Horse Shark Games
CREATOR
3 months ago
Project Update: Artist Statements, the WorldNet, and Adventure by Poll
Artist Statement
This was an exciting one. I love creating wild, overlapping compositions that give the viewer a lot to look at with nary a horizontal or vertical line to be found. I knew that with a neon-saturated apocalyptic cyber-infection in space, I’d be chasing bliss.
I started by looking through the book to find imagery that was indicative of the theme, and there was a ton of juicy stuff to choose from. After that, I used thumbnails to explore several different concepts with the goal of using the wild imagery of the book to lead the eye around the composition in a way that keeps the viewer from feeling overwhelmed. After agreeing on a thumbnail, I gathered my reference, and left the rest of the process open to experimentation and play. After our final check in, I scanned in the inks and went to work coloring. From the beginning, James encouraged me to develop imagery that I found exciting without worrying whether or not it perfectly aligned with the text. This collaborative spirit made every phase of the process wildly enjoyable.
I tend to layer ink on paper using whatever tools happen to be close-- ballpoint pen, nib, stick, brush, roller or razor blade. Working traditionally in multiple layers is my jam, because it lets me sift through the chaotic mark-making to find shapes and lines that I like. I then use white paint or a fresh sheet of paper to push back the noise, pulling out the bits that really interest me. This pushing and pulling creates a sense of play. That's a big reason I do what I do; I’m always chasing after that feeling.
Inspiration for this project came from the covers of Sega Genesis games I remembered from when I was a kid, William Gibson and China Mieville novels, Geiger’s work for Jodorowsky's Dune, as well as artists such as Drew Struzan and Tsutomu Nihei.
I’m excited to see the next steps for this game and how players react to the beautiful, uncanny hellscape that James crafted.
In Space No One Can Hear the Robopocalypse is a 0-level adventure. The party starts as passengers and crew of a freighter where the robots turn into murderbots. With only minutes to live, will the party reach a computer and jack into the ship net to save themselves or will they be torn to bits by metallic hands.
Patreon Content
This piece appeared recently in the Netcrawl Patreon. I've talked a fair mount about the focus on world building over presenting a fully realized setting and story. This soon to be printed as a poster map of the WorldNet is a starting place for your Netcrawl RPG adventures.
Index of WorldNet
The Spine is the main road of the WorldNet. Anyone who is anyone has a presence on The Spine. Think Times Square in New York City or Shinjuku in Tokyo. Probably full of virtual gawking tourists just like the meatspace. The Spine is the backbone of the WorldNet literally and figuratively.
Rekt Road is a dangerous thoroughfare and was a former backbone of the WorldNet attacked and deeply degraded by a viral AI agent many years ago. It is a shambles of its former self, but still has connections (however unstable they might be) to many parts of the WorldNet. Most famously the UnderNet or Dark Web is often accessed from Rekt Road.
The UnderNet or Dark Web is a collection of arcologies and systems outside the WorldNet where anything goes. All sorts of crime and illegal AIs operate from the UnderNet. The patron AI Erebus Network broadcasts from the UnderNet looking for new converts to praise the almighty Stream.
/dev/null is a long time hangout of hackers, grifters, and console cowboys. Drinks, contracts, and a place to be completely off the grid are its main charms. Its security is cutting edge and well beyond Triple Gold Plus. Dev/null's independent AI, WANDA, brooks no misbehavior from its patrons.
NoHup is a zone for the brave, violent, and/or foolish to engage in dangerous activities without being able to jackout. PvP, dangerous ICE or unstable systems are rampant. The only way to leave is to find its hidden exit points. Sometimes NoHup is used by governments to punish criminals; their hapless attempts to stay alive and escape are broadcast over the WorldNet.
Les loisirs are the hedonistic, yet upscale, VR playgrounds. Any online vice is available with the right amount of credits.
Friendstr is an ubiquitous corporate social networking arcology located on The Spine. Friendstr boasts the most users and the best VR experiences. Their clean, white pyramid always announces the corporate phrase, "Live, love & subscribe!"
The Upstream is an area of the WorldNet that is exclusive and very expensive to access. The rich and aristocratic spend almost all their time here where they can shop and relax with others of their means.
Nightzone is an always-on, always-dark, nightlife district where people can party until they pass out. Avatars pack the VR bars, concerts, music venues, and erotic shops. Nightzone has a huge red light district where any kink can be explored. Avatars frequent Nightzone to find zaps or (virtual drug-like experiences) or bends (abnormal task endings) that are at turns safe, dangerous, experimental, or popular.
Gunk Net or Cheepwarez is a place for the least financially able to experience the WorldNet. There are all sorts of inexpensive and knock off services and establishments here if one isn't too choosy about their safety and quality. Gunk Net is home to the netrunner bar /dev/null, many artists, and other private and/or illicit servers and arcologies.
/dev/null is a long time hangout of hackers, grifters, and console cowboys. Drinks, contracts, and a place to be completely off the grid are its main charms. Its security is cutting edge and well beyond Triple Gold Plus. Dev/null's independent AI, WANDA, brooks no misbehavior from its patrons.
NoHup is a zone for the brave, violent, and/or foolish to engage in dangerous activities without being able to jackout. PvP, dangerous ICE or unstable systems are rampant. The only way to leave is to find its hidden exit points. Sometimes NoHup is used by governments to punish criminals; their hapless attempts to stay alive and escape are broadcast over the WorldNet.
Les loisirs are the hedonistic, yet upscale, VR playgrounds. Any online vice is available with the right amount of credits.
Friendstr is an ubiquitous corporate social networking arcology located on The Spine. Friendstr boasts the most users and the best VR experiences. Their clean, white pyramid always announces the corporate phrase, "Live, love & subscribe!"
The Upstream is an area of the WorldNet that is exclusive and very expensive to access. The rich and aristocratic spend almost all their time here where they can shop and relax with others of their means.
Nightzone is an always-on, always-dark, nightlife district where people can party until they pass out. Avatars pack the VR bars, concerts, music venues, and erotic shops. Nightzone has a huge red light district where any kink can be explored. Avatars frequent Nightzone to find zaps or (virtual drug-like experiences) or bends (abnormal task endings) that are at turns safe, dangerous, experimental, or popular.
Gunk Net or Cheepwarez is a place for the least financially able to experience the WorldNet. There are all sorts of inexpensive and knock off services and establishments here if one isn't too choosy about their safety and quality. Gunk Net is home to the netrunner bar /dev/null, many artists, and other private and/or illicit servers and arcologies.
Join Us on Discord & Patreon!
There's been several new people on the Discord and Patreon. Come on over and join us. Some new content will be dropping on the Patreon on Oct 1st.
- Netcrawl Patreon - Free and supported content on Patreon
- Netcrawl Discord - Stay in the loop
Adventure By Poll
We've done this before. It's time to roll the trace program check.
Includes Follower-Exclusive Content
14 votes
• Final results
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