Just connecting with our previous Kickstarter supporters. We've got a new game, Flatpack: Fix the Future.

Have you heard anyone say that the future's not so bright, and thought, "But I have lightbulbs?" If so, Flatpack is the game for you! Until someone tells us otherwise, we're saying that Flatpack: Fix the Future is the first game in the smash Hyperoptimistic Postapocalyptic genre of gaming. Flatpack is a game about building a new society using pre-apocalypse technology that you don't always trust or understand, and solving terrible problems creatively. 

*Flatpack uses simple resolution mechanics made to be playable for anyone that can read. 

*Think IKEA, meets Civilization, meets Actraiser, meets Earthbound, in pen and paper game form! 

*Cooperative and tongue-in-cheek gameplay focused on puzzles, brainteasers, and play achievements.

Check out our Kickstarter campaign! 

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/machineage/flatpack-fix-the-future-optimistic-apocalyptic-rpg 

The preorder campaign hit $2,000. That’s awesome. In fact, it’s at $2,105 right now. This means that the contributors will soon be deciding on an exclusive supplement for the game. The final day of the campaign is Friday. Do you think we can make it an even $2,500? I do. So here’s my teaser, and it’s a doozy:

I’m already writing a new game. I literally have the design document open in another browser tab. This game is wholly different thematically from Maschine Zeit, but I can damned near guarantee you’ll dig it when you hear about it. I’m that confident about it. I’m writing this game, in addition to putting in work on a Maschine Zeit supplement, in addition to the supplement I’ll be writing for the contributors’ specs, and in addition to editing and concept work on the first Maschine Zeit adventure kit.

If I hit $2,500 in preorders by Friday, contributors will become a part of the process.

What do I mean by this?

I mean, I’ll set up an email list with contributors, if they wish to be included. It’ll be a one-way thing. I’ll send them the initial design document. I’ll send them drafts and outlines. I’ll send them art proofs. I will be open to input, if people want to see certain things in the finished product, I’ll weigh them for potential inclusion. They’ll get the layout/publisher proof of the document. Then, when it’s all said and done, the contributors will be credited in the product, and they’ll receive the final PDF.

Snappy, right?

If you’ve been wavering, considering preordering, now’s your time. If you were considering raising your amount for a better package, now’s the time. If we hit this goal, you’ll be a part of our next Machine Age Production.

Find more, including an adorable picture of my eldest daughter with our new convention banner, here. http://machineageproductions.com/...

We're at $1105.

Looks like I'm going to be wearing a cocktail dress to a convention. I think Gen Con is the most reasonable choice for that. If anyone has input, do tell.

So the next supercoolreward: Maschine Zeit's system is all about movie logic and dramatic appropriateness, right? Well, if we hit $2000, I'll write a pickup game that runs off Maschine Zeit's engine. I'll pick an odd movie like Snakes on a Plane, Toxic Avenger, Jesus Christ Vampire Hunter, Titanic, Transformers, or some other thing that your average person would laugh off if I said I was making an RPG of it. The game will have you emulate that style of film. "We've got to get these god-damned snakes off this mother-fucking space station!" That sort of oddity. It won't be a fully-designed game, nothing like that. We're talking indie, extended pamphlet-style gaming. Note: It'll be a stylistic homage. I'm not going to do Titanic: The RPG. That's not good for my legal standing.

I'll put up a poll. Everyone that's backed Maschine Zeit will get to submit movie suggestions and vote on which gets the treatment. You'll all get mention.

It'll be a minor release. No real print run in the proper sense. If we hit that benchmark, not only will you be included in the decision-making process, but the game will exist when it otherwise wouldn't have. As well, you'll get a copy just for being a Maschine Zeit supporter.

Jason mentioned print run increases.

While there's a part of me that worries I'll have 100 books sitting around in my house, I'm strongly considering it. My other thought is though, when I do a huge convention like PAX Prime, instead of doing an initial print run that's huge, I could instead do one then, and have the books shipped to someone locally. Because there's no way I'm flying with fifty hardcover books from Philly to Seattle.

In essence, I'm weighing my options.

We're less than a week in, and we've almost doubled goal.

At double goal, I'll be wearing a cocktail dress to a convention. As well, as soon as we hit that level, I'll be announcing a sort of contest/bonus offer for a bit of a further boost.

We're close to goal, and it's only been going for about six hours.

I'll say this: If we double the goal by the end of April, I will wear a cocktail dress during the Saturday of a major convention. Highest bidder gets to choose the convention.

There. Be fruitful, and multiply or something.