In Conversation with Jordan Sorcery

Steve Jackson in conversation with Jordan Sorcery

We talk about founding Games Workshop in the 70s, starting White Dwarf, working with Bryan Ansell as his Citadel team created Warhammer, co-writing Fighting Fantasy with Sir Ian Livingstone, and creating cutting edge interactive storytelling over the phone with Steve Jackson's F.I.S.T (Fantasy Interactive Scenarios by Telephone!)

This was a huge joy for me to film and a conversation I never thought I’d get to have - a magical opportunity for which I am very grateful. Thank you to Steve and to everyone who has supported the channel that has allowed me to do this work!

Support my work:

• Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/jordansorcery]
• Element Games Affiliate Link [https://elementgames.co.uk/?d=11216]
• Download my Fantasy Battle Scenario: Dead King Wenceslas [https://jordansorcery.itch.io/dead-king-wenceslas]
• Ko-Fi [https://ko-fi.com/jordansorcery]
• Discord [My Discord is now exclusive to Patreon supporters]

This episode was originally released via YouTube: https://youtu.be/DiPHg4YKWAY

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Mark Gibbons in conversation with Jordan Sorcery.

Former Games Workshop artist and concept artist for Sony and Blizzard. Mark has had an extensive career creating dynamic, detailed, and amazing imagery for Warhammer, including memorable pieces like the box covers for Warhammer Fantasy 5th edition, the Circle of Blood campaign set, and the Man O’ War expansion Plaguefleet. Not to mention his countless black and white illustrations that graced the pages of Warhammer Armies books and 40k codexes.

We talk about Mark’s incredible career working on Warhammer, 40k, World of Warcraft and much more. As well as discussing Games Workshop during the 90s and the way art is made.

Mark's Links:

• Rookery Publications - YouTube [https://youtube.com/@TheRookery?si=h1QbkJzJ2m0oraH0]
• Rookery Publications - Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/InsideTheRookery]
• Dark Deeds - Modiphius [https://www.modiphius.net/pages/dark-deeds?utm_content=buffer1c080&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer]

Support my work:

• Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/jordansorcery]
• Element Games Affiliate Link [https://elementgames.co.uk/?d=11216]
• Download my Fantasy Battle Scenario: Dead King Wenceslas [https://jordansorcery.itch.io/dead-king-wenceslas]
• Ko-Fi [https://ko-fi.com/jordansorcery]
• Discord [My Discord is now exclusive to Patreon supporters]

This episode was originally released via YouTube: https://youtu.be/0BIwmp0uPyc

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Jonathan Green in conversation with Jordan Sorcery.

We talk about a career working in science-fiction and fantasy IPs, novels, and gamebooks. Jonathan is credited on 8 gamebooks in the Fighting Fantasy series, wrote the definitive history of the series, has worked on several stories for the Black Library set in the 40k and Warhammer Fantasy worlds, including rare gamebook adventures in both!

Jonathan has also created his own series of gamebooks that draw inspiration from classic literature like Dracula or Alice in Wonderland and give readers the chance to choose their own route through these famous stories.

We had a terrific chat about the changes in fantasy writing over time, working with Games Workshop, and the art of gamebook writing.

Jonathan Green's Links:

• Jonathan Green's Blog [https://jonathangreenauthor.blogspot.com/]
• Shakespeare vs Cthlhu [https://mailchi.mp/5d8ad4b0736c/shakespeare-vs-cthulhu]

Support my work:

• Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/jordansorcery]
• Element Games Affiliate Link [https://elementgames.co.uk/?d=11216]
• Download my Fantasy Battle Scenario: Dead King Wenceslas [https://jordansorcery.itch.io/dead-king-wenceslas]
• Ko-Fi [https://ko-fi.com/jordansorcery]
• Discord [My Discord is now exclusive to Patreon supporters]

This episode was originally released via YouTube: https://youtu.be/rxf5DeOOeKM

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James Wallis in conversation with Jordan Sorcery.

James is the founder of Hogshead Publishing, the company that resurrected Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay first edition, refined it, expanded it, and kept it alive for a decade. And then he decided to shut down the successful company and walk away.

