Update of last steps

Hi y'all,

So I've been flat out recently, and so will keep this weeks update really brief. Had a big playtest and have worked all weekend to implement changes and make a new slicker design for next time. In fact I worked so much it basiclly didn't even feel like I had a weekend. It just zipped by, and I felt like I was back into work Friday -> Monday, without even having a break of two days! It was pretty intense.

Anywho, this coming weekend hopefully I'll do a blog post or two to fill in more updates with AoT and to talk about some of the mechanics in detail. I might even throw in an opinion piece. Will also start working on a couple of simple tweets on the website - A couple of front page colorful 'Adverts' that point the reader to places of significant interest for them. I just think it's an easy way to share the most relevant information to those new to Act of Treason.

But for now I just wanna say I had a really good play test with people at work. I had tweaked a few things and tried out that I wanted to test. It was great and I learned a lot, but unfortunately it did not yield the final version of the game as I had hoped it might. However, the games that I did play on Friday were so illuminating that I think this next tweak to the game will be the final push it needs to get to perfection.

Me with a prototype board

So - What's the last thing that I'm trying to fix?

Well I will cover that in the next blogpost, but essentially in current AoT, a social contract is needed to create an excellent game, and an okay/good game emerges  if the social contract is not followed. I need to find a way to ensure that this social contract is converted into the rules and core mechanics in some way or form.

As it stands right now, ignoring or not knowing about this useful 'social contract' is a trap for new & intermediate players. Not following it promotes a type of play that detracts from the fun and design goals of the game.

The best option by far would be if I can create a mechanic that helps to foster this kind of social contract without actually having to enforce it by fiat.

I have already drawn up some proposed solutions that will fix this - and so I just need to test it. I really cannot wait for the next playtest

Until next time

Cheers,
 Tyson

Website | Facebook | Twitter

MotW: Droid Bishop - Nightland

A Quick Update

Hey y'all

Just giving you a quick update on AoT and other things that interest me.

For starters I'm making some headway with playtests. You can see the list of things I need to get done at www.playaot.com. Down the bottom I have a list that shows how far away we are from launch. Once all those ticks are green, the Kickstarter will be well underway.

All goals so far. Stay tuned for updates!

Can I just say. I love those who have supported me so far - thank you so much for your assistance and your time and effort. It is much appreciated.

When I have more videos lined up we'll be able to really get into the marketing push. All I ask is if you like like the product or what I have to say - and you want to support me - then share, share, share! It would be a huge help.

End Screen from some of the videos. Looking pretty, pretty, pretty. Pretty good

Upcoming Blog ideas:

• I'll do a blog post on an roleplaying game that I've been working on, on and off, for a little while now, and other ideas for games and general thoughts on games.
• I'll do one on Gab.ai, Vidme, alternative social media, globalism and autarchy and why I think it's so important in a modern world (this will likely be two or three posts)
• I'll do a post on some of my favorite games and why I think they are so great - and why you might like, or might not like them as well.
• I'll also keep you up to date with anything AoT related of course, and anything in my life that feel is important, or if I have any words of advice or wisdom.

A bit off topic, but I wanna say I'm very excited for Trumps inauguration. I'm looking forward to seeing how things develop in the states. I have a lot of hope that Trump will do well, and I'm really excited to see if he delivers. 

Some people might not like that I'm talking about politics, or they may think I should keep politics separate from my work. Let me be clear: I'm very inquisitive person by nature, and trying to separate me from big ticket and often polarizing questions such as religion, life, and politics would be like trying to separate me from my body. I am like a modern day Socrates. I just have to ask the question even if it kills me. But I try to do it respectfully. All I ask is you not crucify me for thinking and having an opinion. And I also ask that people not infer or assume anything about me simply because I like to share my opinion. My true political views are not clear cut, and may surprise you.

I have found this election cycle one of the most polarizing, vicious and divisive that I will likely see in my lifetime (in America at least). If people want to ratchet things up to 11, that's their prerogative, but I simply think it's unfounded. Take Patton Oswalts tweet from below - this is in response to Trump refusing to answer a frankly rude reporter, Jim Acosta. 

 

These kinds of reactions don't help anyone. Trump simply didn't want to answer a question from CNN, one of the few news networks to report on fake news. After Acosta wouldn't take no for an an answer, Trump labeled his network "fake news", which was met with clapping from the audience. 

