ToeJam and Earl: Back in the Groove delivers KS Update, the update is the following:
Hi there cherished backers!!
It’s time for another funky update. Let’s jump right in…
The Rewards: On Kick Starter we estimated that the physical goods would be received sometime this month, so it’s only natural that people are wondering what’s up. A few hundred of the smaller packages have been mailed out so far, but the bulk of the packages are still getting put together at our fulfillment center (Amplifier) in Texas. I am told that these should be going out to you over the next 2 weeks. As it turns out, it’s actually rather complicated to manage 5,000 orders when every order is different. It seems to be almost done though, and Backerkit has been a huge help. Backerkit will be sending you an automatic email once your order gets marked as “shipped” by Amplifier, and tracking info will also be provided to you. If you want to check your pledge status you can go to the link below, and enter your email to access your survey info and see the current status. https://toejam-and-earl-back-in-the-groove.backerkit.com
We’re sorry for the wait. I know many of you have been anticipating this for a long time, or wanting these items for gifts etc. It shouldn’t be too much longer!
The Game: Things are coming along well with the game. We have about a dozen Earthlings in the game so far, and maybe about 20 different presents. We’ve just implemented a dynamic camera that moves in and out based on what’s happening (for example when you use rocket skates the camera backs up, and when you talk to a friendly Earthling it zooms in). We’ve also just added in a new feature for multi-player games, where the ground sparkles to indicate the ‘area of effect’ for presents. This way all players can see if they will be affected by the present that gets opened. Icarus wings, rocket skates, spring shoes, tomatoes, doors, teleporting, and innertube are all working, and Earthling’s now have facings so you can sneak behind them when they are facing the other way. The Hula dancer makes you hula and it also makes Earthlings dance as well. (It’s fun to see the Boogieman get caught by the Hula dancer). The new tattooed cupid is in and is making you fall in love with his arrows.
Currently we are working on multi-player rhythm matching, on buttons and coin meters (ala game 2), searching for hidden presents by shaking bushes, houses, and trees (also ala game 2), and amped and broken presents (a new feature). We’ll be putting in tiles to cover the terrain, upgrading our currently temporary (lame) maps, and we’re also experimenting with positioning the camera for an angled view of the terrain which we think we like better, than the straight-on view. So much to do!!!
Other Platforms: We don’t have anything to announce here yet, but we’ve got some exciting things brewing.
Music: We have more music in the works and John Baker will be adding his mojo to Cody’s funky bass sometime in Jan when Cody is coming back to Cali for another big music jam. A company in LA called IAM8BIT has expressed interest in collaborating with us on a record vinyl which is still not for sure, but we’re excited about that.
Release Date: We are currently aiming to have the game done sometime around Sept or Oct of 2016. We’ll keep you posted as we know more.
Here is some artwork from the game in progress for your viewing pleasure.
This photo is still processing
Check back in a few minutes!
[via ToeJam and Earl: Back in the Groove Kickstarter]We’d like to remind you to drop by the TJ&E forum anytime to check out the latest news and to read all of the wonderful posts and see the great artwork from so many TJ&E fans and backers.
And a special virtual hug of appreciation goes out to our hard working partners at BackerKit (no way we could have done this without you), and at Amplifier (you guys have been wonderfully responsive), and at Shenzhen SRX (the company in China that made the awesome vinyl figures and bronze statues – I highly recommend them!)
And thanks to all of our fans on the forum, for all the great ideas and suggestions. As many of you will notice, lots of the new presents and characters are from you! (You know who you are!)
We’ll have more news for you soon!
