Summerland is a game about desolation and redemption in a post-apocalyptic world destroyed by a vast supernatural forest. The game was first published nearly ten years ago, and has since been translated in to French, Catalan and Spanish.

This Kickstarter is to fund the creation of a new full-colour version of the game with improved mechanics based on the Open D6 system, in 200 page 6"x9" book format.

In Summerland, players take on the roles of Drifters, characters who travel beneath the Sea of Leaves, the vast supernatural forest that has devastated the works of humanity. They are driven to constantly move on due to a past trauma that while protecting them from the Call, the siren-song of the forest, prohibits them from being accepted in to what's left of society. Instead they must confront their past, resolve their trauma and at last join the remainder of humanity. Like my last game Exilium, also funded via Kickstarter and delivered earlier than anticipated, this new version of Summerland uses mechanics specifically to model the process redemption, giving the game a clear 'end-game' linked to actual play.

The original version of the game came out around ten years ago, quickly followed by a revised and expanded edition. I'm now raising funds for a new full colour second edition of Sumerland, with new mechanics based on the Open D6 rules set as used in Exilium, so still rules light, but modified to fit the themes and goals of Summerland.

Summerland has been out for some time in it's original form with different mechanics to this new version. Check out some reviews at the links below (and bear in mind what's changed in this new edition, listed in the next section)...

http://mostunreadblogever.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/tommys-take-on-summerland-revised-and.html

https://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?483617-Summerland-Any-good

http://www.bluestockings.ca/2014/09/game-review-summerland.html

DrivethruRPG customers:

'What captivated me about this setting was the mysteries and the connection to nature. It reminded me very much of the books of Robert Holdstock, where a huge forest places an important role as well. There is something strange here that I hope to one day explore! The cover art is amazing!

Rating: [4 of 5 Stars!]'

'The premise is both intriguing and deceptively simple: a primeval forest has overtaken the world overnight, destroying civilization in one fell swoop. Why and how? That's up to the narrator to decide--or to leave as a mystery. It's an evocative, open-ended setting with unlimited possibilities and designed with an eye to letting the players and narrator create a very personal, collaborative story. Personally, it's just the thing I was looking for. I can't wait to play it.

Rating: [5 of 5 Stars!]'

Since it's release, Summerland has been translated into French, Catalan and Spanish.

For a Q&A on the new edition which talks about the game, check the link below:

https://gmshoe.wordpress.com/2018/02/23/qa-greg-saunders-summerland-2nd-edition/

The core of the game is identical, the setting material and 'Fallen leaves' the sandbox campaign, are all as before. There are two main changes...

• Full colour layout, featuring art from the talented Tithi Luadthong. The original game was black and white with treated photos. This version will be packed full of wonderful and evocative art like below in both one page and double page spreads. The game will also feature the beautiful original cover by Paul Bourne of Cubicle 7, modified for the new edition.

 

• New Open D6 engine. The original game had a short, very narrative rule set, which these days has proven to be insufficiently robust in play. So it's been replaced by the Open D6 rules based on MiniSix from Anti-Paladin games that I used with my other game Eixlium. The rules for resolving traumas and stress are the same however, as they riff off of die results from actions.

Sample of the layout:

 

The Open D6 game system is extremely versatile, and can be implemented in various degrees of detail for games that are light to heavy in style. Summerland is definitely rules light, but that doesn't mean you couldn't bolt on things you like from the free to download Open D6 rule books. It's a great, simple versatile system, so that's why I use it in my games.

 

There are two main tiers - one for a PDF of Summerland, one for PDF+softcover and one for PDF+hard cover. The books will be formatted to 6"x9" dimensions and are expected to clock in at 200 pages. We will be using DriveThruRPG for fulfillment.

PDF vouchers will be sent out when the project completes for the final product.

Print copies will be produced by DriveThruRPG as well, slightly after the final PDF is produced to allow for proofs to be ordered. Backers who back for print copies will receive a discount voucher to receive a print copy of their choice (softback or hardback) at production price, but they will need to pay the production price and the shipping cost.

The production price for the softcover book is expected to be approximately $8 or £6, depending on final page count.

The production price for the hardcover book is expected to be approximately $30 or £20, depending on final page count. This is the best quality DriveThruRPG can do, with glossy printed pages where the colours really pop, but it does cost a bit to make.

Shipping will depend on your location, estimates for common destinations are given below:

There is also a tier to get a PDF or voucher for an at-cost print copy of Exilium, my previous game. It's a science fiction game where you play post-humans kicked out of your higher reality for a crime you committed, desperately trying to find a way back in. Here's a link with reviews and lots of additional supplements:

http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/215176/Exilium-Core-Rules

Exilium rewards will ship as soon as the Kickstarter ends.

There will be stretch goals for this project in the form of PDF mini-supplements, similar to those now available for Exilium. These will feature locations, factions and new rules for Summerland, as well as adventure hooks. Some full-blown adventures will also feature - the list will update as we unlock more goals!

Stretch goals will ship as they are completed, but this should be very close to the same time as the main rule book.

Thanks for looking at my Kickstarter - hopefully you'll decide to join me on this journey!