Latest from the Creator
PROJECT UPDATE
jex thomas
CREATOR
5 days ago
Project Update: Update 19: Pre-Order Store Now Open + Other Updates
Hey all!
We find ourselves in the waiting period between the campaign ending and Backerkit releasing the funds. Once that happens, we can move ahead with printing and sending out backer surveys. So be on the lookout for those in about two weeks or so.
We find ourselves in the waiting period between the campaign ending and Backerkit releasing the funds. Once that happens, we can move ahead with printing and sending out backer surveys. So be on the lookout for those in about two weeks or so.
Pre-Orders Now Available
I also wanted to let everyone know that I've flipped the "go" switch on the Pre-Order Store, so if there's anyone you know who was interested in the game but didn't (or wasn't able to) back during the campaign, feel free to share this link with them!
Backers: do not use the pre-order store to select add-ons that you missed during the campaign; you will be able to do this once the survey goes out.
Backers: do not use the pre-order store to select add-ons that you missed during the campaign; you will be able to do this once the survey goes out.
Projects Worth Supporting
I also wanted to share a couple of links to other projects I'm excited about:
- My friend Michael launched a really cool system-agnostic, Cy-Borg compatible module called The 55. It's based on a setting Michael's game Neon Black, my favorite cyberpunk TTRPG, and it's megablock-arcology-as-dungeon, with over 100 locations, hundreds of NPCs and factions, and a bunch of random tables. The zine also has just absolutely beautiful layout and graphic design. CHECK IT OUT!
- My buddy Sam hosts one of the coolest TTRPG-related podcasts around. Dice Exploder is launching a crowdfunding campaign for their fourth season which is sure to be a great listen. Past seasons have included cohosts like John Harper, Meguey Baker, Mikey Hamm, and Jason Morningstar. Also, the show was recently nominated for an ENNIE! Follow along now!
- Finally, I don't know the folks behind the Grimwild campaign, but it's a really cool fantasy heartbreaker that takes your favorite parts from D&D and puts them in a FitD-like framework. If I set up a heroic fantasy game any time soon, it's almost certainly going to be this one! They are currently in their final day of funding, so get while the going's good!
Timeline
Finally, a brief update on timeline:
- Boone is currently hard at work indexing the book and has already completed his first pass.
- As I mentioned above, Backerkit will be releasing funds in about two weeks. At that time, I'll place the order for the books and start working with our fulfilment partner on logistics.
- Once funds are released, we'll do a "smoke screen" test of the backer survey and provided all goes to plan, we'll send out the backer survey at which time you can pick up any add-ons you might be interested in. Shipping will not be charged at this time.
- At the same time, I'll start working with Sarah, Eli, and Richard to begin development on their stretch goals.
- Once the index is done, I'll put the final touches on layout and send all the files to the printer.
- I'm hesitant to even mention a date because I don't want to accidentally overpromise, but we are currently ahead of schedule and if everything goes according to plan, the books should be printed and shipped to the warehouse late August/early September, at which point cards will be charged for shipping and fulfillment will begin.
- Stretch goals will be fulfilled as they are completed.
As always, should this timeline change, I promise to communicate any and all updates or delays as promptly and transparently as possible.
Thanks again for all your support and the awesome energy you bring to this project. This is kind of a dream come true for me, and I appreciate your part in making it happen!
jex
Includes Backer-Exclusive Content
PROJECT UPDATE
jex thomas
CREATOR
25 days ago
Project Update: Update 14: New Video! How to Set Up and Run One Shots in Bump in the Dark!
Hey folks!
Thanks to the kind assistance of one of our wonderful backers, I was able to overcome my technical difficulties. Thanks, Stefan! So now, without further ado, here's my video on running one shots in Bump in the Dark. Hope it's helpful, and if you have any questions, please let me know in the comments!
No other updates today. Just continuing to recover and getting some things sorted out with the printer so once the campaign is over and Backerkit releases the funds, we can hit the ground running.
Hope everyone enjoys their Thursday!
jex
Thanks to the kind assistance of one of our wonderful backers, I was able to overcome my technical difficulties. Thanks, Stefan! So now, without further ado, here's my video on running one shots in Bump in the Dark. Hope it's helpful, and if you have any questions, please let me know in the comments!
