Looking for my most recent musings on life and gaming? Find me on Patreon.
2018 Was a
Hell of a Year
2018 Was a Hell of a Year
It was the greatest year to-date for Darker Hue Studios (DHS). So many things happened that it is a bit of a blur and the feeling of constantly running to the next thing, in the best way possible, is what really resonates. On this fourth day of 2019, I wanted to stop for a minute and mark down the big events that I remember. I am bound to have forgotten some and apologize now for any inadvertent omissions.
The Little Book That Could
We are in museums, taught within curricula at universities, won three Gold Ennies, IGDN Groundbreaking Award, nominated for a few other Ennies, and the Diana Jones Award...all for Harlem Unbound. My passion project. The little book that could. And then to have Chaosium approach me about publishing a second edition of the book is amazing. Hopefully Harlem Unbound will continue to touch people, be a focal point for conversations about change, serve as a reflection on how much work has been done and how much more we need to do, and exist as a great game.
Living the (Freelance) Life
The freelance work for different companies has been a lot of fun. It’s interesting to see how each company works, their expectations, and writing styles. Each piece of work has been a learning opportunity and I'm happy to share those lessons with others. The work has also helped me in establishing my own style within DHS and has influenced any projects to come.
2018 did not see me finish the Supers vs. Cthulhu campaign for Chaosium how I planned. But it gave me loads of playtesting and running the game, even a pop up session at GenCon. Those playtests gave me some great feedback to tweak things. My favorite part was hearing people psyched for superhero combat in Call of Cthulhu and cheering on the horrific end of the campaign. Chaosium also gave me one of the highlights of my life: I got to help revised the scenario Dead Man Stomp, a scenario that solidified me as a Call of Cthulhu player in my teens. It was written by my hero Mark Morrison (and Lynn Willis). After working on Dead Man Stomp, I got to have a small hand in revising the new Mask of Nyralothotep! Lastly, and most importantly for 2019, the science fiction line…which I am working on now and will be going forward. It is an entirely new type of challenge and one I am enjoying tackling.
I submitted my final Cthulhu Confidential scenario, Preacher Man Blues featuring Langston Wright, to Pelgrane Press and it’s the one I am most proud of. It’s a story draped in a lot of my personal history. Thank you to Pelgrane for giving me the chance to create Langston and letting me play in one of my favorite settings, noir. Writing Langston for the last few years taught me a lot about story, structure, and scenario plotting. Thank you to Robin Laws for your support when no one knew who I was or even gave me the time of day; the first round is always on me.
My wholehearted thanks to the whole Onyx Path crew. I got to write on couple of different products and to make the Prince of Chicago (last year). It was a blast. Thanks to Growling Door games for letting me do a little Chill work.
Invited to Con, Will Travel
The other high, one that I would love to keep doing, was getting invited to a couple of conventions as a guest speaker. It was a surreal feeling going from someone sitting in the audience or saying, “Hi I want to go to that con because X and Y are there.” Thank you Fan Expo, U-Con, and High Level Gaming. I think my new catch phrase is “Invited to con, will travel.” I am hoping to hit an international con in the next year or two. If you’re looking for me next year, I will be at Breakout Con! Come hang out.
Thinking about all of this makes me smile and hopeful for what’s next. It was nice taking a minute to celebrate and say thank you to everyone for everything you helped make happen. Okay, back to the work.
Happy New Year!
Chris
Find Me at GenCon 51!!! (and an update)
Wow! wow! wow!
It has been a crazy year for Harlem Unbound and for me.
- Harlem Unbound has been accepted into museums, nominated for the Diana Jones and multiple Ennies (PLEASE VOTE for it!!!) awards (EDITED TO ADD: also nominated for 2 IDGN Groundbreaker Awards!). I am beyond elated that it has been received so well, and that people are engaging with Harlem and its frequently overlooked American history.
- It's great to finally be able to talk a bit about my current project. I am creating a modern-day superhero campaign for Pulp Cthulhu. All of my superhero games have had a grittier and horror-based feel to them.
- I've been invited as a guest to a few conventions this year.
- And the biggest news, the news that will become my life very soon and I can't stop smiling about (drumroll, please...): I am making a science fiction line for Chaosium using the BRP system!!!
So, yes, I've been busy and my blog has suffered for it. But you can always find me on Patreon as well as some of my musings.
