Signal to Noise (LunarShadow Designs) • Game On Table Top

NOW OPEN FOR LATE PLEDGES

The Signal arrived while our grandparents were young. An invitation to humanity from the stars. Driven by our curiosity and the proof that we were not alone in the universe we constructed the Generation Fleet. Vast vessels to carry humanity into the void and take our place amongst the stars.

But the journey could only ever be for a select few. Tens of thousands from a population of over ten billion. The selection process ripped apart families, forged new bonds and burned relationships. Those that ventured out were lauded as heroes while those that remained returned to their lives as loved ones grew ever more distant.

This is just one story of that journey, of two souls separated by the void of space trying to maintain a semblance of a connection.

Signal to Noise is a bittersweet interstellar epistolary game for 2 players, played out one message at a time as one character departs the solar system forever on a generation ship while the other is left behind on Earth. It is a Prelude to the Dyson Eclipse, an upcoming series of games exploring humanities voyage to, and exploration of, mega-structures around a distant star.

Sending messages back and forth to one another the players must try to maintain a connection in the face of an ever-increasing time lag and the creeping distortion of the messages as the signal becomes distorted during its transmission over interstellar distances. Eventually, the unfolding events, signal degradation and growing distance will force one to break contact, forever severing the bond between the characters that they have struggled to maintain

A 13 preview edition of the game is available from itch.io while the accompanying playlist, created for the game by Samantha Leigh is available on Spotify. Signal to Noise is being funded as part of Zine Month - check out the site and #ZiMo tag on Twitter to find more great indie projects.

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Signal to Noise currently exists as a complete, 24-page game that has been edited by Emzy Wisker thanks to the support of early access backers. This campaign will fund an expanded print edition of the game and if the goal is hit, the inclusion of artwork created by Val Sannais. The higher the final total the more artwork I will be able to commission from her. Reaching the goal will also see an expansion of the core rules, with new material for sending audio messages and guidelines for extended play. The image below is the first that I hope to include in the game and features the Explorer, now a veteran astronaut after spending many years aboard the generation ship. The next piece will add a portrait of the Earther, while anything beyond that will allow us to feature both characters at different points along the journey that players will take together.

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This campaign will collect funds even if the goal is not reached. If we do not reach the goal you will receive the current version of the game and selected add-ons in print/digital form.

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Signal to Noise will be available in print and digital formats. The current edition of the game is 24 pages in length and a successful campaign will fund an expanded page count. The game will be printed by Mixam in the UK with full-colour cover and black and white interior. Digital editions will be fulfilled directly through Game on Tabletop and via itch.io. The available reward tiers are:

Digital Edition - Access to the game in digital format only. This includes fully laid out PDF edition and increased accessibility formats including layout-lite PDF, plain text PDF, word document and plain text.

Print+Digital Edition - One copy of the game in print, shipped to you from the UK. In addition, you will receive full access to the digital edition.

Itch/drivethruRPG Upgrade - Print upgrade for supporters that purchased the current digital edition on itch.io or drivethruRPG. This will include one copy of the game in print, shipped to you from the UK and full access to the updated digital files.

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The following add-ons are available for purchase and can be added during checkout. Print editions will be combined into a single shipment to reduce total shipping costs.

Project Cassandra: Psychics of the Cold War

Explore the secrets of the Cold War as a group of psychics attempting to prevent an apocalyptic vision from coming true. Developed to put the precognitive abilities of the characters front and centre Project Cassandra features a quick to play system optimised for single session and mini-campaign play. The 52 page game features full colour artwork, two ready to play missions and five sample characters ready to propel you into the depths of the Cold War.

Print+Digital - £8, limited to 20 backers only - One copy of Project Cassandra in print and access to the digital edition of the game. Please note these print copies of Project Cassandra feature extremely minor cosmetic damage to the front and back covers and are limited in number. They are being offered at a reduced rate to reflect this.

Digital only - £6 - Project Cassandra digital edition, available in PDF and increased accessibility file formats.

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Zines will be shipped from the UK using economy services to reduce the cost as much as possible. Shipping estimates have already been added to the site and will be added at checkout.

If you are an EU backer please note that this DOES NOT INCLUDE VAT and due to last year's changes to EU regulations you may be charged import fees plus a handling fee by your local postal service. This is, unfortunately, out of my control at present but I shall update you if the situation changes and I am able to offer delivery inclusive of import duty.

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Design, Writing, Layout, Publishing: Craig Duffy (LunarShadow Designs)

Craig Duffy is a gamer and indie publisher based on the Wirral, UK. He designs and publishes small games and adventures for both traditional and indie games. His first crowdfunding project, Project Cassandra: Psychics of the Cold War dived into the conspiracies and secret projects of the Cold War.

campaign image 10 Artwork: Val Sannais (Howling Art)

Valentina “Val” Sannais is an illustrator and comic artist recently back in Italy after 5 years spent in London. Her body of work includes illustrations and several book jackets including the novel series “Contos” written by Letizia Loi and published by Lettereletriche, “The Bedazzlers” by Martina Fetzer and "Nightbringer: Moon's Rise" by Christine Ramion.

In the comic books field, her first published book “Knockout” was printed back in 2016 under the creative collaboration SkyWolf; other titles include “Starfall” written by Adam Blackhat and “Il Portale dell’Infinito” written by Salvatore Cuna and published by Astromica. Val is currently dedicating her time to personal work, studying and taking care of her demon pup, Maki.

campaign image 11 Editing: Emzy Wisker (Twitter)

Emzy Wisker is a writer, editor, and gamer living in Glasgow, UK. She has previously worked with Craig as the editor for Project Cassandra and thanks to the support of early access backers has already edited the main text of Signal to Noise.

Signal to Noise

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