Zero Point Report

The Zero Point Report

Strain 83-DCS (Dune, Conan, Secret World)

Thursday September 7th, 2023

In this episode, we discuss the latest updates from Star Anvil about the upcoming Secret World tabletop roleplaying game, Conan Exiles, and Dune Spice Wars.

Show Notes:

TTRPG Update #34

• Star Anvil Studios provides an update on their TTRPG core rulebook layout, editing, and art progress. They reveal the book may be bigger than expected and most of the art is complete. They plan another update by the end of the month.

Kari Wahlgren Comic Con Appearance

• Voice actress Kari Wahlgren announces she'll be appearing at College Station Comic Con this weekend and invites fans to bring items to sign.

Dune: Spice Wars Full Release

• The official release date of September 14th is announced for the full version 1.0 launch of Dune: Spice Wars out of Early Access on Steam. Key details are provided about release features.

Conan Exiles Server Rollback

• The official Exiled Lands servers were rolled back to September 1st to correct an issue with incorrect thrall decay timers. Boosts will be applied to support players.

Age of War Chapter 2 Release

• Funcom reveals the September 21st release date for Chapter 2 of the Age of War update for Conan Exiles, providing an overview of new features like improved purges.

Show Links:

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Interview w/ Star Anvil Studios before the Release of the TTRPG Raw Text-Only Core Rulebook

Ft. Brandon Verhalen, Darrell Hardy, and Joshua Doetsch

Announced last Saturday on Discord and through monthly Kickstarter.

Ross Watson: “Greetings backers!

Keep an eye on your email this week; Star Anvil Studios is pushing out a test pdf to you so we can make sure our delivery system works for providing you with the kickstarter materials. Note: this is ONLY a test!

Raw PDF On the Way!

We plan on giving you guys the raw pdf of the Secret World RPG 5e Core Rulebook next weekend, using the same system. Keep your fingers crossed, and if everything works the way it should, we'll be sending you the raw rulebook so you can get your games going as early as seven days from now.”

We’ve had copies since late Monday and have been able to look over them since, but at 500 pages, it’s a LOT. 

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Greetings, you (presumably human) wonderful backers!

It's July, so it's time for an update on the Secret World RPG!

This is a bit of a "progress report" to let you know what we've completed for the core book and where we're at in the production of the stretch goals.

Core Rulebook

All writing is complete, approved by Funcom, editing is underway. After we get the editing done, it goes to layout!

The editor is reporting that the manuscript is in really good shape and she's making great progress. The "lore" section of the book is done and the editor is working her way through the remaining chapters (all of which are likely to go faster).

Our current projection is that we'll have the book completely edited and into layout by early August.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit zeropointreport.substack.com

The Secret World RPG

Backerkit: Access to the Secret World RPG backerkit end(ed) May 31st! Make sure to grab anything you want from the offerings from the kickstarter before it is over! (Hopefully you all filled out your Backerkit surveys at least)

Special NPC Backers: Artwork is underway and we’re on track to deliver before October of 2023.

Manuscript: All the files for the core book and stretch goals are at Funcom and we’re waiting on approval. Funcom tells us they are looking at the end of May for reviewing all the materials.

May 13th on Discord (Brandon) - (same thing as above)

Backerkit. Ends May 31st

●Files are at Funcom and we are waiting for approval. FUNCOM has stated they are looking at end of May to review the material. 

●Backer art is being worked on and we are still on track to deliver before our self imposed deadline of October this year. 

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit zeropointreport.substack.com

Secret World

TTRPG Updates

May 13th:

The Secret World RPG

Backerkit: Access to the Secret World RPG backerkit end(ed) May 31st! Make sure to grab anything you want from the offerings from the kickstarter before it is over! (Hopefully you all filled out your Backerkit surveys at least)

Special NPC Backers: Artwork is underway and we’re on track to deliver before October of 2023.

Jimmy’s Free-to-Play Path to E17, up to 432 IP and 126 hours

Nice!

Upcoming 6th Anniversary on or about the End of June (24th/25th)

We’re planning some shenanigans on our end, testing tonight

Conan Stuff

Celebrated the game’s 5th anniversary, having come out of early access on May 8th, 2018

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit zeropointreport.substack.com

Secret World

May Progress Update for SW TTRPG Posted April 29th

Manuscripts Sent to Funcom!

The writing for the core rulebook and stretch goals is completed, and we've sent all our files to Funcom for approval!

