News Archives for October, 2001

October 31, 2001

Happy Halloween! As promised, I've posted some new monsters by the world famous Doug Curtis- by far the most prolific contributor to this site. Check 'em out:
October 30, 2001

Wow, lots of good news to get out today! Noah Kolman had this to say about the status of the GM's Guide-

Last friday, we finally shipped the HackMaster GMG to the printers. It ususally takes 2 to 3 weeks to make it from the printers to the stores, so you should be seeing the HM GMG around Thanksgiving. I know you have all been waiting for it very patiently, and we thank you for that. I can say I don't think you will be disappointed.

Jamie LaFountain, the Organized Play Manager for Kenzer, announced that all HMA Memberships would be extended-

Effective immediately, I am going to extend all HMA memberships (HMPA, HMGMA and HMRA) as though they started January 1, 2002. So if you purchased a one year membership any time this year it won't expire until January 1, 2003, a two year membership January 1, 2004, etc.

After I started this job last Monday it became immediately clear to me that Kenzer did not anticipate such a popular response and things became a little disorganized. I am in the process of reorganizing and would like to give everyone an opportunity to enjoy the full benefits of that.

This extension will also apply to any new memberships purchased before December 31, 2001.

Also, thanks to a quick response from Webring tech support, the webring navbars are working again! Hooray!

October 29, 2001

There is a lot of talk going on about the status of the HackJournal over on the HMPA boards. Here is what Ray the HJ Editor had to say a couple of days ago-

Definitely out before Xmas, and likely to be out by Thanksgiving (very, very likely.) We've been kicking around several production ideas, including electronic format--it would allow us to put a LOT more content in there without killing it in printing costs (plus it would be a lot quicker for distribution.) Thus, ye olde epic adventures and stories could be used, more art included, all sorts of things. Jamie and I are all excited about it, and are working on it a lot lately. HJ #1 is about done content wise (with a few bits getting finished up), it's just the clean-up and layout game now.

And today, Jamie LaFountain had a lot to say on the matter-

We are presently examining several possible modes of distribution for the HackJournal. Obviously, as a company, our goal is to find a comfortable balance between cost-saving and producing a useful, satisfying product.

I doubt very much that our final decision will not include any option for a hardcopy of the HJ. We understand and appreciate the fact that not everyone has access to a computer and/or the internet.

Certainly a primarily electronic distribution of the HJ not only saves production cost but allows us to cram more cool stuff in it and save trees. It is likely that we will offer more than one option for HJ subs.

A short while later, he added this as well-

Okay folks I had a meeting with the VP I work for and this is our decision regarding HackJournal distribution:

We would greatly _prefer_ to circulate the HackJournal in electronic PDF format to as many HMA members as possible. It saves times, it saves money and (treehugging not withstanding) it saves paper.

That being said, however, we feel that if you paid for an HMA membership that you deserve to get a copy of the HackJournal. It's a benefit of membership. You paid for it. You should get it with no hassles. So the _default_ manner in which to receive the HackJournal is in paper form through snail mail. If you would rather receive the HackJournal in electronic format, please e-mail Tracy at orders@kenzerco.com

If you look way down near the bottom of this page, you will notice that my webring navbars are displayed anymore. This is due to a new organization taking over the webrings from Yahoo. When this was done, they screwed up my account. Right now I'm waiting on some help from their tech support...

I should have some awesome new monsters by Doug Curtiss up soon- hopefully by Halloween.

October 27, 2001

Hoody Hoo!!! I got a new job as a web developer for BFW Advertising! Whew, now maybe things can get back to normal again.

The HMPA messages board site has expanded with new boards for the HMPA, HMGMA, and the HMRA. Check 'em out!

October 23, 2001

Yawn.... not much going on lately. I've been too busy looking for a new job to do anything and no one has been sending anything in lately. But here is the latest news on the GM's Guide from Noah Kolman-

The GMG is coming along very nicely, and is almost ready to be sen t to the printer. This means you should see it in your game stores around Thanksgiving. I just want to say how all of us here at Kenzer and Company appreciate how patient our fans have been with us. The release date of the GMG has certainly been pushed back a few times, and we thank you for understanding. We are just trying to make the best damn GMG we can. Right now I am working on the critical hit chart. You won't believe this baby when you see it.

Maybe things will get more exciting again when it comes out.

Here are the results of the latest poll question: What frpg (fantasy role playing game) were you playing before HackMaster came out?

D&D 3rd edition 41%
AD&D 2nd edition 19%
AD&D 1st edition 14%
Other (games not listed) 14%
Rolemaster 3%
GURPS 2%
Palladium Fantasy 2%
Warhammer FRPG 2%
Earthdawn 1%


This is a very interesting result. HackMaster was created with the players of 1st and 2nd edition AD&D players in mind, but over 40% of you were playing 3rd edition D&D! This means that HackMaster is competing with D&D directly, not just going for players that don't want to upgrade from an older edition. Hmm... maybe WOTC dug its own grave when they granted Kenzer the license to do HackMaster.

The new poll question is: What campaign setting are you going to use for HackMaster?

October 13, 2001

Sorry for the delay in updating the site, but I have been preoccupied with other things lately. Unfortunately, due to the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11 and to the subsequent downturn in the travel industry, I was laid off from my job at Travel Services International.

So, if you would like to help me through this difficult time, please do all your online shopping at my BargainStrike.com website. It has all your favorite stores and I get a percentage from all sales. Thanks!

Alright, enough whining already, there's new HackMaster stuff to show you!

