Dark Storm: Ascension Art

Dark Storm: Ascension Kickstarter Launches + Trip to Alaska

Indie startup company, Fenrir Studios has launched their Kickstarter campaign following a successful Steam Greenlight, where the proposed game got over 13,000 yes votes. Quite the achievement for a studio that claims their inspiration is to pay homage to the popular Metal Gear Solid franchise. In fact, finding any indie developer creating a stealth action game is rare.

Since the launch of the Dark Storm: Ascension Kickstarter campaign on August 3^rd, 80+ backers have pledged over $2000, with the numbers steadily growing each day. Sure, these aren’t high numbers compared to some recent games featured on Kickstarter, but most of them had major developments, behind the wheel – even Sony backed one particular project. For an indie, gaining any traction from a cynical audience is an uphill battle.

Fenrir Studios is also giving away a demo/prototype of their game, which they are calling Dark Storm: UDK Build. The demo, which is said to feature elements that the developer wishes to include in the full game is currently available on Steam and IndieDB – where the latter is currently featuring Dark Storm on their front page.

Originally, Dark Storm was being developed using the Unreal Developers Kit, hence the UDK build. Apparently, they’ve since moved to the Unreal Engine 4, which is a major reason for their Kickstarter where they are seeking 50k.

It should be noted that among Dark Storm: Ascension’s tiers is a free trip to Alaska, which is currently set for 1 person that donates $10,000. The developer states this backer will join them on a trip to Alaska, which is the setting of the game.

The campaign runs through September 1^st. So if you are interested, show these small Indie’s your support. 

Kickstarter - Headaches, Some Crying, and Fingers Crossed

So I work for Fenrir Studios as a writer, and for a nearly a year I've loved what I've done. I've helped create a wonderful story (doing much more work than I ever thought I would have to), and have had the chance to work alongside some of the most talented and friendly people I've ever had the privileged to work with.

Previously, for four years I was a writer for Burning Man Studios, which was fantastic, at first. For a time we had over 30 people working with us, a partnership with the Swedish gaming school system that offered us a whole lot of interns to slave over our game or 11 months - we even had a movie in development based on our property, while our MMO seemed to be on the brink of major funding. However, that ship sank, and fast when the economy went under and I lost my job. So for a time I thought about leaving the game industry behind and focused on my own writing, where I would eventually publish two successful Roman historical novels, among other things. So I decided, what the hell, I might try my hand again at game writing, so I joined Fenrir Studios.

The work has been challenging, having to go back to having people tell me what to write, and seeking approval for my ideas; a big difference from writing your own novel. And now the headaches begin again - Kickstarter - you damn wonderful, awful gut wrenching, soul crushing site.

So two days ago we started our Kickstarter:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1201252455/dark-storm-ascension

Things were going fine for a little while - the money started rolling in, I started sending out 300 emails to everyone you could imagine, as our hopes soared. Sadly, now, it seems we've come to a dead end. Not only has a bigger, possibly better, and professional game stolen some of our thunder, team members are also a bit down, mixing up our unit cohesion that existed before, which ultimately reminds me of the final weeks at Burning Man Studios - to be so close to greatness, only to have all your hopes and dreams come crashing down.

I know it is only two days, and a lot can happen in the next 27, but I'm hoping history doesn't repeat itself. We have such an amazing game (not just saying because I wrote it) but you can feel the heart and soul that our people have poured into it. Of course, we will still continue to work on Dark Storm if our Kickstarter fails, but it doesn't help much when you are trying to get other people to see the potential in your work as we do. I've always had a hard time measuring success, it would just be nice if it was more define this time.

No matter what, the good fight must be fought. Onward and upward, so they say.

Paperback of Wolves of Rome and Rome Unbound are now available.

Paperback of Wolves of Rome and Rome Unbound are now available.

Wolves of Rome $14.99
Rome Unbound (Book 1) $8.99  

Burning Ambitions: A Brief Insider's Look at the Successes and Failures of Being an Independent Game Developer, is FREE for one week.

