From: [goldrus h g] at [aol.com] (GoldRushG)
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.advocacy
Subject: GRG cuts Bushido for Sengoku
Date: 16 Jul 1996 23:43:15 -0400

Gold Rush Games
P.O. Box 2531
Elk Grove, CA 95759-2531
(916) 684-9443 (Voicemail/Fax)
[GoldRus h G] at [aol.com]

For Immediate Release

July 16, 1996

GRG TO RELEASE SENGOKU

  As you may be aware, Gold Rush Games had announced plans to publish a
new edition of Bushido, rewritten and updated by Mark Arsenault and based
on the work by the original authors Paul Hume and Robert Charrette.
However, Scott Bizar (representing Fantasy Games Unlimited) threatened
legal action. Although we believe we have clear title to the game, our
interest is in producing games, not in pursuing legal action. Therefore,
we've decided not to produce Bushido. Instead, we are designing a new game
of Japanese roleplaying, tentatively titled Sengoku, which will be
published in 1997.

  "Sengoku" is the Japanese word for "warring states," referring to the
tumultuous period of Japanese history between the 16th and 17th centuries.
Sengoku is inspired by the popular Japanese samurai action movies (known
as "chambara") and Japanese history. Flashing swordplay, daring feats of
courage and honor are all staples of Sengoku. And Sengoku won't lack any
of the "flavor" of the genre. We are making great efforts to capture the
"look and feel" of the period, from the artwork to the overall design of
the book. Also included will be more source material than you can shake a
katana at! Tips on running adventures, rules for long term campaign-style
play, mass combat rules, a flexible magic system and more.

  "Sengoku is a big step forward," said Gold Rush president Mark
Arsenault. "We're developing the system from the ground up so we have a
great opportunity to create a game system that accurately reflects the
chambara genre."

  Japanese historians will also be thrilled with Sengoku. While there will
be a certain fantasy element in the game, all of the traditions,
terminology and equipment are drawn straight from 16th century Japan.
Players will have the option of adventuring in the gritty, realistic
feudal or Tokugawa Japan (such as the settings of Akira Kurosawa's
legendary samurai films, such as Throne of Blood, Seven Samurai, Yojimbo
and Ran) or in a fantastic, mythical Nippon, complete with mystical
creatures and powerful kami!

    Development is already under way on Sengoku, with contributions from
Paul Hume. In addition, all of the supplement books GRG had originally
planned to produce for Bushido 3rd Edition (like The Middle Kingdom,
Shadows of Nippon, and Gaijin) are now being planned for Sengoku.

  What's more, Gold Rush Games will be supporting Sengoku by a vairety of
means, including a dedicated Sengoku web page and a free preview copy of
Sengoku in .PDF format (to be released next year).

  So grab your dai-sho and tip your sake cup! Sengoku is coming in 1997.
Roleplaying may never be the same.

  For more information, contact Mark Arsenault at Gold Rush Games, at
(916) 684-9443, or e-mail to [GoldRus h G] at [aol.com.]