Back in 2008, I wrote a chapter for a game called Exquisite Replicas. In my design essay called Initiation to Exquisite Replicas, I talk about writing from the perspective of a senior citizen. I remember that GenCon debut like it was yesterday because I shared a booth with John Wick who, if you’ve never met him, has a powerful personality. That year, Houses of the Blooded also appeared and people emptied their wallets for the “atlantean blood opera.” (The Live Action version, by the way, is loads of fun… Especially if you’re a newbie in a group of people who know one another very well… Muwahahaha.)

Wait, what was I saying? Oh yes…

In my game, there is a group called “The Anonymous.” When Exquisite Replicas was in development, Lee and I were chatting about having a defining look and feel for the characters. So? I rubbed some brain cells together and came up with something iconic and (what I thought was) unique. The Anonymous in Exquisite Replicas wear masks and dress in black to hide their true identities from the real world. Only they can see the truth and they will do everything they can to save the world from being replicated by alien creatures bent on destroying humanity.

Sound familiar?

After the game was at the presses, I found out about the hacktivist group called The Anonymous, who wear masks, dresses in black and… Yeah, you get the idea. So? I did what any writer would do. I had a meltdown where I spontaneously combusted from the inside out. My creative jolt of energy was certainly not intentional, nor was it mean to be malicious or satirical in any way shape or form. But? You never know, so I alerted the publisher just to be on the safe side and focused on the other, cooler parts of the game when I promoted it.

The moral to said tragic tale of neurotic woe? If you are naming *anything* in your game or story, do your homework. Um, I’d also include copying quotes or images in that, too. Oy.

[Insert Life Bits Here.] This week, my life “bits” that you normally receive are on hold. (Get your mind out of the gutter…) I am away on business and, in anticipation of a thrilling but busy week, have written this post in advance. I’ll be back soon, though! Comments are moderated, but I’ll get to them when I can.