Goal: £60,000
So Far: £124,000
End: Feb 14th 18:00 GMT
EASTWARD
When Eastward was first announced back in 2018, it was heralded for its pixelated prowess and quirky sense of style. In the three years leading up to its release, the hype train continued to gather steam as more and more was unveiled. Upon launch, it became clear that Eastward was about so much more than just style. It had substance, too.
A modern celebration of early ‘90s video games, Pixpil’s Eastward delivers a poignant yet hopeful post-apocalyptic story set in a delightfully dark world. It’s a story of tribulation and triumph for a small indie studio, and offers a thought-provoking exploration of societal constructs whilst also providing some warm-hearted and good-humoured fun.
With its synergy of sights and sounds, and its focus on telling deep and meaningful stories, Eastward is the perfect match for Lost in Cults Design Works series. There is so much to be explored, all of which will be lovingly presented in ways that capture the magic of Eastward’s design philosophy.
OVERVIEW
As dark as it is delightful, Eastward: Design Works charts the development of Eastward from sketch to screen, exploring the influences, design philosophies, and intricate details of this pixel-perfect indie darling.
Featuring exclusive artwork, thought-provoking analysis, and insightful interviews with the game’s creators and composer, this book will delve into the world of Eastward and the characters we all know and love.
Volume
Eastward
Works
Design.Works
Specification
Softcover book
210 x 297 mm (A4)
250 pages approx.
Section sewn binding
Author: Shaun Hughes
New Dam City Edition
Hardcover book
Campaign Limited Edition
First 500 editions Signed Bookplate by Pixpil - SOLD OUT
210 x 297 mm (A4)
250 pages approx.
Section sewn binding
Eastward Yellow Slipcase
4 Pin Badges
Earth Born Zine
Recipe Cards
2 Posters
Fridge Bookmark
Unique Outer Box
4 Art Prints
Release Date
Shipping EST Summer 2024
Also Available
New Dam City Deluxe Edition
Available exclusively during the campaign period only, this Deluxe version of the Eastward: Design Works comes in a beautiful spot gloss hardcover book that fits naturally into a high quality made-to-measure slip case. In addition to this, all backers will receive an array of premium extras befitting any post-apocalyptic adventurer.
Signed Edition (Limited to first 500 copies sold)
The first 500 New Dam City Deluxe Editions ordered will include bookplates attached to the inside cover of the book signed by some of the development team at Pixpil responsible for bringing Eastward to life.
Familiar yet unfamiliar
Old buildings and historical landmarks. High risers and colourful billboards. Time-worn temples and beautiful townscapes. Eastward offers an eclectic yet somewhat traditional blend of environments to envelope yourself in as you journey from Potcrock to Ester. We explore what inspired these stunning locales and find the historical context behind them.
Seen and loved
Eastward is about so much more than just video games, and we identify and unravel the influences outside of the medium that have had an impact on what Eastward has become. Forming Pixpil presented an opportunity for the team to move the needle, and we learned more about what matters most to them as a team of creatives.
Light in darkness
As deep and meaningful as it is light and whimsical, there’s more to Eastward than meets the eye. For some, they knew this upon its announcement. For others, it was only when they started playing did they see what had been conjured up. We take a deep dive into the marketing approach from announcement to release, identifying the hidden messages and roaring reveals that marked an incredibly exciting and suspenseful build up to Eastward’s grand unveiling.
Hopeless yet hopeful
We can’t celebrate Eastward without inviting Joel Corelitz to the party. A soundtrack as synonymous with John and Sam’s adventures as the pixel art that accompanies it, we examine the ways in which Joel creates resonance and emotion in his music whilst also paying homage to the best soundtracks of old. There is a beauty to the relationship Joel has developed with Pixpil, and a beauty to the relationship the soundtrack has with the game.
Also included will be:
a deep dive into the in-house game engine used for development;
analysis of the characterisation of our favourite characters;
an explorative look at the local cuisine found in each in-game location;
how the DLC builds upon and expands the world of Eastward, even in an alternate reality.
Fridge bookmark
Designed to imitate the fridge from Eastward’s world, you can now save your progress in our Design Works book in the same way!
