tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83631386065936383282024-01-09T06:16:30.553-05:00ASYLUM EARTH Supreme Survivor | Cyberpunk Tabletop Board Games | Post Apocalyptic DystopiaFeaturing New Post-Apocalyptic Board Games and Book Series by A.R. Arias | Asylum Earth - Supreme Survivor | The Covenant | Tabletop Cyberpunk Games
A. R. Ariashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15173642683658142897noreply@blogger.comBlogger105125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363138606593638328.post-48033005895106404482023-11-21T06:10:00.001-05:002023-11-21T06:10:55.437-05:00Asylum Earth Supreme Survivor Board Game<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnGnu8RwxmvP7_9n_L-LMAVN67SL6Rf_SOJDixFBdrfWoCFbdBUw0U774VSmKT4Qv05Xh0PvMPEdOforddpL8hNobYIC4YZxILOg-WVJz-SYdtQmBoR-CDiapJJfsa8BBW3EDJ1ivZgRhOxQKK73s228WMINtJ-QJtXJCXXkhNGJIYQigXbCLg2wgazwA/s588/Screen%20Shot%202023-11-20%20at%206.05.54%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="575" data-original-width="588" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnGnu8RwxmvP7_9n_L-LMAVN67SL6Rf_SOJDixFBdrfWoCFbdBUw0U774VSmKT4Qv05Xh0PvMPEdOforddpL8hNobYIC4YZxILOg-WVJz-SYdtQmBoR-CDiapJJfsa8BBW3EDJ1ivZgRhOxQKK73s228WMINtJ-QJtXJCXXkhNGJIYQigXbCLg2wgazwA/w400-h391/Screen%20Shot%202023-11-20%20at%206.05.54%20PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><p><br /></p>Hey folks, here's the latest update on the Asylum Earth board game. After printing the last prototype, I thought the name needed enlarging so now it's larger with a black border so it stands out.<p></p><p>We'll be playing the game during the Christmas break to fine-tune it and get it closer to publication. As I've said before, I'm not rushing this process because the longer it incubates, the better it gets. So far I'm happy with the quality of the box and printing. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM7fKF6jlpAV6sUze1GHLlIiCzQil2bkgT1GG54iqWFGsHE6Xx1H2H_SMWB1hbaVhVqzi7E8y6QYJL1eOiXsep_WepBBaf-JDM-npaicYJJ1mWr-4-xGvsUe5PkwGBBmAHXF-aqBBpoUcQZT0e1Hw1NjGwJ1NzHpFMUWD065H1GRSo5sFFi53XluAraw4/s640/game.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM7fKF6jlpAV6sUze1GHLlIiCzQil2bkgT1GG54iqWFGsHE6Xx1H2H_SMWB1hbaVhVqzi7E8y6QYJL1eOiXsep_WepBBaf-JDM-npaicYJJ1mWr-4-xGvsUe5PkwGBBmAHXF-aqBBpoUcQZT0e1Hw1NjGwJ1NzHpFMUWD065H1GRSo5sFFi53XluAraw4/w300-h400/game.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p>It's actually quite impressive how <a href="http://thegamecrafter.com" target="_blank">Gamecrafter </a>puts this together. My only reservation is how dark the colors are but that's on me and I'll be trying to find ways to revise the artwork so it's more legible and more visually appealing. Other than that, I'm excited to see it in person after so many changes.</p><p>I especially like the foil cards so I'll be printing more of those. This game is a work in progress and getting better every time so I can't wait to get to the point where I can post it online for sale and promote it so players can get a taste of its dynamics and how interesting it is and how much fun it is to play.</p><p>Here are samples of the contents and some of the foil cards. We'll see how the game feels once we play this latest version. </p><p>Meanwhile, it's the holidays, after all, so enjoy a healthy Thanksgiving and Christmas season. See you on the other side.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYtJ4lfaaoWIAf5cRQ6sdnNRWB8AM9beUSuMcOgtOz8BSTzSubZ9JTnw8a6ZzIbsOLi4wM77u4coLne3oDRyVxHQmkVX6Sp6e-DviupZYxJIXr80SK7CHXWbIGLeTU25l_Gk1MZVfclYUwLFSofmSQoh5KjNGl3GWTF6dSANGag3H_CG0Ecg7xku73ovI/s640/cards.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYtJ4lfaaoWIAf5cRQ6sdnNRWB8AM9beUSuMcOgtOz8BSTzSubZ9JTnw8a6ZzIbsOLi4wM77u4coLne3oDRyVxHQmkVX6Sp6e-DviupZYxJIXr80SK7CHXWbIGLeTU25l_Gk1MZVfclYUwLFSofmSQoh5KjNGl3GWTF6dSANGag3H_CG0Ecg7xku73ovI/w300-h400/cards.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_XcYA3jMWwl5wmWAxUJTxDxqvpzVi69OUHdriQ1jS6EV4VDZ3SMcu5t6DoINXapt6ZXyc6FMMG74N_ht8BlK4K-Y1ssiK8MQgvkB5E85qZX8b6bw8SEsWVcKV9WHsmJsYAFS_0SwIomOFZPcp2maN6I1e5b1sHkslW472Jw6PKQW8xzqT5YvkIiL12kg/s640/gamebox.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_XcYA3jMWwl5wmWAxUJTxDxqvpzVi69OUHdriQ1jS6EV4VDZ3SMcu5t6DoINXapt6ZXyc6FMMG74N_ht8BlK4K-Y1ssiK8MQgvkB5E85qZX8b6bw8SEsWVcKV9WHsmJsYAFS_0SwIomOFZPcp2maN6I1e5b1sHkslW472Jw6PKQW8xzqT5YvkIiL12kg/w480-h640/gamebox.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>A. R. Ariashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15173642683658142897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363138606593638328.post-7459513110613919552023-09-27T21:16:00.000-04:002023-09-27T21:16:34.309-04:00Life After COVID 19: YES, The Asylum Earth Board Game Lives On<p><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwDivyD2fIBTH8c-rxoe-F-VHL-SCXEpzBASOlvwuMXgXG9srU-GvtZLT3zpgkPgIBIXTcPi9pqBK9NoDIC2z2KASFliciOfLTw2hk5XhFRZYhMi77KcFVmeaYIgNu53Awbm4SVv5K2CAgq7_Kz8ziEMoTdsKClrDaIX5Qw9_b0xkUOEdnZOVEzF2HTwo/s2046/covid1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="1536" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwDivyD2fIBTH8c-rxoe-F-VHL-SCXEpzBASOlvwuMXgXG9srU-GvtZLT3zpgkPgIBIXTcPi9pqBK9NoDIC2z2KASFliciOfLTw2hk5XhFRZYhMi77KcFVmeaYIgNu53Awbm4SVv5K2CAgq7_Kz8ziEMoTdsKClrDaIX5Qw9_b0xkUOEdnZOVEzF2HTwo/w233-h292/covid1.jpeg" width="233" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Covid 09/19/23</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p>Okay, here we go, folks. One more entry for the books. The setback this time; was Covid, of course. It came out of nowhere and hit me like a ton of bricks and put me down overnight.</p><p>Luckily, after a dangerous bout of acute hypoxia, and a loaded dose of Remdesivir, I was up and about the next day. Miraculous. Twenty-four hours later they administered another dose and then three more rounds of this wonder drug and six days later I was discharged from HCA Hospital in Orange Park, Fl. and back to work the following day.</p><p>Piece of cake, right? Not exactly but that's more or less how it happened and I lived to tell the tale. Lucky me, I think but I'm back better than ever and ready to roll with this new prototype of the Asylum game in all its glory.</p><p>Yes, life sucks and we have to roll with the punches because that's all there is, people. You're all you've got and you must always make the best of a dire situation and resolve to come out on top stronger and better than before. That's the cycle. That's the discipline. That's life in the fast lane. Love it or leave it, all we can do is deal with it and get over it.</p><p>Okay, I'm finally over it and forging ahead as I plan the next phase of the most interesting board game you've played in a long while. Well, that's a matter of opinion but for me, it's exciting and relatable, and fun and I'm counting that other players will feel the same way once they give it a try. Don't knock it till you try it. Sure, I know it helps if I play it up and describe the entire game and its objectives and all that sort of thing. Check out the rest of the blog for all of that because I've told quite a bit about the game over the years but the best is yet to come.</p><p>For now, take a peek at one of the newest family members. It's the baby. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX9mZ25RpQaIMudjS4EZeQNzX3EWc76Sh0aOu_gmmdn2izy2D-wj0ndNg7swNX6yvr_UwzbsnE7ZSExn3qZ7Ap6ofo2YQXK0bfhvtvzMmK8HCPZIEWmm4Gg3kHfIYBV_XvgSlnvIk9Rte5DJ2IwqrTT5yq6Seqj3EXQ1mXKw7XsIcabOsgf6dgAfTvFPE/s4032/baby.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX9mZ25RpQaIMudjS4EZeQNzX3EWc76Sh0aOu_gmmdn2izy2D-wj0ndNg7swNX6yvr_UwzbsnE7ZSExn3qZ7Ap6ofo2YQXK0bfhvtvzMmK8HCPZIEWmm4Gg3kHfIYBV_XvgSlnvIk9Rte5DJ2IwqrTT5yq6Seqj3EXQ1mXKw7XsIcabOsgf6dgAfTvFPE/s320/baby.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adopted Baby 7/23</td></tr></tbody></table><br />How adorable is this little one? Cats here show up out of the blue and this tiny one came to us months ago as a tiny kitten but look at her now. She's very playful and took to the house right away and made herself at home instantly. Some of them come and go but she's here to stay and we're happy to have her. </p><p>I call her Cinnamon because she reminds me of a cinnamon roll but we mostly call her Baby. Next time I'll post a video of her playing. She is a scratcher, though. But adorable as can be.</p><p>Okay, I know I should post only about the game but who can resist? I figure I've posted enough pictures of the box and its contents so why repeat that every time? </p><p>Once we get the new box we'll have our work cut out for us to finish designing the game. It's all about details at this point because all the broad strokes have been laid out long ago. It's all about the theme and the story how we get to the heart of the matter and what we learn about ourselves and about the Earth along the way. None of this is rocket science, folks. It's just a game in the grand scheme of this so-called life of the planet but it's all the details that make up the good parts. That's what we're all about to find out.</p><p>Mind you, I'm not a cookie-cutter type by any means. So don't expect the usual board game with risks and challenges. Yes, there's plenty of that but like all good things, the best part is what we learn about each other and the wonderful world around us that intrigues us and keeps us engaged in meaningful ways.</p><p>We hope to nail down and get Asylum Earth to its next level over the holiday season so look for all the improvements in January and publication shortly thereafter. Once you understand product design and development and marketing, that frees you to take your time because you just can't rush a good thing.</p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU0n6UoZvfZeG0wuc5BXWIQbQLV9D19B-CsvFgHBS6nM8Lji0Px_ySLx3ejNU-mSWxrT8aQmCI5cUuoq5Be0oYHhse8Xcp4m4H5mtvvFdgjka8cGlkKhR6D9teol6O5jOy7-bnMAB8UlL_x5KZ_h3k3TeEf8EXIEbSCmjSWUZbYGD4ZFdiwcb_tT_OgtY/s2046/covid2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="1536" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU0n6UoZvfZeG0wuc5BXWIQbQLV9D19B-CsvFgHBS6nM8Lji0Px_ySLx3ejNU-mSWxrT8aQmCI5cUuoq5Be0oYHhse8Xcp4m4H5mtvvFdgjka8cGlkKhR6D9teol6O5jOy7-bnMAB8UlL_x5KZ_h3k3TeEf8EXIEbSCmjSWUZbYGD4ZFdiwcb_tT_OgtY/w240-h298/covid2.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After Covid 09/26/23</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>A. R. Ariashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15173642683658142897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363138606593638328.post-44827744264340475262023-05-14T00:04:00.001-04:002023-05-14T13:00:46.500-04:00Asylum Earth Board Game Prototype<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk75xC5jTGVZevPtBtlFAVQWpaUSOwRCwjltB8HKjtaU8NyvdTwpyxsdCIZ3UHETEXNIuzb4YlAtI3ZkOOCtW0Ud_UPzZI6sULLikbJL6Aun3ELMNsUppUyyUh7YLuSIiErTtYaVa3aaAOoZ5AlFaxE8HChpvab0TMhnNbI6ziyTgx1FkNJNlKCMzx/s430/Screen%20Shot%202023-05-13%20at%2011.24.23%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="371" data-original-width="430" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk75xC5jTGVZevPtBtlFAVQWpaUSOwRCwjltB8HKjtaU8NyvdTwpyxsdCIZ3UHETEXNIuzb4YlAtI3ZkOOCtW0Ud_UPzZI6sULLikbJL6Aun3ELMNsUppUyyUh7YLuSIiErTtYaVa3aaAOoZ5AlFaxE8HChpvab0TMhnNbI6ziyTgx1FkNJNlKCMzx/w400-h345/Screen%20Shot%202023-05-13%20at%2011.24.23%20PM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Prototype Box for 2024</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here's the new prototype box I plan to print in September. As you know, anything goes as far as how this game will look for its big debut next year if all goes well. I'm taking the rest of this year to finish it and re-test it with the same group. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As I've said before, the themes haven't changed at all and all the Avatars and books remain intact. What has changed a bit is the monochrome sepia tone, which I'm fond of and I've used it here to good effect. I'm not a fan of a lot of color, especially when it comes to the apocalypse so I think this works, even though the actual color is a bit more muted and not as warm as you see it here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I also fixed Andrea's hand and found a much better android-looking hand so this cover is as close to the final image as I'll get for the next prototype. Yes, there are many changes and additional card decks but only because they have improved the playability of the game and enhanced its look and feel overall.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhflxaW0VtpvGA5tR7MRSysS8vDvz70SpBnXRYwmCmbGAGL5ChmFDIOpcuNJ2RG_KiHbKH2HtPVmpIG-BrdqTc53sON-ewX2dF0zxdPXpQO8cSyRO31GB6EgzltKUI0RcnzAF3AlH-aaWwJTyeZDvwM493vRtRqaB_7ReycoRxzd10qqNl7Sb9Nf6sG/s431/Screen%20Shot%202023-04-27%20at%208.19.18%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="431" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhflxaW0VtpvGA5tR7MRSysS8vDvz70SpBnXRYwmCmbGAGL5ChmFDIOpcuNJ2RG_KiHbKH2HtPVmpIG-BrdqTc53sON-ewX2dF0zxdPXpQO8cSyRO31GB6EgzltKUI0RcnzAF3AlH-aaWwJTyeZDvwM493vRtRqaB_7ReycoRxzd10qqNl7Sb9Nf6sG/w400-h398/Screen%20Shot%202023-04-27%20at%208.19.18%20AM.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">You just can't pass up something better if it comes along, you've got to go with it even if it sets you back several months. The game will always improve even after its publication, as all products do, but the goal is to release it at its best with as many improvements as you can. First impressions count.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The biggest change was the board itself. I'll never regret changing it because it not only simplify's the gameplay but I think it just works and looks more interesting. And it was a feature I already had in play from the beginning but starting the game in New York City makes more sense and focuses the game in a more engaging way. Originally, the game ended in NYC, but now it begins there because that's where everything important ultimately winds up and takes place.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm looking forward to printing this new and improved game, especially the box because it's going to have a cool effect with a matte finish with shiny text. And so the name and other key elements will really stand out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Another good feature is the two QR Codes on the back of the box. That works nicely and takes you right to the Rulebook (PDF file) or the ebook on Amazon. I'll most likely include another code for the collectible hardcover book.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A lot going on, as usual, so I'll get back into it and forge ahead. Plenty to still do but it's getting there, slowly but surely.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Play on, folks.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div>A. R. Ariashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15173642683658142897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363138606593638328.post-73557982282905757282023-04-23T16:08:00.002-04:002023-04-23T16:08:26.410-04:00ASYLUM EARTH SUPREME SURVIVOR [Board Game Update]<p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIxJcezc_wYJ5KMEzhWGWxxIYcvyjQ8Ch5iNHUV7c73tiCTZNSYsQ3oWHAQEeLxJhhP9Y7RPzJTt4tRlP0rsOSuM6_s9cS997FwhaEWm8oOwTunzMuwCm8-N5jqZT8iRAssY-ZTIms269RqGyctEkfwgvgD0PjohAfeh5yA_0awk8cOUOdUpJNUaDB/s3000/canstockphoto15361073.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="2912" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIxJcezc_wYJ5KMEzhWGWxxIYcvyjQ8Ch5iNHUV7c73tiCTZNSYsQ3oWHAQEeLxJhhP9Y7RPzJTt4tRlP0rsOSuM6_s9cS997FwhaEWm8oOwTunzMuwCm8-N5jqZT8iRAssY-ZTIms269RqGyctEkfwgvgD0PjohAfeh5yA_0awk8cOUOdUpJNUaDB/w389-h400/canstockphoto15361073.jpeg" width="389" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image from <a href="http://canstockphoto.com" target="_blank">Can Stock Photo</a></td></tr></tbody></table></p><p><br /></p>Here's a nice image I considered for the box cover but I would have to add a weapon in her hands and that might work with an interesting background. That's what I originally wanted to use, a fierce female image like this because she (Andrea) is the star or main character of Asylum Earth.