Thirsty Sword Lesbians (THIS BACKERKIT IS NO LONGER MONITORED)
Created by Fred Hicks / Evil Hat Productions
Cross swords and fall in love with this tabletop RPG by April Kit Walsh, celebrating queer love and power, Powered by the Apocalypse. Preorder runs through the end of March. Don't miss out!
Latest Updates from Our Project:
POD Timeline and Roll20 How To Videos
about 3 years ago
– Thu, Feb 11, 2021 at 09:39:03 PM
Hi all,
Here's an update to our last two updates! A few questions have come up around Print on Demand Codes (in development) and Roll20. We've got answers below!
Print on Demand Code Timeline
Once we’re done with the print production process for the hardcover — still underway — we’ll begin the multi-step, non-instant/multi-week production process for adapting the book for the print-on-demand softcover.
We hope to have those codes ready to give out ahead of the June release date.
TSL Roll20 Demo - Part 1: Redeeming Codes
Instructions on finding and redeeming your Thirsty Sword Lesbians codes in the Roll20 Marketplace at https://marketplace.roll20.net/coupon/
TSL Roll20 Demo - Part 2: Adding Token Markers
Instructions on adding Token Markers to your Thirsty Sword Lesbians Roll20 game!
TSL Roll20 Demo - Part 3: Using Token Markers
How to use Token Markers in the Thirsty Sword Lesbians Roll20 Campaign Module, specifically for tracking strings!
TSL Roll20 Demo - Part 4: Tracking Strings
Instruction on tracking Strings in Thirsty Sword Lesbians on the Roll20 campaign module Strings page.
TSL Roll20 Demo - Part 5: Rollable Tables and Backgrounds
Instructions on changing the background images in the Thirsty Sword Lesbians Roll20 Campaign Module Stetting and Adventure pages.
TSL Roll20 Demo - Part 6: Safety Tools
Instruction on using safety tools in the Thirsty Sword Lesbians Roll20 Campaign Module: pallet, x-card, and pause and check in.
The playlist that include all these demos can be found here.
If you have any questions email us at [email protected]... who knows we might even make a video about it!
BackerKit is live. Complete your pledge today!
about 3 years ago
– Thu, Feb 11, 2021 at 06:29:46 PM
Greetings,
We have even more good news!
Thirsty Sword Lesbians BackerKit campaign is live!
All backers should receive a survey email from BackerKit. When you get it, please click the "Click to Respond" button to fill out your survey and complete your pledge:
If you haven't received an email you can go to tsl.backerkit.com, enter your Kickstarter email, and a new survey will be sent.
PDF and Roll20 Codes Available now!
Once you complete your survey, navigate to the Digital Downloads in BackerKit to find the following:
Complete PDF of Thirsty Sword Lesbians for all backers who pledged at the Flirt and above levels.
Roll20 Thirsty Sword Lesbians Campaign Module redemption codes for all backers who pledged at the Cyber Flirt, Cyber Smitten, or NICE! levels. (Codes are unique and can only be used for one Roll20 account each)
Happy Gaming to you all!
We hope that you enjoy playing Thirsty Sword Lesbians as much as we enjoyed creating it!
If you have any questions or run into any snags completing your surveys or claiming your rewards, email [email protected] and we'll look into it!
BackerKit and Roll20 Launch. Keep an eye on your email for the invite!
about 3 years ago
– Mon, Feb 08, 2021 at 10:36:34 PM
Thirsty Sword Lesbians has begun the print production!
All of the amazing new artwork from Kanesha C. Bryant, Hannah Templer, Avery Andruszkiewicz, Faith Schaffer, Kiku Hughes, Marty Tina G., Naomi Castro, Ryan Kingdom, and Trivia Fox is complete. All text edits are done. The files are with the printer now, going through the proofing process before getting scheduled for manufacture. The first proofs have arrived and we’re meticulously going through them now!
We’re currently on track to have the books printed and delivered to backers in June (but we’re aiming at sooner if we can manage it, late April at the earliest). Hopefully 2021 doesn’t pull a 2020 on us and mess up the schedule, but we’ve got plenty of time in the year for that!
BackerKit
BackerKit invitation emails should start going out Wednesday. When you receive the email click on the “Click Here to Respond” and complete your backer survey.
