Press Releases
Realms Apart Announces New Lead Programmer for Duels of the Runemasters
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Atlanta, GA
October 11, 2010
Realms Apart Studios is pleased to announce more changes to the Duels of the Runemasters Development Team.
Ken Carpenter and Mind Juice Media have concluded their relationship with Realms Apart Studios regarding development of Duels of the Runemasters. In the wake of the departure, programmer James Anthony Kirk of Annapolis, MD has stepped into the lead developer role assuming responsibilities for developing the iPhone, Android, PC, Mac and Web versions of the Duels of the Runemasters game.
When asked to comment on the departure of Mind Juice Media from the project, Mark Sanges, president of Realms Apart had nothing but praise for the departing partner. “After working with Ken and Mind Juice for the past ten months it was time for them to take a new direction and focus on several other exciting projects. We wish nothing but the best for Ken and Mind Juice Media and we’re really looking forward to their next couple of game releases. Having worked so closely with them, we’re privy to the next two titles they will be releasing and I have to say, they both look and sound amazing! I can’t wait!”
Filling the vacancy in the lead programming role is James Anthony Kirk, or Tony as he prefers. “We brought Tony on board to help speed up the development process and get things on a faster development track. Under Tony’s leadership we’ll be making a change to a Unity-based game engine which should help us rapidly complete the first few prototypes as well as simplifying the process of creating versions of the game for multiple platforms.” Mr. Sanges said of the newest member of the DotR team.
When asked what drew him to the project and the daunting role of lead developer, Mr. Kirk said, “Joining the team was really a no-brainer. I have a passion for RPG/CCG/board games and a passion for development. What better way to have the best of both worlds than to join such an ambitious project that combines all of these and adds so much more. I was following the project from the beginning and am excited to now have an active role in bringing it to market. I see great things ahead for DotR and am really excited to be part of this team. “.
In January 2010, Realms Apart announced the development of the groundbreaking new game, Duels of the Runemasters. DotR combines elements of fantasy role playing games (RPGs) such as Dungeons and Dragons, Customizable Card Games (CCGs) like Magic: the Gathering, and unique board games like Settlers of Catan and Carcassone. DotR is currently in development for the iDevice platform, the Web, PC and Mac with plans to expand to Android, Windows Phone, gaming consoles and other mobile devices following the initial launch.
For more information, visit:
Realms Apart Studios – http://www.realmsapart.com
Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/pages/Realms-Apart/167584208421
Twitter – http://twitter.com/RealmsApart
Media contact: media@realmsapart.com
More information: info@realmsapart.com
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About Realms Apart Studios
Realms Apart Studios is a game design studio based in Atlanta, Georgia whose goal is the design and development of unique, exciting, strategic, customizable games set in fantastic, rich, new worlds.
Realms Apart plans to release Duels of the Runemasters in 2011 as their premiere title. The game is currently in development for release on the iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch, the Web, PC and Macintosh computers with plans for expansion into other platforms to follow.
^ back to top ^Realms Apart Expands Duels of the Runemasters Team
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Atlanta, GA
July 24, 2010
Realms Apart Studios is excited to announce the addition of three new members to it’s creative development team in the areas of illustration, interface design and soundtrack for the forthcoming iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch epic fantasy game, Duels of the Runemasters (DotR). With this latest expansion, DotR’s development team is truly international with members residing in the USA, Canada and Oxford, England.
Kip Ayers has joined to team to produce Character Portraits for DotR. “When Ken and I saw the kind of work Kip was creating for Duels of the Runemasters, we were simply blown away,” said Mark Sanges, the Designer of Duels of the Runemasters and President of Realms Apart Studios. “Kip truly sees our vision of the world in which Duels of the Runemasters is set and brings the characters that inhabit that world to life on the screen with his brilliant artistic skills.”
Kip lives in the countryside of upstate New York with his fiancee Sara and their four dogs: Sebastian, Lyra, Andy and Carmen. More information about Kip and his work is available on his web site at www.kipayersillustration.com.