No other updates today. Just continuing to recover and getting some things sorted out with the printer so once the campaign is over and Backerkit releases the funds, we can hit the ground running.
Hope everyone enjoys their Thursday!
jex
PROJECT UPDATE
jex thomas
CREATOR
about 1 month ago
Project Update: Update 6: Revised Edition Preview + Prior Edition of the Game (and some quick announcements)
Hey folks!
I wanted to make sure I could provide this stuff as quickly as possible, so in the exclusive content section of this update you will find a link to a Dropbox folder containing:
I wanted to make sure I could provide this stuff as quickly as possible, so in the exclusive content section of this update you will find a link to a Dropbox folder containing:
- ZIP file containing the previous edition of Bump in the Dark (v0.9.5) and three different versions of the Last Pine map by Eli Kurtz
- This is the same as what has been available on itch.io and DriveThruRPG prior to the launch of the crowdfunding campaign
-
Revised Edition Playkit, Oneshot Guide, and Pre-gen Character Sheets
- This is updated from what's currently on itch.io
- Fully playable and (almost) text-complete preview of the Revised Edition
- Note: this PDF contains no art
- Additionally, the following have been left out of the preview:
- Changing the Game chapter
- Oracles/roll tables
- Index
- Because of this the Table of Contents is a little broken
- These materials will become available once digital fulfillment begins after the campaign has ended
Now on to a couple other things:
UNLOCKED STRETCH GOAL: UV SPOT GLOSS FINISH
I'm really excited about this one! I think doing a UV spot finish on the cover will help elevate the look of the book and help it really stand out as a premium addition to your collection.
ONLY ONE STRETCH GOAL REMAINS
Pretty unbelievable, but only one stretch goal remains, which is unlocking monetary bonuses for all contributors.
There are not any plans for further stretch goals at this time. As this is my first crowdfunding campaign, I want to be very aware of the pitfalls of over-promising and being unable to deliver -- either within the expected time frame or not at all. I'm just one person with a little bit of help from some friends, and the last thing I want to do is let down the people who are supporting me and my game.
Besides, we do still have some fun community goals left, and if we unlock the next one, you all will get to vote on what it should be. We've been cooking up a few ideas and hopefully I'll get to see what y'all are most interested in!
There are not any plans for further stretch goals at this time. As this is my first crowdfunding campaign, I want to be very aware of the pitfalls of over-promising and being unable to deliver -- either within the expected time frame or not at all. I'm just one person with a little bit of help from some friends, and the last thing I want to do is let down the people who are supporting me and my game.
Besides, we do still have some fun community goals left, and if we unlock the next one, you all will get to vote on what it should be. We've been cooking up a few ideas and hopefully I'll get to see what y'all are most interested in!
Includes Backer-Exclusive Content
PROJECT UPDATE
jex thomas
CREATOR
8 days ago
Project Update: Update 18: WE DID IT!
Holeeeeee shit y'all! We did it! The campaign is over and we're just shy of 300% funded! Cannot believe it. Thank you everyone so much for your support! I'm a bit behind on setting up the pre-order store because I ended up being out of town for the weekend, but I plan to get right to work on it ASAP.
In the meantime, I'm going to take a moment to celebrate.
jex
In the meantime, I'm going to take a moment to celebrate.
jex
PROJECT UPDATE
jex thomas
CREATOR
11 days ago
Project Update: Update 17: Character Creation
Hey folks! Just wanted to share this new video. Unlike the previous one, which was specifically directed at keepers, this one is for all the hunters-to-be out there and walks you through the process of creating a character:
I've been having a lot of fun with these videos, so if anyone has any ideas for things you'd like to see, please share them here! What would be helpful for you and your table?
jex.
PS We are only 122 community copies away from our goal of 666! Let's see if we can do it in the next few days!
I've been having a lot of fun with these videos, so if anyone has any ideas for things you'd like to see, please share them here! What would be helpful for you and your table?
jex.
PS We are only 122 community copies away from our goal of 666! Let's see if we can do it in the next few days!
PROJECT UPDATE
jex thomas
CREATOR
14 days ago
Project Update: Update 16: Final days - six days left!