<p></p><p>But as you can see on the current cover, I opted for a butt shot with a weapon in hand. Not bad because it is provocative but I might give this image a try someday. With a bit of Photoshop magic, you'd be surprised how good it can work. She has the right stare in place so that's a plus.</p><p>Yes, my friends, it's all about sex appeal regardless of what you're trying to sell and you'll have to add a good dose of curiosity along with it. A dead-end image won't work. Your cover image must tell part of the story without solving or giving away too much. At its best, a cover image should feature the star of the game engaged in some interesting way. But you must also include a bit of world-building in the background to set the stage and present the main theme in a believable way.</p><p>Come to think of it, I'll work on that image and post it here to see what you make of it. You never know, I might wind up using it after all.</p><p>Right now the latest update is the QR Code I added so you can download the Rulebook onto your phone. I think this is a much better option than having only one printed rulebook that everyone needs to share. Besides, the online Rulebook will have hyperlinks so you can navigate the rules easier and faster and every player gets their own copy. Try the QR Code on the upper right and see for yourself. The rulebook is not finished yet but it's a good start.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizwHI5N0hvpbNhWGXonHlSbEcQoTV1AUXMVhflUPTTSS7E9Zh-AcnWlUZDjo3KgYzULu3ufJ_xDyGXLA-T05SPI1ZU2_84EcjrLV0328DuH7cZJe6vBToRzhGr6bJlLRnQD4oEm9kmIVfk5z_Gz1zRcPHS4MhRvxcufYAh6_4sAv5F_Gv8ElNx6Hu0/s4032/IMG_1846.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizwHI5N0hvpbNhWGXonHlSbEcQoTV1AUXMVhflUPTTSS7E9Zh-AcnWlUZDjo3KgYzULu3ufJ_xDyGXLA-T05SPI1ZU2_84EcjrLV0328DuH7cZJe6vBToRzhGr6bJlLRnQD4oEm9kmIVfk5z_Gz1zRcPHS4MhRvxcufYAh6_4sAv5F_Gv8ElNx6Hu0/w400-h300/IMG_1846.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Asylum Earth game board sample</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Above, you can get a peek at the new game board I'm working on. I've also added several card decks that really take this game to the next level. If anything, the new cards will add another layer of interesting options that players can branch off into in search of a winning strategy.</p><p>If I've learned one thing about designing a board game it's that you never really know where it's going. And I suspect that even after this game hits the market, I'll be coming up with better ideas all the time. Of course, there comes a time when you leave it alone but if on the road to developing your game, you come across a far better idea than what you have, by all means, shake things up and add that great idea to your game. So far, I've changed the name and the entire board several times and I don't regret it because the game is much better for it.</p><p>And you can't argue with better ideas. Sometimes original ideas lack depth and visual appeal so I always opt to improve even at the expense of delaying the game. Let's face it, if you publish a weak game you're going to get weak results overall. You've got to hit a grand slam or nothing at all. Product development is all about presenting not just <i>your</i> best but the best your product wants to be. That's not always evident from the start but as you move along with it you'll find better ways to achieve the ultimate design, which is to produce an interesting, provocative game that players fall in love with and will want to go along for the ride, wherever it takes them.</p><p>Come on back next week for the new box cover based on the image above to see which one is best.</p><p>Your comments or questions are always welcome.</p><p>Play on, players!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>A. R. Ariashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15173642683658142897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363138606593638328.post-21809399227147311652023-02-18T11:25:00.001-05:002023-02-18T11:25:36.458-05:00The Ultimate Juggling Act [Preaching To The Choir]<p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGD3sNClNdDxPgGlf0DYw0hqHPZZ5yCKIkV7B1aH5baZI8m3BFSfb2gaOOU6ulOp4hNDhRc0oZRNUj7xxlj0JS4F8GkrGQJRK5f_QGlMb1A4sveL18Z1xde-nqsKc7VEZfrr9DiT-62nDv1W1N1OpeBaMRUoPBiqt5ZG6IS7gKjorIharRh6UdTTlI/s1920/juggler-gec216502d_1920.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1235" data-original-width="1920" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGD3sNClNdDxPgGlf0DYw0hqHPZZ5yCKIkV7B1aH5baZI8m3BFSfb2gaOOU6ulOp4hNDhRc0oZRNUj7xxlj0JS4F8GkrGQJRK5f_QGlMb1A4sveL18Z1xde-nqsKc7VEZfrr9DiT-62nDv1W1N1OpeBaMRUoPBiqt5ZG6IS7gKjorIharRh6UdTTlI/w400-h258/juggler-gec216502d_1920.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Realities of Product Development</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><h1 style="text-align: left;">Knock, Knock</h1><p></p><p>Let's face it, this is not exactly what's going on in my life but you get the idea. I'm juggling a lot of projects at once and when you spread yourself too thin, very little gets done.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Who's There?</h3><p>When life happens to you, such as having a large family with many problems, your <i>personal</i> life ends. Actually, I like to say that there's only one problem: the lack of funds. Money can surely solve 99.9 percent of our problems.</p><p>Okay, so that's the goal. Do what you love and generate the income you need to survive and thrive. Easier said than done but that's still the master plan. Meanwhile, the clock keeps ticking and the decades fly by. God knew what he was doing when he designed our limited lifespan. That's why we must use our time wisely. There needs to be more room for error.</p><p>Throw into the mix several health issues and it's pretty much a disaster in the making. Okay, boohoo, cry me a river. Nobody cares about any of that. Here's the good news.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfW-n9fba6YHBiJZzA0jtStKWcSUgFouBTMq62XodiweqBRHj9uPrbYlqcxCB-k3AL4NFJgEcULWHnySrPztrZAvY3099AoS-vbKwu6DA0-JCZgJO0e-5ImFHzn5oMUC3iNZ780X3PSHn_62998kINcvyiapeCi3vzQRasNEQ8ZLZZH74EUzkAMaPX/s1920/thunderstorm-65569_1920.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1920" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfW-n9fba6YHBiJZzA0jtStKWcSUgFouBTMq62XodiweqBRHj9uPrbYlqcxCB-k3AL4NFJgEcULWHnySrPztrZAvY3099AoS-vbKwu6DA0-JCZgJO0e-5ImFHzn5oMUC3iNZ780X3PSHn_62998kINcvyiapeCi3vzQRasNEQ8ZLZZH74EUzkAMaPX/w400-h300/thunderstorm-65569_1920.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Persevering Through The Storm</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><i>Asylum Earth®</i> is alive and well and improving every time. I'll never give up on it because I'm obsessed with it along with four other games in the works. I'll have to work on these games for several more years until they're all finished and ready for marketing and sales. </p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b>Monetize Your Hobby</b></h3><p>It's a great hobby right now but when all is said and done it'll be time to sell about 8 different products. Five board games and a handful of new books. None of the products are time-sensitive so they will all establish their own trends and find an audience in due time.</p><p>At this point, I'll have to move the release dates up for most of these products including <i>Asylum Earth.</i>® The years go by fast so I've got my work cut out once I have fewer distractions and surprise setbacks to deal with. I can't wait to get there and I hope you'll join me.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Set Clear Goals</h3><p>Life without goals is a certain death sentence. Over the years, these projects have kept me busy, kept me learning, and they have helped me escape the mundane moments we all experience in life. Without them, I would have checked out a long time ago because they give my life meaning and purpose. I am very ambitious and determined to get to the finish line soon enough.</p><p>Watch me get there.</p><p>I'd love to hear from you so now is a good time to get in touch if you have any questions. I'll see you back here soon.</p><p>Play on, folks.</p><p><i>Sign up for updates or email me with questions at:</i> arios316@gmail.com</p><p><br /></p>A. R. Ariashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15173642683658142897noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363138606593638328.post-3673278153895983192022-08-28T23:26:00.000-04:002022-08-28T23:26:20.682-04:00Asylum Earth: The Covenant [New Cyberpunk Novel]<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9QRPKvKwv11PYfHlxK9DfoQYEJHSZ926-HjAsWDZGULm4PSd1A4nqDqd7bx_-iLgHtUuxPRXg6L7bBm6_Z9MNTSvBvE1dJDsbzCjqXQkQ5f7scg8OYx7lQRmP5FthGO4BiPGV1kinnt6tlM1e_xnyoiLRStgalSyMM0IFIGxTTR4EI-c0-XtRkkBM/s3000/AMZhardcover.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Asylum Earth - The Covenant" border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="2400" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9QRPKvKwv11PYfHlxK9DfoQYEJHSZ926-HjAsWDZGULm4PSd1A4nqDqd7bx_-iLgHtUuxPRXg6L7bBm6_Z9MNTSvBvE1dJDsbzCjqXQkQ5f7scg8OYx7lQRmP5FthGO4BiPGV1kinnt6tlM1e_xnyoiLRStgalSyMM0IFIGxTTR4EI-c0-XtRkkBM/w512-h640/AMZhardcover.jpg" title="Asylum Earth Novel" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Cyberpunk Hardcover Novel</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"> How do you turn a simple idea into an engaging book concept?</h2><p></p><p>The answer to that question lies between the covers of this new novel:</p><p><i>Asylum Earth -The Covenant.</i></p><p>Four years ago I decided to challenge myself and design my own board game, just for kicks and giggles. One of the components of the game (previously named, <i>Millennium</i>) was a journal, which the main character, Andrea, kept religiously. </p><p>The actual journal included with the game is only about 24 pages long where Andrea tells about her dangerous trek to New York City from Austin, Texas with her best friend, Maria, during an all-out apocalypse, of course. That idea led to this novel, which, in turn also produced 3 short paperback stories that accompany the game. (the paperbacks are sold separately, however, all 3 <i>e-books</i> are available as a free download on this blog.</p><p>The original story focused on an impending apocalypse and how that horrific event played out in the lives of Andrea and Maria, total strangers turned BFF's, who try to escape not only the terrorist attacks befalling them but the verbal attacks and mind games they routinely unleash on each other in the wake of WW III.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZPyOMqvk8d2-vGth4ttdrTt5vGMELoNVIWTtVIlm2vhw5m-I91G7CnPWk3PkAX6IvBZQSw2LkF4YHO9jCtTJARHrcHFW_4Ih_R2C8A-l5KpXnNVGsyyQ29rgjt5nvOkxQGikeWjPbMp7vwk5JZs5XCIH5gPlYIcauhhZzcii_L_IyBPTXa8q1iel/s1920/moon.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZPyOMqvk8d2-vGth4ttdrTt5vGMELoNVIWTtVIlm2vhw5m-I91G7CnPWk3PkAX6IvBZQSw2LkF4YHO9jCtTJARHrcHFW_4Ih_R2C8A-l5KpXnNVGsyyQ29rgjt5nvOkxQGikeWjPbMp7vwk5JZs5XCIH5gPlYIcauhhZzcii_L_IyBPTXa8q1iel/w266-h400/moon.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><p>That concept by itself is intriguing but perhaps a bit predictable, especially if the story ends with planet earth in ruins. A grim ending that just doesn't work considering the state of global affairs these days. </p><p>Enter, <i>Asylum Earth, </i>which promises to be a refuge from the chaos, the bombing, and nuclear fallout. No, it's not a perfect world yet and it may never be, but this new earth, ordained by the powers that be, holds the promise of better things to come; a much brighter future for all survivors.</p><p>Striking the perfect vibe between chaos and hope is one heck of a balancing act that can easily derail a story when you miss the mark, although, for this author, that's the proverbial sweet spot. The trick is to keep things light but introduce dark moments with a way out. Don't box yourself into a corner with a storyline that dead-ends. That's the only trick writers need to know. Always give your main characters a way through.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsAXQVQlvGx7weHilv5g0BGAAFNoHdA9qoxljd1aKZAFIl1uQ4zIMaf_nRcKF-xfpNF29ahEoLadN4C41gMP1QNLn8Kf0p_ZZC6bkX9iGIYeNvVlsCtZOyZcFe6e-Y5UqroD3l-fH2mAA0JkbcdNKmbB8iho4xSD1sKDvaultN5yjCvj1SBqkvgZQR/s1920/futuristic-g374b672ca_1920.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsAXQVQlvGx7weHilv5g0BGAAFNoHdA9qoxljd1aKZAFIl1uQ4zIMaf_nRcKF-xfpNF29ahEoLadN4C41gMP1QNLn8Kf0p_ZZC6bkX9iGIYeNvVlsCtZOyZcFe6e-Y5UqroD3l-fH2mAA0JkbcdNKmbB8iho4xSD1sKDvaultN5yjCvj1SBqkvgZQR/w400-h225/futuristic-g374b672ca_1920.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>And speaking of a way through, what about finishing the game?<div><br /></div><div>Great question. Stuff happens and life always finds a way to get in the way of your goals and so as it stands now, I'm still several card decks away from printing the next and hopefully final prototype.</div><div><br /></div><div>I've got a small window coming up when I'll be able to continue designing and updating the rulebook, which has changed considerably because the evolution of the game has improved thematically and the storyline is more solid than it ever has been. Sometimes, stories work that way. You won't find them all at once. Writers have to tease out every bit of it as time goes by and as time permits. </div><div><br /></div><div>All I can say is that Asylum Earth is far better off today than it was 2 years ago. Everything about it has improved including and especially its name and box cover. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnqHpBn8ZW3P9gU4IX1YwTopehGIl6lAife-ZcZtxlPrZID9JQdI6DqC2tw8Z0gJu0jChTC354-9pP-Vn9T_84NSAyuhKtY2MOf7kSdvPod8JFk3E_ojAInbR5YY5bu8AUZFiWQS4w2ki1ByOdBIjmmg-l2S-TtYIv7PVmXiYwaV8gJ5O4jWs0n3PR/s4500/gameSetup.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3900" data-original-width="4500" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnqHpBn8ZW3P9gU4IX1YwTopehGIl6lAife-ZcZtxlPrZID9JQdI6DqC2tw8Z0gJu0jChTC354-9pP-Vn9T_84NSAyuhKtY2MOf7kSdvPod8JFk3E_ojAInbR5YY5bu8AUZFiWQS4w2ki1ByOdBIjmmg-l2S-TtYIv7PVmXiYwaV8gJ5O4jWs0n3PR/s320/gameSetup.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Everything evolves over time and games are no different. What game designers must understand is that the core concept of a story is the only thing that matters as far as identifying a genre.</div><div><br /></div><div>Everything else is flexible and can change to fit your narrative and themes as the story grows. For example, the genre, or sub-genre is post-apocalyptic. That covers a multitude of themes including Cyberpunk, which Asylum Earth delves into with a focus on its genesis. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm capturing Cyberpunk as it breaks into the mainstream population in its early stages. That's interesting to me because we usually read stories well beyond that point in time. In <i>Asylum Earth</i> we get to see and feel how Cyberpunk emerges and develops into a culture all its own.<br /><p>The game, of course, doesn't need to get into all of those details. What makes the game interesting are the goals of each player, the tension that creates, and how players strategize to win the game. That's still a work in progress due to the limited time that I can devote to finishing the game at this point. The trick is not to rush into finishing because that will only lead to a poorly designed game that nobody wants to play.</p><p>So as much as I would like to call it a day and put the game out there, that's not the right option until I can iron out all the new changes and card decks and how all that works together to make an exciting and engaging game that players talk about and look forward to playing.