Adventure Game Studio

Community => Adventure Related Talk & Chat => Topic started by: theo on Wed 02/09/2015 15:58:11

Title: TJD Kickstarter 106% funded! First stretch goal announced!
Post by: theo on Wed 02/09/2015 15:58:11
Breaking news! The kickstarter has launched! 8-)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10215391/launch0.png) (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/983397390/the-journey-down)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10215391/ronlooping.gif) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbb1mUaXRN8)

We announced our first stretch goal today in a fancy video update. Please check it out! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbb1mUaXRN8)

At 80%, the kickstarter for TJD has scored some pretty awesome coverage so far, with the most recent ones being:

Kotaku (http://kotaku.com/the-journey-down-a-very-cool-adventure-game-series-tha-1735058849) - Rock, Paper, Shotgun (http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2015/10/05/the-journey-down-chapter-3-looks-for-a-kickstarter-leg-up/) - Eurogamer (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-10-06-the-journey-down-launches-kickstarter-to-complete-the-saga)

Hey guys! Long time no see.

Remember The Journey Down (http://www.thejourneydown.com)?

Once upon a time I made an AGS game called "The Journey Down: Over the edge" (http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/site/games/game/1344/). It won some awards and I got carried away and decided to turn it into a bigger, fancier commercial product. (Albeit no longer in AGS) Years later we've launched the first two chapters (And got some pretty darn good reviews!!!) and are now working on the third and final part of the series. I'm proud to announce that it's coming along beautifully! We'll be launching a kickstarter in october to help wrap up funding for the last leg of development and I figured I'd be a complete dolt if I didn't make a thread about that here. So, from now on, expect project updates right here!

As you can probably tell, the setting has shifted somewhat. It's no longer film noir, but rather an eighties/nineties action move type mood. And we're LOVING working with it.

If anyone's curious, here's a new interview I did at gamescom about our current state: Video interview with Adventure Corner (https://youtu.be/qAtGAHfRedw) (youtube)

The TJD3 soundtrack is being produced by Jamie Salisburry, the insanely talented guy who took over after my good friend Simon passed. The soundtrack too, features a substantially different mood than the previous games, but don't worry, there will be saxophone. There will always be saxophone in TJD!

And here's a sneak peek at some of the new and old characters featured in TJD3:

(http://www.skygoblin.com/wp-content/uploads/radda.jpg) 

Expect more shiny pics as we progress in working with our kickstarter campaign materal! And please don't be shy with your feedback.

Thanks again for taking your time and also thanks for being awesome. Without AGS and the awesome community surrounding it, there would be no TJD.
Title: Re: The Journey Down: Chapter Three
Post by: Yitcomics on Wed 02/09/2015 18:33:42
So awesome,totally a fan of your work :grin:.Any hints of the rewards that's going to be on kickstarter,you know cause if its awesome I might have to save some money ;).
Title: Re: The Journey Down: Chapter Three
Post by: Igor Hardy on Wed 02/09/2015 18:48:33
Looking forward to having the complete journey. Best of luck with the final chap! :)
Title: Re: The Journey Down: Chapter Three
Post by: yamipanda on Wed 02/09/2015 19:39:13
Great to hear some news from you! I'll definitely donate to your kickstarter. Good luck! :-D
Title: Re: The Journey Down: Chapter Three
Post by: selmiak on Wed 02/09/2015 21:11:47
Cooool! ;-D
Title: Re: The Journey Down: Chapter Three
Post by: adm244 on Wed 02/09/2015 21:42:56
Thanks for posting TJD news here, glad to see you're back :smiley:

Since I'm not being shy with my feedback I shall complain about performance issues in both Chapter One and Two.
There's something real scary going on in code, because sometimes (mostly right after location has finished loading) animation suddenly goes all shattery for just a few seconds and then I have to buy a new computer to continue playing.

The game is great though. Love it so far.
And good luck with kickstarter campaign!
Title: Re: The Journey Down: Chapter Three
Post by: ManicMatt on Wed 02/09/2015 22:03:55
Got 1 and 2 in my steam library, loved them!
Title: Re: The Journey Down: Chapter Three
Post by: theo on Thu 03/09/2015 19:23:31
Here's a little peek from the kickstarter pitch video we're working on right now:

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10215391/jd3truck.png)

Yitcomics: Thanks, man! Not sure about the rewards so far. Will likely mostly be digital, but we've got a lot of digital goodies. :D We'll likely have some kind of boxed version though, which may or may not include soundtracks etc. But it's too early to tell right now. Keep your eyes peeled! Thanks for showing interest, it means a lot!

