Atomic Age Kickstarter & Wonderfilled Threats
TLDRIn this episode of the Vlog of Many Things, hosts Don and Tom welcome David Flor, known for his Kickstarter fame with Atomic Age, a post-apocalyptic RPG. The discussion delves into the game's unique mechanics, drawing from D20 and 13th Age systems, and introduces six core classes, including the innovative Engineer class with a cyberpunk vibe. The conversation also addresses the challenges faced with AI art, emphasizing the authenticity of human-created artwork for the project. With a Kickstarter goal of $166,000, the campaign offers various rewards, including digital and hardcover editions, and the hosts highlight the importance of community support for indie publishers. The episode is filled with insights into the game development process, the passion of the creators, and the commitment to quality in indie tabletop gaming.
Takeaways
- 🎲 David FL, known for his work in the gaming community, is developing a post-apocalyptic RPG called 'Atomic Age', which is currently on Kickstarter.
- 🌐 The game setting is open-ended, allowing for various scenarios like war, plague, or alien invasions, and is inspired by a mix of genres including Gamma World, Mad Max, and Shadowrun.
- 🤖 The game features six classes, including the Channeler, Engineer, Scion, Marauder, Scout, and Veteran, with unique mechanics like the Engineer's 'engineering deck' of programs.
- 🚀 The 'Atomic Age' Kickstarter campaign has a goal of $166,000 and offers various rewards, including digital and hardcover editions, a GM screen, and potential stretch goals like brass D6 bullet dice.
- 📚 The core book is about 80% complete with 220 pages, and the bestiary is planned to have around 140 monsters, with the retail price estimated at $39.99 for the hardcover and $34.99 for the softcover.
- 🖥️ The game mechanics are a blend of D20 and 13th Age systems, with a focus on providing a crunchy and engaging gameplay experience.
- 🎨 The artwork for the game has been a point of contention due to concerns about AI-generated art, but the creators emphasize that the art is original and not AI-generated.
- 🔍 David has developed an app to monitor the Kickstarter campaign's progress and alert him when the funding amount increases.
- 📉 The creators have faced challenges with marketing initiatives not going as planned, highlighting the difficulties of self-promotion and crowdfunding.
- 🌟 The game aims to provide a unique experience by blending different genres and offering a high-quality product, with a commitment to professional publishing standards.
- ✅ David is committed to delivering the product regardless of the Kickstarter's outcome, though funding success would facilitate a more polished final product.
Q & A
What is the name of the post-apocalyptic role-playing game that David FL is developing?
-The name of the game is 'Atomic Age'.
What is unique about the setting of Atomic Age?
-Atomic Age has an open-ended setting that allows for various scenarios like war, plague, or alien invasions, and it combines traditional D20 mechanics with 13th Age style class definitions.
How does the Engineer class in Atomic Age differ from a typical spellcaster?
-The Engineer class is influenced by cyberpunk and uses an 'engineering deck' where spells are executed as computer programs, adding a technological aspect to magic.
What is the controversy surrounding the use of AI in the artwork for Atomic Age?
-There was a misunderstanding with BackerKit, where the artwork created for Atomic Age was mistakenly identified as AI-generated. The creators clarified that the artwork was hand-drawn and not AI-generated.
What are the plans for the Kickstarter campaign for Atomic Age?
-The Kickstarter campaign aims to fund the core RPG book and a bestiary. There are plans for digital, hardcover, and softcover versions, as well as stretch goals that include a GM screen and brass D6 bullet dice for premium backers.
What is the estimated funding goal for the Atomic Age Kickstarter?
-The initial funding goal for the Kickstarter campaign is $16,000.
What is the controversy involving Stephen Dardt and David FL?
-Stephen Dardt, president of Wonderfield Inc, sent a cease and desist letter to David FL, accusing him of defamation and cyberstalking, which David FL denies and considers as an overreaction to criticism of Dardt's work.
What is David FL's stance on constructive criticism?
-David FL is open to constructive criticism and believes in improving his work based on feedback. He differentiates between unethical use of AI and responsible use, and is willing to engage with critics in a professional manner.
What are the plans for future content if the Atomic Age Kickstarter is successful?
-If the Kickstarter is successful, David FL has at least four adventure modules planned, as well as potential supplements and lore material for various aspects of the United States setting in Atomic Age.
What is the core mechanic that differentiates Atomic Age from traditional D20 systems?
-Atomic Age uses a mechanic that incorporates a bonus die (D6) in addition to the D20, allowing players to roll the D6 and add its value to the D20 roll for certain actions.
How does David FL plan to support the Atomic Age game post-Kickstarter?
-David FL intends to create a website with all the rules, character creation tools, and a searchable beastiary. He also plans to release the product regardless of the Kickstarter's outcome, though it may require cutting some corners if not fully funded.
