Board/Card Games

Download the title page, table of contents, introduction, and index to Pulp Egypt. (276k PDF)
 
 

Schweig Announces Upcoming Con Schedule

November 11, 2007 -- Veteran game designer Peter Schweighofer recently announced his convention appearances for the coming months. He’ll participate as a gaming guest at two conventions in North Carolina and one in Virginia.

MACE, High Point, NC, November 16-18, 2007
MarsCon, Williamsburg, VA, January 18-20, 2008
Stellarcon, High Point, NC, March 14-16, 2008

“I’m preparing to run a mix of old standards and new roleplaying game scenarios,” Schweighofer said. “I’m planning on at least one Star Wars adventure each con, plus samples from my Pulp Egypt and Heroes of Rura-Tonga projects.”

Schweighofer still uses West End Games’ D6 System for his adventures. “It’s well-known among players and an easy introduction to roleplaying games for newcomers,” he said. “Conventions offer good opportunities to try new game worlds, and D6 provides an easy entry point to dive right into the action.” He finds the system useful for adapting to whatever media franchise interests him at the moment. “Last year I ran a very successful Battlestar Galactica scenario just for fun,” he said. “This year I might run something based on my enthusiasm for the current Doctor Who series. We’ll see.”

For specific information on convention games Schweig plans on running and panels in which he’s participating, keep checking the conventions page on the Griffon Publishing Studio website. Convention organizers interested in inviting Schweig to their events can also go there to find information about his guest appearances.

Schweig Story Published in Pandora's Closet

September 3, 2007 -- In August DAW Books published one of Schweig's short stories, "Seebohm's Cap," in the anthology Pandora's Closet. The World War II-era story follows two interrogators with the OSS Bureau of Special Investigations trying to determine whether a US Army private is a German spy intent on uncovering the imminent Operation Overlord plans; or did he simply stumble upon a souvenir German cap imbued with supernatural capabilities? The piece draws on Schweig’s enthusiastic interest in World War II, including action in North Africa and espionage operations.

Edited by renowned fantasy author Jean Rabe and veteran anthologist Martin H. Greenberg, the collection contains 19 new stories about clothing and jewelry possessing fantastic qualities, including works by such notable authors as Timothy Zahn, Kevin J. Anderson, and Michael A. Stackpole.

You can find Pandora’s Closet (ISBN 978-0-7564-0437-6) in bookstores across the country, or order it online from Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble. Read more about the anthology at the DAW Books website.

ConCarolinas Success

June 4, 2007 -- I had a fantastic time at ConCarolinas in Charlotte, NC, June 1-3. I spoke on several panels about gaming, ran a few games, and had a chance to meet and hang out with fellow game designers and fans.

The highlight of the weekend was meeting Bodie J. Olmos, who plays Viper pilot “Hot Dog” Costanza on the re-imagined Battlestar Galactica television series. Gaming coordinator Ron McClung introduced us early at the con and arranged for Bodie to stop by at the opening of my Battlestar Galactica/D6 Space game, Azure Nightmare. Bodie stepped up to the challenge and engaged in some improv roleplaying with the players (all “nugget” pilots reporting for Raptor training) as “Hot Dog.” All the players -- and the gamemaster -- got a huge thrill not only meeting Bodie but having a chance to interact with him in character. I had a few other occasions to chat with Bodie, and attended one of his “Hanging with Hot Dog” question and answer panels. He spoke of his experiences on the Battlestar Galactica set, but also talked about growing up and acting with his father, Edward James Olmos (who plays Admiral Adama on Battlestar Galactica), his other work in film and theater, and the compliment he received from the late, great Marlon Brandon during an acting workshop. He was very accessible to fans throughout the convention, signing autographs and chatting with con-goers. It’s always a pleasure to personally meet media personalities we admire; it reminds us that actors -- and even “celebrity” game designers -- are individuals with more depth than their persona on the screen. ConCarolinas was Bodie’s first convention appearance, and he seemed to enjoy his exposure to the varied collage of fan activities: games, elaborate costuming, panels, and autograph signing.

