Asylum Earth Update - A Post-Apocalyptic Board Game

Hey folks, Asylum Earth is still in the works and in the running for one of the most popular games in board game history. It is going to be when the time is right. Within 5 years or sooner, post-apocalyptic games will rule the world. Pun intended.  

As it stands, the design of Asylum Earth's game box continues evolving as you can see above. As much as I liked Andrea's rear-end shot and her robotic hand holding a gun, I recently got lucky and finally found an image, a face I'm excited about because as I've said before, the right expression hooks players into the game. An intriguing facial expression is always your best option. 

New Asylum Game Box

I found this image on Etsy, of all places, and I'm happy with it. So now I have my new Andrea and I'm working on replacing all the old images throughout the game. Yes, she's worth the trouble because the box cover design must do a lot of heavy lifting to intrigue potential buyers.  

Original Etsy Image

The box cover must tell a story. The original image had several drawbacks so with some Photoshop magic, now her expression comes to life. In short, Andrea is now the unequivocal star of Asylum Earth. Front and center with plenty to say and show her audience.

As you can see, the original image on the right has full-color saturation so I muted the colors to give it a more austere feel. I also raised her left eyebrow to give her a more determined look. I removed the blue streak of hair that appeared to be coming out of her nose. 

Lastly, I gave Andrea her closeup shot and she's ready for prime time with her one blue eye. (See the accompanying novel on Amazon, Edge of the Apocalypse. link) for the interesting story around this detail. 

Here's an interesting tidbit about the design and development of a product. From the beginning, I've been looking for the image you see on the box above. I searched high and low at all the best art venues and clip art sites galore and I did find good art but it was right for this box only when I stumbled on the right face on Etsy. Imagine that. It's been about 3 years since I've tried many different ideas and images that didn't work for me.

Digital Novel

The amazing thing is that once you find the right image, everything opens up and flows how it's meant to and you finally become unstuck and head towards the finish line. That's still at a distance but within reach so as time ticks on, I will cross that finish line but I'll also be faced with another goal called marketing. 

I know a thing or two about that so stay tuned for a crash course about marketing an unknown product from scratch. You'll be surprised at some obstacles to overcome and how to approach your marketing and jumpstart your sales.

Come on back for more of that. Meanwhile. if you like what you see, drop me a comment if you can.

3 Essential Design Elements (Board Game Packaging Box)

New Remnants Box

Hungry For The New Board Game Box?

Here are the 3 essential ingredients.

Hooks, Hooks, and more Hooks.

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.

In other words, your packaging must instantly push all the right buttons for the genre. It's just that simple and that important.

Let's break it down

First things first. Your main image must grab their eye and 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.

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.

Aside from all that, she's dressed to survive. Not to mention her one blue eye. That detail is mentioned in the first book, Edge of The Apocalypse (featured on the bottom right side of the box).

Other Hooks

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.

Okay, so much for the imagery. What about the all-important copy? Well, that's another beast altogether but let's get into it.

Tagline Closeup

Taglines

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:

1. Welcome to the edge of the apocalypse and beyond.
2. "Take her to the edge."

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.

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, Remnants right in the middle of the box, and the all-important subtitle, Supreme Survivor.

The word Remnants 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 lone survivor or last survivor, but the word supreme is fresh and on point for the genre.

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.

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.

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.

Here's a good example of multiple meanings in the media today:

"Pizza lovers get it."

Dogs get it too!

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.)

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.)

A Cyberpunk Strategy Game by A. R. Arias

So this line mentions the genre, the game mechanics, and its author. All very important elements that help sell the game in short order.

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 or sales funnel that hones in on prospects of the genre and beyond.

It's a win-win-win for all.

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.

Bon appetite!

All comments or questions are welcome so please post them below.

See you soon. Be safe and play on!

Who's Who? Amazing New Characters in Millennium Board Game

 

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.

New Post-Apocalyptic Board Games, Movies & Books

 

Here's an unfinished preview of a promotional video for Millennium. I still have quite a bit to add to it, mainly game-play snippets and an upbeat score to finish. I want to keep it under 2 minutes if possible. 

This video is primarily a short introduction so players get a feel and tone of the game so following these instructions, I'll feature players demonstrating several moves for starting the game.

Epic Apocalypse eBook Promo

Epic Apocalypse - Book Two

For those of you following this series, you can now get the second ebook free for a limited time (Feb.23-27) so If you've read the first, here's your chance to follow-up with Epic Apocalypse.

Beyond The Apocalypse - Book Three

I'm also posting a preview of Book Three, Beyond the Apocalypse, the final book in this amazing series, so have a peek.

No worries, these are short stories, about 100 pages each, so they're a quick read. I'm still working on the full-length novel of about 295 pages, which of course includes all three books in this series.

I must say that I've had the time of my life writing these three books and without question, I'll be continuing this series indefinitely. Hopefully, I'll get to the 4th book before the end of this year, although I can't say for sure because the Millennium game is due out this September 11 and I just might be quite busy promoting that for a change.