Ascovel: Thanks! I look forward to seeing the last leg of the journey, too! :)

yamipanda: Awesome, thanks! Means a lot to hear that people are going to be willing to help support the kickstarter.

selmiak: :D

adm244: Thanks for the kind words! May I ask what system you play the game on? We take great pride in having very few performance issues. It's odd to hear that you've got 'em.

ManicMatt: Great! I'm sure you'll love TJD3 just as much. :D

And here's a pic from yesterday's development. We had to move out of our office last week, and decided that we'll do some traditional skygoblin-roaming for a while and work from cafés and random institutions for a while to save some money. To our great joy, the place we worked from yesterday had a refrigerator so we could chill our beer. :D

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10215391/skygoblins.png)
Title: Re: The Journey Down: Chapter Three
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Fri 04/09/2015 08:41:06
Morobo, Gabi and especially Moorhead look totally like regular people. I found the African-masks faces to be an interesting aesthetics choice.
Title: Re: The Journey Down: Chapter Three
Post by: CaptainD on Fri 04/09/2015 13:39:15
Performance-wise, even my ancient laptop ran it fine. :grin:

Great news Theo, though I have to warn you, if we do not have a PLAYABLE KITO then I'm going to start a petition for you to make a new game starring him.  Fiddly limb animations or not. :-D

Tweet me when you need some PR about the KS.  (roll)
Title: Re: The Journey Down: Chapter Three
Post by: Andail on Sun 06/09/2015 20:01:08
Sorry to hear about the financial pickle, Theo, but I'm sure the kickstarter will work out well for you guys!
Title: Re: The Journey Down: Chapter Three
Post by: theo on Tue 08/09/2015 09:43:53
Monsieur OUXX: Agreed! We should work harder to make the african mask theme more prominent. :)
CaptainD: Thanks for the offer to help spread the word, man. We're definitely going to need it!
Andail: Got my fingers crossed. :) We should meet up å käka lunch igen nån gång. :D
Title: Re: The Journey Down: Chapter Three
Post by: Crimson Wizard on Tue 08/09/2015 10:08:53
Chapter 3?? How did I miss Chapter Two? Oh my... :tongue:
Gotta play full hi-res version when 3rd is out, I guess.
Title: Re: The Journey Down: Chapter Three
Post by: theo on Tue 15/09/2015 09:26:27
Crimson Wizard: Yeah, I know, that's been a big problem for us, reaching out with TJD2.

We've been spending the past few weeks working on the kickstarter pitch video, and in doing so, I've been working on a new street scene from TJD3 that will feature briefly in the video. Here's a dirty work in progress shot from the Lightwave viewport. :D

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10215391/downtownwip.png)
Title: Re: The Journey Down: Chapter Three
Post by: Snarky on Tue 15/09/2015 13:08:30
Maybe you might want to partner with a publisher, or at least hire a part-time publicist (with knowledge of the adventure games biz), in order to raise the profile of your release? The first two episodes are damn fine, and deserve more attention.
Title: Re: The Journey Down: Chapter Three
Post by: ManicMatt on Tue 15/09/2015 23:09:31
It's true, I just stumbled upon it on steam one day.
Title: Re: The Journey Down: Chapter Three
Post by: theo on Wed 16/09/2015 15:54:51
Trust me, the thought of partnering with a publisher has crossed our minds many a time, but to me there's nothing as important as retaining full control over the game, which I now have. :) It trumps everything. :cool:
Title: Re: The Journey Down: Chapter Three
Post by: theo on Tue 22/09/2015 11:30:42
So, I've put some more work into the downtown scene! It's not ready but certainly getting there. Just wait until you get to see this animated! (It will be in the kickstarter pitch video!) Click for larger version! (And do let me know if it's too dark, or something. difficult knowing, I've only seen it on my own monitor!) Thanks.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10215391/downtownwip2.png) (https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10215391/downtownlarger.png)

The kickstarter will launch on October 1st and we're currently trying to get people to spread the word via thunderclap (https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/31696-the-journey-down-kickstarter). If you wanna donate a tweet or fb share there, I'd be incredibly grateful. It's really painless and there's no signup required.

Seeing we have virtually no money for getting exposure we're really dependent on friends and fans to help us reach out with the campaign, thunderclap is great for that!

