COO-Interactive Entertainment 2012 Preview
Hello everyone. As always we’re experimenting with new ways to get information out to those who are interested in a way that won’t bore you to tears. This year we’re going to try an outline format which we hope will get you up to date on what we’re up to without reading like a novel. We’ve organized it into sections. We do this for a number of reasons. We know some of you are curious about the behind the scenes stuff so this is a pretty clear snapshot at the work that goes into COO-IE. Some of you want to know what’s going to happen to your favorite events/settings. It also helps us keep us on track, so we produce similar documents for our internal use.
Terms we use:
Confirmed: If a project is listed as confirmed, it has a planned release date and is 99% certain to be released.
In Production: This project is actively being worked on. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, situations change and these projects have to be canceled. However, we believe they will be released at this time.
Pre-Production: Before moving a project into production, we research and prototype it. This is where we determine if a project is feasible, cost effective and if we’re capable of pulling it off. Depending on how this stage goes, the project may or may not be advanced.
Tentative: This category is a list of projects we’d like to do, but for one reason or another feel it is too soon to start work on. We typically look at this list first when the schedule opens up.
I Social Media / Feedback
1. Better use of Social Networks/Technology
A. We’re retiring the Custodians of Otakudom Facebook page and replacing it with a COO-IE one.
B. Much more active use of the @COO_IE twitter account.
C. Surveys and Giveaways/contests to help us provide the product our audience wants.
D. Community Involvement Programs
1. Actively involve the fanbase in the important decisions related to our events.
2. See Faction Clubs and the Dead Town Development Project below.
II Merchandise/Swagg
1. Internet Store
A. It’s going slow, but we expect to have an online store operational in the first part of the year.
B. Convention sales will still be our primary focus, the online store will be supplemental.
2. New Products
A. Confirmed: New Tie designs.
B. More Posters and Buttons.
C. “In Universe” products such as a FECA Agent ID card or a cloth banner for the Harmonian School of Enchantment.
D. In Production: Propose/Pledge system to allow the community to propose new merchandise and then pledge to purchase products they like. After a threshold number of pledges, the product will be made.
III Community Interaction
1. In Production: Faction Clubs
A. Faction Clubs (FCs) are a combination fan club and interactive experience tied to a fictional setting.
B. FCs will allow year round participation and also decision making within an a “in universe” context. For Example, FECA FC members will make decisions which shape FECA’s actions as the story of Dead Town unfolds.
C. Faction Clubs In Production: FECA, Section 13, Radio Free Survivor
Pre-Production: Harmonian School of Enchantment, Thunder Lords (Harmonia), 145th Combat Team (Dead Town).
D. Tentative: Special live events for FC members. Special Merchandise. Etc.
2. Crowd Sourcing
A. Unlike Faction Clubs, we are assembling groups to assist us in the more technical asspects of organizing/expanding the events/universes we control.
B. The DEAD TOWN DEVELOPMENT PROJECT has started and been an initial success. Members advise us on military realism, microbiology, costuming/prop making.
1. DTDP members are creating the next new faction for Dead Town, the remnants of a National Guard Combat Team; the 145th Brigade Combat Team.
2. We expect to expand this program this year.
C. Pre-Production: Due to the early success of the DTDP, we would like to create a Harmonia oriented community team. A Paranoia community is unlikely at this time…
IV Battle Karaoke
1. National Championships
A. Confirmed to be held during Anime Oasis 2012.
B. Announcements soon. Questions directed to COOIEBK@gmail.com
2. In Production: Battle Karaoke Home Version
A. Expandable phone app/PC program which adds the fun of Battle Karaoke to your own home parties.
B. We hope to have this out by the Nationals.
V World of Harmonia
1. In Production: Overhaul of the World of Harmonia website.
A. Will include a wiki with information about Harmonia.
2. Karaoke Quest
A. We’ll continue the Overlord Trilogy at most conventions. A few of the fall conventions (those who’ve hosted Karaoke Quest for 3 years) will instead get 2 special prologue stories.
3. Return of the Guitar Lord (Harmonia videogame)
A. 100% Confirmed for a 2012 release on PC, Xbox and Windows Mobile.
4. Never Trust a Unicorn (Book)
A. Illustrated choice book with 18 endings.
B. Confirmed: 2012 release.
5. In Production: Shadow of the Overlord
A. A card/board game which takes place shortly after the Overlord Trilogy.
B. The physical game has been canceled. Instead, we’re adapting it for multiplayer Xbox and PC release.
6. Karaoke Quest: Revolution
A. 2013 will have a new Karaoke Quest adventure.
B. The Arcanic Empire has brought all of Harmonia under it’s control. Someone has to start the Revolution.
C. Tentative: We’d like to create a community group to help us work on Revolution.
VI Dead Town
1. Upgraded Live event
A. Confirmed: March on will see the new version of the live event.
B. New Art, New Player Cards, Updated Rules.
2. DEAD TOWN: SAFE HOUSE (videogame)
A. Confirmed: A strategy game of personnel, resource and time management, in the days following the infection of Dead Town.
B. Android App. PC release initially. Low cost game with expanding DLC.
3. Pre-Production: Untitled Dead Town Book.
4. Pre-Production: Shadow Boxing (videogame)
A. Follow Agent Echo into Dead Town as she attempts to discover why an encrypted transmission was sent from an industrial compound to FECA’s national HQ 10 hours before civilian authorities were ordered to quarantine the area.
VII Other Stuff
1. Confirmed: Live Action Anime: A Cosplay Adventure
A. Modular Adventure System powered, audience driven anime adventure.
B. March release date.
2. Paranoia, Dating Game: No changes this year.
3. Panels: To be decided.