Only available with Deluxe edition
*Final Art STC
Art prints
Featuring never-before-printed artwork from Pixpil's archive, these high-quality art prints will celebrate the creative minds behind the game we see today.
Only available with Deluxe edition
*Final Art STC
Posters
A pair of fold-out A3 posters inspired by Eastward’s design ideologies that encapsulates Eastward’s many inspirations.
Only available with Deluxe edition
*Final Art STC
Pins
This is a set for every Treasure Hunter out there! 4 enamel pins featuring stunning achievement artwork.
Only available with Deluxe edition
*Final Art STC
Slip case
Expertly crafted to be an extension of the hardcover’s stunning artwork, this deluxe slipcase will look beautiful on any coffee table or book shelf.
Only available with Deluxe edition
*Final Art STC
Recipe cards
So much of Eastward is about bringing people together, and what better way to do that than to provide real-world recipe cards of some of the sumptuous dishes available in game. These will be tested and tasted prior to launch, and will make for an excellent meal with nearest and dearest.
Only available with Deluxe edition
*Final Art STC
Earth Born Zine
A world within a world, Earth Born was a dedication to the JRPGs that shaped gaming history - Dragon Quest, EarthBound, and Final Fantasy. Our Earth Born Zine explores the lore of this surprisingly rich playable in-game curio that serves as a cultural cornerstone for the characters of Eastward, with tutorials and top tips from the developers themselves.
Only available with Deluxe edition
*Final Art STC
The Sounds Of Eastward
Eastward’s iconic art style is complemented perfectly by its incredible original soundtrack composed by Joel Corelitz. In celebration of Eastward’s recently announced and highly anticipated Octopia DLC, Lost In Cult Records has teamed up with Black Screen Records to bring you an exclusive opportunity to secure a series of beautiful Eastward OST items, all thematically designed to complement the Design Works books for the ultimate Eastward collection.
Eastward Octopia Vinyl - Signed Campaign Exclusive Yellow (Limited to 1000 copies)
This very limited edition vinyl comes in a striking 12” environmentally-friendly yellow Biovinyl with official character art, and includes the full Eastward Octopia soundtrack as well as two additional bonus tracks from Joel that you won’t find in the game. Each of the 1000 copies all also come with a certificate of authenticity signed by Joel Corelitz himself!
*Final Art / Colour STC
Ships Q2 2024
Eastward Complete Original Double-cassette -
For fans of the original soundtrack, we’re also thrilled to offer the complete and unabridged original Eastward OST in a beautiful yellow double-cassette - the biggest physical release of the Eastward soundtrack available anywhere! This exclusive musical curio also comes with two previously unreleased tracks from Joel Corelitz from the original game that can’t be heard anywhere else!
*Final Art / Colour STC
Ships Q2 2024
Eastward Octopia Cassette
For those that like to rewind after a hard day, this cassette option offers the same musical selection as the vinyl, including the unreleased tracks, but in a wonderfully retro form for nostalgic portable listening.
*Final Art / Colour STC
Ships Q2 2024
Eastward Octopia CD -
We haven’t forgotten about you track skippers! This CD provides the same musical selection as the vinyl, including the unreleased tracks, but in a jewel-case CD offering.
*Final Art / Colour STC
Ships Q2 2024
Signed Campaign Exclusive Yellow Vinyl + Octopia Cassette + Double OG Cassette + CD
Double OG Cassette, Octopia Cassette
Signed Campaign Exclusive Yellow Vinyl + Octopia Cassette
Art Prints
In addition to all of our premium Deluxe items, we’re also excited to announce a series of three high-quality A2 prints of official Eastward artwork. These large prints use Hahnemühle German Etching 310gsm stock, which has a tactile feel and fine surface texture, providing excellent reproduction of colour and detail, with deep blacks and optimum contrasts.
Our Values
Eastward: Design Works is crafted to last, each copy demonstrating our commitment to sustainable business. Produced and assembled with high-quality artisan materials, we work with carbon-neutral, anti-corruption partners and factories. We believe in ethical manufacture as strongly as we believe in games preservation. So, treasure each page of our FSC-accredited book with the knowledge that your money supports well-respected labour.