Games by JimD Newsletter - Safe Haven Factions, Game Updates
Added 2019-05-27 18:43:47 +0000 UTCIt’s the end of May, and summer is here, especially on the east coast of the U.S where I live. We’ve had several 90+ degree days, and though I generally like warm temperatures, it feels like spring was skipped. I guess crazy May weather is a thing everywhere.
In this newsletter, just like most months, I’ll share news on Zombie Exodus: Safe Haven and Vampire Fiction. I also have some news on Patreon and beta-testing opportunities.
Game Updates
Zombie Exodus: Safe Haven Part 3: I have written over 60,000 words of Part 3 and released it to my Patreon patrons ($10 level). This month saw the start of a new mission taking place at a Research Center, one which will have a huge impact on the story. Since it will be such an important part of ZE:SH, I’m writing it in multiple stages. It will go as follows:
- Stage 1: creating a framework with many sections left with placeholders for text.
- Stage 2: adding in text in placeholder areas, adding combat, new items, and romantic interactions.
- Stage 3: revisions and editing.
In another newsletter, I will discuss the development of dynamic missions, ones which change over time. “Scavenge the Research Center” is one such mission.
Just because I’m working on this mission doesn’t mean it is the only thing on which I’ll work. In fact, in June, I will start work on a new event, Missed Rally/Helping Hands. Your team is out scavenging and encounter a group of people surrounded by zombies. Later, while scavenging, some of your team goes missing.
Vampire Fiction: Episode 4 is finished! The art department is working on new images, and my editor is reviewing the story file. Episodes 1-3 are currently available for iOS and based on early numbers, it is doing very well with many new readers each month. Thank you to all who have played so far.
I’m hoping Episode 4 will be released in June.
Zombie Exodus: Safe Haven Part 3 – Factions
If you don’t want to read any details on Part 3, please do not read below.
As some of you may know from reading various forums about the game or deducing it from the story, numerous groups of survivors will participate in Part 3’s story. Here are the ones you will encounter:
Silverthorne Militia: introduced in chapter 7 of Part 2, the Silverthorne Militia is a group of ex-military members from took over a FEMA camp near Silverthorne, Colorado. They request the main character and group join them or be considered enemies.
Red Mamba Biker Club: run by Thelma who was first introduced in chapter 3 of Part 1, the RMBC ran a convenience store until looters ransacked it. Though they were not seen in Part 2, their presence will be felt in Part 3.
River Dogs: This band of family and friends represent a group similar to that of the main character—brought together by necessity with no other goals than survival. When first met in Part 2, the River Dogs are struggling to survive: hungry, tired, and lacking adequate shelter. They will meet the main group early in Part 3.
New Army: led by Colonel Goodman, the New Army is introduced to players doing the military storyline. So far, they have little impact on the group but are in contact with the main character in the hopes of finding Safe Haven Lancelot.
The Payne Gang: formed by Cliff and Delilah Payne, this gang is introduced in chapter 2 of Part 1 to players starting in the country. Put simply, they are an early raiding group, who believe it is easier to take from other survivors than scavenge.
Let me make an important point—no faction should be considered friendly or enemies by nature. Your experiences with them influence your relationship to them, and your choices dictate whether they are peaceful, neutral, or hostile. For example, if you live in Stodgy Farms in Part 1, the Paynes are friends of yours. If the player did not start in the country, you can expect to be at odds with them early on. Even the Silverthornes may be friendly toward the main group if the first meeting was civil.
The truth is this—make no assumptions on any group in Part 3. Your choices will matter most.
Patreon
My Patreon page has seen some extra support this month, with 5 new patrons joining. It’s difficult for me to balance how much to do with Patreon for each tier and overall. How do I balance rewards and give value to my patrons? Each month, I try to find out if you’d like new or expanded features, but overall it is trial and error. Some features get consistent interest, such as scenario polls and beta-testing. Things like stories and naming rights do not garner much engagement. If there are things you would like to see, please let me know. It may sound cliché, but this Patreon is as much yours as it is mine. I want to give you the perks and content that interest you. Message me with any feedback, suggestions, or even criticism.
