Acaeum Preview!

jamesmishler · Post by **jamesmishler** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 5:12 pm

Another map preview is up on the Judges Guild Booty List subweb of the Acaeum, a most excellent game collector's website.
http://www.acaeum.com/jg/
http://www.acaeum.com/jg/OtherCompanies ... 1CM18.html

The preview is of the northeastern quadrant of the Southern Reaches map.

There is also a JG subforum on the Acaeum forums:
http://www.acaeum.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=13

Enjoy.

(Oh, and more previews coming soon on the AGP Website).
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Omote · Post by **Omote** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 5:54 pm

I love those maps, for sure! Love the fonts too, especially the header fonts as they are the same as the old Mystara fonts. The label fonts and colors just make these maps look very clean, precise and appealing overall.

-O
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Geleg · Post by **Geleg** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 12:40 pm

ditto. The maps are VERRRY impressive. Can't wait to see the first issue.

Geoffrey · Post by **Geoffrey** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 7:13 pm

Add me to the list of those thinking the map looks great. I suspect that it will be the coolest FRPG map I own.

Treebore · Post by **Treebore** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 9:40 pm

I'm most looking forward to when we are told "its in the mail!!"
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jamesmishler · Post by **jamesmishler** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 12:54 am

Treebore wrote:
I'm most looking forward to when we are told "its in the mail!!"

No one is looking forward to that more than I... I long for the day!
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Omote · Post by **Omote** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 7:00 pm

I don't mean to be a jerk or anything, but quit with the previews and release this thing already. I mean, seriously.

-O
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Treebore · Post by **Treebore** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 9:03 pm

Omote wrote:
I don't mean to be a jerk or anything, but quit with the previews and release this thing already. I mean, seriously.

-O

Yea, these previews make me "twitchy".
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tacojohn4547 · Post by **tacojohn4547** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 9:57 pm

Omote wrote:
I don't mean to be a jerk or anything, but quit with the previews and release this thing already. I mean, seriously.

-O

Now, now, let's play nice. We here in the TLG online community have shown quite a bit of patience waiting on you know who to finish you know what.
Let's extend to James that same kind Midwestern graciousness with which we've become proficient so he'll be inclined to keep his nose to the grindstone, as it were.

Go James go!
tacojohn4547

Harry Joy · Post by **Harry Joy** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 1:04 am

I'm awaiting patiently. Patiently. Very patiently.

tap.tap.tap.tap.tappitytap.tap.

Patiently.

See? I can do patient.

*tries not to stare too obviously at the author*

tap.tap.tap.

Honestly, one of the best things I've heard this year is the news that JG is coming to C&C. It just couldn't happen soon enough.

gideon_thorne · Post by **gideon_thorne** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 1:06 am

James is doing the best he can. The fact that modern technology let him down a couple times there can throw off anyones stride.
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jamesmishler · Post by **jamesmishler** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 4:26 am

Believe me, no one is more disappointed in the delays than I am! But I'm back to work, and right now am knee-deep in the most difficult article I will probably ever write: The World of the Wilderlands, which will in ~12 pages tells you ALL about the geography and portions of the history and culture of the Wilderlands of High Adventure, from the nature of the universe itself down to long paragraphs details each of the 18 regions of the Wilderlands...

Here's a run-down of the sections:

The Prime

The Planar Membrance

The Shadowlands

The Netherworld

The Celestial Realms

The Elemental Realms

Demonic Realms

Planar vs. Planetary

Demons vs. Devils

Sol: The Sun

Heaven's Bridge

Under Three Moons

Gaia: The Earth Mother

The Continents

And then, two in-depth sections:

Rhadamanthia, which includes, for the first time ever, details on the 15 districts of the continent upon which is found the Wilderlands. Each district is the size of the Wilderlands itself; imagine trying to detail the Wilderlands in a single long paragraph!

The Wilderlands, which includes details on the 18 regions of the Wilderlands; this is where you will find the first hints of what is to come in the future with the series of Player's Guide and Judge's Gazetteers. Each long paragraph has to convey the most important elements of each region...

And this is the level of detail in a single article! While making a mistake in this article is not going to kill the line, it is very important in establishing the whole setting, so it's taking a while.

I apologize for the delay with the computer; it was really out of my hands until I was able to raise the money to buy a new one (being self-employed in the gaming industry really shoots your credit all to hell). But I'm not going to apologize for wanting to make sure the articles are as good as they can be; eventually, yes, they are going to be "as good as it gets, now get it out the door," as that's just the way it works with any writing.

As for previews, those are done for now, until I get the PDF previews ready to go...
_________________
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Harry Joy · Post by **Harry Joy** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 4:45 am

Well, that's extremely welcome news. I've always wondered what happened to the rest of the Wilderlands world, what it looks like and where the Wilderlands lies within it.

moriarty777 · Post by **moriarty777** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 5:30 am

It's all good... I'm happy to have subscribed and I'm not too worried. That said, the tidbits and previews you have given us have been cool.

