Hi guys, we've launched the Achtung! Cthulhu Investigator's & Keeper's Guide To the Secret War Kickstarter (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/modiphius/achtung-cthulhu-the-ww2-keepers-and-investigators) but I'd love to know whether you'd prefer more setting books as stretch goals or campaigns and adventures?
I would probably say setting books, though adventures could be good IF they were at the kind of level one is used to with CoC material (tough to live up to!).
RPGPundit
can't we have both? ;) if i had to choose one, i'd say setting too. after all, you've got the first two parts of campaign adventures out already, right? (i have part 1, still need to pick up part 2).
grats on reaching your funding so quickly!
I really like the idea of an Eastern Front sourcebook... there should probably be one for the North Africa Campaign... and I'd suggest one with a different tone for the Battle of Britain...
RPGPundit
Quote from: RPGPundit;627877I would probably say setting books, though adventures could be good IF they were at the kind of level one is used to with CoC material (tough to live up to!).
RPGPundit
We've got several setting books to add covering different fronts, we're trying to decide whether to drop in a campaign in the middle of that to break it up or get the setting books all done, then bring on the campaigns etc
Quote from: beeber;627889can't we have both? ;) if i had to choose one, i'd say setting too. after all, you've got the first two parts of campaign adventures out already, right? (i have part 1, still need to pick up part 2).
grats on reaching your funding so quickly!
Yes the Zero Point campaign will continue to get released regardless leading up to the release of the kickstarted projects
Quote from: RPGPundit;627995I really like the idea of an Eastern Front sourcebook... there should probably be one for the North Africa Campaign... and I'd suggest one with a different tone for the Battle of Britain...
RPGPundit
The Eastern Front one is my personal favourite having learnt more about the war there, there's some iconic images and amazing stories to tell. We've got North Africa, The Pacific and more unusual ones on the cards too. The Homefront will actually be covered in the Keeper's Guide and expanded with some adventures
Almost at the Keeper's full cover hard cover book goal now!
We're aiming to announce some surprise stretch goals very soon, love giving great value!
Great stuff!
Just make sure you don't bite off more than you can chew, like some other kickstarter projects ended up doing...
RPGPundit
Quote from: RPGPundit;628839Great stuff!
Just make sure you don't bite off more than you can chew, like some other kickstarter projects ended up doing...
RPGPundit
Totally agreed, we are budgeting carefully to ensure we can do everything.
Latest update posted on Kickstarter! (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/modiphius/achtung-cthulhu-the-ww2-keepers-and-investigators/posts/407555)
Quote from: ChrisBirch;628847Totally agreed, we are budgeting carefully to ensure we can do everything.
Good, but its not just about budgeting money; its also about budgeting time and "talent". Are you planning to have the same writers try to do all the different books? If not, do you have enough people to do the writing?
(not to mention stuff like editing or layout, but usually those are a bit easier for one person to do without a really serious potential loss of quality).
Quote from: RPGPundit;629160Good, but its not just about budgeting money; its also about budgeting time and "talent". Are you planning to have the same writers try to do all the different books? If not, do you have enough people to do the writing?
(not to mention stuff like editing or layout, but usually those are a bit easier for one person to do without a really serious potential loss of quality).
We've got other teams who'll write the additional supplements or campaigns, thought actually most of the team have actually quite small allocations each since people are working on specialist areas, we would easily double or triple it without any issues so they'll be able to help with relevant sections of additional books, but to manage getting each done we're splitting it down in to teams responsible for the core books and the supplemental guides or campaigns. One thing I'm wary of is project 'creep' where the project becomes bigger and bigger (great right?!) but becomes this impossible task to complete, the core two books are locked down now and we know what's in them.
