The Banner Saga progress report for week 2
Hello supporters and backers! It's hard to believe it's only been two weeks since we launched the project and beside the weekly progress reports we've just cracked an unbelievable milestone at 350%! We'll be sending these updates out regularly to make sure you know what we're up to.
Without any further ado, here's the progress report for 4.2.12:
- Our top priority is to build on the work we've completed for the prototype. Basically this means hooking up everything that requires extra functionality; the combat interface, progression through each part of the game including character upgrades, building a party, hiring new units, the multiplayer narrative, the combat board itself and so on. It's a lot of foundation work you never really thinking about when you're playing a game.
- We've started working on our final designs for characters in combat and their variations, color schemes and upgrades. This work includes sketches and designs that will all end up in the art book! We'll probably pop up an image or two next week to let you see what we've been up to.
- We've spent a good portion of our time this week upping the resolution of our existing art to work on the Apple Retina displays for the new iPad, which is a much better step to take sooner than later. I suppose this is a pretty strong indication that we intend to port the game to iOS as soon as we can fit it into a schedule! That said, we won't let this take priority over finishing the game we set out to make on PC and Mac.
- We're currently up to our necks in offers to help with the music and have some great leads! We're making a concentrated effort to sort through all the amazing submissions this week and find our best fit for the project. Just like sound, we would have had to scale back the scope of what we could do with our limited manpower. We now have to option to get a dedicated music house to do more than we could have achieved alone at the highest possible quality.
- We've begun an honest-to-goodness production schedule with an animation studio who will help us complete all the frame-by-frame animations for combat and a handful of cutscenes that had previously been left on the cutting room floor.
- We've also gotten some good leads on great professional help for quality assurance. Boring, you say? It's the most exciting thing we can think of!
That wraps things up for the work in progress this week. We are, once again, floored by the donations that continue to roll in, and will be getting back to the grindstone to make it all happen.
Thanks!
Alex, Arnie and John
20,042
Backers
$723,886
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Funding period
Mar 19, 2012 -
Apr 20, 2012
- First created · 36 backed
- John Watson 645 friends
- Website: stoicstudio.com
Pledge $5 or more
35 backers
An exclusive desktop WALLPAPER for your PC, Mac, tablet or mobile device, along with our heartfelt thanks. Choose with or without the logo. Be a part of the movement!
Estimated delivery: Apr 2012Pledge $10 or more
9028 backers
A copy of THE BANNER SAGA with all the Chapter 1 content, along with all the big upgrades we're planning to add to the multiplayer, distributed digitally on PC or Mac. Includes all previous rewards.
Estimated delivery: Nov 2012Pledge $25 or more
4710 backers
Get the AWESOME SPECIAL EDITION of The Banner Saga. The single player game as described above, plus the digital art book including production art and design sketches, the original soundtrack and desktop wallpaper. On top of all that, as a special thanks we'll include your name in the OFFICIAL CREDITS for the game.
Estimated delivery: Nov 2012Pledge $50 or more
2735 backers
Be a real part of The Banner Saga! At this tier we'll provide you a template and you provide us with YOUR OWN CREST DESIGN which we'll put into the actual game. In both single and multiplayer, players will choose a family crest that represent them; this is your chance to get your family or guild symbol into the Banner Saga (must meet a few reasonable decency guidelines - see the FAQ). Includes all previous rewards.
Estimated delivery: Nov 2012Pledge $50 or more
1850 backers
SPECIAL POSTER PROMOTION: We've gotten so many requests for just the poster that we can't ignore them any longer! For this special reward, get just the poster (unsigned) and the special edition of the game, no frills. This prize does NOT include the button or the guild crest but DOES include your name in the credits. All higher level donations continue to get the $80 version of this prize. Include an additional $10 for shipping outside the US & Canada.
Estimated delivery: Jun 2012Pledge $80 or more
513 backers
A limited edition print of the official game POSTER for The Banner Saga in full movie poster size (24 x 36 inches), SIGNED by the team at Stoic. Look to the left to check out the art. Also, to show off your viking spirit in public we'll include a BUTTON that looks just like the main character's brooch. Includes all previous rewards - please add $10 for shipping outside the US & Canada.
Estimated delivery: Jun 2012Pledge $100 or more
680 backers
Your generous donation guarantees that you'll get not just the poster but a T-SHIRT designed exclusively for the Kickstarter campaign (check the art to the left). Once it's over we won't be making any more! Includes all previous rewards - please add $10 for shipping outside the US & Canada.
