Well, long time no talk.
Also, Eddy was in for dental surgery today, so his talking with me will happen later in the week.
But I do have a couple of things to talk about myself, the first of which is to let you all know that we’ll be going live with the Deluxe Book of the Wyrm Kickstarter at 12 noon Eastern US time on Tuesday the 3rd. (Tomorrow as I write this). I’m very curious about how this one will work out, because we are stretching the KS medium in order to allow backers to vote for and nominate (or be) nominees for the Pentex Board of Directors. Pentex being the corrupt international corporation that serves the Wyrm in the Werewolf: The Apocalypse setting for those of you unfamiliar with their nasty ways. Funny thing is, in the time since Pentex was created we’ve seen real life multi-national companies do the very same awful things we thought we were creating as fiction. So maybe not funny ha-ha…
So come check out the KS and if you are interested in being a nominee, you might want to get there close to noon- the Reward Tier is limited and might just go fast. Join the board to further your schemes, or to infiltrate and destroy it from within…
As awesome as the W20 Wyrm KS is, the second bit of news actually has a deeper effect on Onyx Path Publishing as a company. As of today, Onyx has three full-time employees: myself as CEO/Creative Director, Mirthful Mike Chaney as Art Director/Graphic Designer, and Lisa Thomas comes on board as Office Manager. This is a huge step for Onyx Path, and I don’t mind telling you it makes me a little nervous to be moving us to the next level as a company. We spent a lot of the time since April 15 meeting with accountants and payroll and insurance people in order to set this up correctly- which was time well spent- but still, employees? Everything just got much more complicated.
Yet, I think this is the right thing to do. Both hires are coming on board to shore up our internal workings so that we can better handle the creative chaos I went on about supporting in my last View From The Path. Not only has Mirthful Mike has been the engine that takes all the inspirational text created by our writers and developers and gets those words set up on the page in formats and with beautiful illustrations, but he’s the guy who figures out how to get that book to look like a hunter’s journal, or how to design three tarot cards to blend into each other for a crazy lenticular M20 cover when I have a creative brainstorm. Lisa is stepping in to take over those business tasks that I tend to keep putting off because of the daily creative fires that have to be lit, kept burning, and not allowed to burn down the house. One really big area that is completely behind the scenes but vital to our efforts is getting the freelance and printer checks out- something I have always handled, but not as smoothly as I (a one-time freelancer) would like. Lisa will be working with Mike and Rose to stay on top of those payments.
I hope you’ll welcome both of them as we take yet another step along the Onyx Path.
Speaking of steps, walk this way:
– Mummy the Curse – Cursed Necropolis DC- PDF, physical copy PoD, and PDF/PoD combos version are on sale on DTRPG. http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/129144/Cursed-Necropolis-DC
– Book of the Deceived (MtC): Redlines. “Almost off my desk” says CA Suleiman.
– Exalted 3rd Edition: From Holden: “John should be wrapping up Craft, the final outstanding Charm tree, soon. Sorcery’s final overhaul is coming together well, as are Evocations. From there, it’s on to final tweaks and touch-ups, art notes, writing the final unwritten piece of the book (introduction), and Phase 3 playtesting and its attendant mechanics adjustments.”
Zub’s EX3 Comic: PDF and physical copy PoD and PDF/PoD combo version on sale at DriveThruRPG: http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/128873/Exalted-Tale-of-the-Visiting-Flare. Both EX3 novels are being worked on, and notes went back on Matt Forbeck’s synopsis. The EX3 Music Suites are at a standstill right now until our composer gets through his full time job commitments.
– V20 Hunters Hunted 2: European shipper has started shipping the remaining packages to Europe.
– V20 Anarchs Unbound : Mirthful Mike is putting the last touches on the final PDF, ePub, PoD and then the Deluxe print files.
– V20 Rites of the Blood: is ready for layout, and layout is almost ready for it, waiting on one artist for finals.
– V20 Dark Ages: Scribes are scribing 2nd Drafts. David Hill has delivered some art notes. Talking about the art for this this week.
– V20: Ghouls: In redlines. There was a Dev blog last week.
– V20 Red List: In final draft stage. There may be a Dev blog coming for this this week.
– The Making of the Art of Children of the Revolution: Out to backers who pledged for it. Creating PoD files to go with PDF for sale on DTRPG.
– V20 Blood Diaries (Bloody Missive Collections) of the Clans: Writing.
– Deluxe Werewolf 20th Anniversary Edition: European shipper is shipping the remaining packages. All Heavy Metal Deluxe W20 backers have been contacted via KS for address confirmation- if you didn’t get the message or still haven’t replied- run to your computer right now and get back to me through the “Contact Me” button under my photo on the W20 KS site. Mike Lee has delivered several new chapters this week of the W20 “Houses of the Moon” novel for Bill to review. The White Howlers Tribe Book is in editing. W20 Wyld West is being tweaked with your comments- thanks backers!- and then will go live on DTRPG after I review the PoD proof.