Sean Dunkley has also joined the team to develop the overall game interface. Sean has a long history of developing interfaces and graphics for not only iPhone games, but games across numerous platforms. “We’re very happy to have Sean’s experience and talent engaged to help ensure that the interface for DotR on the iPhone is the very best it can possibly be,” Sanges commented. Some of Sean’s recent projects include: Sally’s Spa (iPhone, PC, Mac), Olivia Paints (iPhone), The Raging Dead (iPhone), and Scurge: Hive (Gameboy DS). Sean lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. More information about Sean and his work is available on his web site at www.graphicrepublic.com.
Matthew Winkworth has also signed on to compose the original score for Duels of the Runemasters as well as handling the sound effects. Matt is a composer and performance musician with appearances around England. “Matt brings wonderful compositional talent and a unique, hypnotic sound that really helps set the mood and tone of the game,” Sanges commented. Matt is currently busy at work composing the soundtrack for DotR. More information about Matt and his work is available on his web site at mattwinkworth.co.uk.
Realms Apart is also announcing the development of a new web site which will feature profiles and galleries of the artistic team’s work as well as a series of wallpaper and other downloadable content for fans and followers of the game’s development progress. The new site will launch at www.realmsapart.com in August 2010.
In January 2010, Realms Apart and Mind Juice Media announced the development of the groundbreaking new game, Duels of the Runemasters. DotR combines elements of fantasy role playing games (RPGs) such as Dungeons and Dragons, Customizable Card Games (CCGs) like Magic: the Gathering, and unique board games like Settlers of Catan and Carcassone. DotR is currently in development for the iDevice platform with plans to expand to web-based play, Android, gaming consoles and other mobile devices following the initial launch in the App Store.
For more information, visit:
Realms Apart Studios – http://www.realmsapart.com
Mind Juice Media – http://www.mindjuice.net
Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/pages/Realms-Apart/167584208421
Twitter – http://twitter.com/RealmsApart
Media contact: media@realmsapart.com
More information: info@realmsapart.com
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About Realms Apart Studios
Realms Apart Studios is a game design studio based in Atlanta, Georgia whose goal is the design and development of unique, exciting, strategic, customizable games set in fantastic, rich, new worlds.
Realms Apart will release Duels of the Runemasters in 2010 as their premiere title. The game is currently in development for release on the iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch and as a physical, table-top game with plans for expansion into other platforms to follow.
^ back to top ^Realms Apart Studios Partners with Mind Juice Media to Develop iPhone Game
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Atlanta, GA
January 10, 2010
Realms Apart Studios (link) and Mind Juice Media (link) are pleased to announce that they are joining forces in the creation of games for the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch platform. The first title currently in development is called Duels of the Runemasters, a groundbreaking new take on the CCG RPG and board game genres.
Mark Sanges of Realms Apart had this to say about the partnership, “Realms Apart is a new game design and development studio, but our team has been around and designing games for nearly a decade. Our work has always been as private consultants or designers for others. Now we’ve decided to not only design, but develop a game under our own brand. Initially we conceived the game for table-top play but quickly realized it would make an excellent iPhone/iPod Touch based game.
“Duels of the Runemasters will be a turn-based, fantasy-themed, head-to-head strategic game for two players, but it’s difficult to categorize the game,” Sanges commented. “We’ve always been big fans of Collectible/Customizable Card Games (CCGs), sometimes referred to as Trading Card Games (TCGs), as well as board games and, of course, Role Playing Games (RPGs). We set out to create a game that used some of the best elements of each of these genres to form something entirely new. Something no one’s ever seen before. We think we’ve done just that.”
One of the biggest complaints casual gamers in the Collectible Card Game genre have is that the games they love to play are incredibly expensive to keep up with. “Constant new expansions with incredibly rare cards distributed unevenly across booster packs of 8-15 cards at $5 a pop can get expensive fast,” Sanges agreed. “One of our guiding principals in designing Duels of the Runemasters was long term affordability for the players. Sure, we plan to have plenty of expansions, but in our system, nothing is collectible and nothing is rare. Every player has access to the exact same components as every other player. It’s all about customization and strategy, not about who can afford to buy the most boosters or the rarest cards on the secondary markets.”
As far as development for the iPhone goes, “When I met Ken from Mind Juice Media, things just started to click,” Sanges said.
