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Update #9 · Jul 4, 2012 · 6 comments

IF in US, THEN happy Independence Day, ELSE happy day in general! With less than three weeks to go we’ve hit 40% funding and nearly 2100 backers. Keep pushing, keep spreading the word, and make sure to tell your gaming blogger of choice: space gaming isn’t dead!

PREPARE TO DIE

The waiting is over. As requested by our community: HARDCORE MODE! The AI is SMARTER and MORE AGRESSIVE, weapons and armor are rebalanced, and the battlefield is now swarming with enemies. This is still alpha, but now it’s alpha with TEETH.

Download the cumulative patch (HERE) and drop the contents into your SKYJACKER directory, overwriting previous files. Run Setup.exe to choose your poison:

  • Normal: same as the current demo (bugfixes implemented, less likely to crash) 
  • Hard: more enemies, more action (higher demands on processor) 
  • Insane: downright unfriendly (powerful computer needed) 

Make sure you click “Apply” to lock in your choice, and then play the game. If your game abruptly fades out and dumps you to a menu screen - you died. Death cinematics are on the to-do list. :) Your pledges mean we’ll have the time and resources needed to complete all aspects of the game, from resource optimization to death-cams. Now get in there and fight for your life!

*** In addition, by several requests we implemented a possibility to disable stretching dots while the flight. Press Y to hide them, or Y again to get them back ***


PSA #3 - FIRST MOD EVER

As a followup to last week’s Moment of Zen, backer Veav explains where to find the level files in the demo and how to get started making your own levels. The usual caveats apply: this is an alpha build, the modding experience of the final game will be different, and the engine readily overloads with seemingly arbitrary circumstances. That said, please feel free to rip open the files and get your hands dirty!

SKYJACKER IN THE PRESS

PlaySciFi caught wind of us earlier, but this is their first Skyjacker feature and we’re happy we made such a good impression. “Did I just spot the potential for flying inside alien spaceships?” Yes. Yes you did. Some structures and capital ships are just too big for conventional weapons - you have to make your way inside and give ‘em a heart attack. p.s. no loading screens.

GamrReview also mentioned Skyjacker in early May and we’re glad to make our return debut on their Kickstarter roundup. The image on top is a Rak-Tak Bashogee ship, one of the fleets we didn’t cover. Anyone want to see a few more ships?

Denny Atkin is the Games editor for Microsoft’s Xbox.com website, but right now he’s not speaking on their behalf. This is a personal tweet and we’re glad to have that person with us. Thanks for the support, Denny! (psst, everyone retweet!) As an aside, one of our long-term goals IS to bring Skyjacker to the 360 - it’s one of the reasons we’re moving to Unity, and building out a control scheme that maps to a gamepad - and we look forward to talking shop with him when that time comes.

Gamer.no - Skyjacker in Norway? Hei! Venn! Velkommen!

Twenty Guns ill bent - Skyjacker in... Second Life? The gentleman very politely asked permission a while back to use our theme to open his blog, which is certainly head-and-shoulders over just doing so without attribution. If SL is your thing go check him out!

KICKING IT FORWARD

Retrovirus - We wanted to get in one more plug for Retrovirus. They’re all-in for the Descent experience, they’re at 30% of their goal, and this Friday’s their deadline - save the date and PLEASE, back them if you can.

MOMENT OF ZEN

Comments

    1. 882282_10151370083053193_6336134_o.small

      Creator Gavin Phoenix on July 7, 2012

      Awesome!

      Been busy but I'm here now! Will get the update installed after my set of work shifts and have a play :D

    2. Skj_avatar2_128x128.small

      Creator Veav on July 4, 2012

      or bandcamp. Forgot we switched to that, more likely to get them income.
      @Nelson Thanks dude! We have every intention of keeping this up right through July 23rd. :D

    3. Skj_avatar2_128x128.small

      Creator Veav on July 4, 2012

      @Jarmo Thank you! We put together these updates in google docs before moving them into Kickstarter's thing and every week SOMETHING goes wrong on the first pass. Sometimes it drops a few paragraphs, sometimes it moves a paragraph to the end of the document, sometimes there's a placeholder sentence that never gets removed (and that's our fault really). But the Moment of Zen link was ALWAYS the soundcloud, so this one - all Kickstarter. :|

    4. Priceline.small

      Creator Nelson Carter, Negotiator on July 4, 2012

      Awesome!! Love it... looking incredible guys..
      Keep up the great work!!

