The CAPERS Community and Artwork
about 6 years ago
– Tue, May 01, 2018 at 09:35:08 AM
Hey there, Macs and Janes,
Production work is underway. You’ve seen the character sheet (if not, go back to the previous update for a link). Owen is working on some other interior book graphics as well as finalizing the cover. I’m working on formatting and finalizing all the support materials. Submissions from designers for some of the extra goodies that came from stretch goals are coming in. Mike has layout moving forward. And Beth is sending me sketches.
Backer Survey Reminder
Thirty-five backers have not yet filled out their surveys. If you haven’t done so, please fill it out soon. It’s only four questions, so it takes practically no time.
The deadline for this is midnight Eastern on Saturday, May 19th.
If you do not fill out the survey by the deadline, I will do the following:
-
Use your Kickstarter name for the thank-you page.
- Assume you wanted a discount link for a softcover book (not hardcover).
- Assume you did not over-pledge for any add-ons.
I’d like to be able to distribute Murders & Acquisitions add-ons soon. And I’d like to start formatting the thank you page and organizing all the info I’ll need to send to all backers after the game is ready. In order to do this stuff, I need backer surveys filled out.
I’ve seen some interest in a CAPERS community via the survey I distributed during the last update. However, there were some people who expressed concern over using Facebook for such a thing. I kind of saw that coming but thought I’d see what others had to say. So, we’re not going to use Facebook.
Rather,
I’ve created a Google+ NerdBurger Games page. That will function as the primary community for fans of CAPERS and other games by NBG. You can find it HERE.
There’s not much going on there right now. How about you stop by and start up a discussion? I’ll be as active as I can there but I don’t want to just talk to myself.
Pre-Orders
CAPERS is available for pre-order at Backerkit from now until shortly before publication. If you know anyone who missed out on the Kickstarter and would like to get on board, point them HERE.
Sketch Time
Here’s a look at the first sketch of one of the illustrations. Beth’s plan is to sketch everything. Then go to linework on everything. Then go to color on everything. So you’re going to see the entire artwork process evolve from early sketches to final pieces over the next few months.
That’ll about do it for now. Back to “publisher mode.” And thanks once again for backing and helping me and the CAPERS team make this little game a reality.
Game on,
Craig
Funds Have Cleared..and Other Stuff
about 6 years ago
– Tue, Apr 24, 2018 at 01:02:42 PM
Hey there, Macs and Janes,
The Kickstarter funds have cleared. NerdBurger Games is in the black, with everything we need to finish up the book and support materials.
Lots of little tid-bits to cover here, so bear with me. Please read it all. There’s some important stuff in here.
Backer Survey!
I’ll be sending backer surveys out shortly. Please fill yours out ASAP after you get the notice. Doing this quickly helps me to get it out of the way so I can focus on wrangling the team and publishing the game. And that benefits ALL of us.
Please fill it out by midnight Eastern on Saturday, May 19th. Let’s all stay on point and help keep things moving. Thanks.
If you over-pledged for the PDF or book/PDF combo of Murders & Acquisitions, I’ll get that game to you after I’ve compiled the backer survey.
If you’re a Sit Down backer, I’ll be in touch down the road to schedule your game. If you’re a Jacks and Jills backer, I’ll contact you individually later to get your mailing address.
Backer Count Examination
I’ve taken some time to look at CAPERS’ backer count and compare it against other indie RPG Kickstarters of a similar size and scale. Turns out, 532 is a REALLY solid number of backers. Better than a LOT of similar RPG Kickstarters. The success of this Kickstarter has only really begun to sink in. What will this mean for the future of NerdBurger Games? I don’t know yet, but it’s posing some interesting possibilities.
Creative Commons
It looks likely that CAPERS will be released under some version of the Creative Commons license. Probably one of the looser variations. I still have to do some research, but I expect you’ll be free to create game content for CAPERS and hack the game system. As of right now, my plan is to call the game system “CAPERS Core.” I even have an idea for a logo.
Given how well the Kickstarter did, I’d like to try to create a community for fans of CAPERS. I’m first looking at the idea of creating a Facebook Group for CAPERS. Before I do so, I’d like to see if there’s actually interest. It’d be a place for people to share characters, adventure ideas, hacks, etc.
If you’re interested in such a thing, pop over to this SURVEY and let me know.
The CAPERS Character Sheet
Owen wrapped up the character sheet in the past week or so. You can download a copy of the form fillable PDF version HERE.
Conventions
I went to a BUNCH of conventions leading up to and through the CAPERS Kickstarter. I won’t be going to a lot of cons for the rest of the year, but I’m always on the lookout. I live in Atlanta, GA in the US, and closer is better. But I’m open to travelling, given the right convention. If you have a suggestion, email me at [email protected].
I’ll be at the Southern Fried Gaming Expo in Atlanta in June and at AcadeCon in Dayton, OH in November for sure. Beyond that, who knows…
Speaking of Conventions…GenCon
If you’re going to attend GenCon this year, me and the folks at the Indie Game Developer Network could use your help. We host a game room where all sorts of indie games are run. We’re looking for a few more GMs. If you’re interested, email me at [email protected] and I’ll put you in touch with our convention coordinator. There are rewards to be had for helping out, at the very least copies of the games you run for us. There might also be badges available, but you’ll have to confirm that with the convention coordinator.
The NerdBurger Games Blog
I blog fairly regularly about everything I’m doing with NerdBurger Games. If you’d like to follow along, you can check it out HERE. Peruse when you feel like it or subscribe to the RSS feed.
NerdBurger Games’ Social Media
If you want to follow me on social media, here you go.
