We've launched an exciting new project of our own! Introducing the Kickstarter app for iPhone!

Funded! This project successfully raised its funding goal on September 17, 2012.

IMPORTANT: Rewards schedule

Update #59 · Apr 23, 2013 · 27 comments

The Numenera corebook is designed and developed and in the hands of the editors, Shanna Germain and Ray Vallese, and some of it is already being laid out by the graphic designer, the amazing Sarah Robinson. Ditto the Player's Guide. If you want to know more about what's going to be in those products, read this (written a while ago).

Meanwhile, the XP cards are being designed by graphic artist Kali Fitzgerald, and our artists have finished most of the art and maps for the corebook and have started on the covers and interiors of the other products.

Since everything is in motion and we're actually getting to the point where we can see the release date of the game fast approaching, I wanted to let you know when you can expect the various rewards from supporting this Kickstarter. Many, of course, like the desktop wallpapers, playtester updates, and the on-line seminars, have already been delivered.

Before August

The first up is the short fiction pieces anthology that came from the $380,000 stretch goal. We're working on that now, and I hope to have this to you (delivered electronically) by the end of May.

Backers at the Art Lover level should hopefully receive their signed prints by June.

Also in June, I am going to be putting together a call-out for teachers and libraries who would like to get a copy of the game, as promised in the Kickstarter $100,000 stretch goal.

Backers at the On-Line Gamer level will have their montecook.com articles finished and posted by June as well.

In July, look for a form to let us update your address if you have moved since you originally filled out your rewards form.

August

The big month is going to be August. In August, the following physical rewards will ship:

  • Numenera Corebook
  • Deluxe Numenera Corebook
  • Numenera Player's Guide
  • Numenera Thunderstone from AEG
  • XP Deck
  • Cypher Deck
  • T-Shirts
  • Dice
  • GM Screen

The following electronic rewards will also be delivered in August:

  • Numenera App
  • Numenera Corebook pdf
  • Numenera Player's Guide pdf
  • XP Deck pdf Cypher Deck pdf 
  • Exclusive Kickstarter adventure (The Nightmare Switch) 
  • Numenera Theme music 
  • Numenera fold-up terrain from Fat Dragon Games

After August

Unique Characters: Once the game is out, we'll start contacting backers of the Unique Character level so that we can create special, one-of-a-kind characters for you. Delivery of these (electronically) should be completed by end of September.

On-Line Games: These sessions will be held in September and October.

Store Visits: These are being scheduled now, and likely will be in September and October.

Adventures: After some consideration, we have decided that the three 32-page adventures are going to be combined into one, large, 96 page book. We can do a lot to make the product better in that format. But to make sure everyone gets AT LEAST what they paid for, everyone who ordered even one of the adventures will get the adventure book. That means that they will effectively get ALL THREE adventures. The collected adventure book will be called The Devil's Spine. The current plan is that this product will ship both electronically and physically in the late fall, tentatively scheduled for October.

Other Books: The Ninth World Bestiary and other books of the line (as well as the Creature Card deck) will come out starting in early 2014. 

27 Comments

Dice!

Update #58 · Apr 15, 2013 · 22 comments

Hey Numenera Backers.

This is just a quick update (expect another, newsier one next week) to show off the dice that Q-Workshop is making for us. I think they're GORGEOUS.

You'll see the Numenera symbol as the highest number on each die, plus the 20-sider has special marks on the 17,18, and 19 because those are "special effect" results.

They were an add-on in the Kickstarter. They will be available for general sale this summer, however. Details to come.

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22 Comments

New Numenera Product

Update #57 · Apr 3, 2013 · 14 comments

The Kickstarter for Torment: Tides of Numenera is wrapping up on Friday. This means that you've got a couple days still to get involved and secure a copy of the coolest computer rpg out there. It's on the verge of being the highest funded game on Kickstarter, ever, so that's pretty exciting. And since the Numenera Kickstarter was the highest funded tabletop rpg on Kickstarter, it's sort of fitting.