</p><p>Creating that anticipation is what it's all about. That helps build momentum so when the game finally hits the shelves, players are eager to buy it and get into it. And speaking of that, it gives me an idea for my next topic. <i>What makes a board game successful? What makes any product a winner? </i></p><p>In all honesty, an entire book revolves around that idea and that's also in the works. For those who follow this blog, you'll get the first crack and insights into that process that starts with the name and design of your game box. I've mentioned that before when I compared a game box to a movie poster. If screenwriters can't get the movie poster to work with a great title, image, and tagline, nothing else matters because the trick is to reverse engineer the concept before you waste your time writing 120 pages of description, narrative, and dialog. </p><p>This shortcut actually works and in fact, the finished poster will inform the writer and director in advance about everything that fills that 120-page script.</p><p>And for those of you wondering: How did I manage to change the title from <i>Millennium </i>to <i>Asylum Earth,</i> without re-writing the entire novel? Easy. Write a great prologue. I realize that prologues are frowned upon but from my point of view, I enjoy a well-written prologue so that's what I added to the new novel; a short three-page prologue that sets up the story that's about to unfold.</p><p>To me, it's not a cheat. It's adding depth to the story concept so readers are primed for the main event. There are effective ways to write prologues that enrich your story without cutting corners. I'll post my prologue here to give you an idea of how to go about it.</p><p>BTW, one of the best prologues I've ever read was in a novel titled, <i>The Story of Edgar Sawtelle</i>, by David Wroblewski, which debuted in 2008. Check out this story and in particular its prologue to see what I mean. Thanks to Oprah Winfrey, this novel was a bestseller after she included it in her book club. A well-deserved ranking for a terrific book. I've not seen another book by this author so he's a one-hit wonder so far. A modern classic novel in my opinion with a great backstory.</p><p>Okay, this post has gotten away from me but I've covered some interesting points. You can sign up for updates to the game and keep track of its progress right here. </p><p>Get private email updates and don't miss a thing.</p><p>******************************************************************************</p><p>P.S. <i>What about Asylum Earth the hardcover novel?</i> I'll be able to release the new novel when the game hits the shelves or shortly before, which will most likely be around this same time next year in 2023. I'm glad to announce that the novel is totally updated and finally completed with its new title, cover, and prologue. </p><p>I just have to decide which way to publish it. Self-publishing with B&N is a bit of an uphill battle for me right now but I might be able to offer a limited number of advanced copies to readers of this blog. Otherwise, I might go with Amazon for now, although they only offer case laminate hardcover bound editions.</p><p>Stay tuned for much more about the new novel since I'll be posting parts of it here and eventually a digital PDF download of the whole book will be available as well.</p><p>BTW, if you have any projects you'd like to announce here, I'll be happy to post them. Just send me an email with jpgs of your writing or gaming projects.</p></div>A. R. Ariashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15173642683658142897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363138606593638328.post-54016964365505971342022-08-15T23:03:00.003-04:002022-08-15T23:11:13.956-04:00Top 20 Best Sci-Fi Movies<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/P6EyjIvbex8" width="320" youtube-src-id="P6EyjIvbex8"></iframe></div><br /> <p></p>A. R. Ariashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15173642683658142897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363138606593638328.post-69621797180853844652022-06-18T12:36:00.005-04:002022-06-18T13:42:42.596-04:00Melancholia By Lars von Trier - An Epic End of Days Classic Film<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/koOQGxD4YLQ" width="320" youtube-src-id="koOQGxD4YLQ"></iframe></div><p style="text-align: center;">SPOILER ALERT *** ENDING TO MOVIE</p><h2 style="text-align: left;">This is The End</h2><p></p><p>Don't you love it when the end of the world is so . . . spectacular?</p><p>I can't praise this film enough. It's an absolute classic masterpiece in every way. From the enigmatic musical score (Richard Wagner's <i>Tristan und Isolde</i>) to its devastating ending sequence, Melancholia is . . . well, divine. </p><p>And let's just say that sad endings have their place in cinematic history.</p><p>The point of von Trier's film is that this doomsday scenario is what he feels about the future of the earth and who's to say that it's not accurate? It's anyone's guess, I suppose but let's keep in mind that fiction, great fiction is always rooted in a grain of truth.</p><p>Yes, in this case, that means biblical truth, for those inclined to believe in the KJV Bible, that is. And yes, there are many Catholics who do believe, as there are many agnostics on the fence about such matters. But the facts remain clear for all to witness and research in the King James Version of the bible, since 1611. </p><p>Dispute these facts at your own peril or to your satisfaction. Either way, von Trier's artistic interpretation of the apocalypse as depicted in the book of Revelation, is personal and quite effective.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Asylum Earth -The Covenant</h3><p>In walks <i>Asylum Earth</i> with a similar ending except that our beloved earth is smitten, or showered with blessings from heaven and it is <i>not</i> obliterated. Instead, the earth survives a revival of sorts as our galaxy performs its last dance with a little help from Saturn and our planet renews its vows with the cosmos . . . sparkling in its wake.</p><p>Of course, I'm not comparing my board game to von Trier's cinematic masterpiece. The main distinction is that the outcome of the game (or novel) is a positive one. This for me is rare because most, if not all my stories end in a <i>Melancholia</i> way. I'd already mentioned in a previous post that I chose to go in a different direction only because of the gloomy atmosphere (global warming) the earth already faces.</p><p>Overkill, literally will not work.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPxdojEYefb-EDH_WQiFN0SDzi6wsPmqIENcvWR-fM4S2gO0oF8ctFhy_oQpibabGc5ZD1vCFzA7rOWQn8g17mYVIyFlD3IOTZp9g_2m5_zuMv0q4QtVuVwW-nW3yoto0a1POMWnb_S0CszfWMmRDjwQFuKYJfo3X23M9g0TLxeA47tgf25CYPvjXx/s259/download.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPxdojEYefb-EDH_WQiFN0SDzi6wsPmqIENcvWR-fM4S2gO0oF8ctFhy_oQpibabGc5ZD1vCFzA7rOWQn8g17mYVIyFlD3IOTZp9g_2m5_zuMv0q4QtVuVwW-nW3yoto0a1POMWnb_S0CszfWMmRDjwQFuKYJfo3X23M9g0TLxeA47tgf25CYPvjXx/w320-h240/download.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="text-align: left;">And so, to be clear, the title, </span><i style="text-align: left;">Asylum Earth-The Covenant</i><span style="text-align: left;"> is a nod to one of God's previous covenants with humankind, which is to never destroy the earth with a flood again; thereby using a rainbow as a sign.</span></div><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px;"></span></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: helvetica;">So God said to Noah, "This is the sign of the covenant I have established between me and all life on the earth."</span></blockquote><p>For what it's worth, I think the novel and board game are timely messages with plots and themes which are quite apropos to the times. As far as I'm concerned, a little hope goes a long way these days so no regrets about the work I've already done and no plans to change it.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Your Takeaway</h3><p>That's one thing about stories; they should conform to the times so that they fit in the grand scheme of things about to befall us either as individuals or as a species. There's no advantage to writing against the grain to prove or make a point to stroke your ego as a contrarian. It is far better to tell the people what they subconsciously want to hear because there is infinite wisdom in that consensus.</p><p>And so with that, I'll quit while I'm ahead; at least in my own mind. </p><p>Tell me in the comments what you thought of the film, <i>Melancholia </i>and what your favorite doomsday movie is.</p><p>Remember to subscribe to the <i>Asylum Earth Newsletter</i> for updates about the upcoming game and novel: <i>Asylum Earth - The Covenant. </i>Also, you can get important updates and <i>discounts</i> for the game by clicking on the game box.</p><p><b>Riddle:</b><i> Who's part human, part Cyborg, and carries a gun?</i></p><p>Find out in my next post.</p><p></p><p><br /></p>A. R. Ariashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15173642683658142897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363138606593638328.post-70283036379814703882022-06-01T10:41:00.001-04:002022-06-01T10:44:43.464-04:00Board Game Asylum Earth - The Covenant<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKye5L-yeQLjVyE4an7UZvHp5MHchRV38snN5LPdniWnheVGSC8EJLqwWrjRGRp1a-kxyv9uZt8L9AhwjOlJhaQOCbkoVXsiewAL4Jq3M2wbLc8B4O-NQc7iJirzna0wRyGGDIfAv0W16JAQUNklO6d6X_mYLmiswiQqt3sxEsONt68_hr90AE1Efk/s5925/AsylumEarth_teal2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5925" data-original-width="5925" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKye5L-yeQLjVyE4an7UZvHp5MHchRV38snN5LPdniWnheVGSC8EJLqwWrjRGRp1a-kxyv9uZt8L9AhwjOlJhaQOCbkoVXsiewAL4Jq3M2wbLc8B4O-NQc7iJirzna0wRyGGDIfAv0W16JAQUNklO6d6X_mYLmiswiQqt3sxEsONt68_hr90AE1Efk/w400-h400/AsylumEarth_teal2.png" width="400" /></a></div><h1 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Asylum </h1><div><p style="text-align: left;">EARTH WAS NO ASYLUM. </p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><blockquote><p style="text-align: left;">Certainly not according to Andrea Estrella. Not yet, anyway, and nobody knew if it would ever be a place where burgeoning societies would <i>break on through to the other side</i> (just as <i>The Doors</i> once lyrically admonished) and hopefully spring up like wildflowers in a lone desert.</p></blockquote><blockquote><p> Really, what were the chances?</p></blockquote><blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">Apparently, not good at all. But the enigmatic group known as, <i>The Nomads,</i> championed that effort to no avail. So, for the moment, Earth was no sanctuary or place of refuge to speak of. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In fact, Earth, as it was formerly known, looked more like a monstrous Godzilla, had stomped his way right through it; unleashing the perfect storm for the ages, forging a violent path of rage against humanity in its wake.</div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div><br /></div><div>And so begins the prologue to the new book, <i style="font-weight: bold;">Asylum Earth, The Covenant (Available soon on B&N). </i>After several years of delays for one reason or another, what started as a challenge just for kicks has evolved into a game with a respectable back story backed by a full-length novel. </div><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">What's Different?</h4><div><br /></div><div>What you won't see in this game are fancy miniatures and slick video presentations with thick, colorful instruction manuals. Instead, you'll find a game you can play intuitively with minimum rules and a gameplay manual you can download onto your favorite device. Fun, interactive video links are also something different to look forward to, giving players a more immersive digital experience.</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjAhtUeenXRQ5w3kAwFMqJ_oU2aug12i8qgyemtpRWGKXGqq7V7GKifp2xnu3wbbCEfgLEyUdaYOr7VR5g25rzHNw-n3elL7k3okS1QT_QJfaLhW5_FoXkkjEKX9JYusbMljsQTTBUBt5O3o4sBW10nE4iQhLTH6YwJ3IPNps8hlFetyqx0hHLVWJi/s3600/asylum7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3600" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjAhtUeenXRQ5w3kAwFMqJ_oU2aug12i8qgyemtpRWGKXGqq7V7GKifp2xnu3wbbCEfgLEyUdaYOr7VR5g25rzHNw-n3elL7k3okS1QT_QJfaLhW5_FoXkkjEKX9JYusbMljsQTTBUBt5O3o4sBW10nE4iQhLTH6YwJ3IPNps8hlFetyqx0hHLVWJi/s320/asylum7.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New B&N Hardcover Novel</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>What will become of this game and its novel? In part, that's up to me, because of what I've managed to develop and put together over the years and what I decide to publish. And in part that will be up to the powers that be, as it were. If everything works and engages the audience into full participation to go along for the ride, as they say, the rest is board game history.</div><div><br /></div><div>At that point, all the major influencers who choose to be a part of it and champion the game because they believe in it and see its value will do what they do via reviews, articles, and publicity. Bonafide proof of concept. Other than that we're all just pissing in the wind, my friends.</div><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">So what's it gonna be, folks?</h4><div><br /></div><div>That remains to be seen next year after I finish the last round of playtesting during this Christmas season. I like where the game is going as far as the world-building and nuances that also build up the characters throughout the story. Building tension, fun, and unexpected moments are other important ingredients that will make it all work.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">The New Cover</h3><div>You'll notice the new box cover has gone from destruction to renewal. That's the new focus or the angle to the story because what's the point of showing ruins when we can show a rebirth instead. Now the story becomes the path to this <i>Asylum</i> and how the girls get there from where they begin in Austin to New York City and beyond.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6IZGwvxhXvw" width="320" youtube-src-id="6IZGwvxhXvw"></iframe></div><br /><div>For my next post, I'm going to compare the similarities between this story and a movie you might have seen, <i>Melancholia</i> with Kirsten Dunst and Kiefer Sutherland among other notable performers. If you haven't seen this masterpiece, please do yourself the favor and rent it today. The director, Lars von Trier does not disappoint with an ending so shocking it will knock you dead. Excuse the horrible pun. Now, that's my kind of story, although I've decided to reverse that trajectory for <i>Asylum Earth</i>.</div><div><br /></div><div>That's the right decision because given the climate of world affairs these days, I doubt that a morbid ending will work. And so, I'm not opposed to a happy ending, if you can call it that, but <i>Asylum</i> is a story of hope and not a story of gloom and doom. I'll leave it at that.</div><div><br /></div><div>As it stands, it's one huge experiment into my worldview about the end of days and more importantly, what's next on the horizon for this <i>new</i> Earth. Asylum Earth.</div><div><br /></div><div>Welcome to <i>The Asylum.</i></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p></div></div>A. R. Ariashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15173642683658142897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363138606593638328.post-62209228972509863582022-05-14T07:10:00.009-04:002022-05-14T09:09:19.166-04:00Board Games As Bright, Shiny Objects<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqECgTh-AAm8njlEZbGtdgF1xmtWoDsoi43c-rCi5cZkx8ik851IxWZ_YM5JDMpnZO6VwIGexmsmOn8P5GLzYuYCIJSt59r-mqGSoW5Mr2CgshM8O2uqpapekDu7ekWkeXoHPMcPFoVe_z4_WOKMCJRe3a-csnAmBgllqQmGPvy0XtvZf-sGqsOd35/s5925/AsylumEarthCover7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5925" data-original-width="5925" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqECgTh-AAm8njlEZbGtdgF1xmtWoDsoi43c-rCi5cZkx8ik851IxWZ_YM5JDMpnZO6VwIGexmsmOn8P5GLzYuYCIJSt59r-mqGSoW5Mr2CgshM8O2uqpapekDu7ekWkeXoHPMcPFoVe_z4_WOKMCJRe3a-csnAmBgllqQmGPvy0XtvZf-sGqsOd35/w400-h400/AsylumEarthCover7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">Hunting For The Perfect Image</h3></div>Hey folks, here we go on another wild adventure in design. And here's a great lesson for those of you who, like me, question everything.