Page Peek Unlocked! Coloring Page from the Mission Log
over 4 years ago – Fri, Feb 14, 2020 at 12:20:25 AM

Can your color like Kirby? 

Find out with this Page Peek from The Lost Worlds of Josh Kirby - Mission Log.

The Mission Log is one of several, awesome extras we are developing for our Bundle Backers. In addition to puzzles and art (more later), we are showcasing iconic Josh Kirby images with 7 complex coloring pages. Discover the detail and depth of Kirby sci-fi art. 

To celebrate, we are sending one of our coloring pages for everyone to enjoy!

Click on this link to download a printable PDF of the first coloring page from the Mission Log. http://bit.ly/JKColoringPagePeek

Sci-fi Inspired by Master Pieces 

The art of Josh Kirby was lauded for decades by publishers, magazines and film for the museum quality depth of story detailed in each painting. Frequently compared to his artistic name sake, 18th C painter Sir Joshua Reynnolds, Ronald “Josh” Kirby’s paintings were coveted for their mesmerizing complexity, science-fantasy storytelling and portrait style details.

Josh truly saw science fiction as a theme for art,

"Of the old masters, the work of Hieronymous Bosch and Bruegel seemed to be the forerunners of much in science fiction painting and the influence of their work has been the most profound on me. When I look back over the various influences of my painting life, it is with them I am striving to stay in tune, whilst playing on the science fiction theme. I like the idea of being part of a long-established tradition of science fiction and fantasy painters partaking of a theme common to many civilizations including myths and fairy tales, Rabelais and the like."

His signature style includes a vivid use of color far outside the usual "blues and greens" of Earthly pastorals. Worlds bathed in orange, pink and lime invite the observer to delve into alien landscapes, populated with creatures, adventurers and technology that is best described as Science Fantasy. 

Enjoy your delve into this first of many Lost Worlds. Post a picture of your art work on the BARD Games Facebook page and we will celebrate sci-fi with you.

Josh Kirby and Ray Bradbury - Part 2 - Unpublished Letters
over 4 years ago – Tue, Feb 11, 2020 at 11:48:50 PM

Correspondence discovered from Ray Bradbury to Josh Kirby

Researching the archives of Josh Kirby for art and information used to design your game has uncovered personal letters between these two powerhouses of science fiction!

The Kirby Estate, in conjunction with BARD Games, is sharing three letters from Ray Bradbury to Josh Kirby to celebrate the impact of these creative masters on science fiction and fantasy. 

 These three letters were found in the personal affects of Josh Kirby and have never been seen publicly. We are working with the press and academic groups, to share these unearthed artifacts and the amazing, personal thoughts of a Pulitzer honored legend. 

But, we are sharing them with our Backers first!

In these letters, Bradbury bares witness to Josh Kirby about the difficult transition of science-fiction into art at the height of the Cold War, the Space Race and the Moon landing that occurs 4 years after his letters begin. The Bradbury letters demand that science in fiction must be a serious topic for art and literature. “Very little of the Space Age has filtered over into the galleries, and this is shameful.”

He further goes on to beautifully state the case for science as the central theme for contemporary art and fiction.

“These are the central ideas of our Time, and to not cross-pollinate the sciences, which are giving us new insights into religion, philosophy, seeing, hearing, tasting, touching, knowing on every level, is to miss the cosmic boat completely.”

BARD Games doesn't want to miss the Cosmic Boat! Your pledge is already preserving the legacy of 20th century sci-fi. We hope you will help us a little more by getting the word out, so we can invite others to discover this wonderful project, and create content worthy of the title of a Space Opera. 

Josh Kirby and Ray Bradbury - Part 1
over 4 years ago – Mon, Feb 10, 2020 at 11:07:21 PM

Josh Kirby and Ray Bradbury

In the 1960s, Josh Kirby was engaged to create cover paintings for famed writer Ray Bradbury. He eventually created covers for several Ray Bradbury books, including Fahrenheit 451, The Silver Locust and The Illustrated Man. Kirby’s story-driven paintings, built on his method of understanding the author's vision, sparked an ongoing admiration between the two creatives. Bradbury proudly hung Kirby’s original painting for The Illustrated Man in his office.