Estimated delivery: Jun 2012Pledge $150 or more
241 backers
Austin Wintory, composer of the hit game "Journey", will be providing limited edition PHYSICAL COPIES OF THE SOUNDTRACK, hand-signed by the composer himself. Different from the official soundtrack, once the campaign ends these special edition CDs won't be available again. As part of the special music promotion, the donations we receive from this prize category go directly to help fund an all-out, full orchestral score for the game, recorded in a live studio! Includes all previous rewards.
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $250 or more
47 backers Limited (3 of 50 left)
Don't just support the Banner Saga, own a piece of art from it. This tier features a physical, numbered ANIMATION CEL from the game, just like how they used to do it back in days of yore. Choose one of two pivotal characters from the game. Includes all previous rewards - please add $15 for shipping outside the US & Canada.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2012Pledge $350 or more
17 backers Limited (33 of 50 left)
Get an autographed copy of the performance parts from the recording sessions; the SHEET MUSIC used by the actual musicians who play on the score. Needless to say, this prize will be a limited run. As part of the special music promotion, the donations we receive from this prize category go directly to help fund an all-out, full orchestral score for the game, recorded in a live studio! Includes all previous rewards.
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $600 or more
50 backers All gone!
Kickstarter is a chance not just to fund the game but to offer art for the sake of art. Get a full-sized, 12 x 36 FRAMED LANDSCAPE work of art inspired by the incredible American master Eyvind Earle. No logos, no gimmicks; numbered and signed by the artist. Check it out in the details to the left. Includes all previous rewards - please add $20 for shipping outside the US & Canada.
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $800 or more
17 backers Limited (8 of 25 left)
Immortalize something meaningful to you in The Banner Saga. Send us a photo of YOUR OWN HEIRLOOM, memento or just something you'd like to show your friends and we'll turn it into a relic of value and power. We'll work with you to come up with a unique name and description that could include anything from a mysterious inscription to giving off a certain aura. You'll personalize it and make a coveted piece of gameplay by choosing from a list of rarities and in-game bonuses it provides. Doesn't look very viking-themed you say? That's ok, the marketplaces trade in items pillaged from all over the world. Because this includes all previous rewards, please add $20 for shipping outside the US and Canada
Estimated delivery: Nov 2012Pledge $1,200 or more
10 backers All gone!
We're incredibly excited about this one. We've partnered with an amazing artist to turn our landscape artwork into a 3-dimensional SHADOWBOX that replicates the feeling of parallax you get from traveling across the land. Framed with a glass cover and coming in at 20 x 16 inches this is a serious piece of art. Numbered and signed. Includes all previous rewards - don't worry about the shipping cost; you're good.
Estimated delivery: Oct 2012Pledge $2,500 or more
7 backers All gone!
The gods may be dead but they're not forgotten. BECOME A VIKING GOD in the actual game. We'll create a unique deity with your likeness and work with you on a great name and backstory for him or her. You'll appear in the game in various forms of effigy and be written into the lore, where all may see. Includes all previous rewards. Email us for more info.
Estimated delivery: Nov 2012Pledge $4,500 or more
0 backers Limited (2 of 2 left)
You are invited to personally ATTEND the music's recording sessions in Los Angeles or elsewhere later this year. This will include a day of hanging out with all of us at the recording studio, and lunch (on us). You will also receive a signed, leather-bound book compiling all of the game's music (produced as a one-off and therefore never commercially for sale) and earn a Music Associate Producer credit in the game and on the album. Not enough? Austin will personally compose an original 30-second ringtone, just for you! As part of the special music promotion, the donations we receive from this prize category go directly to help fund an all-out, full orchestral score in the game recorded in a live studio! Please note: this is a special case prize. While it does include the signed CD and the sheet music, it does not include any of the previous rewards. This one's for serious music fans. You must be able to travel to the Los Angeles area or elsewhere. If you're interested in this prize you must contact us to make arrangements before the end of the Kickstarter campaign.
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $5,000 or more
3 backers All gone!
We'll rotoscope and ANIMATE YOU, personally, into the game doing an attack or using a special ability so you, too, can look like a badass viking. How many chances will you have to be animated into a 2D game? Backers must be local or able to travel to the Austin/Georgetown area. Afterwards, let's get some lunch. Includes all previous rewards, do we even need to say it at this point? Email us for more info.
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $10,000 or more
1 backer All gone!
We have so many prizes now we had to compile them all into ONE FINAL, HUGE MEGA-PRIZE. The Executive gives you every prize we have to offer (except for the rotoscope shoot), including the viking god and attending the recording session. On top of that, you will be given an Executive Music Producer credit in the game and on the album. Lastly, receive a framed copy of the Banner Saga main theme, each note inscribed by hand by Austin Wintory, who will also be kind enough to sign his work. Has anything like this even been done before? Please contact us before donating at this tier.
