Hey people,

This is probably going to be on the short side because, as I mentioned last month, my focus is pretty much on one project and one project only: Diner Punks. That means the updates are all about the same thing, but at least they’re all good. The subject line for this month’s newsletter is the title of a Southern Culture on the Skids song that is very much on the short list of the Diner Punks playlist.

World Ember

Two of my Diner Punk articles won their World Ember categories. Mojo World won the Settlement category and The Beale Street Theater & Casino won for Building. Given that I’ve done world Ember for 5 or 6 years and never won anything, winning two categories was a great surprise. The prizes include a gift certificate to the World Anvil merch shop, some dice and a dice tray, and a dragon that poops dice. Here’s the full list of winners.

Read The Setting Material!

When I finished the setting material, I posted it to Patreon for the members there. While I was at it, I decided to try Patreon’s new feature that lets you sell individual articles, so even if you’re not a member, you can read the entire setting section of the rulebook for just $3. It’s a rough draft that hadn’t been edited or revised, but it gives you a good overview of the game world. Also, $3 is the minimum price Patreon allows. Since that’s also the cost of a membership, it probably makes sense to sign up for a month so you can dig around and see if there’s anything else you like behind the paywall.

Not As Far Off Track As I Thought

Last month I mentioned that I wasn’t sure of the release date because I was supposed to have the core rules done by January. This was based on an item in my calendar that said “Core Rules Finished,” which I took to mean “Core Rulebook Finished.” When I looked at the schedule more closely, I realized it just meant the rules section. The rules section isn’t completely done, but it’s close. Also, the setting section—which wasn’t due until later—is done, along with a good chunk of the camp rules. So I’m at least on track, maybe even a little ahead. That means the original July release is still a possibility.

Media Roundup

Currently Reading: I’m nearly finished with I’m Starting To Worry About This Black Box of Doom by Jason Pargin (aka David Wong). If you like the John Dies at the End series, you’ll probably like this one.

Currently Watching:

• Knight of Seven Kingdoms, because I’m a sucker for boobs and swords.

• Orphan Black: Do you remember the shrimp world from Buffy the Vampire Slayer? It’s kind of like that, but instead of shrimp, it’s Tatiana Maslany, which I personally think is a big improvement over shrimp.

Recently Watched:

• Fallout (Season 2): This show weirdly hits on a lot of the same ideas as Diner Punks, but with a completely different vibe. Also, it’s got Walton Goggins, so worst case you get Walton Goggins.

• The Protector: This is a post-apocalypse movie starring Marguerite Moreau (Katie from Wet Hot American Summer) and Graham Greene. The big picture worldbuilding is kind of vague, but they make up for it by really showing the nitty gritty stuff, and the overall vibe is kind of “post-apocalyptic indie flick.”

• 68 Kill: Trailer trash does crime. The protagonist of this movie gets talked into a robbery by his hot girlfriend, only to discover that she’s way crazier than he thought. He gets away, but keeps getting mixed up with other crazy women that she has to save him from.

• Wake Up: There’s a fine line between clever and stupid, and I haven’t decided which side this one’s on.

• The Bubble: A movie about people making a movie during Covid. It’s funny, but not as funny as a Judd Apatow movie with this cast should be. Shaving about 45 minutes off the run time would have helped a lot, I think.

• Jericho: I re-watched this in the background one weekend mainly because it’s a big inspiration for the “build up your camp” part of Diner Punks. It holds up.

• Ballad of a Small-Time Player: I was expecting funny Colin Farrell here, but it’s more watered-down Leaving Las Vegas vibes oddly mixed with funny bits. It’s not bad, but it’s not what I was looking for.

• Ted (TV Series, Season 1): Facebook kept feeding me clips of this show and it looked funny, so I watched it and completely enjoyed it. If you liked the movies or generally enjoy MacFarlane’s stuff, you’ll probably like it too.
  
  That’s it for this time. Don’t forget to check out the award-winning Diner Punks World Anvil page for new content and updates on the game.

  

  TYTYVM,

  Steve