Near Present Core Book WIP

NOTE: Version 1J is now live. Updates to Anchorage company profile, expanded organization section.

After two years of effort, we are proud to present the foundation of our new series, Near Present. The work in this PDF was created by Jon Chang and Mike Durao(Design Team Ember) with significant contributions by Geordie the Third(known online as MachineCult), and Harold Zhang(known online as migrainzxxl).

Like BPRE, Near Present started first as a wargame set 20 years from tomorrow. Near Present was developed in response to feedback from Marine NCOs who were using our tabletop wargame, BPRE28mm, to train new Marines at the fireteam and squad level in small unit tactics and CQB.

Near Present will include graphic novels, tabletop + computer wargames, and (hopefully) an animated production.

This core book includes a detailed background of our setting as well as a game system that can be played using proxies from BPRE28mm to fill out the ranks of the fighting forces.

The book is WIP in large part because most of the art is missing. Josh will begin work in earnest on Near Present, fleshing out the art for this core book and our first GN series after he completes work on Black Powder Red Earth Awbari Book X, which is the concluding chapter for the current BPRE series. There's also a whole sections coming that will detail weapons, technology, and narrative events that are still being developed, more on that to follow...

Originally, this was release was intended to coincide with the premier of our new line of 28mm models. However, after reviewing the first production specimens earlier this week we have opted to delay the 28mm launch till Friday, November 28.

Short version, our studio has built a reputation on American made items produced to the highest quality possible. The initial sample models did not deliver what we considered AAA quality so we are now recasting the entire line based on revised production samples we received yesterday with anticipated delivery next week.

Final note: Near Present is it's own self-contained world with a lot of stories to tell and battles to fight, but this is not the end of BPRE. We are working on new stories set in the war torn deserts of Awbari though an exact release window does not exist.

Thank you for supporting our work on Black Powder Red Earth. We hope you love what we have coming in the Near Present.

Jon Chang

Founder/Creative Director

Echelon Software