I'm sorry, but in this situation, there was simply no right for Acosta to accost Trump. People like Patton Oswalt, and the never Trumpers need to calm down and actually point out legitimate grievances. They do not understand that pointing out that misinformation and outrage culture only furthers to delegitimize them and actually makes the case and support for Trump stronger. If you don't have legitimate complaints then don't make them up. They will only make it harder for you to state your case later on, such as the boy who cried wolf. Let's all try to get along people, regardless of our race, or beliefs.

This is just me dipping a toe in the political water. I may discuss more political tripe down the road if it really interests me, but we'll see.

Geez, this was supposed to be a quick update. :/ Oh well. Next time I'll try talk about something light and fluffy.

Papa Bless and enjoy your week.

Cheers,
 Tyson

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Music of the week

New Year - New Post - New Treason

Well it's been a little while since I made a post. Pardon my absence. This will be a lengthy one, but then I endeavor to do shorter, more frequent posts in the New Year... Here goes.

There's three major reasons I've been a bit slow on Act of Treason as of late:
1.) I've been dealing with personal issues
2.) I am very new to marketing
3.) I've never been good with finishing projects that I start

Who doesn't love pictures?

I don't want to dwell on my personal issues too long as I don't want to complain or look like I'm fishing for sympathy or something weird like that. Screw your sympathy. What I will say is that I wasn't in a good headspace. I think a primary culprit was my junk food intake and my lack of exercise, specifically cardiovascular exercise. Lastly, my sleeping patterns have been terrible, where I stay up too late and sleep in too long. All of these things really didn't help - So I've spent the last few months getting all these back on track, and I'm feeling MUCH better for it. I think more needs to be done to promote a healthy lifestyle as it clearly has direct linkages to mental health. I don't like being mean, but there is such a thing as tough love, and I'm against movements such as fat pride for this very reason. Anywho, I'm now in a good space to continue work on Act of Treason in the new year.

Right, that's number one out of the way. Let's tackle number two and three.

I've been working on Act of Treason on and off, during this time, but I've always found it difficult to complete projects. And trying to finish one that I've worked so hard and so long at is proving difficult. It doesn't help that Marketing is not exactly my forte and that's really the crunch point here. It doesn't matter how excellent Act of Treason is, it's the marketing that will ultimately make the sales. It also doesn't help that I'm not filled with boundless energy like some of these high flying CEO's have. I don't think I could wake up at 5 and finish at 11 every day. No chance. I am just a one man operation, a mere mortal. I do my best.

With all that said. I'm determined to see this through, even if it kills me. I've never had so many positive responses before for something I work on. I know Act of Treason has the ability to be one of the best board games of 2017, if not the best Social Board game of all time, if not the best board game of all time... Okay, I might be stretching there - but I'm exceeding confident in this game, and I know that it's good from my own assessment, and from that of others. It's mechanics are finely balanced, there are no flaws to detract from the fun, and It allows for massive in depth strategic plays in an area where there is truly no skill cap - social interaction. If there is any one project that I need to finish while I'm alive, it's Act of Treason. So I'm having to strap up my marketing boots and learn as I go, so far it's been okay (at least I hope). I will be doing paid marketing stints soon as we get closer to launch.

I cannot wait for the big launch day

Another thing I want to make clear is that their is still some small development and changes taking place with the game. So take all the art, wording, rules, etc, with a grain of salt. 95% of the game is locked down and I'm happy with it. I wouldn't change it as I know it's solid and foundational. But small things like the wordings, the theme, the balance, etc. All these are subject to change. I need to remember to add a small disclaimer "All art is subject to change" to all my work.

One last thing. My spelling is atrocious, so pardon any spelling mistakes or grammar mistakes in these posts. The time and effort spent cleaning these blog posts up, beyond a rudimentary glance, really don't match the value gained. I think the value is in the insights offered and the updates for those who are curious. If you can understand what I'm saying, then who cares. Believe me I don't treat my other works like this - Act of Treason goes through rigorous spell checks, sense checks, and grammar checks. But I feel like a blog post doesn't require such scrutiny to be of value.

Oh and I'm dropping the video / music of the day as a requirement for these posts. I might share music or funny videos that I find occasionally, such as Placeboing, and his excellent video on Goblins.

Papa Bless and have a wonderful New Year.

Cheers,
 Tyson

Website | Facebook | Twitter