Burning Ambitions: A Brief Insider's Look at the Successes and Failures of Being an Independent Game Developer, is FREE for one week.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KY7EFPK

Conquest of Heroes New Cover

New cover for Conquest of Heroes: End of an Era - straight from the publisher

Conquest of Heroes is on Sale!

Conquest of Heroes is on sale for a limited time, only 0.99 cents

Check it out!

http://www.amazon.com/Conquest-Of-Heroes-ebook/dp/B00DRFSMU0/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1373349268&sr=8-3&keywords=christopher+lee+buckner

Burning Ambitions - A Brief Insider's Look at the Successes and Failures of Being an Independent Game Developer

I completed a short essay book titled: 

Burning Ambitions: A Brief Insider's Look at the Successes and Failures of Being an Independent Game Developer

This book is a brief insider's view of independent video game production. Read the story of Burning Man Studios, a small London-based developer that started small and almost reached the stars. But setbacks, creative differences and economic challenges altered production in ways the creators could never have anticipated.

This is a enjoyable book for anyone interested in video game development and what goes on behind the scenes.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KY7EFPK

Wolves of Rome FREE Promotion

My book Wolves of Rome is FREE for the next few days. It is already ranked the #1 Historical book on Amazon right now. So check it out if you like and leave some reviews! 

Cheers 

Amazon US _ Wolves of Rome

Amazon UK_Wolves of Rome

Bloodshot: Before I Die Alone

I've finished and Amazon accepted my second Kindle Worlds short story this time based on Valiant Comics awesome character Bloodshot.

Check out Bloodshot: Before I Die Alone for only $1.99 on Amazon

Reviews welcome but please post on Amazon.

Cheers all.

Bloodshot: Before I Die Alone - Amazon Link

X-O Manowar:Extinction

Fans of X-O Manowar, the popular 1990's comic book hero has returned in a new re-imagined story written by yours truly.

Thanks to Kindle Worlds I am able to reinterpreted Vailant Comics X-O Manowar, which has always been a cool characters.

http://www.amazon.com/X-O-Manowar-Extinction-Kindle-Novella-ebook/dp/B00HX4ASGC/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1390027788&sr=1-1&keywords=X-O+Manowar%3A+Extinction

Ranking good in the UK

Wolves of Rome seems to be doing pretty good so far on Amazon - the highest rating I've managed to get so far for any book I've released in the past. Right now it is doing best in the UK where it is ranked #18 in Historical Fiction. I'm still looking for reviews - I know it takes time but just a friendly reminder.

http://www.amazon.com/Wolves-Rome-Christopher-Lee-Buckner-ebook/dp/B00HNVWYYO/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1388788988&sr=1-2&keywords=wolves+of+rome

Reviews

Greetings all readers. Just to let everyone know I'm always looking for reviews on any of my books - but am mostly hoping to generate a few for my new novel Wolves of Rome.

http://www.amazon.com/Wolves-Rome-Christopher-Lee-Buckner-ebook/dp/B00HNVWYYO/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1388788988&sr=1-2&keywords=wolves+of+rome

WOLVES OF ROME

Hello friends, family and fans

I'm happy to say that Wolves of Rome has been released on Amazon.

The epic Roman novel was published by Endeavour Press this week.

Couple early reviews:

"Wolves of Rome combines epic story-telling with convincing historical details" - Richard Foreman, best-selling author of 'Swords of Rome'.

"Historical adventure fiction at its very best" - Tom Kasey, best-selling author of 'The Dante Conspiracy'.

So please have a look at my new book and leave REVIEWS if you can on the Amazon page.

http://www.amazon.com/Wolves-Rome-Christopher-Lee-Buckner-ebook/dp/B00HNVWYYO/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1388788988&sr=1-2&keywords=wolves+of+rome

Wolves of Rome

Formerly Swords of Rome has gotten a new title and a publisher. The name has been changed to Wolves of Rome, this is due to the fact that the book has been grabbed by Endeavour Press. They already had a series called Swords of Rome, so I changed the name to Wolves of Rome, which I feel is a bit more fitting to the content of the story.

