BY THE NUMBERS
1900+ backers, 1000+ comments. Just: WOW! It helps keep us going, knowing that so many of you want to play the game we’re working on. And that other minor detail, $70k pledged? We’re 35% of the way there. Our goal of course is 100%, but each of these 10k milestones is a good sign - so please do everything in your power to DESTROY THE SILENCE, grow our community, and help keep those good signs coming!
In addition: the easiest way to spread words is to Like our posts there on http://www.facebook.com/Digitilus and to re-twit our messages at @AlSkyjacker
SHAARKARIANS FLEET VIDEO
While some races farm components and ships in space, the Shaarkarians take it a step further - they are spaceships. Their body is covered with a sectional exoskeleton, with living flesh visible through the cracks. And where many galactic inhabitants possess telepathic abilities, the Shaarkarians can tear these portals to the mind asunder, leaving them little more than helpless puppets.
There are five other fleets in the game plus hundreds of non-fleet entities and gameplay mechanics. We’re going to loop in more and different content, giving you the inside story on what to expect from Skyjacker, so keep us on your radar. Anyone want a look at some models that aren’t ready for the game engine?
WE WON’T PLEAD THE FIFTH
On the fence about Skyjacker? Have any outstanding concerns you need addressed? Know anyone who’s ever wanted a Freelancer sequel? We will be holding a live question-and-answer session at 5 PM (EST) on Monday, July 2nd, on a live broadcast.
The conference will be hosted by Joey from GamersPress and judging from their previous Q&As, we’re going to be facing some questions nobody’s asked before. If you have a question of your own and want a straight answer, send them your questions at their Tumblr.
SHORT STORY: SAND FEVER
It’s no secret that Skyjacker is based on the Abyss in Lights books written by Eugene Zhukov (aka DjekAster), and that Eugene is also the developer of the game (and the guy chatting it up in the comments :)) ). Eugene has put an extraordinary amount of cultural and technical detail into these books as informed by his degree in biology and his love of exploratory science fiction. Our first stretch goal is to get those books translated into English by professionals - fluent Russian-English translators able to evoke the depth of the characters and the legends they create.
That’s going to take time, but right now you can read an excerpt from the first book that’s been run through Google Translate and cleaned up by some guys who don’t speak ANY RUSSIAN AT ALL. Please enjoy Sand Fever, a very small part of what Eugene brings to the table. It’s about four Word pages long and requires no previous knowledge of the setting. Enjoy!
PSA #1 - HUDLESS SKYJACKER
The HUD design presented in the Skyjacker demo has had its fair share of controversy. Something the demo doesn’t make clear: you can turn it off completely just by pressing H. That’s how we’ve been recording the fleet vids, by playing a newly-constructed level with AI turned off, HUD turned off and FRAPS turned on. Backer Veav threw together some quick footage of the public Skyjacker demo sans HUD - you can watch this feature in action above, or try it for yourself by downloading the demo.
JACK AND THE STEAMSTALK
If THIS REDDIT history holds true, the giant is about to awaken - Steam’s annual Summer Sale will kick off in the next few days.
First, a humble request: please don’t spend your Kickstarter pledges! Summer Sale games will still be around in December when the Steam Holiday Sale starts, but a Kickstarted project may never happen at all without your pledge! We’re not saying to pass up a great deal - just to leave the Kickstarter piggy bank out of it.
Second, the link above gives some comprehensive and accurate insight onto how to make the sale work for you.
ONLY buy from daily sales, until the last day. Rummage around, see what catches your eye, check for related packs and collections, watch gameplay on youtube and fire up metacritic, and spend responsibly.
Finally, please use some of those savings to boost your Skyjacker pledge. We want to show up in Steam Sales to come!
SKYJACKER IN THE PRESS
- RockPaperShotgun - When a straight shooter like John Walker is rooting for you, you’re doing something right. We’re going to keep the content coming, see if we can coax a few words out of Jim next...
- RPS Roundup - A bit hard to find this week, but since they just gave us our OWN ARTICLE we have no complaints.
- DiehardGameFan - Alexander Lucard (his real name!) caught wind of us before, but his personal tastes lean away from explosions and high-octane dogfights, more towards puzzles, adventures and digital novels. So we’re happily surprised to make it into his Kickstarter roundup alongside worthy projects like Haunts and Race to Adventure
- GamersPress - If you’re curious about our press releases, it looks like they’ve reposted our latest one. Which is fine by us - the more SEO the better.
- Persephone Magazine - "The development team is mostly Russian though; they are the only ones who keep making these types of game. Expect lots of sexism and macho dialogue. Especially in a world of pirates. Oh well, I can live with this… spaceship porn." Spaceship porn and machismo we won’t argue with, but the gender roles of the squids, bugs and lizards of the Galactic Society might surprise you. We know from sexual dimorphism. Besides, WHO says men get to have all the fun?
- Zonaforo Meristation - Skyjacker in Spain? Bienvenidos, mucho gusto!
- Aquariophilie62 - Skyjacker in France? Bonjour, merci beaucoup!
- Forum Lowyat - Skyjacker in Malaysia? Selamat datang!
- SFSignal - Skyjacker in... fandom? SF Signal took notice and we couldn’t be happier - with two Skyjacker novels out and a third in production, we absolutely intend to contribute to science fiction literature as well as space games. And with Eugene Zhukov as both the author of the books and the developer of the game, if crowdsourcing wins, he’ll be in a unique position to enforce complete editorial control over the process.
KICKING IT FORWARD
We haven’t forgotten about this! We just ran out of space games to promote. They’re out there, but most are weeks away from their target date; we’ll continue keeping tabs on these projects and bring them to your attention as they reach their final countdown.
Traveler - While this isn’t exactly in the same vein as the games we cherish, Traveller introduced hard science fiction to tabletop gaming 35 YEARS AGO when D&D was just getting off the ground. It’s been a staple of the scene ever since. Their Kickstarter for a new edition ends July 1st, and they’ve more than met their goal, but we’d be remiss in not spreading the word - if you like polyhedrons, pay them a visit.
pledged of $200,000 goal
seconds to go
Funding Unsuccessful This project reached the deadline without achieving its funding goal on July 23, 2012.
May 25, 2012 - Jul 23, 2012
Pledge $5 or more
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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