HPS Progress Report #4: October 2017
over 6 years ago – Fri, Nov 03, 2017 at 05:54:34 PM

Every project has its surprises, sometimes even the project as a whole and others being a single piece of the puzzle. This past month has really given me cause to look at the true potential for the free-to-download version of the game that will be High Plains Samurai: Legends... and now you can read it for yourself! 100% of this short story/one-shot version's of HPS is now yours to try out and I'm looking for playtesters to help make sure the revised mechanics function as intended, the storylines provide enough material to create your own individual short story, and so much more. Oh, and Jeff has provided us with an updated map of the One Land.

Yep, it's time for another Progress Report.

• Dive Deep Into Legends 
• Playtesters Wanted! 
• Map of the One Land v2

Dive Deep Into Legends 

I'm very happy to report the text for High Plains Samurai: Legends is currently in Vince's hands, stared at intently with both eyes, and marked up using his best red pen. This copy of the Legends version of the game is so ready that I've even cleaned it up to provide you with both a Word and PDF copy of the material.

In addition to the new and revised rules discussed in previous Progress Reports, Legends also features the reformatted presentation of the rules and includes two storylines (including an updated version of the previous playtest adventure, To Catch A Train). All that's missing right now is the third storyline, Black Scorpion... and that's going to be a special surprise when the time is right.

To download the Word version of Legends, click here.

To download the PDF version of Legends, click here. 

To download the 4 pre-generated lead characters for playtesting, click here. 

And don't forget you can access EVERYTHING currently underway for this project right here. 

As of the time of this posting, Vince is currently working on editing the last half of this text and I'm finishing up the final storyline. We have a meeting on Wednesday to review the text, ensure everything has a nice flow, and discuss the three storylines' approach and presentation. After that, we're back into the core rulebook and putting words into Volumes 2 and 3. There'll be more to discuss in 30ish days.

Playtesters Wanted! 

 With these revisions provided in Legends and the lack of personal gaming time in my current schedule, I'm looking for playtesters to try their hand at this material and provide some detailed feedback. If you are interested, please contact me at [email protected] and I'll provide you with links to online surveys for both of the current storylines. Because of our target to get the final version of Legends to you by January 2018 and release the free PDF by March 2018, I will need playtesting to take place during November 2017. If you can get in a 4-hour game of Legends during the next four weeks and want to help out, please let me know.

Because there are no character creation rules provided in Legends, playtesters will need to use the 4 pre-generated lead characters created using the sample play paragraphs found in Chapter 2. You can download them using the link above.

Map of the One Land v2 

You know what's great about posting art previews? Less writing! (Hey, there's been a lot of that going on and some things don't need words.)

Jeff still has more detailed work ahead but I've given him the full go-ahead to complete a final version of the map and you can expect to see it soon. Trust me, once I have a copy in my inbox, you'll see a special update. Until then, drool away over this richer overview of the Five Cities and the dangers waiting your anti-heroes in the Wastes.

HPS Progress Report #3: September 2017
over 6 years ago – Sat, Sep 30, 2017 at 10:56:37 PM

This month has felt a bit slim pickings until I started making the list of accomplishments over the past 30 or so days. Some of that incorrectness has to do with the fact that I've been working on a few last minute freelance layout jobs (which I'll get to in a moment) but the time away from HPS has helped us come up with something much needed. During the Kickstarter, I heard concerns from a few backers and casual readers on how the rules work and it became clear their presentation needed a little restructuring. After some feedback from Vince (my editor) and some other designers/publishers, I think we have something that will create a better, clearer presentation of the rules without running in circles referring to things that haven't been explained yet. Within the next couple weeks, I hope to have something in Vince's hands (and yours, of course) before I can wrap up work on Legends' three scenarios and dive head first into the core rulebook's second half. 

But there is more to share and progress has been made within the past month. 

1. Good vs. Evil: An Art Preview
2. Character & Scene Notes
3. Connections
4. HPS Meets Biker Mice

Good vs. Evil: An Art Preview

Kieron completed two interior half-pages this month, one for those noble warriors who fight to save the One land and the other for those who want to watch it burn. This first image features a collection of four anti-heroes who will rise to defend the Five Cities from absolute destruction...

 ...and this is what would happen if Chaos whispered foul offerings of power into their ears and offered a front row seat to the end of all things. 

 What I love about these two pieces is how they show different views of the same roles. Plus, our gunslinger has taken advantage of a serious upgrade. Hmm, maybe one day I'll have to direct a fight in which these two groups battle for supremacy. 

Character & Scene Notes

A first updated draft of the HPS character & scene notes (aka character sheets and GM cheat sheet) can be downloaded here and below are previews of what awaits. 