Besides my Battlestar Galactica/D6 Space roleplaying game session, I also ran a Clone Wars era Star Wars D6 game (alas, the D6 Adventure Pulp Egypt game didn’t have enough players signed up...). I had excellent and enthusiastic players for both games, though I doubt the Jedi Council would condone the “use the Padawans as shields” strategy the Jedi Masters occasionally employed (they redeemed themselves later when, as the inevitable result of their strategy, they needed to risk their own lives heroically rescuing the Padawan shields).

Many people deserve thanks for their work making the con successful overall, and particularly fun for me. Bodie Olmos proved a very accessible, interesting, and friendly guest; thanks Bodie for taking the
time to chat with me and all the other fans at the con, and for making a special guest appearance in the opening of my Battlestar Galactica roleplaying game session. Thanks to Ron and Stephanie McClung for their work making the guests feel welcome and coordinating the gaming track. Carol Cowles handled the programming schedule well, easily resolving several challenges thrown her way. Talking shop with fellow gaming guests like 3AM Games’ Don Bessinger and freelancer Neil Spicer always makes for interesting discussions. Nathan Butler conducted another podcast interview with me for his Star Wars Fanworks Butlerniverse site. Thanks to all the players who joined my games and the audience members in the various panels on which I spoke. The staff at the Charlotte Marriott Executive Park was helpful, attentive, and enthusiastic about hosting a convention of this type. It’s always good to see Warren Buff, Bill Mann, and the rest of the Stellarcon crew who attended; I’m looking forward to seeing you in High Point next March.

Schweig Joins YourGamesNow.com

February 15, 2007 -- Veteran game designer Peter Schweighofer and his PDF imprint Griffon Publishing Studio have joined the innovative e-publisher co-op YourGamesNow.com. All game PDF products produced by Griffon Publishing Studio are now available for purchase exclusively at YourGamesNow.com, including the Any-System Key sourcebook Pulp Egypt.

“In the past I’ve debated approaching other internet storefronts selling PDFs and other games, but wasn’t overly thrilled by the terms and the lack of publisher involvement in determining policies,” Schweighofer said. “Your Games Now not only gives e-publishers an opportunity to reach a larger consumer base with greater visibility for their products, but offers them a chance to join and help shape a dynamic community of publishers.”

Schweighofer also intends to use YourGamesNow.com for exclusive distribution of upcoming roleplaying supplement projects, including Heroes of Rura-Tonga and The Infinite Cathedral currently in development. Gamers can find free support and preview materials for Schweighofer’s games, including the Pulp Egypt adventures The Charioteer’s Tomb and Enemies on the Horizon. The site also offers his other gaming projects, including the bluffing card game Office Dodger. For those seeking a taste of Office Dodger’s gameplay, a similar game, Puritan Bobber, is also available as a free download from the site.

Schweighofer will still maintain product information and support pages at the Griffon Publishing Studio website, but now relevant links, including “Buy It Now” buttons, go directly to corresponding pages at his YourGamesNow.com storefront. Readers can still find Any-System Key resources, previews of upcoming products, and other news and information at the Griffon Publishing website.

YourGamesNow.com members sell their e-products through the co-op website, but also take an active role in determining co-op policies and promoting the storefront through their existing and growing customer base. “This innovative marketplace model offers greater sales potential, customer base, and product exposure,” Schweighofer said. “I’m proud to be a part of this exciting new business community.”

Schweighofer founded Griffon Publishing Studio as a means to market his own sourcebooks and games to the adventure gaming hobby. Known for writing and editing numerous Star Wars roleplaying game products for West End Games, he has designed such period sourcebooks as Weird War II: Afrika Korpse for Pinnacle Entertainment Group’s Weird Wars series and the Raiders of the Lost Ark Sourcebook for West End Games’ Indiana Jones roleplaying game. Schweighofer lives in Brandy Station, VA, with his wife Lynanne and their two cats Wolfgang and Peggy Lee.