<p></p><p>Let's get right into this, which happens to be the opposite of the old design, meaning that it has gone from destruction and chaos to rebirth and renewal. Hence the new name, <i>Asylum Earth.</i></p><p>The name <i>Millennium</i> was a tough act to follow. The name <i>Remnants</i> was maybe too specific, but <i>Asylum Earth</i> says it all with just two words. I think it has a nice ring to it and that's what you want in a name, and a big plus, it's an original name as far as I know.</p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwzfm2dIk8aao2TztC3daA38x5ID-dUYA67ShYJs3MBW8YtpqeXP7YBSgWwn3OmktEUQnWJHKiMvBfWndUCZQq3kVsL3BLlhX9dRzU_XWN2y1X2xCXnlT_B6uHsiB94HzkDfIL9k0B-nQrUgItMnCi79vcOwimKth8jvvei5pNEvsyEwSXT3_RqNT3/s5626/old_box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5626" data-original-width="5086" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwzfm2dIk8aao2TztC3daA38x5ID-dUYA67ShYJs3MBW8YtpqeXP7YBSgWwn3OmktEUQnWJHKiMvBfWndUCZQq3kVsL3BLlhX9dRzU_XWN2y1X2xCXnlT_B6uHsiB94HzkDfIL9k0B-nQrUgItMnCi79vcOwimKth8jvvei5pNEvsyEwSXT3_RqNT3/w282-h312/old_box.jpg" width="282" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">old box</td></tr></tbody></table></blockquote></blockquote>The goal is to shed the images of destruction and hint at the ending of the story, which has always been what you see here on this new cover so the story hasn't changed at all. I'm just focusing on the future result as opposed to the current state of world affairs. Besides, haven't we had enough of that in real life?<br />Sure we have and the world at large is over it. We've had enough of death and mayhem around the world and we're ready for something positive and hopeful for a change. Because not even fiction lives in a vacuum, especially themes of the end of days and the apocalypse.<br /><br />Yes, I can proceed to mirror all the awful global events, but I really don't think anyone is in the mood for any more of it and therefore I've decided to focus on the brighter side. That's not to say that any of the story, Age of The Apocalypse, will change because it still begins with the fall of man, so to speak, and all his devices, and then follows a natural course of events that leads to a much more hopeful and desirable era on Earth.<br /><h3>These Are Different Cover Images</h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQcPpUQbCRIr6W2IWp8BoY84pmiz-Kfu4vLgTzbj8BkBds0i_aDtl3RY6gLxyYrtQko-8fcLi4fQo8XbSLKgtncAk-ymc-LF3jZp7OzJsl3jgx4xh-CGcz5EpNzUa4rDOzBLH_4QVorFURL0c0-7Bd3QGebwsrID0awZh9PtHgjNbYfc7UDZ9Gh3lb/s3888/skyline-4011879.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3888" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQcPpUQbCRIr6W2IWp8BoY84pmiz-Kfu4vLgTzbj8BkBds0i_aDtl3RY6gLxyYrtQko-8fcLi4fQo8XbSLKgtncAk-ymc-LF3jZp7OzJsl3jgx4xh-CGcz5EpNzUa4rDOzBLH_4QVorFURL0c0-7Bd3QGebwsrID0awZh9PtHgjNbYfc7UDZ9Gh3lb/s320/skyline-4011879.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div>At first glance, these boxes look identical because of the bluish tint but on closer look, you can see a big difference. Rebirth vs. Chaos.</div><p>And yes, she is holding a gun because not even this new earth is perfect, but it's all in the spirit of protection as opposed to attack mode. Besides, you need to show some tension to balance the scene in a realistic way.</p><p>So with that in mind, I've added a futuristic city in the background while the foreground features a trail that leads the viewer into the story and through this "utopian" landscape. It's not a bright shining city paved with gold but it does represent an optimistic viewpoint that's refreshing in times like these.</p><p>This could be my <i>masterpiece</i> for all I know. If you've ever created anything for yourself, you know how difficult it can be, that is, looking from the inside out.</p><p>BTW, this is a composite image forged in Photoshop, two amazing free images I found on <a href="http://pixabay.com/" target="_blank">Pixabay</a>. The image of the Android is from <a href="http://Shutterstock.">Shutterstock.</a> And other cyberpunk images I've been lucky to find on <a href="http://Canstockphoto.com">Canstockphoto.com</a> for the card decks. As you can see, imagery is always a wild hunt.</p><p>So we'll see if this hunting metaphor works. If you've hunted you know about attracting wild animals with shiny objects. A good device for humans but not so much for the unsuspecting creatures that fall prey to these tricks of the trade. I've learned this by watching shows like <i>Mountain Men</i> because I've never hunted myself, nor do I plan to hunt anytime soon.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKuTs2Dc2OYNmzflculxg4yonlFvqRCNopDMv9-xzsNEQVe3oxPd1aPj5c8Id1B7Utc_bq0ipgBhGGicAV2ELifKCcjV4qpJdGTUk0kf8NqTQ1S18Rryarampg_w0S5bbHMH57FuYMRtP44yCo9lpjv_EqPuzlaC7nT6jzmwPeCryGqHIKLVC5dSzm/s800/impulse-buying-lady-885_0.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="474" data-original-width="800" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKuTs2Dc2OYNmzflculxg4yonlFvqRCNopDMv9-xzsNEQVe3oxPd1aPj5c8Id1B7Utc_bq0ipgBhGGicAV2ELifKCcjV4qpJdGTUk0kf8NqTQ1S18Rryarampg_w0S5bbHMH57FuYMRtP44yCo9lpjv_EqPuzlaC7nT6jzmwPeCryGqHIKLVC5dSzm/s320/impulse-buying-lady-885_0.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">At any rate, marketing can be similar to hunting and in this case, the bright shiny object is actually a bright, shiny city in the guise of a board game. Go figure. Yeah, there's a joke in there somewhere.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The point is that all roads lead to marketing and sales, otherwise known as attraction and persuasion. And let's not forget about the all-important, <i>impulse purchase</i>, that closes the sales funnel. That's another lesson for another time that I'd love to break down in short order in one of my future posts right here. Just keep in mind that as a graphic designer, you're always designing towards the optimum result, which is the elusive impulse purchase.</p><p>For now, compare these two box covers and see for yourself the shift in POV. The story never really changes because it's always about the apocalypse but this new cover shows a glimpse of what's to come after all the destruction and death have ravaged our beautiful earth.</p><p>Yes, unlike most of my stories, this one, <i>Asylum Earth - Age of The Apocalypse</i> has a happy ending. And so, the real story is about <i>how</i> we get there.</p><p>Imagine that.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>A. R. Ariashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15173642683658142897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363138606593638328.post-39962759299564514892022-05-12T08:49:00.002-04:002022-05-12T08:49:56.420-04:00Images That Hook Your Audience (Designing Your Game Box)<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjURJVDz5owrEZ_1j7yIjzZaTiLgZC-pSfTva80bZqBWMtG5s8FDevFcMu2KFhFaTnenG6yYJUjTfi_DCf-C1t359qxAewX6I4tKgbH3WBxiBzN9y52mJtvEa1DzQndnv_T4os-Cx_9a960s885qadayssHjF7WpKSzqUHqkeC7YQumcgSmEfjW2PE/s5925/AsylumEarthCover.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Asylum Earth Box Prototype" border="0" data-original-height="5925" data-original-width="5925" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjURJVDz5owrEZ_1j7yIjzZaTiLgZC-pSfTva80bZqBWMtG5s8FDevFcMu2KFhFaTnenG6yYJUjTfi_DCf-C1t359qxAewX6I4tKgbH3WBxiBzN9y52mJtvEa1DzQndnv_T4os-Cx_9a960s885qadayssHjF7WpKSzqUHqkeC7YQumcgSmEfjW2PE/w640-h640/AsylumEarthCover.jpg" title="Asylum Earth Box Prototype" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Asylum Earth Box Prototype Template</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><h1 style="text-align: left;">Choosing The Best Image For Your Game</h1><div>Okay, (sexism notwithstanding) I'm the first to admit that there's no image like a pretty (female) face to help sell your game and I live up to those images in the header of this blog and on the hardcover book. After all, Andrea is sporting a blue laser eye. But why not use her on the cover of the game box? Good question. The short answer is that I think these images fall short for me to use on the box. But that's just me because I'm a perfectionist and I won't settle for less. </div><div><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3wZg91-CK4TdjZWsPRMUpKUwZQpLavwLdSzvrpQKSGNAwtAqkdJNzHVGZ0ZAXJWQy8ByJi2XjGoLPRwwMfxWV1sQellZamdFKu27kucwiS6CE1jfMJolitQNruhwpjEbS16JwJcnAC9AHVVwlflY57itPUSMhWRXG-GAj7qW1BRGyMStsNQ1GRpJH/s1920/woman-g8faa80734_1920.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1336" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3wZg91-CK4TdjZWsPRMUpKUwZQpLavwLdSzvrpQKSGNAwtAqkdJNzHVGZ0ZAXJWQy8ByJi2XjGoLPRwwMfxWV1sQellZamdFKu27kucwiS6CE1jfMJolitQNruhwpjEbS16JwJcnAC9AHVVwlflY57itPUSMhWRXG-GAj7qW1BRGyMStsNQ1GRpJH/s320/woman-g8faa80734_1920.jpg" width="223" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pixabay.com</td></tr></tbody></table><div>Hey, blame all the lame stock image websites where models mug for the camera with ridiculous looks and silly frowns. Or models (99%) that just don't have <i>the look.</i> Who's buying any of that garbage? </div><div><br /></div><div>Here's the best I can do on <a href="http://Pixabay.com">Pixabay.com</a> for a warrior woman after searching seven pages. (photo on the right) In all fairness, I have found some really good images on this site.</div><div><br /></div><div>You need a face that people can't take their eyes off of. That's one in ten thousand. Very hard to find. Okay, that's my rant about "ugly" models. Let's move on.</div><div><p></p><p>I'd like the images I'm using more if they were more expressive, for example. As in showing resolve, anger, or determination. Let's face it, the right expression is priceless. But as I like to say, <i>an expressive face paints a thousand words. </i>Good luck finding such an image.</p><p>But let's set that aside and discuss the current cover image you see above in the template. A pair of sexy legs in leather pants in lieu of a perfect face. So what's not to like? She's hiding her gun, held by her android hands <i>and</i> a black fingernail. I added those kinds of details to get you thinking beyond the moment. The background, destroyed, also tells a story of its own. In short, everything works to tell a genre story at first sight. You need to communicate that instantly with the right images.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Hail The Genre</h3><p>The goal is to establish the sci-fi genre and its subgenre, cyberpunk, to arouse curiosity in the viewer and introduce questions in their mind. Where is she? Who is she trying to evade? What happened to her hand? Want answers to these questions? Sure. You know what to do. And that usually means to head to the game website and see what it's all about and eventually, somewhere along the line, place an order.</p><p>Wow, now there's a loaded statement, <i>"place an order,"</i> so let me count the ways this can go wrong and how you can maximize potential orders. But, that's another topic entirely that I'll cover next time. Right now, we're beginning to see the merits of choosing the proper image(s) to represent your game in the best possible light, for optimum effect and viewer <i>action.</i> Do I mean CTA, or call to action? Uh, sort of. First comes the elusive click you're after. Then a read-through, and finally your CTA. But not yet because we're just getting started with prime images. Sorry, we can't get ahead of ourselves because there's so much to cover.</p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibz0aXGQMoVs2S63nCgoOaITcn5q60ulUZ-Fp2jvoo7SBDLP9HC-swmVi3g6EWtle6v5tz8k5gpKp9QM7JeIxtBnVKDx1Y0ehHtwFEo1gXVgcFmcoDlmhtnEUOqF-q2jHlQoKgEnuMALZzxpoTE_rbDmA90af2vPMT835C4QuubsnwLv79EMeyR-5K/s2000/business_cover.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1335" data-original-width="2000" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibz0aXGQMoVs2S63nCgoOaITcn5q60ulUZ-Fp2jvoo7SBDLP9HC-swmVi3g6EWtle6v5tz8k5gpKp9QM7JeIxtBnVKDx1Y0ehHtwFEo1gXVgcFmcoDlmhtnEUOqF-q2jHlQoKgEnuMALZzxpoTE_rbDmA90af2vPMT835C4QuubsnwLv79EMeyR-5K/w315-h214/business_cover.jpeg" width="315" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Psycho Child?</td></tr></tbody></table><h3 style="text-align: left;">Buying Stock Images</h3><p>You know the drill. You go to your favorite stock photos websites and search for the perfect image and after hours of searching and cursing, you come up empty-handed. That never fails because it's virtually impossible to find the perfect image you really want. So what to do? Open Photoshop, Gimp, or any of your favorite photo manipulation programs and create exactly what you need.</p><p>Easier said than done but not impossible so that's how it goes every single time. So the image I finally came up with is a combination of three different stock image website selections and then after applying some creative choices via clone stamping, cut and paste, erasing, and so on and on, <i>and on</i>. Eventually, you get what you want. Not what you need. Something like that. Thank you Rolling Stones.</p><p>Okay, you get the picture. My work is almost done here. But after <i>all</i> is said and done, you'll have to test your image to see that it really works as intended. Meaning, that your audience reacts to this image by clicking on it and taking action <i>sooner</i> rather than later.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Marketing and Sales</h3><p>Again, that's another topic we'll get into some other time. As you can see, one thing leads to another and before you know it, it's a master class in marketing and sales. It's inevitable. Everything in life starts and ends with marketing and sales because everyone has something to sell and fortunately, most people want something to buy. It's the lifeblood of any thriving society. Designing, developing, producing, buying, and selling products of all kinds is what makes life exciting.</p><p>But make no mistake. Very few products, if any, sell themselves. And that's where the art of <i>attraction</i> and <i>persuasion</i>, aka, marketing and sales comes in. You must create images that attract attention and tell a story that encourages prospects to search for more information about the product. <i>That </i>should hopefully lead to a sale along the way. You've heard it before, that magical sales funnel. Another can of worms, <i>people</i>. Deal with it. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8fV868Sz1aKB4CtmfdMnPFrCY3ttoPDSt1QFYHBezqQ_rMJtpwuZijwS2M4061E5S2RsaJ-pjX5LLCdla6zYlHpZzN7I_7qblCvJHYWAE-Jmf-4Q04Er4VtdLFWku_BWtKPOzJOGLOep2A3XzdywIMRrYlKEJPntQCTa_48zqjy58FV10UxbvCkJU/s1560/GettyImages-1164946738-1.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1040" data-original-width="1560" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8fV868Sz1aKB4CtmfdMnPFrCY3ttoPDSt1QFYHBezqQ_rMJtpwuZijwS2M4061E5S2RsaJ-pjX5LLCdla6zYlHpZzN7I_7qblCvJHYWAE-Jmf-4Q04Er4VtdLFWku_BWtKPOzJOGLOep2A3XzdywIMRrYlKEJPntQCTa_48zqjy58FV10UxbvCkJU/s320/GettyImages-1164946738-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>BTW, one of the TOC titles in my upcoming book reads: <i>How To Trigger Impulse Buying</i>. That's a teaser, if ever.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Subscribe or Miss Out</h3><p>Or better yet, bookmark this blog, subscribe to it, and don't miss any important articles about designing and developing your game. You won't find this kind of information anywhere else. Search this site and see for yourself. </p><p>BTW, I know these posts are short but I'm working on an in-depth marketing and sales ebook (just mentioned) and I'll post a PDF version right here that you can download for free. It's going to cover everything I've discussed here in great detail with a focus on board game design and development. </p><p>I'll illustrate six different board game designs I've produced thus far and break down the design and development for each game. It's a free masterclass you don't want to miss. I'm almost halfway done with the book but it's a bit too early to promote it.</p><p>Although, I think I'll start to post some of it as I finish each chapter along the way so you can get an idea of its contents.</p><p>A lot going on, as usual, so stay in touch and let me know in the comments about any questions or concerns regarding <i>Asylum</i>. What do you think of the new title and cover artwork?