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2013: The Year of the Rogue

Update #33 · Jan 5, 2013 · 15 comments

Happy New Year, everyone!  With the holidays behind us, we're ramping up the development of Hero-U: Rogue to Redemption.  Lori and I have been brainstorming game and story ideas,the artists are hard at work designing and animating characters and monsters, and the programmers are experimenting with different isometric "looks" for the game.

Backer Surveys

I sent out backer surveys to all of the $50 and $65 level backers about two weeks ago.  Most of you have responded, but 78 backers have not yet answered their surveys.  If you are one of them, please visit your survey page soon so that we can send you your previous game key.

I plan to send surveys out to other backers this weekend (and possibly into next week for some categories).  Please respond to the survey when you get it.  We need the survey information to correctly fulfill your rewards, and especially to find out which add-ons you purchased.  If you have questions after answering the survey, feel free to contact me or Chris at support (at) hero-u (dot) net.  Note that I incorrectly listed this as "(dot) com" in a previous Update; if you sent any mail to that address, please resend it to the correct email.

Places to Go, Pages to See

We now have a forum at http://hero-u.net/forum/index.php to discuss Hero-U and our previous games. I've set up a few basic topics, but we'll need many more.  The forum will be a place for Hero-U backers and anyone interested in the game to gather, ask and answer questions, and discuss the games.  Lori and I will drop in occasionally, but we won't have time to answer everything.

As a reminder, you can still back Rogue to Redemption or increase your pledge through our "Kickstarter Store" page at http://www.hero-u.net/KS-store.  You can also buy merchandise and gifts related to Hero-U at our Cafe Press store - http://www.cafepress.com/herouniversitystore.  Purchases on both of these pages help support the project.  As of the end of December, we received $4,555 in pledges and upgrades on the KS-Store page, bringing the project total to $413,705.

Also visit the main Hero-U web site for more information on the project and team - http://hero-u.net/.

We're working on a wiki for the developers and plan to put up a design blog on the hero-u.net site.  This will become more important as we get more PayPal backers, since they will not automatically be notified of posts here on Kickstarter.

Interesting Projects

I mentioned "Meriwether: An American Epic" previously.  This project is now in its final two days and looks like a nice mix of role-playing and historical storytelling.  Lori and I will be part of their final-day chat marathon on Google Hangouts this Sunday at 7:00 pm EST.

"The Hidden Crystal" is a project to publish an heroic fantasy novel. It's getting some beautiful illustrations from JP Selwood, one of Hero-U's talented artists.  This project is just starting out, and has a very modest $2,000 goal, but needs more people to hear about it so that it can reach its goal.  Daniel Gimness, the author, says, "The plot is right in-line with classic Sierra storytelling and artist John Paul Selwood (who worked on the Sierra AGDI remake games King’s Quest I, II and III, Quest for Glory II, as well Mage's Initiation, and Hero-U) has illustrated the project."

Back in the early days of paper-and-pencil role-playing, one of the competitors to Dungeons & Dragons was a game called Tunnels & Trolls.  It featured a simplified combat system and a light-hearted approach to role-playing.  The original authors (including Rick Loomis, Ken St. Andre, and Liz Danforth) want to make an updated version of the game books.  If you like paper RPG's, check out "Deluxe Tunnels & Trolls". They just launched the project yesterday, and are nearly at their goal, so now it's a race to see how much extra they can deliver with the game.

Comments

    1. Gravatar_herocorey.small

      Creator Corey Cole on January 16

      I expect we'll be able to get XL, XXL, and XXXL shirts as well. I didn't want to confuse people more by mentioning them. :-)

    2. Missing_small

      Creator Justin on January 14

      And people who work out don't have the shoulders or the neck for an XL. I wear 2XL if I don't want to choke and 3XL for lazy home days.

      Hope you have those.

    3. Gravatar_herocorey.small

      Creator Corey Cole on January 11

      T-shirt sizes are pretty generic - Small, Medium, Large, or Extra Large. I wear a Large, and so does Lori (because she likes loose fitting, comfortable shirts). Small is only for very petite people or children. If you're overweight or very tall, you probably want XL. Most others will want Medium or Large.