Sales were really good on Amazon when I published the book last November, but I've been hoping to find a proper publisher and home for my Roman novels. Endeavour Press seems to be the right fit. They are very hands-on and eager. I feel that Wolves of Rome has found a good home with the best ebook publisher in the UK.

I'm told the book should be ready in time for Christmas, which is a quick turnaround. But since the manuscript was already done it wasn't too much trouble to get it back out quickly public viewing.

Here is the first look at the new cover - a million times better than the original Swords of Rome cover.

Conquest of Heroes End of an Era book trailer

Preview of Trinity

Here is a short preview of Conquest of Heroes: Trinity, which is due for release next year.

Enjoy

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Conquest-Of-Heroes/239439949542

BOOK ONE

THE FATHER

The warship Romulus just over half a mile long was the largest and most powerful of all the Order’s Dreadnought s. This new ship, which represented the technological superiority of the world’s newest and greatest power, descended through the clouds and came in low just over four thousand feet above the Atlantic Ocean; headed west towards the eastern seaboard of what had six months ago been the United States of America.

Its massive engines rumbled, easily heard for miles in all directions. The Romulus was the flagship and pride of the Order’s grand fleet, and onboard was the most powerful man the world had ever known – an immortal – a man that was not a god, but more than human.

All along the waterways, rivers and streets, even among the tops of the tallest buildings, hundreds of thousands, if not millions of people looked on in amazement as the massive airship flew over the City, displaying the Order’s military and technological supremacy. They knew who was on board, and while they wouldn’t get to see the emperor, just seeing his power, this near, was awe-inspiring.

Its slow descent, however, wasn’t meant to end in New York City, but further west at a military compound inside of New Jersey.

Onboard was Tyrannus, who looked down at his city as his ship flew over Manhattan. In the distance, almost close enough that he could have reached out and touched, were the five towers that he had called his home for over twenty years.

Six months ago, Tyrannus went by another name, one he had lived under for nearly half a century, General Gaius Farrell.  And while Gaius was his real name, or at least it had been when he was a Roman citizen centuries ago, Farrell had been the ruse. He had taken many names in his long life, and played many roles over the past two thousand years, but the role of General Farrell had been one of his favorites.

Few people, not even his closest commanders within the Order, or his adopted daughter Velvet, had known that Tyrannus was also Farrell.

Even now as Tyrannus looked down on his city; his empire, he knew that not everything had gone as he had planned. While half of this country was his, his rule over North American only went as far as the Rocky Mountains. And even with Excalibur in orbit, two hundred miles above the earth, there were those beyond his reach that continued to resist his authority, and openly opposed his rightful place as ruler of this world.

Most troublesome for him, and unexpected was his seeds — his children’s defiance against him.

A son by birth who went by the name of Halo; Tyrannus’ heir to his empire, and a daughter, adopted but still loved, Velvet, had both betrayed him during the Order’s final hour of total conquest.

As Tyrannus looked down through the large window that gave him the most amazing view of New York City, he knew that down there somewhere, hidden beneath the streets his two children, who he still loved in his own way, fought against him alongside the rebels, who like the famed New York cockroach had been hard to crush. He had faith, regardless that they  could, somehow, someday, see the world that he sought to create, and return by his side; standing as equal rulers and heirs of the world he now governed.

The Romulus came down on the field that had been cleared to house the massive warship.

Tyrannus could see the parade that awaited his arrival as thousands of his imperial troopers, mutant officers, stalkers, hunter killers and all other sorts of Order military units and their commanders stood in formation.

This had been the first time that Tyrannus had returned to North America since the invasion had ended. His capital was Rome, his true home, which he had rebuilt to its former glory. This time, he did not intend to leave. There was so much that needed to be done as the empire he had first dreamt of centuries ago, had still a long way to go before it was complete.

