Breaking Free of Game Mechanic Editing

 

I am finally able to take a few steps from grammar editing and focus on creatures. Naturally, updates and refinements are needed. Some creatures were created in the early stages of revision and needed to be brought in line with current rule sets. Fortunately, these corrections are not nearly as complicated as balancing the rules. The process is not as paralyzingly slow as it is in the rule book.

Kevin is going back through the chapters and making sure the rules align throughout the entire book. It is one of those projects that the more you have working on it, the more distracting it becomes. As hard as it is, I am taking my hands off that part of the project and allowing him to work as needed. Naturally, modifications to the rules still need to be reviewed, but this is an editing element, not a development issue.

Honestly, I am quite excited as I edit the creatures. Going through the descriptions and stats is refreshing after the previous work. Adding abilities, modifying stat blocks, and refining advancement paths help me breathe life into a critical element of the game system.

Now, I’m in the player races. The hardest part of editing this section is refraining from adding more information. During the creation process, I let my imagination run wild to envision these monstrosities. Now in review, I find myself anticipating the various stories they best fit. Scenarios pop into my mind like holiday fireworks. I am anxious for the closing phase of the books and ready to start working on the modules.

Another project previously mentioned is a podcast. The equipment is arriving, and preliminary tests of the equipment and editing software will begin shortly. Pulling individuals to build a cast is also ongoing. I am hoping the podcast will stimulate the motivation to continue writing adventures. As of now, the plan is to release one episode a week. As the program grows, we may attempt to release more – but that is a future plan.

Fortunately, I have a few friends running podcasts. Their help and guidance have been constructive and insightful. In one conversation, Travis (a former student turned friend and mentor) cautioned that there is not much money to be made in podcasts. I laughed, stating my intention is not to make money on the podcast. He was a bit taken aback then asked what my intention was. My intentions are simple: First, to promote my game and bring a positive light onto our company. Secondly, to develop good writing practices and enable my productivity.

As mentioned in other blogs, I am a teacher looking at retirement. I want to retire into something I like. Teacher retirement, for lack of a better term, sucks. I know I will need a second income source. I’d like it to be something I can fall into and forget the world around me. Writing does that for me. When I write, it’s not just words on paper. I can see the worlds I create. The characters are people to me. If I can set my retirement up so THAT is what I have to look forward to, then I think I’ll be just fine.

Over the next few weeks, I will begin experimenting with the sound equipment. By early March, we should have our first edited files available for download. At about the same time, we should begin talking about a Kickstarter or GoFundMe to promote the release of the next edition.

On a side note: I am playing around with names for the creature guides. There will be two of them and each will have spells and abilities specific to the creatures of that book. I look at other companies and most release them under the names: Creature Manual, Creature Portfolio, Atlas of. . .  What would you suggest the names for the Creature Guides become?

Thanks for reading! 

K. B. Kidder

If you are checking out this blog for the first time, you may access our website by clicking here: Tortured Earth.

Character Species released for review: Allorn, Dwarf, Elf, Eoceph, and Goblin.

Combat Creatures released for review: Braunach, Faeda, Fetid Hound, Minotaur, and Wolf.

If you are interested in the creature development process, you may submit your own creatures by filling out the following form. We will review the forms before publishing the creatures to the website. Creature Creation Form

If you would like to see what Tortured Earth looks like, the rule book's GM portion is available as a free download on the Tortured Earth Home Page. Tortured Earth Beta GM Guide  

I have created a Tavern Generator and Loot Generator. Both are free downloads and can be adapted to a wide range of story settings. Both are written in Excel. If you are using a tablet, you can download a free version of Excel and operate it live at the game table.

Tortured Earth is now a partner with Sanctum Games, Powered by Cactyys Totem. Video Gamers are asked to take a peek at the system and let us know what you think!

Finally, Fixi's Playground is a new podcast focusing on all things geek. Favorite books, school, politics, gaming, writing, geekery, and a whole host of other topics were discussed. Fixi's Playground Interview