We talk about why, his remarkable journey in the RPG industry, and what he learned from crafting some of the most innovative, award winning RPGs of the past 30 years.

James Wallis Links:

• Ludonarrative Dissodents Podcast [https://www.ludonarrativedissidents.com/]
• James Wallis Website [http://www.jameswallis.com/]

Support my work:

• Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/jordansorcery]
• Element Games Affiliate Link [https://elementgames.co.uk/?d=11216]
• Download my Fantasy Battle Scenario: Dead King Wenceslas [https://jordansorcery.itch.io/dead-king-wenceslas]
• Ko-Fi [https://ko-fi.com/jordansorcery]
• Discord [My Discord is now exclusive to Patreon supporters]

This episode was originally released via YouTube: https://youtu.be/bT-4f4eRvmM

Support the show

Chris Pramas in conversation with Jordan Sorcery.

After a career at Wizards of the Coast working on D&D, Alternity, and Chainmail, Chris Pramas co-founded independent RPG publisher Green Ronin and began releasing award winning and critically acclaimed TTRPGs like Mutants and Masterminds. And after that Chris was asked by Games Workshop to develop a brand new edition of Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay for Black Industries that would explore the Old World in a way unlike any tried before.

We talk about Chris' time for WOTC, his Dark Matter adventure The Killing Jar (a personal favourite of mine), his work with Green Ronin, and of course WFRP 2nd edition in a conversation filled with interesting insights, observations, and experiences from an influential career at the forefront of popular RPGs.

Support my work:

• Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/jordansorcery]
• Element Games Affiliate Link [https://elementgames.co.uk/?d=11216]
• Download my Fantasy Battle Scenario: Dead King Wenceslas [https://jordansorcery.itch.io/dead-king-wenceslas]
• Ko-Fi [https://ko-fi.com/jordansorcery]
• Discord [My Discord is now exclusive to Patreon supporters]
• Valiant Adventures Kick Starter [https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/greenroninpub/valiant-adventures-roleplaying-game]

This episode was originally released via YouTube: https://youtu.be/qoEgCKmrRSU

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Dominic McDowall in conversation with Jordan Sorcery.

The man behind the incredible homegrown success of UK RPG publisher Cubicle 7, Domininc McDowall has helped to rejuvenate the RPG marketplace with a broad range of well received and successful roleplaying games. Not only that, but he brought together the team that would reinvent and restore Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay to its rightful place as one of the best RPGs available.

We talk about the evolution of Cubicle 7 as a company and RPG publisher, how the TTRPG industry has changed, and how Dominic came to be such an important figure in its development. Not only that, but we explore the history of WFRP 4th edition, the opportunities and challenges of updating a beloved game, and how things have developed over the life of the range.

Support my work:

• Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/jordansorcery]
• Element Games Affiliate Link [https://elementgames.co.uk/?d=11216]
• Download my Fantasy Battle Scenario: Dead King Wenceslas [https://jordansorcery.itch.io/dead-king-wenceslas]
• Ko-Fi [https://ko-fi.com/jordansorcery]
• Discord [My Discord is now exclusive to Patreon supporters]
• Cubicle 7 [https://cubicle7games.com/]

This episode was originally released via YouTube: https://youtu.be/BK34Pgp9iKU

Support the show

Tuomas in conversation with Jordan Sorcery.

In my second conversation with Tuomas Pirinen (you can find my first interview exclusively on my Patreon) we talk about his work redefining Chaos in the Warhammer Old World, and beginning the journey to dividing the forces of the ruinous power by beast, warrior, daemon, and god. 

We also explored Tuomas' complete reinvention of the magic system for Warhammer Fantasy's 6th edition, a change that would give the game incredible new life and power it for it's next few editions.

Support my work:

• Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/jordansorcery]
• Element Games Affiliate Link [https://elementgames.co.uk/?d=11216]
• Download my Fantasy Battle Scenario: Dead King Wenceslas [https://jordansorcery.itch.io/dead-king-wenceslas]
• Ko-Fi [https://ko-fi.com/jordansorcery]
• Discord [My Discord is now exclusive to Patreon supporters]
• Trench Crusade [https://www.facebook.com/trenchcrusadeofficial/]

This episode was originally released via YouTube: https://youtu.be/Xq6jekHssCA

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Graeme Davis in conversation with Jordan Sorcery.