And still, despite all that he had accomplished, there was a war that needed to be won. Tyrannus would not allow anarchy to continue, not when the future of the world was at stake.

The engines of the Romulus stopped a few minutes after the ship landed safely on the tarmac.

The honor guard of twenty thousand Order soldiers stood ready, in silence as a large ramp cracked open and lowered.

When it touched the ground, the first out of the Romulus wasn’t Tyrannus but instead, his elite guards.

The Imperial Guards were covered in long and flowing dark purple robes that touched the ground. Their heads were topped with hoods, while their faces were adorned with a fearsome, seemly demotic mask.

In each of the two dozen guard’s hands, they carried a fifteen foot lance, their only means of defense, but the only weapon they needed.

These men and women, no one but Tyrannus commanded. Their oath and existence were to him alone. It was he that they would lay their lives down without a moment’s hesitation.

Once the Imperial Guards reached the bottom, they stopped and turned, facing one another as they awaited the emperor to come down next.

Once Tyrannus did come into view, the officers down below called out for the honor guard to snap to attention, and salute their ruler, which they did.

The bright summer sun glared into his eyes as he stood at the head of the long ramp. It didn’t bother him nor did he feel the need to cover his eyes from the sun’s glare. To consider doing so would have shown weakness in front of his men.

He felt pride in seeing his grand army stretched out before him, standing in the open. No such force had ever existed before, or since. 

In the past, for a thousand years since he had created the Order, they had existed in shadows as myths and whispers. Now, the whole world knew of them and what it represented for the future of humanity.

Tyrannus moved towards several awaiting high-ranking officers. He knew them all. He also knew that more than a few weren’t altogether happy that he had decided to return to New York City, after his six-month absence. In his time away, some of his top generals had come accustomed to believing they had full authority over this region. None more so than the woman who stood first, ready to greet him.

 “We are honored that our Emperor has returned,” Legate Gideon spoke for the entire group.

“I am sure you are." Tyrannus commented with a slight grin.

He looked at his legate, taking in every detail of her unusual dress, which was long, made from hard black leather that had many straps attached to the front, running down to the floor. She looked devilishly elegant and attractive, even Tyrannus had to admit. However, it was not the accustom uniform of Order officer of such stature, at least not what the general civilian population got the chance to see. Nevertheless, Tyrannus knew that Gideon was more than likely trying to make some silent statement, in seeming equal to him by not wearing her standard uniform.

Of all his officers, the legate was one that he both knew he could trust, yet, knew he couldn’t. She was appointed as Legate of the Order, highest ranking officer in the empire; second only to him, by chance.

Several months ago, three previous legates had all been murdered by the one man whom Tyrannus had continually underestimated. That man was Arkady.  

Despite the protection they had, Arkady somehow continued to find the means to eliminate the former legates, throwing the Order into such disarray that it was still trying to recover from his actions.

Gideon then was appointed the fourth legate in five months. She too would become the target of Arkady, and just narrowly escaped his bullet. However, Tyrannus knew, or at least suspected that Gideon had more knowledge of what was going on than she would admit about how Arkady had managed to gain access to three of the most protected men in the whole empire.

Tyrannus had known that she craved power and authority above anything else. She wanted more, even if she never said it out loud. And above anything else, she wanted the position of the legate, but she never showed any ambitions to take the office until it was given to her by default.

He suspected what the truth might have been; that Gideon, in her quiet hunger for power, did not want to be the Legate of the Order that existed in the shadows and name only, nor did she want the position when they ruled over Europe. No, Gideon wanted the entire world, which is what she got.

Even though Tyrannus knew that her ambitions might cause her to want more, perhaps the seat of the Empress itself in the future, he knew she was his most devoted and efficient officer who had furthered his goals further than any other man so far. With her, the Order was stronger, but still, he made it a point to never turn his back on her, or allow Gideon to have too much room to move around, which was why he partly decided to return. 

