Farmageddon proofing: all about Style!
Howdy backers,
It's been a bit since our last update, but we've been busy behind the scenes gettin' Farmageddon ready and shipping out our first two projects, Castle Dash and Crow & the Pitcher. Farmageddon is off the printer now and we should be seeing a physical proof soon (which we will of course share with you fine folks).
What goes into getting a game ready for press, though? We'd like to share with you general proofing background and the proofing (and re-proofing) process Farmageddon went through.
WHAT IS PROOFING, ANYWAY?
First, for those who may not know, proofing is checking for quality of
a visual medium and fixing any errors found. This can take a few passes, and
ideally with a third party at some point that isn't directly involved with the
project.
Ya see, working on a project for an extended period of time can cause you to become 'blind' to certain errors. You see a block of text you've gone through 30 times and go, "Yes, I know what this says and it was right the last 30 times," even if there's a glaring error in that text.
Proofing doesn't just deal with text, either. It could be a wrong image in the rulebook, wonky margins on a card, or just replacing a bad font.
FARMAGEDDON PROOFING, or STYLE IS EVERYTHING
Every project has a lesson or two to offer if you're paying attention,
even if it's just reaffirming something you already know. Farmageddon's key
lesson was definitely new for me, and it boils down to five words: Always have
a Style Sheet.
A Style Sheet is a guide to help a project have consistent language, proper capitalization of keywords, and in the case of a game, consistent phrasing of specific actions. Consistent phrasing makes for less confusing gameplay and less time checking a FAQ on a funky card wording.
The main issues Farmageddon had in the proofing process was inconsistent phrasing and capitalization between cards and the rules. Phrasing would even go back and forth between revisions until we created a style guide to define things such as "Harvest is only capitalized when it is an action or describing the Harvest pile." Once the Style Sheet was made, everything clicked into place with little issue. It was like having a rulebook for writing the rulebook. Quite meta, but extremely helpful.
Best,
P
1,243
Backers
$25,274
pledged of $5,000 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding period
Feb 1, 2012 -
Mar 4, 2012
(32 days)
- 7 created · 0 backed
- Has not connected Facebook
- Website: 5thstreetgames.com
Pledge $1 or more
9 backers
BUMPER CROP - You'll get a bushel of our thanks for helping us cover the costs of shipping the game.
Estimated delivery: Mar 2012Pledge $5 or more
12 backers
FARM FUTURES - You'll receive the bushel of thanks AND a PDF version of Farmageddon.
Estimated delivery: Mar 2012Pledge $12 or more
855 backers
SASSY WHEAT - You'll receive the bushel of thanks, a PDF version and one physical copy of Farmageddon. Backers outside of North America please add $5 to help cover shipping.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2012Pledge $19 or more
19 backers
SASSY WHEAT & POSTER: You'll receive the bushel of thanks, an 11x17 poster of Farmageddon's cover, a PDF version and one physical copy of Farmageddon. Backers outside of North America please add $5 to help cover shipping.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2012Pledge $24 or more
150 backers
SLUGGO CORN - You'll receive the bushel of thanks, a PDF version and two physical copies of Farmageddon; one for you and one for a friend! Backers outside of North America please add $5 to help cover shipping.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2012Pledge $25 or more
30 backers All gone!
SIGNATURE EDITION - You'll receive the bushel of thanks; a PDF version; a limited-edition signed, numbered physical copy of Farmageddon; AND a personal note from designer Grant Rodiek. Backers outside of North America please add $5 to help cover shipping.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2012Pledge $30 or more
19 backers
SIGNED SLUGGO CORN - You'll receive the bushel of thanks, a PDF version and two physical copies of Farmageddon: one signed by Grant Rodiek for your mantle and one to play! Backers outside of North America please add $5 to help cover shipping.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2012Pledge $30 or more
8 backers
SLUGGO CORN & POSTER- You'll receive the bushel of thanks, a PDF version of the game, one 11x17 poster of Farmageddon's cover, and two physical copies of Farmageddon; one for you and one for a friend! Backers outside of North America please add $5 to help cover shipping.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2012Pledge $36 or more
21 backers
GRUMPY MELON - You'll receive the bushel of thanks, a PDF version and three physical copies of Farmageddon; one for you and two for friends and family! Backers outside of North America please add $5 to help cover shipping.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2012Pledge $42 or more
80 backers
5TH STREET SPREAD - You'll receive the bushel of thanks; a PDF of Farmageddon; and one physical copy each of Farmageddon, Castle Dash, AND Crow & the Pitcher. Backers outside of North America please add $5 to help cover shipping.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2012Pledge $48 or more
11 backers
WARY SQUASH - You'll receive the bushel of thanks, a PDF version and four physical copies of Farmageddon. That's one for you, your friend, your family, and your neighbor! Backers outside of North America please add $5 to help cover shipping.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2012Pledge $75 or more
8 backers
DOUBLE 5TH STREET SPREAD - You'll receive the bushel of thanks; a PDF of Farmageddon; and TWO physical copies each of Farmageddon, Castle Dash, AND Crow & the Pitcher. Backers outside of North America please add $6 to help cover shipping.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2012Pledge $75 or more
8 backers Limited (42 of 50 left)
THE DISTINGUISHED FARMER: You'll receive a limited-edition signed print of Farmageddon's cover by artist Brett Bean; the bushel of thanks; a PDF version of the game; a limited-edition signed, numbered physical copy of Farmageddon; AND a personal note from designer Grant Rodiek. International backers outside of North America please add $5 to help cover shipping. ***$25 of this reward level will go to artist Brett Bean for helping Farmageddon become what it is today.***
Estimated delivery: Jul 2012Pledge $90 or more
9 backers
GENETIC SUPERBACKER: You'll receive the bushel of thanks, a PDF version and 8 physical copies of Farmageddon. Enough to have a Farmageddon party! Backers outside of North America please add $6 to help cover shipping.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2012
Comments