In Development


In September 2007, I hired long-time, kick-butt campaign writer Ryan DiMassa as the Mardi Gras 3000 Brand Manager. This means that Ryan organizes and, yes, manages all aspects of the MG3K brand -- the games, the fiction, the online and offline events, the staff... everything! I have Ryan signed to a five-year contract. So far? She has blown our minds. Check Ryan out on IMVU, the MG3K official chat client.

Speaking of IMVU... MG3K invaded this online community and have rocked ever since. We've got MG3K-themed 3D rooms, and MG3K-themed products. You can send serious face-time with your favorite character or hang with other writers, readers, players and fans in the public Mardi Gras 3000 Clubhouse. Membership to IMVU is totally free. Check out this kickin' world by starting with my homepage there. Then sign up and join us for weekly meetings and other special events.

Back in February 1, 2007, the online version of the Mardi Gras 3000 card game (MG3K HSOL) launched with much fan fair. It was hugely popular and I was pleased. We even held our first online tournament. But, because perfection is a long journey, the team kept improving the operating system and environment. In December 2007 (happy holidays, everyone!), the new MG3KOnline game will launch. Based on the card game, this v. 2.0 includes drag-and-drop ease of play, and embedded chat and die rolling. The game also includes Instants, which have moved from Advanced Play right into Vital Play ;)

When I finally get a break from my willing MG3K enslavement, I'll be reviewing submissions for Await the Neutral Hour (the MG3K anthology) and working directly with authors contracted to write MG3K novellas or novels. Like the game itself, the work is incredibly immersing and rewarding.

It's very important to me to stay active on the MG3K boards and my blog because I want to be able to share what's going on in the MG3K universe and work with players and writers to create the path the game takes into the future.

I have proposed three other games to IDP and they've been accepted. These will see the market in 2008, depending on my design schedule and the pressures the National Edition of MG3K puts on my schedule. One of the three is tied to MG3K and the other two are science fiction games. All are CCGs.

I'm also very interested in teaming up with someone to create a MG3K role-playing game based on the OGL system, and in working with a team to write MG3K comics. Because IDP is owned by Windstorm Creative--and Windstorm owns a wide variety of divisions--RPGs, comics, and even short films are all an option. I want to take advantage of their structure and really spread the word about the MG3K universe because, ultimately, it is a fully interactive one.

I've had a few emails about whether or not there will be a MG3K video game. Windstorm doesn't produce video games but I'd be willing to work with another company if they were very up front about everything--I've been spoiled so far. Because I interned at Windstorm and have worked doing freelance work for them off and on for several years, I know the owners (Jennifer and Cris DiMarco) as businesswomen and respect them as friends. I've spoken with Jennifer about doing all sorts of MG3K projects with other companies and we're both fine with the idea... as long as the environment is right (read "honest").

It is worth noting, however, in terms of video games, that a small team of designers are working on 3D MG3K game environments that will run off the IMVU server. This will, basically, rock my world.

For the most up to date information about this crazy career path I'm on or for late breaking news about MG3K, check out the Gamer Grrl in Small Doses Blog or the MG3K Forum.