Schweig Attends Stellarcon 31

February 8, 2007 -- Peter Schweighofer, game industry veteran and creator of the sourcebook Pulp Egypt, will attend Stellarcon 31 March 9-11 in High Point, NC. 

He’s one of several gaming guests including Steve Long of HERO Games and Greg Stafford, creator of the fantasy world Glorantha and founder of Chaosium, Inc. Schweighofer will also participate in several panels about gaming and the sci-fi/fantasy genres.

He also plans to run several roleplaying game sessions, including one highlighting his Pulp Egypt sourcebook, a classic D6 Star Wars roleplaying game adventure, and one set in the universe of the re-imagined Battlestar Galactica series currently running on the Sci-Fi Channel. “I ran the Battlestar Galactica-inspired game at MACE in November with an enthusiastic crowd, so I wanted to offer it again to other fans who might like to try it,” Schweighofer said. “My wife and I have really become captivated by the new Battlestar Galactica series. I’m always inspired to play around in a new setting that excites me, and convention games are ideal for running one-shot games to try out new ideas.”

Attendees can join him for a game or stop by and chat at his dealers room table. Gamers can check out his display copy of Pulp Egypt and purchase CD copies of the PDF supplement. He’ll share a table with Soft Chance Creations, run by his wife, Lynanne, which sells hand-made, game-related fabric items such as dice bags, “geek shorts,” and fez.

Visit the Stellarcon website for more information on Schweighofer’s guest appearance, the convention, and the game schedule. You can also find more information about Schweighofer’s game work and future convention appearances at the Griffon Publishing Studio website.

Stellarcon is a general fantasy, science fiction, horror, and comics fiction convention held in High Point, NC. Drawing an average of 500 fans each year, it offers an intimate convention setting where con-goers can sit and relax with fans and guests alike.

Schweighofer founded Griffon Publishing Studio as a means to market his own sourcebooks and games to the adventure gaming hobby. Known for writing and editing numerous Star Wars roleplaying game products for West End Games, he has designed such period sourcebooks as Weird War II: Afrika Korpse for Pinnacle Entertainment Group’s Weird Wars series and the Raiders of the Lost Ark Sourcebook for West End Games’ Indiana Jones roleplaying game. Schweighofer lives in Brandy Station, VA, with his wife Lynanne and their two cats Wolfgang and Peggy Lee.

Schweig Uploads D6 Resources

January 18, 2007 -- Veteran game designer Peter Schweighofer has uploaded several D6 System resources from his old Griffon’s Aerie site on the Griffon Publishing Studio website at  www.destinyrealms.com/griffon/D6Resources.html.

The D6 resources Schweighofer posted include a discussion of the differences between the three editions of West End Games’ D6 Star Wars roleplaying game, his picks of the top 10 most inspiring Star Wars game supplements, a two-part history of the D6 System, and a review of D6 Adventure, part of the latest incarnation of the D6 System.

Schweighofer decided to include D6 articles from some of his monthly “Dispatch” columns on his old Griffon’s Aerie site after a fan noticed his commentary on the different D6 Star Wars RPG editions was no longer online. “Every few months I notice a D6 System debate on some roleplaying game forum,” Schweighofer said. “People usually discuss which was the best edition of the D6 Star Wars game, or ask about the most useful or inspiring Star Wars supplements.” After receiving a fan request for the information, Schweighofer decided to salvage all his D6-related content from the old Griffon’s Aerie site.

Schweighofer has a long history with the D6 System. He worked for many years on West End Game’s Star Wars roleplaying game, establishing the Official Star Wars Adventure Journal and authoring sourcebooks like Platt’s Starport Guide, Platt’s Smuggler’s Guide, and the Shadows of the Empire Sourcebook. He also contributed to numerous issues of the Star Wars Adventure Journal, the DarkStryder campaign, Instant Adventures, and the Star Wars Roleplaying Game, Revised & Expanded. He’s also contributed to several books for West End Games’ new D6 System game line, including D6 Space: Ships and D6 Space: Aliens. Schweighofer is a longtime professional in the adventure gaming hobby who has worked in various aspects of the publishing industry. He has written, designed, or contributed to more than 75 roleplaying game products since entering the industry in 1993. 