</p><p>Okay, folks, say it, don't spray it.</p><p>See you in the comments.</p></div>A. R. Ariashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15173642683658142897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363138606593638328.post-70545808397089191362022-05-08T06:24:00.007-04:002022-05-11T08:45:22.844-04:00Blade Runner RPG on Kickstarter<p> <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LdqaV5ue2Q8" width="320" youtube-src-id="LdqaV5ue2Q8"></iframe></div><p><br /></p>You've heard the name. You've seen the movies. Here's Blade Runner as an RPG. <p></p><p>As you also know, musically, Blade Runner is infused with Jazz elements. Check out their intro video (above) on <a href="http://Kickstarter." target="_blank">Kickstarter.</a> Catchy, right?</p><p>Catchy, yes.</p><p>So what does one do when you hear or see something we like? We imitate it. We bounce our own ideas and put our spin on them. Don't feel cheap about it. Musicians and artists have been doing it, "lifting" since Beethoven and since the KJV Bible, for that matter.</p><p>So, with that <i>disclaimer</i> out of the way, here's my version of this idea, which is nothing new anyway, but its simplicity and tone appeal to me so here goes.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzBHHpZvTo1_o-AhADKKKaVQUvx6WADhw4D8lz-wengQTS7bc0OPVO45D77gjHp2LP-uFIdbJrwX39WIqUp5w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Yes, it's raw and rough around the edges because it's just a sample I slapped together in about an hour on Filmora by </span><a href="#" style="text-align: left;">Wondershare</a><span style="text-align: left;">. But you get the idea. I think it works and I like it enough to improve it and use it when my own game, Asylum Earth debuts (one of these days) soon.</span></div><p>You know, I use several film editing programs, including iMovie on my Macbook Pro, but I really like Filmora because it's very robust and easy to use. Maybe you haven't heard of it but give it a whirl and see for yourself. You can get a lot done in a short period of time and it's quite flexible so you'll have a good choice of effects to choose from. </p><p>One caveat, however, they've switched to a subscription model. I'm not sure if they sell any of their software outright anymore. In my opinion, since they're not Apple, Inc., why follow their lead? Personally, I don't like the subscription services and already canceled my Adobe Illustrator, at least for now. I'm running an old version of <i>Filmora</i> on my HP laptop but you can download a new trial version for Apple too. </p><p>BTW, I think the Blade Runner Kickstarter is still live, so check it out. I'll admit it has its quirks about digital content but it's worth a look.</p><p>Okay, enough clickbait. I'm out for now.</p><p>I'm still working on the new Asylum animation but you'll see it posted here soon. Just getting it over to <i>Image Ready. </i>Now there's a throwback, young-guns.</p><p>Subscribe to the free newsletter and come on back for more exciting updates and gaming news.</p><p><br /></p>A. R. Ariashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15173642683658142897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363138606593638328.post-37492430898744924362022-04-26T15:54:00.007-04:002022-04-26T16:47:18.524-04:00Asylum Earth - Supreme Survivor [New Cyberpunk Board Game]<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcTE4EsXd9BctWF0S5YcXr1QihWZrlOipijmV4EIRLYbHlX6xJuZumvFH31AkA1afKwVV9CPPgx-gAh2kkYR31tGZTGv7PIKB7T1maIQ9ti6oGlAjGLJtvL28i5xBFCrm1V_kEVwMjHL3rdclgEcJE6fCTtBITjlU2ATkXvyuEoG16ZlVPUpH6YXhv/s727/asylumbox2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="543" data-original-width="727" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcTE4EsXd9BctWF0S5YcXr1QihWZrlOipijmV4EIRLYbHlX6xJuZumvFH31AkA1afKwVV9CPPgx-gAh2kkYR31tGZTGv7PIKB7T1maIQ9ti6oGlAjGLJtvL28i5xBFCrm1V_kEVwMjHL3rdclgEcJE6fCTtBITjlU2ATkXvyuEoG16ZlVPUpH6YXhv/w400-h299/asylumbox2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><h2 style="text-align: left;"> Asylum Earth-Supreme Survivor</h2><p></p><p>Hey folks, here's the newest prototype box for the game. As you can see, the game title is now <i>Asylum Earth</i> as opposed to Remnants. I hope to print it soon with a matte finish and spotgloss titles and logos. It's hard to see here but it's going to look epic up close and personal on a shelf.</p><p>Again, in keeping with the theme, the new name speaks to the bigger picture and main theme, which is the survival of our species <i>and</i> the survival of our planet. Although <i>Remnants</i> are still a big part of the story and remain intact.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Hail The Theme</h3><p>Asylum Earth rings true to the main theme by implying that this new earth after the apocalypse is hopeful and peaceful. Wouldn't that be a welcome change in our world? </p><p>I first came up with EarthHaven, which I love but we all know that with the popularity of GloomHaven, that name wouldn't work. So I don't mind the compromise and I think Asylum Earth is unique and speaks volumes about the theme.</p><p>I also made several changes to the cover image, which now shows Andrea in a careful search for combatants in the midst of a terrorist attack.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">New Card Decks</h3><p>I've also added a number of card decks including bomb threat events with countdown cards and so on. This game is loaded with great play and I can't wait to put it all together and get it out there. But that's another chapter altogether and the name of that game is <i>social proof.</i> Period.</p><p>That starts with several influencers who champion this game and rave about it to their customer base or audience, if you like, and that's all followed by several other important things, such as awesome explainer and game play videos, conference appearances and demonstrations, and so on. </p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Launch Time</h3><p>It takes time and energy to launch a good game or product of any kind but the main thing is that the game itself is appealing visually and playable at first sight. There's no room for awkward moments or stale events that flow against the theme or genre. You've got to hit a grand slam right from the start. That's what makes a product go viral and amass interest, engagment, and ultimately, plenty of orders.</p><p>I hope to finish designing and developing Asylum by the end of this year. At that point playtesting will continue with a focus on finding its core audience of players and believers.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggBmRcHwLisnmBdG42fkNzDaMIzl954QjK1lM6Gxnhetu6LIxkbc31ni_FWtoZ4uk6sXE06Lq1bAuDb2fymKZdRtkYP8mqA1GjFUeA8Q3IiY9LcMoH0dqB-DsbDgG0whR4ooDKeyzbF94Nw54c9xNNDjrTnxuEGJjLE8N3sm7D2UvB8HNXxyKhNr4-/s1125/wild.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="825" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggBmRcHwLisnmBdG42fkNzDaMIzl954QjK1lM6Gxnhetu6LIxkbc31ni_FWtoZ4uk6sXE06Lq1bAuDb2fymKZdRtkYP8mqA1GjFUeA8Q3IiY9LcMoH0dqB-DsbDgG0whR4ooDKeyzbF94Nw54c9xNNDjrTnxuEGJjLE8N3sm7D2UvB8HNXxyKhNr4-/s320/wild.jpg" width="235" /></a></div><p>It's a long, winding road, my friends. Nothing comes easy or happens overnight. One day I'll be in full marketing and sales mode as the design and develpment stage winds down considerably. But, as I've already said, you've got to get the right people involved. Great things don't happen in a vaccum. Great things happen in wide open spaces where your most guarded secrets are exposed for the world to see.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Share It</h3><p>Share this game with anyone you believe might enjoy it and follow its progress right here as <i>Asylum</i> goes from a bunch of thoughts, to trial and error and eventually, a huge success in the gaming industry. Yes, you must think positive and act persuasively to meet your goals.</p><p>Strive to create the very best game you'd love to play and take chances because whenver you put yourself and your ideas out there, there's always a clash of ideologies at play between you and your audience and the point is that you've got to remain true to the genre but don't be afraid to add your own personality and points of view to a game because that's what makes it unique and different.</p><p>Come on back for so much more about <i>Asylum Earth</i> and tips on how to market your game and develop it along the way.</p><p>All products are experimental and this game is no different but as long as you expand the genre in your own way, you're on the right track. There are plenty of moving parts and synchronizing all of them is the name of the game.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Images that tell a story </h3><p>See you soon, right here where my next post will delve into what kind of images tell a story and hook your audience at first sight. I'll dissect my own cover to see what I think makes it great and what works to tell a story. If you're stuck designing your box cover, you'll want to get into this and see what makes a great cover tick.</p><p>Play on, folks.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxBTZ-oWSfYgLzJ4ERxkyqE7QOIqOED3l-TP3V8aCV0y72G7lmJoGGsKeLVT7zUIkC-e3jzy6iHhMmSgydg6rApB9LDjeU__0UHX-kxTbNuOgCQg0DiCLie0_j6Ff2x0xRzz7Ol2ltNg-ZCZ62zxIw-p75qBKUxfrsdsZ4-BkJyfpcypIlSZ5_JoOL/s5925/AsylumEarthCover.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5925" data-original-width="5925" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxBTZ-oWSfYgLzJ4ERxkyqE7QOIqOED3l-TP3V8aCV0y72G7lmJoGGsKeLVT7zUIkC-e3jzy6iHhMmSgydg6rApB9LDjeU__0UHX-kxTbNuOgCQg0DiCLie0_j6Ff2x0xRzz7Ol2ltNg-ZCZ62zxIw-p75qBKUxfrsdsZ4-BkJyfpcypIlSZ5_JoOL/w640-h640/AsylumEarthCover.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>A. R. Ariashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15173642683658142897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363138606593638328.post-59738915552561893142022-03-15T19:39:00.001-04:002022-03-16T12:06:10.823-04:00Tabletop Apocalyptic Board Games (Remnants Supreme Survivor)<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiAzilN8FH_3e2yvmZSrmDm89TheOY01sBG04jbjAT0Z-obhj6T2uYIJM9w0N0f6NfvOwZi2O0l1QIkW07bB2MbJy1O23JrfZiyON9idiBvt13k7zz3CS7HO4X3IcaXbywaWvQ8rkRIFKskJAzkvhyoJ4jeRdDj9W0MLUYkX5z1BWTqltpdpfMvJh1m=s4500" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3900" data-original-width="4500" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiAzilN8FH_3e2yvmZSrmDm89TheOY01sBG04jbjAT0Z-obhj6T2uYIJM9w0N0f6NfvOwZi2O0l1QIkW07bB2MbJy1O23JrfZiyON9idiBvt13k7zz3CS7HO4X3IcaXbywaWvQ8rkRIFKskJAzkvhyoJ4jeRdDj9W0MLUYkX5z1BWTqltpdpfMvJh1m=w400-h346" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remnants New Game Board</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Here's an update for the new board. It's been a heck of an evolution for this game. This new board is actually a map featured in the first prototype. The USA map proved difficult to manage and that was apparent from the start but ambition can be not only daunting but sometimes a roadblock.<p></p><p>So now I'm back here and the game seems to flow much better with this new board. I never was a big fan of the full USA map because it looked trite and ordinary. With this new Manhattan city map, the game is more focused and familiar to me and far more interesting.</p><p>I've added another snarky card deck of explosions that include time clock events so it's all coming together in the final destination city where the girls, Andrea and Maria flee out of Austin, as told in the novel, <i>Age of the Apocalypse</i>, the hardcover edition.</p><p>I also started a new website to promote the three books tied to this game. So there's a lot going on and hopefully, I'll get to the end of it soon. No rush, no worries. I'd rather take my time and get it right.</p><p>As for the box cover, I've decided to print the next prototype with this image of Andrea, and subsequently, there will be more choices including boxes with Sergey Vasnev artwork.</p><p>Peace out.</p>A. R. Ariashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15173642683658142897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363138606593638328.post-91001671454751874132022-03-09T21:44:00.000-05:002022-03-09T21:44:10.718-05:00UKRAINE'S DELIVERANCE IS AT HAND (Lap it up News Media)<p style="text-align: left;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhGpdrhC7fEl4EPwlqjsFALtB-b-WTA4VukrXD60BH_OJqeWCWEIHDL3qrc1vrvEu9c-AAppG6sHYsyoEQT5OPxhF6BIvNCHJZr_s4C4BYRWO07vnbUtsPEJI2_YY4npsHNb88oc6QzZSmq1w-vbJB3bxiguZvHibXkjf1mqk1pC_EIwDF_fg4RZCPs=s786" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="UKRAINE FREEDOM SYMBOL" border="0" data-original-height="786" data-original-width="784" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhGpdrhC7fEl4EPwlqjsFALtB-b-WTA4VukrXD60BH_OJqeWCWEIHDL3qrc1vrvEu9c-AAppG6sHYsyoEQT5OPxhF6BIvNCHJZr_s4C4BYRWO07vnbUtsPEJI2_YY4npsHNb88oc6QzZSmq1w-vbJB3bxiguZvHibXkjf1mqk1pC_EIwDF_fg4RZCPs=w399-h400" title="Ukraine Freedom Symbol" width="399" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">UKRAINE FREEDOM FOREVER<br /><br /><br />A symbol to help spread a message of hope, unity, and strength against tyranny.<br />People of Ukraine and all the oppressed worldwide: You are in our prayers.<br /><br /><h2><i><b>"Together, we must unleash hell and<br /></b></i><i><b>return this war from where it came and upon whom sent it."</b></i></h2></td></tr></tbody></table></p><div><br />Forget the "Z" Wicked "P" will burn in Hades forevermore.</div><div> <br />That's his punishment for everything he worked towards, and surely, <br />the only thing he really deserves on earth. </div><div><br />That's God's justice, God's vengeance, and God's promise. </div><div><br /></div><div>"AΩ"</div><p></p><p>Amen.</p>A. R. Ariashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15173642683658142897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363138606593638328.post-54137409641575911622021-12-29T15:13:00.001-05:002021-12-29T15:23:42.826-05:00Cyberpunk Tabletop Games (Sergey Vasnev and Star Wars Ewoks)<h2 style="text-align: left;"> And the winner is. . . </h2><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqSQCumwgENjjE6V-pU8gEMRyMXF_r2gpNmhtSpnsYqrbWWtrkanOeUrVK5yMqNPkd4Hc8qz_KBkrSG-LSs2t8UEl5-JPKjonhfImkehEMZXRciBpkirEuNXTJUQsntdDVF3Bp0GbxXk2VCn5LlMWFq9LlcgAxmHQt2t2zEMUS7ADgEpD8GPKQ4CYr=s4500" imageanchor="1"><img alt="Sergey Vasnev" border="0" data-original-height="3900" data-original-width="4500" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqSQCumwgENjjE6V-pU8gEMRyMXF_r2gpNmhtSpnsYqrbWWtrkanOeUrVK5yMqNPkd4Hc8qz_KBkrSG-LSs2t8UEl5-JPKjonhfImkehEMZXRciBpkirEuNXTJUQsntdDVF3Bp0GbxXk2VCn5LlMWFq9LlcgAxmHQt2t2zEMUS7ADgEpD8GPKQ4CYr=w400-h346" title="Sergey Vasnev Art" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>Drumroll, please. . . </p><p>Right. You've heard this all before. And don't think that I'm not just as skeptical as you are. But there comes a time in the design and development stage of any product, board games included, that you have to decide on what you're going to publish. </p><p>That's a big decision because everything hinges on your first impression. And as you know, you can only make, blah, blah, blah.</p><p>So after experimenting with dozens of designs and getting a feel for how this game should look and feel, I've settled on this image. (fingers crossed)</p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4rjbZGOso6zW8QdkJeW6ihG4ZD3O3rlzwUH3u2CKFKUJwPJkSmE9oW4Pyk8C4D6XTf3zMyu_B52GT-l6dfDQYYgkxOShbcxXXIjrw6ZVq01HuiVPEAwv1xbSmG2pHZ4S2Nxp9qctTNamAWNcHu3sJo2nkKAZNgouVOqDNGuBSO1NOYVBVx_gFQPa6=s2120" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2120" data-original-width="1920" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4rjbZGOso6zW8QdkJeW6ihG4ZD3O3rlzwUH3u2CKFKUJwPJkSmE9oW4Pyk8C4D6XTf3zMyu_B52GT-l6dfDQYYgkxOShbcxXXIjrw6ZVq01HuiVPEAwv1xbSmG2pHZ4S2Nxp9qctTNamAWNcHu3sJo2nkKAZNgouVOqDNGuBSO1NOYVBVx_gFQPa6=w363-h400" width="363" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Battle for Endor</td></tr></tbody></table>Chances are you're familiar with the Star Wars movies and characters like most humans on earth. In this image, Vasnev re-imagines George Lucas' Ewoks with an interesting fan-art like this.