FYI, I've started a new journal page for long form posts and commentary here on the site. My first one is called Dots on a Map, and covers some thoughts on the new Star Wars Atlas and how it interacts with my earlier work. Click here or the journal link on the menu bar above. The news page you are now reading will continue to include news, information and shorter comments.
Dots on a Map
One of the astounding things about the new Star Wars Atlas by Daniel Wallace and Jason Fry is the sheer number of star systems covered. Over 4,000 star systems and their map coordinates are indexed within the book and updated online at starwars.com. Every one of these systems comes from one or more Star Wars stories, whether from the movies, games, novels, comics or surprisingly remote sources.
Read MoreLook, Sir: The Scavengers' Guide to Droids
Now I know I've been busy, having overlooked posting this here. A couple of weeks ago, I was quoted on the starwars.com site in an article on the Scavenger's Guide to Droids. You can find it here.
25 to Rescue SW Minis Scenario
My latest Star Wars Miniatures game scenario is now available for free from the Wizards of the Coast website.
During the fighting on Christophsis during the Clone Wars, invading droids have captured numerous techs and noncombatants, intending to ship them off world. Will the droids succeed, or will a hastily arranged rescue party of clone troops spoil their plans? It's 25 to Rescue.
Scavenger's Guide to Droids
Tomorrow is the official release for my next product, the Scavenger's Guide to Droids, for the Star Wars Roleplaying Game Saga Edition. It's full of new info for playing, creating and using droids, plus a huge number of new, expanded and existing droids. More info coming soon.
GenCon 2009
in Conventions
I had a good time at GenCon 2009 this past weekend. Played some Star Wars Saga Edition with the guys from d20radio and the Order 66 podcast. Ran around the dealers hall, talked with old friends and new, and checked out potential freelance work for future projects.
Order 66 won a silver ENnie for best podcast (after All Games Considered), so a big congratulations to them, especially as some other nominees had larger followings. The Clone Wars Campaign Guide won a silver for best supplement and Scum and Villainy won a silver for best cartography (both Star Wars Saga Editon RPG products).
However, the biggest highlight for me was participating in the benefit breakfast for Aaron Allston, hosted by the Indy Knights Star Wars fan club at the Ram. Aaron has authored Star Wars novels for some time, including several in the current Fate of the Jedi series. He suffered a heart attack with a quadruple bypass earlier this year and needs help with medical costs. A variety of Star Wars authors turned out as special guests, as well as Aaron himself. There was a good fan turnout, and everyone had a good time.
Pictured here are the guests: Troy Denning (Fate of the Jedi: Abyss, etc.), Michael Stackpole (I, Jedi, etc.), Aaron Allston (Fate of the Jedi: Outcast, etc.) with Ann Margaret Lews & Helen Keier (New Essential Guide to Alien Species) to either side, myself and Jason T Eberl (Philosophy and Star Wars).
Just to be clear, this was event was not officially affiliated with GenCon, but held off-site at the Ram, a restaurant popular with convention attendees. However, most of the guests and many attendees were also convention participants.
Facebook fan page
So, I broke down and started a facebook fan page. My wife suggested this some time ago, but it felt odd so I kept looking for other options through the security features on facebook, since I've kept my friends list fairly limited. In the end, though, it seemed the best way to go, especially after seeing Sean K Reynolds start one successfully.
So, if you're on facebook, look up my fan page, if you're interested.
Sterling Hershey on Facebook
ENnie Voting and Origins Awards
in awards
Voting for the ENnie awards is now open. The Star Wars RPG and Minis games received several nominations. I wasn't involved in these fine products, although I believe the Order 66 crew used at least one of the episodes I was in as one of their samples to the jury during the nomination process.
The Star Wars products up for awards this year are:
- Star Wars RPG: Scum and Villainy for Best Cartography.
- Star Wars RPG: The Clone Wars Campaign Guide for Best Supplement & Product of the Year.
- Star Wars Miniatures Clone W ars Starter S et for Best Miniatures Product.
- Order 66, the SW RPG fan podcast is up for Best Podcast.
- Fan Award for Best Publisher includes Wizards of the Coast and d20 radio, among a multitude of others, large and small.
Also, I didn't mention it here earlier, but my own Knights of the Old Republic Campaign Guide was nominated for Best Supplement in the Origins awards, but didn't win this year. The main Saga Edition rulebook was up for best RPG, but also came up short (it won two ENnies last year, though). The Clone Wars Minitures set did win best miniatures product, however.
Rebellion Era Campaign Guide
My latest Star Wars RPG product is out - the Rebellion Era Campaign Guide. The majority of my work in this one was the Rebellion chapter and much of the Fringe chapter. It was fun to take a crack at updating the history of the Rebellion, taking the events of the Force Unleashed into account, as well as working with new and classic Rebel units.
Welcome
Welcome to sterlinghershey.com. Things are a bit sparse at the moment, but as I get used to this software, you'll be seeing and hearing more from me regarding my freelance and professional work.