Sneak Peek #3: Quantum Rift
about 3 years ago – Thu, Feb 11, 2021 at 08:30:04 AM

Dear Backers,

We're delighted to share with you the third of four 'behind the scenes' updates, where we bring you inside the Themeborne studio and show you what we're working on. If you missed the first two instalments, check them out on the updates tab here. 

What you see in these updates is not final, and some things might be a little rough around the edges, but that is part of the fun! The aim is to show you glimpses of how cool the new stuff is, without ever revealing so much that it feels like spoilers - enjoy.

Mission Pack 3: Quantum Rift

1) Boss

You've all seen the cover before, but allow us to formally introduce you to our second new boss - Araknochron!

Araknochron is a foe like none you have encountered in the Dark Sector before. It has harnessed the power of spacetime itself, able to thwart it's enemies by briefly opening a Rift in the fabric of reality - bringing a new danger to the entire mission. 

2) Artwork

Here's a peek at some of the new chapter artwork, which really gives you an idea of the flavour and ties in to the main new mechanic of this pack - time travel! 

This pack introduces Rift chapters - dangerous encounters in the distant past, specially selected by Araknochron to bring about your doom. They are designed as you can see below in a shocking black / inverted colour scheme to mark them out from ordinary chapters. 

3) Mechanics

Rift cards are indistinguishable from ordinary chapter cards during setup, meaning that during the mission you will never know when the Rift will swallowing you up. 

Whenever you enter the Rift you must roll the Rift Die. Travelling through time is not without it's risks - you may lose HP,  arrive with another player's items in your inventory, or lose items altogether!

4) Items

Completing Rift chapters unlocks a new kind of item card - Artefacts. These are individually numbered and contextually linked to the specific Rift chapter in which they are found. 

 For example, as you can see above, if you defeat the Roman guards, you get to take Artefacts 1 and 2...

And of course, this pack introduces three new Alien members of the crew (as does Mission Pack 2: Mutant Pack 2, but we forgot to mention it in that update). You can check out all the new crewmembers here.

That's all for now, we better get back to it.

We hope you enjoyed this taste of what's in store. We'll be back again before long with the final or our sneak peaks - The Sector's Collector's Box! 

Join the Crew / Become a Prisoner
about 3 years ago – Fri, Feb 05, 2021 at 03:22:15 PM

PLEASE NOTE: This update is only relevant to backers who pledged for the Join the Crew and/or Become a Prisoner add-ons. 

Dear Backers! 

Congratulations on choosing to pledge for this unique and memorable add-on. Prepare to be transformed into a playable character for use in the Escape the Dark series! 

This evening we are sending out the photo submission guidelines to you by email, to the email address associated with your Backerkit account. Please check your spam filters just in case, and if you don't have it by Monday morning then please drop us a line at [email protected]. 

The email contains a PDF will full instructions on how to submit your portrait photo to our artist , but if you have any questions please just ask. 

Important notes: 

1) All photo submissions are due by March 1st 2021

2) If you are getting both Join the Crew and Become a Prisoner, you'll need to submit two different photos (one facing left, one facing right) see guidelines PDF for details. 

Have fun! 

Please complete your Backerkit!
about 3 years ago – Wed, Feb 03, 2021 at 02:57:48 PM

Dear Backers,

A friendly reminder that all Backerkit surveys must be completed by March 1st 2021.

There are still hundreds of incomplete surveys, so please double check yours is done here: 

https://escape-the-dark-sector-expand-the-universe.backerkit.com/

If you miss the deadline, we unfortunately cannot guarantee timely delivery of your rewards.

If you have any questions about it, we're here to help so please drop us a line at [email protected]

Thank you!

Sneak Peek #2: Mutant Syndrome
about 3 years ago – Fri, Jan 29, 2021 at 12:57:56 AM

Dear Backers,

We're delighted to share with you the second of four 'behind the scenes' updates, where we bring you inside the Themeborne studio and show you what we're working on. If you missed the last one, check it out here.

What you see in these updates is not final, and some things might be a little rough around the edges, but that is part of the fun! The aim is to show you glimpses of how cool the new stuff is, without ever revealing so much that it feels like spoilers - enjoy.

Mission Pack 2: Mutant Syndrome

1) Boss

You've all seen the cover before, but allow us to formally introduce you to our second new boss - The Mutanoid!

Exposed for decades to cosmic radiation and mysterious alien substances, The Mutanoid is a foul and insidious being who only grows stronger the more mutated he becomes. Pulsating sacks of micro-toxins adorn his slimy hide, constantly emanating a cloud of noxious spores to thwart his enemies in close proximity...

2) Artwork 

Here's a peek at some of the new chapter artwork, which really gives you an idea of the flavour of this pack - imagine fleeing the detention level only to be confronted by a mutated guard! 

3) Mechanics

During the mission your crewmembers themselves can now mutate, developing mutated legs, arms, bodies, and even heads! 

Mutations enter the game via mutation cards, which are mixed into the item deck during setup. You must now choose who draws each item card, and if you draw a mutation card it is immediately applied to your crewmember! The card tells you which part of your crewmembers body mutates, and then you must roll the mutation die to see how bad it is... 

