Ever play a kick ass game that you lost, cause they just didn't make enough money to keep it going? I have.

Ever wish they funded the game differently cause you would have played that game forever? Ever wish the game had more money to advertise more so they could get more people to play it to keep it viable even with it's failed monetization? I have.

Ever follow a game from one publisher to another, and then another because that game was just so flipping cool, that it had to keep existing, and when it failed anyway for lack of funding, it broke your heart.

Yeah..

Fractured is one of those games that needs to be made. I NEED to play this game. I NEED them to succeed.

So I see the kickstarter, and worry... do they have enough money, will the kickstarter fail, is it too early, did they screw this up... Maybe? But if you haven't put money into this to back it, then who's at fault here really?

Game won't be in beta for another year and a half, or more. If the kickstarter fails, they have other venues to find more money, including continuing to gather on here, but we really don't want to see it fail.

I see a lot of people sitting on the fence, waiting to see how the fundraising goes. I have my own recruits who haven't put money in yet waiting for alpha footage, or until they can already pay in to start playing, who won't put money into a fundraising to get the game started.

But I think back to awesome game or games, that just didn't work because they didn't have enough money... and I count what I spend per month on gaming now, and put it out to what my kickstarter pledge is going to cost me per month between now and when the game opens.

I want this game to work out, I can afford to buy a pledge on my credit card that's bigger than the game alone will cost in open beta, I can afford to take time to pay that off and counter it against the months it's going to take in development here in order to get it to work.

I can support the game now in the pledges and then in development so that what I see in it, and those of you here in the forum before the kickstarter launch also must see in it, will come to exist, so I can play it. So the people waiting, they know there's always another game coming out, there's always games that fail, but do they really ask themselves about that one game that they really wished they could still play, or could have played? I do.

This is one of those games for me. It looks on the surface like it's going to have so much content and scope to the game that it'll be fun to play for years. It's been a long time that a game, and not my gaming friends, has held my interest for long term. I think this one might be able to, and if I can help them by pledging now instead of taking a wait and see attitude, I will. And I have.

Kickstarter is not a great place to fundraise when it comes to a game that isn't already set for alpha. If it's early, they can relaunch. If it fails, they have other avenues. What they need though, is a fanbase that will rally around and put money up when they need it. What's a great game worth to you?

Yeah there's things I think they can do better. They need to push out a few more spotlights, they should have recently before the kickstarter to keep the hype up for the members here who are actually into playing. I joined in September, but the lack of updates had my interest wane BIG time. I kept following, on the discord seeing when there was any news, but I really spent a good six months not even ON the forums.

So yeah, they have to do their part too, but for us? If you're on the fence and want the game made, pledge.

Beautiful title, no?

If the governance features are implemented in Alpha One, then I propose a free town, where we can test out the election process.

I have a governor pack and am happy to be in a town where citizens can hold elections and change leadership, rather than just hold a town for a guild and hope enough people join it to see what works and what doesn't.

I'm willing to create this town through both alphas if needed and then be elected in or out as testing requires. Anyone interested in testing the limits of political mechanics and has access to the alphas are welcome.

Town name open for discussion of course.

Ideally we'll be able to both fill the town to see progression, and have a nearby group willing to siege and conquest.

Will need town planners to apply, willing to also make an alpha guild to test the guild town and compare to a free town.

Here we have a general newsletter for the Fractions Inn.

"If you can't read a tape y'er out"
"I'll go Full English next time"

This is a snide, sarcastic, toxic place to share any tongue in cheek wisdom with the community, open to all.

First up, is

How I Won a Forum Contest and How You Can Too

by Greenfire

So I have been asked how I won the most recent Ambassador Contest on the forums here, and if I had any pointers to help beat RNG, and thought it would be nice of me to share with the community how I, and other winners, have been winning.

Now, I was lucky enough to be born into a privileged class with devs up my ass at birth, as have some of our other recent winners, but not everyone is so lucky. I will say that the number of devs you put up your ass and how far you put them up your ass does matter.

As does choice of dev you stick up there.

I would recommend that you don't even bother with devs that aren't part of the Dynamight Studios team, as they may in fact add a debuff, and going up against RNG, you really want to be in your best fighting form.

Now the dev team here, we're all familiar with already, but for a refresher I'll list here what I think is most important when choosing which ones to stick up your ass, and how far to put them.

First of all, you can never go wrong with any of the following devs, though some are better at defeating RNG than others are.