Schweighofer lives in Brandy Station, Virginia, with his wife Lynanne and two cats, Wolfgang and Peggy Lee.

Read the Interview with Schweig

December 20, 2006 -- The Griffon Publishing Studio website recently uploaded an interview with Peter Schweighofer, game industry veteran and creator of the sourcebook Pulp Egypt: Adventures Along the Nile, 1933-1939. 

Longtime West End Games fan, gamer, and freelancer Shawn Lockard conducted the interview this past autumn. Schweig discusses his work on Pulp Egypt, the intricacies of writing fiction and game material, game supplement design philosophies, his diverse writing background, development on the adaptable Any-System Key, his approach to the PDF gaming market, and future game projects currently in development.

Schweig also wishes his many fans happy holidays, offering thanks for their support throughout the year. Join the ranks of gamers who’ve enjoyed Pulp Egypt by checking out two free scenarios and a preview of the sourcebook’s contents at the Griffon Publishing website and by purchasing a copy to start a new chapter in your own pulp-era adventures!

Schweig Releases Free Pulp Egypt Scenario #2

September 25, 2006 -- Peter Schweighofer has released a second free scenario preview to promote PULP EGYPT: Adventures Along the Nile, 1933-1939, a roleplaying game sourcebook adaptable to nearly any game system. Download this pulp-era adventure at the Griffon Publishing Studio website at www.destinyrealms.com/griffon/, check out another free scenario (“The Charioteer’s Tomb”) and a preview of the sourcebook contents, and order a copy of PULP EGYPT online.

“Enemies on the Horizon” introduces readers to all aspects of gaming in PULP EGYPT, from ancient ruins and sinister Bedouin to desert expeditions and Nazi spies preparing an invasion of Egypt. As members of an archaeological expedition, the characters move quickly to rescue their staff photographer when she’s kidnapped by mysterious Bedouin during a nighttime ambush. After deciphering her notes and undertaking a dangerous trek into the western desert, they explore a long-lost temple and discover that Egypt’s enemies still lurk at the edge of the Great Sand Sea waiting for the right time to strike! The adventure also includes maps, pregenerated characters, and a player hand-out.

This scenario uses the Any-System Key to describe stats and difficulties in easily defined terms gamers can quickly customize to their favorite game engines. To use the information in this adventure and the PULP EGYPT sourcebook, you’ll need a copy of the Any-System Key (included) and your favorite roleplaying game system. Schweighofer recently added two sample customizations to the existing one for Risus: The Anything RPG -- now fans of Hero Games’ HERO System and West End Games’ D6 System can check out examples on customizing Any-System Key materials to their own games. Visit www.destinyrealms.com/griffon/NESys.html to learn more about the Any-System Key.

PULP EGYPT is available for $20 from Schweighofer’s PDF imprint, Griffon Publishing Studio, at www.destinyrealms.com/griffon/. This 176-page sourcebook provides material for running pulp adventures in Egypt, with emphasis on archaeological, espionage, and criminal campaigns all infused with aspects of ancient mysteries and occult powers. Visit the Griffon Publishing Studio website at www.destinyrealms.com/griffon/ for more free PDF previews to download. 
 

Pulp Egypt Releases After Storm Delay

June 27, 2006 -- Extremely heavy rains during the past week, and particularly on Sunday, June 25, hit northern Virginia where the Griffon Publishing Studio server is located. The Metro-DC area experienced torrential rainfall, thunderstorms, flooding, and even a mudslide. Various factors took the server down, delayed the uploading of the PULP EGYPT PDF, and blacked out the Griffon Publishing Studio website. Looks like everything's up at this point thanks to the supreme technical genius and dedication of Steve Luminati. Thanks to everyone whose been waiting to order PULP EGYPT for your patience with these unexpected technical difficulties.

