Between Clouds - A Roleplaying Game of Flying Beasts

December Update - Covers, Concept Art and Chaotic Kirin
over 1 year ago – Mon, Jan 02, 2023 at 07:46:45 PM

Greetings Symbiotes,

It's been a while! How is everyone doing? Last month got a little hectic for me, so much so that I forgot to say goodbye to y'all before the holidays. Whoops! I hope the weather and forced social interactions were merciful to everyone. 

Much of my December was spent working on the 'Behind-the-Scenes' content for Between Clouds. It was really inspiring to go back through everything that I've done and watch the project's evolution unfold in plain view. There were really too many changes for me to include each little detail, but I wrote quite bit (over 50 pages!) about game design, best practices for artists, marketing, and the foundational thoughts that made BC what it is. I would love to share screenshots of it, but that's what 'Behind-the-Scenes' means! The digital add-on is still available for purchase through BackerKit, although it won't be delivered until the game's final release. 

The rest of my time was spent polishing artwork, notably each of the covers for Between Clouds! You can see the old and new versions below. I'm quite proud of how each has progressed, although there are still a few tweaks that I have yet to make. 

Lastly, I've been toying around with a new system of 'Wild Points' that could make the Kirin feel much more like the mythical, untamed creatures that they are. Once I've done enough playtesting with the mechanic I'll likely add it to the final game. Anyways, that's a lot to read, but it's because we haven't chatted in a bit! Feel free to drop by the discord, my instagram, twitter or tiktok as you please. Oh, and Happy New Years! :)

Smooth sailing,

Andi

Week 31/32 - Concerning Kirin (and lots of art!)
over 1 year ago – Tue, Dec 06, 2022 at 02:25:35 AM

Greetings Symbiotes!

How is everyone doing? I've been a frigid little ball recently and unable to get much done without a blanket and warm tea in my vicinity. Curse you cold weather! Nonetheless, we persevere. Over the past two weeks I have been thinking about Kirin quite a bit, and what they're intended to be versus how they function within the game. These creatures are presented as mythical, untamed, and capable of supernatural feats. As things currently stand, it doesn't feel like they're meeting that goal. So, I'm bouncing around ideas in my head. How to make Kirin stronger? More unexpected? Like a force of nature? If you've read the beta and have any suggestions, please let me know with a comment below or on the Discord server! 

I've also been creating new artwork while the gears turn in my head! Some of it is backer art, the rest is Kirin splash art of some kind. That's all for now. I hope everyone in in the northern hemisphere is staying cozy this time of year, and I hope southern hemisphere people are enjoying the sunshine! Come follow me on twitter (for now), instagram, or tiktok, I love hearing from you! :) 

Smooth sailing,

Andi <3

Week 29/30 - The (Re)Revised Beta is released!
over 1 year ago – Wed, Nov 23, 2022 at 10:39:03 PM

Greetings Symbiotes! 

How is everyone? It seems like November has flown by, and I've slipped into some kind of hibernation myself. Nonetheless, I have a new version of Between Clouds to present to you all, including brand new content for The Below! There are far fewer changes in this (re)revised version than there were in the previous iteration, which is a great thing! It means we're getting closer to a concrete, finalized version of the game. Anyways, you all should be able to download the new version from DriveThruRPG now (and please let me know if you have any difficulty). A few notable tweaks: 

• Unity Points are now tied to a 'Growth Plant' for the Kirin, so families gain advancements (powers, mutations, skills) when they rely on each other and strengthen their bonds
• Dinner Prompts have been added as a way to inspire roleplay and wrap up story arcs within the fiction
• A sliding scale for the level of 'risk' involved with each action has been added, as well as concrete stakes to be established before each roll

For fun, and perhaps to get my mind off of inevitable production and shipping, I also started work on the picrew portrait generator for Between Clouds! I have yet to make hairstyles and clothing (a daunting task), as well as various mutations (tails, wings, etc.), but I'm pleased with my progress thus far. That's all for now! Feel free to drop by the discord, my instagram, twitter or tiktok as you please. Hope everyone is staying cozy, cheers :)

Smoothing sailing,

Andi <3

Week 27/28 - The Below and more!
over 1 year ago – Tue, Nov 08, 2022 at 04:30:04 PM

Greetings Symbiotes! 

How is everyone doing? I've been hard at work myself (except for Hallo-weekend, I was NOT working during Hallo-weekend). Now that the writing and rules portion of Between Clouds is more concrete, I'm finally able to to reconnect with the game's visual side by updating existing pieces, creating backer artwork and whipping up new splash art! It's been quite a treat, and you can see examples both above and below.

Lastly, I finished my work on The Below! Perhaps now I'm done with the bulk of the writing. I'll upload a re-revised (revised 2.0?) version of the book within the next two weeks here that will contain the new chapter as well as a number of necessary edits and additions. Feel free to leave a comment here, or find me on twitter, instagram and TikTok. Also, be sure to come join the discord if you haven't yet! I always love hearing from you :)

Smooth sailing,

Andi <3

Week 25/26 - Breaks, Backer Art & Beta Feedback
over 1 year ago – Wed, Oct 26, 2022 at 10:46:17 AM

Greetings Symbiotes! 

How is everyone doing? The mundane requirements of modern life (maintaining a car, getting vaccines, etc.) have forced me to spend less time on Between Clouds over the last two weeks. I didn't mind though, and since I'm rather pleased with the revised beta I felt that a break was deserved! When I have been working my time is focused on producing Kirin and Symbiote artwork for the 'Friend of Beasts' and 'Ruler of the Skies' pledges (check your email often if you're in either of these tiers, I may have questions for you). You can see examples both above and below! 

Feedback on the revised beta has been light, which is a good thing in its own way. Of course, if you have any thoughts I encourage you to share them through the discord or directly to my email. There are a few changes that I adore, which will probably be released as part of a 're-revised' beta in the future. Notably: 

• A 'Growth Plant' that gives the players advancements for spending Unity Points and growing closer as a family (rather than at the end of a session) 
• Dinner prompts that allow the family to reflect on the session's events through roleplay
• Rules for building and repairing saddle upgrades 

Hope everyone has been doing well, I always love hearing from you! You can find me on twitter, instagram or tiktok too. Cheers! :) 

Smooth sailing,

Andi <3