Quote from: ChrisBirch;629232We've got other teams who'll write the additional supplements or campaigns, thought actually most of the team have actually quite small allocations each since people are working on specialist areas, we would easily double or triple it without any issues so they'll be able to help with relevant sections of additional books, but to manage getting each done we're splitting it down in to teams responsible for the core books and the supplemental guides or campaigns. One thing I'm wary of is project 'creep' where the project becomes bigger and bigger (great right?!) but becomes this impossible task to complete, the core two books are locked down now and we know what's in them.
Well, it sounds like you have things in hand right now, and that you've thought it through. Hopefully the whole industry is learning from past disasters just how to do Kickstarters right.
One more question: those two main books, is at least the first draft of each actually done already?
RPGPundit
Quote from: RPGPundit;629673Well, it sounds like you have things in hand right now, and that you've thought it through. Hopefully the whole industry is learning from past disasters just how to do Kickstarters right.
One more question: those two main books, is at least the first draft of each actually done already?
RPGPundit
Often it's new inexperienced people launching the, but even the experienced people can come unstuck with the sudden overload of promotion, writing and shipping that's involved. We've been planning for months, researching, getting the right people involved etc so hope to minimise any issues
The writing assignments have been sent out a while ago and the team are working on their parts of the books - we're going to reveal a bit more about the contents in the next couple of weeks. Our aim is to finish before our promised delivery date if we can
Hmm, that's good. I've noted that there's a big problem with people saying they'll start writing once the KS is done. If I ever do a Kickstarter, I'd have the manuscript of my book done before even beginning the fundraising.
RPGPundit
Quote from: RPGPundit;630143Hmm, that's good. I've noted that there's a big problem with people saying they'll start writing once the KS is done. If I ever do a Kickstarter, I'd have the manuscript of my book done before even beginning the fundraising.
RPGPundit
Well of course the spirit of Kickstarter is to see if people want something enough by putting their money down so in some cases the point is you haven't produced it yet, but of course the more finished you can look or the more you can show off the more people are going to trust you
Quote from: ChrisBirch;630169Well of course the spirit of Kickstarter is to see if people want something enough by putting their money down so in some cases the point is you haven't produced it yet, but of course the more finished you can look or the more you can show off the more people are going to trust you
That might be the "spirit of kickstarter", but that doesn't mean its the best way to do something like this vis a vis RPGs.
Any game that you wouldn't get out anyways without a kickstarter probably shouldn't be made with one.
Let me ask: if Achtung's kickstarter hadn't funded, would it really not have seen the light of day?
RPGPundit
Quote from: RPGPundit;630788That might be the "spirit of kickstarter", but that doesn't mean its the best way to do something like this vis a vis RPGs.
Any game that you wouldn't get out anyways without a kickstarter probably shouldn't be made with one.
Let me ask: if Achtung's kickstarter hadn't funded, would it really not have seen the light of day?
RPGPundit
The core books would have been released eventually, the fans have helped us release them sooner than they would have, and in full colour hard covers which may not have been possible given the big costs involved
Personally, I'd like to see some adventures/campaigns.
I think we see to few of these in the hobby since setting books became more popular. Pathfinder seems to be a leading light in putting out decent campaigns that get generally positive reactions.
I would have thought that a good campaign/series of adventures is a good way to hook people into the game as there's plenty of people out there that struggle with time to put decent adventures together for games like this.
Quote from: Swiss Toni;630860Personally, I'd like to see some adventures/campaigns.
I think we see to few of these in the hobby since setting books became more popular. Pathfinder seems to be a leading light in putting out decent campaigns that get generally positive reactions.
I would have thought that a good campaign/series of adventures is a good way to hook people into the game as there's plenty of people out there that struggle with time to put decent adventures together for games like this.
We have the surprise stretch goal 98 page Part 1 of the Shadows of Atlantis campaign, and the rest (the full 248 page campaign) will be unlocked next.
Then we have a HUGE campaign to unlock, possibly the most infamous of them all...
Quote from: ChrisBirch;630861We have the surprise stretch goal 98 page Part 1 of the Shadows of Atlantis campaign, and the rest (the full 248 page campaign) will be unlocked next.