For digital rewards, this is how we’ll deliver you the PDF and the Roll20 codes.
For physical rewards, this is where we’ll collect your address to ship to!
For all backers, this is where you can update or pledge, add additional community copies, or add add-ons to your order!
Roll20 Campaign Module Ready
All Backers who backed at the Cyber Flirt, Cyber Smitten, or NICE level will automatically receive a Roll20 redemption code from BackerKit after they complete the process. All other backers and pre-orders can order a Roll20 code as an add-on.
Once you have redeemed your code, start your Thirsty Sword Lesbians game by going to the create game page and clicking on the "Thirsty Sword Lesbians: Worlds and Adventures" module on the right side of the screen. More details can be found here about starting a game from a module.
Once you have redeemed your code, the Art Pack will be available in the Art Library of all your existing or new games.
Once you have redeemed your code, the token marker set will be added to your token marker library. To use this item, add it to your game from the Campaign Details page in the "Token Marker Sets" section. Visit the Help Center for more info.
Once you’ve redeemed your code, you’ll have access to the art pack, token markers and campaign module. Everything you need to get started playing right now, including:
218 Character Tokens for the players and GM to use.
Start page for basic orientation and some character tokens.
Three handouts containing the basic play reference material for the GM and players.
Strings page to track PC and NPC strings.
Worldbuilding Worksheet page for setting generation.
Relationship Worksheet page to track the characters relationships.
Safety tools: Palette page, X-card and Check-in card decks.
Pages and handouts for all the core book settings: The Starcross Galaxy, Lesbeans Coffeehouse, Neon City 2099, The Three Orders of Ardor, Les Violettes Dangereuses, and The Yuisa Revolution.
Pages and handouts for all of the core books adventures: Best Day of Their Lives, Constellation Festival, Gal Paladins, Sword Lesbians of the Three Houses, Monster Queers of Castle Gayskull, and Sparkle Heart Magic Force Go.
Sample iconic characters for each core playbook: The Beast, The Chosen, The Devoted, The Infamous, The Nature Witch, The Scoundrel, The Seeker, The Spooky Witch, and The Trickster.
Bonus: Sword Lesbians of the Three Houses worksheet: for tracking all the faction machinations!
Art Pack with all of tokens and playmats.
9 Token Markers for each iconic playbook
Here are some lovely screenshots of the game:
Other news
The Thirsty Sword Lesbians Stretch Goals are still underway. Many of them are going to layout this month, followed by a likely multi-month art acquisition process before they’re done. We’ll be releasing those through BackerKit as well, so make sure to complete your surveys!
The Print on Demand (POD) proofing is starting next month and the POD versions should be available for at-cost order at the same time the physical books ship. We’ll send out the at-cost discount code via BackerKit once it’s ready.
Community Copies will be available through itch.io when the book is released to the public in (we hope) June.
2021 New Year Updates
over 3 years ago
– Sat, Jan 09, 2021 at 01:17:11 AM
Greetings!
Let's start off the year with a few project updates!
Art Development
All of the core book art is in development now by our amazing artists Kanesha Bryant, Hannah Templer, Faith Schaffer, Ryan Kingdom, Kiku Hughes, Trivia Fox, Naomi Castro, Avery Andruszkiewicz (Matte Bat), and Marty Tina G. Here's a few sample images as they went from ink to color. None of these are quite finished, but the colors are very close!
Ryan Kingdom's Mecha art
Avery Andruszkiewicz's Yuisa Revolution Art
Naomi Castro's Flirts and Zingers, and Influence with a String art
Stretch Goal Progress
Our stretch goal creators have been rigorously designing, writing, playtesting, and collaborating on their settings, adventures, playbooks, and custom rules. Here's the current status:
In Development
Wastelands Roller Derby by Libby Horacek
Hyenas by Alex Roberts
In Review/Revisions
The Last Love Songs on Earth and The Legion by Pam Punzalan
The Mani Missive and The Naga by Mariam Ahmad
Monster Mash on The Investigator by Ash Cheshire
Battle Bards of the Solar System and The Troubadour by Bryanna Hitchcock
Lay Down One's Life for Another by James Mendez Hodes
Super Sword Sapphics by Amr Ammourazz
Sundew Garden Bakery and The Sun Hand by Jan Martin
The Hologoddess by Katherine Cross
Romancing the Throne by Misha B.