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012
Comments
Creator zeekthegeek on April 14, 2012
@Andrew Triebe: if you read the FAQ on this page, you'd know that the game is being done in 3 chapters. The previous tiers have the first chapter. Each of these chapters is a standalone game that carries over progress.
Creator Andrew Triebe on April 13, 2012
What? I have to pay $50 to get the full game? I don't understand why does it say I get the game in the previous tiers?
Creator Howard Tan on April 12, 2012
I'm glad you guys are porting to ipad, not because i'm a casual gamer, but i'd like to play my games on the go. I'm just curious how the game experience will change!
Creator Mikhos on April 6, 2012
Absolutely fantastic, guys. Just bloody marvelous. Keep it up!
Creator Jeff on April 6, 2012
OH MY GAWD. I just squealed like a little girl on hearing this news. Can't wait for the Wintory eargasm of epic music of epicness.
Creator David John Putz on April 6, 2012
Any chance of a physical artbook?
Creator Mike Puskas on April 5, 2012
Guys,
I'd like to offer you the FREE services of Transference for your dynamic project. Please get in touch for direct and private information. Let's do this!
Creator J.W on April 4, 2012
I look forward to the team's focus on the game's vision and scope of the game--do NOT let backers sway or deviate from your original intended goal (myself included!)! I highly look forward to what you guys create :)
Creator Kellan Jett on April 4, 2012
good luck. love the project. planning on upping my donation.
Creator Brandon Allen-Trick on April 3, 2012
As a backer, will I get an iOs version download as well, have that as an option, or have to purchase that separately? FWIW I think the iPad's retina display will really do the amazing art justice.
Creator bantos on April 3, 2012
What about Linux? I'll definitely withdraw my backing if we don't get some confirmation of a Linux build.
Creator Red on April 3, 2012
How about the Android users be patient. It's much easier to develop for a closed eco-system, like iOS. I'm sure you'll get yours later, it's just in a developer's best interest to develop for a known quantity.
Creator Jacob on April 3, 2012
Remember guys, there's a mass of different Android systems. So part of the problem of developing for android is that you have to make a choice: Either you spend major coin on a myriad of devices for testing, or you sacrifice quality.
Personally I despise Apple because of their control mechanisims, but because of their control mechanisms its my understanding that it's easier for a dev to deliver a consistently high quality (ya know, 'cause there's basically just ONE system).
Creator Nick Hanson on April 3, 2012
I don't own iAnything either and am firmly in the Android camp but that being said the new iPad does have the highest resolution screen available at the moment so if they target their art assets for that then that means higher quality art for everyone. It's much easier to scale things down later then it is to scale them up. Either way I'll be playing the PC version as my primary platform though but an Android app would be nice.
Creator Jane Burger on April 3, 2012
As someone who doesn't who own i-anything, an Android app would be nicer. ;)
Creator Martin Ejstrup on April 3, 2012
Getting sick of this iOS bias...
Creator Paul Chaplin (@CottlestonPie) on April 3, 2012
Nice to see a small clamour for Linux support in the above comments; I'll +1 that again here. I'll also echo two of the above commenters that together express my position perfectly:
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(Omnifarous) "I'm still waiting to hear whether or not Linux will be officially supported or not. If it isn't, my pledge of $10 basically amounts to a goodwill gift since I will be unlikely to be able to play the game at all. If it is, I plan to increase my pledge to $80, because it looks like a really awesome story, and I'd love to play through it all."
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(And DH) "So is a Linux version on the table, or no? It'd be nice to know before the funding period ends. I'd definitely move to a higher bracket if a Linux version was confirmed, even if it wasn't simultaneously released with the PC/Mac version (although it'd be nice!)."
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I'll personally still be able to play it on Windows PC, but Linux PC is far and away my primary platform these days, so games that support it interest me far more. Double Fine Adventure and Wasteland 2 both added stretch goals for Linux/Mac support, which were met. If you can get an idea of what it would cost to support Linux, you should definitely add it in as a stretch goal. I think there'd be the support to reach it.
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In any case, I was more pleased than it's decent to admit that you'll be hiring professional QA people. That too often gets overlooked. :)
Creator Moggle on April 3, 2012
What milestone needs to be cracked for localization?
Creator Roman Grazhdan on April 3, 2012
Yay, I'm waiting for the Linux version, too.
If you make it for Mac and Ipad, you don't use Windows specific stuff I assume, so probably you could make the port, probably after you're done with Mac, Windows and Ipad.
Anyway, best of luck to you.
Creator Stoic on April 3, 2012
Yeah, sorry guys, no idea what happened with that date. Just pretend it has always said 4.2.12. Move along, nothing to see here...
