Written by Matt Hawkins Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein The Jesus allegory running throughout this book made it fascinating to the younger me. I was once a religious kid obsessed with science. The adult atheist me is obsessed with both science and religion. I reread this last year and was amazed at how much I enjoyed it …
Matthew Sunrich’s 7 of the Best
Written by Matthew Sunrich The Hour of the Dragon Robert E. Howard was one of the most prolific writers of the pulp era. It’s impossible to say for sure that Conan the Cimmerian was his favorite out of his numerous creations, but it seems to be the case. In all, he published seventeen stories about the character in the pages …
David “Max” Millgate’s 7 of the Best
Written by David “Max” Millgate DISTRICT 9 Directed by Neill Blomkamp Loved this film! It felt very fresh and new when it came out. Using Johannesburg was not an obvious choice of location for an alien invasion movie, but that’s exactly what made it stand out. We’ve seen so many Hollywood movies with aliens arriving and hovering over Los Angeles or New York. …
Eric Vogel’s 7 of the Best
Written by Eric Vogel Jurassic Park This book is where a 25-year love of science fiction all started. I had seen the movie with my cousin, who was reading the book at the time, and afterwards he talked me into reading it. All due respect to Mr. Spielberg, but the original Crichton just can’t be touched. It was the kind …
Joseph Bingaman’s 7 of the Best
Written by Joseph Bingaman As a RPG designer and full-time DM, I draw inspiration from many sources. I’ve even found inspiration in NCIS (a Tony DiNozzo-like NPC.) So when I was asked to write a 7 of the Best, I was honored, but at the same time confused, as I have a long list of inspiration going back to my …
Larry Hamilton’s 7 of the Best
Written by Larry Hamilton Stephen R. Donaldson’s Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever series Being transferred from our world to a world of magic, where the very land has magic was a lot of fun. The struggle of the main character to figure out what is real and how to believe in himself is powerful. The very flawed hero, physically, mentally, and emotionally is …
Jim Beard’s 7 of the Best
Written by Jim Beard STAR WARS (1977) I have to start here because of the impact this little indie film has had on my life, which is, really, immeasurable. I know what you’re saying, and I get it, I do. Everybody says Star Wars. Done to death. But the only way to look at it and see a glimmer of …
Glen Hallstrom’s 7 of the Best
Written by Glen Hallstrom Hi folks. Okay, let me say first off, I consider all genres when creating things, especially game scenarios. My games work best as a cinematic adventure. Film has always been my first love before RPGs and my works always have a cinematic feel anyway (and let me tell you, it was hard to nail it down …
Jim Kramer’s 7 of the Best
Written by Jim Kramer Growing up an introverted child, I had a very small group of friends; less than half dozen regulars who I hung with in school and after school, and only a couple of these I hung out with on weekends as well. Then, there were the satellite friends of friends and a few acquaintances of those who …
John Enfield’s 7 of the Best
Written by John Enfield When Multiverse asked me for seven science-fiction and fantasy books and/or shows that influence me the most, it boggled my mind. The only things I actively avoid are romance novels and shows based on musicals. To narrow it down, I thought of ones that have been so influential on me that they have survived multiple ‘clean …