We're almost there! There are six days left in the campaign and we're at nearly $13k! We're 259% funded which is more than I ever could have hoped for. This whole experience has been a whirlwind for me so far and I feel like I've learned a lot about the process. And while the campaign ends next Sunday, there's still a lot to do on my end. That said, as I've mentioned before, I'm trying to have as many things in place beforehand as possible. The indexer has gotten to work, I've been working with the printer, and the cover artist is working on making some tweaks to the cover to make it fit the printer's specifications better. I'll be working with the fulfillment partner to make sure we get everything to people in a reasonable amount of time. We'll get things going on the digital stretch goals as soon as possible, and I'm working on setting up the pledge manager now.
As a note, the printed hunt pamphlets and the stickers will be shipped separately from the books, so we will keep you updated on those dates. I expect that I will not charge separate shipping for those items.
I'm hoping to get another video out for you this week, so stay tuned for that.
In the meantime, let me know if you have any questions or concerns!
jex
As a note, the printed hunt pamphlets and the stickers will be shipped separately from the books, so we will keep you updated on those dates. I expect that I will not charge separate shipping for those items.
I'm hoping to get another video out for you this week, so stay tuned for that.
In the meantime, let me know if you have any questions or concerns!
jex
PROJECT UPDATE
jex thomas
CREATOR
20 days ago
Project Update: Update 15: Week 4 Update - Jex on RPG Show & Tell
Hi folks!
Can't believe we're already in the fourth week of the campaign. On that note, I've been hard at work getting things sorted with the printer; I'm really hoping that the print process can start shortly after the campaign ends and BackerKit releases the funds. The benefit of a smaller campaign like this is fewer moving pieces, and I think we'll see that work to our advantage in terms of reward fulfillment. (Knock on wood!)
I had the pleasure of sitting down with Moe from RPG Academy's Show and Tell Series. We talked about Bump in the Dark, what makes it different from similar supernatural investigation and monster fighting games, whether you can change the setting (spoiler alert: you totally can), and a bunch of other topics. Moe was a lot of fun to talk to I recommend listening!
That's all for today!
jex
Can't believe we're already in the fourth week of the campaign. On that note, I've been hard at work getting things sorted with the printer; I'm really hoping that the print process can start shortly after the campaign ends and BackerKit releases the funds. The benefit of a smaller campaign like this is fewer moving pieces, and I think we'll see that work to our advantage in terms of reward fulfillment. (Knock on wood!)
I had the pleasure of sitting down with Moe from RPG Academy's Show and Tell Series. We talked about Bump in the Dark, what makes it different from similar supernatural investigation and monster fighting games, whether you can change the setting (spoiler alert: you totally can), and a bunch of other topics. Moe was a lot of fun to talk to I recommend listening!
That's all for today!
jex
PROJECT UPDATE
jex thomas
CREATOR
27 days ago
Project Update: Update 13: $12k! Working on stuff! Links!
Hey folks,
Everybody over here in Last Pine is sick. Called out of work yesterday and today, thankfully today the kid is well enough to go back to summer school. In the meantime, I've been preparing some files for the printer to test so we can make sure everything is set up correctly. You probably don't need to know all this, but I think it's kind of fun talking about how the proverbial sausage is made. So the printer uses InDesign or Quark, and Affinity Publisher doesn't always play nice with their software. One fun side effect of that is that I had to go in and manually change all the text in the book from a "rich black" (black containing other colors to appear .... more black?) to a "true black" (only black ink). I'm also working on putting together the cover and getting it set up for the UV spot gloss. Finally, I sent all the plain text over to Boone for indexing. So a lot of stuff happening in the background, and I think I can afford myself a little nap.
In other news, our poll is complete and the people have spoken: y'all want a video about setting up and running a one shot! I've written a script but my video editing software has been giving me some trouble. When I'm feeling a little better, I'll give it another shot and see if I can't figure out what the hell is going on.
I feel like I had something else to say but my brain is foggy, so I'll leave it at that.
Everybody over here in Last Pine is sick. Called out of work yesterday and today, thankfully today the kid is well enough to go back to summer school. In the meantime, I've been preparing some files for the printer to test so we can make sure everything is set up correctly. You probably don't need to know all this, but I think it's kind of fun talking about how the proverbial sausage is made. So the printer uses InDesign or Quark, and Affinity Publisher doesn't always play nice with their software. One fun side effect of that is that I had to go in and manually change all the text in the book from a "rich black" (black containing other colors to appear .... more black?) to a "true black" (only black ink). I'm also working on putting together the cover and getting it set up for the UV spot gloss. Finally, I sent all the plain text over to Boone for indexing. So a lot of stuff happening in the background, and I think I can afford myself a little nap.
