You Seriously Wanted Ptolus!

Deluxe Book's Debut Creates Buzz, Draws Crowds

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Atlanta, GA – August 21, 2006—The release of Ptolus: Monte Cook's City by the Spire was a hot topic at this year's Gen Con Indy, as curious RPG fans streamed to the White Wolf/Sword & Sorcery booth to see—and to buy—the deluxe new hardcover that everyone's been talking about.

The book's author, game designer Monte Cook of Malhavoc Press, said he was quite pleased with the reception. "More than any other product I've ever worked on, Ptolus drew ‘ooohs' and ‘ahhs' and sometimes wide-mouthed astonishment as people looked through it," he said. "It was great to get this book, which we've been talking about for a year now, into the hands of gamers."

Brisk sales at the convention paralleled the book's strong performance in initial retail orders. Many game stores have reported that they had to reorder the $119.99 product only days after its August 10 release. Others, such as Fortress Games in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, are already signing up customers for their in-store Ptolus campaigns.

This impressive debut comes on the heels of Malhavoc Press' successful consumer preorder program, which sent 1,000 signed and numbered copies of the book to faithful fans who placed their orders up to one year ago.

The book got even more attention at Gen Con thanks to the "How Much Do You Want Ptolus?" contest. Roleplaying game fans lined up in droves for a chance to win Ptolus by hefting the six-pound tome longer than anyone else. The contest called for each participant to hold a copy of the book by the corners using both hands, with arms held straight out at chin height. The competitor to hold the position the longest would be named the winner and receive not only the Big Book but also a set of the first 10 miniatures from Paizo Publishing's new Ptolus line.

On Friday afternoon at Gen Con, as fans gathered for the contest, Malhavoc Press owners Sue and Monte Cook handed out raffle tickets for a free chance to compete. Fifteen lucky participants were selected and took up stations around the White Wolf/Sword & Sorcery booth. Amid the on-looking crowd, supported by cheers of encouragement, Sean Nokes emerged victorious, having held Ptolus for 8 minutes and 15 seconds.

So popular was this test of strength with participants and spectators alike that Malhavoc and White Wolf held another one the next afternoon. Again, the throngs were treated to a dramatic contest of wills and endurance as the last participants standing held up the massive 672-page book for 13 minutes and 5 seconds. The final two competitors, Mike Ivey and Larry Solomon, both endured with such fiery determination that Monte awarded both the first-place Mike and the second-place Larry the books that had reduced their arms to goo.

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