File Changes Requested; CE Mark Questions
over 4 years ago
– Fri, Sep 13, 2019 at 08:45:29 PM
Four Perilous Journeys Production Update
This is the busy season for printers and fulfillment partners, so responses are slow.
Nonetheless, I finally heard back from the printer, and there were two classes of problems with the files. All five interior files were exported without a hard conversion to greyscale. Two of the covers had files that were not at least 300dpi.
I exported new files and fixed those problems, and sent them back to the printer. They should be good to go. Presumably this means I'll be asked to pay for half the print cost now; I'm ready for that!
On the other hand, the roughly 50 international card deck and counter tile orders are still pending, waiting for consultations on if I need to go through the CE Mark process. That's a miss on my part, but if - as I THINK is the case - I don't need to go through this step, no time will be lost (print-and-ship from my vendor is very fast). If I DO need to go through the testing, I'll have to get back to folks with a new schedule.
New Dungeon Fantasy RPG Project Launched!
Bouncing back and forth between SJG Game systems seems to be a solid way forward. I've launched a new project in my Norse-inspired fantasy RPG setting series called the Nordlond Sagas.
It's going pretty well so far. We had a very, very strong first day (a few dollars more than Four Perilous Journeys, actually) and we're going to be within striking distance of all the stretch goals if things continue.
New TFT Projects!
I've also received the next two installments from Christopher Rice and J. Edward Tremlett in the "Jok C. Sevantes" series of adventures, with one more - the climax of the set - still pending.
David and I are working on his next adventures as well. Response to his solo was so positive that we're trying to see if we can provide either one or two of them for the next TFT campaign. We shall see. Gaming Ballistic is definitely strongly interested in continuing support of the TFT game, and I've got a fun idea for some more work there as well, perhaps riffing off a different project (scroll down to the second half of that post) that will be generating quite a bit of usable prose and artwork . . . so my ability to turn such a project around would be high.
And now for some Dungeon Fantasy RPG: The Nordlond Sagas Campaign is LIVE
over 4 years ago
– Tue, Sep 10, 2019 at 02:14:30 PM
At 10:30 central time on Sept 10, the latest Kickstarter for Gaming Ballistic launched: Nordlond Sagas for the Dungeon Fantasy RPG. It hopes to fund three products, all set in the Norðlond setting and supporting the Dungeon Fantasy RPG with more full-color, 8x10 books.
The Dragons of Rosgarth
48 or 64 pages
This setting expansion and adventure scenario details the towns of Midgard and Jarngarðr, and provides a looming threat worthy of a party of seasoned delvers. Targeted at four to six delvers of 300 points or more. Written by Kyle Norton (Dungeons on Automatic).
Forest's End
64 or 80 pages
The King proclaimed that lands and titles were newly available for those bold enough to hold them. One thegn, more than bold enough to take up the King's challenge, built a fortified settlement near where the forest meets the sea: Skógarenda . . . Forest's End. The thegn is ready to claim his rightful status as lord and jarl. A great feast is planned. What could go wrong? Forest's End features several threats and three actual dungeons to delve for the Dungeon Fantasy RPG! Written by Merlin Avery.
Norðlondr Fólk
16 pages
Sixteen playable racial templates to supplement those from Dungeon Fantasy Adventurers, including Norðlond-specific versions of elves and dwarves. Also dragon-blooded, children of humans and demons, and other hybrids, such as raven-folk and those who are brothers and sisters to bear and boar. Written by Kevin Smyth. About 10 minutes to launch! As with all small-publisher efforts, the best thing you can do to help is (a) first back the campaign, and then (b) talk about it somewhere else. Share the link, say why you're excited to be a part of the campaign, a comment on facebook, anything. It's amazing how that sort of network effect can drive a campaign. Let's see if we can break the old DFRPG record for Gaming Ballistic of 600 backers, and the all-time record for me of 610 from The Fantasy Trip.
[Edit: It's off to a strong start, with 11% funding in the first hour.]
Production update
over 4 years ago
– Fri, Sep 06, 2019 at 08:50:32 PM
1. I've sent a note to the printer asking for an update on checking my files. The time from "yes, I've sent you my files" to them acknowledging and checking them for compliance can be frustratingly long, but then the print time can then be very fast after that. No change in schedule that I can see.
2. I placed the US and Canada orders for the counters and card decks. That was...expensive. I budgeted for it, but it was expensive. Next time I need to account for the fact that the best way to get stuff around is to make it in two groups: one for the USA and Canada (the largest) and the other for Everyone Else, which is smaller with a higher unit cost. Blergh - we're talking a cost overrun of maybe $115 here, so basically trivial. Still, who plans the most goes bankrupt the least, I hope. These will arrive (should arrive, I should say) in TN to be staged for fulfillment in about three weeks, long before the books will be there.
3. I have not yet placed the order for the Rest of World counters and card decks. I have a lingering question on product marking , and I can't ship to my fulfillment partner until we are satisfied with the answer.
4. I anticipate receiving my final proof of Dungeon Grappling (for both the Norvorn kickstarter and this one, there are maybe 15 folks to whom I owe a copy) Real Soon Now, and if that's the right level of dark/light, I'll place that order and replenish my stock there.
That's it for now.
All PDF Rewards Delivered
over 4 years ago
– Wed, Sep 04, 2019 at 07:23:24 PM
This morning, I received final ship approval for the NPC and Creature cards, and sent the PDF file to all backers who selected to receive it.
This means it's time to procure all of the physical rewards. I will be ordering the color counter tiles and also the actual card decks today, and having them shipped to their destinations - Studio 2 for US orders, and Kixto in the UK for international ones.
The printer files of the adventures were downloaded a day or so ago, and I'm still waiting for notification that they've passed pre-press. That's not behind schedule, so to speak, it's part of the four week printing process.
So, here's where I think we are:
- September: Printing of books, counters and cards
- October: International shipments commence and many will arrive during the month of October. The usual happenstance is a month on the water getting the books to the USA, so October will see all required goods arrive at Studio 2.
- November: US Shipping. In many cases I cannot use media mail; this is expensive, but (good for you) faster.
If things go perfectly to plan (ha ha ha), deliveries of all products will be on time for international backers, and maybe two weeks behind the October schedule for the USA.
I hope you enjoy your card decks. I think they're fun.
Card Deck: sent for approval
over 4 years ago
– Mon, Sep 02, 2019 at 11:04:06 PM
Thanks to extremely good comments by John (many suggestions on terrain) and Amadan (a pro-level editing pass), I have spooled out a version of the NPC/Monster Card Deck that I think is ready for printing. Once SJG grants approval, I'll ship this out to backers and push the button on manufacturing the card decks themselves.
Hopefully this week!
