New Guest Cards - Zombie Tim Schafer and Zombie Ron Gilbert!
by Sebastian Haley, Creative Director
The
Z. team is extremely excited to end this week of guest card
announcements with a bang: adventure game legends Tim Schafer
(Psychonauts, Grim Fandango) and Ron Gilbert (Maniac Mansion, The Cave)
have agreed to appear as cards in our game alongside Tex Murphy, Mr. Destructoid,
and cosplayer Jessica Nigri.
I
was a gamer long before I became a game journalist and game developer,
and this just kind of blows my mind. It also astounds and delights me to
know that we’re making a zombie card game where an undead Tim Schafer
will do battle with the girl who played Juliet in the Lollipop Chainsaw
commercials!
Players
hoping to pit the longtime friends against each other in a horrific
battle to the death should know that Tim and Ron both opted to join the
zombie side! Maybe they read about how zombies have Killstreak cards....
Now
that the zombie horde has serious star power on its side, we need to
beef up the survivors as well. I feel like the only way to fight geek is
with geek, so what survivor guest cards would you like to see next?
Personally, I’d love to see Felicia Day and her Guild-mates join the
fray. I wonder if she has a Google alert set up for her name? Maybe if
we all end our Kickstarter comments with “Felicia Day” she will have no
choice but to pay attention to us. Is that brilliant or creepy? Let’s
find out!
Felicia Day.
For Charity!
To
celebrate the Double Fine duo’s appearance in Z., Downward Viral will
be holding a little friendly competition among zombies in the name of
charity. When the digital version of Z. launches (ideally in early
December), we’ll track the amount of kills that both Zombie Tim Schafer
and Zombie Ron Gilbert get in the game. The zombie with the biggest
bodycount gets a $2,500 donation* made to the charity of their choice.
*This donation is coming out of our own pockets, so don’t worry about it being taken out of the Kickstarter funds.
Also,
because “zombify Tim Schafer” can now be crossed off our bucket lists,
we’re upgrading all physical boxed sets to the Deluxe Edition. So where
you would have chosen two starters for your box, you’ll now
automatically get all six, which is over 350 cards!
And
lastly, remember that all guest cards are included at any backer level
$15 and up. Guest cards will only appear in the digital version of the
game, so you might want to grab an Ultimate All-Digital Bundle while
they last!
If
you’re just checking out Z. for the first time, I want to take this
opportunity to show how we’re not just throwing together a crappy game
while trying to capitalize on the zombie craze and guest cards.
More so than anything Z. is designed for entertainment, not for squeezing
pennies out of kids through microtransactions and cow clicks. It’s meant
to have something for everyone; whether you’re allergic to rulebooks or
a longtime hardcore tabletop player, we have a very diverse offering without
watering down or breaking the core values of these types of games.
And
the underlying theme of that offering is to just have fun. We’ve taken
out all the shitty parts that we don’t like and focused on what we do
like. We even Frankensteined in pieces from other genres like RPGs and
first-person shooters. Why not, right? Who says you can’t have
randomized loot cards or killstreaks in a card game?
But
there’s also two extremely important features that will help balance
out the game and tie back to being accessible to anyone willing to give
it a go:
Intelligent Matchmaking
We
have single-player and cooperative modes for those who aren’t into
competitive or friendly duels, but for those who are, we want to make
sure that you always have a balanced and enjoyable experience.
In
Z., the game will rank your deck according to its power, and that
ranking will be displayed publicly and used to match you with players of
similar skill and deck ranking. It’s a very simple concept, but one
that will help create the best possible online community we can hope
for.
Auto-Deck Creation
One
of the things I hate about card games is getting a booster or a new
expansion and then having to go through my entire library to try and
create the best possible deck. It’s time-consuming and stressful, and it
feels more like work than having fun, especially if you’ve bought as
many boosters and card games as I have over the years.
In
the digital version of Z., you’ll be able to instantly create custom
decks with the push of a button. Simply select which parameters you
want, and then click “Create Deck”. That’s it.
So
let’s say your friend just started playing and you want to battle them
with a low-rank zombie deck that emphasizes Infection. Tell the game
that’s what you want, and it will automatically create it for you using
the best card configuration possible from your library.
You don’t have to use this feature, of course, but it’s there if you want it.
tl;dr = Z. can be as deep as you want it to be, and everyone who has played it so far has shouted the words, “One more game!” including myself. That has to mean something, right? :)
1,147
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$124,288
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Funding period
Jun 14, 2012 -
Jul 14, 2012
- 2 created · 112 backed
- Sebastian Haley 160 friends
- Website: downwardviral.com
Pledge $1 or more
1 backer All gone!
