A fun, candid interview with Derek from The Games Of Life Podcast!
almost 5 years ago – Wed, May 08, 2019 at 02:22:31 PM

Hello and happy Wednesday, friends and backers! 

We are (as of when I started writing this update) at 888 backers (awesome number) and well over 400% funded! Creeping up on that $20K stretch goal too! I can honestly say I'm officially having FUN now :) 

On that note, and because you all have been so great about introducing yourselves and sharing a bit about yourselves, I'm excited to share with you.... my first EVER podcast interview! The host Derek and I talk about Crystallo a bit, but also games, creativity, life lessons, and storms on beaches. If you're at all curious about me or why or how I do things, or just want to spend a little time checking out a great new podcast that (I think) is going to do big things.... well, I hope you will! And let us know what you think in the comments! Oh, and be sure to subscribe to the podcast if you enjoyed the format, I'm sure there will be lots more great interviews to come! 

(Note: I must apologize for how scratchy my voice is in the beginning of the episode especially, I did the interview in the morning just after I got up and I really needed to drink some tea or something :P Lesson learned for next time!)

Here's to new experiences!

Cheers,

Liberty 

Backers-only Update: English PNP Download + Coloring pages + Bonus Dragon Artwork!
almost 5 years ago – Mon, May 06, 2019 at 05:18:28 PM

This post is for backers only. Please visit Kickstarter.com and log in to read.

350% Funded! And some quick announcements.
almost 5 years ago – Sat, May 04, 2019 at 05:24:41 PM

First order of business: 

YOU PEOPLE ARE AWESOME. Not only did you get Crystallo to 350% funded in less than four days, so many of you have chimed in since my last update to introduce yourselves, and it's truly been the highlight of this whole Kickstarter process so far for me. It's been so great to hear where you're from, what got you into games, all of it! (Though I do think a lot of you were *very* hard on GOT S8E3, I mean wow... tough crowd!) I did get a great question from one of you about how I got into designing games, and that's a fun/bizarre story that I'd love to tell....but not quite yet!

Today I wanted to make a couple of quick announcements: 

1. We hear you like physical stretch goals...

So we will be adding a new one for $35K when we hit $20k, and I'm really excited about it! I can't wait to share what we have in mind. I think you'll love it. We're also looking at some cool optional add-ons!

2. The PNP is coming REALLY soon!

I wanted to put all versions out at the same time (English, German, French, and Cantonese) but through no fault of my lovely volunteer translators, I haven't found time yet to organize all of that- but I will at the very least get the English version out by Monday, with the translations as quickly as I can put them together! I'm excited to get that delivered!

3. If you want to try the game right MEOW....

And you happen to have Tabletop Simulator, you can grab the mod here: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1713655759

It's pretty and works really well! (Also done by a volunteer-- this community is the best.)

4. Spreading the word

Although personally I feel like everyone in the WORLD must already know about Crystallo just based on how much I've been talking about it the last week... the truth is I'm still a first-time independent designer and my reach is relatively small. But YOUR collective reach is huge! If you're excited about getting your copy of Crystallo, I'd love it if you'd tell the world! Share in your favorite groups, ask your favorite content creators to get in touch with me about covering the campaign, tell your friends--- all of this only if you want to, of course ;) But I think together we can make it to that next $20K stretch goal in no time!

As always, let me know if I missed anything you wanted to hear about, otherwise in the next update, get ready to talk SOCIAL QUESTS..... yay!

- Liberty

Nice to meet you! (And who are you?)
almost 5 years ago – Fri, May 03, 2019 at 06:32:24 PM

This might be a little unconventional, but... I’d like to get to know you folks a little bit. I mean... so far everyone that’s played Crystallo, I’ve either met in person or at least chatted with online. It’s been great. But now there are 669 of you (!!!!) who have pledged your support for this game —- that’s not just a crowd, that’s a community!

And I know next to nothing about you!

So I’m wondering... would you be so kind as to introduce yourself with a comment? Anything you want! Favorite kinds of games, your other hobbies, what you thought of the last Game Of Thrones episode... anything! Have you been playing solo games long? Is this your first?

And can I just say in advance...It’s really nice to meet you :)

— Liberty

600 backers! And I finally took a nap!
almost 5 years ago – Fri, May 03, 2019 at 01:25:18 AM

Okay that second part isn’t actually news, but it was *really* nice. Thank you all for making Crystallo’s first day and a half on Kickstarter such a thrilling ride! I’m so excited for the next 28 1/2 days! I thought it would be fun to show you just how far this game has come in the last year, from my earliest prototype to the most recent.   

Here was the very first one, March 2018:  

Oh man. So ugly! But surprisingly functional. I was using a throwaway theme of seeds, flowers, and sprouts in 3 patterns (solid, stripe, and spotted) and I stole some stones from our mancala set. The first animal illustrations were done by my girls :)  

After settling on the crystal theme, and putting the artwork together, this was what I came up with. This one was printed at Staples and sleeved. 

 I ordered my first real prototype shortly after that, which was exciting. The quality was pretty bad though and it didn’t hold up well :p

After that, and after the contest win, I got to work trying to improve the game. I added the treasures, which in my first iteration, looked like this....

...and in the most recent prototype, now look like this!

Along with the treasure update, I also changed the colors of the crystals and added symbols to the orbs based on the feedback of two colorblind testers to make the game accessible. 

And now you're all caught up! What a difference a year makes, am I right? 

- Liberty