But the real reason for this very long and winding post: Where To Find Me at GenCon! I am running two sessions of Harlem Unbound, on a panel and trying to meet people for the sci-fi project. When in doubt, just tweet at me and maybe we can meet up for a coffee (likely a scotch, as the Severn bar is my base of operations).
Thursday: 1200 - 1600
Game ID: RPG18133469
Harlem can be cold & uncaring but "Owl" deserved better than to be run down like a mook, or so his sister says, & she needs the investigators to figure out who did him wrong. A simple favor, right?
Friday: 1200 - 1600
Game ID: RPG18133468
Harlem can be cold & uncaring but "Owl" deserved better than to be run down like a mook, or so his sister says, & she needs the investigators to figure out who did him wrong. A simple favor, right?
Saturday: 1400 - 1500
Game ID: SEM18134865
A panel of award-winning designers discuss the popular appeal of the Cthulhu Mythos, and the part of the Call of Cthulhu RPG plays in bringing H.P. Lovecraft's creations into the mainstream imagination. Moderator: Michael (MOB) O'Brien. Panelists: Jeff Richards, Mike Mason, Chris Spivey, Mark Morrison (if available), James Lowder (if available), among others.
See you in a few weeks,
Chris
Black Lightning Gets Lit!
For anyone on the fence about this show, I am going to put my key thought up front: I loved Black Lightning! Go watch it and come back so we can discuss. For everyone else, let’s talk...
SPOILERS!!!
All right, gang, let’s delve into it a bit. I watched it this morning in the wee hours and felt swept up into the pilot with the first scene at the police station. Hearing Anissa's voice over of the #BlackLightning Oath, while Jennifer compares her to Harriet Tubman, established the tone of the show and what it was going to be. Then they give us a moment to breathe, and we see three of them as a family in the car, building an emotional hook for the audience. It gave me flashes of moments from my childhood, I have been in that car. The doubling down in the second scene with the cops pulling them over for a driving-while-black stop cemented a grounding the other DCTV shows have ignored: the reality of being black in America.
This show would not just be about superheroes superheroing, but rather the cost of superheroing, knowing that powers can’t always save the day and the community. It was so refreshing to see a smart, respected black man excelling at his profession and winning battles with his words; to see the students at the school engage with him, his concern for them and talking down a gunman to make sure no one was hurt; and then doing something in more of a gray area by trying to deal with the local gang boss, a former student, to keep the peace.
That's not to say there isn't superheroing, as the use of Jefferson’s powers are AWESOME!!! I loved the battling in the dark illuminated by lightning punches and bolts of power! As an African American father with a daughter, I instantly related to his motivation for quitting being a superhero and then reclaiming the mask for the same reason: his daughters. He would do anything for them.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s not a perfect pilot. Pilots are difficult to pull off as they need to establish the protagonist, antagonist, the world, drama and numerous other bits in about 43 minutes. A hefty endeavor. There were some moments that didn’t sit right with me too, for instance, when Jefferson knocked out the cops behind the alley and blew up the police car. I could say he was covering up his tracks, maybe disabling the dash cam in the patrol car but that scene felt more forced, as did him standing on the roof of the motel at the end of the big fight scene. But such minor ticks are easily forgotten.
That said, Black Lightning is the best pilot of the DCTV shows followed by Arrow and Supergirl.
I will be here every week watching this show and looking forward to the journey!
10 Days of Harlem Unbound
Social Media Giveaway:
10 Days of Harlem Unbound
Let's count down to the new year together by sending some Harlem Unbound swag into the universe! Here's how to enter to win:
1. Post a picture of yourself with your Harlem Unbound book.
2. Include ONE WORD or phrase to describe your first impression of the book.
3. Tag Darker Hue Studios. (Twitter, Facebook, Google+)
At the end of each day, we will pick a random winner and send them a Harlem Unbound Keeper Screen or Dice. On the final day (December 31), we will do a raffle to include all social media posts during the 10-day period as entries, and we will award one lucky winner a signed Harlem Unbound Set (signed copy of the Book, the Keeper Screen and Dice)!
A few rules:
- Every time you post on social media = one entry, including for the final prize.
- The Harlem Unbound swag will be mailed out within one week.
- You must tag us in each post.
- You must reside in the United States to win physical swag. (Sorry international crew, but damn those shipping costs!)
I can’t wait to hear from you. Thank you again for supporting this crazy dream of mine.
Cheers,
Chris
PS - Harlem Unbound makes a great gift! Buy it here.