<div><br /></div><div>Mmm. . . now it's all coming back.</div><div><br /></div><div>And so if we remember, Ewoks hail from the moon of Endor, thus the battle you see hear.</div><div><br /></div><div>When I saw this image I was struck at once with several questions and curious about the idea behind Vasnev's concept art.</div><div><br /></div><div>As it turns out this was an art challenge of sorts, of which I don't know its outcome.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Star Wars</h3><div><br /></div><div>So all that aside, let's get in our time machines and travel back to the year 1983 and the movie, <i>Return of the Jedi.</i></div><div><br /></div><div>Many of you had not been born yet. But I'm sure you recall the <i>Jedi</i> movie as part of the <i>Star Wars</i> franchise and all the films that followed it. How many action figures do you own?</div><div><br /></div><div>If you recall, those furry little bears, the <i>Ewoks</i> helped destroy the imperial shield generator in their forests and defeated the stormtroopers and scout walkers of the Empire. Nobody saw that coming.</div><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Battle of Endor</h4><div><br /></div><div>Long story, short. </div><div><br /></div><div>I contacted Sergey Vasnev and asked if I could use this amazing image and he was gracious and generous enough to grant me the use of <i>Battle For Endor,</i> as a cover for the Remnants board game. (Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Sergey.)</div><div><br /></div><div>As it turns out if you visit Sergey Vasnev's website on <a href="https://www.artstation.com/sergey_vasnev" target="_blank">ArtStation</a>, most of his artwork lends itself perfectly to this sort of game. He's quite prolific and all the artwork is stunning. You must see it. So the idea is to incorporate more of his designs into the game (box, playing cards, etc.) so gamers have a choice of whichever design they like most. Collectors can collect all three boxes, for example.</div><div><br /></div><div>That's the plan for now and I haven't run it by Sergey yet but, you get the idea. I hope he'll be on board and I think he'll agree so we'll see. Let me know what you think in the comments and what your favorite Sergey Vasnev work of art is. It'll be difficult to choose, I promise.</div><div><br /></div><div>You'll notice the new game board with the city of Manhattan and new playing cards. <i>I'm loving it so far.</i> Overall I do like this current iteration of the game and I think it's a good place to be as I further develop the game.</div><div><br /></div><div>At this point, I'd like to feature the game on<a href="http://www.kickstarter.com" target="_blank"> Kickstarter.com</a> but not sure if it will be ready for this coming April. That's what I'm trying to finish as we speak. Actually, I just might be able to pull that off because the new concept flows much better than anything I had tried before so hopefully, I'll be able to launch the game this coming year.</div><div><br /></div><div>How exciting will that be?</div><div><br /></div><div>I can hardly wait. </div><div><br /></div><div>Don't forget to sign up for updates (upper right column) about the game plus interesting reveals about Vasnev's art in upcoming posts.</div><div><br /></div><div>Hey, check out the animation on the blog where you see the whole box in 3D and much more fun stuff.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://boardgame-news.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Learn more on the blog:</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>A. R. Ariashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15173642683658142897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363138606593638328.post-66519021600966654952021-12-11T12:09:00.011-05:002021-12-15T19:49:11.161-05:00New Tabletop Post-Apocalyptic Game (Remnants: Supreme Survivor)<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZSkkVtLun-2tT6OXB0PhqhmtVf3qwU2P5bFMxFMqFX1sHTuA7YzuiZS9zkYYof60GxfFlH_5dMUoFUyWmCcdyWD0hiu7j4NgVlQAb-Dpa2Fx_65qXpZcDe3WBHhCotovN0zEVRqqr-qcqnsVPROlK8--CyK7f2ShX6KHVa9m7R8BJd_BW5MrO93gj=s768" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="592" data-original-width="768" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZSkkVtLun-2tT6OXB0PhqhmtVf3qwU2P5bFMxFMqFX1sHTuA7YzuiZS9zkYYof60GxfFlH_5dMUoFUyWmCcdyWD0hiu7j4NgVlQAb-Dpa2Fx_65qXpZcDe3WBHhCotovN0zEVRqqr-qcqnsVPROlK8--CyK7f2ShX6KHVa9m7R8BJd_BW5MrO93gj=w400-h309" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click to Enlarge. Get eMail Updates!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />A. R. Ariashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15173642683658142897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363138606593638328.post-47967822174225351222021-11-24T05:00:00.000-05:002021-11-24T05:00:46.454-05:00Kickstarter Made Easy (New Tabletop Family Board Games)<h1 style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXOdMK7fk54deBrT8YbMUtwV6hhKW2loOV4zx2qquAJwtcu-s1CP0DPi_BEy0lumYP4xDAOtFsoPG83TWGOQUyzykTMOiHirPAv8lev3rMhW4fSbFsPLms1hzCM__BplWOQZ8pba8fdCE/s860/135-1355660_funded-with-kickstarter-badge-logo-kickstarter-hd-png.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Kickstarter" border="0" data-original-height="838" data-original-width="860" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXOdMK7fk54deBrT8YbMUtwV6hhKW2loOV4zx2qquAJwtcu-s1CP0DPi_BEy0lumYP4xDAOtFsoPG83TWGOQUyzykTMOiHirPAv8lev3rMhW4fSbFsPLms1hzCM__BplWOQZ8pba8fdCE/w320-h312/135-1355660_funded-with-kickstarter-badge-logo-kickstarter-hd-png.png" title="Kickstarter campaign" width="320" /></a></div><br />Kickstarter Campaign The Easy Way</h1><h3 style="text-align: left;">How To Successfully kick off your Kickstarter </h3><span style="font-size: medium;">How daunting is it to build a successful Kickstarter campaign?</span><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The essentials are not rocket science at all. You'll need a long list of potential buyers and a great product to offer those buyers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">That's it in a nutshell. It's getting those potential buyers all lined up and primed to back, or buy <i>before</i> you launch. That's the tricky part.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwW1a7EQHaYz9jHb7Z0KblBRtslIehlsE2j20A1dmdYtQSe98ERixFg5vRQGAL2cSB-pigBZP2KGL1Z5cY15hxS6OkzlQ02IBOJFmrQ2qsh8Flj_7hbclqrb-n5WD-bDe_naDu1rb0KBE/s245/frogs.png" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Kickstarter Leapfrog" border="0" data-original-height="205" data-original-width="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwW1a7EQHaYz9jHb7Z0KblBRtslIehlsE2j20A1dmdYtQSe98ERixFg5vRQGAL2cSB-pigBZP2KGL1Z5cY15hxS6OkzlQ02IBOJFmrQ2qsh8Flj_7hbclqrb-n5WD-bDe_naDu1rb0KBE/s16000/frogs.png" title="Kickstarter Leapfrog" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><b>Easy Pre-Launch Strategy</b></div></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Not everyone is familiar with crowdfunding, let alone Kickstarter. So, first things, first. You'll need a primed audience on Kickstarter who understands the platform and is used to backing and funding campaigns. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">So how do you get that primed Kickstarter audience all lined up to buy your product? Easy, just get Kickstarter to feature your product and that will improve your chances of attracting a strong audience of potential buyers. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">No promises, but it's a headstart to kickstart your next crowdfunding campaign.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Read all about it on the <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/blog/how-to-get-featured-on-kickstarter" target="_blank">Kickstarter Blog</a> for in-depth information.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div>A. R. Ariashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15173642683658142897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363138606593638328.post-76187200596900115012021-11-13T09:15:00.005-05:002021-12-08T13:32:43.115-05:003 Essential Design Elements (Board Game Packaging Box)<p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2eVJ6IZCw2Ve_wP0XlJ90n6DTQaG1iNvZlpNDOA4LbdXfDeG_ROjxEn3sna8EO9yfwurGopbN60JBFmqbLkllnepa7G5ovUEqG9cmN5zzPwcIrbjgo4EYx6H5YZw_DauRlA3NqC4Jhro/s2048/Remnants+Supreme+Survivor+Boxsig.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Remnants-Supreme Survivor" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1991" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2eVJ6IZCw2Ve_wP0XlJ90n6DTQaG1iNvZlpNDOA4LbdXfDeG_ROjxEn3sna8EO9yfwurGopbN60JBFmqbLkllnepa7G5ovUEqG9cmN5zzPwcIrbjgo4EYx6H5YZw_DauRlA3NqC4Jhro/w389-h400/Remnants+Supreme+Survivor+Boxsig.jpg" title="Remnants-Supreme Survivor Box" width="389" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Remnants Box</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><h1 style="text-align: left;">Hungry For The New Board Game Box?</h1><p></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Here are the 3 essential ingredients.</h3><h4 style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://boardgame-news.blogspot.com/2021/10/cyberpunk-board-game-box-packaging-its.html" target="_blank">Hooks, Hooks, and more Hooks.</a></h4><p style="text-align: left;">If you're a subscriber to this blog, you probably already know about the importance of hooks. And it's worth repeating because, without the proper hooks, your audience will dismiss your game and look for another image or a catchy phrase in another game that piques their interest and excites them.</p><p style="text-align: left;">In other words, your packaging must<i> instantly</i> push all the right buttons for the genre. It's just that simple <i>and</i> that important.</p><h4 style="text-align: left;">Let's break it down</h4><p style="text-align: left;">First things first. Your main image must grab their eye<i> and</i> mind all at once. For Remnants, Andrea's face, her expression, says it all. She's not startled or surprised by what she sees, but something has caught her attention.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Next, you'll notice the big-ass Glock in her bionic hand. After all, she is an Android, with a backstory, mind you. And that says a lot about her already. She knows how to protect herself. So far, so good. And who doesn't carry a weapon these days? Many people do and whether they carry one lawfully or not is another matter. But in the near future, personal protection is a must. And all the doomsday preppers said, AMEN.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Aside from all that, she's dressed to survive. Not to mention her one blue eye. That detail is mentioned in the first book, <i>Edge of The Apocalypse</i> (featured on the bottom right side of the box).</p><h4 style="text-align: left;">Other Hooks</h4><div>As far as the background goes, there are subtle messages that inform the audience. In this case, the New York City skyline is rushing by and there's a massive planet looming on the horizon. (Another Earth?) Plus, you'll notice the flash of sunlight on the left. That's not part of the original image but I included it to evoke a sense of hope or normalcy. Yes, the world is a blur, but the sun still shines. That's the metaphor, in a nutshell, folks.</div><div><br /></div><div>Okay, so much for the imagery. What about the all-important copy? Well, that's another beast altogether but let's get into it.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83Yr27ZbAENjPHEo_EhiCC9FX1mzujYYsMDIvf7pghFGnHODUmmyEQb7t6ocuscy3NRnk6-sdHDN8Fh11Gn_6oa47KTOt6q_aECBGycI9I6a_fxcvHN7N6W2UXkaF-ATY4sYGLtPWzOI/s815/closeuptag.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Tagline "Take Her To The Edge."" border="0" data-original-height="815" data-original-width="799" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83Yr27ZbAENjPHEo_EhiCC9FX1mzujYYsMDIvf7pghFGnHODUmmyEQb7t6ocuscy3NRnk6-sdHDN8Fh11Gn_6oa47KTOt6q_aECBGycI9I6a_fxcvHN7N6W2UXkaF-ATY4sYGLtPWzOI/w393-h400/closeuptag.jpg" title="Tagline "Take Her To The Edge."" width="393" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tagline Closeup</td></tr></tbody></table><h4 style="text-align: left;">Taglines</h4><p style="text-align: left;">We all know about hierarchy when it comes to copywriting for advertising or packaging of any kind and as you can see, the 2 lines read:</p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Welcome to the edge of the apocalypse and beyond.</li><li>"Take her to the edge."</li></ol><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;">I hadn't come up with this until now because that's just the way things go sometimes but I think this is good enough to stick with for the next printing.</p><p style="text-align: left;">As a side note, these two lines are at the top of the box (first lines) but they're not what the viewer sees first because the name or title of the game is front and center in a much larger size, as it should be. Nevertheless, the hierarchy still works as-is and potential buyers most likely will read those first two lines after viewing the name, <b>Remnants </b>right in the middle of the box, and the all-important <i>subtitle</i>, <b>Supreme Survivor.</b></p><p style="text-align: left;">The word<i> Remnants</i> has a built-in curiosity and that's an advantage right there. Then there's the sub-title, which has a good ring to it because it evokes the object of the game in a catchy way. Yes, I could have used <i>lone survivor </i>or <i>last survivor</i>, but the word <i>supreme</i> is fresh and on point for the genre.</p><p style="text-align: left;">What's effective about that first line is that it mentions the title of the first book and evokes the title of the last book. That's clever enough and a great choice of first words.</p><p style="text-align: left;">The second line is of course a double entendre. No explanation is needed but suffice to say, it's a good and effective line for those two reasons. It ties in with the first line and evokes not just a sexual innuendo, but two books in the process.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Copywriters are fond of double, or multiple meanings and I'm no different because you get your money's worth when good copy does the heavy lifting. So remember that when you write your copy next time.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Here's a good example of multiple meanings in the media today:</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>"Pizza lovers get it."</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIcp5-ChqNC87LrjWeryvApCcYKGs2vWXzLsBnkGY3CA1tLuIdUUSSePA9BdLczG5plVuq_FoducQd2bX-GdrXe6u4lvY_aI5qMNkeNCoc-nT8K4AuGLv5EZ2GeZUFb0V3HMIlN2lHwM8/s500/51me8TuvdVL.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Funny Ad" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="356" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIcp5-ChqNC87LrjWeryvApCcYKGs2vWXzLsBnkGY3CA1tLuIdUUSSePA9BdLczG5plVuq_FoducQd2bX-GdrXe6u4lvY_aI5qMNkeNCoc-nT8K4AuGLv5EZ2GeZUFb0V3HMIlN2lHwM8/w456-h640/51me8TuvdVL.jpg" title="Funny Pizza Ad" width="456" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Dogs get it too!</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><i><br /></i><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">Short and sweet as Marco's Pizza declares in their new ad. But that didn't stop Papa John's from using the same, exact tagline. Who's line is it, anyway? (See what I did there. Right. Let's move along.)</p><p style="text-align: left;">The last line, or bottom line, as it were, evokes the subgenre and the author's name, which right now is not as important because no one has ever heard of A. R. Arias. (Hopefully, that will change next year.)</p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>A Cyberpunk Strategy Game by A. R. Arias</i></p><p style="text-align: left;">So this line mentions the genre, the game mechanics, and its author. All very important elements that help<i> sell </i>the game in short order.