Then we have a HUGE campaign to unlock, possibly the most infamous of them all...
Awesome, I'll defo be contributing for that.
Quote from: Swiss Toni;630868Awesome, I'll defo be contributing for that.
Fantastic! You already get the 98 Page part 1 of Shadows of Atlantis free if you pledge at the PDF Master Bonus £35 level and upwards (you get both core books printed if you go for £40)
Yeah see, I know that anything I would put out on kickstarter is something I'd put out anyways.
So I'd always have at least the first-draft manuscript done before even starting the kickstarter; because its not work lost anyways.
RPGPundit
Massive update today (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/modiphius/achtung-cthulhu-the-ww2-keepers-and-investigators/posts/413037) - we unlocked the full colour hard cover Investigator's Guide and can show off more of what we've been working on - the Eastern Front DRAFT cover..
(http://www.modiphius.com/uploads/1/4/0/6/14062642/1876972_orig.jpg)
and the first our Miniatures range we've been working on, lots more to announce about that...
(http://www.modiphius.com/uploads/1/4/0/6/14062642/810748_orig.png)
That cover is freaking awesome!
Wow. That cover is indeed really, really cool.
Don't fuck this up guys. Make a real Cthulhu RPG out of this, please.
Quote from: RPGPundit;631832That cover is freaking awesome!
thanks - Dim our artist really is a genius!
Quote from: Benoist;631838Wow. That cover is indeed really, really cool.
Don't fuck this up guys. Make a real Cthulhu RPG out of this, please.
We won't! PLenty of hard work ahead though
I'm also getting a bit of a Hellboy vibe from this material. I understand that isn't exactly the basic idea of this setting, but would you say it's possible?
Quote from: HombreLoboDomesticado;632098I'm also getting a bit of a Hellboy vibe from this material. I understand that isn't exactly the basic idea of this setting, but would you say it's possible?
oh totally in fact the experiences of the army unit at the beginning of hellboy inspired me to work on a miniatures supplement and campaign that would let you play our their side of the war, with strange allied creature/s on their side too!
wow we just smashed the latest stretch goal a day early and already a third of the way to the next
We also just announced a bonus for everyone - hooked up with the Interface Zero 2.0 team to create a cross-over book - Achtung! Cthulhu - Interface 19.40 which is free on PDF for all £35 backers and up - more details here (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/modiphius/achtung-cthulhu-the-ww2-keepers-and-investigators/posts)
I'm very much looking forward to a review copy...
there's going to be quite a lot to review!
So we unlocked Shadows of Atlantis Part 2 (another free 98 page PDF for £35 and upwards backers) and announced Assault on the Mountains of Madness! (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/modiphius/achtung-cthulhu-the-ww2-keepers-and-investigators/posts/415791)
(http://www.modiphius.com/uploads/1/4/0/6/14062642/9523848_orig.jpg?423)
Another spectacular image!
:eek: great stuff, mr. birch! thanks for sharing! so glad to see this KS kicking ass :D
Quote from: beeber;632857:eek: great stuff, mr. birch! thanks for sharing! so glad to see this KS kicking ass :D
Thankyou! We'll show off some more of the Mountains of Madness art soon :-)
must... bump... up... pledge... amount...
Ia! Ia! Cthulhu Fhtagn!
Between you guys and the C&W crew, this is a very good year to be a CoC fan.
RPGPundit
Quote from: RPGPundit;633322Between you guys and the C&W crew, this is a very good year to be a CoC fan.
RPGPundit
Thanks, the hard work is slowly paying off!
And we unlocked part 1 of Assault on the Mountains of Madness last night! Now heading towards the North African Guide to the Secret War!
Check out the latest concept art here...
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/modiphius/achtung-cthulhu-the-ww2-keepers-and-investigators/posts/417675
Quote from: ChrisBirch;633485Now heading towards the North African Guide to the Secret War!