Creator Andrey Ivanov on April 3, 2012
I think something wrong with date of report in your post - 2.12.12. It's either 12th of February or 2nd of December 2012 (is it DD/MM/YY or MM/DD/YY?). Probably it must be 2.04.12
Creator Chris Norulak on April 2, 2012
Awesome, heres hoping we get some more news, and maybe that crest template!
Creator Nathan Cooper - Chasing ∞ on April 2, 2012
Great work! Still hoping for a linux announcement. :)
Creator Ben Waxman PA-C on April 2, 2012
Great work guys and thanks for the update! I wish I had more money so I could give you more@!|!!!
Creator Ralph Mazza on April 2, 2012
I thought Wasteland2 was my most eagerly anticipated Kickstarter project...then you guys announced this. Now Banner Saga iOS version is my most anticipated Kickstarter project.
Although I cringe to think I might be reduced to playing this on my PC first...meh...
Creator mothrascales on April 2, 2012
Yes, I'm expecting deep and meaningful character development - especially for the party members. I'm already pepped for this game to scratch the itch that Fire Emblem started several years ago! I cannot wait to see your artwork, It's going to be awesome!
Creator Olivier Lamontagne on April 2, 2012
Great news! This retina display is amazing on the iPad. And being in the video game industry myself, I am really happy to see that you are working on two of the most underestimated parts of a production: music/sound and QA. Keep up the good work guys!
Creator Moleculor on April 2, 2012
An update from February?
(Without any further ado, here's the progress report for 2.12.12:)
Creator Edward K on April 2, 2012
the ipad port is great news! I'm just wondering whether the backers will be getting a copy as well? =)
Creator Prospect Denim® on April 2, 2012
are we getting any closer to a boxed set? :)
Creator Alex Kristopovich on April 2, 2012
@Alan
I agree completely. I'd assume an iPad port would be the first logical step, with XBLA next. I'm saying this because I think it would reach a wider market by adding those 2 on.
The more the better, and it sets an amazing platform for the next 2 chapters in the series.
Creator Alan Murphy on April 2, 2012
@Felix I'm all for them making an iPad port. A successful launch and port on the iPad will help put Stoic in a position to port the game to other devices. I'd love to see this game on Linux, Vita, XBLA, ect so everyone can enjoy it. It's simple economics, success in larger markets will allow development into smaller ones.
Creator DH on April 2, 2012
So is a Linux version on the table, or no? It'd be nice to know before the funding period ends. I'd definitely move to a higher bracket if a Linux version was confirmed, even if it wasn't simultaneously released with the PC/Mac version (although it'd be nice!).
I'm excited about where things go from here!
Creator Felix 'Kyo' Grünewald on April 2, 2012
i would appreciate it more if you make the iPad-port from the money that was earned from the game itself rather than from the kickstarter surplus.
Creator Omnifarious on April 2, 2012
I'm very happy to learn these things. It will make the quality of your game a lot higher, and being a backer, that makes me happy.
I'm still waiting to hear whether or not Linux will be officially supported or not. If it isn't, my pledge of $10 basically amounts to a goodwill gift since I will be unlikely to be able to play the game at all. If it is, I plan to increase my pledge to $80, because it looks like a really awesome story, and I'd love to play through it all.
Creator Nameless Knightshark on April 2, 2012
Is it even possible to give ipad apps away for a restricted community?
A great story is what i am hoping for as well!
Creator Alex Kristopovich on April 2, 2012
Any updates on possibly getting the game to XBL Arcade?
And if so, what are your capabilities to make a pledge here, get the person a copy of the game on XBLA?
Creator Duncan Sample on April 2, 2012
I certain agree with Razwan, a great story is what will make the game flow, give a reason to come back to it, complete it, and it will make it generally feel like a 'finished' game.
A side question... If/when porting to iOS, will that also be made available to current backers, or will it be another purchase? I don't own an iPad yet, but if the end result is as good looking as your initial video shows, I can see this being a big plus-point for buying one :o)
Creator Dinah Sanders on April 2, 2012
QA is hawt.
Also I second Razvan's interest in a great story; it would be glorious if this could be as beautifully written as it is clearly going to be lovely to look at.
Creator mindx2 on April 2, 2012
Are you thinking of anymore milestones? More/ different tiers to help generate more pledges?
Creator Michiel Bugher on April 2, 2012
I've been doing Quality Assurance for almost six years now and I'm definitely willing to lend a helping hand to test this game.
Creator Razvan Florentin Popescu on April 2, 2012
Cool. What I'm most interested in is the story though, please polish every single NPC, every single personality, their every word, and make it last forever. This is your shot at immortality.
Creator Michael Matzat on April 2, 2012
Yes. Nothing is worse than another game in need of 5 patches during the next year to make it work.
Creator William C Crawford on April 2, 2012
I think you'll find that gamers think QA is very, very important. :)