</p><p style="text-align: left;">So there you have it, folks. We've dissected the front of the box and made sense of it all for aspiring copywriters and we've added strong sales copy that should help towards the long and winding road <i>or</i> sales funnel that hones in on prospects of the genre and beyond.</p><p style="text-align: left;">It's a win-win-win for all.</p><p style="text-align: left;">In my next post, I'll cover all the juicy details on the back of the box (so many). Now that's a can of delicious and tempting lines that should make your mouth water for more.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Bon appetite!</p><p style="text-align: left;">All comments or questions are welcome so please post them below.</p><p style="text-align: left;">See you soon. Be safe and play on!</p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p>A. R. Ariashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15173642683658142897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363138606593638328.post-76359068564069440792021-11-10T20:11:00.006-05:002021-12-08T13:38:09.163-05:0010 Best Upcoming Kickstarter Board Games For 2022<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> Let's dive right into this amazing list of the 10 best games that will hit Kickstarter next year in 2022.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJCiB9eoYbKJYM7_nRmg7eNPt3ElG9v8H3hGWaW-l_7L_1AFm0Cp2bp9Ypcm625HI01ByIfmDyDoDleG2xUA5o_EDe1OtbbjM_dg5RbpR9Udmzk1jASgaN6j7sVe7RZ63b_TSwOESWeA/s612/138d0129-1484-418f-bf65-e48d5d21afdd.7db92375de752efe43689b7d6080a1c8.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="612" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJCiB9eoYbKJYM7_nRmg7eNPt3ElG9v8H3hGWaW-l_7L_1AFm0Cp2bp9Ypcm625HI01ByIfmDyDoDleG2xUA5o_EDe1OtbbjM_dg5RbpR9Udmzk1jASgaN6j7sVe7RZ63b_TSwOESWeA/w400-h400/138d0129-1484-418f-bf65-e48d5d21afdd.7db92375de752efe43689b7d6080a1c8.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Etherfields Board Game by Awaken Realms<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLDvlHcGRpQeLCPqjc4X6pl5iX_m5c1WCfIpR6NXTcLPzOeS0jjNufi94gm8VrxNJNzDdbzangzgw7K6Nrw6W36zUHaoDl_adc8Fq2qjst5-4hhArWqkrB5TXw63PAJ81bJzGy8RCc7pM/s1024/Bedeville-Carnival-postacie-AD-03-942x1024.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bedeville Carnival" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="942" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLDvlHcGRpQeLCPqjc4X6pl5iX_m5c1WCfIpR6NXTcLPzOeS0jjNufi94gm8VrxNJNzDdbzangzgw7K6Nrw6W36zUHaoDl_adc8Fq2qjst5-4hhArWqkrB5TXw63PAJ81bJzGy8RCc7pM/w368-h400/Bedeville-Carnival-postacie-AD-03-942x1024.jpg" title="Bedeville Carnival" width="368" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bedeville Carnival</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEHdeeTfpq6kycFAeSEiNuaYcD8282avmnWryPH7l2qbqFtSljwfShVX4WCHYRs0nwl8x_iQtuwYcY_T3cD_dXNTvCDhqgsQwTt2-XbpxIG1pKhc2tCclNfvY8NueC397JVxpdimcOLI/s684/bloodstone-board-game-kickstarter.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bloodstone" border="0" data-original-height="649" data-original-width="684" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEHdeeTfpq6kycFAeSEiNuaYcD8282avmnWryPH7l2qbqFtSljwfShVX4WCHYRs0nwl8x_iQtuwYcY_T3cD_dXNTvCDhqgsQwTt2-XbpxIG1pKhc2tCclNfvY8NueC397JVxpdimcOLI/w400-h380/bloodstone-board-game-kickstarter.jpg" title="Bloodstone" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bloodstone</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMoC5tWg1QC_i4K315PpG2InheEi-eKQJrYXYf9suz-MH1RE-VkLwgnOX1138dGQEwi2vXSb7JrqLpaZPJPbBh1haujCMxOy8L35thQa3-tkXnATDMZx3xmJBgyjdm8PY09dCg0g0CiAI/s671/bruxelles-belle-epoque-board-game-kickstarter-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bruxelles 1893" border="0" data-original-height="671" data-original-width="473" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMoC5tWg1QC_i4K315PpG2InheEi-eKQJrYXYf9suz-MH1RE-VkLwgnOX1138dGQEwi2vXSb7JrqLpaZPJPbBh1haujCMxOy8L35thQa3-tkXnATDMZx3xmJBgyjdm8PY09dCg0g0CiAI/w283-h400/bruxelles-belle-epoque-board-game-kickstarter-2.jpg" title="Bruselles 1893" width="283" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bluxelles</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_8E-piaszcJC3meXNSq2o053I8EM8Qwb_v6xp_1YBc6u3OKGxwPdo3vNoG27UH619BdZ-doeb0sI6CabPWn__9MJGGBgIdri5tq2U61UyoqF4CkFarbxTmiBrNWVM5GJbu3mu39Sv7G0/s1024/cyberpunk-gangs-night-city-board-game-kickstarter-1024x395.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Cyberpunk 2077" border="0" data-original-height="395" data-original-width="1024" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_8E-piaszcJC3meXNSq2o053I8EM8Qwb_v6xp_1YBc6u3OKGxwPdo3vNoG27UH619BdZ-doeb0sI6CabPWn__9MJGGBgIdri5tq2U61UyoqF4CkFarbxTmiBrNWVM5GJbu3mu39Sv7G0/w400-h154/cyberpunk-gangs-night-city-board-game-kickstarter-1024x395.jpg" title="Cyberpunk 2077" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cyberpunk 2077</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQLGi4HBeU4lWezehhyxBIDG3fhOBV1yW-mqmD5nZpdOHg7Z3zDTxFbAVSyiwcTAsuxTehT6SUpBpQ5HjWq0kzlZHgXPs0m2EfJISVc6hFBTpl2hlGEQzzv1_NQJx8Ehbz_mRJ2K01198/s1024/Monsterapocalypse-Miniature-game-Kickstarter.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Monster Apocalypse" border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQLGi4HBeU4lWezehhyxBIDG3fhOBV1yW-mqmD5nZpdOHg7Z3zDTxFbAVSyiwcTAsuxTehT6SUpBpQ5HjWq0kzlZHgXPs0m2EfJISVc6hFBTpl2hlGEQzzv1_NQJx8Ehbz_mRJ2K01198/w400-h225/Monsterapocalypse-Miniature-game-Kickstarter.jpg" title="Monster Apocalypse" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monster Apocalypse</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWWG9BGAbft308L4WpaThJGeR-XjFr-tpkG1lmzJvS4lbWAKYnZJ0GLDYVO3eT5uN6NoJJn5fTM0mS5DVgI6tiWvntC7zpqaJ8L93-htln19Gga37uyzuIs8RPFsBT3flgYPKPm43q3rM/s835/silver-coin-board-game-kickstarters.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Silver Coin - Age of Monster Hunters" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="835" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWWG9BGAbft308L4WpaThJGeR-XjFr-tpkG1lmzJvS4lbWAKYnZJ0GLDYVO3eT5uN6NoJJn5fTM0mS5DVgI6tiWvntC7zpqaJ8L93-htln19Gga37uyzuIs8RPFsBT3flgYPKPm43q3rM/w400-h320/silver-coin-board-game-kickstarters.jpg" title="Silver Coin - Age of Monster Hunters" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silver Coin</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5vGZzf1fRBQiVonmVlRMUFiiBUBChCSRRrHrTbIWbp_CpP15EfOtV6_3A9unVWYELiJqXEEUjVqasAU1j3lnDP9oBw9czuFqslgEsWSsO7lFr-iM6NNNdpGWI-B-ty4imppDu9KIH7R0/s960/Mythic-games.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Enchanters Darkland" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="960" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5vGZzf1fRBQiVonmVlRMUFiiBUBChCSRRrHrTbIWbp_CpP15EfOtV6_3A9unVWYELiJqXEEUjVqasAU1j3lnDP9oBw9czuFqslgEsWSsO7lFr-iM6NNNdpGWI-B-ty4imppDu9KIH7R0/w400-h209/Mythic-games.jpg" title="Enchanters Darkland" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enchanters</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6q4Eiq8KW2DIOU_0nhB_6ogf_0d6rRvNXbniRgB6dmLkMUjyNoS-Pzt2gJ8DBPYxvXQvDlMDrLTLxfjRbKtlogxJa8udBcC9r6rBTDoct-7Aw8nfVCvwO4A8bf9NsoP5iYnvQqHupIDo/s765/starship-interstellar-board-game-kickstarter.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Interstellar" border="0" data-original-height="519" data-original-width="765" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6q4Eiq8KW2DIOU_0nhB_6ogf_0d6rRvNXbniRgB6dmLkMUjyNoS-Pzt2gJ8DBPYxvXQvDlMDrLTLxfjRbKtlogxJa8udBcC9r6rBTDoct-7Aw8nfVCvwO4A8bf9NsoP5iYnvQqHupIDo/w400-h271/starship-interstellar-board-game-kickstarter.jpg" title="Interstellar" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interstellar</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfBbMEdhNoFyjKvWhLTJfhuu-ZVCSN-tvM5E_9HAdVUjqKeX28DQRIOQMNhQSoVAQO8vVgcM-4G5vlyMP0NeqhJOi_gL4t819oTb-NeYAh_XqAzTuUilOmVTTK8ED0k6xtzkXQsA_rV7c/s756/omega-virus-board-game-kickstarter-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Omega Virus" border="0" data-original-height="756" data-original-width="756" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfBbMEdhNoFyjKvWhLTJfhuu-ZVCSN-tvM5E_9HAdVUjqKeX28DQRIOQMNhQSoVAQO8vVgcM-4G5vlyMP0NeqhJOi_gL4t819oTb-NeYAh_XqAzTuUilOmVTTK8ED0k6xtzkXQsA_rV7c/w400-h400/omega-virus-board-game-kickstarter-2.jpg" title="Omega Virus Board Game" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Omega Virus<br /><br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEoo_7bL8u54X4Tv-Xqgmajs_fjctLSYQ8yFfLFhQxKn8-38wNNphcV6BnxH5SYomMaqOuCCFL4SP2wDaex5DQl0ohP-ehYIlqnlvIwrM1NV-cOsTagHYJG1f_kQ5-EDudUUxhyphenhyphenHzPVeE/s2048/RemnantsBlog.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Remnants Supreme Survivor" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1991" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEoo_7bL8u54X4Tv-Xqgmajs_fjctLSYQ8yFfLFhQxKn8-38wNNphcV6BnxH5SYomMaqOuCCFL4SP2wDaex5DQl0ohP-ehYIlqnlvIwrM1NV-cOsTagHYJG1f_kQ5-EDudUUxhyphenhyphenHzPVeE/w389-h400/RemnantsBlog.jpg" title="Remnants Supreme Survivor Board Game" width="389" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remnants Supreme Survivor</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Let me know in the comments if you're getting any of these board games or plan to back them on Kickstarter in 2022.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I want to add a few more games so I'll post another list here very soon. Stay tuned for more exciting new board games coming in 2022!</span></p><p><a href="https://kick.agency/news/10-best-upcoming-crowdfunding-board-games-a-look-into-2022/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">Check them all out here:</span></a><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />A. R. Ariashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15173642683658142897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363138606593638328.post-90429461470814242052021-10-25T18:03:00.001-04:002021-10-25T18:03:56.475-04:00CYBERPUNK Board Game Box Packaging - It's All About Hooks<p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghGvK2XIN3jfVWZ6cbfMQKf7SKaotbsLYDHeVdGgAItDLVFENJmAGgOuEzGiyuHU83bf_CvHvRGG7nwHq2U_TwqtQtkjcxSLcBje_G-sodVi39LYj11EgK_mKnuf8X8Rv5-vkwK_LdlyI/s2048/RemnantsBottom15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="REMNANTS BOX BOTTOM" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2041" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghGvK2XIN3jfVWZ6cbfMQKf7SKaotbsLYDHeVdGgAItDLVFENJmAGgOuEzGiyuHU83bf_CvHvRGG7nwHq2U_TwqtQtkjcxSLcBje_G-sodVi39LYj11EgK_mKnuf8X8Rv5-vkwK_LdlyI/w638-h640/RemnantsBottom15.jpg" title="REMNANTS CYBERPUNK BOARD GAME BOX" width="638" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remnants Box Bottom<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Okay folks, here's the back of the new box, as promised. Lots to unpack here so let's get into it.</p><p>The most important thing is the copy on the left column. Similar to the back of a book, this is all about sales copy that takes you right to the sales page on the manufacturer's website, for example.</p><p>That actual link has yet to be determined because the game is unfinished and not for sale yet, but, you get the idea. I tried my best in this limited space to cover all the important points that make this game unique and sales-worthy.</p><p>Let's face it, I'd need to write an entire book about this to be thorough but I'll have to keep it short here. As you can see, I've packed the back of this box with lots of good stuff. All that good stuff translates into many different hooks that should lead prospects to the buy button. That's the short of it and that's the result you're after, obviously. </p><p><b>HOOKS</b></p><p>I've also stuffed 2 promos for the books on the bottom right. These are important because upselling, so to speak is part of the deal. I've included a promo for the first book in the series plus a peek at the collectible hardcover. </p><p>What makes the hardcover collectible? Its unique design plus the fact that it includes all three stories in one book and also includes awesome photos. In a perfect world, the title should be blind-embossed or have some sort of metallic embellishing, etc. But for now, this jacket is good enough as is.</p><p>The characters up top are also hooks because they are what make the story meaningful and exciting. An example for an odd video link follows (another hook).</p><p>That's followed by a short summary of the game in the gray box. This is a crucial hook and the equivalent of a strong headline and sub-headline.</p><p><b>HOOKS</b></p><p>That's followed by another hook stating the theme of the game that provides a visual tone and what players can expect with this extraordinary game. Take a read and see if it works for you.</p><p>On the right column, you see the game board and below it, many of the components and card decks included in the game. These are all additional hooks that intrigue players.</p><p>The bottom line is simple. The back of your box must entice, inspire, and motivate prospects, your audience to find out more about the game and eventually buy it. The goal is for curious gamers to get into the theme and imagine themselves playing the game and having a great time.</p><p><b>AND MORE HOOKS</b></p><p>You want to create a burning desire in your audience that leads to a sale, hopefully, now rather than later. That's why you need more than one hook. You need as many hooks as you can configure and fit into a small space without over-crowding the box. Not an easy task, but it's always possible with a bit of planning.</p><p>Let me know what you think in the comments. I've also finished a short promo video that I'll post here soon. It's just a teaser so it doesn't include gameplay instructions. But instead, it's designed to intrigue gamers so they can find out more details about the game on the blog. Your blog should be the equivalent of a long and never-ending advertisement, but without looking or sounding like one. </p><p>Welcome to the world of marketing, my friends.</p><p><br /></p>A. R. Ariashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15173642683658142897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363138606593638328.post-62346499171974927932021-10-10T09:06:00.006-04:002021-10-10T09:09:46.605-04:00Cyberpunk Board Games, Video Games, and its Pop Culture Roots<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YK6IjJkjkiI" width="320" youtube-src-id="YK6IjJkjkiI"></iframe></div><p><br /></p>What exactly is Cyberpunk? <p></p><p>Here's a short video that attempts to answer that question. And what about its purpose as far as my board game, <i>Remnants</i>, where does Cyberpunk fit into <i>Edge of the Apocalypse</i>?</p><p>From my point of view, <i>Edge</i> explores the beginning or even a prelude to these genres and leads into a more established viewpoint about Cyberpunk culture.</p><p>That's a lot to unpack right now so I'll leave that for another post as I unveil behind-the-scenes snippets about the origins of my game and the 3 books it has spawned.</p><p>Meanwhile, take a look at this interesting video and you might want to check out <i>Altered Carbon</i> on <a href="https://www.netflix.com/title/80097140" target="_blank">Netflix</a> for another take on the Cyberpunk genre.</p>A. R. Ariashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15173642683658142897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363138606593638328.post-20100930345920081072021-10-05T09:47:00.011-04:002021-10-10T09:49:25.683-04:00Remnants of The Apocalypse - The All New Cyberpunk Board Game<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR8tQtL18nYfWGWGk1qQ9VVrQQxFLgX_30T8jNgHdPyjpEvnPbWVNDfLTWxS5WDjZ4g-pZz4WqSTs-MxworiBwyqmDzUFEeTvnZDzZ6OtQuWTQnusKLqFl3QxpltJ51i26TnAo8Pxc3wU/s2048/NewLarge-Stout-Box-Bottom+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Edge of The Apocalypse Box" border="0" data-original-height="2041" data-original-width="2048" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR8tQtL18nYfWGWGk1qQ9VVrQQxFLgX_30T8jNgHdPyjpEvnPbWVNDfLTWxS5WDjZ4g-pZz4WqSTs-MxworiBwyqmDzUFEeTvnZDzZ6OtQuWTQnusKLqFl3QxpltJ51i26TnAo8Pxc3wU/w640-h638/NewLarge-Stout-Box-Bottom+copy.jpg" title="Edge of The Apocalypse" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Box Bottom</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>Here's the bottom, or back of the new box. As you can see, I've divided it into halves, or two columns because it's easier to read that way. And it's packed to the gills with a lot of good stuff.