Welcome to a new feature from A'n'SR -entertainments, where we talk very openly about creating a new Roleplaying game. We are tentatively calling it -U- the Game of Stories 2nd Edition, but who knows how it will turn out. Let us know what you think via e-mail, facebook, and/or twitter.

Anytime we start thinking about what we want to do in the new year, we take lots of things into consideration. What are we playing a lot of, what do we see others playing that they like, and how successful have we been in the past.

We keep playing a lot of role-playing games and deck-building games. We see people playing lots of different games of choice, mainly whichever niche they enjoy. We keep selling more roleplaying games than other games. Since two out of the three things involve roleplaying games, the answer was really obvious of what to do next: roleplaying games.

So, why do a new edition of a game that is still selling? A few reasons, really.

For one, the game we have in mind is really an extension of the classic -U-. It has its roots in simplicity, the three core stats, and the idea of using simple terms to give bonuses to those stats.

For two, we really like what we have done with -U-, and want to reuse our stuff again. We want to take the Settings, Setting creation system, and all the books Powered by -U- and put it into one big volume.

And lastly, we want to make a game that more people can use to create their own things for. We are thinking about Creative Commons licensing to do this, but, who knows there may be other ways. However we do it, it would really mean a new game, since the old one was created as protected material.

Next time, we talk about what things are in the game.

Every year in November, A'n'SR -entertainments tries to come up with our overall plans and goals for the next year. Well this year was no different, and here are our 2015 goals we have set to be accomplished.

1. Release 4 Angels - Michael's War expansions by the end of the year.
2. Complete work on the Angels Dice game, and possibly (optional) release it.
3. Complete work on a solo-play Angels game.
4. Get our full line of Angels card games and expansions on DriveThruCards.com.
5. Get our full line of RPGs on TheGameCrafter.com.
6. Work on at least 1 new RPG game or supplement.
7. (Optional) Get all our RPG games in Print On Demand at various sites.
8. (Optional) Make a new/deluxe version of DiColumns

In all honesty, this is going to be a light year for us. After a year with 21 releases, followed by a year with a Kickstarter and 2 conventions, we are taking things a little easy. 

Most of the stuff we are working on (the Angels dice game and Angels solo game) are both over 50% complete. We are alpha-playtesting a new RPG we are working on. We have started the conversion process on some of the things we wanted to do already. We are in pretty good shape for getting an "A"  in 2015.

Our first expansion for Angels - Michael's War is out now! 

Angels: Humanity & Redemption

Fight in the mundane world of Earth as more Angels and Demons use the power of Human Form to wage their war. Then, use the true power of Redemption to make Fallen Angels come home to Heaven. All of this in a simple 16-card expansion for the non-collectable game succesfully kickstarted earlier this year.

Add this great expansion to your Angels collection now!

Goal: Successfully Kickstart Angels - Michael's War card game
Result: Successful... with changes. We totally ran a successful Kickstarter. We had to knock the price down from $2,000 to $777 due to some printing changes that made us change our plans, but we succeeded, and got to experience some great things along the way.


Goal: Launch 2 other card games through TheGameCrafter.com
Result: Successful. We launched Pyramids of Mars and Faith Hope Love in 2014. This was very much the year of the card games.


Goal: Start releasing our RPGs on TheGameCrafter.com in the 2nd half of the year.
Result: Successful! We launched -U- the Game of Stories on TheGameCrafter.com. It even sold pretty well in the first month. Very pleased with this.


Goal: Write a new RPG game line for 2015 release.
Result: Unsuccessful. While we were playtesting our new RPG, it started to come apart. at that same time, we found Fate Core. Because of that, we've shifted gears and are working on Fate RPG materials.


Goal: Get an Angels Dice Game ready for 2015 release.
Result: 80% Complete. We are doing some playtesting and trying to figure out a way to make it less expensive. $40 retail for a dice game where you have to put all the stickers on is a lot, to us.


Goal: Get an Angels board game ready for 2015 release.
Result: Unsuccessful. We were working on this, honest. Then... it died. The game idea just didn;t work. Instead, we put the time into making more variants for Angels - Michael's War card game work.


