Rules of Engagement - Pick up your dice, power up your battle armor, and experience the Four Horsemen Universe. Kill aliens, get paid!
This is it, two hours to go. Last chance to grab an add-on, upgrade, or have a friend buy in.
We're really humbled so many people have backed the project, almost 400 people at last count, and we're looking forward to producing an incredible book. See you on the other side!
Good morning supporters,
As you'll notice, we're down to the final 36 hours.
We've met all our stretch goals but one, $50,000. The book size is maxed out, we've added hard cover, there are 2 challenge coins available, tee shirts, and stuffies. The final stretch goal will provide a 3rd challenge coin which will go automatically to everyone who's purchased a level which includes a paper copy of the book, except media mail (sorry, can't do it by USPS rules). In addition to the special coin, we're also going to include two (2) plot point campaigns as well at that level, automatically to everyone who has the ebook and art included in their funding levels.
There are a few special funding levels still left. Several of the Alien Captains, a Decorated Colonel (paid for dinner for you and a guest with the 4HU core authors at Fantasci 2022!), and more.
Monday afternoon I'll convert the unclaimed Alien Captains stuffies to add-ons you can get at any level where you can ship them. We also have a couple cool pillow covers based on the 4HU shirt designs from the previous Kickstarter (examples tomorrow).
So, the last day and a half is upon us, let's finish this strong. Afterwards, Jon R. Osborne and I will take a breath, and then get the surveys out to you so we can finalize any extra items you need, additional shirt costs (if any), and possible overseas shipping costs.
Thanks again for your support, we're super excited to bring this game to life!
We reached our 5th goal, $30,000, or twice our initial funding level!
What does this mean? It means the book is now a huge 304 pages. More mercs, more aliens, more art, and just more awesome!
It also unlocks a special challenge coin. Just in time, I got the art today.
The DFT was by far the rarest and most coveted of the first generation challenge coins 2 years ago. This one is sure to be rare and sought after as well. It is INCLUDED with all "Alien Captain" levels, or as an add-on after the campaign completes. However, there will only ever be 100 of them, so when they're gone, that's it!
Next goal is $35,000, and at that level we'll issue an eBook to go with the game, free for everyone who gets the electronic awards and above; Depik! Yeah, you can use the Depik as a playable race, if you dare.
Thanks, and let's keep going!
Been a little busy to keep up with the Alien Captains, so I just added the Wrogul Ally.
The Wrogul are the 4HU's swiss army knives of surgeons, they can remove a brain tumor or install a set of pinplants, all without using a knife. Rare and enigmatic, they all descended from a single Wrogul who arrived on a derelict ship.
Here's your chance to own a hand crocheted Wrogul.
Also available are the Tortantula/Flatar pair, and the MinSha.
We're almost to stretch goal #5 where we see the book increase to over 300 pages!
The Four Horsemen Universe is chock full of all manner of fascinating aliens. Everything from SUV sized spiders who have accelerator wielding chipmunks on their backs (Tortantula and Flatar), to giant purple don't care bears (Oogar). What better way to show your love for these aliens than by getting one for yourself! Hand created by Joy Wandrey, these interpretations of various alien races are both fun for you and your kids (not all are child safe), they would look awesome on your bookshelf next to a collection of 4HU novels!
There will be a series of new funding levels introduced tomorrow, one per day for the next 8 days, with a different alien each day. The funding level is based on the Captain level, with all the digital awards, a hard copy book, dice, chips, cards, mention in the book as a supporter, a tee-shirt, and a challenge coin. But in addition, you get the alien stuffie for that level, and a special "Alien" challenge coin. This coin commemorates the alien involvement in Omega War, just like the way the regular challenge coin commemorates the Human involvement in the Omega War.
A total of 8 different stuffies will be available in their own funding level. If they're successful and snapped up, maybe the last one will have something special? Time will tell.
We've passed our $25,000 funding level activated the Challenge Coin stretch goals, which is why they are mentioned here. Everyone who had one in their funding level gets them automatically now. In addition, challenge coins are also available in add-ons.
Lastly, the War Hero funding level which would have been unlocked at $25,000 was taken down. This was because there was considerable interest in it, but only one available. Because of how Kickstarter works, the first person to click the button gets it, this isn't really a fair way to offer such a unique benefit.
In case you missed it, War Hero was the same as the Captain level, but included a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to star in an upcoming 4HU novel. Not just a red-shirt (name mentioned, maybe a speaking part), but in this case your character or merc company would be the stars. The story will focus on them, and you will be involved in the creation process! The book will be written by Chief Game Designer Jon R. Osborne and myself, Mark H. Wandrey, and be released as the production schedule allows.
The other consideration to move this to an auction was that it's primary area of interest was 4HU fan organizations. Through feedback and a poll on The Merc Guild page of Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/536506813392912) we determined this method would give everyone a chance.
To solve the problem, we will be auctioning off this level. We haven't determined the method yet, but it will likely be a 24 hour auction next weekend to allow everyone time to bid. We'll update here once we know.
Any extra money we get from this will be targeted towards increasing artwork and content.
We're only $4,500 away from the next stretch goal of $30,000, and that's a big one. At $30,000 we increase the book to over 300 pages. Holy wow, talk about a great book. Over 300 pages of mercs, aliens, guns, and fun! Let's keep going, we're almost there!