Time to lock in addresses & get things moving!
almost 4 years ago
– Sat, Jun 20, 2020 at 11:10:58 PM
Hey all,
I am arranging the customs clearance and brokerage and expecting to be picking up the first run of Outpost 18 in the upcoming week or two, and it will be headed straight to the postal system and out.
This means the time to double check and lock in your address is now. You can do this via backerkit here:
https://outpost18.backerkit.com/
Even if you have messaged me previously, please check the backerkit details to ensure you have the right address on file.
Backerkit has a 2-day lock in address warning, so I want to send this update now before I do the lock-in. I will send the 2-day warning when I have the games in my warehouse.
Shipping Strategy
My team of friends & family will be getting these games out, and to ensure everything is going smoothly, I'll be releasing them in "chunks", a few hundred games at a time. These chunks will be split between geography (North America and Outside North America, mostly), and by order number. It's all in the name of getting everyone their game safely.
As mentioned many months ago, shipments outside North America will likely face delays due to the constraints on global postal systemright now. We'll figure it out.
I'll have some more details about shipments, expectations, and so on, but please continue to be patient throughout this process -- I will find a way to get you your game, that is my promise :)
quick update!
almost 4 years ago
– Sun, Jun 07, 2020 at 12:04:34 AM
Very quick — games are arriving in Montreal end of June. Which means I should have them shipping out the following week.
We are almost there!
Spoiler! Release Version Outpost 18 Unboxing
almost 4 years ago
– Mon, May 25, 2020 at 01:56:09 PM
Hey all,
This moment was really exciting for me -- after pivoting to a design overhaul, a more streamlined look, and louder, punchier symbols, I wanted to share this video with you. If you'd rather be surprised, don't watch this!
My goal has always been to make Outpost 18 a game that jumps off the table and demands attention. With Kris' help, I think we have taken the design to new levels while staying true to the 16-bit heart. To say that I am thrilled with the final product is an understatement... I cannot believe we were able to pull this off for under 10 bucks a game.
I will do a more detailed post (and probably a blog over on BGG) that details some of the later design choices and features, but here's a few things that got added:
- Station Cores now look awesome and have a quick-reference for icons on the back side (if you choose to flip them over), a small change that will make the game slightly easier to learn. They also list their default bonuses: +1 draw, and +1 play.
- New, brighter, custom-designed icons jump off the table and are easier to distinguish from further away. Easier to calculate game-states. This includes a really fantastic Defender Upgrades icon, and replacing +Draw with a Supply icon.
- The tuck box instead of envelope is way, way more sturdy and should last for years without major issue. There's enough width in the tuck box to support sleeves, but the depth might be a bit tougher. Will test this out and advise.
- The new rulebook was condensed and simplified with a lot of help from the community and feedback from the discord server.
Freight Update:
After my last update, I was overwhelmed with the amount of support from you guys with keeping costs low. If it isn't obvious, my margin is pretty small, but that was the idea behind the game as my first release -- a way to build an audience and deliver a great game for cheap. Since everyone is supportive of sea freight, I've gone with that. The extra funds from that will help with any potential logistical costs from shipping, so that is handy to have in reserve. The games are being loaded on to a boat, and will be ready to make the voyage. That process will take about a month.
Edit: Oh, and I didn't mention, but the game showed above was a small batch I had mailed to me for logistics testing (weight, etc) and that kind of thing. I don't have very many, so I can't send anything out yet! Sorry!
Of course, will keep you all posted!
Production Complete. Packing underway.
almost 4 years ago
– Wed, May 13, 2020 at 08:08:56 PM
Hey everyone,
Just got good news to share. The production of the first run of Outpost 18 is... complete! Everything is being assembled and sealed, and should be ready to go. I am incredibly relieved!
Over the next few days, I need to review shipping options and figure out how I can get the games here in a reasonable time. Originally, I was going to take the hit on air freight because it would be a 1 week delivery timeline, and the quoted cost was expensive, but workable in my budget without me losing my shirt.
Since then, I've been told that air freight has tripled since COVID-19. I am waiting to hear back on more accurate shipping options. If it is at all feasible, I am going to have the games shipped by air freight so I can get them in the post and out to you all as quickly as possible.
If we go with sea freight, we would be looking at a 25 day transit time, and they would end up in Montreal where I would drive down from Ottawa and grab them. Regardless of delivery, it's safe to expect some delays due to the pandemic handling imported items from China, so we have to keep that in mind, too.
I will post another update when I have the decision -- please comment with your thoughts on the situation!
New finalized PNP, production Updates, and what I've been up to.
about 4 years ago
– Wed, Apr 22, 2020 at 08:06:35 AM
https://www.dropbox.com/s/igd9fslxzsgfoa9/Outpost18_KS_Final.pdf?dl=0
Here's a new PNP file with the 18 game cards featuring final balance changes and new vectorized artwork. I've decided to keep the "traditional" layout for the PNP, with the new graphic design as a surprise when the games are delivered. This traditional PNP will save a bit of ink, too :)
If you are in quarantine like those of us in Canada, you might want something to do. If you have never done a print and play before, it's really easy: just print out the cards, cut them, and pop them in card sleeves (on top of traditional card game cards works nicely)
Production
Production wise, things are still moving along, although slowly. The latest ETA I have been told is mid May. I recently gave the okay on a change to the card envelope -- the paper envelope sleeves were losing their integrity and falling apart too quickly, so we've switched over to a mini tuck-box with the same sort of footprint.
The print quality of the cards and the game itself looks wonderful. I am truly excited to get it out in to the world and in to your collection.
Air freight charges have gone up since the pandemic, but I am committed to getting the games here as fast as possible after print. The good news is the warehouse I have for storing / shipping games has been deemed as essential, so chances are there won't be any trouble once the games land in Canada.
General / Life Updates
And aside from waiting patiently for this game to get over here, I've been keeping busy throughout this pandemic.
I am lucky to work managing ecommerce for a company here that pivoted to producing hand sanitizer to help combat the virus. Being involved with a company that gets to make a big impact is a wonderful feeling, and it reminds me of why I designed Outpost 18 in the first place -- removing the barriers between people who want to connect and play a quick game. I think a lot of us can relate to that feeling now.
Design wise, I have a working prototype of my next game. While I told myself I would stay focused on Outpost until it was out being delivered, the long delay in production has meant I could flesh out some other ideas.
The working title is Aphotic Core, and It's quite a different experience than Outpost 18. If Outpost 18 is my love-letter to MTG-style / retro infused tabletop gaming, Aphotic Core is my take on a single player/cooperative roguelike / dungeon crawler. I'll be happy to share development details for that along the way -- it's quite a few more cards, though!
Delivery Address Changes
If you are worried about address changes, don't fret -- when I have confirmation that the shipment is on the way, I'll notify everyone and we can adjust your address to fit.