Goal: Update DiColumns or release a deluxe version of the game (optional goal)
Result: Unsuccessful. Thank goodness this is a stretch goal. It will be on the list next year, too.


Goal: Get our RPGs as Print on Demand games (optional)
Result: 50% there. With us taking a look at our RPG lines and looking at Fate, we wanted to hold off until we were sure which way we wanted to jump.


Final grade: B

In our next article, we'll reveal our 2015 plans

Each year, in October, A'n'SR -entertainments takes stock of the goals we accomplished in the year, and sets new goals for the new year. After a very nice evening of sweet tea, pencils, paper, and some good hard look at our financials we have done just that. So... how did we do?

2014, overall, was a huge success for us. We did things that we never dreamed of 5 years ago, when we began. At a glance, here are our major accomplishments.

• The KickStarter - The biggest thing we did in 2014 was run a successful KickStarter campaign for Angels - Michael's War card game. It was our first KickStarter, our first real experience with game reviewers, our first time doing contractual artwork, our first "video", and our first time getting nearly $1400 handed our way in one lump sum. In the grand scheme of things, it was small, we know, but it was really a fantastic experience, and taught us a lot about us, and our future.
• RPGs on TheGameCrafter.com - The first month we put -U- the Game of stories (a 5 year old game) on TheGameCrafter to be downloaded, we sold more copies on that site than on other sites. This means, yes, we will be adding more of these RPGs to TheGameCrafter.
• GenCon 2014 - Because we had a game to showcase, we went and ran tournaments for Angels - Michael's War at the biggest game convention in the US. It went great, and we got to shake the hands of a few backers and met some awesome people.
• Geekway To The West 2014 - During the KickStarter, we ran some tournaments for Angels - Michael's War to drum up support. We were not expecting to have such a good time as we did, but we are going back in 2015, for sure. So much fun.
• Fell in Love with Fate - There is a great roleplaying game called Fate Core out there. Early in the year, we started playing with the system, and we love it. Because it is an open game system, count on us making game materials using Fate Core and Fate Accelerated. 
• Wrote a Review - Aaron got a chance to write a review for the Valiant Roleplaying game. This is a fun game, and it really made us want to play and create more role playing games. combine that with us falling in love with Fate, and you can probably guess what we will be working on for the next year's releases.

2014 had so many cool moments, it is really hard to list them all. Suffice to say, this was our best year we've had for A'n'SR. 

In part 2 of our 2014 Year in Review, we'll look at our 2014 goals an decide if we met them or not.

Gather Angels. Defeat Demons. Claim Major Victories. Angels - Michael's War, our successfully Kickstarted card game, is now available for whosoever wishes to get it. $16.99 (plus shipping) is all it takes to get you on the road to playing this light, casual game where everyone is an Angel.

Get your copy at TheGameCrafter.com

Hey, everyone. In May, our Kickstarter campaign for Angels - Michael's War ended, and we successfully funded! In somewhat a celebration, and to help spread the word, we are going to Gen Con 2014 and hosting some Learn 'n' Tourneys about the game.

What is a Learn 'n' Tourney? Basically, we are hosting 3 chances for people to learn the game and then play in a tournament for fabulous prizes. Alan, our main artist, is putting together some prints for prizes of some of our favorite Angels in the game. We may have other things, too... because we can.

So, if you are going to Gen Con this year, please, get tickets to one of the tournaments or just stop by and say "hi!"

• Thursday 10:00 am - http://gencon.com/events/53285 (11 spots left)
• Thursday 3:00 pm - http://gencon.com/events/53286 (5 spots left)
• Friday 10:00 am - http://gencon.com/events/53287 (only 2 spots left)

We Did It! I am pleased to announce that Angels - Michael's War successfully funded on Kickstarter.com tonight. 

We thank all of our backers, family, friends (both old and new), and reviewers for your help in making our first Kickstarter a success. 

For those of you that missed out on getting the game via Kickstarter, the game will be available in September for everyone or buy on places like TheGameCrafter.com.

More to come about this game and maybe more Angels games in the near future. For now, though... Thank you!