To help celebrate this new addition to the Numenera world, we would like to announce that we will be doing a 160-page hardcover sourcebook that will cover the locations, characters, and other aspects created specifically for the Torment game. This way, you can take the great concepts that you enjoy from the computer game and use them in your own tabletop game. Plus, it will be a great guidebook on all of the amazing things we're creating for the Torment game, so I think that all fans of Torment: Tides of Numenera will enjoy it.

This book is right now being offered as an ebook add-on that those supporting the computer game Kickstarter. But when it is released, it will be available for any and all to purchase. With the exception of the short adventure, The Nightmare Switch, written specifically for the our Kickstarter supporters (that's YOU), this is true of all Numenera books. I want to be really clear about this, because I get asked about ALL THE TIME. The Numenera Corebook, Player's Guide, adventures, bestiary, technology book, and worldbook mentioned in our Kickstarter will all be available through all the normal outlets that you'd buy game products from. They'll all be available in pdf as well as print books. (In fact, people can preorder the Numenera corebook in print RIGHT NOW and get the ebook version for free.) The cards, dice, and other products will also be available, although perhaps only from Monte Cook Games directly and in some cases (particularly the dice) quantities may be limited. We don't know yet.

Plus, as the Torment sourcebook shows, we have hopes and plans for the Numenera line beyond those products mentioned in the Kickstarter. Of course, a lot of this depends on you. Your faithful support as Kickstarter backers helped us so much. You can also help by continuing to spread the word. Encourage your friends to buy the ebook versions that will be available through DriveThruRPG or physical books in your awesome local game store. Tell your retailer that you're interested in this game and in the follow-up products that will be coming throughout this year and next (and hopefully beyond). Pick up the Thunderstone: Numenera game, or the purchase cool tie-in Numenera products that we haven't yet announced (but are dying to). Your support will help ensure that this game line has a nice long lifespan. Basically, as long as you're interested in it, we'll keep making it.

Thanks for reading, and as a special bonus, here's another awesome piece from Kieran Yanner:

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14 Comments

New Stuff For You!

Update #56 · Mar 13, 2013 · 13 comments

Well, the Torment: Tides of Numenera Kickstarter is going really well, having already surpassed $2.5 million. Wow. I know that a lot of that is because of the (understandable) love people have for the original Torment, but it's nice to see Numenera getting more attention because of it. And I know that as the word has spread, Numenera fans have gone to really help that other Kickstarter as well. And I really appreciate that. It's going to be a fantastic game. If you haven't seen it yet, here's a video I did for them to help explain the Ninth World (and a little of Numenera's character creation mechanics) to their backers.

Thanks to Torment reaching its latest stretch goals, I'll not only be a consultant on the game (as it is based on the Numenera system, and is set in the Ninth World), I'll be directly designing a part of it. They have a much longer development cycle, however, so none of this will keep me from getting Numenera or any of the follow-up products out the door.

You may have also seen that as a part of the latest stretch goal, I will be writing a novella for the backers of Torment, set in the Ninth World. After some discussion with the great guys at inXile, I am happy to announce that this will also be available to you guys too! Everyone who is a Numenera backer at the $20 level or above will get a digital copy of this novella automatically, even if you do not back the Torment Kickstarter.

Quotes

Remember this?

Pledge $1 or more
HELPER: I will collect the name and favorite quotation of everyone that contributes to this project, even for just one dollar, post it on my website. Be immortalized along with a great quote!

Well, the quote list is finally up. It took a while, because--holy crap--there are a lot of quotes. Check it out! There's a lot of fun quotes in there.

Address Updates

We will be sending around a notice to everyone getting physical rewards right before we ship to ensure that we have current addresses. There's no need to email me or message me with your new address is you moved.

More Copies? Friends Who Missed Out?

Although I can't quite offer the great deal that you guys had in the Numenera Kickstarter, I am offering a special deal to anyone who would like to preorder the Numenera Corebook. If you order the hardcover book, you get the ebook for free. Now, most of you are already getting the book, so I'm only saying this to those who might want an additional copy or to those of you with friends who missed the Kickstarter but would like to still get a copy. The book will be for regular sale in August.