Huge thanks for checking this out, you're awesome!

t
Title: Re: The Journey Down: Chapter Three
Post by: theo on Wed 23/09/2015 21:54:29
Here's a sketch of the TJD3 title screen. :D

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10215391/jd3titlesmall.png) (https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10215391/jd3titlebig.png)

Kickstarter launches in 8 days! Holy smokes. :D
Title: Re: The Journey Down: Chapter Three
Post by: Stupot on Thu 24/09/2015 00:07:50
That's a good idea, Thunderclap.
All the best with the Kickstarter.
Title: Re: The Journey Down: Chapter Three
Post by: Frodo on Thu 24/09/2015 23:52:26
Looking forward to the Kickstarter  :cheesy:

Will it be DRM-free?
Title: Re: The Journey Down: Chapter Three
Post by: theo on Sun 27/09/2015 18:22:09
Me too, Frodo! Yes, we hope to be able to offer it DRM free. :)
Title: Re: The Journey Down: Chapter Three
Post by: theo on Wed 30/09/2015 10:19:51
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10215391/tomorrow.png)

HOLY SMOKES!!!!!!!!1 :D
Title: Re: The Journey Down: Chapter Three
Post by: CaptainD on Wed 30/09/2015 12:39:03
Woo-hoo!
Title: Re: The Journey Down: Chapter Three
Post by: theo on Thu 01/10/2015 15:01:01
Breaking news! The kickstarter has launched! 8-)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10215391/launch0.png) (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/983397390/the-journey-down)
Title: Re: The Journey Down - KICKSTARTER IS LIVE! :D
Post by: Frodo on Thu 01/10/2015 15:36:47
Aaannnnd backed!  :grin:

Title: Re: The Journey Down - KICKSTARTER IS LIVE! :D
Post by: David Ostman on Thu 01/10/2015 17:59:56
Backed! Would have backed at a higher tier, but y'know... money :P But to compensate a bit I did the Twitter and Facebook thing (not that I have many followers, but still!).
Title: Re: The Journey Down - KICKSTARTER IS LIVE! :D
Post by: theo on Thu 01/10/2015 18:04:29
Frodo: Big Thanks for your support, man!
David Ostman: Thanks for backing and big thanks for spamming, it makes a difference, believe it or not! :)
Title: Re: The Journey Down - KICKSTARTER IS LIVE! :D
Post by: CaptainD on Sat 03/10/2015 13:52:23
Halfway there! ;-D
Title: Re: The Journey Down - KICKSTARTER IS LIVE! :D
Post by: Yitcomics on Sun 04/10/2015 01:30:08
Oh man i'm really tempted in getting that box trilogy,but I always do my kickstarter last minute :P.Still got time to decide (nod)
Title: Re: The Journey Down - KICKSTARTER IS LIVE! :D
Post by: theo on Sun 04/10/2015 17:51:48
Yeah we're doing pretty good! Lost a lot of momentum this weekend, I've been sick and had my birthday and well, a million different things at once so difficult to focus on the KS, but doing our best. :)

Yitcomics: Heheh crossing my fingers for a pledge! Big Thanks for showing interest. :)
Title: Re: The Journey Down - KICKSTARTER IS LIVE! :D
Post by: Andail on Mon 05/10/2015 09:58:27
Kickstarters always lose momentum after the initial rush, but your campaign is doing so well there's no chance in hell you won't make it.

Pledged of course, but being as I am on paternal leave, and with a girlfriend who's taken up studying again, it's only a small contribution at this point!
Title: Re: The Journey Down - KICKSTARTER IS LIVE! :D
Post by: theo on Tue 06/10/2015 12:34:10
Andail: You're awesome, thanks! Fan att vi inte fått till nån lunchdate än. Snart!

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10215391/partytime.gif) (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/983397390/the-journey-down/posts/1369789)

We've made our first kickstarter update (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/983397390/the-journey-down/posts/1369789), please check it out!

The game is going strong at 67% funded, with 25 days to go. I'm starting to feel pretty confindent that we might actually be able to pull this off! Hence the dance.  :)

Anything you can do to help spread the word is immensely appreciated. If you're already a backer (I love you!) please take a moment to visit the comments section (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/983397390/the-journey-down/comments) and drop by and say hi.