Outlines
😀 Introduction to the Vlog and Guest
The vlog begins with host Don welcoming viewers to the Vlog of Many Things. He discusses changing the banner and introduces himself and his co-host Tom. They are joined by special guest David Flor, known for his work on Kickstarter and currently developing a post-apocalyptic RPG called Atomic Age. The conversation covers the game's open-ended setting, which allows for various apocalyptic scenarios, and touches on the game's mechanics, which are a blend of D20 and 13th Age systems.
🧙 Unique Classes and Genres in Atomic Age
David Flor explains the six classes available in Atomic Age, including the Channeler, Engineer, Scion, Marauder, Scout, and Veteran. The Engineer class is highlighted as a blend of cyberpunk and Shadowrun influences, using an 'engineering deck' to cast spells as computer programs. The game also features genotypes instead of races, allowing for customization of human, robot, or anthro characters. The discussion touches on the game's development over 10-12 years and the blend of different genres, including Mad Max and Fallout.
🎨 Addressing AI Art Controversy
The hosts address the controversy surrounding AI-generated art in the context of their Kickstarter campaign. They share their experiences with BackerKit, which led to delays and a switch to Kickstarter due to misconceptions about the art being AI-generated. They clarify that the art is indeed created by human artists and discuss the challenges of proving the authenticity of traditional art in the age of AI detectors.
📘 Kickstarter Launch and Reward Details
The vlog provides details on the Kickstarter campaign for Atomic Age, including the available rewards such as digital and hardcover versions of the game, character sheets, and a GM screen. They mention a stretch goal for brass D6 bullet dice and discuss the importance of community support for indie publishers. The conversation also touches on the ethical use of AI in art and music.
💰 Budgeting and Funding for the RPG Project
David Flor discusses the financial aspects of the Kickstarter campaign, explaining the necessity of the funding goal to cover costs such as editing, printing, and binding. He outlines the budget breakdown, including taxes and Kickstarter fees, and emphasizes the importance of not operating at a loss. The discussion also covers strategies to manage costs and maintain quality, such as ordering materials in bulk to reduce prices.
📚 Future Plans for Atomic Age and Supporting Indie Publishers
Looking ahead, David shares his plans for additional adventures and supplements for Atomic Age, regardless of the Kickstarter's outcome. He emphasizes the value of supporting indie publishers and the broader gaming community. The vlog concludes with a reminder of the importance of sharing the Kickstarter link and the option to pledge even small amounts to support the project.
🤝 Collaboration and Commitment to Quality
The conversation highlights the collaborative efforts between the hosts and David Flor on the RPG project. They discuss the challenges of creative work, the importance of editing, and the commitment to producing high-quality content. The vlog ends with a reaffirmation of support for the Kickstarter campaign and an invitation for David to return for future discussions.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Kickstarter
💡Post-apocalyptic
💡Role-playing game (RPG)
💡D20 System
💡13th Age
💡Alternate Reality Game (ARG)
💡Monty Python
💡Zombie Apocalypse
💡Engineer Class
💡Cyberpunk
💡Mad Max
Highlights
Don and Tom welcome David Flor, known for his Kickstarter project Atomic Age, a post-apocalyptic RPG.
Atomic Age is set in a post-World War III United States, with an open-ended setting that can accommodate various scenarios including plague or alien invasions.
David Flor discusses the game mechanics, which are a combination of D20 and 13th Age systems, offering both simplicity and complexity.
The game features six classes, including the Channeler, Engineer, Scion, Marauder, Scout, and Veteran, each with unique abilities.
The Engineer class is influenced by cyberpunk, using an 'engineering deck' where spells are executed as programs.
David Flor addresses the controversy surrounding AI art in the gaming community and their experience with BackerKit.
The Kickstarter campaign offers various rewards, including digital and hardcover editions, a GM screen, and potential brass D6 bullet dice for premium backers.
The core book is approximately 80% complete with 220 pages, and the bestiary is around 100 pages.
David Flor shares his plans for future expansions, including four adventure modules and supplements if the Kickstarter is successful.
The first adventure module, 'Fire from the Sky', is included in the core book and is a reimagined version of a previously争议ed adventure.
The discussion touches on the importance of supporting indie publishers and the contributions of David Flor to the OSR community.
David Flor's commitment to delivering the product regardless of the Kickstarter outcome, though funding would make the process smoother.
The budget breakdown of the Kickstarter is explained, emphasizing the need for funds to cover editing, printing, and other production costs.
The use of genotypes instead of races in character creation, allowing for a diverse range of species including humans, robots, and anthropomorphic beings.
The game setting includes a barren United States with references to Mad Max, vehicle rules, and a Fallout-inspired engineer class.
The Kickstarter's goal is set at $16,000 to ensure the project is financially viable and to maintain the quality of the final product.
David Flor's openness to criticism and commitment to improving his work, inviting constructive feedback on his publications.