    4. Fb_profile_picture.small

      Creator mrfatso ~ Defender of The Goat on January 8

      i just realized, there isnt a sizing chart for those of us who wanted a shirt add-on.

      Now i am not sure if i should get large or medium. In the meantime, i will hold off the survey for just a while longer.

    5. Fb_profile_picture.small

      Creator Travis Penner on January 7

      I don't think I ever got a survey?

    6. Dan_s2.small

      Creator Daniel Gimness on January 5

      Thanks for the mention Corey! Really appreciate it. Today was the best day yet at The Hidden Crystal.
      @Palindrome and the other Hero-U backers who have supported The Hidden Crystal, you have my heart-felt thanks.

      I was also a Hero-U backer. For those who don't know, I'm a huge Sierra On-Line and Hero's Quest fan. My introduction to Sierra was playing King's Quest I on an IBM PC Jr years ago!

      Best,

      Dan

    7. Jp_profile.small

      Creator John Paul Selwood on January 5

      Thanks for the shout out for The Hidden Crystal, Lori and Corey! Daniel Gimness is wonderfully talented, and has been a great person to work with, so I'm really pulling for his book to be successfully published. Things are really picking up on the campaign, and I give my heartfelt thanks to all who have backed so far. I look forward to seeing more of your familiar faces over there!

    8. Profile-pic_sarina.small

      Creator Palindrome Bob-XSF-I'm in AGL589-AK666 on January 5

      Thanks for the update, I'm in at The Hidden Crystal. Never was interested in paper RPG's and am still not.
      @SD: I too was surprised at the lack of concept art of the isometric kind in this update but I guess I'll have to wait. It's a good thing I was accustomed to waiting even before I ventured into the land of KS (luckily).
      ### Member of the Pinkerton Road Cavalry ###

    9. Gasseous_entity_sdavatar__party_goat.small

      Creator S.D. on January 5

      Hehe, I totally know what you mean Corey! My minds-eye is greatly enjoying a highly successful tech demo, populated with boxes, perspective grid lines, and placeholder assets ;-)

    10. Gravatar_herocorey.small

      Creator Corey Cole on January 5

      There was a problem with the KS-store link. I've added a redirect, so it works now.

    11. Gravatar_herocorey.small

      Creator Corey Cole on January 5

      @SD: We aren't ready to show the isometric look yet. We currently have a programming demo that's very impressive... to a programmer. You'd love it, but many of our backers would say, "What? Plain pink and blue walls??? ZOMG, ugliest game ever!" So we'll show it when we have some artist-drawn isometric tile art to go with the programming demo. :-)

    12. Enry1.small

      Creator David Melanson on January 5

      Thanks for the update. Will definitely check out DT&T. Registered on the forum, looking forward to joining in the discussion!

    13. Gasseous_entity_sdavatar__party_goat.small

      Creator S.D. on January 5

      Agreed. Ravi, Katherine and Elsa (from Quest for More Glory) would be excellent candidates, unless you've already chosen community managers.

      Also... where's our isometric concept art? It's the biggest of changes, and yet I have no mental imagery to drool over, nor daydream about ;-)

    14. Gravatar_herocorey.small

      Creator Corey Cole on January 5

      Thanks for the suggestions. I'm a phpBB n00b, and hope the community will be able to cover us.

    15. Advben.small

      Creator Benjamin Penney on January 5

      A couple of suggestions. #1: The topics in "Your first forum" should be forums inside the category "Your first category" (which should probably be renamed). #2: Turn off comment moderation/approval and promote someone in the community to moderator. It's basically impossible to have speedy discussions at the moment.

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See full bio

  • Pledge $5 or more

    69 backers

    Friend: Thank you for your support! Your name will be added to the Hero list on www.hero-u.net/leadersroll.php, a small first step towards immortality.

    Estimated delivery: Dec 2012
  • Pledge $20 or more

    3299 backers

    Freshman: You will receive a DRM-free digital game download, access to discussion forums to help us improve the game, and your name will appear on the Hero list.

    Estimated delivery: Oct 2013
  • Pledge $35 or more

    893 backers

    Sophomore: Digital Reward 2: Receive everything from the Freshman level, the downloadable Hero-U Soundtrack, and the gorgeous Hero-U Art Book in PDF form. The art book contains production sketches, final art, and insider commentary on the making of Hero-U: Rogue to Redemption.

