Esper Genesis is a versatile science fiction RPG and setting that uses the 5th edition rules of the world's greatest roleplaying game.
Latest Updates from Our Project:
Threats Database and where to see updates!
almost 5 years ago
– Wed, May 15, 2019 at 01:15:32 AM
Hi everyone,
We've recently received communications reminding us that some of you are relying on updates here on Kickstarter for any word of progress on the Threats Database and Master Technicians' Guide.
We apologize for the dearth of communications here on KS! Nearly all of our more recent updates have been posted in our facebook group. We will try to do better on that here.
We sent out a 100 page preview of the Threats Database to backers on April 22nd. You should be able to access that through your BackerKit account. We expect a complete A-Z preview of the main Threats section will be going out to you shortly. If you didn't get this preview, please contact us!
The Threats Database is undergoing editing as we work to finish layout in an effort to get it out sooner. The Esper Genesis team is working solely on finishing EG. Our recent crowd funding campaign for The Forbidden Library is not taking resources away or diverting our attention in any way. It's being written entirely outside the AAE team.
As a Kickstarter Superbacker myself, I've seen enough failed fulfillment efforts to understand the worry that we may not come through. Please be assured that's not going to be the case. The end of the tunnel on Threats Database is in sight, and Rich is confident the MTG will come much faster.
Some people have voiced concerns as to how a brewing trade war would affect our costs and shipping. We are printing in Texas and have no backers in China, so we should be unaffected by any tariffs. For European backers, we will once again be using our freight forwarder in Germany to fulfill in Europe. We will not be asking any backer to increase what you've already paid for shipping.
If you've given up hope, we're really sorry to hear that and ask that you'll consider giving us a little more time. The end results will be worth it. You can always contact us directly over facebook messenger, or by email to brian/rich/[email protected] to talk about your concerns, and see how we can help.
As for timetables, we expect a finished Threats Database pdf to go to you in just a few weeks. The physical copies will come thereafter. We won't have them in time for Origins, sadly, but we will be there running EG for anyone that wants to stop by the Studio 2 booth to talk. We will also be at Gen Con, of course.
Please accept our sincere apologies for how long this is taking. We are a very small team working hard on this (our first game as a publisher) while doing regular jobs, and we acknowledge it's taking much longer than any of us expected.
Brian Dalrymple
Alligator Alley Entertainment
Where things are, and The Forbidden Library
about 5 years ago
– Thu, Mar 21, 2019 at 06:16:16 PM
Hi everyone,
A backer rightly pointed out to us on the Facebook group that an update and explanation might be valuable here, for those who aren't with us on FB.
First we've had good progress on the Threats Database, and that should continue, and even pick up, in the coming days. I'm back from GAMA Trade Show, and Rich is settled after the sale of his house, and getting material to me on an almost hourly basis. We expect to have a pdf to send to everyone soon, and hopefully a reviewable book for you all to look over (and help us spot the mistakes, please?) before we send the print file up. The Master Technician's Guide should follow pretty quickly thereafter, and be ready in summer.
We completely appreciate the concern from Esper Genesis backers over the announcement of The Forbidden Library campaign, but let me assure you we're working so this won't interfere or get in the way of us getting the rest of Esper Genesis out to you. TFL is already written by Esper Genesis Twitch GM Gregory Wilson ("Arvan Eleron"), and will be contributed to by many of our friends in the RPG design speculative fiction communities, which means it won't take up any writing time from Rich, or anyone on the Alligator Alley staff. We are crowd funding the project now because it's wise to get an idea of our art needs, and get agreements out to writers and illustrators ahead of when our work in-house will start, which will be after Threats Database is in print, and the MTG is done.
We thank you for your patience, and want to assure you we are not moving on the next thing before finishing what we promised - we're just planning.
Thank you again,
The Alligator Alley Entertainment Team
Rich, Brian, Chris & Eric
The Forbidden Library Kickstarting Now
about 5 years ago
– Tue, Mar 19, 2019 at 10:06:56 PM
Launched today! Alligator Alley Entertainment presents Tales & Tomes from the Forbidden Library, a 1st-3rd level D&D 5E adventure and sourcebook detailing a myriad of volumes, tomes and grimoires found on the shelves a of magical library. SFF author Gregory A. Wilson has been streaming this adventure with members of the Gen Con Writers' Symposium as players for the last 2 years, and contributors to this product include Kenneth Hite, Cat Rambo, Carlos Hernandez, Darcy Ross, Will Hindmarch, Hal Mangold, James Introcaso, Shawn Merwin, Greg Marks and many more to come! This list is growing longer by the day!