This is just the four that most of us have been using some with good effect, but it takes a little bit of practice to know exactly which ones work well together and how far up.

The other devs, not only have we been having less success at winning, but they're all shaped in a way that make it painful to insert them. I suggest that if you go this route, you find a way to identify which is which, as on their linked in profile, they all look exactly the same. And I can tell you, we don't want a repeat of what happened to the winners of the first contests when they inserted these a little too far, poor dears, still in the infirmary from what I'm hearing.

You may think that's intended to be an anonymous profile pic, but I can in fact tell you it's just a stylized coat hanger. If you want to stick coat hangers up your ass to try to win, you can, but there's already a player who has several of these stuck up her ass and I don't think it's working for her.

Stick to the devs above, and you should do well

backer number 4, governor.

My husband and I went to a costume party last friday, thought you'd enjoy the pics.

I have to tag @Mr14taz cause I think he'll probably like that he inspired this post.

I already know the devs like the idea of tracking game stats. Who kills the most of this creature, who has the highest dps, which guild was the first to do such and such, who has crafted more gear than anyone else....

Even if we haven't seen any of what they intend to track in the game, we know they want to, somehow, and I thought it might be fun to talk about how this can be encourgaged without breaking the game for other players.

You could even say, that a guild could encourage their ranking officers with similar options. (hence where my inspiration comes from)

A lot of games will offer bonuses to combat. Some offer in game gold. Some offer access to areas not available to other players.

With Fractured really seeming to step away from game levels and such, where one player has an advantage that another doesn't, a number of players have already voiced that in game advantages that aren't accessible to anyone aren't really in keeping with what they'd like to see.

But we do already have some really great options available that I think could be incentives for players to try to hit whatever leaderboards the devs decide to implement. I'm talking about something similar to dynamite gold, but not to buy from the regular shop, but from a leaderboard shop.

Sure the store currently only has some furniture, statues and pets available, but what if there were items in another section of the shop, that were only available to players and guilds who were listed in the top ranks? What if there was a really cool pet, or statue, or armour skin that could only be purchased with dynamite type gold earned as prizes for ranking up to those top levels?

Extend this some, and what if the top guilds, had prizes that were able to be used collectively, but also a way of giving out dynamite gold to the leadership on their team, not by who in the team pleased the guild leader the most, but by a guild actually earning it. I know they have guild type quests planned, maybe they can include something along this line in future to amp up the competition some.

Given that all of the prizes should be cosmetic only.... there isn't any way to say that someone not in a guild isn't on the same level as those who are. There isn't any way to say that guild officers are being unfairly rewarded in a game breaking way... (and I think that's where the complaints about rewarding them stem from in the other thread)

As for individuals not in a guild? Of course they can compete for this dynamite gold too, that is only awarded to the top ranking players, and you only get access to the leaderboard shop for the week you're in the top rank... If you end up not buying anything that week, then you can exchange it for regular dynamite gold for the regular shop, or compete again for next time to earn more for a bigger and better prize.

Other than skins, statues and pets, what other things would you want to compete for as "prizes" in a leaderboard, and what other incentives can you think of for guilds and their leadership to have access to, that won't unbalance things for players who aren't in the top boards, or in a leadership position?

Earlier, players were having a discussion expressing concern about the changes to Guild Cities from a previous Spotlight, in that, we no longer really HAVE them. You can watch the recent Questions and Answers with Prometheus on Oxfurd's interview for the details.

However, the details are actually here on the forum too, but not out in the open. I have permission to share this.

@Prometheus said in redacted

Hi redacted redacted redacted redacted, apologies for the slow reply, I've been quite busy in the last few days

We understand your concerns and indeed I haven't been very clear in the Q&A on this specific matter.

The reason we removed the concept of a "guild city" is because the governor should be an actually important figure, not just the figurehead of a guild master - if he/she is not a guild master himself, I mean. Also, the label "guild city" is hard to understand for a player who hasn't read a lot about Fractured and could easily think that only guild members are allowed to live in the city.

If you are both a guild master and a governor and choose an Authoritarian rule instead of a Democratic rule, you are de-facto ending up with an equivalent of the old "guild city". Within the political system (coming in Q3 this year), you'll also be able to make your town part of a realm or make it subordinate to a guild or another town - but that's a different story and I don't want to reveal too much yet

Is it all clear now?

TL;DR: if you are a Governor, you can choose an Authoritarian rule and not have elections.