Things will then come full circle with the game and the three books out for the first time after September and that's a handful right there. Not to mention that I'm also working on a Europe Expansion of the game. I'll be posting those details here soon. I've already started designing the box and the game board and so I'll have about 3 card decks to design and a number of other things to go with it.

So, as you can see, I've got my work cut out to finish up before the end of this year. Once the game is finished I'll be able to get things going so the next several years are all about promoting the game and the books together at conventions and game rooms starting here in Jacksonville and Gainsville, Florida.

Thank you to those who've posted reviews on Goodreads.com. Hopefully, Amazon reviews will follow soon. It's all about finishing the board game now so standby for that.

Enjoy the stories!

Preview Epic Apocalypse

New Apocalyptic Board Games and Books 2020

Millennium Board Game

Happy New Year, folks!

Here we are, the year 2020 and I for one am grateful to have made it this far. (For those who have cheated death before, you know the feeling.)

And as you can see, Millennium is still on board, beaming down and standing tall like a monolith from another time, waiting to be discovered.

Actual landing time is 9/11, 2020 so it's coming, and before you know it, it's here for the world to see and play.

Sounds dramatic, I know and only time will tell how this game and the books that precede it will be received. I'm working on a shoestring budget so promotions are limited. I'm still testing the waters and so far, I'm happy with the results but in a perfect world I'd market these products in a more traditional way.

ebook, Edge of The Apocalypse

I'm hoping to get a bump from The Game Crafter website, once I release the game for sale. That's the only venue that will offer the game for now until I can get it distributed in stores. And TGC, these are the folks who produce the working prototypes.

Right now, this game and several others in development are a family affair and mostly designed and promoted entirely by myself, and that's difficult enough because unlike most gaming endeavors, I don't have a team of pros to help me get this out there.

Luckily, I'm well-versed in many areas, but that doesn't mean I have it locked down by any means. When all is said and done, there are going to be plenty of loose ends in play.

There's so much to do and so little time to get anything done so it's a challenge in more ways than one, but no excuses. You do your best, make adjustments, and let it go.

And along the way, if you're stubborn like me, you break most conventional rules and try to set different standards in the industry. Probably not the wisest choice to start with, but that's my style. I'm basically going for broke, all in, do or die. (If I can think of any other cliches, I'll let you know.)

Meanwhile, I encourage you to live your dreams and start with what you have. Don't wait on anyone else. Take control and get going. You can learn along the way and if you fail, you've gained valuable experience for your next endeavor.

My reasoning behind these games and books is that I've set out to design and develop Sci-Fi games that I'd like to play and to write books that I'd like to read. Hopefully, many people will join me and connect on some level with these games and stories.

If not, I'm having the time of my life trying, and right now, that's keeping me motivated and driven to succeed. If you'd like me to feature your Sci-Fi game or book, let me know in the comments or drop me an email, I'd love to write it up here.

Please leave me your comments and questions below. Also, consider joining my private email list (above, right column) so we can stay in touch if you're interested in any of these games or books.

Until next time,

Play on!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I almost forgot to mention that I'm finalizing editing on all three books. If you'd like a free PDF file of Book One, let me know, or check out the Amazon Preview.

Free Book Promo (Edge of the Apocalypse Book 1)

Hey folks, just a quick mention that the first e-book in the Edge of Time Trilogy series is currently available for free this week!

Free stuff is usually dismissed as junk nobody wants but that all depends if you're reaching the right audience.

Fans of apocalyptic fiction know a good story when they see one and so I'm hoping you'll give this short story a read. You just might get hooked and enjoy the whole series when the other two books are available in January.

I've been hooked myself writing for these characters and the extraordinary events they're facing when terrorists from the Worldwide Alliance Resistance attack Austin, the first city pounced by nuclear warheads. For two best girlfriends, Andrea and Maria, that means they go into survival mode and run for their lives on an unforgettable journey to New York City in the midst of nuclear war.

The cast of strange characters, the obstacles, and conflict they face along the way will certainly change their lives forever.

These short stories are designed for today's short attention spans so each book is about 100 pages in length, which means that eventually I'll be offering the series as one book, a full novel, maybe a collector's hardcover edition.

But for now, I hope you enjoy this series, as much as I've enjoyed writing and designing it.

Here's a Preview of Book One:

The Edge of Time Book 1 Free on Kindle for a Limited Time!

Book 1 - The Edge of Time Trilogy 

In case you missed the initial promotion, here's a second chance to get your free copy of Edge of The Apocalypse, Book 1. https://tinyurl.com/y89w5rwg

The first book of the series literally opens with bang, as the leading edge of nuclear attacks make landfall on Austin, Texas.

The time is here and now, people. This is it! Follow Andrea, a misguided Cyborg, with her dog, Apollo, and her best friend, Maria, as they traverse an American wasteland in the post-apocalyptic year 2157.