The Silver Dreadnought:

Let's take a look at one of our later Bundle Stretch Goals.

Command your very own tyrannical planet killer, based on the cover Josh Kirby illustrated for Ray Bradbury's The Silver Locusts. Once unlocked, the file for this amazing 3D model will be available for gamers to 3D print at home or at their local library. 

The Silver Dreadnought adds a whole new dimension to The Lost Worlds of Josh Kirby — replacing the Dreadnought standee for use during the game. Be sure to keep an eye on our Kickstarter page for our Painting Video, because once unlocked it is definitely a sight to see.

 Stay tuned for some more incredible stories on the Kirby — Bradbury connection later in the campaign in Josh Kirby and Ray Bradbury - Part 2

Social Stretch Goal Update:

Our last update had the wrong link – but fear not explorers, we're making progress on unlocking these Titan-ic worlds together. Correct link is here (or click the image above).

So Much Loot! 16 of 75 Titans... Story Update
over 4 years ago – Sun, Feb 09, 2020 at 10:57:10 PM

So Much Loot!

What a crazy week, funding fast and expanding our game content with backer support is exciting, and sometimes dizzying for backers to follow. Here is a what we have unlocked so far: 

• +6 World Cards- 24 so far, each with a new Josh Kirby art piece!
• Epic Bonus dice- A new resource for your renown in every game
• Component Upgrades- That add quality to every game. Thicker Game cards and resin cast dice 
• +3 Event Cards- for Bundle Backers. 15 Total events to move your game from casual play to gamer strategy

We are closing in on more, cool unlocks. If you have not shared our Kickstarter on your Facebook feed, lets give you a reason to do so!

16 of 75 Titans...

The monsters of the Titan Faction are a chaotic bunch, but they take swift action when there is gain! Backers, we have 16 Facebook shares so far with a goal of 75 to unlock some epic monster World Cards. Click on this link, Share it now, and lets invade some gamer channels!

There is a science fantasy story unfolding during our Kickstarter! A little sci-fi to add some context to our unlocks, and possibly immortalize a few backers who prove epic to our funding campaign... either through heroic support or tyrannical backer activation! Here is the story so far...

Logan [our first backer!]looks up into the big blue sky to survey the top secret X-7 rocket one last time. Built using the schematics received from the mysterious alien signal, he steels his nerves to enter the glistening ship. Logan dons his bubble helmet and slides into the tightly configured cockpit to leave the safety of Earth and follow the mysterious beacon... [The Kickstarter goes live]

The X-7 blasts into the stratosphere! The ship jerks and shakes as it pierces the safety of Earth's bubble. As gravity floats away, Logan's grip on the control stick eases. Peering through the ship's porthole, he sees his target. A swirling, iridescent swirl hovering against the blackness of space...

"This is your Captain speaking...", Logan jokes over the ship comm. "We are now passing through the Hyperspace Gate". [The Kickstarter funds]

The silver ship enters the vibrant swirl of color and light... and suddenly the view out the porthole is new stars, a visible galactic center and several planets of alien size and color. [+3 Worlds Cards from the Human Faction]

Following the HUD display, Logan steers the ship towards the mysterious beacon to meet their mysterious benefactors, The Meek.

Touchdown, the X-7 settles on the planet of the mysterious signal. A gathering of oddly shaped, orange beings gathers at the rocket portal. Logan is the first to exit, and is approached by a creature with spindly legs and a bulbous nose. It begins to click, whistle and chatter… while pointing at the Captain’s wrist. [+3 Worlds Cards from the Meek Faction]

Suddenly, the alien tongue is instantly understood. “We are glad you accepted the gift of our schematics and built the devices to through the Hyperspace Gate. Our beacon unfortunately was a distress call. Our people must flee this world and search for a new one, before the Transcendent exacts his revenge.”

The familiar blue of an earth-like sky is contrasted by the alien vegetation. The Meek delegate walks and talks, telling Logan, “We lack the human instinct for survival. Your soul echoes as the champion able to save our people! That is why we chose you to receive our gifts to humanity.” 