“I trust the ceremony is still on schedule?” Tyrannus asked as he walked through the ranks of his Order army, all of whom, even in the heat stood their ground in perfect stillness.

“Yes, my Lord,” Gideon answered as she walked beside, but slightly behind Tyrannus.

“The rebels have, however, shown a desire to prevent the ceremony from taking place.”

“So I’ve heard.”

“They’ve launched numerous attacks along the Great Plains and the Rockies. We have held them back from advancing beyond their current lines. There has also been an increase of attacks within the city, including an attempt to secure the statue itself. However, nothing so far has put our overall plans in jeopardy,” Gideon reported.

“You’ve done well in keeping order, Legate.”

“Thank you, my Lord.”

“But you can do better,” Tyrannus said as he glanced back at Gideon, who looked disappointed.

“Yes, my Lord. I have no excuses. Will you be attending the ceremony, yourself?” Gideon then asked after a few seconds of silence.

“No. You can handle the proceedings. You are supposed to be the face of this Empire after all."

“Understood, my Lord,” Gideon said with a smile.

“This was your city? Was it not your place of birth?” Tyrannus asked.

“Yes, my Lord.”

“Good then, all the more fitting that one of New York’s own daughters bring about this new era.”

Tyrannus reached the transport that would take him back to New York City. He watched as his guards loaded a large container into the back of the waiting transport.

“If I may ask, what are your men loading into your transport?” Gideon observed as the Imperial Guards slid the large container into the back.

“The future,” Tyrannus simply said as he glanced back at her before he stepped away from Gideon and the other officers, which all stood and saluted him as he stepped towards his awaiting ship.

Several minutes later, the transport, under escort from the Order Rapiers, flew back towards New York. The accommodations onboard weren’t fitting for the emperor of the world, but he wasn’t interested in any more parades or ceremonies this day. He just wanted to get back to the five buildings that had once been called the Knight-Watch towers.

He cared little about the ceremony that was coming up in a few hours, but did understand its importance, and why the rebels would want to stop it. However, Tyrannus did not need the press or a world audience to justify his rightfulness as ruler. He would leave all of that for Gideon, for she was the one that craved such admiration.

No, all that Tyrannus cared about was right before him.

As he ran his hands over the large container, he could feel the cold coming off from the object that was kept safely inside.

He hadn’t lied to Gideon when she had asked what was inside. The future of his empire and the salvation of the human race was what he kept within.

There was still so much to do; goals and obstacles that his mortal officers knew nothing about.

While they festered on, worrying about today’s ceremony, or the continuing rebel attacks, Tyrannus knew through experience, knew because he was immortal, the present didn’t matter as much as what was to come. He would outlive all of them – see more than they would ever see, and knew from experience that in time, his patience would prevail over any opposition. Still, to create the perfect order, the hearts and minds of mankind needed a little push.

He closed his eyes as he settled his hand over the front of the container. He could feel what was inside reach out to his mind. It was a pleasant experience, yet its touch drew up painful memories.

While Tyrannus was immortal and had seen more than any other human eyes should see, there were memories that he couldn’t escape. His time in Rome had brought those memories back, and they had lingered longer than he would have liked, namely the memory of one person, in particular.

There was a time that he was a different man; a man who loved many, and pledged his loyalty to another dream.

There was once a man named Gaius Marcus Tyrannus; a Roman officer who had dedicated his life to the dreams and ambitions of another man, not entirely unlike himself – a man who would reshape the world in his own image, and in doing so would topple a republic. 

Conquest of Heroes: Phoebus Free copy

Conquest of Heroes: Phoebus will be FREE for five days.

http://www.amazon.com/Conquest-of-Heroes-Phoebus-ebook/dp/B00ARNW25Q/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1356158234&sr=1-2&keywords=conquest+of+heroes

New Cover for Swords of Rome

Conquest of Heroes: End of An Era Book Trailer

Conquest of Heroes: End of An Era trailer