Learn more about this amazing series and see what happens after the first bomb makes landfall.
https://arias-edge-of-time-books.blogspot.com/

Game Crafter's New Retail Box

New 9x12 Retail Box

Happy New Year, people! We've made it to another amazing year and I'm wishing you a prosperous new year and an exciting and inspiring time reaching your dreams.

For me, there's no better way to start the new year than with new and fresh business plans and ideas. If you're not growing and learning new and exciting things every day, life becomes a monotonous series of daily events. And so with that frame of mind, I'm committed to venture into unknown territory with no fear, no apprehension, and certainly high expectations as I hope you are too.

Pursue what's possible and everything will fall into place. Trust what you know and follow your passion to wherever it takes you and beyond. You'll be surprised how far you can get on a whim.

So along with the new year, comes a new box for the Millennium board game. Yes, this game is alive and well and just about to hit the shelves this coming September 11, 2019, with its companion book, The Edge of The Apocalypse.

The book (available in three formats) will be published sooner but the official launch for both products is 9.11.2019.

New Book Cover

In case you missed it, here's the new cover for the book. As you can see, I've added a pier and Andrea's dog, Apollo. I resolved the problem with the missing feet and so the book should trim close to how this one looks. I think I'll keep these colors and not try to match the book cover to the board game cover.

Here's a link to the previous article about the (details) new cover design.
https://boardgame-news.blogspot.com/2018/12/awesome-book-cover-design-tips.html

Although, the more I think about it, the more I'm inclined to tone down the colors on the book cover to almost black and gray, mostly because when you pair these products in one shot they should match in some way. I don't think that will make or break the presentation either way but I'll juxtapose a gray version of the book cover to see how they look together.

There are subtle differences to the game box too. I switched out the main font for the Millennium name because the Montalban font is more distinctive and looks more futuristic. I also toned down the grunge filter so the name stands out a bit more.

About The New Box 

The big difference with this new box is the style of the box itself. This is Game Crafter's 9x12 Large Retail Box. At first glance it's a bit unusual because the sides (from the top of the cover) don't reach the bottom of the box. The top and bottom of the box halves (each 1" deep) meet half way to the middle and that's why it looks split. See the Game Crafter video to see how they explain the reason for this kind of box. They claim it's stronger and more durable when folded this way.

I'm sure it is a sturdier box but I'm not so sure it's a great idea for the sides because it limits the width (2 inches) of the space for images, but I do think it looks different and eye-catching enough that buyers might be inclined to pick up the box off a shelf just out of curiosity.

One can also try to match the bottom of the box to the top of the box to create a seamless image on the 2 inch sides but I doubt these images will match up because the first prototype box top was off by almost half an inch! I'm not sure what happened with their registration marks but the cover was way off, with the name too close to the edge on the top of the box. I'll be sure to comment about that when they print this next 9x12 prototype. Either that or I'll be more careful to position the cover image exactly how I want it t appear.

We are all born with great intuition and natural instincts. 

These qualities are all we need to survive in life.

Thriving is just a matter of details.

I never fussed about it because these are only prototypes, but I hope this next box looks a lot better than the first. Another concern was how dark most of the images printed. I've made adjustments to the artwork by increasing the brightness about 20% on Photoshop so when the PNG files upload and you enable the color filter, the artwork will not appear or print as dark as it did before. This box is also big enough to fit the 6-fold game board that I'm using so I can fit the entire U. S. map as opposed to just the east coast as in the first game.

Millennium has evolved in so many ways and my advice to game designers is to start with a solid core concept and develop the game from that concept outward until you reach a conclusion that satisfies the players.

You must have a clear event or incident that sets the game off and leads to both short-term and long-term goals leading up to the game's conclusion and the big finale; the ultimate strategy and final goal that makes the game worth playing from start to finish.

Millennium's Concept

In Millennium's case, a nuclear explosion in Austin, Texas, sets the game off in a big way and triggers apocalyptic events revealing the attacker's Manifesto with their warnings and taunting demands. As explosions randomly ripple across the land, you solve clues and anagrams to stay clear and avoid the next bomb.

You can also rescue survivors for extra points as you try to avoid a variety of obstacles and pitfalls along the way. You can find different modes of transportation, such as electric cars, scooters, and even an Amtrak train.

If you reach Brooklyn, NY, you can travel back in time via a time portal at the Meridian line via Coney Island's Astroland Amusement Park. Each of these events and cities have card decks to help you get there and accumulate points as you go.

In short, it's an interesting and fun American history lesson as you make your way across the map to your nearest safe haven.

There's much more to the game, including video links, a Rule eBooklet with all the game rules and game play you need to know, right on your phone or tablet. They are minimal because the game is designed intuitively since events happen sequentially as they might in real life.

As the day of publication nears, I'll post more details about how to play the game. The rule book is only about 15 pages long and the game is very easy to learn. In addition, all card decks provide plenty of information on your next move so it's a quick game to learn as you play.

You can access the (unfinished) eRule Booklet here:
https://boardgame-news.blogspot.com/p/millennium-rules.html

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