– W20 Changing Breeds The Deluxes are ready to go to the shipper- I just need to have confirmation that their shipping materials will work with our book- they are sending me one. The Changing Breeds Fiction Anthology is be tweaked with the very few correx our backers found and getting ready for PDF/PoD versions..
– W20 Book of the Wyrm- see above. The Deluxe W20 Book of the Wyrm KS starts Tuesday June 3rd at 12 noon Eastern US time. We think this book should appeal to W20 and W20 Changing Breeds fans alike.
– W20: The Umbra: In post-second draft development.
– Mage the Ascension 20th Anniversary Edition- Satyr Phil has the appendices to finish his dev pass on before handing off to Bill. The Character Pack book and the “How Do You DO That?” book would then be what he gets to next.
– Mage 20 Quickstart: Printed and shipped for Free RPG Day. Go to your friendly local RPG store and ask for it- if they will have it, return, return, return on that date and get it. Buy other things at the store because they gave you the M20 QS. Go…gooooo…
– Trinity Continuum: System Doc being assembled by Joe Carriker. The first new piece of art in YEARS has been commissioned. nothing to see here, yet, move along.
– Scion: Waiting or sketches for the Scion: Origins cover. New character piece coming in maybe this week.
– Demon: The Descent: Demon Seed Collection is in redlines. DtD Seattle is almost in editing. Heirs to Hell is in layout and art is being done. Demon Translation Guide is being written. The Demon Fiction Anthology + Interfaces is in redlines
– DtD Players Guide: Flowers Of Hell: Is at CCP for approvals.
– Hunter: Mortal Remains: The PDF and physical copy PoD and PDF/PoD combo are on sale at DTRPG: http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/129193/Hunter-Mortal-Remains
– nWoD: Dark Eras: Second drafts are almost all in.
– WtF: The Idigam Chronicle: All first drafts are in and in redlines. Stew Wilson is doing a remarkably regular Friday blog that focuses on specific topics for the book- lots of good discussion happening right now: https://theonyxpath.com/category/projects/werewolftheforsaken/
– GtSE: Geist Ready Made Characters: In redlines.
– Also: Hunter: Mortal Remains skull shirts are going up on our RedBubble site.
Reason to Drink: A toast to Onyx’s next stage of development and our two awesome new employees, Mike and Lisa!
“’Almost off my desk’ says CA Suleiman.”
Ooo, I’m so looking forward to the Book of the Deceived and I’m glad to hear it’s nearly ready to move to the next stage.
Me too. It had a bumpy road but I think CA has got it wrangled at last.
Is the TRINITY/Adventure/Aberrant/Continuum KickStarter on target for November? It’s probably too early to tell.
Aberrant and Adventure! won’t be for another year or two down the road. We’re waiting on the completion of the system before we can really tell if we’re on target or not for November.
Congrats to the new hires!
Now if you were saying that, would it be “Cwahgwats puh duh thoo hwieywasth!”
Let’s just hope Eddy doesn’t have eye-surgery, or else we’ll need to create those “See/Hear/Speak no Evil” in his likeness. 😉
Hell yeah! Great news about Mike and Lisa! I was actually wondering where Mike’s art blog has been since it’s been awhile. But this news is great. The art on Onyx Path releases has been fantastic and I’m sure Mike had a great deal to do with that.
And Lisa will take some of the weight off your shoulders, Rich(even though you’ve done a great job and I’m sure you have strong shoulders).
Book of the Wyrm tomorrow!
We’re ramping up a bit on the art display level too, but not yet getting more art in our posts yet. Going to, though.
Congratulations on the new ‘not-you’ employees of OPP!
Having been there myself a couple of times now (granted, in a different industry), I empathize with it being a nerve-wracking step. Not to mention the tedious paperwork that comes with. However, those first couple employees are usually a sanity saving, time freeing bundle of awesome 😀
Also (re Trinity):
“nothing to see here, yet, move along.”
Oh, OK,……you tease, you….
Thanks!
Well, I knew if I didn’t write anything that you’d ask about it, so…
Heh…yeah….probably 😉
Any update is welcome, and I appreciate you taking the time to reply by the way, thanks! 😀
Congrats on the expansion! Is this the farthest you’re planning to go, or can you foresee a time in OP’s future where it will grow again? (I don’t know how many people were on staff back in the White Wolf days, compared to freelancers.)
Keeping a patient but excited eye out for the White Howlers book. After the current editing phase, how many more steps is it nominally going through before it gets to backers? I know it might go back to editing any number of times, but I just mean necessary guaranteed things like CCP approval.
At its peak, White Wolf had about 50-60 employees.
Onyx has just gotten started, so I certainly hope that we’ll continue to grow.
Thanks! Pretty much I think there is a place for a small company with a very limited number of actual employees in the RPG biz. I’m not looking to become a Paizo or to rebuild to the staff of the old WW days. Is that four or eight or twelve employees? I dunno yet.
Editing goes to layout, layout proofs, usually two, and then approvals. We also have to get an opening comic created for the book as promised in the KS stretch goals, so that has to be factored int the mix.