So, what are the next steps for The Secret World RPG?

Right now, we're going through the approval process with Funcom. This may require us to make any requested changes in order to get final approval from our licensor. After that, we're going to move on to editing and then layout.

We're on track to meet our projected timeline and we look forward to getting the book into the hands of our backers and all the Secret World fans!

Late Pledges on Backerkit Ends May 31st

Jimmy’s New FTP to E17 Run

Jimmy started a new run for a FTP to E17.

Other Games

- Conan Exiles 5th Anniversary Coming Up May 8th

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit zeropointreport.substack.com

Sitting down with the Star Anvil Studios team to go over the latest on the Secret World TTG. Join by Joshua Doetsch (Secret World RPG Loremaster), Ross Watson (Secret World RPG Lead Developer), and Brandon Verhalen (Secret World RPG Art Director)

Brandon Verhalen - Star Anvil Studios Founder and CEO, Secret World RPG Art Director - RPG enthusiast for over 30 years. A lifelong fan of all things sci-fi and fantasy, Brandon was inspired by the Alternity RPG to create his first foray into the gaming world with Saints & Synners, a gritty sci-fi setting for the TinyD6 system. Creating Saints & Synners led Brandon to the foundation of Star Anvil Studios in 2017.

Ross Watson - COO, Secret World RPG Lead Developer - Origins-award winning Writer and Game Designer with over two decades of experience in crafting immersive stories, creating memorable characters, and designing worlds for roleplaying games. He has worked on numerous high-profile titles for game lines including Darksiders II, Warhammer 40,000 Roleplay, Star Wars: Edge of the Empire, and Savage Worlds. He was the lead designer for several tabletop RPG game lines, including Rogue Trader, Deathwatch, and Wrath & Glory. Ross is a published author, with work featured in short story anthologies and dozens of tabletop supplements/rulebooks

Joshua Doetsch - Secret World RPG Loremaster - Joshua Alan Doetsch is a sentient word virus spreading across the collective unconscious through the vector of human language. It has taken on many forms, from short stories, to screenplays, to tabletop roleplaying games. It spreads through print, digital, and audio mediums. It coalesced as the novel Strangeness in the Proportion and shaped itself into an anthropomorphic guise as Lead Writer of The Secret World

—

April 8th, published on StarAnvilStudios.com - We are getting the Secret World RPG Backerkit ready to go! The weekend of April 21st will be the smoke test for the Secret World backerkit. What this means is, some existing backers get notices as we test the system to make sure everything works correctly. Once we know everything is 100%, we will open it up to our original backers as well as late backers. If you’d like to get in on the action for the Secret World RPG–and get an opportunity to grab some of the collector’s edition covers–stay tuned for more information coming soon!

Posted today 4/13/2023 on Discord - Just so we don't miss anyone, the Smoke Test for the Secret World has gone out. This means about 100 people or so will receive their surveys etc. This allows us to evaluate if there are issues before going live to everyone. So keep your eyes peeled, check your emails, etc. If you didn't get a notice don't worry, that will come soon.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit zeropointreport.substack.com

The Envoys of Avalon have Returned for their 10th appearance!

Starting March 17th, the Envoys are in time for the Vernal Equinox and will be hanging around until the end of the month. Abernathy and company didn’t show up until the 20th, however. Thanks Jimmy!  Login Rewards available.

Vomher announces a “Love on Gaia” Writing Contest

Starting March 20th until April 22nd, from the vernal equinox until Earth Day

https://forums.funcom.com/t/secret-world-legends-love-on-gaia-writing-contest/223868

March Update for Secret World TTRPG by Star Anvil Studios

Greetings backers,

Let's talk about the Secret World RPG!

Manuscript

Our faithful loremaster, Josha Doetsch, is reviewing the chapters now. We anticipate sending the core book to Funcom for approval very soon!

Stretch Goals

We have some great news on this front!

Intro Adventure: Writing is complete!

Bestiary PDF: Writing is complete!

Maps: All complete! 

We're making good progress on the remaining stretch goals and we'll keep you updated!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit zeropointreport.substack.com

Rosenbrawl Valentine’s Event has come again in SWL! From February 14th until the 28th(?) featuring Rosenbrawl Week and the “A Match Made in Rosenbrawl” Investigation, as well as the repeatable “Friendly Competition” Masked Woman Fight.

https://www.tswdb.com/events/valentines-day/

Jimmy’s Gatekeeper Run shenanigans - up to 18 sessions

TTRPG

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/star-anvil-studios/the-secret-world/posts/3734634

Update #21 posted TODAY Feb 16th

February Progress Update

Ross Watson - Collaborator

February 16, 2023

Hello backers!

