Here's a cyberpunk image I found on Canstockphoto.com for one of Millennium's role card decks.
I'm calling him, Pucho (pooch-o) and he brings some much-needed levity to the game. I'll simply add a sly smile with Photoshop and set him free inside the game.
I've added some "funny" dialog between him and Andrea when they meet in the novel edition of the three books. Otherwise, you can also read the short introduction in Edge of The Apocalypse, Andrea's Journal.
For aspiring writers, check out how I presented this character by not using gratuitous humor as you might expect from a Joker. Humor comes later in the story. When you read the passage, this mugshot will make total sense.
Actually, I did hit the jackpot by finding CanStockPhoto.com because they have a great selection of apocalyptic and cyberpunk scenes. The only drawback is when the model's mug for the camera. I can hardly use any images when you pose or stare into the camera unless your character is trying to make a statement about their demeanor or connect with the player in some odd way.
On the left is another main character,
Freedom, also from
CanStockPhoto. This is an original shot that I've modified for the playing card where she has a weapon (for self-defense).
BTW, several of my posts are out of order because this was a previous draft I'm finishing now but you can see the finished playing cards for these 2 characters in the post below.
I just wanted to include this short article so you can see the difference between the original photos and the final playing cards. As you can see, in a post-apocalyptic world, these characters fit in perfectly, and as I've said before, I'm going for a certain look and feel for this game so it's evolving nicely so far.
My next hurdle is to design interesting mechanics to give these characters meaningful actions that bring players closer to winning the game. That's easier said than done but it's not rocket science, so I should be able to figure it out soon enough.
Yes, it's an unusual way to design a game but for me, it makes sense because I'm starting with the end product in mind and working my way backward until I find the perfect blend of imagery and gameplay that's fun and interesting.
I'm not your typical board game fanatic and that can be either an advantage or disadvantage but I know enough about playing board games to design the kind of game I can't find but I'd like to play. And so that's where Millennium comes in. This is the kind of game that's different yet familiar enough to attract players in this genre.
And speaking of genres, apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic board games are not usually runaway best-sellers by any means but there's still an active audience that enjoys playing these kinds of games. Besides, Millennium is a different kind of post-apocalyptic game with a focus on positive outcomes, as opposed to the doom and gloom of other games in this genre.
That's a fine line to walk but I don't mind taking chances especially when so many of those dark-themed games are so played out. Not to mention this game is female-centric so it's a different POV angle altogether.
Everything remains to be seen. It's a roll of the dice as everything in life is so we'll see if I can get to the finish line by next year and finally put the game out there. Either way, it's an accomplishment and a stepping stone to other games and stories that are worth telling.
As the old saying goes, "no risk, no reward."
I'll see you back here soon.
Say it in the comments, please.