The Bloody by Maria Fanning
Through the Looking Glass by Lauren McManamon
Era's End by Emily Care Boss
Fashion & Slashin' by Vylar Kaftan
In Editing
Shinsei Galactic Puroresu: Revolution - The Final Engagement by Allie Bustion
The Matriarch by Alexis Sara
Gala.exe by Katherine Cross
To Light A Fire In My Soul by Soup
The Rainbow Scarab Circus and The Dream Mirror by Christie Fremon
Greasy Dock Goblins by Avery Alder
In Layout
Gaylords by Lucian Khan
The Lesbians of Avalon by Kira Magrann
Diceless Dueling by Ajey Pandey
The Lunar Realm by Banana Chan
Tragedies of Waldron Hall by Clio Yun-su Davis
A Sea of Pink, White & Blue by Maria Fanning
What's Next
Our final art is all due by the end of January and once that is complete, we'll send the book off to print and begin creating the full Roll20 module.
Stretch goals will likely continue development over the next couple of months and once layout is complete for all of them we'll start commissioning art. We're excited to share it all with you!
The How and When of TSL
over 3 years ago
– Tue, Dec 08, 2020 at 09:25:53 PM
Hello! Sean here. I'm the project manager for Thirsty Sword Lesbians. Primarily that means I mind the calendar, but I also talent scout, issue contracts, facilitate playtesting, coordinate with marketing, and work with the project contributors to support them as needed.
After Fred released the financial report in Update #18, I thought folks might like to see the timeline as well. So, if you like gantt charts, waterfall models, and work breakdown structures, do I have a treat for you!
High level overview: We issued a contract to April to publish Thirsty Sword Lesbians in June of 2019 and if we hit our marks we should be delivering it to backers in June of 2021. Two years, by Evil Hat standards is pretty fast, but it still doesn’t encompass all the time it took to make the game. Here’s a breakdown of all the steps involved to bring Thirsty Sword Lesbians to fruition!
Game Development (pre-EHP involvement)
April started developing Thirsty Sword Lesbians in December 2017. I playtested it with her in March 2018 and fell in love with the game. April and I kept talking over the next year as she continued developing and refining. In May 2019 April published the playable beta version of TSL on itch and it was ready for our evaluation for publishing.
Contract Negotiation
This part all went pretty fast (it usually does). Internally Fred and I reviewed the game based on my experience playtesting, the game text, and how well the game aligned with our goals as a publisher. (No surprise here… very well!)
We talked to April about the publishing process, our requirements, and what we could offer. She told us her goals for the game, and collectively we daydreamed about what it could become. We signed a contract in June 2019 and started working.
Developmental Consultation
Avery Alder joined the team in June 2019, commenting on the draft and talking with April several times through November 2019 as April revised and fine tuned the core engine of the game and the way the playbooks manifested their internal conflict. During this process, April fleshed out a unique mechanic for each playbook that represented that conflict, and also explained more of her design decisions in the commentary text so that it would be clear how they interacted and why those design choices mattered.
Announcement
From November to December 2019 we prepared to announce publication which consisted of a few key steps:
Commissioning a logo from Hannah Templer
Designing the Thirsty Sword Lesbians product page and newsletter announcement
Preparing a playtest draft (putting the current test a prototype layout, developing our signup and distribution methodology, and creating a questionnaire and google group for playtesters to send feedback)
Playtesting
We had over 800 people sign up to play Thirsty Sword Lesbians, which is a fantastic number for us and we took as a sign that we weren’t the only ones excited about this game!
Playesting ran from January to March 2020. Playtesters shared their feedback via the google group where they were in direct communication with other playtesters and with April, and via our extensive feedback form. April had hundreds of comments, suggestions, and ideas to sift through and evaluate!
Revisions
From March to May 2020 April revised the game based on playtest feedback and her own experience during further playtesting as both player and GM.
Editing and Sensitivity Reading
From June to August 2020 Jess Meier and Jamila Nedjadi reviewed the game as sensitivity readers and cultural consultants. Meanwhile Karen Twelves did three editing passes on the text to prepare it for layout.