 There's more work ahead on these and if there's any additions you feel would help in your duties as Writer or Director, please let me know. 

Connections

Something new I'm toying with is the idea of establishing bonds between various characters in HPS, be they friendly, hostile, or building. To do that, the Development Team and I will be playing around with connections, something that works similar to motivations except they must exist between two characters. Whenever a connection was used to help accomplish a scene's goal, those characters gain Vitality. Stay tuned for that one as it appears in the next draft of the rules. 

HPS Meets Biker Mice

Finally, I wanted to share some early news with you. On October 3rd, the Heavy Metal Thunder Mouse Kickstarter launches and I will possibly write a stretch goal for this RPG about mice who form motorcycle clubs. Using Fate for the core mechanics, it's an interesting idea from its creator, Derek Kamal, and if his KS reached $9,600 USD, I'll write a Fate-powered version of High Plains Samurai featuring biker mice clubs riding alongside the Salvation to protect it against mutant bandits, elemental assaults, and ninja cats. If this sounds like something you'd like to support, just look for Heavy Metal Thunder Mouse right here on Kickstarter starting Tuesday, October 3rd. You can also listen to Derek talk about HMTM on The Gauntlet last week. 

That wil do it for this update. Thanks again for your time and I look forward to sharing more of this game's progress in about 30 days. Or sooner. You know me, I have no patience for sharing really awesome stuff! 

Final Hours!
almost 7 years ago – Wed, Jun 28, 2017 at 05:01:42 PM

By Chaos' beard, is it that time already? 

As I write this, there are only 34 hours remaining in this Kickstarter and there's a couple of hurdles/stretch goals to cover before the trumpets sound the end of what has been an awesome experience. I've said it before and I'll say it again: thanks to each and every one of you for helping bring High Plains Samurai to life. 

And there's still time to get the most out of your pledges. 

• The big $7,000 stretch goal that will turn HPS into High Plains Samurai: Black Scorpion's Revenge
• Another random backer will receive a chance to play their first session with me online when we reach 250 backers
• Learn how you can join forces with Chaos by sharing links to this Kickstarter with #DestroyTheOneLand (and the forces of darkness are currently losing this battle, so if you really want to see this stretch goal happen and haven't done so already, start tweeting/posting!)
• If the hardcover copy has already caught your fancy, the Unstoppable Hunter level is like having whipped cream on your exclusive slice of cake. A signed hardcover copy, a 24x36 poster map/playmat of the One Land, and more. Be sure to check it out and help us get that much closer to these goals. 

Let's reload those six-shooters, polish your swords, and fire up those qi powers, fellow warriors. It's time to make this game EXPLODE!! 

Two More Stretch Goals Unlocked!
almost 7 years ago – Sun, Jun 25, 2017 at 05:30:10 PM

There's been a "jinx" with this Kickstarter lately, but I'm going to defy it as I'm too damn happy not to share this with you. We just crossed the $5,000 mark and that means this project will now include the Atlas of the One Land and Ballad of a High Plains Samurai! 

It also means we're aiming for the next stretch goal with only 96+ hours remaining in the campaign. At $7,000, we will upgrade HPS into High Plains Samurai: Black Scorpion's Revenge and include everything you need to create your version of this tragic tale of revenge set against the backdrop of the One Land where your heroes are the only thing standing in the way of countless deaths and the collapse of the world as they know it. No pressure, right? If you liked the price on the original version of the game, you'll be getting HPS for a cheaper price than if you bought it in a store if we can create this version of the core rulebook. 

I'm excited to see if we can earn another $2,000 in such a short time period. If this month has taught me anything, it's that it's totally possible and it will take the support of more awesome backers like you to make it happen. There's also a good chance we could close out with 250 backers and that would unlock a second online game with another backer next year. 

(See how I sucked up there? But it's true - you're all awesome people I'm proud to call qi warriors.)

HPS Production Meeting

If you missed out on our production meeting this past Friday, there's still some time to catch it before Kickstarter yanks it from the air. I'm also considering a final KS Live on Thursday night during the closing hours of the campaign - if you're interested to join me and watch the clock count down, let me know in the comments and I'll set up a time. 

Read the Epic Fourth (and Final) Preview for Ballad of a High Plains Samurai
almost 7 years ago – Thu, Jun 22, 2017 at 01:05:55 PM

All good things must come to an end and Black Scorpion's time as leader of the Desert Sun Gang is now. 

Today, we share with you the fourth preview chapter of Fraser Ronald's origin story (that is now close to $150 away from funding!) and it's a big one. In addition to including a massive battle involving multiple forces assembled by the warlords of the Five Cities, this is also a chance for everyone to discover the qi powers possible in the One Land. So sit back on your ride to work this morning and enjoy Chapter Four: Condemned To Die.