My next novel – Dangerous Games: How to Play – is due for release this Tuesday, May 14. This is the first book in the third of the 12 for ’12 trilogies I wrote last year, and despite that, it’s different from all the others. For one, it’s set in the real world and the modern day and has zero fantastic elements in it. It’s a straight mystery with one wild twist: It’s set at Gen Con, the largest tabletop gaming convention in America.
I’ve been going to Gen Con since I was 13 years old, and it’s been a huge part of my life. I had a wonderful time playing around in (and fictionally destroying) my favorite event of the year. As part of that, I worked a number of gaming industry luminaries into the story.
As I was revising the book, I built a running list of everyone that made it into the book. Now, I hope that everyone who finds themselves in the book will enjoy their appearances – and also that those of my friends who didn’t find their way in won’t be offended. I have two more books in the series after this, and a lot more famous folks make appearances later on.
So, here’s the list of those who wandered into How to Play.
- Aaron Allston
- Adrian Swartout
- Allen Varney
- Bob Carty
- Cam Banks
- Chris Pramas
- D. J. Trindle
- Dan Tibbles
- Doomball
- Eric Lang
- Fred Hicks
- Gareth-Michael Skarka
- Hal Mangold
- James Ernest
- James Wallis
- Jamie Chambers
- Jason Morningstar
- John Nephew
- John Wick
- Jordan Weisman
- Ken Hite
- Lisa Stevens
- Ludema Stone
- Margaret Weis
- Matt Forbeck*
- Michelle Nephew
- Mike Selinker
- Mike Stackpole
- Nicole Lindroos
- Owen Seyler
- Peter Adkison
- Phil Reed
- Richard Garfield
- Rob Stone
- Robin Laws
- Ryan Dancey
- Schaefer Tolliver
- Simon Rogers
- Stephen Blair
- T.S. Luikart
- Tracy Hickman
- Will Hindmarch
- Wolfgang Baur
* Yes, I included myself. I’ll tell you about that another time. It makes sense.
Some of the people here are just referred to and don’t have any lines at all. Others – like Ken Hite and Allen Varney – play a major role in the tale. One of these folks isn’t even named in the book, but sharp-eyed friends of his will spot him there anyhow. (Hint: He’s in a bar. And yes, I know that doesn’t narrow it down much.)
Look for the book starting Tuesday, March 14. Meanwhile, you can whet your appetite by reading the first five chapters for free.
