Project status / Upcoming add-ons
over 5 years ago – Thu, Nov 08, 2018 at 01:16:11 AM

The gears are turning, and the Machine is humming melodiously.

Physical Add-Ons

You can expect 3 physical add-ons, and I guess you are already aware of the two of them:

• Codex Arcanum - exquisite hard-cover book that will contain Artbook, StoryBook, and Bestiarium.  
• Dice Pack - arcane cylindrical tube that contains an extra set of game dice.

It's time to reveal a third physical add-on, a massive upgrade from the initial "Player mats" idea: a package of 6 exclusive gaming mats!

Inside the package you will find:

• 4 x Player mats (for each player, to place their player board and inventory)  
• 1 x Location mat (map tiles, tokens, monster figures & cards)  
• 1 x Story mat (chapter board, events, items)
  

The awesome feature of this add-on is its modular nature. If you use all the mats they will create a perfect rectangle, but there's nothing that keeps you from using them in other orientations and layouts!

They will be produced by the leading manufacturer of gaming mats, ensuring the best possible quality that will last you for endless sessions.

Digital Add-Ons

The purchasable digital add-ons can't be delivered before the date we lock your orders through the pledge manager. The reason for that is simple: before the lockdown you are absolutely free to modify your order (your card will not be charged).

This means that the delivery date for some of the digital add-ons purchasable through the pledge manager will be later than stated from the extra goal table.
These add-ons include: Official soundtrack, Fabula rasa, Art prints, and 2019 Calendar.

Tabletopia

Once we announced Tabletopia through our extra goals (and made the estimated date), the idea was to have the same assets we used for the review prototypes.

As we created a new prototype for the Essen Spiel (updated the graphic design and added new illustrations) we decided to wait a little longer with the Tabletopia so that you have production-grade experience.  

There are still some items without their final illustration, but these items now have a placeholder image (before we used 3rd party pictures from the internet, and some of the items were looking horrible :P).  

The game assets are sent to Tabletopia crew - we are looking forward for the digital Machina Arcana! It might be possible to play it even during next week (we will keep you updated).

When to expect add-ons in pledge manager?

The list of add-ons are finalized, the only thing that remains is feedback from the manufacturers and distributors to answer the financial and logistical aspect. The current plan is to publish them in about 2 weeks from now.

Pledge manager - FAQ
over 5 years ago – Tue, Oct 30, 2018 at 02:12:12 AM

Q: How does charging works?  

The pledge manager is used to pay for shipping, additional copies of the game, and add-ons (which are yet to be added to the pledge manager). We use BackerKit: the industry's standard when it comes to a reliable and secure pledge manager. Your credit card will not be charged until the future date (something similar how Kickstarter will not charge your card when you pledge, but only after the project funds).  

Our date for charging the cards through the pledge manager is currently planned for February 2019, but you will be notified in a timely manner about that in one of our future project updates.

Q: I am a returning backer, but my pledge is still not upgraded?

The first step is to answer the survey question regarding the returning backers with a "Yes". Once most of the backers have finished the survey, we will run a verification process and upgrade your pledge (if we find you by cross-referencing our data). 

After that we will have a project update to notify you that we have upgraded all of the returning backers. If even after that future project update your upgrade is not reflected in pledge manager, please send us a message so we can sort you out.

Q: Can I change my delivery address?

Yes, you will always be able to change your delivery address on your own - just use the pledge manager to do so. You can do this even after we charge the card (which is currently planned for February 2019), but of course it will need to be done before we start the shipping.

Q: Should I finish the survey now, or should I wait for add-ons to appear if I am interested them?

Each option is perfectly fine! Regardless on what you choose your credit card won't be charged until we collect all the funds at one go (currently estimated for February 2019).

Q: If I complete the survey, will I be locked out of putting add-ons in my order?

No. At any moment you are free to enter the pledge manager and do any changes to your order. Remember that charging your credit card is estimated for February 2019, so there is plenty of time to do any changes through the pledge manager.

Q: When is the latest I can complete the pledge manager survey?

BackerKit doesn't charge your credit card once you complete the survey (similar how Kickstarter will not charge your card when you pledge, but only after the project funds). The current estimate date where you should have completed the survey is February 2019 (then the cards are planned to be charged), although if you are a returning backer the faster you complete the survey the faster will your Core box be upgraded to Premium.

Q: How to upgrade my pledge through the pledge manager?

It is easy to upgrade your pledge level inside the pledge manager.  Click on your invite link from the BackerKit email:

Then just click on the link to "switch your pledge level".