Adding Core Book Contributors
With the text ready to share, we brought on Jamila Nedjadi, Alexis Sara, Dominique Dickey, Whitney Delaglio, and Jonaya Kemper to write settings for the book based on the template April created with the Starcross Galaxy.
Those sections were written, reviewed, and edited from August to September 2020.
Layout
As soon as the core test was ready, Fred began the layout process and added the contributors’ pieces as they were ready. Normally we wouldn’t have done that overlapping, but we wanted to make sure the text was ready for a Kickstarter in October!
Roll20 Development
Concurrent with editing and layout. Fred developed the Roll20 character sheet for TSL between August and October 2020.
We also discussed multiple module options with Emily Floyd, our licensing manager at Roll20 and opted to provide Virtual TableTop (VTT) art assets and instructions that could go to all backers, with the plan for a final module that included all the final art, handouts, settings, and adventures as part of the Kickstarter deliverables with the PDF and print book.
Crowdfunding Planning
Also concurrent with many of these tasks, we started our crowdfunding planning in earnest in August and worked through early October 2020. This included:
Cover art and signature character art development by Kanesha Bryant.
Bringing on Trivia Fox as art director for the remaining interior art.
Contacting and scheduling podcasts and streams for interviews and actual play.
Writing the KS video script and bringing on Shaun Hayworth to create the Kickstarter video.
Recruiting our first round of Kickstarter stretch goal contributors.
Planning all the finances including stretch goals, art, printing, and shipping costs. These calculations scaled up as we added international shipping and the campaign took off!
Kickstarter Campaign
During the campaign October to November 2020 we spent a lot of our effort promoting the game (with the help of BackerKit Ads as well), but there was a lot more going on behind the scenes as well, including:
Trivia Fox commissioning interior artists.
Jenn Martin proofreading the text.
Sadie Neat creating an index.
Recruiting additional stretch goal creators.
Drafting and issuing contracts… so many contracts!
April appearing for interviews and actual play sessions on podcasts and streams.
Roll20Con, which just had fortunate timing as we were able to get a spot on the official Roll20 channel for a game of TSL as well as creating a guide to using the VTT art assets in creating your own Roll20 game.
Post Kickstarter Campaign - What’s Next
The road ahead will be a very busy one, including but certainly not limited to:
Core Book Content:
Applying the proofing notes and any post-KS changes to the text.
Art development by Marty Tina G, Hannah Templer, Kanesha Bryant, Faith Schaffer, Kiku Huges, Ryan Kingdom, Trivia Fox, Naomi Castro, Avery Andruszkiewicz, and more.
PDF accessibility review and revisions.
Manufacturing and shipping:
Preparing the print files
Reviewing the proofs
Printing
Shipping to our distributors in the US and the UK
Shipping to backers
Shipping to retail stores
Stretch Goal Content:
Stretch goals include 35 settings, adventures, playbooks, and custom rules by Lucian Khan, Allie Bustion, Pam Punzalan, Libby Horacek, Mariam Ahmad, Alexis Sara, Ash Cheshire, Ash Kreider, Bryanna Hitchcock, James Mendez Hodes, Kira Magrann, Ajey Pandey, Amr Ammourazz, Jan Martin, Katherine Cross, Soup, Misha B, Banana Chan, Christie Fremon, Maria Fanning, Clio Yun-su Davis, Lauren McManamon, Avery Alder, Alex Roberts, Emily Care Boss, and Vylar Kaftan.
The steps for those include:
Writing by the stretch goal creator
Reviewing and feedback by April
Art requests from the stretch goal creator
Editing by Karen Twelves
Layout by Fred Hicks
Art order by Trivia Fox
Art development by the commissioned artists.
Putting it all together
What that all looks like—in one graph that starts from making a contract offer and ends with putting books in your hand—is a 350+ item project plan which you can see a current snapshot of here.
Note that those snapshots change every week as deadlines are adjusted, so that just means what we’ve got planned right now. We’re committed to delivering all the core content (PDF, physical book, and Roll20 module) by June 2021 but the stretch goals are still in development and the current project plan doesn’t include their art development, which we likely won’t start until we got all or most of them complete. We will be sending out updates as they come along however, and from what I’ve seen so far they are looking great!
I hope this gave you an entertaining and/or informative look under the hood of what it took to create TSL! And thank you, as always, for your support.
