A proposal/Want-Ad.

Post by **weemadando** » 2008-01-02 12:15am

First - please note that this proposal is not limited to people just on SDnet, extend it to anyone who is interested in getting involved in something like this, or talented enough to contribute.

As I've previously posted - I recently suffered a physical HDD failure, taking with it a lot of work which I had done recently on my "Steampunk Rome" game. I've taken a step back now and reviewed my options and would like to see if people would be interested in turning this into a collaborative project. I've gone it alone on developing before and know that I just couldn't face re-doing what was lost. And I would really like to see the setting and game blossom under new input.

My aim would be to develop and test over the course of this year. The basic system mechanics are in place and I am attempting to rebuild a "fluff bible" of sorts from my scattered writings and previous backups. What the project needs is a group of people who are willing and able to provide assistance:

1) Game design - further develop the system, including character design and generation, combat mechanics and a "magic" system (of sorts). In addition to this, development of the basic game mechanics and all sorts of other details.

2) Art - Havekoff and The Muffin King have already provided some great work which have illustrated the world brilliantly, but more art and talent is always appreciated and greatly enhances the "value" of a book.

3) Fluff writers - a game world needs to be detailed, histories written, great characters developed and memorable locations created. This work could involve writing fluff pieces (major or minor) or detailing the world of this Industrialised Empire for setting related chapters.

4) Cartographers - maps are essential to convey the setting. Anyone who has experience with Cartography of wants to give it a try would be required to create maps of the Empire (the major piece) as well as simple maps of provinces, cities and towns for setting chapters and "canned" adventures.

5) Testers - this will come later of course, but testing is a rigorous process which requires many, many trials of many, many revisions. The upside is that you'll get to experience something long before anyone else.

6) Editors - grammar and spelling Nazi's welcome. Dissect every sentence and provide feedback to the writers. Find and fix mistakes and know that you hold the fragile artists egos in the palm of your hand.

7) Layout and design - the final look of the book will be in your capable hands. You'll be the ones who put it all together and make it beautiful. I know from experience that this can be a VERY testing task, but then again, I did it solo.

8) Webmasters/Designers - a website will be needed to promote the book and to provide ongoing, free downloadable content. You won't need to worry about doing secure payment options or anything like as sales will primarily be through an existing account with RPGNow.

Each contribution will be acknowledged in the final book. Every bit of assistance appreciated. But central to this, is that anyone who takes part can get that experience under their belts. Having that experience to put in a resume, or work added to your portfolio can really help in getting future commissions.

And now comes the big thing. I'm going to run this off my own back and out of my own pocket (as far as possible). And ALL of the income received (once vendor commissions are taken into account) will be going to charity. Not one cent will go into my pocket or anyone elses. My charity of choice here would be Child's Play, but other recommendations by those involved would certainly be considered.

If you are interested - please e-mail or PM me. Oce interested parties are determined, I'd be aiming to have initial "meetings" via AIM or other methods to get everyone together and discuss the project, ideas, directions and plans.

Post by **weemadando** » 2008-02-03 02:47am

For anyone interested - there is now the developers private forum (thanks to DW). See usergroups to sign-up.

Post by **Mr Bean** » 2008-02-03 02:53am

A year? Sounds like a project for my spare time. I've always been good at the Fluff if given a few basics. What's this usergroup called?

Post by **weemadando** » 2008-02-03 03:04am

SPQR Development.

Yeah. A Christmas release would be nice, but pushing it back is always an option.

Hotfoot · Post by **Hotfoot** » 2008-02-03 03:54am

Don't see the usergroup. I'll throw my cents in on game design and maybe writing, sure.

Ford Prefect · Post by **Ford Prefect** » 2008-02-03 07:17am

I may in fact be interested in writing fluff for you.

Keevan_Colton · Post by **Keevan_Colton** » 2008-02-03 12:04pm

I'd be interested in helping.

Phantasee · Post by **Phantasee** » 2008-02-03 04:32pm

I could see if I could do anything of any worth. The Maps would be fun to do, if you think I'm any good.

I've never really worked on anything like this before, so I'll mostly just be helping (read: I'll be your bitch and do whatever you ask).

Imperial Overlord · Post by **Imperial Overlord** » 2008-02-03 05:19pm

I would be interested in contributing.

LaserRifleofDoom · Post by **LaserRifleofDoom** » 2008-02-03 08:27pm

I, also, would be interested in helping on many levels.

TimothyC · Post by **TimothyC** » 2008-02-03 09:22pm

I'll try and help with the cartography (I didn't do well in the State GeoBee and cartographic analysis in science Olympiad for nothing). Will you be using real maps as a strong basis, loose basis, or not at all?

Post by **Darth Wong** » 2008-02-03 10:56pm

Oops, I made the usergroup hidden. I'll unhide it.

EDIT: Looks like one of the other admins already changed that.

darthbob88 · Post by **darthbob88** » 2008-02-03 11:45pm

You have my services as grammar Nazi. I am also a comp sci student, and volunteer to help with the program proper. I am not very good at it, though, and do not want to burden the project with my incompetence.

Edit: By that I mean, I'm available if you need me, but I'd advise you to choose the more competent programmers over myself.

Feil · Post by **Feil** » 2008-02-04 12:15am

Looks like a cool project. If you need another editor, I can help, and I'm not too terrible at artishness, though I've got nothing on Havekoff. I'd enjoy helping with fluff, too, once there's a solid basis to work on.

Post by **weemadando** » 2008-02-04 12:21am

Darth Wong wrote:Oops, I made the usergroup hidden. I'll unhide it.

EDIT: Looks like one of the other admins already changed that.

I fixed it up as soon as Bean mentioned it.

Academia Nut · Post by **Academia Nut** » 2008-02-04 12:42pm

I could definitely volunteer to be a member of the Grammar Gestapo, as well as contributing to the fluff. I could also potentially do some online testing, maybe even wrangle up a few of my nerd friends to do some real world testing. I can talk to a few people later today, see what their opinions of this sort of thing would be. Would just have to show them havokeff's drawings to get them interested I would think.

haard · Post by **haard** » 2008-02-05 04:49am

I'd be interested in game design & development. I might aid in webby stuff, but I'd rather not (everybody knows that there are no real developers on the web!)

Shinn Langley Soryu · Post by **Shinn Langley Soryu** » 2008-02-05 03:45pm

After sleeping on it for a few days, I've decided that I might be able to help out with fluff and editing.

DesertFly · Post by **DesertFly** » 2008-02-05 04:17pm

I'm interested in helping out with reading and writing.

Coriolis · Post by **Coriolis** » 2008-02-05 08:00pm

I'd be happy to help, but I can't really do much more than color the stuff that Hav and TMK draws. I might be able to write some fluff if I'm not too busy.

Ariphaos · Post by **Ariphaos** » 2008-02-06 01:25am

I have experience with game design and would be happy to help with that. I can also do web design and cartography.

http://xeriar.anenris.com/pics/map2-geo.jpg

That was my last map. I forgot I had the rivers backwards until it was too late, so... yeah. Take for what you will.

Understand most of my creative effort is going to Solar Storms, so that takes priority for me when it comes to most of the other categories - this is just stuff I need more practice on, so I may as well.