    5. Dgtls_web-logo_sqr_03_600x600.small

      Creator DIGITILUS on July 4, 2012

      Oh! Thank you Jarmo! Corrected now.

    6. Missing_small

      Creator Jarmo Petajaaho on July 4, 2012

      The Moment of Zen link leads to an internal Google Document of yours. You might want to change it.

2,890
Backers
$128,238
pledged of $200,000 goal
0
seconds to go

Funding Unsuccessful This project reached the deadline without achieving its funding goal on July 23, 2012.

Funding period
May 25, 2012 - Jul 23, 2012

  • Pledge $5 or more

    8 backers

    WALLPAPER SET: A large collection of Skyjacker wallpapers for your PC, Mac, tablet or mobile device, along with our heartfelt thanks. We appreciate your contribution!

    Estimated delivery: Dec 2012
  • Pledge $10 or more

    5 backers

    SOUNDTRACK PACK: As the Wallpaper Set, plus: the complete game soundtrack (DRM-free digital downloadable version, 320k or lossless). Take Skyjacker on the road!

    Estimated delivery: Mar 2013
  • Pledge $15 or more

    1146 backers

    COMPLETE EDITION: As the Soundtrack Pack, plus: THE GAME in all of its unearthly beauty on PC or Mac (DRM-free digital downloadable version). Walk the ruthless path of Ael-Skyjacker, the lone human in a galaxy of conflict, as he tears apart the stars in search of fame and fortune. Sabotage, assassination, robbery, grift - all in a day’s work! This includes everything - all cutscenes, voiceovers, missions, and content.

    Estimated delivery: Aug 2013
  • Pledge $20 or more

    322 backers

    COMPLETE BUNDLE: A bundle of two Complete Editions, for you and a friend. Every bundle contains a spare of everything that isn’t physical; in this case, you’ll receive two wallpaper sets, two soundtrack packs, and two Skyjacker games to play together. Or maybe you want one for your PC and one for your Mac? We can do that.

    Estimated delivery: Aug 2013
  • Pledge $25 or more

    325 backers

    COMMUNITY EDITION: As the Complete Edition, plus: exclusive access to the beta release of the game and its private discussion community. We'll keep you in the loop and include your feedback in the game creation process, and we’ll grant you the title of Beta Tester on all our forums, public and private. You’ll also get the PDF version of the Skyjacker artbook, with 100+ pages of concept art - detailed illustrations of alien races, planetary habitats, designs and technology, and extras left on the cutting-room floor.

    Estimated delivery: Aug 2013
  • Pledge $35 or more

    50 backers

    COMMUNITY BUNDLE: A bundle of two Community Editions. You’ll receive two PDF artbooks, two voices in everything we do, two early downloads of the game in progress, and two logins with the title of Beta Tester on top of the Complete Bundle.

    Estimated delivery: Aug 2013
  • Pledge $40 or more

    609 backers

    SETTLER EDITION: As the Community Edition, plus: all future content we make for Skyjacker for free, forever! We already have post-launch plans for an EXPANSION PACK of a few dozen additional missions where you step out of the shoes of humans and become the aliens - on both sides of the conflict. Smash the planetary colonies in the name of the pirate brotherhood, or fight to the death for the honor of your race! (Check out the FAQ for more details on the expansion pack.) Of course, we’ll promote you to the title of Settler on all our forums, so everyone knows you’re not afraid of commitment.

    Estimated delivery: Aug 2013
  • Pledge $60 or more

    105 backers

    SETTLER BUNDLE: A bundle of two Settler Editions. You’ll receive two of everything Skyjacker in the future (as long as it’s digital), on top of the Community Bundle. Since you’ll both be beta-release backers, you’ll get in on the beta release of future content too. Pretty nifty, huh?

    Estimated delivery: Aug 2013
  • Pledge $80 or more

    89 backers

    PIRATE EDITION: As the Settler Edition, plus: special thanks in the game credits as a Skyjacker supporter! We'll thank you by name, or the name of your choosing (subject to editorial approval). And we’ll upgrade your title to Pirate on the forums too, so everyone can shiver in terror at your presence. But here’s the best part - we’ll take all the downloads and put them on a professionally-packaged, pressed DVD. Then we’ll put it into your hands. No firewall in the world will stop you! (All physical items are exclusive to the campaign, and ship free within the US; please add $15 to your pledge for international shipping.)

