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THE REAL ONE

Update #11 · Jul 7, 2012 · 19 comments

Okay, Update #10 was record-keeping. We’re not going to leave you in the lurch like that - here’s the REAL update!

Where do we stand? Two weeks to go, 2100+n backers, 82k+n pledged. Every Kickstarter starts strong and “plateaus”, flattening out in the middle. Some projects shoot up at the end, like Kinetic Void; some projects don’t, like Retrovirus. Which will SKYJACKER be? Not to be dramatic, but - that’s up to you!

MEET THE PIRATES

Pirates never got a fleet vid because their ships are a hodgepodge of stolen technology. Given how some of the other races build (or grow) their ships, it can be like dropping the engine from a ‘57 Chevy into, say, a grizzly bear.

The best way to see their “style” is to play around in the hangar and see what you can concoct, as seen in the video below. (It’s a solid 9 minutes and change, feel free to skip around a little.)

But we’re not going to leave it at that - we’ve put together a NEW PACK OF PIRATE AVATARS featuring these wretched hivers of scum and villainy!

Like our previous Spaceship avatar pack, we’ve cut them down to sizes that match most intertube needs, including Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and even your Kickstarter avatar. Let us know if there’s a size we missed and we’ll do something about it.

SKYJACKER Q&A

KICKPROP - First! We’re proud to be the first game Q&A up on kickprop.com, a new site dedicated to learning more about aspiring Kickstarter projects. Drop by and take a look - there are insights into the development process and Skyjacker’s future that have never been published before. 

HABRAHABR - We also did a Q&A with the folks at habrahabr.ru. While we start off talking about Skyjacker, the focus is on Kickstarters and crowdsourcing, and on the gaming industry. Two minor details: first, it’s in Russian, and second, the post has been locked as a draft? Until we have that sorted out, you can read the google-translated edition HERE.

SKYJACKER IN THE PRESS

  • Game Informer! - We made it into their Kickstarter roundup, but a feature article would really help out - hop onto the post’s comments and let them know you want to see more of Skyjacker!
  • SF SIGNAL - “This is one game I’d dearly love to see succeed. Unfortunately, unless there is a massive increase in backers in the next 18 days, Kicktraq says this project will reach $117k of a $200k goal. I guess you have to have a big name (Double Fine) to generate a huge amount of interest in a game, enough to ask for a lot of money anyway. Too bad because this game looks awesome.” Kicktraq projections are nearly always off due to the “Christmas miracle” effect of backers jumping on at the last minute, but we agree on all fronts - we’d rather be talking stretch goals and new features than counting the days.
  • RPS Katchup - “Crossing the $80k line, but still not even halfway to its hefty goal, it really is hard to imagine what more the developers need to do to catch people’s attention with this one. It looks splendid, and like Retrovirus, really needs the rest of the gaming press to wake up and talk about it.” Again - nothing more for us to add. RockPaperShotgun has been there for us since day one. Thanks, guys. 
  • GAGADGET - Another solid post in a Russian gaming community. Добро пожаловать! 
  • Zadrot.Co.Ua - And another, in Ukraine. We snuck in alongside news items from Hitman: Absolution, Mojang’s Scrolls, and Assassin’s Creed 3 - we’ll take that as a complement. Вiтаю!

MOMENT OF ZEN

Comments

    1. Dgtls_web-logo_sqr_03_600x600.small

      Creator DIGITILUS on July 10, 2012

      yeah, we hope so ...

    2. Pcb-design.small

      Creator JTD121 on July 10, 2012

      Here's to hoping you get a surge of support!!

    3. Dgtls_web-logo_sqr_03_600x600.small

      Creator DIGITILUS on July 9, 2012

      Well, there is one avian race called Oy-Ya-Ha. But currently we have only one rough sketch
      http://www.skyjackergame.com/content/kickstarter/04-Oh-Ya-Kha.jpg
      and few mentions in books. There is a character in a second book - crazy tallented architector of space stations, who helped pirates to build hidden base inside of the asteroid. In overall, this race wasn't suspected in a piracy, except this one case.
      Plus, from technical point such work takes time, which we'd better spend now for project promotional content - watch numbers on the upper right, I'd prefer to have better ones today having so much of luxury content.

