BackerKit Preview: Pre-Order Site, New Add-Ons
over 6 years ago – Wed, Dec 06, 2017 at 03:37:24 PM

We're on target for launching BackerKit on Dec 12th at the latest once Kickstarter releases funds.  However, I figured it might make sense to share what I've put together.  

Check out the pre-order site for a sneak preview.

Of particular note, per the request of several backers, I've added the Artifacts & Artifice books as options for Add-Ons.  The AA books will be published prior to ABR, and as with all other components of this project, will fulfill as soon as they're published.  If you're interested in monster crunch, and possibly character crunch, hey, you might want some magic items too... and of note, nearly every single magical item in those books will also have an NPC wielder / bearer described with full Quadded Statblocks.  (Check out the free preview magic item, Abhorrent Naginata, for a good example of what to expect from AA.)

Note that the pre-order site linked to above is not exactly what you, as backers, will see when BK launches next week.  Prices, shipping options, and what add-ons are available will be slightly different (and appropriate to your pledge level).  

If you know of any friends who didn't quite make it to the Kickstarter, feel free to tell them that there will be a chance to join the fun via the pre-order once BK launches.

Onward!

Rules System Selection
over 6 years ago – Mon, Dec 04, 2017 at 08:18:50 PM

Just a quick note to clarify: you’ll have the opportunity to pick which rules system you want for your hardcovers as part of the BackerKit survey process. (For those who have never used BK, it’s pretty painless. :)

BackerKit Setup Complete
over 6 years ago – Fri, Dec 01, 2017 at 09:30:26 PM

Good news: I've largely completed setting up BackerKit.  Ready to pull the trigger once Kickstarter verifies funds and payments for pledges.

Why do you care?  Well, if you're eager to register your Add-Ons, you can do your part if Kickstarter alerts you to correct your card information, please do so; the quicker everyone's pledges are aligned and approved, the quicker I can pull the trigger on BackerKit.

Production Update

FlexTale Encounter Generator is probably something like 20% done already, based on the work that I've been Dark Obelisk 2, which includes some elements of that concept.  Also, I've done some quick playtesting and run-throughs, and it's verified my original thinking that the mechanism used here is pretty sound and doesn't seem unduly an imposition on the GM.

I've started, just started, to translate my scrached notes into a formal tracker for commissioning artwork.  I've also reached out to brief the artists I work with as to the success of this Kickstarter, and I'm happy to say that nearly all of them have reported availability over the next few months, so that's great news too.

Final 2 Hours: Add-On Summary
over 6 years ago – Tue, Nov 28, 2017 at 05:50:48 PM

Per a few requests from backers, here's a summary of the Add-Ons that will be available via BackerKit after the campaign wraps up.

Please note a few things about this list:

• You can increase your pledge now with the intent of doing one or more Add-Ons, or you can simply add payment in BackerKit itself when you're doing the survey.  Either way is fine.
• BackerKit won't commence until after Kickstarter does its funds-collection thing, which typically takes 2 weeks.  So there's time.
• Prices are subject to finalization in the next few weeks.  Frankly, I'm still researching aspects of how I will produce some things, like the physical tokens.  So that could increase or decrease the price a bit between now and BackerKit.
• Shipping is FREE for additional hardcovers if you already have at least one hardcopy included in your pledge.  This is confusing as heck, but it's my way of trying to save you money: I'll ship everything as it's completed, so you get everything ASAP.  This ends up actually losing/costing me a fair amount of money out of pocket, but as I tend to have terrible ability to estimate when I'll complete things, it's my way of trying to save you money and as a thank-you for hanging in there.  So for example, if you pledged at "Hardened Aquilae Patron" level, adding the OSRIC hardcover would cost you $50, not $50 plus additional shipping.

So without further ado, here are the Add-Ons as best I'm able to define their prices right now:

• OSRIC / 1E / S&W Edition ABR: $10 PDF, $50 full-color hardcover. PDF automatically included in Beastmaster, Hardened Beastmaster, and Xenophile pledge levels. 
• FlexTale Encounter Generator (FTEG): Free PDF to all pledge levels; $20 softcover. The estimated price for this hardcopy will definitely evolve as we unlock additional stretch goals. 
• Virtual ABR Tokens: $10. These are image files, intended for use in VTT games or other purposes. This add-on will include a token for each and every monster, in every book produced as a result of this Kickstarter, that has an illustration. So that includes ABR volumes 1, 2, and 3, as well as Incarnae of Aquilae. 
• Physical Tokens: $25, I think, but I really need to finish researching to be sure.  There's a small chance this option may simply be a bridge too far, and not be feasible.
• Incarnae of Aquilae: PDF free to all non-Lurker pledge levels.  This fourth volume will likely be a $45 add-on in hardcover. 
• Monster Cards: $25, though that's a guess right now.
• Dark Obelisk 1 Character Compendium (Pathfinder only): $20 PDF, $35 hardcover & PDF. 
• Dark Obelisk 2 Character Compendium (Pathfinder only): $20 PDF, $35 hardcover & PDF. 
• Dark Obelisk 2 Villainous Compendium (Pathfinder only): $20 PDF, $35 hardcover & PDF. 

Will You Be Producing Character/Villainous Compendiums for 5E?

This is a very frequently asked question.  No, unfortunately; they're Pathfinder-only, and I have no plans to adapt them in the future.  I'm sorry.

$25k Photo Finish! Thank You All!
over 6 years ago – Tue, Nov 28, 2017 at 05:13:42 PM

Wow.

295 backers, and $25k.  Not to mention ALL of the Stretch Goals destroyed.

I cannot thank you all enough.  I also cannot wait to deliver on this awesome product!

Many thanks!  

Here are some quick FAQ-type things that may help answer some questions you have at this point.

What Happens Next?

Here's the rough chronology of things:

• Kickstarter collects funds.  Takes about 2 weeks.  With this many backers, statistically, some have expiring credit cards, others may have mis-entered numbers, that sort of thing; KS hunting those anomalies down and reconciling them takes some time.
• I launch BackerKit.  BK strongly discourages me doing this before the above KS step is complete, so I'd expect mid-December for BK surveys to go live.  That gives me some time to finish my research on the few Add-Ons that I'm still not 100% certain about and give you clarification as to what to expect.
• You respond to BackerKit.  Even if it's to just verify your name, that sort of thing.
• BackerKit closes.  I'd estimate this would be in mid-January, most likely.
• I fulfill.  Target for this is starting in March, but I have a nearly legendarily poor ability to estimate my work.  Pathfinder fulfills first, then 5E conversion.  The add-ons and extras will take some time beyond that, most likely.

Can I Change My Pledge Level in BackerKit?

Yes.  There were several folks who backed in the last day or so who weren't yet ready to commit to hardcopies, but are considering it.  For those kinds of backers, yes, absolutely, you'll be able to change your pledge level during BackerKit.

How Much Will the Hardcopy of the FTEG Actually Be?

Not sure.  Trying to keep this low, maybe even at-cost, since it's so damned useful.  But it depends on how much I sketch out / outline and how big that ends up being.  I know early in the campaign I'd said $15, but now it looks like it'll probably be a small hardcover as opposed to a softcover.