<div><br />The goal of this copy is to intrigue players with the theme and highlight several unique features of the game. In this case, I've included the words Cyberpunk and epic, and I've mentioned the video links, which are exclusive to this game. That shows potential buyers that this game is unique and unlike many new games, they can look forward to something truly new and different.<div><br /><div><i><b>Walking A Fine Line</b></i></div><div><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div>There's a fine line one has to straddle when it comes to originality. Sure, you want your game to have new and unique features but you must also include familiar features and game mechanisms so players won't feel so isolated and lost from the start.</div><div><br /></div><div>In Remnant's case, I've chosen to start the game with character placement. That way the game opens with a familiar mechanism that most players of <i>worker placement </i>games already know. From there, more options allow players to choose their best strategy and paths they might take to win the game.</div><div><br /></div><div><i><b>Game Overview and Cyberpunk Themes</b></i></div><div><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div>You'll also notice that above the main text I've added a short summary of the game (gray box) including the features that make it unique. That helps players imagine how the game plays and its overall tone. In essence, this short paragraph must hook the player at first read. Keywords are important so I've included the word <i>Cyberpunk</i> to reflect the theme and tone of the game. Plus, the character images above also serve as a hook. One of the main characters is <i>Pucho</i>, a notorious hacker of his time.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Story Hooks - How Many do you Need?</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>In fact, that short paragraph in the gray box includes no less than five hooks. Count them and see why this is so important in attracting and intriguing players right away. Let's face it, there's not a lot of room on the box for long-winded text. You must highlight your game's unique features and what it has to offer from the top in very short order.</div><div><br /></div><div>As you read the remaining copy (about 6 short paragraphs) you'll need to include even more hooks throughout so make sure to highlight all the exciting and engaging stuff your game is made of. Remember, you only get one brief chance to make a great impression so make it count.</div><div><br /></div><div>When writing copy, always keep in mind the main theme of your game and its unique features, and work all that into your writing. In this case, I've mentioned <i>Cyberpunk</i> and also worked in the CTA or <i>call to action</i> with two lines:</div><div><br /></div><div><i>The Moment is Here, The Time is Now.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><b>About Themes</b></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>As far as themes go it's worth mentioning the difference between the main theme and minor themes in your story. In Remnant's case, the main theme is survival during the apocalypse but the overall tone and backdrop are<i> Cyberpunk</i>. That means, digital events, including but not limited to hacking, digital tech, screen displays, advertising references, holograms, and more. Something along the lines of <i>Blade Runner 2049,</i> which has been an inspiration for this game and its three books.</div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><b><i>To Buy or Not to Buy</i></b></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Asking potential buyers to buy your game can be stated in many ways. I tend to never use the word "buy" because it has a connotation of loss built into it, as in spending. Although, if you use the word <i>buy</i> it's okay, I suppose as long as buyers feel that they're getting their money's worth.</div><div><br /></div><div>Otherwise, I do prefer to include a soft CTA, as I've done in the text for this new box.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Sidebar:</b></div><div>I've also included a promo for the first book in the series,<i> Edge of The Apocalypse</i> on the lower right. The paperback is available on Amazon but players can download a free PDF copy on <i><a href="https://www.thegamecrafter.com/make/games/673046C0-9C73-11E6-9C14-7FB1C6008582/downloads" target="_blank">The Game Crafter Downloads</a></i> website.</div><div><br /></div><div>For my next post, I'll feature the new<a href="https://boardgame-news.blogspot.com/2021/08/new-post-apocalyptic-board-game-and.html" target="_blank"> collectible hardcover novel </a>that will be out next year to accompany the new game. It has a new cover! By the way, the difference between the hardcover novel and the three paperback books is subtle but somewhat obvious. For example, the novel features the three short stories integrated as one continuous story as opposed to the three books, which each have their own ending. Also, the full-length novel includes several chapters, e.g., The Notorious P.I.G., aka, Pucho Is Great, not featured in the short books. More about this in an upcoming post.</div><div><br /></div><div>Please leave your comments and questions below and I'll be back with much more about<i> Remnants</i> and its progress along the way.</div><div><br /></div><div>Until then, play on, folks!</div></div></div>A. R. Ariashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15173642683658142897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363138606593638328.post-46072148589863299912021-09-02T14:30:00.001-04:002021-10-05T12:36:34.301-04:00Board Games - How to Properly Name Yours<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQfh0FKT3j4sZEhPD_Kf88LtPKdvlr3OvuV6bUqGaIbaeZHem2EUYGwOLDT8_HDeDL3LLq0b3O_7JXS7OrkpYngxVdsJmVhkikNbTPRLGH6Eeg_QAWgS-ZTdQOpXIZt7eka8AoJUVZjs/s2048/NewBoxRemnants3D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Remnants Board Game" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQfh0FKT3j4sZEhPD_Kf88LtPKdvlr3OvuV6bUqGaIbaeZHem2EUYGwOLDT8_HDeDL3LLq0b3O_7JXS7OrkpYngxVdsJmVhkikNbTPRLGH6Eeg_QAWgS-ZTdQOpXIZt7eka8AoJUVZjs/w400-h400/NewBoxRemnants3D.jpg" title="Remnants of The Apocalypse" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Prototype Box -Remnants</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Well, here I've thrown a monkey wrench deep into the development of the new game. Nothing disrupts the flow of work like changing the main title or name of a game. Obviously, I'll have to change everything.<p></p><p>Hmm, what to do? Let's unpack this thing. </p><p>Okay, let's face it, I've never been crazy about the name <i>Millennium</i> because it's such a common and overused word. But, that's the name that came to me out of the blue so I embraced it for lack of having a better choice at the time (a working title). Although, I'll admit it sounds futuristic and all-encompassing. Yes, good traits but too general in scope.</p><p>Now, enter a video game by the name, <i>Descenders</i>, and suddenly a light bulb moment. Why am I using <i>Millennium</i>, which only describes a length of time as opposed to what the game is about or what its characters do? <i>Millennium</i> is just a period of a thousand years. In this case the <i>new </i>millennium, the year 2000 and beyond. And yes, that simple detail is built into the story but it doesn't say anything specific about the game, its protagonist, or its characters.</p><p>The name <i>Descenders,</i> describes what the game is about because it's an extreme downhill mountain bike race. That works nicely but more importantly, it creates a hook within the title. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhszxoqhqDnMnrVcIyLbQA0W05ALRBtvBx7kz9IlpMxNpc0X2-RH7vqH3Frx779Dv89excRayPMkaKkM4BmtAJ4YouxlniivD9PEgozv0gMGRtg_7Y5c6RTGqHd5FAPSrZhRshwLqSjIjk/s1280/maxresdefault.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhszxoqhqDnMnrVcIyLbQA0W05ALRBtvBx7kz9IlpMxNpc0X2-RH7vqH3Frx779Dv89excRayPMkaKkM4BmtAJ4YouxlniivD9PEgozv0gMGRtg_7Y5c6RTGqHd5FAPSrZhRshwLqSjIjk/w400-h225/maxresdefault.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>The name<i> Millennium</i> offers no details about the <i>new</i> millennium. Other than the tagline, <i>Glory Beyond The Ages. </i>That's a good hook but it's not specific enough. </p><p>The new name, <i>Remnants</i> is more specific because it describes how the characters are defined and what they are known as. That's a stronger hook all by itself with just one word. </p><p>And so it's easy to see why I'll have to change the name from<i> Millennium</i> to <i>Remnants</i>. The word <i>remnants</i> has a built-in curiosity that provokes questions and that's priceless. I also considered using <i>Defenders</i>, but again, that's a very overused word in gaming. </p><p></p>An alternate word for <i>defenders </i>is <i>Defensores,</i> in Latin. I like how <i>Defensores</i> sounds and how it looks but even in Latin, it seems a bit trite. Luckily these are just prototypes and changes of any kind go.<p></p><p>So there you have it. A quick lesson on how to best name your game for greater impact. Try to choose a word that describes the main concept or theme for a catchy hook that resonates in more ways than one.</p><p>Are you having trouble with the name of your game? Does it lack that catchy hook? Let me know in the comments and I'll post it here to see if the gaming community at large can find a better solution. </p><p>Come on, be brave. It's all in good fun and a great way to tease out the best name for your board game or card game and it won't cost you a dime.</p><p><i>Play on gamers!</i></p><p>For my next post, I'll feature the back of the box with the revised copy for the new <i>Remnants</i> name. It's still in flux but I think it's much better already than what I originally had. This is almost as important as the cover, if not more because in effect it is sales copy in the guise of game information.</p><p>Check it out soon. You can sign up for private email updates in, upper right column.</p><br /><br />A. R. Ariashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15173642683658142897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363138606593638328.post-17102600837932203652021-08-22T16:48:00.012-04:002021-10-05T13:11:44.227-04:00New Post-Apocalyptic Board Game and Books for 2022<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsdO1q-nXI2YaVKSnab7UvW81Hifu8bU4386qlnja-jINZvz-LDE7q2hlQRveZXgMuce9twO_Vt-BMTo3YYumM928oGOlAr-AXKN9qJT-4QFmIU04A6OUhYSTK4IPzSzQBlVWixhd5p8I/s2048/BN_Hardcover3d+copy.jpg"><img alt="New Collectible Hardcover Novel" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1707" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsdO1q-nXI2YaVKSnab7UvW81Hifu8bU4386qlnja-jINZvz-LDE7q2hlQRveZXgMuce9twO_Vt-BMTo3YYumM928oGOlAr-AXKN9qJT-4QFmIU04A6OUhYSTK4IPzSzQBlVWixhd5p8I/w334-h400/BN_Hardcover3d+copy.jpg" title="Edge of The Apocalypse Novel" width="334" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Here's a sample for the new hardcover novel,<i> Edge of The Apocalypse 2058</i>. The three short stories are available on Amazon separately but this full-featured novel with illustrations will be available only on B&N. That's Barnes and Noble, of course, and it will be a hardcover with dust jacket edition. For now, I've opted for this cover, which I think works well. As much as I like the paperback edition of the short story, with the backdrop of New York City blowing by, this cover really works for this edition. What I really like about this cover is that it recalls the game box so that's a better fit.<div><br />It's one of those things where I want to keep using a familiar image although, that's not typically how it's done. So before I finish the board game, which should be by the end of this year around December, I might have another image for this hardcover edition, but most likely I'll stick with this one.<p>I'll be posting more about this new novel, including the back cover, flaps, and publication date.</p><p>There are many options but I can only use one proper image and so that's where all the indecision comes in or maybe using an image that's too busy is often an easy mistake to make. It's a lot like when I couldn't find a proper cover for the game and I went through so many designs that I wasn't crazy about until I found the one closeup image of Andrea that worked nicely. And even though I did alter the image slightly, it was by far a better option than all the other covers I had tried.</p><p>Again, I'll give credit to Mystic Art Design on <a href="http://Pixabay.com">Pixabay.com</a> for such a fine image:</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmu9D2wD5_FXWn3F_7wEzd34YPy9XRVpdHZB8YwdaF69bl6pacdayVwzPYpksegpGvu6mPOhqS7bixF9yN74DIIrfNCd3rton-l00woIKEum8UTFhq36CbwL3hBHbuQbGiWawgzmhy7A/s1920/apocalypse-3757094_1920.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1920" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmu9D2wD5_FXWn3F_7wEzd34YPy9XRVpdHZB8YwdaF69bl6pacdayVwzPYpksegpGvu6mPOhqS7bixF9yN74DIIrfNCd3rton-l00woIKEum8UTFhq36CbwL3hBHbuQbGiWawgzmhy7A/w400-h400/apocalypse-3757094_1920.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pixabay Image</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>So in a way, I got lucky and hadn't printed another prototype that I really didn't like. As you can see below, I changed the background to fit with the story and added a Glock in her right hand. I also made one of her eyes blue to make her even more interesting. I mention that detail about her eyes in the early chapters of the book.</p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhShwPoOVMypytjdLLSji9JU7n6NFq3nNMbMKYJFEg-MLbwqA-YoMAeJKnimRkrC_X3F2cUPRUz2qoyBkLEitJBmEHZTLpJY5xrQkYns7ZHXZPlOetdD2S1sbJOBw_sxe2uRLlbCq8LUvM/s2048/instagrambox.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Current Millennium Prototype Box" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhShwPoOVMypytjdLLSji9JU7n6NFq3nNMbMKYJFEg-MLbwqA-YoMAeJKnimRkrC_X3F2cUPRUz2qoyBkLEitJBmEHZTLpJY5xrQkYns7ZHXZPlOetdD2S1sbJOBw_sxe2uRLlbCq8LUvM/w640-h640/instagrambox.jpg" title="Current Millennium Prototype Box" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Current Millennium Prototype Box</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Right now, as far as the board game goes, I'm tweaking the new board and adding several cards to match the board as far as<i> Actions</i> go. The board is all but done and I'm working out the new designs for the playing cards. I've given myself plenty of time to get all that done so I should be finished by December.<div><br /></div><div>That means that I'm also trying to finish a short promo video to go along with everything and I hope to have everything done early next year. If that works out I'll be looking to score several good reviews and finally release this game on September 11, 2022. If I keep working at my current pace, I should be able to get there.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm also learning all the nuances of<i><a href="http://instagram.com" target="_blank"> Instagram</a></i>, and there are plenty, so I can build an engaged audience by next year before September. </div><div><br /></div><div>I've got so many other things going on that I have to get this done once and for all. It's high time after 4 years of development and in a perfect world I would've been finished a year ago but I am working all by myself and don't have a huge team behind this game. But maybe that's a good thing.</div><div><br /></div><div>Let me know what you think about this new cover in the comments below and if you want updates on the game and books, sign up for email updates up top on the right. I only use your email to send you updates maybe once a month so no worries because your privacy is secure.</div><div><br /></div><div>Until then, folks, play on!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div>A. R. Ariashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15173642683658142897noreply@blogger.com0