Today we're releasing all the various versions of the Mythic Europe map! All the corrections are completed (thanks again for your comments!), and we're moving on to prototyping the cloth maps using the final files. Visit your account in Backerkit.com, and you'll find a zip file with these maps in your Downloads area:

The maps are all included in both a web version (screen resolution), and a 8.5x11 inch printable version. We usually release maps as 72dpi and 150dpi (since that's the best a home printer can do), but for this release I upped those to 96dpi and 192dpi, since there's so much small text on the map.

We're about half way through our "polishing" pass on the Ars Magica Definitive core rulebook. We had hoped get the Storyguide Set to press ahead of that, but along the way we realized that the Storyguide Screen and Reference Guide that it includes would be much more useful with actually accurate page number references included. So that means waiting for the core rulebook layout to be absolutely, positively, completely done. 

My co-producer Ben Hartfield is working exclusively on that Ars Magica Definitive layout, full time. I'm also helping with the nitty-gritty of production where I can (like spending today prepping all the Mythic Europe maps). We're continually moving forward, while be extremely detail-oriented. Thank you for your patience while we make Ars Magica Definitive the best it can be!

-Michelle Nephew
 Ars Magica Definitive Co-Producer
 Atlas Games Co-Owner

We've been busy with all things Ars Magica! 

We're close to sending the Storyguide Screen and Reference Guide to press, the Mythic Europe map is getting fine detail adjustments (as well as big and blatant corrections), and the entire Definitive Edition book is being proofread by multiple staffers after integration of all the corrections from our backers. It's a long and precise process, keeping track of literally thousands of small changes. Thank you again to everyone who submitted feedback!

The last stray source file corrections have been made, and our last round of proof copies were ordered, received, and approved. This means we now have the ENTIRE 5TH EDITION LINE of sourcebooks ready for digital print-on-demand in the US, UK, and possibly even Canada and Australia (though we need to test those production channels). When the Definitive Edition sets are ready to ship, we're now ready to ship the softcovers along with them!

We've found an American supplier able to manufacture dice, including the full process of injection molding, number coloring, and polishing. Plus they're able to work with recycled material! We eagerly await an estimate from them for producing our recycled Ars Magica dice. If pricing works out, I for one am excited at the prospect of NOT having to hand-color 6,000+ individual dice with ten sides each. This new supplier also creates the possibility of full sets of 100% recycled RPG dice in the future, which is something we'd love to do in our Replay Workshop line.

Here's a photo of the sample dice the manufacturer provided from our custom Ars Magica dice file, after inking and polishing to give them their rounded edges. You can also see that our ivy design has changed a bit to facilitate manufacturing. Note that these are translucent resin dice -- basically 3D printed -- and not injection molded recycled dice, plus the colors are off. However, they do a good job of demonstrating the effectiveness of the painting/polishing process!

We're excited about the crowdfunding launch of Serenissima Obscura, from our friends at Vortex Verlag. I've known some of those folks since our Lion Rampant days, before Atlas was even started! The campaign has passed its funding goal and is about halfway through the duration of its campaign. I've mentioned this in past updates, but I'm intrigued by this compelling vision of Renaissance Venice not only for its own sake, but because it will include a guide for using the setting as an expansion of Ars Magica, taking advantage of the open license!

Thank you for your support as we take the time we need to make Ars Magica Definitive Edition the best it can be.

-John Nephew
Atlas Games Co-owner

So much progress!

We've gotten through rough layout of the ENTIRE core rulebook, which was a huge milestone, and now we're moving on to the job of polishing it. When I saw your feedback on it, I told David Chart, "I am stunned by the draft layout comments in the survey spreadsheet. They REALLY CHECKED the sheet and DIDN'T duplicate comments that were already made. No D&D fandom would do that. Really, it's amazing." Your excellent comments are making a big job so much easier on our end, so thank you!

At the same time, we're moving on to the accessories layouts. We've releasing backer previews of the rough Storyguide Screen, Memorials Page, and Mythic Europe Map (updated) today. Next up will be the Reference Guide. So check your dashboard in Backerkit.com for those downloads as they're made available!

Our NEW comments form for accessories is here: https://forms.gle/KZ4RbG9vVW2B7yoJ7 We're still taking Memorials suggestions there, as well.

Thank you, again, for your help making Ars Magica the best it can be!

-Michelle Nephew
  Atlas Games Co-Owner
  Ars Magica Definitive Co-Producer