Pulp Egypt Preview #2: Sneak Peek

June 23, 2006 -- Want to see what's inside PULP EGYPT: Adventures Along the Nile, 1933-1939? Download the title page, table of contents, introduction, and index to Pulp Egypt. (276k PDF)
 

Pulp Egypt Preview #1: Free Scenario

June 14, 2006 -- Peter Schweighofer has released a free scenario preview to promote the PDF publication of PULP EGYPT: Adventures Along the Nile, 1933-1939, a roleplaying game sourcebook adaptable to nearly any game system. Download this pulp-era adventure at the Griffon Publishing Studio website.

“The Charioteer’s Tomb” introduces readers to all aspects of gaming in PULP EGYPT, from ancient tombs and superstitious workers to nefarious criminals intent on relieving the heroes of the treasures they recover. As members of an archaeological expedition, the characters explore a long-lost tomb belonging to a charioteer hero of the ancient Battle of Kadesh. After braving the mysteries and dangers within the tomb, they must safely transport artifacts from the excavation site at Sakkara to their warehouse in Cairo, evading greedy laborers, antiquities thieves, and smugglers all intent on stealing their discoveries. The adventure also includes maps, pregenerated characters, and a player hand-out.

This scenario uses the Any-System Key to describe stats and difficulties in easily defined terms gamers can quickly customize to their favorite game engines. To use the information in this adventure and the PULP EGYPT sourcebook, you’ll need a copy of the Any-System Key (included) and your favorite roleplaying game system. Visit www.destinyrealms.com/griffon/NESys.html to learn more about the Any-System Key.

PULP EGYPT is scheduled for release June 26, 2006. Available for $20 from Schweighofer’s PDF imprint, Griffon Publishing Studio (www.destinyrealms.com/griffon/), this 176-page sourcebook provides material for running pulp adventures in Egypt, with emphasis on archaeological, espionage, and criminal campaigns all infused with aspects of ancient mysteries and occult powers. In the coming weeks watch the Griffon Publishing Studio website at www.destinyrealms.com/griffon/ for more free PDF previews to download. 
 

Schweig Announces Pulp Egypt

May 30, 2006 -- Adventure gaming industry veteran Peter Schweighofer announced that his setting sourcebook PULP EGYPT: Adventures Along the Nile, 1933-1939, is on track for release June 26, 2006. Available from Schweighofer’s PDF imprint, Griffon Publishing Studio, this 176-page sourcebook provides material for running pulp adventures in Egypt adaptable to nearly any game system.

Egypt: land of mystery and adventure. Here diligent archaeologists struggle to unearth the land’s great secrets without accidentally unleashing some of its deadliest curses. Tomb robbers plunder ancient treasures for their own profit. Spies work covertly to thwart enemy operations as the world plunges steadily toward war. Secret cults pursue their own agendas to preserve their country’s past and resurrect its former glory. The land once ruled by powerful pharaohs now languishes under the rule of dominant British administrators, merciless crime syndicates, devious spies, and darker forces manipulating the course of history.

This is the time for gritty adventure in a land where ancient ruins overlook squalid cities, peasant farmers mingle with wealthy Westerners, and global politics brush against religious nationalism. Everyone has their own selfish agenda. Everyone has their price. 

This Any-System Key sourcebook contains material gamemasters can use to create pulp adventures in Egypt: general travel information, campaign themes, locations, gamemaster characters, and scenario ideas. Inside you’ll find: 

* A “Visitors Guide to Egypt” suitable for orienting gamemasters and familiarizing players with common knowledge of the setting.

* A chapter filled with Egyptian exotica, all the mysterious places, supernatural occurrences, magical artifacts, and mythical beasts abounding with adventure ideas.

* A chapter for running each of three kinds of themed campaigns in Egypt--archaeology, espionage, and criminal--including a full campaign outline for each.