“Having recently completed and released the iPhone puzzle game Charmed, it was time to find our next major project, and as luck would have it Mark and I stumbled across each other on the online forums of TouchArcade.com.” said Ken Carpenter, President of Mind Juice Media.
Mr. Carpenter believes that Mind Juice is uniquely qualified to develop Duels of the Runemasters. He elaborated, “When I first spoke with Mark regarding Duels of the Runemasters, I knew right away that this was going to be a complex and challenging project. Fortunately my years working for Electronic Arts as a Senior Software Engineer and as a Technical Lead at a smaller game studio, Helikon Technologies, have provided me with the opportunity to learn and excel in many areas of game development. These areas include network protocols, server and database processing, artificial intelligence, 2D and 3D graphics.” Mr. Carpenter expects that all of these areas and more will be required in achieving the goals of Duels of the Runemasters.
“I am greatly looking forward to meeting the challenges that Duels of the Runemasters will present, and delivering a AAA quality title. I really cannot wait to be able to play our creation!”, concluded Mr. Carpenter.
The team is releasing little information about the details of the game thus far. For now, the only details they will divulge are:
“The game is set in the fictional world of Moridia. There, two characters, controlled by human players or AI, meet to do battle using the equipment, weapons, magic and runes of the realm. Turn by turn, players develop their attacks and defenses as they attempt to overpower their opponent on the path to ultimate victory. ”
As for what the game itself compares to, “It’s like a CCG without the monumental expense, but with all of the customizable goodness. It’s like an RPG without the intensely complex rules, but with all of the role playing, character building fun. It’s like a board game without the boring repetition and childish simplicity, but with all the strategic opportunities of the best games in the category. It truly is a whole new kind of game.”
For more information, visit:
Realms Apart Studios – http://www.realmsapart.com
Mind Juice Media – http://www.mindjuice.net
Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/pages/Realms-Apart/167584208421
Twitter – http://twitter.com/RealmsApart
Media contact: media@realmsapart.com
More information: info@realmsapart.com
————————————————————————
About Realms Apart Studios
Realms Apart Studios is a game design studio based in Atlanta, Georgia whose goal is the design and development of unique, exciting, strategic, customizable games set in fantastic, rich, new worlds.
Realms Apart will release Duels of the Runemasters in 2010 as their premiere title. The game is currently in development for release as a table-top game as well as digitally for the iPhone/iPod Touch platform with plans for expansion into other platforms to follow.
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About Mind Juice Media Inc.
Mind Juice Media is a software development company whose goal is the creation of innovative new games and apps for the iPhone and the iPod Touch platform.
Mind Juice was founded by industry veteran Ken Carpenter. Mr. Carpenter is an experienced software developer and team lead whose credits include work on several EA-published games including NCAA 2009, Tiger Woods 2008, Madden 2009, FIFA 2009, NBA Live 2009, and others. Mr. Carpenter also manages the business and promotional side of Mind Juice.
Mr. Carpenter is joined by long-time friend and collaborator, Patricio Arce. Mr. Arce is an incredibly talented graphic artist who creates in-game art, website graphics, and promotional materials for Mind Juice.
Mind Juice has so far released two puzzle games, Charmed and Charmed Xmas, both of which have received rave reviews from the industry press and fans alike.
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Realms Apart Announces Development of ‘Duels of the Runemasters’
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Atlanta, GA
November 19, 2009
Realms Apart Studios announced today the development of a new game called ‘Duels of the Runemasters’ to be released in 2010 in both a table-top edition as well as an electronic version. Mark Sanges, Director of Realms Apart, spoke briefly about the new game.
“We’ve been working on the design for Duels of the Runemasters (DotR) for several months now and are finally preparing our first prototype of the game components in the next few weeks,” Sanges explained. “Once we’ve completed production of the prototype game components we can move the development process from being theoretical to practical, real-world play-testing with real players beyond the core team at Realms Apart. Up until now, all of our tests of the game concept have been on paper. That means we’ve been writing out elaborate game scenarios, testing the various rules and possibilities, but in a very theoretical way. With the prototypes, we’ll be able to bring in our initial set of beta-testers, folks from outside Realms Apart, get them playing the game and see how things work in the hands of real gamers.”