Stop recruiting is so satisfying to see when spammers keep recruiting in a test phase for a game that isn't even in beta yet.

Get that ignore button in there and I'll click on it so fast I'll need to change the batteries on my mouse.

In the middle of the wasteland, sits a ramshackle assemblage of rusting iron storage containers, stacked on top of each other in a haphazard mess of structured chaos, between which lay hulks of old barges, and tilted wooden shacks with weathered boards nailed over weathered boards, letting in as much of the blinding sun inside as offering shade. Makeshift ladders hobbled together with welded iron bars scavenged from ancient automobiles frames too rusted to use for transportation even were there still fuel in this world, or a destination worth traveling to, lead to upper levels among the jumble of rust and sun bleached rotted wood, and panels of corrugated plastic creating what could only be meant to be homes.

Steps made of old worn tires packed with the salt from the ground are stacked between the tight laneways, acting as both terrace for the stacked abodes, as entry to the market hidden within. You take a deep breath, inhaling the smell of dust, and sweat and animal dung that assaults you as you near civilization, but you can also smell food, and wine, and there is music and laughter within.

"In the crowded square blacksmiths and wheelwrights hammer away at their trade, merchants tout their wares and men are trading: chickens for grain, grain for alcohol, alcohol for sex. Directly in front of you is a signpost which directs traders to the various delights and services of the town: PARADISE ALLEY, GARDEN OF PLEASURE, BLACKSMITH, SMALL ANIMALS."

You've come not for the trade, but for the promise of work, and a place to lay your head, knowing that the world outside these walls is unforgiving, harsh, and offers you only death.

You are approached by members of the local consortium, who bid you welcome. Outside of the walls you may well have been prey to them, but the welcome within the walls feels true, though likely not without a price, and while friendly, you sense a readiness to fight within them if you threaten the peace in the town. They ask your business and you tell them you are looking for work, they direct you to see "The Lady" and deign to escort you to a discarded train car sitting at the back corner of the open space. At the entrance you are told to remove your sword, as only peace awaits you within. With trepidation, you do so, and enter into the darkened interior, not sure what to expect.

Welcome to Bartertown.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

My intention for Bartertown, is to create a space where all can feel welcome, no matter their race, their caste, their karma or their kin. I intend to be open to all, and while under a consortium, being a part of it is not necessary for trade, entertainment, tournament or any other offering here, including temporary shelter and food. Bartertown is open to all, at least for the moment, though I do bid you to entertain pledging with us and making it your permanent home.

At the very least, we offer you friendship, sport, glory, though as we grow, we shall have everything. Inside the town, we demand peace. Nothing else, you are free to conduct any activity you like, but treachery within the walls, by any guests or to any guests will not be abided.

Joining the town permanently, you can expect to help create a non hierarchical town that aspires to be a mecca of entertainment, hopefully offering competitions for gold, once we are able to have a tournament system, or set up one ourselves.

Note, the consortium we are affiliated with, has homes on many planets and has many other towns, and you'd find welcome amongst all of them, simply by pledging yourself here.
Though of course, that is not a requirement to stay, at least temporarily, would you like to try it out. As already stated, all are welcome here.

During the next test phase, Bartertown is open, no matter your guild, no password is needed to join it. Of course, if this gameplay inspires you to join me despite knowing little about me as of yet, I offer you welcome not only to Bartertown, but to my consortium, The Shadow Empire.

(roleplay not required for a good time)
(quoted text is actual description from the screenplay - substitute "Max" for "you")
(mention of sex in above piece in no way means we have sex workers, though I do respect people's rights in real life)
(Bartertown is open to all - and I won't allow discrimination in my town towards people of any denomination, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability or age, all are welcome)
(For the moment, Bartertown is most likely to remain a human world town even upon release, I reserve the right to change my mind)
(No Nazis)

Look beyond the gear.

I'm glad fame was brought up, I know it was specifically talked about by the devs, as one of the reasons why people will go out into the world and explore, pvp and do things, as there will be a pretty decent reward system for players surrounding fame here, and yes, loads of people pvp for fame. Or do anything really, leaderboards are always a good metric to put into a game.

But with regards to the gear specifically, players aren't going to be running around in this one looking for better gear. They may want better kills stats for their prestige, but they aren't going to be trying to kill someone for better gear. First, it doesn't exist, and second, it's a skill based game, so potentially a newbie could pk a veteran player if said newbie had a better skill tree and was better with their mouse and keyboard.