That one should be damn full of potential. I hope you'll be delving into the north african occult sufis (particularly the Sidi Aissawa, who were a major influence on no less than Aleister Crowley).
RPGPundit
Argh! I have more CoC stuff than I can possibly use in this lifetime already, and I'm pretty leery of kickstarters, but this looks too damn cool to pass over...
UNLOCKED! 128 Page North African Front for Achtung! Cthulhu (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/modiphius/achtung-cthulhu-the-ww2-keepers-and-investigators/posts/420119). We are storming the front lines of awesome! That's another free 128 page PDF for backers at £35 and upwards.
Now on to Part 2 of Assault on the Mountains of Madness - Here's the latest concept art by artist Korungn
(http://www.modiphius.com/uploads/1/4/0/6/14062642/3007393_orig.jpg)
Here's the update with more Print Add On's and check out the draft cover of the North African Guide to the Secret War below!
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/modiphius/achtung-cthulhu-the-ww2-keepers-and-investigators/posts/421767 (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/modiphius/achtung-cthulhu-the-ww2-keepers-and-investigators/posts/421767)
(http://www.modiphius.com/uploads/1/4/0/6/14062642/7819598_orig.jpg?423)
Quote from: Akrasia;634354Argh! I have more CoC stuff than I can possibly use in this lifetime already, and I'm pretty leery of kickstarters, but this looks too damn cool to pass over...
that's exactly what i said--even with no group, i HAD to get this.
Quote from: ChrisBirch;634981(http://www.modiphius.com/uploads/1/4/0/6/14062642/7819598_orig.jpg?423)
That Cthulhu-Sphinx is an excellent idea.
We smashed 3 Stretch Goals in one week thanks to everyone supporting this Kickstarter! Here's the latest update (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/modiphius/achtung-cthulhu-the-ww2-keepers-and-investigators/posts/423231)and a nice piece of art to inspire you today - our artist on Assault on the Mountains of Madness Korungn has been experimenting with scale and ancient creatures...
(http://www.modiphius.com/uploads/1/4/0/6/14062642/3875064_orig.jpg)
Freaking awesome art!
Our latest update (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/modiphius/achtung-cthulhu-the-ww2-keepers-and-investigators/posts/425134)confirms we've unlocked the full 248 page Shadows of Atlantis campaign for Achtung! Cthulhu, free on PDF to all backers of the PDF Master Bonus level and upwards. We are now climbing towards the last goal to fully unlock the Assault on the Mountains of Madness campaign - here's another piece of concept art from Korungn.
(http://www.modiphius.com/uploads/1/4/0/6/14062642/1699353_orig.jpg)
We also announced a special bonus for reaching £50k - the Achtung! Cthulhu Secret War Documents Pack in PDF for all backers to help bring the world to life.
(http://www.modiphius.com/uploads/1/4/0/6/14062642/2484485_orig.jpg)
and of course the first Achtung! Cthulhu miniatures Stretch Goal is insight, which unlocks an Add On of a set of six stunning Allied investigator's, of which Professor Richard Deadman is the first!
(http://www.modiphius.com/uploads/1/4/0/6/14062642/810748_orig.png)
Quite a mad day in all!
Ive said it before but I'll say it again, the artwork is just stunning and full of gaming potential !
So looking forward to this one Chris :)
We just unlocked the full 248 page Assault on the Mountains of Madness campaign - check out the update here (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/modiphius/achtung-cthulhu-the-ww2-keepers-and-investigators/posts/427554). Next to unlock the six incredible 28mm Allied Investigators...
Here's another concept art by Korungn for you...
(http://www.modiphius.com/uploads/1/4/0/6/14062642/8564775_orig.jpg)
and a fun twist on an old propaganda poster...
(http://www.modiphius.com/uploads/1/4/0/6/14062642/8610952_orig.jpg)
Yeah, that art is really amazing. Brilliant stuff, very evocative and inspiring.