“It’s a very exciting time for us,” Sanges added. “We’ve all put so much time and work into the development of that game. It’s nice to be nearing a point where other people will begin to see and play it so we can get a good sense of what works and what doesn’t.”
Realms Apart plans to have prototype game materials in the hands of beta-testers by January 2010. “After about a month of serious play-testing, we’re going to take all the notes we get from everyone who’s participated in the first beta and review them all very carefully. From there, we’ll begin tweaking and prodding the game, revising the rules and the game components to address any problems and then move into a second round of testing.”
The studio plans to have at least three rounds of beta tests with a major revision to the rules and components after each of the first two. “By the time we get to the third beta test, our sincere hope is that the game will have evolved to the point where very little else needs to be adjusted before we’re ready to begin production for the gaming public at large.”
Sanges and the rest of the team at Realms Apart are remaining tight-lipped about the details of the game itself, saying only, “It’s a genre-busting game in that it doesn’t fit neatly into any of our three favorites gaming generes: Collectible Card Game, Role Playing Game or board game. Instead, it’s defining a new genre of gaming by combining elements of the three I mentioned before into something completely new and utterly unique.”
“We’ll start providing more details, including more revealing descriptions of the game in the weeks ahead, but for now, we’re keeping pretty quiet about it,” Sanges said.
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Realms Apart Studios is a game design and development firm located in Atlanta, Georgia. Realms Apart was founded in 2009 to create and publish games for people who love intrigue, fantasy, science fiction and adventure. ‘Our Games Aren’t Simple, But They Sure Are Fun!’
^ back to top ^Quorlan.com Announces Formation of New Game Studio (Hey! That’s Us!)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Atlanta, GA
November 18, 2009
Quorlan.com is thrilled to announce the formation of a new game development studio. Realms Apart Studios was created by the team behind Quorlan.com to develop and publish cutting edge games for both tabletop and electronic play.
Quorlan.com has long been a web site for both creators and fans of fantasy and science fiction gaming. “After years of using Quorlan.com as a hub for our gaming activities, we’ve finally decided to launch our own game development studio,” said Mark Sanges, founder of both Quorlan.com and Realms Apart Studios. “We’ve been playing and creating games, using the Quorlan.com collection of both public and private web sites to facilitate gaming, discussion and even development of games. We’ve been working behind the scenes for months now developing a new game unlike anything that’s ever been released before. We’re incredibly proud of the new game. It’s something unlike anyone has ever made before.”
When asked for more details about the game, Sanges was reticent. “I don’t want to say too much about it just yet,” he commented. “What I will say is that we all have a strong background in Role Playing Games (RPGs), Collectible/Customizable/Trading Card Games (CCGs/TCGs), and of course, board games. We love these kinds of games but see a need for something new in this space. Something no one’s ever tried before. We sincerely hope that what we’ve created will bridge all of those gaming genres and appeal to anyone who enjoys any of those types of games.”
In addition to being well along the development cycle for the tabletop version of their new game, Realms Apart is also actively pursuing development of their first release for electronic platforms. “While we were running some early scenarios for the game,” Sanges explained, “we realized that the game could work really well electronically. We envisioned a system whereby players could potentially meet and play over the Internet, local area networks or even in a hot-seat type of environment.”
Realms Apart plans to release their first title in 2010 as both a tabletop game and for at least one digital platform. “We’re preparing to create our first full prototype set of game materials and begin small-scale play-testing. By the end of this year we should have a pretty complete list of things that need to be tweaked and prodded and poked into shape for a final release,” Sanges explained. “We’re also actively preparing to begin development on the digital version of the game as well. We’ll be announcing the inaugural platform and a few more details of the new game shortly.”
The team at Realms Apart is busy polishing their new game, building a web site for the new company and the new game, and working with developers to lay the groundwork for the digital version. More information will be released as it becomes available
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Realms Apart Studios is a game design and development firm located in Atlanta, Georgia. Realms Apart was founded in 2009 to create and publish games for people who love intrigue, fantasy, science fiction and adventure. ‘Our Games Aren’t Simple, But They Sure Are Fun!’
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