Welcome to the July production update! In the midst of this super-hot summer we have some super-cool things to share...
First, you should receive your Kickstarter backer survey in the next few days. There will be a pledge manager survey when the manager goes live (next spring) but there is some info we need now so we'll start with KS. In addition to the basics, if you backed at a level that includes an online campaign consultation or game, the survey will include some questions to help us pin down what you want to chat about/play and when. If you backed at a level that includes cartographical naming rights, be ready to submit your selections. Please note:
1. You will be asked to submit three potential names in order of priority. There could be overlap between backers and providing extra names will prevent a lot of back and forth, confusion and delay.
2. For each name, you will be asked to designate a specific type of cartographical feature - island, mountain, plain, bay, sea, current, seamount, sea floor plain or ocean trench. We will pick a currently unnamed matching location on one of the maps and assign it the new name. Note that there are only so many islands to go around, so consider selecting other features if you want the best chance of getting your first choice.
3. We reserve the right to edit or even refuse selections to maintain the tone and brand - no "Boaty McBoatface", "Jeff Barber's Island" or anything that could reasonably be judged as inappropriate. To support this intention, think about the kinds of names the Athena Project members would have assigned as they conducted the original surveys of Poseidon. Suggest names from real-world maps, names that evoke realism or just sound appropriately cool. If you want to feature your children, a significant other, pet or other personal aspect of your life, that's great - just couch the reference in a setting appropriate way. Example - Instead of Jeff Barber's Island, maybe something like Old Surgeon's Bay or El Rey Cove.
Second, I am pleased to share the news that Graeme Barber (no relation unfortunately) of POCGamer fame has agreed to write the World of Hurt stretch goal! A former soldier and commercial/archaeological diver, a wise voice in all things RPGs, a skilled game designer, and the author of his very own abandoned-water-world-sci-fi roleplaying game, Wave Chasers, I could not be more excited about the expertise and enthusiasm he is bringing to the project. We've already had our first brainstorming session about the supplement's structure and content and you are going to love what we are building. Graeme is the perfect writer to bring this book to life.
Last in this update, but very definitely not least, I am giddy to introduce Ben Sigas, the artist for the BP field guide. Ben illustrated Biohazard's "The Prophecy of the Grand Amplifier" and "Three Breasts" campaign books for our Upwind RPG, and simply put, he is amazing. He is already well into the Field Guide project and producing brilliantly alien images.
Don't take my word for it - judge for yourself!
BLOOD HUNTER (Venator emeritus)