As Logan rounds a corner, his view is suddenly filled by a massive Space Ark. The Meek delegate explains, “We built this vessel in hopes of escaping this world before the Transcendent arrives. Our oracles predict you will keep us safe from his vengeance! Logan, please, will you help us?”

[ You have acquired a Space Ark! You are better protected from damage of all kinds. All cards in the game will be upgraded to 315gsm black core to reflect this improvement.]

Before Logan has a chance to respond, the Meek delegate hurries on, “Wait, before you say no, we have more to offer!” He rummages in what appeared to be folds of skin, but seems to be built-in pockets. “Here, take this. Another gift to you!” He holds out a glowing red stone and continues, “These are rare among our people, not the least because very few have the power to use them. Use it in times of greatest need. Now please, we beg for your leadership, we have to go! [The Epic Bonus die is added to every game, a new resource for Renown].

Watch for more story in Comments and future updates! And, if you want to contribute to the adventure... add some story in comments below!

Titan Faction Spotlight + New Social Goal
over 4 years ago – Fri, Feb 07, 2020 at 05:35:35 PM

As promised in our last update, here's a little bit more about The Titans — one of the five epic factions you can play in the space opera mode of The Lost Worlds of Josh Kirby.

New Social Goal:

 We'd love for you to share The Lost Worlds of Josh Kirby with your friends and favorite online communities. If this Facebook post gets 75 shares, we'll add 3 Titan World Cards to every pledge, bringing our total number of unique worlds up to 27! 

The Titans

When early humans looked to the sea for adventure, they soon discovered “There be Monsters”. Now that man has penetrated Deep Space, their ignorance of the alien creatures that cross the galaxy magnifies this ancient fear of mysterious life. Now we shall dismiss our Earthly bias to examine the Faction known as The Titans.

 Space is vast. Life forms innumerable. Technology is unfairly distributed. Ideology is born of biology. And the best planetary real estate remains the commodity that every species seeks. From this chaos of form and purpose, a web of galactic species have learned to live in symbiosis, competition and even cooperation… including the occasional planet killing invasion

The Titan Faction is more accurately compared to a hierarchy of species, a “galactic food chain”. Monstrous worms, crab like bi-peds, people with anemone like eyes, serpents slithering in space, “big eyed aliens” in flying saucers… Humans are reduced to comparing this multitude of species to Earth Animals for comprehension.

The lesser species compete for resources alongside their alien competition. The apex aliens develop intricate civilizations and may form collations of convenience. The most dangerous species are given a wide path, or even manipulated to achieve some agenda.

Curiously, the Sentient Network easily co-exists among the Titans, even investing in their intellectual and technological evolution as the species permits. Other Factions vary in their ability to find Titans who’s alien form and agendas are compatible. All Factions, including other Titans, are aware that some galactic monsters do exist.

FACTION ICON

 Their faction icon, “Talons Gripping a Planet”, reinforce the great truth of the Titan Faction; the pecking order of the galaxy is determined by ecological force. Settling or Conquering is one and the same for this menagerie; their neighbors (or prey) apply these titles to rationalize their experience alongside Titans.

On Earth, the Titan Faction might be compared to the brutal ecology of animals sharing the plains of the Serengheti. All living in a savage, but sustainable, balance. If this comparison is true, then Hyperspace Gates are their universal watering holes. With them, Titans migrate to new worlds, evolving each planet they enter into an ecosystem that fits their needs  — and often eating their original inhabitants.

New Unlocks:

 We have unlocked the Epic Bonus Dice! Invest in Renown and roll it alongside your die for the turn for awesome new actions. 

 We also just upgraded every Tarot sized game card to a satisfying 315gsm Black Core.

Lastly — every bundle backer gets 3 new event cards, bringing the total events up to 15 — all with a unique piece of stunning Kirby art. We'll do a spotlight on how event cards change the game in a later update.

Stay tuned to your communicators explorers. More broadcasts from The Lost Worlds of Josh Kirby soon.