Cool, thanks! (+Stew)
The book’s currently with an editor. When I get it back, I check the editor’s changes and make any final tweaks that need making, then the text goes off to layout and the next time I see it, it’s with the pretty pictures and with the magic that Mike and Aileen apply that makes it look so good. From there, we have another round of corrections to catch rogue Page XXs, and then it’s off to CCP for approval.
How do we show nominee or be nominee for Pentex? Is there any opportunity to show candidate for local sub-company of Pentex?
Thanks, even its too early after M20 to save some money up for W20 BotWyrm! 😀
There is a Reward Tier you can select to be named a nominee. Folks will vote for you with the ballots provided on the Survey. If you want your story to be that you’re from one of the subsidiaries, why not?
I certainly hope it comes with a consolation prize for the others who (I suspect) pledge extra $ for the tier, but don’t get voted to be on the board.
I’m sure all of that will be answered tomorrow at Noon, EST. 🙂
Congrats on the business expansion Rich!
Also congrats to Mike and Lisa for employment with Onyx Path.
Flowers of Hell in approvals, Heirs to Hell in art and editing and Seattle just going into editing today. Demons going to have a busy few months by the looks of things.
Deceived very nearly being out of Redlines after the rocky (as in land slide levels of rocky) road its been on its the best news I’ve had this week so far.
Thanks- we’ve got good stuff coming for Demon and Mummy in these next months.
SUPER CONGRATS to you and your new staff! Does this mean that it’s kinda awkward when Mike comes into the living room in the morning and sets up his laptop to start work? 😉
But, seriously, with all of the projects you’ve been doing, and the many levels of the business you’ve been doing, or freelance-hiring someone to do for you, having it all under your company with dedicated employees can only make it more solid (I would hope!) Now you’re actually The Boss! 😀 This means you get to demand gifts on National Boss Day in October, right?
Ooh! Ron Spencer art! 😀 Horray… and Zhyzhak. She’s gonna mop the floor with those Garou. XD
I’m still not entirely clear how the Board of Directors thing works… is it a vote, or is it a pledge tier, or is it both? Do you take the tier for a CHANCE to be voted on the board? I probably mis-read somewhere… I’m still excited to join the KS tomorrow though. 😀
I cannot wait for this, I only hope that Steve Prescott makes an appearance.
Any chance we could see the sketch for the Scion cover? Or this new piece of Trinity art as a teaser? When the artist is comfortable showing their WIP of course.
When we have anything concrete, we will share.
Congratulations on your growing project! i always feel happy when peaople that work really nice get some kind of cosmic compensation with succes in their path.
Congratulations Onyx Path!
Thanks!
Got my CB20 stretch goal book of short stories. And I have to say, reading stories about my beloved feras is a pure joy. In particular the Rokea and Ananasi were simply delicious. I still have to find time to read the last tale but I can barely wait. A big thank you to everyone involved.
Which brings me to the topic of novels. I honestly can’t express how immensely wonderful it would be to have a collection of “breed novels” or at least just novels themed specifically around the feras. I had to put it out there in case it could ever become a possibility. With novels already on the way for W20, I’ll allow myself to be hopeful.
See you soon on the Wyrm KS 🙂
See you at the Wyrm KS in about an hour actually.
Congratulations! That’s awesome hearing you’re growing 🙂
As Torakhan, I’d like to know more about how the board will be decided. For instance, I’m very interesting in promoting Mr. Klieg candidacy to the board. He’s a canon character found in Blood Dimmed Tides. Any chance we know whether he’s already in or not? 🙂
Thanks! You’ll be able to read the full text after we launch, so if not, you can pledge for the Nominee Reward Tier and put him forward.
Congratulations on the expansion.
The problem with making American-based multinational corporations as the agent of a cosmic force of corruption is that the Wyrm looks weak compared to things even in other W:tA books. Will we see things like the Wyrm-controlled drug gangs in Mexico or the polluted cities in China where banes walk openly? (An outside observer would conclude that the Wyrm controls the Chinese government and free markets are the best defense against it.) Has Black Dog Games tried to raise money by offering a “Shiny Metal Edition” of Lycantrope: the Pretension? 🙂
As awful as the Chinese government is, if the actually Wyrm controlled it I doubt there would be any investment in solar energy, wind energy, or conservation there.
But it’s the WoD, so we can assume everything is much worse than in real life.
Solar panels that require precious materials that require strip-mining the earth, high-energy and petroleum products to produce, toxic batteries to store the energy (and loose their ability to charge quickly), and break so frequently that they require replacements before they’ve made back their investment.
Sounds like the Wyrm to me. 😉
Hurrah for new hires!
FANTASTIC NEWS!
Glad to hear the company is going well enough. I think this can do nothing but help make things better.
It’s great to hear that the company is expanding – congrats to the two new employees!
I was kind of worried that the RPG business simply isn’t able to support a bigger company these days. I’m glad that’s not the case.
I’m still waiting to see if it can! Thanks!