We wanted to stop by and let you guys know how things are going on The Secret World RPG.

Manuscript

The manuscript is in the hands of our faithful loremaster, Joshua Doetsch, to ensure all The Secret World lore is solid before we send it to Funcom for approval.

Art

We've got some updates to show you here! Some amazing monsters that you'll find inside the book:

Custom Characters

We have emailed everyone who backed at a level for a custom character image. Several have responded and that art is being handled right now. HOWEVER, there are still some folks who have not yet responded to us -- so if you're a backer who selected a PC or NPC portrait, please get in touch with us ASAP!

Dune Awakening

Part 2 of Dune: Awakening’s Shigawire Reels released, basically shorts showing some features of Arrakis and Dune.  Part 2’s include: Desert Construction - structures need to be built on solid rock or be destroyed by sandworms, One-man Groundcar - nimble vehicles for short distance travel,  Groundcar - versatile all-terrain vehicles w/ space for up to 4 passengers, can serve as light combat vehicles, 

https://twitter.com/DuneAwakening/status/1626280257849360385

Metal Hellsinger

MH wins 3 NAVGTR awards: Outstanding Song Collection, Outstanding Original Light Mix Score - New IP, and Outstanding Game - Music or Performance-Based

https://twitter.com/MetalHellsinger/status/1625903501162299392

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- Jimmy’s new March of the Gatekeeper run, involving all walking, using photomode mod to make his character look like the Gatekeeper, and also using a mod to Poorly Translate as much game text as possible

- TTRPG Updates: D&D Open Gaming License debacle possibly affecting TTRPG. However, Brandon on the Star Anvil Discord server says:

Jan 5th: “So far from what I have seen we will be fine. Of course we are continuing to monitor. We are also finishing the work. While we have no intention on changing anything at this time, we do have a back up plan if the world falls apart with 5e. One way or another there will be a TSW game.” and  “There are other systems and options. This one is the one we promised, so barring legal shenanigans, it's what we will deliver.

But if it went crazy with power on WotC end we can still make the game.”

Jan 13th: “Had a great call with Funcom this morning. Got some higher level details of the setting and great feedback on our work so far. They were super helpful and offered insights to help us better frame the story as we finish the book writing up. Onward we go!”

Jan 15th: “[Secret World TTRPG] was designed using 5e. We are watching the updates and will make a final decision when we have all the information we need. We still have a little ways before we have to make a final call on that.”

Conan Exiles

- Started 2nd season of Battle Pass December 6th, or as they are referring to it as “Age of Sorcery Chapter 2” as well as posting a year in review video showcasing.

Update 2.8, Follower Emotes, Update 3.0 Age of Sorcery, Battle Pass & Black Lotus Bazaar, Encounter System, Perks and Attributes Revamp, Buiding System Revamp, Weapons and Armor Illusion System, 3.1 Age of Sorcery Chapter 2, Headhunting, New Battle Pass, Pet Companion Rebalance

https://twitter.com/ConanExiles/status/1616114802224467969

Dune: Spice Wars

- New “Line in the Sand” update Jan 24th

Main Changes

Added End Game Statistics

Military alerts now appear on the border of the screen pointing in the direction of the crisis

Military units can now Hold their Position (With C)

Fremen Harvesting Teams can now harvest Spice in neutral territories

Map Generation improvements:

Main Bases and Deep Desert spawning has changed to make maps that are both more fair and varied

Changed Spice spawn to ensure less spiceless starts

Military balancing

Major performance improvements and optimization

Metal: Hellsinger

- Update 1.5 Added New Weapon SKins among other fixes Dec 27th

- Nominated for the NAVGTR Awards in several categories like ‘Outstanding Game, Music or Performace Based” “Outstanding Original Light Mix Score, New IP” “Outstanding Performance in a Drama, Lead” “Outstanding Song Collection” “Outstanding Song, Original or Adapted” Winners announced Feb 14th

https://twitter.com/MetalHellsinger/status/1607805537084706819

https://twitter.com/MetalHellsinger/status/1616556259418771456

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit zeropointreport.substack.com