    Estimated delivery: Aug 2013
  • Pledge $100 or more

    80 backers

    CAPTAIN’S EDITION: As the Pirate Edition, plus: one t-shirt of any design. Protect your frail human flesh from the dangers of space! We’ll also ship you a limited edition print of the game poster in full size (36” x 24”) for your bedroom, barracks, hangar or gun cabinet. But what’s a Captain without a crew? We’ll give you TWO downloads of everything. All rewards from this point forward are bundle packs! This includes 2x beta releases, 2x forum handles, 2x wallpapers, 2x soundtracks - everything that isn’t physical. And we’ll thank you both in the credits, in even BIGGER letters, and on the forums with the even SNAZZIER title of Captain. We’ll thank you right now, just for reading this! Thank you!

    Estimated delivery: Aug 2013
  • Pledge $150 or more

    71 backers

    COLLECTOR’S EDITION: As the Captain’s Edition, plus: we’ll go even further. We’ll put together a physical game box for all this loot, with the soundtrack on CD as well as the game DVD. It’ll be personally signed by Eugene Zhukov and the rest of the team leads, unless you ask us not to. In fact, we’ll sign everything we can get our hands on; the jewel cases, the poster, even the t-shirt (and those aren’t easy). Of course you’ll still get your downloads, so you can leave the box in mint condition.

    Estimated delivery: Aug 2013
  • Pledge $200 or more

    17 backers

    WOLFPACK EDITION: As the Collector’s Edition, plus: we’ll hook all your friends up too by giving you FOUR downloads of everything and sending you FOUR Portable Skyjacker USB drives, each preloaded with the Complete Edition game. We’ll set you all up with the title of Privateer on the forum, and for the credits, we’ll thank all four of you by name, under the clan name of your choice and billed proudly above the Captains. Added bonus: we'll send out a second t-shirt of any design!

    Estimated delivery: Aug 2013
  • Pledge $250 or more

    10 backers

    MEMEPACK EDITION: As the Wolfpack Edition, plus: we’ll add your message to the credits as your clan motto, anything you like (subject to editorial approval; keep it around Twitter-length, please). Plug your website, propose to your girlfriend, throw out your favorite quote, or make us spout memes and in-jokes at everyone who plays!

    Estimated delivery: Aug 2013
  • Pledge $500 or more

    8 backers

    HARDCOVER EDITION: As the Memepack Edition, plus: the hardcover Skyjacker art book. Yes, we’ll sign it with pride! We’ll wrap it up in a third t-shirt of any design, a total of three, and call you out in the forums and credits as a Broker. Then we'll further acknowledge your financial acumen by putting your name in the game, as the designation of a weapon, part, planet, or ship (we’ll make sure it’s something you like). You’ll be a part of the Skyjacker universe from here on out.

    Estimated delivery: Aug 2013
  • Pledge $1,200 or more

    5 backers Limited (95 of 100 left)

    BOSS EDITION: As the Hardcover Edition, plus: our designers will draw YOU, in full space pirate regalia. And then we'll put it on an exclusive jacket of your very own! Materials and exact design to be determined - but it'll be nice. We won’t try to sign this one. While that’s happening we'll attach your name to a character in-game (or leave it as a designation, your choice), and elevate you to the regal position of Boss on our forums and in the credits. Don't worry about the cost of shipping; even if you're outside the US, we'll take care of it. Nothing but the best for the Boss.

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

    1 backer Limited (9 of 10 left)

    EPIC EDITION: As the Boss Edition, plus: we'll put you in the game. We'll animate YOU in 3D as the subject for a CUSTOM PLAYER CHARACTER. This includes your face and proportions, a personal logo, and the highest category of criminal community rating in the game. Only you can play as this character (we'll give you a secret code to activate it) but other players can hire you as an NPC, so they'll get to enjoy it too! You will be known across the skies as a true Hero... or a Villain, your choice.

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

    1 backer Limited (3 of 4 left)

    LEGEND EDITION: As the Epic Edition, plus: with your permission, we'll use your character in our promotional campaigns. You'll be on our posters, in our trailers, and on whatever other media we produce. Your name will, in fact, be Legend. Furthermore we cordially invite you to come hang out with us in Los Angeles, CA, USA. We're from Russia - we know how to party. (Please contact us directly to make personal arrangements before the end of the campaign.)

    Estimated delivery: Aug 2013