Threats Database is getting closer!
about 5 years ago
– Fri, Jan 25, 2019 at 03:53:10 PM
If you're not getting updates on Backer Kit, Facebook, or Discord, here's where we are!
The Threats Database is in layout, and is looking good.
Actual interior spread
This will be a 256 page book detailing alien species threats, NPC threats, a guide to making animals more "alien", ship threats, macro threats to settled space, faction threats, and encounter tables.
PDFs will go out to backers first, and we'll correct every mistake we find before sending it out to the printer.
Bookplates and dice sets are on the way. Screen and maps are being tackled next. Thanks for your patience!
A Happy New Year's Project Update!
over 5 years ago
– Tue, Jan 15, 2019 at 10:00:58 PM
Happy New Year, Espers!
We've got a meaty update on development, with specifics on where we are with each aspect of the project. It's been an interesting ride, so far, to say the least.
First off, we'd like to apologize for the lack of Kickstarter specific updates. We've been keeping in touch with everyone as best we can through social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, Discord, and even MeWe), but we realize not everyone follows us on any of those platforms, and a lack of news/project updates is never our intention. A mea culpa on our part for this, so let's get everyone up to speed!
Threats Database Cover
Threats Database in Layout
We missed our planned Fall release for the Threats Database PDF due to art delays, time constraints, and several unforeseen life events. We've pushed through many of those and the book is currently in layout. The goal is to have the PDF ready to go within the next few weeks.
Backers that ordered the Threats Database will be receiving a sample of the bestiary part of the book as it goes through layout and editing. As production continues, we'll release new portions of the bestiary for early access. In the meantime, We've been sharing a number of previews for the upcoming threats on social media, a few of which we'll share with you here:
Rest assured, we are focusing on quality and making sure we maintain the look and feel of the game setting that we presented in the Core Manual. With our amazing artists and Brian's awesome graphic design, we're fully intent on giving you something that's definitely worth the wait.
As soon as the Threats Database is finalized, we'll be moving into getting the Master Technician's Guide ready for release.
Dice and Book Plates
Signed book plates for the Collector's Edition and the custom dice sets have been shipped out to backers. If anyone has not yet received theirs, please let us know. Please understand that shipments outside the U.S. will likely take extra time.
Crucible Corps Adventures and the EG Website
When we started the project, we provided everyone with the free Fall of the Eos Keldor adventure, which had originally been our design playtest. Since then, we've released a number of new adventures that can be used for both homebrew and organized play. You can sign up for a player/GM serial number by visiting the Crucible Corps homepage. The newest adventure releases are:
These can all be found on the Adventures section of the EG homepage. In addition, digital map packs will be released for each adventure for virtual tabletop play.
The Esper Genesis website will be continuously updated with product news and project releases. You'll also find access to all of our social media and organized play links. If necessary, we can be directly contacted through there as well.
Cerberus Arcology Mini-Series - During the season release of the Shadow of the Zephyr series, we also have writers putting together the Cerberus Arcology series, which is one of our promised campaign stretch goals. It'll be released to all stretch-goal qualified backers in digital format once completed.
The digital version of the GM screen was sent out to backers with our intention of sending it out for print. However, the company we planned to use is no longer in operation. This change in cost and production time has created a delay. We now have a new printer for these and although the production time is longer, we can get them done and out with the same caliber of look and feel we aspired to for these.
Core Manual Distributors
For our retailer backers, copies of the Core Manual are available for order through Studio 2 Publishing, Alliance Game Distributors, and ACD Distribution.
Upcoming Events
Digital Streaming - Gregory Wilson continues his outstanding run of the official Esper Genesis podcast on Twitch. You can also jump into some fun with the gang at the Espersito podcast.
Winter Fantasy 2019 - Brian and Rich will be at the Winter Fantasy convention in Fort Wayne, IN from Feb 6th-10th.
The Team Expands
This project started with just three of us, who are grateful to have found some wonderful artists and talented writers and editors to contribute to the EG universe. That said, we've recently made two additions to our overall project team:
Christopher Robin Negelein, who contributed to development of the Core Manual, is a part of our adventure and content development. Those of you who have attended our convention-run games have probably seen Chris doling out autocannon damage to many a novice starship crew.
Robert Adducci is our community and social media manager. Anyone who's been a part of the D&D AL community will recognize his amazing contributions there. Robert will be keeping the EG community up to date with product previews, game-related questions/discussions, and social media posts.
Let's welcome them both!
Lastly....
Myself and everyone on the Esper Genesis team would like to thank you all for your support, patience, and enthusiasm as we carve out this project. We remain just as excited to this day as when we were just putting together the bare bones of the original playtest. We intend on continuing to deliver the best, most compatible and versatile 5E sci-fi experience, which couldn't be accomplished without all of you.