In other news, our poll is complete and the people have spoken: y'all want a video about setting up and running a one shot! I've written a script but my video editing software has been giving me some trouble. When I'm feeling a little better, I'll give it another shot and see if I can't figure out what the hell is going on.
I feel like I had something else to say but my brain is foggy, so I'll leave it at that.
Links
My pals Nellie and Addo have been hitting the pavement trying to raise capital for their trans horror film Dead Name. With just over two weeks left, they still have a ways to go on their funding goal, but they have some really cool perks and I'd love to see them succeed. Please consider backing!
I have no affiliation, but Grimwild looks to be a cool, modern alternative to Dungeon World with mechanics based on the Forged in the Dark framework with some interesting, well considered changes. I haven't played a lot of fantasy games recently, but this one looks like it could hook me.
Finally, I want to put in a plug for the Bump in the Dark Discord server. We're pretty laid back but there's some good conversation about the game, fun play reports, and it's the best place to go to get answers to your questions about running the game, how certain mechanics work, what to keep in mind when writing your own hunts, and so on. We would absolutely love to have you.
That's it from me for today. I'm going to go lie down for a bit while my body fights off whatever the heck this is.
Hmm, I think I have an idea for a hunt ...
jex 💜
I have no affiliation, but Grimwild looks to be a cool, modern alternative to Dungeon World with mechanics based on the Forged in the Dark framework with some interesting, well considered changes. I haven't played a lot of fantasy games recently, but this one looks like it could hook me.
Finally, I want to put in a plug for the Bump in the Dark Discord server. We're pretty laid back but there's some good conversation about the game, fun play reports, and it's the best place to go to get answers to your questions about running the game, how certain mechanics work, what to keep in mind when writing your own hunts, and so on. We would absolutely love to have you.
That's it from me for today. I'm going to go lie down for a bit while my body fights off whatever the heck this is.
Hmm, I think I have an idea for a hunt ...
jex 💜
PROJECT UPDATE
jex thomas
CREATOR
about 1 month ago
Project Update: Update 12: Printing! And play reports!
I accepted a proposal from one of the printers I'd gotten quotes from and had been working with and while I am the kind of superstitious that would normally prevent me from saying this, I feel good about the plan we're putting together. Big thing I need to work on is getting everything over to Boone so he can start indexing and in the meantime I have to prepare a few test pages for the printer just so we can make sure that everything is set up correctly. Hoping that we're able to get the ball rolling as quickly as possible once the campaign ends and Backerkit releases funds.
In other news, my home campaign of Bump started back up after a few weeks off and I was happy to once again join Sam (the Unshaped-turned-Scourge) and Eddie (the Shield) as they get majorly in over their heads and caught up in a dark conspiracy much bigger than either could possibly comprehend. We're 23 sessions in and starting to head in the direction of a conclusion, and I think a testament to this game is that it's really supported us as we've tried new things (including a completely improvised hunt), switched rules from the original edition to Revised, and generally followed the lives of two high school boys, one a shop shark/grease monkey with a worrying curiosity about the void and its magic, the other a former protector spirit from the non-corporeal collective known as Constellation. It's been a lot of fun watching where the players take the story, and maybe tomorrow when I get some time, I'll share some of my favorite moments from the campaign so far.
If you're playing in a short series, campaign, or even a memorable one-shot, I would love to hear some of your favorite moments from your game! Feel free to leave 'em in the comments!
jex
In other news, my home campaign of Bump started back up after a few weeks off and I was happy to once again join Sam (the Unshaped-turned-Scourge) and Eddie (the Shield) as they get majorly in over their heads and caught up in a dark conspiracy much bigger than either could possibly comprehend. We're 23 sessions in and starting to head in the direction of a conclusion, and I think a testament to this game is that it's really supported us as we've tried new things (including a completely improvised hunt), switched rules from the original edition to Revised, and generally followed the lives of two high school boys, one a shop shark/grease monkey with a worrying curiosity about the void and its magic, the other a former protector spirit from the non-corporeal collective known as Constellation. It's been a lot of fun watching where the players take the story, and maybe tomorrow when I get some time, I'll share some of my favorite moments from the campaign so far.