If you don't see the Welcome screen, please click on the "Go To Page" from the page header and then again on "Welcome".

Q: Why have you sent the pledge manager invites without waiting for the add-ons?

Pledge manager is not just about the backers, but for the pre-orders as well. We want to help those who missed the Kickstarter, and all the beautiful people we meet in Essen to participate in our journey. On the other hand there is no difference to the existing backers, which means it's a win for everybody.  

Furthermore, listening to your wishes, talking with manufacturers, and getting their specifications is an ongoing process that is better carefully planned than sloppily executed.

Q: When will the add-ons become available for purchase?

We almost committed to one manufacturer for the hardcover book, but on the first day at Essen Spiel they gave us their promotional sample which was extremely disappointing. It would have been a total disaster.. - we showed the book to a lot of backers who visited us at our booth. On the second day, we got in touch with another manufacturer that is specialized in hardcover books, and were astonished at the quality of their books, that was flawless with even 400 pages.

On the last day we had meetings with 3 top manufacturers of player mats, and will send them the specifications and request for a quote later this week. We are looking forward to work with them in the future!

One path has rushed decisions with short term gratifications, the other has tactical decisions with complete satisfaction - is it really a dilemma?

So when will the add-ons be available for purchase? When we know which ones to offer, their specifications, production costs, and distribution solutions. Current estimate is 2 weeks (yes there will be a project update once that happens).

Surveys are sent / First day at Spiel
over 5 years ago – Fri, Oct 26, 2018 at 02:22:15 AM

The first day of Essen Spiel is behind us.

Such amazing people, and magical place.. Thanks to all the backers who visited our booth - you are awesome!

A lot of backers even ate some spiders that we offered, and some of them have chosen the wrong bookmarks and postcards (good luck :/ ).

Looking forward for tomorrow! Join us at Hall5 - 5E104.

An extra big shout-out to Ulrich, Isa, Basti and Jenny who made all of this possible with their work in organizing, constructing, and playing the sessions with visitors. The Master is pleased.

Pledge manager

The surveys are being sent!

You will receive an email with the invite to BackerKit system. There you can upgrade your reward, pledge for additional boxes, and pay for shipping.

The add-ons will be offered later in a few weeks.

The pledge manager will stay opened all the way before the mass-production is underway (around February 2019).

Pledge manager (smoke test)
over 5 years ago – Wed, Oct 24, 2018 at 02:49:38 AM

This moment we have initiated the so called "Smoke Test" on BackerKit (our pledge manager).  

A smoke test sends surveys to 5% of backers from each pledge level. It's a simple way to catch any errors in the survey and make sure everything runs smoothly. Once the smoke test has been completed, we will send surveys to the rest of the backers (some time tomorrow).  

The survey will be closed somewhere around February 2019.

Add-ons will be offered after the Essen Spiel convention, when the dust settles down and ensures we have a clear plan ahead (we have a meeting with our manufacturers to discuss the add-ons and to analyze their samples).

Essen Spiel 2018

As you might already be aware, tomorrow I am flying to Essen.
It will be a chaotic and intensive time which I am so looking forward, but bare in mind that I will not be able to respond to any messages and questions in a timely manner. The return flight is scheduled for the 29th.

Drop by and say hi at our booth: Hall5 - 5E104.

Evil Elves in Essen
over 5 years ago – Mon, Oct 22, 2018 at 01:24:35 AM

Essen Spiel

There is a story of Evil Elves. It is an old story, going back to the days of the prototype version of the game. Even though these Elves didn't know it at the time, once She has plans for you, your destinies starts to converge.  

From the upcoming Thursday some of these Evil Elves will be at Essen Spiel. You can visit them at booth 5E104 where you can state any kind of legal request. If it resonates with Her, they might even make your wish come true. If you are timid, feel free to lurk in the shadows and observe from afar their strange machinations.

Pledge manager

Pledge manager will be opened in the beginning of the next week. There are a couple of important questions that two of our potential manufacturers need to answer before we submit to a binding agreement. Furthermore, we have a meeting at Essen Spiel where they will show us their sample materials. Because of these reasons the initial late-pledges will offer only Core and Premium games. We are still not comfortable with the final add-on propositions (some of them can't even be produced by the potential game manufacturers). 

Add-ons will be offered some time after the convention, when the dust settles down and ensures we have a clear plan ahead. Our relationship with you is too important to be sullied with hastened promises and obligations.

Illustration overview

Until the next project update please don't daydream about the dark, deep ocean while staying in the shadows.