Welcome to 2012! Before we all get exploded by the Mayan apocalypse [1] (save for those lucky few who get saved by John Cusack driving a succession of improbably durable vehicles [2]), why not take part in a GMing challenge?
Or better yet, a challenge that’s also a contest where you can win cool things?
Or even better still, a challenge that’s also a contest and our first-ever blog carnival?
The first stop on that train to awesomesauce is our latest project, New Year, New Game [3] (NYNG for short).
[3]NYNG is a challenge to GMs all over the world: Run a new game this year. “New game” can mean a new-to-you (not necessarily newly published) RPG, a new campaign, or both.
And NYNG has a mission:
To inspire game masters to run at least one new game each year, because trying new games broadens your horizons, challenges your skills as a GM, and can deepen your enjoyment of gaming as a hobby.
The contest will open January 9, as will the blog carnival, and more details about both will be revealed at that time. What I can say now is that in addition to the Engine Publishing [4] books we’re offering as prizes, we’ve already signed on two awesome sponsors: DriveThruRPG [5] and Obsidian Portal [6]. The grand prize is already worth over $160, and may go up from there.
In the meantime, we hope you’ll check out NYNG — and start thinking about your entry. The full scoop on NYNG is here [7], and the guidelines for the contest (the full version of which will be posted here on the Stew on January 9) are also available [8].