Late last year, my wife of 42 years, Carolyn passed away from Ovarian Cancer. There has to be a special place in heaven for the spouses of gamers.

Since that time, several people have contacted me wondering what the status of a "redo" for GangBusters was ? And what follows is my answer:

 I've arrived at the point that I don't have the interest to do any more with "GangBusters". It's a pretty complete rules set that only needs refinement with "house rules". It isn't the game that needs to be redone, it is the need for new modules on new subjects. I have frequently encouraged people to design and to publish their GB's modules using Kickstarter, etc. . I have no need for financial remuneration from anyone's published modules as long as they are mindful of copyright laws as they apply to the game rules and credit the game designers.

You, and others, have some marvelous ideas for modules. Go for it. So get busy.

I am grateful for the kind words you all have expressed for the design of "GangBusters" through the decades (that's decades, not just years). I am also grateful for the kindness and concern of my fellow gamers through the past 2 and a half years. When all is said and done, gamers make great friends.

All the best,
Rick Krebs   

Interview with Random Wizard

This weekend I did an email interview with the Random Wizard blog on my gaming experiences.

B20s historical background material

It is amazing the access to historical information for GangBusters that is easily available on the Web

Organized crime in ...        Index insert any year from 20's & 30s


St Valentine's Day massacre, Feb. 1929

Kansas City massacre, June 1933

Egans Rats, early 20's St Louis

Johnny Torrio

Al Capone, "Scarface"

The Purple Gang

"Bloody 20th Ward"

"Gangster Sites"

Joe Saltis

John Dillinger

"Dingbat" Oberta

Frank McErlane

Baby Face Nelson

Gangster Molls including Kiss of Death Girl

Machine Gun Jack McGurn

 The Gangs of Chicago: An Informal History of the Chicago Underworld. ; Herbert Asbury; New York: Alfred A. Knoff, 1940

The Dry and Lawless Years by John H Lyle; 1960; Prentice Hall, Inc

Barbarians in our Midst by Virgil Peterson

The Long Thirst: Prohibition in America by Thomas McCaffey; 1975; WW Norton & Company

GangBusters News part 2

One of the wisest persons I have ever known had a favorite quote: "Life is choices". And, indeed it is. Due to family health issues, I am forced to acknowledge that I do NOT have sufficient time or energy to undertake a revision, reprint or manage a Kickstarter campaign for the RPG "GangBusters". I choose to be a cancer caregiver rather than a game publisher. No matter how I evaluated or reevaluated it, this was an either/or situation.

I appreciate  all the feedback, public & private, I have received over the past several weeks concerning "GangBusters". There are many interesting proposals for scenarios or modules for the game. I suggest and encourage you to pursue publishing these adventure ideas yourself.

An interesting suggestion, was to do a Designer's Edition. Well, providing Designer's Notes can be accomplished pretty simply and will be done, as time permits,  here, on this blog, and on the OD&D Discussion Board's Gangbusters Board, with Marv's permission and help. With hospital access to the Internet, it is much easier to discuss gaming than produce a game.

Further, at this time, I have no plans to sell my rights to "GangBusters". The game is available at between $10 -$20 on Ebay frequently, and a visit to a flea market this weekend turned up a copy with the first module for $3.00. If you want a copy of "GangBusters" and don't have it, you're not trying hard enough or asking the right people. I am NOT one of those right people.

 Don't let my decision discourage you from continuing efforts to revitalize interest in "GangBusters". You, the players & Judges, always have been the future of this game !

GangBusters News

Several years ago, per my game contract with TSR, Hasbro (present day owner of TSR) reverted the rights to "GangBusters" a/k/a Bloody 20s to me. Several weeks ago, I was contacted by James Maliszewski, of Grognardia blog , asking about the rights to "GangBusters". When I informed him that the rights had reverted to me, James (a fan of "GangBusters" from his teenage years) asked what I was planning to do about getting "GangBusters" back in print. After some initial reticence on my part, the persistent James convinced me that it was something I should explore. If only it was as simple as Captain Picard's "Make it so."

What I am asking the followers of this blog is for their thoughts on a remake of "GangBusters". What would you be looking for in a revised "GangBusters" ? Would you buy it as a Print on Demand ? Would you support a "Kickstarter" campaign ? Or should the rules book, remain the same and just be available as a Print on Demand ? Interest in new historical modules ?

Feel free to comment here or on the "Gangbuster's board" at the Original D&D Discussion Blog found here.  Your comments are appreciated.

Original "Gangbusters" Poster

So you want to be a Game Designer ? pt 12

Top 10 Reasons to Become a Game Designer

So you want to be a Game Designer ? part 6

The Quest continues

1978 Cops & Robbers