Shipping is FREE to all U.S. backers! Please add $15 for all international shipping. There are no shipping costs for all-digital bundles. Limited Rewards are NOT included in other reward tiers, so get them while they last!
Estimated delivery: Jul 2012Pledge $15 or more
242 backers
STARTER BUNDLE - A code for a DRM-free SPECIAL EDITION of the game with rare Kickstarter-exclusive cards. ONE profile is all you need to play across EVERY platform (PC, iOS, Facebook, etc.). +++ An all-access pass to the behind-the-scenes blog, videos, and galleries so you can see how the game is made!
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $25 or more
331 backers
UPGRADE BUNDLE - Upgrade to an Elite Survivor Starter Deck and Elite Zombie Starter Deck containing RARE hero and weapon cards +++ Free MP3 download for the official game soundtrack. +++ Special thanks in the credits and on the website. +++ Two Kickstarter-exclusive in-game cards (one zombie, one survivor). +++ ALL PREVIOUS REWARDS.
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $50 or more
29 backers
RETRO COLLECTOR - Choose a Collector’s Edition Retro Z. cart (survivor or zombie). +++ The Art From the End of the World concept art book (PDF). +++ Two more Kickstarter-exclusive in-game cards (a total of 4). +++ ALL PREVIOUS REWARDS.
Estimated delivery: Sep 2012Pledge $75 or more
13 backers
VIP BUNDLE - FIVE EXTRA ELITE COPIES of the game to share with friends and family. +++ Tokens to download FIVE ELITE BOOSTER PACKS guaranteed to have AT LEAST TWO RARE CARDS EACH. Each token can be gifted individually. +++ Two more Kickstarter-exclusive in-game cards (a total of 6). +++ ALL PREVIOUS REWARDS.
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $100 or more
293 backers Limited (707 of 1000 left)
ULTIMATE ALL-DIGITAL BUNDLE - HELP US REACH OUR GOAL WITH THIS LIMITED EARLY BIRD SPECIAL! +++ Start the game with all six Elite Edition Starter Packs for survivors and zombies (over 350 cards!) +++ Lifetime VIP pass - one Enhanced Booster Pack every week! +++ Five extra Elite Editions of the game to gift to anyone you want. +++ Tokens to download five Elite Booster Packs with at least two rares in each pack. +++ All 10 Kickstarter-exclusive rare cards. +++ The Golden Rocket Launcher and Golden Minigun weapons. +++ Permanently unlock any Filter type to use on all your cards. +++ PDF of the Art From the End of the World concept art book. +++ MP3 download of the official Z. soundtrack. +++ Exclusive access to closed beta for Z. and future Downward Viral games. +++ VIP access to the development forums and wiki. +++ A personal phone call from the dev team thanking you for your support!
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $110 or more
7 backers
PRODUCER - VIP access to the development forums and wiki where you can discuss and vote on game features, card types, and directly help us CREATE THE GAME THAT YOU WANT TO PLAY +++ A PERSONAL PHONE CALL from the dev team thanking you for your support. +++ Exclusive access to CLOSED BETAS for Z. and future Downward Viral games. +++ PRODUCER CREDIT in the game and on the website. +++ Two more Kickstarter-exclusive in-game cards (a total of 8). +++ ALL PREVIOUS REWARDS excluding the All-Digital Bundle (which is not included in any other rewards since it is limited).
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $150 or more
175 backers
RARE COLLECTOR - A Kickstarter-exclusive BOXED EDITION of Z., NUMBERED and SIGNED by the dev team. This rare collector’s edition will never be made again! Choose which Starter Decks you want included in your boxed set. +++ BOTH Survivor and Zombie retro carts. +++ Two more Kickstarter-exclusive in-game cards (INCLUDES ALL 10). +++ ALL PREVIOUS REWARDS.
Estimated delivery: Oct 2012Pledge $250 or more
20 backers Limited (80 of 100 left)
LIFETIME VIP - A lifetime VIP pass! You will get an ENHANCED BOOSTER PACK EVERY WEEK FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE! +++ New cards will be released at least once every month. Can be gifted. +++ ALL PREVIOUS REWARDS.
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $500 or more
4 backers
CREATOR - This is where things really start to get interesting! A weapon, item, location, or character will be named after you (you choose the card type and name you want). +++ A numbered and signed PHYSICAL copy of Art From the End of the World that will also include the item you created! +++ ALL PREVIOUS REWARDS.