Thanks!
Title: Re: TJD Kickstarter 76% funded with 23 days to go!
Post by: theo on Wed 07/10/2015 15:11:53
The campaign is moving along smoothly here with 76% funded and 23 days to go! :D

If you're a backer, please drop by the comments section (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/983397390/the-journey-down/comments) and say hi! We'd love to hear from you there!
Title: Re: TJD Kickstarter 76% funded with 23 days to go!
Post by: COWCAT on Wed 07/10/2015 22:03:59
The devs are great, they've even backed and supported my own campaign! :)

Glad to know it's doing awesome!
Title: Re: TJD Kickstarter 76% funded with 23 days to go!
Post by: theo on Thu 08/10/2015 22:10:25
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10215391/ronlooping.gif) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbb1mUaXRN8)

We announced our first stretch goal today in a fancy video update. Please check it out! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbb1mUaXRN8)

At 80%, the kickstarter for TJD has scored some pretty awesome coverage so far, with the most recent ones being:

Kotaku (http://kotaku.com/the-journey-down-a-very-cool-adventure-game-series-tha-1735058849) - Rock, Paper, Shotgun (http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2015/10/05/the-journey-down-chapter-3-looks-for-a-kickstarter-leg-up/) - Eurogamer (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-10-06-the-journey-down-launches-kickstarter-to-complete-the-saga)

Thanks again for your support. :)
Title: Re: TJD Kickstarter 80% funded! First stretch goal announced!
Post by: theo on Sun 11/10/2015 10:13:47
We've just added German subtitles to our most recent update video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbb1mUaXRN8). :)

Also we just got our 900th backer! YAY! :D
Title: Re: TJD Kickstarter 80% funded! First stretch goal announced!
Post by: theo on Mon 12/10/2015 14:20:50
And there we hit 90%!

Here's a brand new video update (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/983397390/the-journey-down/posts/1379935) with some greetings from our cast!
Title: Re: TJD Kickstarter 80% funded! First stretch goal announced!
Post by: Snake on Mon 12/10/2015 23:38:21
Wow there's a third one?? Jesus, I've been gone WAY too long... I haven't even completed the first one :embarrassed:
Title: Re: TJD Kickstarter 80% funded! First stretch goal announced!
Post by: theo on Wed 14/10/2015 15:33:26
Snake: Time to catch up now then, no? :D

We just reached a major milestone in our funding (95%!) so we're celebrating with a quiz where you can win steam keys for some of our friends' games. :)

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CRSLRbWW8AA2q_d.png:large) (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/983397390/the-journey-down/posts/1382306)

Godspeed! :D

/theo
Title: Re: TJD Kickstarter 80% funded! First stretch goal announced!
Post by: theo on Thu 15/10/2015 13:53:51
Quiz is now closed!

Winners announced here (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/983397390/the-journey-down/posts/1382371).

We had over 170 participants. Thanks everyone. :)
Title: Re: TJD Kickstarter 97% funded! First stretch goal announced!
Post by: Wyz on Fri 16/10/2015 00:14:31
Well, looks like it's made it! Congrats theo and the rest of the crew! :-D
Title: Re: TJD Kickstarter 97% funded! First stretch goal announced!
Post by: Snarky on Fri 16/10/2015 10:41:23
Congrats on reaching the KS goal! I feel about this like I felt about the Nelly Cootalot kickstarter: I'm mystified why you haven't already doubled or tripled your goal, since lots more fans should be all over this project, but I guess it's just not getting as much hype as it deserves. Still looking good, though, and good luck on the stretch goals!
Title: Re: TJD Kickstarter 97% funded! First stretch goal announced!
Post by: theo on Fri 16/10/2015 14:36:25
Thanks wyz + snarky! We can't stop bouncing! Well, kickstarter has been shaky lately, I honestly had no idea when we launched if we'd drown in the buzz or actually stand a chance. I'm very happy we've made it this far. With a bit of luck we might even nail some stretch goals!

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10215391/fuckyeah.gif)

We're wasting no time and have just announced our next big stretch goal: Beefing up the soundtrack for TJD3. Please check out the announcement video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLtlRnaO_Ps) and share with your friends! :D
Title: Re: TJD Kickstarter 97% funded! First stretch goal announced!
Post by: selmiak on Fri 16/10/2015 14:53:59
yeah, party hard! :-D
Title: Re: TJD Kickstarter 97% funded! First stretch goal announced!
Post by: theo on Sat 17/10/2015 09:35:23
That was just the start of it! :D

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10215391/balongkalas.gif)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10215391/barnkalas.gif)
Title: Re: TJD Kickstarter 97% funded! First stretch goal announced!
Post by: theo on Tue 20/10/2015 13:03:03
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10215391/boatrace.gif)

Full speed ahead!