In closing, here's an exclusive peek at one of Christopher West's maps for Numenera.

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13 Comments

Torment: Tides of Numenera

Update #55 · Mar 6, 2013 · 12 comments

Hey Ninth Worlders!

The Kickstarter for Torment: Tides of Numenera is live! If you haven't heard, inXile Entertainment is making a computer game based on Numenera. It's also a spiritual sequel to the old Planescape: Torment game which, if you remember it, is almost certainly the greatest computer rpg ever! The whole thing is extremely exciting, and all of us involved are committed to making a really great game!

On another note, I wrote an article about the contents of the Numenera Corebook and Player's Guide. You can read it here.

While I cover things in more detail in the article, let me reiterate here that every aspect of the game (and all the related components--the Thunderstone game, the dice, the screens, the shirts, and so on) is moving along really well. It's going to be a very exciting summer!

And don't forget to check out the Torment: Tides of Numenera Kickstarter right now! Here's a sneak preview of how artist Chang Huan depicted the Ninth World city where much of the game will take place (you guys are seeing this first, before anyone else): 

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12 Comments
4,658
Backers
$517,255
pledged of $20,000 goal
0
seconds to go

Funding period
Aug 9, 2012 - Sep 17, 2012

  • Pledge $1 or more

    56 backers

    HELPER: I will collect the name and favorite quotation of everyone that contributes to this project, even for just one dollar, post it on my website. Be immortalized along with a great quote! Just a buck!

    Estimated delivery: Jul 2013
  • Pledge $3 or more

    38 backers

    DABBLER: You will get the character creator app to make Numenera characters. It might entice you to buy the game later...

    Estimated delivery: Jul 2013
  • Pledge $5 or more

    70 backers

    SUPPORTER: You get the character creator app. I also will list the name of everyone who contributes five dollars or more in the back of the corebook.

    Estimated delivery: Jul 2013
  • Pledge $10 or more

    55 backers

    PLAYER: You get the Player's Guide PDF and the character creator app.

    Estimated delivery: Jul 2013
  • Pledge $20 or more

    314 backers

    EBOOK FAN: You get the PDF of the Numenera corebook and the PDF of the Player's Guide. You also get the character creator app.

    Estimated delivery: Jul 2013
  • Pledge $30 or more

    108 backers

    EBOOK MEGA-FAN: You get the PDF of the Numenera corebook, the PDF of the Player's Guide, and the character creator app. You also get a PDF of an exclusive Numenera adventure available only to Kickstarter supporters.

    Estimated delivery: Jul 2013
  • Pledge $50 or more

    587 backers

    ULTIMATE EBOOK FAN: You get the PDF of the Numenera corebook, the PDF of the Player's Guide, and the character creator app. You also get a PDF of an exclusive Numenera adventure available only to Kickstarter supporters. Lastly, you get a PDF version of every single product released as a part of the stretch goals.

    Estimated delivery: Jul 2013
  • Pledge $60 or more

    1348 backers

    THE REAL DEAL: You get the PDF of the Numenera corebook, the PDF of the Player's Guide, and the character creator app. You also get a print copy of the hard-bound, fully illustrated, full-color Numenera corebook. Contributors outside the US, please add $10 for shipping (sorry).

    Estimated delivery: Jul 2013
  • Pledge $70 or more

    1143 backers

    PATRON: You get THE REAL DEAL and the exclusive PDF of the Numenera adventure available only to Kickstarter supporters. Contributors outside the US, please add $10 for shipping (sorry).

    Estimated delivery: Jul 2013
  • Pledge $100 or more

    235 backers

    INTERESTED PATRON: You get THE REAL DEAL and the exclusive Numenera adventure. In addition, you will get all the previews and updates that playtesters of the game will get. You are free to provide playtester feedback, but it's not required. You'll be getting a sneak peek before everyone else (but you'll have to sign a non-disclosure agreement, just like a playtester). Contributors outside the US, please add $10 for shipping (sorry).

    Estimated delivery: Jul 2013
  • Pledge $125 or more

    44 backers

    COLLECTOR: You get THE REAL DEAL, the exclusive Numenera adventure, and the playtester updates. Further, your Numenera adventure will be printed out and signed by Monte. Contributors outside the US, please add $10 for shipping (sorry).

    Estimated delivery: Jul 2013
  • Pledge $125 or more

    31 backers

    RETAILER: You get THE REAL DEAL plus two additional copies of the printed Numenera corebook and six print copies of the Player's Guide. Available only to stores in the U.S.

    Estimated delivery: Jul 2013
  • Pledge $175 or more

    3 backers

    FOREIGN RETAILER: This is for retailers outside the United States only. You get THE REAL DEAL plus two additional copies of the printed Numenera corebook and six print copies of the Player's Guide.

    Estimated delivery: Jul 2013
  • Pledge $180 or more

    60 backers

    ULTIMATE COLLECTOR: You get THE REAL DEAL, the exclusive Numenera adventure, the playtester updates, and a print version of the Player's Guide. Further, your Numenera rulebook will be signed and numbered by Monte, and your adventure will be printed out and signed by Monte. Contributors outside the US, please add $10 for shipping (sorry).

    Estimated delivery: Jul 2013
  • Pledge $200 or more

    113 backers Limited (12 of 125 left)

    BEHIND THE SCENES OBSERVER: You get THE REAL DEAL, the exclusive Numenera adventure, the playtester updates, and a print version of the Player's Guide. Futher, you get an invitation to the three exclusive online game design seminars run by Monte. Contributors outside the US, please add $10 for shipping (sorry). Your book and exclusive adventure will be signed.

    Estimated delivery: Jul 2013
  • Pledge $225 or more

    35 backers Limited (15 of 50 left)

    SPECIALIZED COLLECTOR: You get THE REAL DEAL, the exclusive Numenera adventure, the playtester updates, and a print version of the Player's Guide. Further, your Numenera corebook will be signed and numbered by Monte, and your exclusive adventure will be printed out and signed by Monte. Plus, your corebook will be personalized by Monte as you request. Contributors outside the US, please add $10 for shipping (sorry).

    Estimated delivery: Jul 2013
  • Pledge $240 or more

    195 backers

    JUST THE STUFF: (This is newly added by popular demand and thus takes many of the stretch goal rewards into account. As always, it's best to compare it to the others using the information on the left.) You get THE REAL DEAL, the exclusive Numenera adventure, and PDF and print versions of the Player's Guide, all three 32-page adventures, the Ninth World Bestiary, Sir Arthur's Compendium, the Numenera dice set, and the vinyl GM's screen. Contributors outside the US, please add $65 for shipping (sorry).

    Estimated delivery: Jul 2013
  • Pledge $250 or more

    10 backers All gone!

    CONTRIBUTOR: You get THE REAL DEAL, the exclusive Numenera adventure, the playtester updates, a print version of the Player's Guide, and access to the online design seminars, plus you get to contribute a character that Monte will add to the Ninth World campaign setting. Your book and exclusive adventure will be signed and personalized.

    Estimated delivery: Jul 2013
  • Pledge $250 or more

    30 backers Limited (20 of 50 left)

    ALTRUISTIC COLLECTOR: You get THE REAL DEAL, the exclusive Numenera adventure, the playtester updates, and a print version of the Player's Guide. Further, your Numenera corebook will be signed and numbered by Monte, and your exclusive adventure will be printed out and signed by Monte. Your corebook will be personalized by Monte as you request. Plus, your name will be placed inscribed on a bookplate inside one of the copies donated to a library (as per the $100,000 stretch goal) signifying that you were responsible for the donation of the book. (And, like all the reward levels above $200, you will get the print versions of the 3 non-exclusive adventures and the bestiary.)

    Estimated delivery: Jul 2013
  • Pledge $250 or more

    8 backers All gone!

    ADVENTURE CONTRIBUTOR: You get THE REAL DEAL, the exclusive Numenera adventure, the playtester updates, a print version of the Player's Guide, and access to the online design seminars, plus you get to contribute a character that Monte will add to one of the 32-page Numenera adventures. Your book and exclusive adventure will be signed and personalized.

    Estimated delivery: Jul 2013
  • Pledge $270 or more

    100 backers All gone!

    COMPLETIST: You get the REAL DEAL, the exclusive Numenera adventure, the playtester updates, and a print version of the Player's Guide. Further, your Numenera corebook will be signed and numbered by Monte, and your exclusive adventure will be printed out and signed by Monte. Your corebook will be personalized by Monte as you request. Further, you will get one of the limited edition Numenera Thunderstone games. (And, like all the reward levels above $200, you will get the print versions of the adventures and the bestiary). Backers outside the United States should add $20 for shipping.

    Estimated delivery: Jul 2013
  • Pledge $275 or more

    10 backers All gone!

    BESTIARY CONTRIBUTOR: You get THE REAL DEAL, the exclusive Numenera adventure, the playtester updates, a print version of the Player's Guide, and access to the online design seminars, plus you get to contribute a creature or character that Monte will add to the Ninth World Bestiary. Your book and exclusive adventure will be signed and personalized.

    Estimated delivery: Jul 2013
  • Pledge $300 or more

    25 backers All gone!

    UNIQUE CHARACTER: You get the REAL DEAL, the exclusive Numenera adventure, the playtester updates, and a print version of the Player's Guide. Further, your Numenera corebook will be signed and numbered by Monte, and your exclusive adventure will be printed out and signed by Monte. Your corebook will be personalized by Monte as you request. Best of all, you will get a custom character created by Monte with a full background and stats that will include a unique, one-of-a-kind ability or item. (And, like all the reward levels above $200, you will get the print versions of the 3 non-exclusive adventures and the bestiary.)

    Estimated delivery: Jul 2013
  • Pledge $500 or more

    10 backers All gone!

    GAMER: You get THE REAL DEAL, the exclusive Numenera adventure, the playtester updates, a print version of the Player's Guide, and access to the online design seminars, plus you get to contribute a character to the Ninth World campaign setting. What's more, you get an invitation to play in an online game session run by Monte (via G+). Your book and exclusive adventure will be signed and personalized.

    Estimated delivery: Jul 2013
  • Pledge $750 or more

    5 backers All gone!

    ON-LINE GAMER: You get THE REAL DEAL, the exclusive Numenera adventure, the playtester updates, access to the online design seminars, and an invitation to play in an online game session run by Monte (via G+). Further, Monte will follow you on Twitter and G+, and friend you on Facebook. He'll write an article about you (or a topic the two of you agree upon) and publish it at montecook.com, which will be seen by thousands of readers. Your book and exclusive adventure will be signed and personalized.

    Estimated delivery: Jul 2013
  • Pledge $1,000 or more

    8 backers All gone!

    ART LOVER: You get THE REAL DEAL, the exclusive Numenera adventure, the playtester updates, a print version of the Player's Guide, and access to the online design seminars, plus you get to contribute a character to the Ninth World campaign setting. What's more, that character will be illustrated in the book. You will get an electronic and a quality print of your illustrated character, signed by the artist. Your book and exclusive adventure will be signed and personalized.

    Estimated delivery: Jul 2013
  • Pledge $1,000 or more

    0 backers Limited (3 of 3 left)

    THE ORC AND PIE: You get the REAL DEAL, the exclusive Numenera adventure, and a print version of the Player's Guide. If you wish it, your corebook will be signed and personalized. Best of all, you will get to hit Monte in the face with a pie at GenCon 2013. Pie provided. Transportation, accommodation, and entrance to GenCon not provided. (And, like all the reward levels above $200, you will get the print versions of the 3 non-exclusive adventures and the bestiary.)

    Estimated delivery: Aug 2013
  • Pledge $1,500 or more

    3 backers All gone!

