Issue Two Status Update
over 3 years ago – Mon, Aug 17, 2020 at 06:04:52 PM

Hello Beyond the Dungeon Backers,

Sorry it's been a while since the last update. As you may have guessed we're a little behind schedule here, but we're starting to get close to Issue Two coming out, and I'm aiming to get the PDF out by the end of August, so it can still qualify as summer (in the Northern Hemisphere). 

I've got at least a rough draft of all the articles planned (though some are very rough) and I think you'll like them. They include two sample settings: one a gritty slower-than light and one a light-hearted faster-than light setting, plus an adventure, random tables for both players and GMs, hazards of space, and advice for playing your first Abstract Dungeon campaign. Because I am moving the second “Castle Blud” adventure from issue two to issue three.

I think issue three should come out faster issue two did, mostly because I have more freelancers working on articles for that issue. One has already turned in an article, while two more are working on more are in the process of writing articles.

Thanks all for you patience, and I hope to have issue two out soon.

-Matthew

Survey Results and Call for Writers
about 4 years ago – Sat, Apr 18, 2020 at 08:50:36 AM

Hello Abstract Zine Backers

Thank you to everybody who replied to the second survey about the Abstract Dungeon Zine. It gave me some good insight and will help shape the future issues of the zine.

Future Themes

First up I want to share the future themes for the rest of the year. These were determined by averaging the ratings that people gave them on the survey.

Summer 2020 – Space

This is the theme requested by our “Request an Issue” backer, so it would be in the line-up no matter what. It turns out that it was also the most popular issue with those surveyed with an average rating of 3.5, including the most people who rated it a 5. Interestingly, it was also polarizing, with NOBODY rating it a 3, and it had the second highest number of 2 ratings among the themes.

The backer who requested the issue gave some good feedback on this, and I've run some space games at conventions before, so I think that I've got a lot of good material already for this.

Fall 2020 – Urban Fantasy

The second-highest rated option with an average rating of 3.4. This is was suggested by a couple people on the initial survey and I'm glad they did because I might not have thought of it. I've not run Abstract Dungeon as an urban fantasy before, and I'm excited to see how this develops. (Come to think of it, I don't think I've played any RPG as in the urban fantasy genre, and I'm somebody who likes variety in my gaming.)

Winter 2020 – Aliens

The third most popular theme, with an average rating of 3.2. It earned it's place with the high number of four that people gave it.

Since there's already going to be a space issue, I envision the theme of this being more aliens come to us along the lines of Men in Black or Expedition to the Barrier Peaks. We've got some time though, between now and then, so we'll see what happens.

Types of Articles

There was also a lot of good information from backers in terms of the types of articles you are looking for. The most popular kinds of articles are theme-based adventures (average rating of 4.2), mini-settings (4.1), and random adventure generators (3.9). With the popularity of those, I'll aim to include at least those three in each issue, supported by a mix of the other articles that will probably vary from issue to issue.

Looking for Writers

Now that I've gotten the themes for the future issues locked down, I'm going to start really looking for additional writers for the the future issues of the zine, including possibly any of you.

If you are interested, send a one-paragraph description of the kind of article you are interested in writing with an estimated word count to [email protected]. Adventures and setting material can be up to 4,000 words long, other articles can be up to 3,000 words long (shorter is better). We are always open to working with new writers, but if you have published credits or a writing sample, you can send those along too.

We'll pay you two cents per word (USD), based on final published length within 30 days of accepting the final draft. This is work for hire.

That's what I know for now.

Thanks,

Matthew

Survey Part 2
about 4 years ago – Sat, Apr 11, 2020 at 10:47:55 AM

Hello Zine Backers

I hope you are all staying safe and healthy.

I ordered issues of the first issue of Beyond the Dungeon for print backers earlier this week (including the core book if you ordered that). These usually take a couple weeks to process, so I expect those should start arriving near the end of the month.

Survey Part 2

I've created the second part of the survey to help inform future issues of the zine. For this one I have a list of ideas, based on responses from the previous survey plus my own thoughts. I'm going to leave this open for a week (until 9:00 am CDT next Saturday) and I'll announce the themes for the new issues after that.

Click here to find the survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfiqbgOYlknU4IM7Jctj52rQ0hvxah8cNICJHLKUn4hD29E-Q/viewform?usp=sf_link

Thanks,

Matthew

Proof Looks Good!
about 4 years ago – Sat, Apr 04, 2020 at 01:25:55 PM

Hello All,

Just a quick update to let you know that I got the proof copy of the first issue of the Zine back today and it looks good. Just in case anybody has changed their address since the Backer Kit survey, I sent out a notice that through Backer Kit that I'm locking orders in 48 hours. That means I'll order the print issues on Monday.

Stay Safe,

Matthew

Issue #1 is Here!
about 4 years ago – Tue, Mar 24, 2020 at 01:02:19 PM

I'm excited to say that we just released the PDF of the first issue of Abstract Dungeon Zine, now know as Beyond the Dungeon! Originally suggested by a backer (the survey was anonymous, so I don't know who, but thank you!), this title narrowly beat out The Dice Pool in the recent poll. 

You should have all gotten an email from DriveThruRPG about the zine's release, but even if you didn't, we decided to make it a pay-what-you-want product, so you can just sent the price at zero and download it guilt free.

(Tangent, this is the first time we've done a pay-what-you-want product. The hope is that it will raise interest in Abstract Dungeon and the zine. If it ends up being successful it might lead to more PWYW products in the future.)

COVID-19 

I've received word that the printing partner that does cards for DriveThruRPG has shut down due to COVID-19 concerns. For this project that only effects those of you who ordered monster cards as an add-on. I apologize for the delay, but I'll get them out to you as soon as card printing resumes.

As of when I write this, the company that handles print books for DriveThruRPG is still open, and I've submitted the files for print version of the zine. The files need to be approved, and then I'll need to order a proof copy before ordering your books. This processes normally takes a couple of weeks. If all goes well I'll send off print books out early April, but the way things are going these days, who knows where we'll be at that point. 

I'll keep you up to date as I learn more.

Thank you again for help making this zine a reality.

-Matthew J. Hanson