Twitter – The best place to actually interact with me.
NerdBurger Games Facebook Page
NerdBurger Podcast
The podcast is not strictly about my games, but we touch on them from time to time. It’s a potpourri of nerdy/geeky discussion slathered over with a healthy dose of humor. Five years and going strong. New episodes every Wednesday.
In future updates, I’ll be sharing progress of the artwork, graphics, and layout.
Game on,
Craig
That’s a Wrap!
about 6 years ago
– Thu, Apr 05, 2018 at 07:37:58 PM
Hey there, all you wonderful backers,
We did it. 532 backers for $10,256 in just over a month. On behalf of the entire CAPERS team, thank you. Thank you to each and every one of you. You’re all my new heroes.
What’s next? Tonight, I rest.
The art contract is signed and Beth will begin work shortly. Owen is toiling away on graphic design. Mike is diving into layout. There’s some extra stuff to deal with because of the stretch goals, but everything we have left to do falls well within my expectations of getting this game out by December. If we’re lucky, even earlier.
Ongoing Updates
I expect to post an update every couple weeks. I’ll be sharing glimpses of writing, art, and graphics as they finish up.
Backer Surveys
After the funds clear and I have all my post-Kickstarter ducks in a row, I’ll issue the backer survey. Start thinking about your “supers” or “gangster” nickname for the thank you credits now. If you over-pledged, I’ll be confirming what else you wanted for your extra support. And I’ll have a couple other questions.
Signal Boost
A quick shout-out to Matthew Orr and Brandon Aten (recently added to the CAPERS team) and their Kickstarter for Wild Skies: Liberating Strife. It’s a cool game about playing animal people flying fighter planes. Diesel punk shootouts in the sky. Check it out HERE.
That’s the basics. As more develops, I’ll keep you in the loop.
NerdBurger Games is dedicated to being communicative both during and AFTER the Kickstarter process. One of the great things about backing a Kickstarter is getting the chance to go along for the ride with the creators. And we’ve got seats in our jalopy for each and every one of you. (It’s a big jalopy.)
That’ll do it for now. I need some sleep. Thanks again for helping bring CAPERS to life.
Game on,
Craig
The Big 500!
about 6 years ago
– Thu, Apr 05, 2018 at 03:06:00 PM
Hey there, Macs and Janes,
500 Backers!
Egads! That’s a lot of backers. And now you’ll all be able to buy a Moxie deck and get some event/encounter tables to spice up your games. Thanks so much everyone! Every stretch goal has been hit.
Gangsters / Joes and Janes
If you backed at the Gangster level, you owe me reference photos. Some of you have responded to my recent request. Others haven’t. If you still owe me photos, please get them to me ASAP. Thanks.
If you backed at the Joes and Janes level, you owe me info on your NPC. Some of you have responded to recent requests. Others haven’t. If you still owe me NPC info, please get back to me ASAP. Thanks.
CAPERS Team Assemble…Some More
I’d like to take a moment to point out the following team member adjustments/adds.
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Derek Kamal, who previously wrote up New York City, will also be writing the Fed adventure for everyone.
- Brandon Aten has joined the team to write Capek’s Earth and develop rules for automatons.
- Matthew Orr has joined the team to write up four city one-pagers, including Louisville, Atlanta, Kansas City, and New Orleans.
(You’ll note that cities in the Rocky Mountains and west coast aren’t included in the book. Maybe a supplement down the road? We’ll see.)
Now it’s on to the final 12-hour push. One more round of social media nudges. One more look at what ELSE can be done to bring in more fans-to-be.
There will be a final update this evening, but for now…great job, everyone. And thanks!
Game on,
Craig
Welcome to Uh…Minis and Maps, I Guess
about 6 years ago
– Wed, Apr 04, 2018 at 05:14:09 PM
Good morning, backers!
We hit $8700 last evening. Paper minis and maps are in the PDF support materials! I put off this update until this morning and awoke to $9100. The end-game Remind Me people are starting to show up. That 500 backer count is within reach.
Thanks again for all the support. For backing. For the comments and messages. For the encouragement. Running a Kickstarter is a nerve-wracking experience, but the positivity from so many of you has helped alleviate that.
500 Backers
I described what happens at 500 backers in the most recent update, but let’s recap for convenience.
If we hit 500 backers, we’ll add…
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Moxie Deck – A deck of 50 moxie cards usable for tracking all the characters’ Moxie in the game. But they’re not just for tracking Moxie. There will be ten different card types (5 of each). Each type will have a special, alternate use for the Moxie point printed on the card. You can use them for any of the normal Moxie uses described in the book OR for that special use printed on THAT card. (You don’t NEED to use these cards. You can use whatever tokens you want, but this will bring some more variety to the Moxie mechanic) You’ll get a discount link to purchase a deck at-cost (about $5 USD plus shipping).
- Event Generator – A PDF support document with a whole bunch of encounter/event ideas. You can pepper them in randomly, use them to surprise the players or complicate the scene, or use them to spark whole new storylines.
The Magic Number
500 is a nice, clean, round number. But, on a personal note, my magic number is now 526 backers. That would be exactly double the number of backers I had for my first RPG, Murders & Acquisitions. Can we get there? I think it’s possible.
So Now What?
Well, we chug along to the end, I suppose. We tell our friends about the game. We revel in every new backer. We high-five each other as the end-point approaches.
If you have anything you’d like to share, post it to the main Comments page. I’ll be keeping an eye on it.
Thanks again for helping get me and the team this far. A day and a half to go!
Game on,
Craig
