A tabletop roleplaying game of psychic rebellion in the shadows of the city, powered by the apocalypse.
Latest Updates from Our Project:
Production Update
almost 3 years ago
– Mon, Apr 26, 2021 at 09:07:49 AM
Hey folks,
No big news to relate but I'm posting an update to keep you in the loop. Here's how things stand:
We've sourced quotes for the print run and getting started on printing.
Proofs for the covenant deck are on their way to us, and I'm looking forward to posting pictures!
I'm finishing up tweaks to Kill or Cure and should have that ready in the next few weeks.
Other than that, let me know if you're having issues accessing the PDFs and watch this space for more news!
Read on for plugs...
Hard Wired Island is out! I did layout, graphic design, and a little bit of rules/setting consultation for this cyberpunk game of street-level agitation, cool heists and 90s anime references. It was a joy to work on, and I'm excited to see the great response it's been getting.
SPIRE: SIN from my colleagues at Rowan, Rook and Decard (and laid out by yours truly) is in its final few days on kickstarter. It delves into the crime, law enforcement and religions of their weird fantasy metropolis. If you like social drama in a fantasy city give it a look!
Final PDF now out!
about 3 years ago
– Wed, Mar 31, 2021 at 05:39:52 AM
Hey all,
After a long, careful gestation, Voidheart Symphony is finally out! Thank you so much for your support and help - you've all played a part in making sure this game is as good as it is.
Here's the changelog:
Fixed typos and harmonised the handouts and the book.
Added a Game Setup quick reference on page 21.
Changed move names to be clearer about their usage: Confront is now Pressure,By and By is now Wrap Up,Drink Deep is now Reach Out,Lift the Mask is now Emperor’s New Clothes.
Rewrote the Captive’s hangout move to be pointed towards the person hanging out with them (p. 99).
Adjusted the Fool's city move so that it quells a crisis instead of clearing a gauge (p. 152).
Added a section on pacing the investigation on p. 214.
Added a section offering guidance on plot beats to hit for each playbook on p. 215.
Added move summaries at the back of the book (p. 308).
Download codes for the updated files are on their way to you now, and if you want to tell your friends about the game you can point them to our various different shops:
The next big thing is to head into production. We're sourcing quotes for book and card printers, and deciding on our fulfilment plans.
If you added any money in BackerKit, we're going to charge your card in a week's time. Please check your Backerkit Survey (https://voidheart-symphony.backerkit.com/backer/survey) if you're unsure about what you've ordered or whether you've paid yet.
As for new releases? I have an updated version of the Kill or Cure Quickstart I'm working on (with custom Covenants), and an eBook version for better ease of reading.
And on the horizon, I have a trio of supplements in mind - peasants delving the caverns beneath their village as the castle shifts from its Rhapsody form to its Voidheart form, mediums and exorcists bringing peace to the castle's victims in the modern day, and crustpunk hackers raiding the corporate networks of a post-environmental collapse future. I'll let you know more as they develop!
Merging with Rowan, Rook and Decard
Finally, UFO Press has merged with Rowan, Rook and Decard, makers of such fine games as Spire, Heart and Unbound! You can read the announcements for more details (mine, theirs). What this means for Voidheart Symphony is that I have a lot more logistical expertise and distribution support to count on in fulfilling this book. It's very exciting for me, and wonderful to have co-workers to count on for support. And if you'd like to support the first book I'm working on as part of that team, keep your eyes peeled for the SIN kickstarter - launching in less than three hours!
That's all for now!
Mina
Voidheart Symphony: Release candidate now live!
about 3 years ago
– Thu, Feb 25, 2021 at 10:26:32 PM
Hey folks,
Thanks for your patience. I've been late to update recently, largely because I didn't want to update until I had something exciting to show you – and while that's not a great way of doing backer relations, the good news is that I absolutely have something exciting today.
Who knows what it's normally used to mean, but here it means that I'm feeling ready to send the game to the printers. But before I do that, I would greatly appreciate you folks looking through the game's PDFs, seeing if there's anything that looks weird or doesn't make sense, maybe even starting up a game and putting it through its paces. Please send any feedback to [email protected], with a soft deadline of the 19th of March.
What happens next?
Once this version is locked down I'll close down the Backerkit preorders, send the book and cards into print, and fulfil PDFs via DriveThruRPG.
I'll also finish off the other products I'll be sending out:
An accessible eBook version of the book.
An updated version of the Kill or Cure quickstart.
A PDF of the custom covenants commissioned by Arcanum Keeper backers.
And at some point... I'll tell you all about where I see VoidheartSymphony going next. The future's looking exciting!
Best wishes and stay strong,
Mina
It's Voidheart Symphony's 2nd birthday! Here's version 0.9
over 3 years ago
– Mon, Dec 28, 2020 at 05:31:50 PM
Hey folks,
I'm sorry this update is landing later in the month than I would have liked, though there's a serendipity to it - today marks the 2 year anniversary of the day I opened a new text document, titled it 'Modern_Rhapsody.doc', and wrote what is now the intro paragraphs to this game.
It's been an incredible two years, and though 2020's had plenty of upsets and challenges I'm so grateful that I've been able to spend it working on this game, with your help. Today I've sent out version 0.9 - check it out on itch.io here - and the game's now very close to completion. This version brings new art, a rewritten Captive playbook, altered combat moves and a few other changes.
I'll be sending the text that's already complete to my editor tomorrow, leaving yet to be completed only...
Custom covenant advice.
GM advice for introducing new players, closing out a campaign, and hacking the rules.
Some suggested rules tweaks for alternate settings.
I hope your new year brings you joy and happiness – thanks once more for your support!
Best wishes,
Mina
v0.8 - Intensified Edition
over 3 years ago
– Fri, Oct 30, 2020 at 06:05:56 AM
Hey folks,
I've uploaded a new version of VHS to itch.io! Head to your library there to grab it and take a look at all the new stuff. As a broad overview, this version brings:
A comprehensive overhaul of how Covenants get stronger and weaker over time. No more Covenant Ranks, only faded or intense Major Covenants - and all covenants fade with time if you don't put the effort in to keep them intense.
Adjustments to the flow of the investigation, with altered City Moves and Everyday Actions as well as altered crisis mechanics.
Optional rules for raiding the castle for potent treasures.
Many, many play examples throughout the book.
Broad adjustments to the look of the book - new art for the Captive and Penitent, new layout for the example vassals, and more.
The Penitent
What's left? Before I mark this game as finished, I want to include:
Advice on running a campaign.
Advice to drifting the game's setting to suit your needs.
Advice on making custom covenants, and some examples of these.
A few more art pieces, if our artists have the remaining time in their schedule.
I'd like to still get this to you, at least in PDF, by the end of the year - I'll keep you updated. And because this is taking longer than desired and definitely won't start shipping before the terrible fist of Brexit closes on my damp, sad island, I'm going to hold off on charging the Backerkit until I know the book's done and ready for print.
Thanks again for your support - and once again, if you want to talk about the game, feel free to email [email protected] or join our discord!
