Smoke Test Out
over 6 years ago – Thu, Aug 10, 2017 at 06:58:30 PM

Hey folks!

We ironed out all the wrinkles with BackerKit, so the smoke test for S&S just went out!

If things go well, we'll get the rest out tomorrow/Saturday!

If you have any issues, reach me at [email protected], and I'll help sort it out!

- Alan

Quick BackerKit Update
over 6 years ago – Tue, Aug 08, 2017 at 06:25:36 PM

Hi folks!

A quick update: The BackerKit is built and we're just waiting on approval from BackerKit so we can get it out to you!

They require us to do a 5% test first so some of you might see surveys in the next few days (once they approve us), and those will come filtering out. We're aiming to have it done before the end of this week.

Sorry for the unexpected delay.

End of July Update!
almost 7 years ago – Fri, Jul 28, 2017 at 10:22:30 PM

End of July Update  

(Apologies for the update being day late. Things have been busy at Nocturnal Media as we sort out the pieces and future). 

Folks, the the goal of this update is to provide clear levels of where we are on the various pieces of the project. If you have any questions, feel free to comment, and we'll answer them. If you have a more significant concern, feel free to email Alan at [email protected].  

Primary Update: BackerKit/Pledge Manager out early next week! Just waiting for approval.

Shotguns & Sorcery Progress  

• Writing - Done
• Editing - Done 
• Layout - Underway for finished art and pages. We've got a new RPG focused designer to handle our layout (see more about this below). 
• Art - 71 pages complete, +2.5 Art Pages completed. All the art is done! 
• Coloring - 65 page colored. +29.25 pages colored 
• Dice: This is being designed. 

 We brought on a new layout and graphic designer to handle the interior of the book (someone I've worked with who has lots of RPG experience). They're getting underway now.

 Timetable 

• 8/1 - BackerKit out
• 8/22 – Layout of PDF and print-ready file done. 
• 8/22 – PDF releases to backers. Backers have been very vocal about wanting a cushion between the PDF coming out and print so we can catch any errors. We're happy to oblige.
• 8/31 - Book goes to print and Pledge Manager closes.

Thank you for your patience, we are working hard to get this to you! - The Outland Team & Alan

Mid-July Update
almost 7 years ago – Tue, Jul 25, 2017 at 11:08:32 AM

Mid-July Update

Folks, the the goal of this update is to provide clear levels of where we are on the various pieces of the project. If you have any questions, feel free to comment, and we'll answer them. If you have a more significant concern, feel free to email Alan at [email protected]. 

Primary Update: The timetable had to be revised from the last update. Alan has been working hard at Nocturnal Media (as it's his day job), and unfortunately, the BackerKit portion of this project has slipped. BUT! Look how much those art numbers moved. 

Shotguns & Sorcery Progress 

• Writing - Done 
• Editing - Done 
• Layout - Underway for finished art and pages. We've got a new RPG focused designer to handle our layout (see more about this below).
• Art - 69.5 pages complete, 1.5 (maybe 2.5) to go. +21.5 Art Pages completed. 
• Coloring - 35.75 page colored. +27.25 pages colored 
• Dice: This is being designed. 

We brought on a new layout and graphic designer to handle the interior of the book (someone I've worked with who has lots of RPG experience). They're getting underway now. 

Being honest, I (Alan) lost about a week of momentum due to increased workload at Nocturnal Media. This slowed down down the layout and BackerKit steps. I'm working right now to catch up on those, and get us moving again at full-speed. I'm very sorry for that, and you have my sincerest apologies. 

I've revised the time-table in light of the new information.   

Timetable 

• 7/1 - BackerKit out - We actually are adjusting this. We're going to be working with PledgeManger (we find their interface will be easier to use), and we're working with them now to set this up. Revising date for a later update.
• 7/15 – All art, coloring and assets done. This will likely take an additional week, but we're mkaing good progress. Revising date to 7/22
• 8/1 – Layout of PDF and print-ready file done. Additionally, at this point, we close PledgeManager. This will need to bump back to 8/15. 
• 8/2 – PDF releases to backers, and goes to print. Obviously, if we adjust the above item, this has to change too. Moving it to 8/16.

Revised Timetable:

• 7/20 - PledgeManager out.
• 7/22 – All art, coloring and assets done.
• 8/15 – Layout of PDF and print-ready file done. Additionally, at this point, we close PledgeManager.
• 8/16 – PDF releases to backers, and goes to print.

Thank you for your patience, and I am very sorry for the less than ideal progress, and we're working hard to move you forward. - The Outland Team & Alan

End of June Update
almost 7 years ago – Mon, Jul 03, 2017 at 09:53:32 AM

End of June Update

Folks, the the goal of this update is to provide clear levels of where we are on the various pieces of the project. If you have any questions, feel free to comment, and we'll answer them. If you have a more significant concern, feel free to email Alan at [email protected].  

Big Updates: (From Alan) A week ago, Stewart Wieck, founder and owner of Nocturnal Games and my friend and mentor, passed away unexpectedly. Obviously this has an impact both on myself personally, and my professional life. Due to this change, Nocturnal is in the middle of a chaotic time, so unfortunately, they won't be able to fulfill their financial commitments to this project.

However, I am staying on as a project manager to keep our obligations as upheld as possible (basically, I'm working for free as a side job to get this game out the door, cuz you've all waited long enough).  

It's a sad and painful time, and we're hurting and extend our condolences to Stewart's family and friends. But, we are still working hard for you. Outland will still be able to fulfill the game to you.  

Shotguns & Sorcery Progress 

• Writing - Done 
• Editing - Done 
• Layout - Underway for finished art and pages (65 pages laid out) 
• Art - 48 pages complete, 22 to go. +7 Pages finished.
• Coloring - Starting today. We just hired two new colorists so we can get this done in a timely manner. +8.5 pages colored
• Dice: We are contemplating adding dice as a thank you to some of our higher level backers, and as an add-on for anyone else. This got derailed with the recent events, but Alan dug back into it yesterday and we think it's totally feasible, and we're pricing and looking at the timing impact (if it'll make the game late, we won't do it). 

We lost some momentum over the last week (as I was unavailable for a good portion of it), but we're aiming to make it up. We've set aggressive goals over the next two weeks to get ourselves back on track. 

Timetable 

• 7/1 - BackerKit out - Alan is on track with this.
• 7/15 – All art, coloring and assets done. 
• 8/1 – Layout of PDF and print-ready file done. Additionally, at this point, we close BackerKit 
• 8/2 – PDF releases to backers, and goes to print. All the artists have their time-tables for the art, and all of the colorists are onboard and starting. 

Thank you for your patience, accept our apologies for the less than ideal progress, and we're working hard to move you forward.   - The Outland Team & Alan