Something Shawn and I noticed going through the NPCs list is that a good 90% of the Kickstarter characters are men. This is a product of the Kickstarter demographics, of course, but it makes for a heavily-skewed public directory. Normally I’d just add a bunch more female NPCs but I’ve created some 250+ characters and, hey, I still need to get the book out.

So, here’s the thing: If you are a male Kickstarter backer who is being represented in the book (and if you pledged at least $5, that includes you) and would like to volunteer to have your NPC turned into a female, that would be awesome.

Shawn and I realize this is a strange request. And none of you are under any obligation to volunteer. I realize part of the incentive in being an NPC in the book is the ability to point at the listing and say, “Hey, that’s me! I’m a coked-out corrupt cop under investigation by Internal Affairs. SWEET!”

But if you’re up for it, just let me know.

Well, folks, it’s come to this. Also, it’s come to this.

I’m confident I can get the Streets of Bedlam book done by Friday but I was confident I’d have the PDF out today so make of that what you will so let’s stick a stake in the ground: Streets of Bedlam will be out in PDF on Wednesday, June 6th. Finito. That’s the big D deadline right there. You backers and PDF pre-orderers will have the coupon code from DriveThruRPG in your hot little lands inside seven days.

I feel terrible about pushing this back one more week. I really do. I feel as though I’ve been bombarded since the Kickstarter ended in January will illness, surgery, breaking my arm, possibly moving to Canada, and now definitely moving next month to start a new (awesome) job in a new city and new state.

I’ve referred to 2012 as a cat pawing me back and forth like a toy. Unfortunately, Streets of Bedlam, which had an optimistic release date to begin with, has paid the price.

But I want to assure you this isn’t vaporware. I currently have the first four chapters out to select readers who may or may not pop up on here to tell just how wonderful it is. And I’ll be releasing PDF previews of the book every day from now until the PDF goes live, Wednesday, June 6th.

And you know this is true because, man, I am sick of writing these updates. I want to move on to reading your impressions, actual play reports, hear about your characters, and field your questions about the rules options and Archetypes. I want this done. So it will be. Until next week, click the picture below to download the intro chapter to Streets of Bedlam: Life in the Big City.

Hey everyone, just a quick update to let folks know where things are at.

Work continues on Streets of Bedlam (of course) and I’m cautiously optimistic about it seeing release in PDF next Wednesday. I’m working hard as I can but I want everyone to know that I recently accepted a (fantastic) job in another state. While this means wonderful things for my financial situation and career future, it also means chaos and panic as my family and I prep for a move.

This is all the more impetus to get Streets of Bedlam out the door, as I don’t relish balancing both finalizing a book release and packing up a house. So I’ll be dedicating every non-packing hour to finalizing this book.

My hope is, once the PDF is out and folks have a chance to point out all the errors in it, I’ll be able to get the files to the printer in mid-June and have the books in-hand by the end of the month. If I make the window, that’ll mean we’re already moved in by then and I’ll be able to get all the books out (as soon as I figure out where the post office is in the new place).

Other Archetypes and Sounds of Bedlam
While the book is being printed, I’ll get the Kickstarter-exclusive Archetypes released in the wild. I’m also aiming to get Sounds of Bedlam out in July or so.

Five-Story Drop
What that means for Five-Story Drop is that it’ll likely be out in August. After it gets released, I’ll work on working with the high-level backers on the standalone SoB Stories that’ll see release in PDF.

In Closing
I’ve had a lot of folks tell me they’d rather see Streets of Bedlam done well than done early, and I appreciate the support. I’m ready to get this out the door though. You all have been very patient with me as each deadline slipped past and with the chaos of the summer rushing toward me full-speed now’s a good time to get this done.

According to ComicBookMovie.com, the long-awaited sequel to 2005’s violent crime saga Sin City will be hitting theaters nationwide October 4th, 2013. Directors Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller are back as are stars Mickey Rourke (Marv) and Jessica Alba (Nancy Callahan).

Sin City may as well be required viewing for how perfectly it fits the tone and feel of Streets of Bedlam. If you haven’t seen it yet, check it out. And get ready for the return next October.

Which is the political way of saying I’m pushing back the release date.

I have to. The book’s in good shape but I don’t want to sprint to the finish with a rushed ending. Most likely, I’ll have the book done next Wednesday, the 23rd, but I want to make sure I give plenty of time so I don’t have to push this back again. So:

The new release date for the Streets of Bedlam corebook in PDF is May 30th.

Also, for those who missed out on getting the custom dice from the Kickstarter, you’ll be able to pre-order the dice starting this Wednesday. You’ll be able to pre-order the pdf and/or book plus the dice, as well as add the dice to an existing pre-order or Kickstarter pledge if you like. Check back Wednesday for details.

Work continues per usual. Words are going down, being revised, art is coming in, going into the text, the surgeon’s cutting in, my gallbladder is coming out.

Yeah, hadn’t worked that last one into the schedule. I’ve been fighting gallbladder issues for months now. The original surgery got bumped due to an out-of-country move that didn’t happen. Potential impending circumstances dictate I get the procedure done sooner than later so I’m going under the knife tomorrow. This is an in-and-out procedure that I sincerely hope won’t impact things too much but, well, it might.

So I’m running full steam ahead, trying to get as much done as possible before and after. I’ll keep you all in the loop.

Work continues! The big bad beast of May 16th looms in the distance like a dragon coming to roost but I vow to slay it. Worst case, I throw Shawn Gaston toward it and run. (Kidding, Shawn.)

So, real quick because I gotta get back to work, here’s where things are at.

The Book
Writing, editing, layout, and more illustrations. It’s coming together, and initial feedback has been really good. I’m excited for you folks to see this.

Sounds of Bedlam
I’m getting updates and revisions from Ed and, wow, is this thing coming together. I’ll be putting together another teaser for you all soon.

Five-Story Drop
I’ll be pulling back the curtain on the five scenarios that will be included in the game’s first supplement next week.

Also there’s this:

If you backed the Kickstarter at $60 or higher, you were promised dice. And this is what you’re getting! A full set of dice (d4, d6, d8, percentile d10s, d12, d20) that you can use for Savage Worlds—or any game you please. As a special thank you, and for use as your go-to Wild Die, this set will include a second custom d6 featuring Vincent’s bandaged hand coming straight at ya, based on Shawn’s artwork (which the book uses to note Wild Card characters).

The dice will be available for individual sale after the pre-order as well, so don’t fret.

The Pre-Order
The pre-order has two weeks to go, and I’d love your help in letting folks know about it. People can save some serious cash and…

ALL PRE-ORDERS OF STREETS OF BEDLAM WILL INCLUDE A SIX-PACK OF CHARACTERS, so your group can get up and playing right away.