benlehman: (Beamishboy)
benlehman ([personal profile] benlehman) wrote2005-07-27 12:21 pm

Polaris Pre-Order

Starting now, for the next three weeks or so, I will be accepting pre-orders for Polaris my rapidly forthcoming role-playing game.

I would like to get at least 15 pre-orders, which will cover printing costs for me, hopefully. Here are some anticipated questions.

What is the first edition like?

This first print run of Polaris will be the All Men Are Brothers edition. It will be limited to 108 copies, each one will be numbered, and have the name of a protagonist from the novel All Men Are Brothers (aka Water Margin aka Outlaws of the Marsh) inscribed in the cover in both Chinese and English. All copies will be signed by me, either written in English or stamped in Chinese or both, depending on my whim and your preferences if you ask.

Exactly 106 copies will be available for sale (one goes to me, the other to my mother, the rest for sale.)

The books will be digest-sized, and around maybe 100-200 pages, depending on how layout goes.

If I pre-order, when will I get the book

I will be sending the books either right before GenCon or right after, so US customers can expect the books before the end of August. International folks will get it before the end of September.

I'm going to be at GenCon. Why should I pre-order?

Well, for one, you get the warm, fuzzy feeling of helping me out with printing costs. But, in addition, pre-orders will allow you to select which book number you like, and also request various sorts of signatures and personal messages.

You can pre-order the book now and then pick it up at GenCon, if you like.

Why should I buy the game?

If you think you'll like it. To make this more clear, see the teaser text on the website.

How much does it cost?

The pre-order price is $22, which includes free shipping anywhere in the whole wide world (even hand-delivery if you happen to live in Plainfield, Mass ; Indianapolis, IN ; Heidelberg, Germany ; or Helsinki, Finland.)

Do I get a copy for free?

Unless you are my mother, no.

Please?

No.

What's this about "heavenly stars" and "earthly stars?"

In the novel "All Men Are Brothers," 36 characters are more central to the story than the otheres, and are classified as "heavenly stars." The remaining 72 protagonists are secondary in the rest of the story, and are referred to as "earthly stars."

In honor of those folks that helped out with the writing, playtesting, development, and promotion of the game, I will be offering the first 36 books exclusively to them. Of course, if they don't want them, they will go on sale to the general public. #37-108 are going to be generally available.

If you have a question about whether or not you count as a Heavenly Star, chances are that you do.

If you aren't someone who helped with the game's development, but you really want #17 or something, feel free to request it anyway. You'll probably get it. It's just that others will have priority.

Any questions should be sent to taogames@gmail.com If you wish to pre-order, please PayPal money to that same address. If you don't have access to PayPal, but want to pre-order, let me know and we'll work something out.

[identity profile] judd-sonofbert.livejournal.com 2005-07-27 04:35 pm (UTC)(link)
Ben,

I'd love to paypal this sucker but the web site didn't appear to be working.

Where's the button I can push to paypal for my pre-order to be picked up at Gen Con?

[identity profile] benlehman.livejournal.com 2005-07-27 04:44 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, to clarify:

I am extraordinarily home-made here. There is not yet any pre-order or order button on the website. What you have to do is go to paypal, click on "send money to anyone with an e-mail address" and send $22 to the address taogames@gmail.com

If that doesn't work, let me know.

yrs--
--Ben

[identity profile] judd-sonofbert.livejournal.com 2005-07-27 04:45 pm (UTC)(link)
Ben,

Not to be a dick but do whatcha gotta do to make it easier to give you my money.

[identity profile] benlehman.livejournal.com 2005-07-27 04:49 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm doing what I can. A buy button should go up in the next couple of days.

Because I like you, Judd, and I know you're good for it, you can claim a number right now, if you want it.

yrs--
--Ben

[identity profile] judd-sonofbert.livejournal.com 2005-07-27 04:51 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanks!

I didn't do my part, though. I was a cheerleader but I didn't get to the playtesting, nor did I do any editing.

Nah, I'll get in line behind #36.

Thanks, though.

[identity profile] benlehman.livejournal.com 2005-07-27 04:54 pm (UTC)(link)
Judd, I have your quote on the back of the book. You can have any number you like (except 18, which is claimed.)

yrs--
--Ben

[identity profile] judd-sonofbert.livejournal.com 2005-07-27 04:59 pm (UTC)(link)
24, please.

[identity profile] unrequitedthai.livejournal.com 2005-07-27 04:45 pm (UTC)(link)
Ohokay, good deal.

Dang, I am excited. (Can you give us teasers of the layout and cover? Please? With sorrow on top?

[identity profile] judd-sonofbert.livejournal.com 2005-07-27 05:01 pm (UTC)(link)
The alternate character sheet ROCKS.

Why even have the first one?

Could you classify 'em Printer Friendly and Beautiful sheets?

[identity profile] bob-goat.livejournal.com 2005-07-27 06:19 pm (UTC)(link)
Ben it takes like 3 seconds to put together a shopping cart item for PayPal for yer pre-orders. Do it man. Do it.

[identity profile] noradannan.livejournal.com 2005-07-27 07:41 pm (UTC)(link)
I'll tell you my paypal saga when you visit to explain why I can't give you money, but since you will, y'know, be visiting me, I'll pay you then. I want both of your signatures on it, though number I'll leave up to whatever you have handy.

[identity profile] chgriffen.livejournal.com 2005-07-27 08:12 pm (UTC)(link)
There, pre-ordered--going for #5 or #55.

It's not that hard, people :)
ext_104690: (Default)

[identity profile] locke61dv.livejournal.com 2005-07-27 09:48 pm (UTC)(link)
Do you want to repost this to our own journals and such? Or would that be better served post-GenCon, if you have a new edition or such?

[identity profile] benlehman.livejournal.com 2005-07-27 09:51 pm (UTC)(link)
Not at all. It might be better if you posted just a link to this thread (or the Forge post or This is my Blog post), to avoid the "spamming" effect.

yrs--
--Ben

[identity profile] keirgreeneyes.livejournal.com 2005-07-28 08:59 am (UTC)(link)
If Hua Rong isn't taken yet, put me down for #9.

[identity profile] unrequitedthai.livejournal.com 2005-07-29 07:59 pm (UTC)(link)
W00t, preordered.

dude

(Anonymous) 2005-07-30 09:55 pm (UTC)(link)
You promised me a free copy. Provided we play it on the farm, remember?

Re: dude

[identity profile] benlehman.livejournal.com 2005-07-30 10:15 pm (UTC)(link)
Are you actually going to?

Re: dude

(Anonymous) 2005-07-31 06:14 pm (UTC)(link)
Yes.

Dude! (lindz)

(Anonymous) 2005-08-02 10:45 am (UTC)(link)
Ben! i'm so proud of you! you're done with polaris!? You're printing it!? Can I include anymore '?!' in this post!? ( damn am i out of the bloody loop) please write me an email or something, i want to know how you're doing.