M
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jamesmishler · Post by **jamesmishler** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 10:49 am

One thing I want to mention is that I haven't said anything about progress lately; this is because every time I note progress has been made, SOMETHING happens to stop said progress in its tracks, and I'm tired of putting a hex on the whole thing.

So at this point, the next that will be heard of the first issue is when it finally goes off to press (and I sincerely hope that doesn't hex it, too).

People often say that gamers are superstitious. You'd be superstitious, too, if you kept getting hexed...
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Omote · Post by **Omote** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 3:09 pm

James,

I love your work man, I really do. XXXI really let everybody know about your talent for this line, and what to expect in future releases. Your love for the setting is quite apparent, and you convey that well to everybody you talk to about it. However, your love for the Wilderlands and excitement about these projects have led to some let downs for us who have been patiently waiting for about a year and a half since the WoHA was announced. In this time, the project has taken several forms, and missed many release dates. We all understand how life's little hexes can really get you down. They happen to all of us, and I for one wish you the best of luck.

That being said, the lastest form of the this project seems to be a step down from the classic "book" version of presenting the material. While there are many reasons you've decided to go this route, your love and excitement for the material got some people pumped up. Then the hexes started with technology, and this and that, and the hard promises for new material have slipped from October, then more promises to November... Now the previews seem as a attempt to veil the delays for a January or later release of the FIRST issue of a monthly or bi-monthly campaign installment.

In seeing what you have already done with XXXI and the small map prieviews by the excellent artist, it's hard to get down on WoHA... but the promises have so far fell short everytime. Combine that with the people who spent A LOT of their hard-earned money on a magazine and have yet to see anything but previews. The aspect of the subscription program to generate instant capital really gets under my skin. Because as the delays continue, it seems clear that there was not going to be anyway to make the October deadline. If I had dropped the $100.00+ bucks for a subscription (which I very nearly did), I'd be on the verge of being livid. Personally I'm kind of mad for the people who did plunk down cash and have yet to see anything but tiny previews.

Sorry for being so harsh, but it's how I feel. I'm nothing more then an outsider looking in and only know what has been said here. I wish nothing more then better luck for you and this project. I'm sure that one day when WoHA is all caught up and you are releasing material on a regular basis, that this long-winded post will seem silly. I truely hope that happens.

A Concerned Fan,

Omote
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jman5000 · Post by **jman5000** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 3:43 pm

Omote,

Slightly unfair, especially on the TLG board, who has set the high watermark for missed deadlines and product delays. you forget that it took 3 years to get 6 issues of a bi-monthly crusader magazine shipped? Being one who did plunk down the full pop for the subscription, and after my experiences with TLG, I guess I've just sort of come to expect these sorts of things. Especially in a one person shop.

Now, I do have to gripe a bit with the "spin" which was bandied about a month+ ago concerning the 'small' little hardware crash that happened. Guess it was bigger than that, and being upfront about these things does go a long way in easing our minds when we don't hear any word.

I'm prepared to give some leeway for the release of Issue #1. What I will have problems with is if once the process gets ironed out, and the releases are still coming delayed and haphazard. Get the process right, so #'s 2 through n can actually get released on a bi-monthly basis.

Cheers,

J.

Omote · Post by **Omote** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 4:09 pm

To me there is a difference because AGP is not TLG. As far as I'm aware of, AGP is operating completely seperately from TLG, with the possible exception of the artwork. Even then, AGP is still probably not working with TLG in any way other then using the game system.

Hey, as far as the Crusader goes being a bi-monthly magazine, we lost that war a long time ago and I moved on assuming that the Crusader gets here when it gets here. Now with AGP starting up, there is no reason to relent and simply let them slide into the same trap as the Crusader. A little forced criticism is not always a bad thing.

-O
_________________
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jman5000 · Post by **jman5000** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 4:13 pm

Think James has done some editing work for TLG, A4 rings a bell, but I'm not sure if there are others.

Just saying, wait for #1, if #2 shows similar or same patterns as #1, then we have more legs to stand on to be justifyably upset.

Cheers,

J.

Omote · Post by **Omote** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 4:36 pm

jman5000 wrote:
Just saying, wait for #1, if #2 shows similar or same patterns as #1, then we have more legs to stand on to be justifyably upset.

That's fair.

-O
_________________
> Omote's Advanced C&C stuff <
Duke Omote Landwehr, Holy Order of the FPQ ~ Prince of the Castles & Crusades Society

moriarty777 · Post by **moriarty777** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 5:04 pm

While it's true that this may appear as just another magazine, the production of this project has been a bit different. With minimal adverts, there will be more text that has to be written. If we want to compare it to the Crusader (and I *like* the Crusader), this should mean a great deal more substance. If you consider the page count, 48 pages -- keep in mind that another 32 pages is also being written for the supplement coming with the issue. That's a total of 80 pages which is being written by one person. Some of us who have seen the Tell Qa Preview or the actual "XXXI" release knows what that will mean. The most recent issue of the Crusader was 28 pages with a respectable amount of adverts with articles written by a few people.

