Jon Simpson

Date of Birth: 7th of May 1980

Gaming Profile:
My first steps into gaming were with a board game called Space Crusade, from this I went onto Games Workshops Warhammer 40,000, which was in its first edition back then under the name Rogue Trader. One of my friend’s brothers let me loose with his Ork army and despite getting a sound thrashing from his Space Marines I was utterly hooked.

I’m really enjoying the direction Games Workshop are taking the hobby in and it’s great to see more and more gamers joining the ranks.

I love the promotion of non ‘Eavy Metal painting, with more photos of less well painted stuff in White Dwarf. Don’t get me wrong, I like seeing amazing paint jobs and it’s great to have something to aspire too, but it’s also nice to see stuff closer to my standard on show too and it’s been really motivational to my own painting programme.

Being such a keen Warhammer and 40K player, the natural choice for my first RPG was Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay. I still have this original book which is going a bit mouldy in places due to a spillage many years ago. I think it gives it more character though and makes it look a bit like an ancient ledger. Nurgle would be proud. I've been a big fan of the new edition since its release and it's been great adding another layer to the Warhammer setting.

Other Stuff:
The other loves of my life are films, reading, writing and photography.

As a kid I wanted to be a soldier, a journalist or a photographer. In hind sight perhaps an army photojournalist would have been a good choice, but my careers adviser never pointed that one out, so here’s an online pat on the back to her for being so great. Alas I grew up and I’m in neither profession, though they all still hold a lot of interest to me.

To get my photography fix I got myself a decent camera and begun to learn the ropes (or should that be lenses?). I’ve developed my skills over the years and although I’m not Colin Prior, I’ve taken a lot of photos that I’m happy with and I’m improving all the time. KMANT has given me a great outlet for my written ramblings and whether that’s a good thing or not is surely up to you?

As for the soldier bit, maybe I’ll become a mercenary later in life Wild Geese style.

Favourite Films:
Zulu, Lawrence of Arabia, The Matrix, Shrek, Gladiator, Black Hawk Down, Muppet Treasure Island (don’t ask), Army of Darkness, The Good The Bad & The Ugly, The Fifth Element, Seven Samurai, Full Metal Jacket, The 13th Warrior, Dog Soldiers, Pirates of The Caribbean, Equilibrium and Last Man Standing.

Favourite Books:
Everything the Black Library has released, particularly the Commisar Cain and Horus Hersey books. All the Raymond E. Feist novels (Magician onwards). Northern Lights, The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass by Phillip Pullman. All of Terry Pratchett's Work – particularly Pyramids, Interesting Times and The Fifth Elephant. The Bruce Cambell autobiography - If Chins Could Kill: Confessions of a "B" Movie Actor.