    4. Skj_avatar2_128x128.small

      Creator Veav on July 9, 2012

      At first blush I wouldn't see why not. There ARE other aliens beyond the ones being presented - for instance there's a plant-based race with a caste system, an ancient prophecy, etc. But they aren't spacefaring so they don't get much of the spotlight. I'll add it to the idea pile!

      That said Eugene puts a huge amount of effort into giving each race an evolutionary and social history, their interactions in the galactic politics, their habits and tendencies, and of course their technology. So races aren't casually added. But it's not out of the question. :D

    5. Lj-strut.small

      Creator Stormdancer on July 9, 2012

      I'm hoping for more races out there... I'm always a sucker for avian-esque ones. Go figure, given my avatar. :p

      But I'd rather have quality over quantity. So if not for release, for an expansion pack?

    6. Mayor-nola.small

      Creator Da Mayor on July 8, 2012

      Ahhhh... Sweet!

    7. Dgtls_web-logo_sqr_03_600x600.small

      Creator DIGITILUS on July 8, 2012

      @ Da Mayor - answering your question: KickProp is a blog of our backer Keith McDaniel (look at his comment above), which he laucnhed to help us. That's why we say thanks to him :))

    8. Dgtls_web-logo_sqr_03_600x600.small

      Creator DIGITILUS on July 8, 2012

      Wow, Gavin and Gregory - I like yours prof. pics.
      Gavin, we discussed here - will anybody like to use ASP avatar or not? I said: sure, somebody like them too. Now I see I was right :))

    9. Scorpio.small

      Creator Greg "Scorpio" Myers on July 8, 2012

      Great update, cool avatars!

    10. 882282_10151370083053193_6336134_o.small

      Creator Gavin Phoenix on July 8, 2012

      New avatar updated :D

    11. Mayor-nola.small

      Creator Da Mayor on July 8, 2012

      Did KickProp contact YOU, or vice versa? I know a guy who might enjoy talking to those folks about his project.

    12. Skj_avatar2_128x128.small

      Creator Veav on July 7, 2012

      @Keith Thanks for throwing us those curveballs! It's awesome to get questions that aren't answered in the FAQs. :D

    13. Shadowrun_backer_badge_small.small

      Creator Keith McDaniel on July 7, 2012

      Doing what I can to spread the word! Appreciate you taking the time to interview with KickProp! Really appreciate it!

    14. Dgtls_web-logo_sqr_03_600x600.small

      Creator DIGITILUS on July 7, 2012

      @ Alejandro - believe me, I send them our press releases 2 times per week since May 1st - genna@cynicalbrit.com (Genna Bain), but it's useless ... they still ignore us all this time. Maybe they think we are competitors of StarCraft? :))
      We have a lot of luxury content for them - so many videos with all thnose fleets, gameplay, experiments with flying models etc. I really have no idea why they still didn;t mention us in their news?

    15. Skj_avatar2_128x128.small

      Creator Veav on July 7, 2012

      @Alejandro The Cynical Brit channel gets our press releases, beyond that - he rather infamously doesn't take requests so it's hard to do more. But agreed, we'd love to see if Skyjacker is up his alley.

    16. Dgtls_web-logo_sqr_03_600x600.small

      Creator DIGITILUS on July 7, 2012

      Thank you, Devon, we appreciate! :)

    17. Fb_profile_picture.small

      Creator Alejandro Suárez Mascareño on July 7, 2012

      You guys should try to contact TotalBiscuit, he told several times he would love to have a good new space combat sim.

    18. Devon1.small

      Creator Devon Rampe on July 7, 2012

      I'm upping my pledge another $20 to bring myself to the $60 Settler Bundle. :)

    19. Dgtls_web-logo_sqr_03_600x600.small

      Creator DIGITILUS on July 7, 2012

      I guess, now you guys will look not so similar in forum with our only 3 avatars :)) Furthermore, you can create your space pirates league now :))

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