    Estimated delivery: Oct 2013
  • Pledge $50 or more

    599 backers

    Junior: Get a head start on your education by playing one of the development team's previous award-winning games. You will receive all of the Sophomore class benefits plus a digital key to your choice of MacGuffin's Curse, Jolly Rover, or the complete Quest for Glory collection.

    Estimated delivery: Dec 2012
  • Pledge $65 or more

    156 backers

    Beta Tau Initiate: All-Digital reward. Everything in the Junior package, including your choice of one game key. PLUS you get early access to the Hero-U Beta and Combat-Balancing tests. Help us shape and tune the game the way YOU want it!

    Estimated delivery: Jan 2013
  • Pledge $75 or more

    284 backers

    Senior: Get physical with a high-quality boxed copy of Hero-U: Rogue to Redemption containing the game on DVD and a printed game manual. You will also receive all of the Sophomore benefits (including an additional digital copy of the game). While you wait for your box, enjoy a preview with early access to our Beta and Combat Balancing Tests. All Seniors may add any of the Junior-level previous games at $15 each.

    Estimated delivery: Oct 2013
    Add $15 to ship outside the US
  • Pledge $100 or more

    145 backers

    Big Man On Campus: (Super Digital Rewards) You're special, and everyone should know it. Your name (or your favorite character's name) will appear in the in-game DIGITAL YEARBOOK along with a brief statement of your/their accomplishments. We will also email you the Secret Thieves' Guild Password. (Other players will need to discover this in the game.) You will also receive everything from the Sophomore level as well as early access to our Beta and Combat Balance tests. (NOTE: This tier does not include any physical rewards. It's highly International-Supporter-friendly.)

    Estimated delivery: Oct 2013
  • Pledge $125 or more

    98 backers

    Frat Rat: Halloween Special – You love Meeps, and that's why you will get your very own Toy Meep along with your boxed copy of Hero-U: Rogue to Redemption. That's on top of all of the Senior-level physical and digital rewards and eligibility for add-ons. You will also receive your own entry in the in-game DIGITAL YEARBOOK. International Customers please add $15 for shipping costs.

    Estimated delivery: Oct 2013
    Add $15 to ship outside the US
  • Pledge $150 or more

    186 backers

    Graduate Edition: Unique Kickstarter-Graduate-only Collector’s Edition Box containing the game DVD, manual, a Music Soundtrack CD, your own Varsity Letter, Hero-U button, and everything in the Big Man On Campus digital reward tier including your very own entry in the in-game DIGITAL YEARBOOK.

    Estimated delivery: Oct 2013
    Add $15 to ship outside the US
  • Pledge $175 or more

    57 backers

    Exchange Student: The *ultimate* all-digital package, perfect for international backers. You will start with everything in the Big Man on Campus edition. Then you will have the chance to follow the development of Hero-U with insider access to developer discussions and Alpha tests. To give you more insight into our games, you will receive digital keys to ALL EIGHT of our currently available previous games (Quest for Glory 1: So You Want to Be a Hero EGA and VGA versions, Quest for Glory 2: Trial by Fire, Quest for Glory 3: Wages of War, Quest for Glory 4: Shadows of Darkness, Quest for Glory 5: Dragon Fire, MacGuffin's Curse, AND Jolly Rover). NOTE: The previous game keys are part of this tier only; we are not adding them to the higher physical tiers.

    Estimated delivery: Jan 2013
  • Pledge $200 or more

    39 backers

    Research Assistant: You're practically a team member, so you will receive a very-limited-edition Team Meep Hat plus insider access to developer discussions and Alpha tests. You will also receive everything in the Graduate Edition, and your chosen picture (subject to team approval) will appear in the in-game digital yearbook.

    Estimated delivery: Oct 2013
    Add $15 to ship outside the US
  • Pledge $250 or more

    126 backers Limited (674 of 800 left)

    Alumnus: As a proud Hero-U Alumnus, your chosen name, preferred photo (or other image of your choice, subject to team approval) will appear in the Very Limited Edition physical Hero-U Yearbook. Of course, alumni like to collect signatures from their University friends, so Lori and Corey Cole will autograph your yearbook and Graduate Edition premium game box. You will also receive Research Assistant privileges and a Team Meep hat.