Check out the latest update video (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/983397390/the-journey-down/posts/1388085) with some more greetings from the cast! If you missed our previous cast video, it can be found here (https://youtu.be/f3vXWT7f3YI). :)

We're getting really close to hitting our first stretch goal (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/983397390/the-journey-down/posts/1376633), please help spread the word so we can nail it!

Thank You!

theo
Title: Re: TJD Kickstarter 106% funded! First stretch goal announced!
Post by: theo on Wed 21/10/2015 13:49:32
Hey all!

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10215391/glee_twitter.gif)

German localization confirmed!

As part of a promo for our The Journey Down kickstarter (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/983397390/the-journey-down), we're hosting another quiz where you can win steam keys for some pretty neat games.

Basically it's about guessing where certain pictures are from, here's an example (mirrored to make it trickier):

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10215391/pixels.png) (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/983397390/the-journey-down/posts/1389297)

If you think you've got what it takes, why not give it a shot (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/983397390/the-journey-down/posts/1389297)!

The five first people to get all the answers right will get steam keys for The Samaritan Paradox (http://store.steampowered.com/app/283180/) as well as Steamworld Dig (http://store.steampowered.com/app/252410/). (The latter one admittedly not being a point and click adventure, but a good game nonetheless!)
Title: Re: TJD Kickstarter 106% funded! First stretch goal announced!
Post by: theo on Thu 22/10/2015 15:16:43
The quiz is over, thanks everyone who took it! :D

Answers can be found here (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/983397390/the-journey-down/posts/1389378).
Title: Re: TJD Kickstarter 106% funded! First stretch goal announced!
Post by: cat on Thu 22/10/2015 15:54:10
Quote from: theo on Thu 22/10/2015 15:16:43
Answers can be found here.

I know you are looking forward to attending AdventureX, but I think you posted the wrong link here ;)
Title: Re: TJD Kickstarter 106% funded! First stretch goal announced!
Post by: theo on Sat 24/10/2015 15:16:52
well lol yes. We'll put that down to over-excitedness. :D
Title: Re: TJD Kickstarter 106% funded! First stretch goal announced!
Post by: Yitcomics on Fri 30/10/2015 05:52:06
Whew,just backed the project yesterday ;),will we get all of the digital goodies straight away after the kickstarter ends.Cause I can't wait to take a look at that artbook. (laugh)
Title: Re: TJD Kickstarter 106% funded! First stretch goal announced!
Post by: theo on Sat 31/10/2015 09:38:17
We'll try to deliver things as soon as possible, some things may take longer than others though!

At 133% we've got two hours to go on the kickstarter for TJD3! Now's the last chance to back. :)

Check it out here. (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/983397390/the-journey-down)
Title: Re: TJD Kickstarter 106% funded! First stretch goal announced!
Post by: theo on Mon 02/11/2015 10:26:27
WE MADE IT!

The campaign is over with 1,389 backers at kr409,237 SEK
The funding goal was 300,000 SEK, so very happy with where we landed!

Thanks everyone. :D
Title: Re: TJD Kickstarter 106% funded! First stretch goal announced!
Post by: Sslaxx on Mon 02/11/2015 10:33:02
Quote from: theo on Mon 02/11/2015 10:26:27
WE MADE IT!

The campaign is over with 1,389 backers at kr409,237 SEK
The funding goal was 300,000 SEK, so very happy with where we landed!

Thanks everyone. :D
Nicely done, man!
Title: Re: TJD Kickstarter 106% funded! First stretch goal announced!
Post by: Snarky on Mon 02/11/2015 21:35:00
Congrats! A very respectable total! Looking forward to the game...
Title: Re: TJD Kickstarter 106% funded! First stretch goal announced!
Post by: theo on Tue 03/11/2015 08:50:39
Thanks, guys! Really happy about the results! :D

We've been running our independent studio SkyGoblin (http://www.thejourneydown.com) for ten years now. We decided to share some of our stories (with all of its glorious ups and painful downs) in a short mini-documentary. I hope you'll find it interesting! If you take a look. please drop me a line and say what you think! :D

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10215391/piclink.png) (https://youtu.be/AqTy3g04VcI)

Thank You!
Title: Re: TJD Kickstarter 106% funded! First stretch goal announced!
Post by: COWCAT on Wed 04/11/2015 18:30:49
Congrats! And thanks again for the Steam keys I've won in the last quizz :grin: