12/2/2021 update
over 2 years ago
– Fri, Dec 03, 2021 at 02:03:19 AM
Hi everyone,
So sorry for the tardiness. I promise I wasn't ghosting you, I've just had some personal issues I need to deal with.
Since my last update, I've ordered and received proofs for both the Standard POD and for the Premium POD versions. I'm glad I ordered them, because I found a bunch of glaring issues that I've been fixing.
1: The cover wasn't wrapping correctly along the top and bottom, so I needed to fix those issues.
2: The color profile was wrong for the book settings and all of the artwork. This resulted in washed out images, both in standard (especially in standard) and premium. Those profiles are fixed now.
3: The text runs too close to the spine, so I need to adjust the margins and update the book.
4: The text looks scrunched, so I need to go back through and adjust line spacing, headers, tracking, etc.
5: The images with Races, equipment, vehicles, etc. Need to be adjusted because the text is difficult to read. I'll either split the Races into 2 images, or go back to inserting them straight into the Text. I'm not sure yet how I'm going to deal with the images in the gear chapter. I don't want to spread them out in the text because it can look sloppy.
Once all of these issues are resolved, I'll re-order the proofs and get back to you then.
Optional Acquisition rules for Augments
over 2 years ago
– Wed, Oct 27, 2021 at 10:21:46 PM
Hi everyone,
Lately I've been seeing comments that Cybertech in Interface Zero are broken because it's too easy to get them, which can lead to power creep. So I whipped up some simple alternative rules aimed at providing balance.
I'm planning on adding the rules to the Malmart Catalog, but I could also add them to the GM's Guide, providing you think they are worth it.
I'd really appreciate your feedback on them, if you have time.
OPTIONAL CYBER ACQUISITION RULES
In Interface Zero, obtaining augmentations is pretty easy, so long as your character has enough Strain to accommodate the new augment. But, while there is a cap, being able to get them whenever your character can afford the augment can lead to a dramatic increase in power levels. To help curb this, I’ve created a simple system which uses Advances.
If you wish to install cybertech, biotech, etc., you need to spend a number of Advances equal to the Strain of the augment. So, if, say, a cyber eye has a Strain cost of 2, you need to save two advances before your character can “buy” the augment.
Furthermore, your character must have enough Strain available. If your character only has 1 point of strain, they cannot get the augment. As an option, game masters can also rule that a character needs to pay the monetary cost of the augment.
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Thanks for your time.
October 20, 2021, Update
over 2 years ago
– Wed, Oct 20, 2021 at 10:45:21 PM
I’ve ordered a proof copy of the Premium POD version of the Player’s Guide. Not sure when I’ll get it, but once I do (and approve it), I’ll be sending out coupons for comp copies through DTRPG. I’m also working on Standard and Softcover versions as well, and I’ll send out comp coupons for those when I approve them.
Now for a couple of updates about offset printing and shipping.
I’m NOT going to wait for all of the books, cards, GM screen, etc. to be done before I print and ship. When I approve the final Player’s Guide, I’ll be sending that to the printer. When it comes in, I’ll start to ship it. If you ordered dice and bennies, you’ll get those with the Player’s Guide. I’m doing this for a few reasons.
First, I don’t want to keep waiting and waiting. I suspect you don’t either, ESPECIALLY if you didn’t back at higher tiers.
Second, I’m a bit worried about both costs to print and ship. This is going to be very expensive, and I want to handle it in chunks. Prices to print raised and the books are much bigger than originally anticipated. The project got bigger, and obviously it took much longer. That’s all my fault, obviously, but it doesn’t change the financial realities of the situation.
So, what this means, is that there will be phases:
First, the PG/Dice/Bennies. Next, the GM’s Guide, and finally cards, and the GM screen.
While overseas printing (specifically in China) is certainly cheaper, getting those books to the United States is going to be a nightmare in terms of time. I don’t know if you have seen the news reports lately, but China’s efforts to deal with COVID have created insane delays, and if I can, I want to avoid that.
I’m beginning to look at Offset Printing options in the United States and Europe now, and I hope to find prices that are competitive. If I have a choice, I’d prefer to print in Europe and somehow find a partner to ship overseas orders from there. It’s MUCH cheaper when you ship internationally outside of the United States.
Anyhow, That’s all I have right now.
Thanks for your time.
10/4/2021 Update: Player's Guide wrapped
over 2 years ago
– Thu, Oct 07, 2021 at 10:13:57 PM
Hi everyone, I've finished the layout on the Player's Guide and will upload it to DTRPG and Backerkit tomorrow.
I've finished Print on Demand work for the premium Hard cover version, and all I can say is DAMN, it's expensive for premium printing. The cost JUST to print is $50.66!
With that in mind, I'll be doing Standard Hard Cover and a Softcover version for POD.
Here's the preview for the finalized cover. I went back to a modified version of the original cover with the Asian woman on the front, and I modified the trade dress to match the interior spreads.
I'm not positive yet how I will tackle the Game Master's Guide Cover, though. I like the current image, but it would be nice to have it wrap around. I'll give it some thought.
9/6/2021 Update: New design, change log to this point
over 2 years ago
– Tue, Sep 07, 2021 at 06:45:01 PM
Hi everyone, Just hopping in to give you an update.
Things are progressing, albeit slowly.
Since the last update I've gotten a bunch of things done with regards to changes both to the material and especially the graphic design.
Here are links to both.
IZ Changelog
IZ Pages 1-43
