First 2025 Update
over 1 year ago
– Wed, Jan 15, 2025 at 02:39:51 PM
We roll into the new year with writing complete and editing well under way. The largest chunk of labor remains layout, which has already started. Once that's completed, we'll have to do one last galley pass to make sure everything lines up and nothing snuck through.
Once this is done, we'll compile the PDF and order printing. We're using a domestic printer, so shipping won't be an issue (if Mark and I have to, we'll rent a truck to pick it up). However, print time will depend on the printer, so we can't call a time yet.
But we're close, mercs. To quote another franchise, our mantra is "Stay on target."
November 2024 Update
over 1 year ago
– Fri, Nov 22, 2024 at 07:20:49 PM
We are nearly done with the text for the book - I'm hoping to finish it by the end of November. We ran into a glitch with the math behind the economics of running a mercenary unit in game that required some massaging, and I finished the rework of the mass combat system to make it quick and easy to use. It's modeled on Savage Worlds' mass combat mechanics, with a little extra to handle 4HU specifics and mess with the aforementioned economics.
Editing is caught up to text, so once I finish these two chapters, that will get knocked out. Layout is also well underway. There's a light at the end of the tunnel (and it's not an incoming Egleesius).
September 2024 Update
almost 2 years ago
– Thu, Sep 05, 2024 at 12:58:53 PM
The last of the commissioned art has been turned in - Yay! Last update I mentioned the Vehicle chapter, and it has been turned in. I've also finished composition of the the Spaceship and Travel chapter, which includes statistics for a variety of 4HU vessels, and turned it in for editing. I'm currently working on the Mercenary Operations chapter and finalizing the abstract mass combat system. Since this isn't a war game, it will be a high-level view to help Narrators and the Players resolve what's going on in a battle quickly without breaking out the sand table and rulers.
Those who follow me elsewhere may have seen I recently suffered an injury. I'm out of the hospital, home, and will be back at work by the weekend.
Colonels should have received instructions on how to submit their unit TOEs. I look forward to seeing what you come up with.
Hopefully the next update will have even more good news as we close in on the goal line.
Art Back On Track
about 2 years ago
– Tue, Jul 02, 2024 at 12:08:32 PM
How about an update with only good news?
Our CASPer artist was able to get back to work and has nearly wrapped up all outstanding art. We have art for all eight Marks of CASPers, so readers and players will have a frame of reference for the evolution of Earth's iconic war machines.
Mark and I are continuing work on text. We just locked another chapter, and I'm almost done with the vehicle chapter, which will include our rules for building 4HU vehicles in Savage Worlds ranging from hover skiffs to dropships to the mighty Zuul fusion tank. The chapter includes a broad selection of vehicles, many from the books with Savage Worlds stat blocks.
With the commissioned art finished, we should see progress on layout as each chapter passes editing. I'm excited that the end of this project is growing closer, and we thank you all for your patience over the travails and roadblocks that have delayed getting this book into your hands.
Kill Aliens, Get Paid!
Going into May 2024
over 2 years ago
– Sun, Apr 28, 2024 at 11:52:45 AM
So where are we? On the text front, I just finished my draft for the last of what I call "super chapters" - Aliens. These huge chapters have 25k to 35k words. To give you a comparison, a typical 4HU novel is 100k to 120k words. This is also the last chapter that required heavy research, which slowed down the process. It goes to Mark for a continuity pass, then on to editing and layout.
How about art? We just received the final installment of alien art. That's the good news. The bad news is that our CASPer artist suffered a computer meltdown. It looks like the files can be salvaged from the hard drive as soon as she gets her replacement computer. Worse case scenario, she works in physical medium, so once she gets her new computer she can rescan the physical art.
To give you an idea of the CASPer art, I'm sharing the concept art thumbnails, which shows all the CASPers compared to each other for scale. This is the first public look at this art.
Hopefully the next update will see a wrap on text drafting and editing, and we'll be deep in layout. Lead the Charge!