Erik Bouchard from KODT.com sent in what looks like a draft version of the cover for Hacklopedia #7. If this is accurate, it definitely reveals who is the last character to die! Take a look at the cover. (It was too big to put here)

Doug Curtis has been very busy again. He sent in new pics for the Jigglypuff, Thranin, and the Magic Cow. He also sent in another wonderful monster of his own: the Damadat.

And if that wasn't enough, I asked him to send in an uncensored version of the Harpy.

October 8, 2001

Doug Curtis was nice enough to send in a picture for the Psycho Cave Frog. And since everyone has been wanting it, Will sent in his rendition of the Gazebo for your gaming pleasure. Enjoy!

Here are the results of the poll question- Are you going to join the HackMaster Player's Association?:

Yes, I already have. 32%
Yes, I will soon. 27%
Maybe 12%
Yes, when Kenzer gets their act together. 9%
No, I don't think that it's worth the money. 7%
No, I don't have a group to play with. 6%
No, I don't go to conventions. 4%


Ok, so 32% of you guys have already joined either the HMPA or the HMGMA. Another 27% say that they will sign up soon. It really amazes me that over half of you are willing to plop down your hard earned cash for a service that is not really operational yet. This speaks volumes of the trust that Kenzer & Co. has instilled in its customers. Lets hope that they don't let us down. As for me, I'm still on the fence as to whether to join or not. If I do, it will probably be just so I'll get the HackJournal.

The new question is: What frpg (fantasy role playing game) were you playing before HackMaster came out?

October 6, 2001

Janothar has alerted me to a lot of good news dealing with the HMPA. Brian Jelke had this to say on the status of the HMPA organization-

Many of you have already gotten membership information in the mail. For those of you who have not, we are still busily working on entering the info into our database and preparing to mail out the next batch of membership packages. Tracy Casper (Tracy@Kenzerco.com) is now handling administration of processing membership packages. Starting on or around 10/22/01 we will have a new HMA manager joining our team named Jamie LaFountain. Todd Weaver did a great job getting the ball rolling on this organization and we expect Jamie to take it to even greater heights in the future.

HMA pins – We expect to be able to distribute these to members by the end of October.

Software, player tools – We have a software package in development that should speed up the character creation process. It is currently in beta testing and all HMA members are welcome to participate. Once the player tools software is completed for release, it will be made available to all HMPA members for free.

Software, GM tools – Dave’s software design team is also working on a GM tools application that, among other things, should greatly simplify the NPC generation process for time strapped GMs.

HackMaster certified game effects and dice bump cards – Some of you have gotten these in your membership packages. Those of you who haven’t gotten your packages yet, should find them in there when you get them.

Hackjournal – We are working hard to get the first issue out as soon as possible in the 4th quarter of the year.

Other benefits outlined in the Player’s Handbook will follow after our new HMA manager is in place. Thanks for your support and patience.


Ray the HackJournal editor had this to say on sanctioned gaming and on the status of the HackJournal-

1. The sanctioning rules are finished and being reviewed for loopholes, etc. I ended up being really liberal, including sanctioning online/web-based games. The most restrictive bit is on magic items, which simply follows the rules already in the HMA bylaws (you know, everything has an exp value, character can't have more than they are allowed per level.) The GMG is nearing completion, and HJ is just waiting on a few bits (it is in line in the art department behind the GMG.)

2. HJ is almost taking submissions--the finalized submission guidelines will be out in HJ #1. In short, I'm interested in short stories about HoB critters (1,000 words or less), long stories (no limit) on characters, adventures, etc. set in the HackMaster universe, adventures of all size and level, character artwork, and generally kewl stuff that happened in your game/etc. I also want people to send in info if they are holding a Hackmaster event, or if it is over who won, as all that kind of thing will be an important part of the mag. All submissions used will be paid in UPS points, and the better the entry, the more points ya get (not to mention being able to say you have something honest-to-gawd published...always helpful on the resume, I've found.)

October 3, 2001

Here's the latest news on the status of the HackMaster's GM's Guide from Noah Kolman-

The HackMaster GMG is nearing completion. It should ship to the printer by the beginning of next week, which means it should be in stores by the second week of November. It is loaded with rules, hints and humor, and I think you will all enjoy it.

I got bored at work recently and created stats for the most fearsome monster ever- the Jigglypuff!!! Avert your eyes! Oh the horror, the horror...

October 1, 2001

Lots of new stuff to add to the site today. First off, Doug Curtis has sent in two pictures for for the Sword Spirit and the Wild Skeleton.

Next there is the fearsome Birthday Card monster that John Lach sent to me. It was pretty damn funny if you ask me. He also sent in his very kewl Torch Bearer NPC Class.

Also, Michael Wood (aka Eliminster) was nice enough to send in one of his dead characters for the Tavern. Check out his 13th level Elven Battlemage!

On a sad note, David Kenzer made it clear that we won't see the much anticipated Garweeze Wurld supplement until sometime in 2003. Here's what he had to say-

Sorry guys, but Garweeze Wurld will not be forthcoming in 2002. You must have been conversing with the evil twin Jolly that likes to give false impressions or something. GW is not even on the product list. My best guess is a 2003 release. Having just released the best damn fantasy setting for D&D EVER (Kingdoms of Kalamar) we have an idea of how long it takes to do a complete fantasy world. And it's about 18 months. Now work has begun on Garweeze Wurld, but it'll just plain not be up to our standards if we release it next year. So look for it in 2003.