Estimated delivery: Sep 2012Pledge $600 or more
9 backers
GOLDEN COLLECTOR - A HAND-DRAWN IMAGE OF YOU as a survivor or zombie by one of our lead concept artists. +++ Choose an extremely limited Collector’s Edition Retro GOLDEN Z. cart (survivor or zombie). +++ Two Exclusive Weapon Cards: Golden Rocket Launcher and Golden Minigun. +++ ALL PREVIOUS REWARDS.
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $2,500 or more
0 backers
SURVIVOR - You or a friend/loved one will get to be a survivor in the game! Send in a photo of yourself and we’ll use it to create an awesome new survivor card through digital trickery! We will work with you beforehand to come up with a cool character concept. Can be gifted. +++ An OVERSIZED CARD OF YOURSELF, frameable! +++ Both golden retro Z. carts +++ ALL PREVIOUS REWARDS.
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $5,000 or more
0 backers
THE Z. SPECIAL - You will get to be BOTH A SURVIVOR AND A ZOMBIE. Our makeup/film team will TRAVEL TO YOU at a time/place of your choosing to TRANSFORM YOU and take your photos. We will work with you beforehand to come up with a cool character. Can be gifted. +++ A FRAMEABLE OVERSIZED CARD OF EACH OF YOUR CHARACTERS! +++ EXECUTIVE PRODUCER CREDIT in the game and on the website. +++ ALL PREVIOUS REWARDS.
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $10,000 or more
1 backer
VIDEO STAR - THE ULTIMATE Z. PACKAGE: YOU’LL BE CAST AS A RECURRING CHARACTER IN THE LIVE-ACTION SEQUENCES. You will have DIALOGUE and appear as a survivor in AT LEAST SIX EPISODES, plus have survivor and zombie cards made of you. +++ CREDIT as a cast member and EXECUTIVE PRODUCER. +++ ALL PREVIOUS REWARDS (note that this reward is NOT included in the Hometown Apocalypse tier).
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $10,000 or more
2 backers Limited (3 of 5 left)
HOMETOWN APOCALYPSE - YOUR TOWN OR CITY WILL BE FEATURED AS AN IN-GAME LOCATION. Wage war in your own backyard! +++ At least 20 unique cards will be created to capture and represent local landmarks, willing participants, and more! +++ An UNCUT SHEET of your exclusive hometown cards, FRAMEABLE! +++ When the dev team visits to take pictures for cards and film your neighborhood, we’ll take you out to lunch/dinner and play a few games of Z. (or Halo, Dominion, minigolf, or whatever you want!). +++ EXECUTIVE PRODUCER CREDIT in the game and on the website. +++ ALL PREVIOUS REWARDS.
Estimated delivery: Oct 2012
Comments
Creator Thomas James Egan on June 23, 2012
Who could battle Zombie Tim and Rob properly. Oh I got it, Gabe Newell and Chet Faliszek.
Creator Stephanie Carmichael on June 22, 2012
Hey, guys! Here's an official tweet from Double Fine: https://twitter.com/DoubleFine/status/216251810921459713 :)
Creator Michael Polo on June 22, 2012
Zombie Stephen King would be excellent also. He can even help write an expansion or scenario with you guys!!! There hasnt been enough Stephen King out there lately... Quentin Tarantino looks like a dude who may be interested in being a zombie. Him and Robert Rodriguez could team up.
Creator Michael Polo on June 22, 2012
Hideo Kojima anyone? Shigeru Miyamoto would be awesome as a zombie also.
Creator Downward Viral on June 22, 2012
@Alex: We'll have some new cards after Anime Expo to prove it. :)
Creator Alex Earp on June 22, 2012
This is officially bullshit, you have to be blackmailing these people or something. Every day the guest cards become more and more well known. INB4 Zombie Wil Wheaton and Felicia Day.
Creator Downward Viral on June 22, 2012
@Adam: Yep! We'll make a note on our end that you'll be receiving both.
Creator Adam Lamb on June 22, 2012
Wow, that was fast. Cool! one more question. We can add $100 to our pledge on top of the $150 to get the ULTIMATE ALL-DIGITAL BUNDLE still correct?
Creator Downward Viral on June 22, 2012
@Adam: Yes, that's correct. ALL physical editions have been upgraded, so if you're getting a box, you're getting the deluxe version.
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Kickstarter doesn't allow you to update reward descriptions once someone has pledged to them, so anyone who misses the many announcements about the free upgrade will just be pleasantly surprised in December. :)
Creator Adam Lamb on June 22, 2012
Could you clarify the statement that "we’re upgrading all physical boxed sets to the Deluxe Edition"? Would that tier now have the "pick a starter deck" removed and "comes with all 6" added? Or is there more? Thanks! Game looks great! Can't wait!
Creator TheChosenOne on June 22, 2012
Alright looking good.