If you're playing in a short series, campaign, or even a memorable one-shot, I would love to hear some of your favorite moments from your game! Feel free to leave 'em in the comments!
jex
PROJECT UPDATE
jex thomas
CREATOR
about 1 month ago
Project Update: Update 11: All Art is Done!! (plus a new community goal)
I have big news since yesterday's update, which is that all the art is now complete. Ashley turned in the last of her illustrations last night, and I am stoked. There's one piece in particular that I'm really excited to show off, but I think I'd rather it be a surprise for you to find in the book, so I'm putting two other pieces in the backer-only content for you.
The other announcement I wanted to make is that I've added a new community achievement for us: if we can unlock 666 community copies, I'll make 666 community copies available for each of my paid hunts (which currently do not have community copies available at all), including any hunts I publish in the next year.
Meanwhile, we are still voting on how to celebrate our last community goal that we hit, and you can still contribute to our community mixtape which so far includes some really great stuff, including plenty of music that's new to me!
Not sure if I'll have any other news for you today. I've been working diligently on a couple of videos to help folks run the game, but my video editing software is giving me some trouble, so I might have to find a different solution on those.
Anyway! Exciting times.
jex
The other announcement I wanted to make is that I've added a new community achievement for us: if we can unlock 666 community copies, I'll make 666 community copies available for each of my paid hunts (which currently do not have community copies available at all), including any hunts I publish in the next year.
Meanwhile, we are still voting on how to celebrate our last community goal that we hit, and you can still contribute to our community mixtape which so far includes some really great stuff, including plenty of music that's new to me!
Not sure if I'll have any other news for you today. I've been working diligently on a couple of videos to help folks run the game, but my video editing software is giving me some trouble, so I might have to find a different solution on those.
Anyway! Exciting times.
jex
Includes Backer-Exclusive Content
CREATOR
It's autumn 1994. You're a teen whose solace is alone time in the Buick your mom bought for you from your weird uncle. Or you're a 45 year old gas station attendant. Or a video store employee. Maybe you're a reporter for the Last Pine Harbinger or a professor at the University of Ontonagon. A housewife. A member of an ancient sect known as the Paragons of the Primeval Eye. A high school teacher. A poor schmuck just laid off from the mine.
Whoever you are, what most people in your life don't know is that you're a monster hunter. it's a brutal job, but someone's got to do it.
You're a monster hunter and right now you're getting a chance to breathe.
What are you listening to?
Let's come up with a playlist! Songs don't have to be from the 1990s but should be something someone in autumn of 1994 would reasonably have access to. For consideration, songs cannot have been released after, let's say October of 1994.
Whoever you are, what most people in your life don't know is that you're a monster hunter. it's a brutal job, but someone's got to do it.
You're a monster hunter and right now you're getting a chance to breathe.
What are you listening to?
Let's come up with a playlist! Songs don't have to be from the 1990s but should be something someone in autumn of 1994 would reasonably have access to. For consideration, songs cannot have been released after, let's say October of 1994.
jex thomas
CREATOR
about 1 month ago
30 votes
• Final results
jex thomas
CREATOR
about 1 month ago
Unlock 666 community copies and Jex will add 666 community copies to all of their paid hunts
Goal: 544
/ 666
81%
We need 122 more to reach this goal.
PROJECT UPDATE
jex thomas
CREATOR
about 1 month ago
Project Update: Update 3: hit that funding goal
one thing nobody really told me about crowdfunding: that you're too wired to actually sleep
so after about three fitful hours of sleep, i awoke to the best news: we've funded! 🎊 🎉
i don't really have anything else to add right now other than i'm so grateful for everyone's support and i can't wait to be able to make this the best damn book we can
now let's get cracking on those stretch goals!
jex
ps i'll be sending out the prior version of the game for everyone and i'm working on getting the preview of the new edition ready for you soon, hopefully today!
so after about three fitful hours of sleep, i awoke to the best news: we've funded! 🎊 🎉
i don't really have anything else to add right now other than i'm so grateful for everyone's support and i can't wait to be able to make this the best damn book we can
now let's get cracking on those stretch goals!
jex
ps i'll be sending out the prior version of the game for everyone and i'm working on getting the preview of the new edition ready for you soon, hopefully today!
