Progress Reports
a/state Progress Report: 26 June 03
How long has it been since our last progress report? Awful long. Anyway, a/stateLite V2 is now available to download, cleaner, clearer and slightly larger than the original version. It incorporates all the proofing and editing changes that have taken place with the main a/state manuscript since the original a/stateLite was made available.
As far as a release date for a/state goes, we're in the final stages of negotiating US distribution. As soon as that's sorted, we go to print! Soon.
a/state Progress Report: 16 November 02
Another review! Extremely positive, yet again, which is very cheering for us here in the Bunker. Thanks to Unclebear.com for reviewing a/stateLite.
Apart from a few tiny little bits and pieces, typesetting is now done and dusted. Editing is proceeding very nicely, with the first four chapters of the book now through their first edit. Thanks to Iain for his sertling job of editing, although we are a little world about some of the notes he's been scribbling in the margins.
Release dates are the subject of heated debate at
the moment amongst the CGS staff. There are a few main points which dictate release dates:
1) Satisfaction amongst verybody that our product is ready to be released. This
essentially means that we are happy that the book is as error free and consistent as we
can possibly make it.
2) We have distribution organised, ready to go and are able to meet distributor demands in
terms of having product available.
So, after soom discussion, it looks like we may put back the release to the early New Year
of 2003. This will allow us to do the following:
1) Carry out a second edit and third proof of the book.
2) Conclude our discussions with UK and US distributors.
3) Be able to meet distributors demands in a timely fashion.
4) Have pre-press versions avilable for review.
5) Be able to meet individual customer demand via our website.
I hope that everyone will agree this is a sensible move for a small company releasing
their first major product. Not being able to supply distributors when we say we will would
be a disaster in terms of our relationships with them. In addition, being able to carry
out a second edit and third proof of the book will make it an even better product in the
end.
So, in conclusion, it looks like a/state will be released in printed format in early
February 2003. I hope that those who have given their support to the game will understand
our reasons for delaying the release and accept our assurances that this will result in an
even more satisfying product in the end.
a/state Progress Report: 24 October 02
Well, another ego-boosting review has appeared, this time at Gaming Report. Cue much back slapping and exchanging of hearty handshakes at CGS HQ (an underground bunker at a secret location somewhere in Scotland. OK, so we lied. It's not a bunker. And it's not underground. But it is in Scotland).
Typesetting for a/state is now almost complete, with only a few finishing paragraphs to be put in place. The first proofreads have been done and editing is now well underway. The introductory adventure has also been finished off (much to the relief of our playtest group) and is now in its final form.
Despite some slight printing setbacks, things are going pretty well and we still hope to have the game released by Christmas this year.
a/state Progress Report: 29 August 02
Having had our egos boosted by a very positive review of a/stateLite on RPGNet, the full game is moving along at a cracking pace. As you may have noticed from the News page, we've taken on a new member of staff. Ian McAllister will be editing a/state and (if time permits) writing some adventures and background for future release.
We're now way past half way point in the typesetting of the book, with the first chapter already passed to our proofreader Rab Robertson for an initial spelling and grammar check. Playtesting of 'The Prescription' is also nearing its conclusion, with our hardy playtest group making good headway in the adventure.
a/state Progress Report: 08 August 02
Well, first off, a/stateLite has been a great success, with loads more downloads than we ever expected. So, thank you to all of you who have taken the time to download our preview. We hope that you found at least some of it interesting and that it might make you think about buying the full version when it comes out! If you still haven't downloaded a/stateLite, then download it for free here.
As for progress on the main book, typesetting proceeds apace, with about a quarter of the book now typeset. Some bits and pieces are being re-written and modified slightly, some bits taken out and new stuff added in. However, we're still on target for a release sometime at the end of October/beginning of November this year. The main book will contain 32 city areas, masses of background, loads of organisations and power groups, tons of technology and a complete adventure. Speaking of which, the adventure (called 'The Prescription') is being playtested at the moment right here in our hometown of Falkirk. The playtest group, rather bizarrely, includes a real live iguana named Dudley. Just don't ask...
We'll be updating the progress report on a semi-regular basis, so keep checking the site for further info.