    Estimated delivery: Oct 2013
    Add $15 to ship outside the US
  • Pledge $500 or more

    33 backers Limited (167 of 200 left)

    Master Rogue: The rewards of your advanced education include a limited-edition art print of the school on Canvas, everything in the Alumnus package including the autographed premium game box and autographed yearbook. You will also receive a Limited Edition Kickstarter Superfan T-Shirt, and digital keys to ALL THREE previous games – the Quest for Glory Collection, MacGuffin's Curse, and Jolly Rover.

    Estimated delivery: Dec 2012
    Add $25 to ship outside the US
  • Pledge $1,000 or more

    6 backers All gone!

    PhD: You will be immortalized. Not only will you receive all of the benefits of a Master Rogue, your chosen name, hero biography, and picture will appear prominently in-game as well as in the yearbook. Your canvas art print will be supersized, and you will be one of the proud few to complete a graduate school education at Hero-U. We'll also provide you with the secret location and key to the Faculty Lounge. (Other players will be able to break in later in the game.)

    Estimated delivery: Oct 2013
    Add $40 to ship outside the US
  • Pledge $1,050 or more

    19 backers Limited (6 of 25 left)

    DFA (Doctor of Fine Arts): You will be featured on an in-game painting. When players click on it, they will see your chosen name, image (this could be you, a favorite character, pet, or other approved image, converted by our artists to look like other in-game portraits), and humorous description. You also receive all of the benefits of a Master Rogue, You will have a listing including your chosen image in the yearbook, and of course will receive an autographed copy of the physical edition. We will send you a canvas art print of your in-game "portrait" in addition to the school art print, and you will be one of the proud few to complete a graduate school education at Hero-U. We'll also provide you with the secret location and key to the Faculty Lounge. (Other players will be able to break in later in the game.)

    Estimated delivery: Oct 2013
    Add $40 to ship outside the US
  • Pledge $2,000 or more

    5 backers All gone!

    Art Collector: In this extremely-limited reward tier, we will send you an original, one-of-a-kind production painting that was used to create a Quest for Glory game. We only have a few of these paintings available. You will also receive all DFA (Doctor of Fine Arts) benefits, including having your picture and biography immortalized in-game. The Quest for Glory artwork will be shipped separately in January or February.

    Estimated delivery: Oct 2013
    Add $80 to ship outside the US
  • Pledge $2,500 or more

    3 backers All gone!

    Benefactor: As one of the top alumni contributors to Hero-U, we will name one wing of the University after you or a loved one. The name you choose (with team approval) will be prominently displayed when any student enters your wing. We will send you a customized architectural drawing of your wing. If you send us a suitable video clip, it will appear in the launch video for your wing. You will also receive all benefits of the PhD reward tier. Free shipping worldwide!

    Estimated delivery: Oct 2013
  • Pledge $2,500 or more

    3 backers Limited (7 of 10 left)

    Monster Lair: You are so diabolical, you are the master of a dungeon den. We will collaborate with you on designing your own custom monster lair, likely including a sculpted image of yourself or a friend. Your lair, complete with the monsters and traps you select, will be placed somewhere in the catacombs. You will also receive all benefits of the PhD reward tier. Free shipping worldwide!

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

    0 backers Limited (2 of 2 left)

    High-Roller: You're a serious role-player, or just really want to support our game at a high level. In addition to all of the PhD-level rewards, Corey and/or Lori will run a D&D game for you and friends at a convention anywhere in North America. Or add $1,000 for our additional travel expenses, and we'll join you anywhere in the world. Does not include the Benefactor reward – The school doesn’t have enough wings. Instead, you’ll have a large statue in the main wing celebrating your or your hero's accomplishments.

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

    2 backers Limited (3 of 5 left)

    Philanthropist: You really care! And we care about you too! Spend a day visiting Yosemite Park and touring Sierra landmarks in Oakhurst with Lori and Corey Cole. We'll share a nice meal or two and discuss game design or anything else you want. You'll also receive all the rewards of the PhD level and we'll find a prominent place in-game to thank you for your awesome support. We will cover a one-night hotel stay, but you are responsible for transportation to and from Oakhurst, California.

    Estimated delivery: Apr 2013