I'm betting this will pass the hundred grand mark before the finish line, keep those stretch goals interesting!
Damn. I really gotta do myself a kickstarter one of these days.
RPGPundit
We unlocked the six 28mm Allied heroes! http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/modiphius/achtung-cthulhu-the-ww2-keepers-and-investigators/posts/430272
Check out the update - but here's a preview of a WORK IN PROGRESS Mi-Go from the forthcoming 28mm Cthulhu Miniatures set.
(http://www.modiphius.com/uploads/1/4/0/6/14062642/6226882_orig.png?421)
Looks like we'll crack the Pacific War Guide today or tomorrow and we announced a fantastic set of floor plans and tiles by the amazing artist Henning Ludvigsen. We'll be producing underground Nazi bases, snow covered outposts and brooding evil ruins of the Elder Things! Check out the the example tiles he did for the very cool Mansions of Madness game by Fantasy Flight Games:
(http://www.modiphius.com/uploads/1/4/0/6/14062642/1334285_orig.jpg)
This is going to be a busy week for more announcements!
Which book will be covering how Aleister Crowley helped win the battle of britain?
RPGPundit
We're planning a Home Front book so it'll get covered in there, not sure if that will be in the kickstarter - depends how far we get
Quote from: ChrisBirch;638169We're planning a Home Front book so it'll get covered in there, not sure if that will be in the kickstarter - depends how far we get
Awesome!
Here's an update for you!
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/modiphius/achtung-cthulhu-the-ww2-keepers-and-investigators/posts/432101
We unlocked the six 28mm Cthulhu creatures - check out this Deep One Commando as an example of what's to come:
(http://www.modiphius.com/uploads/1/4/0/6/14062642/45927_orig.png?422)
We'll have Pledge levels for just the miniatures soon if you want to get your hands on these 28mm critters and heroes.
Big news - we've announced we're working towards a FATE Core conversion and here's a motivational poster to inspire you!
(http://www.modiphius.com/uploads/1/4/0/6/14062642/8029779_orig.jpg)
That's an impressive model, but the picture is even better.
We have some new Achtung! Cthulhu Pledges for just the miniatures, Add On's for Unit Patches, a Custom GM screen plus better shipping pricing (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/modiphius/achtung-cthulhu-the-ww2-keepers-and-investigators/posts/434233)& Alberto Tavira's latest Propaganda poster!
(http://www.modiphius.com/uploads/1/4/0/6/14062642/1215785_orig.jpg?437)
Fabulous propaganda poster.
Here is the latest update with the news that we unlocked the FATE Core conversion, and new ADD ON's (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/modiphius/achtung-cthulhu-the-ww2-keepers-and-investigators/posts/435437) (Dice, T-shirts, Custom T-Shirts, Achtung! Cthulhu Introductory Wargame ONE WAR) and a sneak preview of the Investigator's Kit bag Collector's Edition...
(http://www.modiphius.com/uploads/1/4/0/6/14062642/4862091_orig.png)
The next big Stretch Goal unveiled is the Terror's of the Secret War guide - a fantastic 128 page book of giant Mythos Terror's, Plots and new rules! if you need still need a reason to back the Kickstarter here's another piece of amazing art by our latest artist to join the project Ian Scholefield
(http://www.modiphius.com/uploads/1/4/0/6/14062642/9029841_orig.jpg)
Just revealed (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/modiphius/achtung-cthulhu-the-ww2-keepers-and-investigators/posts/436257) the sculpts and concept art for the six 28mm Allied Investigator's and some Nazi Zombies... Cthulhu Creatures to follow!
(http://www.modiphius.com/uploads/1/4/0/6/14062642/7604823_orig.jpg?423)
(http://www.modiphius.com/uploads/1/4/0/6/14062642/8890340_orig.jpg?423)
Come on Chris top that hundred kay baby!