* Appendices detailing suitable character archetypes for pulp Egyptian campaigns, a random artifact generator system, and a list of book, film, and music resources to enhance your game.

This pulp-era sourcebook uses the Any-System Key to describe stats and difficulties in easily defined terms gamers can quickly customize to their favorite game engines. To use the information in this roleplaying game supplement you’ll need a copy of the Any-System Key (included) and your favorite roleplaying game system.

PULP EGYPT will release on June 26, 2006, available as a PDF download for $20 from Griffon Publishing Studio. In the coming weeks watch the Griffon Publishing Studio website at www.destinyrealms.com/griffon/ for free PDF previews to download. 

Schweighofer, known for writing and editing numerous Star Wars roleplaying game products for West End Games, has designed such period sourcebooks as Weird War II: Afrika Korpse for Pinnacle Entertainment Group’s Weird Wars series and the Raiders of the Lost Ark Sourcebook for West End Games’ Indiana Jones roleplaying game. He founded Griffon Publishing Studio as a means to market his own sourcebooks and games to the adventure gaming hobby. He lives in Brandy Station, VA, with his wife Lynanne, a film preservation specialist with the Library of Congress, and their two cats Wolfgang and Peggy Lee.
 

Schweighofer Establishes Griffon Publishing Studio

October 7, 2005 -- Adventure gaming industry veteran Peter Schweighofer has established Griffon Publishing Studio to bring his ideas to gamers in PDF format. 

His flagship concept, available free at the Studio website, is the Any-System Key, a means of describing character skills and task difficulties in terms that easily translate into nearly any game system. These terms do not link to any one game engine, but serve as general guidelines to give readers an overall sense of how they fit within their own game’s stat and difficulty scale. Any-System Key publications provide settings, characters, adventures, and other source material gamers can easily adapt to your favorite roleplaying game. Visitors to the Griffon Publishing Studio website can download The Village War, a free PDF adventure that demonstrates how the Any-System Key works.

Schweighofer is currently working on a large Any-System Key sourcebook called Pulp Egypt: Adventures Along the Nile and Beyond, 1933-1939. Tentative release date is set for the first half of 2006. Keep checking the Griffon Publishing Studio website for details about the content and page count. Schweighofer has several other campaign and setting supplements under development.

Schweighofer is a longtime professional in the adventure gaming hobby who has worked in various aspects of the publishing industry. He has written, designed, or contributed to more than 75 roleplaying game products since entering the industry in 1993. Throughout his career he has played an important role in the editorial aspect of game design in substantively editing, copy editing, proofreading, and critiquing the overall quality and scope of products. He worked for many years on West End Game’s Star Wars roleplaying game, establishing the Official Star Wars Adventure Journal and authoring sourcebooks like Platt’s Starport Guide, Platt’s Smuggler’s Guide, and the Shadows of the Empire Sourcebook. He also contributed to numerous issues of the Star Wars Adventure Journal and Topps Star Wars Galaxy Magazine, the DarkStryder campaign, Instant Adventures, and the Star Wars Roleplaying Game, Revised & Expanded. In the past he’s freelanced for companies like Wizards of the Coast, Pinnacle Entertainment Group, Fantasy Flight Games, and Decipher. He’s contributed to several books for West End Games’ new D6 System game line, including D6 Space: Ships and D6 Space: Aliens. His favorite products include the Raiders of the Lost Ark Sourcebook (West End Games) and Weird War II: Afrika Korpse (Pinnacle Entertainment Group). 

Schweighofer lives in Brandy Station, Virginia, with his wife Lynanne and two cats, Wolfgang and Peggy Lee.
 

   "This is called a Griffin because it is a winged quadruped. This kind of wild animal is born in Hyperborean parts, or in mountains. All its bodily members are like a lion's, but its wings and mask are like an eagle's. It is vehemently hostile to horses. But it will also tear to pieces any human beings which it happens to come across."