    ULTIMATE RETAILER: You get THE REAL DEAL, the exclusive Numenera adventure, plus seven more copies of the printed Numenera corebook and ten print copies of the Player's Guide. Further, Monte will visit your store to do a signing and a talk, and to run a game. (Stores not in North America will need to make special arrangements.) Lastly, Monte will write an article about your store on montecook.com, which will be seen by thousands of gamers and mention your store on Twitter, Facebook, and G+. Your books and exclusive adventure will be signed and personalized.

    Estimated delivery: Aug 2013
  • Pledge $2,000 or more

    1 backer Limited (1 of 2 left)

    BUDDING GAME DESIGNER: You get THE REAL DEAL, the exclusive Numenera adventure, the playtester updates, a print copy of the Player's Guide, and access to the online design seminars. Further, Monte will meet with you for a one-on-one meeting to discuss game design. He will review and provide feedback on your work, and answer your questions. This will take place in the greater Seattle area, at GenCon, or at another convention Monte attends, or via Skype or G+. If in-person, Monte will buy you lunch as well. Your book and exclusive adventure will be signed and personalized.

    Estimated delivery: Jul 2013
  • Pledge $5,000 or more

    0 backers Limited (1 of 1 left)

    GAME GROUP: You get THE REAL DEAL (x5), the exclusive Numenera adventure (x5), the playtester updates (x5), and access to the online design seminars (x5). You'll also get five print copies fo the Player's Guide. Further, Monte will run an online mini-campaign for your group on G+, consisting of six 3-hour sessions for up to 5 players. Your books and exclusive adventures will be signed and personalized.

    Estimated delivery: Aug 2013
  • Pledge $7,500 or more

    0 backers Limited (1 of 1 left)

    ULTIMATE GAME GROUP: You get THE REAL DEAL (x5), the exclusive Numenera adventure (x5), the playtester updates (x5), and access to the online design seminars (x5). You'll also get five print copies fo the Player's Guide. Further, Monte will run an online mini-campaign for your group on G+, consisting of six 3-hour sessions for up to 5 players OR Monte will fly to your home and run a single session for you there. (Contributors not in North America will need to make special arrangements). Plus, your group's characters will be added to the setting and a group illustration of your characters will appear in the book. You will get an electronic and a quality print of the artwork, signed by the artist. Your books and exclusive adventures will be signed and personalized.

    Estimated delivery: Aug 2013
  • Pledge $8,000 or more

    0 backers Limited (1 of 1 left)

    PTOLUS FAN: You get THE REAL DEAL, the exclusive Numenera adventure, the playtester updates, and a print copy of the Player's Guide. Further, Monte will fly to your home and hand deliver one of the last remaining First Printing copies of Ptolus: City by the Spire, plus 5 copies of the Ptolus Player's Guide, Chaositech, the Banewarrens, the Ptolus comic book, and more special Ptolus goodies, some of which are one-of-a-kind collectors' items in their own right, like some of the original notes, maps, and so on. Then, he will run a single session for you, either of Numenera or Ptolus (using the d20 rules). (Contributors not in North America will need to make special arrangements). All of your books will be signed and personalized. (And, like all the reward levels above $200, you will get the print versions of the 3 non-exclusive adventures and the bestiary.)

    Estimated delivery: Aug 2013
  • Pledge $10,000 or more

    0 backers Limited (1 of 1 left)

    ULTIMATE SUPPORTER: You get THE REAL DEAL (x5), the exclusive Numenera adventure (x5), the playtester updates (x5), and access to the online design seminars (x5). You'll also get five print copies fo the Player's Guide. Further, Monte will run an online mini-campaign for your group on G+, consisting of six 3-hour sessions for up to 5 players AND Monte will fly to your home and run a single session for you there to conclude the campaign. (Contributors not in North America will need to make special arrangements.) Plus, your group's characters will be added to the setting and a group illustration of your characters will appear in the book. You will get an electronic and a quality print of the artwork, signed by the artist. Your books and exclusive adventure will be signed and personalized.

    Estimated delivery: Aug 2013