One thing that has helped is alpha and beta testing feedback. Right now, only $10+ tiers have access to test. I’d like to get more people involved to help find bugs. Starting with June's update, I will test the following changes:
- As always $10 and $25 patrons will receive testing opportunities monthly. All available content will be provided.
- $5 patrons will be given testing opportunities quarterly (March, June, September, December) on finished missions and the primary storyline.
This will give me more people to test and provide feedback while giving more of you a chance to see the game earlier.
That’s all for this newsletter. See you next month!
Photo by Hudson Hintze on Unsplash
Comments
I don't think it's a lame idea at all. Anything I'm interested in adding features for my patrons, especially things that enhance the game. I can think about how to implement it and then offer it in June. Thanks!
Jim Dattilo
2019-05-29 15:38:26 +0000 UTCIt's good to hear you had a chill weekend! I'm very eager for updates and betas, but you taking days to relax are crucial, too. I was brainstorming about content ideas yesterday after I read this post. One that came to mind (notably for the $25+ tier, off the top of my head, since this is kinda big stuff?) is getting throwaway lines of their own choosing – with approval – for a character to say in the game, I suppose? Or be able to write (again, with approval) and/or suggest a convo topic/dialogue/a brief paragraph or spoken scene between a few of their favorite NPCs in the game, when the PC talks to the NPCs. One example of where that sort of thing could be placed in a lull in the action is how it was in Chapter 6, when the PC was able to sit and talk with the NPCs of their choosing between helping set up their tent, the solar panels, etc. and got to talk to them one-on-one. I don’t think it’d be a good idea if it was big, plotty dialogue (unless you’re up for that), but maybe brief convos put in could work, if that makes sense. Not sure if it does haha It’s a bit of a lame idea and maybe it's already being implemented behind the scenes (I looked at the tiers, and I don’t think that’s offered, but lemme know if I misread somewhere!), but the only ones I’ve got at the moment :) I will keep mulling over it
Paradigox
2019-05-29 10:03:09 +0000 UTCThanks, Katie. I spent a relaxing weekend at home but did a little bit of writing too. This is all great feedback and it's interesting to see what you are anticipating in Part 3. Glad to have you with us on Patreon.
Jim Dattilo
2019-05-28 01:52:34 +0000 UTCFirstly, hope you're doing well today, Jim. :) I live in the south countryside near Gulf Shores, and it's currently 88 degrees outside...this is the lowest it's been in a while, so I definitely get what you mean about the heat. It's been a killer here. I do much better in cold weather than hot, so I hate summer with a burning passion lol I'm extremely excited about the newest updates! I haven't had a chance to play the beta, since I'm currently doing (yet another... :P) playthrough of the game as a refresher before I try out the testing and help root for bugs/inconsistences if I’m able. That said, I do want to add that from what you’ve written here, all the game updates sound intriguing. I don’t have an IOS, sadly, so I can’t check out Vampire Fiction yet, though I’d love to – hopefully I’ll get a chance to eventually. With ZE, I’m already hyping myself up for the missing members storyline! That has my mind racing about what could be happening there. I love the variety you’ve got here, and how even where the PC lived before the outbreak affects things. Most of my PCs began in the country (ha, I’m biased), so I’m eager to see how their previous friendship with the Paynes differs with how the Paynes view my PCs from the suburbs or city. I’m fond of the River Dogs, too, after encountering them at the gas station, so getting to know them will be cool, as well as the other groups. Following the Paynes and River Dogs, I’m most curious about the New Army, since you did a great job of making things vague, yet clear there is some motive behind the NA’s insistence about finding the safe haven. I’m dying to find out what that’s about with my PCs who had instructions from Colonel Faulkner, compared to those who’ll encounter the NA with fresh eyes. I’m also already pre-stressed (in the best way possible! lol) for that new event with the missing members. As one of the new patreons, I’m pleased as punch with what we get in my tier, and I obviously don’t speak for all, but the frequent updates and optional testing for such an amazing price definitely satisfies me enough. There are already so many great bonuses we get for just being ZE players from the first game, like with the perks. Even so, though I’m not good at this sort of thing, I’m going to try to brainstorm some other stuff that can be offered :) Thanks for all the updates!
Paradigox
2019-05-27 21:41:37 +0000 UTC