Usually, when you mutate you will lose a small amount of HP, and then you must place the mutation card into your inventory - reducing the number of slots you have available! As you become more and more mutated, you therefore become less and less mission effective, unless...

Mutations can actually be positive! Some grant you a once per game, or even permanent, special ability, and access to these mutate powers can be vital at critical moments of the mission. Use them wisely! 

For example, if you get a mutated arm you might gain the ability to use it to BLOCK in Close Combat once per game. When you want to use it, simply rotate the card 180 degrees to show that the ability has been used and that the card has no further effect (other than to block off an inventory slot and remind you that you're a mutant!)

This body mutation takes up two slots but gives you permanent damage reduction. It does not rotate when used but it still has an inverted side because when you mutate you never know if you'll get the 'good version' or the 'bad version'! 

Cut it out!

Mutations can be removed. Between chapters, players have the option to perform crude surgery upon themselves as they hurry to the next area. They can try to 'cut out' the mutation by 'spending' 3HP, which can be made up by any combination of either HP-gaining items or HP sacrificed directly from their current total. This introduces a new and difficult decision into the game, depending on what stage of the mission you are at, how badly you want your inventory slot(s) back, and whether you prefer to embrace your inner mutant! 

4) Items

This Mission Pack also gives you some extra hitting power with the Stun Baton! Land the perfect blow with this electrified shock-stick and the enemy will be stunned - unable to attack ANY crewmember until the next round. 

For those of you who like to build-out a tactical Close Combat role for your crewmember, combine this with another one single-slot weapon and the Combat Protocol cybernetic implant for a truly formidable specialist. 

That's all for now, we better get back to it.

We hope you enjoyed this taste of what's in store. We'll be back again before long with a similar update on Mission Pack 3: Quantum Rift!

Sneak Peek #1: Twisted Tech
over 3 years ago – Wed, Jan 06, 2021 at 11:51:51 PM

Dear Backers, 

We're delighted to share with you the first of four 'behind the scenes' updates, where we bring you inside the Themeborne studio and show you what we're working on. Nothing you will see in these updates is totally final, and you might see some things which are a little rough around the edges, but hopefully that is part of the fun! We will show you glimpses of how cool the new stuff is, without ever revealing so much that it feels like spoilers. Enjoy! 

Mission Pack 1: Twisted Tech

1) Boss

You've all seen the cover before, but allow us to formally introduce you to our first new boss - Neuroshima! 

Neuroshima is an evil uber-genius obsessed with neural implants. His heavily augmented cranium has been rigged with dozens of implant slots, granting him a terrifying intellect and a wide spectrum of combat abilities to call upon - including psionic attacks!

2) Artwork

Here's a peek at some of the new chapter artwork, which really gives you an idea of the flavour of this pack. This is a cyberpunked tech-freak we like to call, Electroman....

3) Mechanics 

At the start of each mission, you must choose one of three new Drones to take with you, each with a Basic and an Advanced function which the operator can choose between during activation. 

We won't reveal all the drones here, but here's one - The Sentry Drone. 

As you can see on the card above, the Basic function of the Sentry Drone is the same as the standard drone in the base game of Escape the Dark Sector - Heal: Gain 1HP. 

But you now also have the option, should the circumstances of the mission call for it, to attempt the Advanced activation. In the case of the Sentry Drone this is a SHOOT action, a barrage of covering fire in the general direction of the enemy. You'll roll the gorgeous Tech Die  (which will be our larger, 20mm size, like the chapter dice) for the chance to inflict wounds, and crucially allowing other crewmembers to take actions while the enemy is pinned. Of course, all these new drones are based on the same outdated technology and will sometimes malfunction - in this case mistaking friendlies for the enemy if you roll the skull icon!

The Tech Die is used for drone activation as described above, as well as to resolve the special ability of the new boss, Neuroshima. It is also used in certain chapters to represent the workings of machines and computers beyond your control - although this die can still be manipulated by Chrono-bombs and other items if you've planned ahead and equipped your crew for all eventualities. 

4) Items

In Mission Pack 1: Twisted Tech, you have a healthy supply of new weaponry and gear at your disposal - including the awesome Flame Thrower! 

Capable of inflicting some seriously intense damage on your foes, this unstable old thing comes with a high risk of burns to the user.  You'll be rolling new Flame Ammo dice, special ammunition not readily available to the crew, and as such this weapon cannot be reloaded! But, it comes complete with a large tank of fuel, and with a variable fire rate of 1 to 4 you'll have plenty of tactical options for incinerating your adversaries. Will you eek out your tank with short bursts, or let it rip and roast some alien scum in a torrent of fiery fury? 

Looking for something more cerebral to kit-out your crewmember? We've got just the thing: 

 While it may only have enough battery left for one use, this cunning little device can really save the day by giving you the jump on the enemy - ensuring combat begins with a Flank Round, during which (as those of you who've played the core game already know) you get to make a surprise attack on the enemy without any risk of damage as well as having the chance to inflict additional wounds. Tidy. 

That's all for now, we better get back to it. 

We hope you enjoyed this taste of what's in store. We'll be back again before long with a similar update on Mission Pack 2: Mutant Syndrome!