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Robovik_sm.large

Robot Viking

Buffalo, NY

Robot Viking (www.robotviking.com) is a website devoted to tabletop gaming. It was founded in January of 2009 by freelance writer Ed Grabianowski. In addition to just writing about games, Ed sometimes designs them. The current game in development is Project: Death Race, a game of automotive combat using standard 1/64 scale toy cars.

  1. on August 13, 2010
    Robovik_sm.thumb

    Robot Viking
    Posted project update #6

    Project: Death Race coming next week!

    There will be a major release next week - would have been this week but I caught Con Crud at Gen Con and lost a couple of days of work this week on the couch praying for the sweet release of death and/or Nyquil.

      1. Missing_thumb
        Dave Chua on March 14, 2011

        Did it ever come out?


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  2. on July 13, 2010
    Robovik_sm.thumb

    Robot Viking
    commented on a project update

    I'm definitely not waiting to work out the art situation for the next release, but I do want to work on things like the card frames, card layout, and general aesthetic spiffiness. One possibility for images, down the line: I've experimented with taking photos of the actual cars I've modded up with armor and guns, giving them a cell shading effect and adding comic book style "guns blazing" visual effects. That will do for the car cards. As far as what kind of images I can use for something like a targeting computer or anti-lock brakes...no idea.
  3. on July 12, 2010
    Robovik_sm.thumb

    Robot Viking
    Posted project update #5

    Death Race getting pretty graphic

    After much work, the revised rules for the game are basically done. At this point I'm mainly working on graphic design. While I won't have the design work totally done for this release (I'm still trying to figure out what to do about art on the cards, like images of the weapons, etc.), I do want there to be a basic level of design that makes this look a little more polished than the homemade game it actually is. I want to standardize the format for equipment cards, establish easily recognizable icons for certain statistics and start giving the game some kind of cohesive artistic character. I think they pay pro graphic designers five figures for that kind of project. I have no formal graphic design training and operate mostly by trial and error. So even taking some more full days off from the day job, it's a bit slow. But we're getting closer and closer all the time!

      1. Missing_thumb
        Dave Chua on July 12, 2010

        I would suggest getting some clip art for now? Cheers.

      2. Robovik_sm.thumb
        Robot Viking on July 13, 2010

        I'm definitely not waiting to work out the art situation for the next release, but I do want to work on things like the card frames, card layout, and general aesthetic spiffiness.

        One possibility for images, down the line: I've experimented with taking photos of the actual cars I've modded up with armor and guns, giving them a cell shading effect and adding comic book style "guns blazing" visual effects. That will do for the car cards. As far as what kind of images I can use for something like a targeting computer or anti-lock brakes...no idea.


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  4. on May 5, 2010
    Robovik_sm.thumb

    Robot Viking
    Posted project update #4

    Test gallery and update on Robot VIking

    More details about recent testing, plus a gallery of exciting photos of my living room. http://www.robotviking.com/2010/05/05/project-death-race-update-more-testing-more-mayhem/

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  5. on April 16, 2010
    Robovik_sm.thumb

    Robot Viking
    Posted project update #3

    Testing and more testing

    Backer_white For backers only
    Backer-only-post
    Backer-only-post-text If you’re a backer of this project, please log in to read this post.
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  6. on April 1, 2010
    Robovik_sm.thumb

    Robot Viking
    Posted project update #2

    The Sweet Taste of Success (and Burnt Motor Oil)

    Wow, we totally did it. We hit the $300 goal. You guys have been astonishingly generous. I can't begin to thank you enough. Ok, I can begin, but I wouldn't be able to finish. If I had a thousand tongues and spoke for a thousand years, that would be really creepy, because I would apparently be some kind of Lovecraftian immortal dweller on a threshold or something. And yet, still I would not be able to thank you enough.

    There's a post over of Robot Viking right now explaining what we're doing with all your money (hint: it involves Canadian strippers, and there's nothing you can do to stop me!). http://www.robotviking.com/2010/04/01/project-death-race-gets-the-green-flag/

    On to more serious business. Those of you who opted for the "Name a Thing After Me" funding level can collaborate to some extent as we develop the game's backstory (and those of you who donated a ton of money but didn't select that award, you still can, you know). The first step is to let me know exactly what name you want used. Your last name? Full name? Full name with social security number and checking account number? No problem. You can use a nickname or make up a name, but a made-up name I will reserve veto power if it doesn't match the game's theme or is otherwise inappropriate. I won't veto your real name though, no matter how silly it is (just look at mine).

    Your options include:

    An NPC -- the backstory will have several key characters, whether they're legendary drivers, weapons designers, or villainous evildoers with nefarious and malicious intentions. If your name is Jim Borzinkski, there would be a guy named Jim Borzynski in the game.
    A corporation -- the backstory takes place in a near-future dystopia ruled by corporate city-states in a constant state of warfare. Borzinski Corp. The Borzinski Group.
    A weapons manufacturer -- these companies don't get directly involved in the warfare, but they make trillions of dollars from it (and do their best to keep it going behind the scenes). Borzinski Munitions. Borzinski Tactical Technology (BorTakTek). This option could lead to several pieces of equipment being named after you as well, since your company will produce several varieties of weapon systems.
    A Death Race arena - the Borzinski Dome!

    So, think it over and let me know what you have in mind via email: zeppelined@robotviking.com

    And thanks again!

    Ed

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  7. on March 31, 2010
    Funded!
    Photo-full

    Project: Death Race - Full Beta Release by Robot Viking

    Project: Death Race lets you fight out brutal automotive arena battles with fully customized 1/64 scale toy cars (ie "Matchbox").

    • 101% funded $305 pledged
    • 11 backers
    • Funded Mar 31, 2010
  8. on March 4, 2010
    Robovik_sm.thumb

    Robot Viking
    Posted project update #1

    Halfway

    We're nearing the halfway point with a little under a month to go. I think there's a good chance of making the goal! (but tell all your friends, since we'll still need a big push to get there).

    Plus, I got an excellent playtest report using the alpha rules last week, which gave me some excellent ideas for rules tweaks and very useful information on making the rules clearer and easier to use. Once we hit $300, I'll have a huge update for everyone with info on the all new ramming system, plus how we plan to get your names into the game.

    Thanks to everyone who's donated so far!

    Ed

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  9. on January 27, 2010
    Robovik_sm.thumb

    Robot Viking launched a project

    Photo-full

    Project: Death Race - Full Beta Release by Robot Viking

    Project: Death Race lets you fight out brutal automotive arena battles with fully customized 1/64 scale toy cars (ie "Matchbox").

    • $300 funding goal
    • 03/31/2010 Funding Ended