I, like everyone, wants this baby out like yesterday. Being the first issue of this ambitious project, I can understand the problems and misfortunes which caused the problems.

However, Omote makes a good point, of which I'm sure James is already aware. The overall success of the AGJ hinges in part with the reception and perception that the subscription generates. May the gremlins remain at bay!

Good luck James!
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Tadhg · Post by **Tadhg** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 11:09 pm

Knowing that James is a one man show and his business and production is a start-up, I'm more than willing to cut him some slack. He's been honest and upfront about the delays and so I have no issues at all.

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maasenstodt · Post by **maasenstodt** » Sun Dec 09, 2007 2:45 am

If things were to continue to be this bumpy from one release to the next, I would have problems too. Right now, though, with this endeavor just getting off the ground, and with some high expectations for the quality of the product, I'm content to wait a bit longer. Well, I might not be content - I'm very eager to get my hands on the first issues! - but I'm certainly not upset.
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Treebore · Post by **Treebore** » Sun Dec 09, 2007 3:03 am

James is doing a lot of things for the first time. He is the "show" as far as I kow. He is doing all the writing, he is doing all the lay out, he is doing all the co ordinating and communicating with artists, printers, shippers, suppliers, and having his computer self destruct and not having his info backed up to disk. In fact his crash prompted me to save my 4.6 Giga bytes of gaming goodness to several disks.

So I am willing to give James a huge amount of the "benefit of the doubt" until issue 1 is out. However, after that, in order for me to get my moneys worth James is going to have to become a reliably published magazine to make it worth his while to keep making them as a living.

Plus those of us who buy it are going to really need to spread the word about how awesome it is. To make sure James can make a living doing this product.

Because I would much rather see 6 issues and well beyond, then have James crash and burn. I am sure James wants the same thing to happen, success.

Besides, I am sure James conscience is eating him up for being so far behind schedule already.

So get it done James, and don't worry about the doubts. Just get it out, and consistently get the rest out, and we'll spread the word, and hopefully you'll get a steadily growing consumer base going, and make a solid living doing it.

Just don't make the mistake of making the issue bigger and bigger. Make it what you promised, and get it out to our mail boxes. Don't keep adding and adding because of guilt, or whatever. Get the issues out.
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Geoffrey · Post by **Geoffrey** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 2:57 am

I like to look on the bright side: The longer it takes to get my first issue, the longer it will be before I have to pay to renew my subscription.

leadjunkie · Post by **leadjunkie** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 5:55 am

I'm one of the people who did plunk down a full year subscription price. There was the obvious discount, but that was not my primary motivation. I realize this is a start up operation and I hoped that a cash infusion would help James get things rolling. I am disapointed, but I remain patient and disposed to give James the benefit of the doubt. I do wish he would be forthcoming with an explanation and a realistic appraisal of the projects status.

I was impressed with XXXI and the previews for issue #1 have been yummy. I am a huge Wilderlands fan boy. That may not be enough if we don't see some results.

gideon_thorne · Post by **gideon_thorne** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 5:57 am

James is in the process of a full bore polish up of the material he's working on now that he's got all systems go again. He'll pop up when he's got something real to say.
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Treebore · Post by **Treebore** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 8:33 am

gideon_thorne wrote:
James is in the process of a full bore polish up of the material he's working on now that he's got all systems go again. He'll pop up when he's got something real to say.

You well know how impatient we "customers" can be. I think it just may be worse for some, because of the $100+ plunked down up front by some of us.

Still, I haven't lost faith in James. For me its more of knowing that it is some of the best I have seen for what I want out of such RPG material. So I am just darn anxious to read it.
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Geoffrey · Post by **Geoffrey** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 4:51 pm

I am very, VERY understanding of computer problems. My wife uses her computer extensively in her business, I have seen first-hand how often things go wrong:

If it's not the hard drive, it's the monitor. If it's not the monitor, it's the printer. If it's not the printer, it's the scanner. Etc. There are 101 things that can go wrong with a computer system, and if even one of these 101 things isn't working, then neither are you. So it's back to the computer repair man, shelling out more money, and then waiting for the computer to be fixed. Then, when you get it home, you are simply praying that the fix actually fixed it.

Melan · Post by **Melan** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 9:07 am

I admit I am a bit apprehensive because I have also invested in RJK's Bottle City and Demonic Arcane, and haven't received either yet. Not because I can't wait, but because running a business is not just about production, but also cash flow and mindshare. If you can't keep it going, you go out of business. Fast.