still thriving, even though Parker Brothers hasn’t released new Chance cards every six months. If a CCG is good, a continuous flow of new cards shouldn’t be vital to enjoying it. Some games did manage to release at least one expansion, so new possibilities may already be available.

Recently, I’ve taken a second look at On The Edge by Atlas Games, which is based on their terrific RPG, Over The Edge. It’s a game of conspiracies, violence and major-league weirdness. How weird? Aliens, mutants and sorcery are only the tip of the iceberg. The game mechanics include elements of Magic: The Gathering and INWO. Three expansion sets were released: Cloaks (focusing on intrigue), Arcana (focusing on magic) and The Cut-Ups Project (focusing on reality-bending wackiness). I was at a game convention in Sept ‘99, where I played in an On The Edge tournament. At least 25 players showed up; not bad for a “dead” CCG. It seems I’m not the only one who finds merit in this whole idea.

So let’s say you decide to take me up on my suggestion, and try one of these games. How do you know which ones are worth playing? Gaming magazines have columns for reviews; try looking for some back issues. Some reviews are archived on the Web, and there are even fan sites with more info. Lots of demonstrations have been run at conventions. Perhaps some gamers you know played in these demos, and could give you their opinions. If all else fails, you could choose a game that looks interesting, and take a chance.

There are gamers who avoid CCGs altogether. Continuously spending gobs of money, and keeping up with new releases, isn’t their idea of fun. A “dead” game doesn’t have these pressures. It combines the best features of CCGs and more traditional games, which could broaden its appeal for all gamers.