One of the key game designers involved in the creation of Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay and The Enemy Within campaign, Graeme Davis has long been an important voice in the TTRPG industry.

Graeme talks with me about the early culture and ways of working at Citadel and Games Workshop under Bryan Ansell, how things changed over time, the end of Flame Publications, and a litany of other fascinating topics from the beginning of Warhammer.

Support my work:

• Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/jordansorcery]
• Element Games Affiliate Link [https://elementgames.co.uk/?d=11216]
• Download my Fantasy Battle Scenario: Dead King Wenceslas [https://jordansorcery.itch.io/dead-king-wenceslas]
• Ko-Fi [https://ko-fi.com/jordansorcery]
• Discord [My Discord is now exclusive to Patreon supporters]
• MythWalker - Nant Games [https://nantgames.com/]

This episode was originally released via YouTube: https://youtu.be/BK34Pgp9iKU

Support the show

Johnny Fraser-Allen in conversation with Jordan Sorcery.

After working as a conceptual and special effects artist at Weta Workshop on films like Steven Spielberg's BFG, Guillermo Del Toro and then Peter Jackson's the Hobbit movies, and James Cameron's Avatar Johnny Fraser-Allen began making miniatures for gaming in the fantasy realms he loves so much.

Working with Alessio Cavatore & Riverhorse Games Johnny designed the miniatures for the boardgame adaptations of Jim Henson's Labyrinth and Dark Crystal. As a lifelong Warhammer fan his work has been featured on Warhammer Community, and his incredible creations have regularly appeared on Adam Savage's Tested.

And all of that is before the creation of his 20-year-in-the-making magical world of The Gloaming. A folktale and fae inspired fantasy world drawing on European and Antipodean myths & legends, filled with incredible creatures, and perhaps one of the most immersive game settings ever devised. A full-size tour of The Gloaming has been produced by Weta with narration by Stephen Fry, and Johnny has been working on a series of campaigns to release 28mm scale miniatures and printable STLs for the denizens of this otherworldly place.

Support my work:

• Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/jordansorcery]
• Element Games Affiliate Link [https://elementgames.co.uk/?d=11216]
• Download my Fantasy Battle Scenario: Dead King Wenceslas [https://jordansorcery.itch.io/dead-king-wenceslas]
• Ko-Fi [https://ko-fi.com/jordansorcery]
• Discord [My Discord is now exclusive to Patreon supporters]

This episode was originally released via YouTube: https://youtu.be/iVcVl3uidWM

Support the show

Rick Priestley in conversation with Jordan Sorcery.

The creator of 40k and Warhammer Fantasy, Rick Priestley in conversation! Rick Priestley and his school friend Richard 'Hal' Halliwell created Warhammer Fantasy for Bryan Ansell at Citadel in 1983. After that Rick worked on 5 more editions of Fantasy, as well as Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay, countless other games, and of course, also invented Warhammer 40,000.

With a lifetime of experience creating some of the greatest tabletop games in history it was my privilege to talk with Rick Priestley about how everything began, what it was like to work at Citadel and Games Workshop in the early days, and how things evolved.

Due to some technical issues with the video I have annotated several portions of our conversation with images from the archives - illustrating the games, people, and places that Rick describes in wonderful detail. 

And if you want to see even more there is an extended version of my conversation with Rick available exclusively on my Patreon.

Support my work:

• Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/jordansorcery]
• Element Games Affiliate Link [https://elementgames.co.uk/?d=11216]
• Download my Fantasy Battle Scenario: Dead King Wenceslas [https://jordansorcery.itch.io/dead-king-wenceslas]
• Ko-Fi [https://ko-fi.com/jordansorcery]
• Discord [My Discord is now exclusive to Patreon supporters]

This episode was originally released via YouTube: https://youtu.be/RkJIx5lRyVE

Support the show