I don't care how big your gun is, if you can't hit the target type of thing.

But look beyond the gear. Progression in the game, is going to rely in part upon having a bigger and better base of operations too, so just because it's super easy to go out and get a weapon to go start killing things with, doesn't mean it's going to be easy to get a lot of stuff really fast. And I imagine that creating a metropolis will be an important thing to get going on really quickly so you're going to likely need a lot of stuff to do that, a lot of things can't be made without high end cities and buildings, so if you want to succeed, you're going to have to hit people for things other than their gear.

Cause you want to get that metropolis rolling before they do, right? You have to keep them from getting whatever they've collected home, and hey, why not take it home yourself in the meantime, save you the trouble of collecting it. Or hey, why not team up with some like minded individuals and go lay siege to a town.

Yeah, so those one on one fights for whoever has the bigger brighter weapon? Look past those, still plenty of reason to risk, still plenty of reason to fight.

@PeachMcD then hopefully it will be an evil act and cause the person to be labeled a thief in game if it happens. I have only had a few instances of someone stealing my kill on critters that I had almost zeroed, but if I get a kill then taking the loot should be something that the karma system picks up.

@catraccoon why not memorise a few different strategies and swap them out at a campfire as intended?

Stop recruiting is so satisfying to see when spammers keep recruiting in a test phase for a game that isn't even in beta yet.

Get that ignore button in there and I'll click on it so fast I'll need to change the batteries on my mouse.

@th3mistocles here's a video of one I built over the water, the texture is broken though, I posted it in bug reports the other day.
pic:

The empty plot to the left, you can't build in, the two pilasters furthest out, are unreachable for putting stone in.

Finding that today I can loot corpses that I didn't kill, if the person that did, left something behind. So far only running across stags and such to test, but might be good to look at the permissions on loot rights for the rest.

I'm sure stealing, of any item, leather or not, will be something that will create negative karma. So on the beast world, there will be a lot less of it. The human world will have tech in the city guards that will keep out negative karma (if the governors so set it) on the demon world, I think it's expected that you can either hope to collect your own, or kill someone for theirs and either is acceptable in that ruleset.

But you're a little stuck on the stealing of one item, there's likely to be a lot of other items in game to come, that people will also steal, either by attacking you and stealing it from you, or breaking into your home and picking the locks on your chests. Trust that the karma system knows this, and the devs will be including the stealing of leather as such an action.

I don't want them to make it unstealable though, in any way shape or form, I mean, some players really do like to play as thieves... let them. But also let the consequences happen for that. (in otherwords, be patient, I'm sure there will be some evil actions that will create consequences karmically for people who play this way, it's just not in the test phase yet.)

Or, settle in a city that will create leather constantly for whoever wants it, whenever they want it. I just filled several tubs with dire wolf skins to make leather for anyone in my town who needs it. Once it's done, it'll just fill the chests beside. At some point, we'll craft and enchant gear to have on hand when people need it.
I have been adding enchantment stuff to a chest near the magic shop for people to use too, and there's a gem I put in there beside my gold. If someone in my town needs it more than I do, they're welcome to it. I will eventually build my own house (and not destroy it) and then put a chest in there to store some of my harder to get stuff.... but until then, if someone I'm playing with has a want to it, they can have it, I can always go get more.

As you can see from Maze's bug report, here we've been doing some testing of city plots in town, making for some really interesting visuals.

Here we built a house that overlapped our bank.

Here I am drowning because the water texture persists inside the house after I built it. You can actually build quite a bit out in the water.

Here's about the limit, I couldn't place the stone into those 2 furthest pilasters.

So I replaced it just slightly more inside, this is the limit of where you can build to in the water though.

I also took some video, to show how the water texture works in the house, I'd really like to be able to build out into the water, but the homes should be raised on piers or something so as not to flood.
video

You may want to consider upping the spawn timers, during test phases. I have already built several buildings and houses, but could have done a lot more building and testing if I didn't have to walk so much for resources. I think during a test phase, we should have everything sped up quite a bit from actual gameplay, and also slow down the timer on decay for things. Not everyone is going to build a house, or several, and destroy them to build another to test out the city plots and issues with them if it takes as long as it does currently.

Here is me sleeping outside the tavern in someone's town.

Tested a few times, Direwood Citadel is the town

Human because they promise steampunk and lichs.