Surprise: play the digital version NOW in your browser!
over 4 years ago
– Sat, Sep 14, 2019 at 02:48:06 AM
Told you I'd have a cool update this week! Kickstarter is an amazing place...
Here's the story. Paul, a backer and fan, messaged me a week or two ago with a link to his prototype: a playable online version of Outpost 18. Paul has done an incredible job translating the rules and interactions over to the web. After a bit of polish and suggestions, he has a version ready for games.
Head over to playoutpost18.com and you'll find a link to the new unofficial digital version of Outpost 18. It happens to be loaded up with the latest new release (2.4) which is now available as well.
Note that only desktop browsers are supported/functional as of this release. There's a whole host of features Paul is working on, and I am so thankful for his awesome hard work so far. It's a great way to learn the game and be ready for the full release.
If you haven't yet -- join the discord. You can find some people to play with! It's a great place to let us know any bugs you find, too.
The more games you play, the more data we can have on win rates, so every match helps.
Next up, we'll do some video tutorials to help get everyone started.
Have fun this weekend!
September News
over 4 years ago
– Sat, Sep 07, 2019 at 02:28:33 AM
Hey everybody! Happy Friday to you all. I hope everyone is enjoying the start of September. Lots of updates.
Manufacturing news:
After a lot of work exploring many options, I have finalized the schedule with our print manufacturer, Gameland USA. The game is going to print on their black core stock, which I’ve spent the last weeks sampling and testing. I’m very happy with the feel and weight of the cards, and I am confident they will last through hundreds (or thousands) of matches of Outpost 18. On top of that, the Gameland USA team has been incredibly responsive and professional, catering to all of my questions and needs. I’m very confident they are the best partner for Outpost 18, and I wouldn’t hesitate to reccomemd them to others.
The cards are standard poker card size: 2 1/2'' x 3 1/2'' (63.5 x 88 MM), 310 GSM, although the feel is closer to 320gsm stock I sampled from other manufacturers.
If you were curious about card sleeves, I’ve got some news. My friends at Gameland USA have been hard at work sourcing my envelope packaging, and we’ve found a thick stock that will make for an excellent and durable case. It will be a considerable improvement from the original design. I cannot guarantee that it will fit all sleeves, but it is looking likely that it will work for most because i can add the required width. I am not promising this until I have a retail-ready copy in my hand and can confirm it myself, but I am working on it, and I am optimistic.
That said: please understand that this project has some thin margins to operate with when it comes to shipping dimensions, so my priority is making sure that everything lines up there first. Whatever packaging I send the game in, its primary function has to be to keep the cards and rules in perfect shape.
The timeline for the manufacturing run is just under 2 months. That’s from submitted files to received at my warehouse door. So here’s what that means for us. Current timeline: submit files by early oct, production through oct-nov, received and fulfillment to begin December.
Leather is coming in for the premium backers! Going to be awesome.
Design news:
Kris (graphic designer), and I, are spending the next few weeks finalizing the card layout and getting the files print-ready for the big production run. I introduced Kris last update, but i just want to mention again how glad I am to have his experience and guidance as we move in to production.
The rulebook is up next and slated to go through some final editing and iteration. It has come a long, long way since inception, and will only get better from here.
In the past few weeks, I’ve really focused on getting the game balance and design to a publish-ready level. I have an updated version to release later this week with a few very small number tweaks, and then (deep breath) the game is likely finished. The soon to be released version has been producing dynamic and fun games.
Other news:
A while back I was on a podcast talking about Outpost 18. You can check it out here: https://keithburgun.net/binary-goals-with-hopenager-and-kickstarting-an-18-card-game-with-adam-wilk/
I have set up Backerkit to handle post-campaign orders. If you have friends or family who want to get a copy, send them over to playoutpost18.com. I will send out backerkit surveys within the next few weeks where you will be able to add your shipping information, order details, add more games, and a few other things. I am trying to time the surveys to coincide with the production timeline, so thank you for your patience!
I’ve got a very cool surprise in store for everybody for later this week... stay tuned.
Backerkit & graphic design updates
over 4 years ago
– Sun, Aug 25, 2019 at 03:03:51 AM
Hey everybody! Hope you are all enjoying the end of the summer, wherever you may be.
Short update this week. Wanted to let you know that Kris has joined the team officially for Outpost 18. Kris is an experienced graphic designer with nearly ten years of tabletop Kickstarter experience. He’s here to help me get the iconography and images cleaned up and offer some professional finish. I’m thrilled to have him on board, and we’ll be working through September to get the files print ready.
Originally I was not going to use backerkit, but they got in touch and offered a discounted option for my campaign needs and it makes sense with the scope of my project. Backerkit is a pledge manager service that will help me in a lot of ways, but most importantly, it gives you a great way to keep your order information up to date. You’ll be able to change your address, add additional games to your order, and more.
For me, it will help automate the shipping process and save a lot of man hours that can now be spent on more important things. It also gives me flexibility to add different options, if necessary.
In the next week or so, I’ll send out details for the Backerkit surveys.
If you have friends or family who missed out on Outpost 18 but want a copy, they can get it at a (non-backer) pre-order price here: http://playoutpost18.com — it’s priced slightly higher than for everyone on Kickstarter, because I want to protect the early backer value you guys got.
If you are interested in more games for your own order, it will be available via backerkit at the reduced Kickstarter price when the surveys go out.
Talk soon,
Adam
New PNP & Rules, update schedule, and product timeline
over 4 years ago
– Fri, Aug 09, 2019 at 01:58:43 PM
Hello everybody!
So currently there is lots up in the air. I’m finishing up my vacation next week, there are a few manufacturers who are getting back to me with formal quotes and samples, and Kickstarter will begin to charge everyone so the project moves forward. Now is the right time to make sure your payment options on file with kickstarter are all good.
Apologies for the wait, but the latest PNP&Rulebook is available and online. For the remainder of the project, I’ll be keeping playoutpost18.com updated with the latest information and builds. Version 2.2 brings quite a few changes — graphic design and rule changes, as well as a host of card tweaks and changes. I’ll post in my blog at BGG about the reasoning behind these changes.
I want to be transparent about the timeline. Originally, I expected this game to be a small run of a few hundred games. Since we have such an active community involved now, I want to give the game a bit of extra time to breathe. There’s no better time to try bold changes. I plan on taking an extra few weeks in September to focus on development and polish, which could impact the delivery. I wouldn’t do this unless I felt like it would give us a better product, and I want this to be a game you can play hundreds of times.
After the game is finalized, it will be sent to my graphic designer for retouching and cleanup to address small issues with alignment and image quality. We will then work with the manufacture to get proofs and test copies, before securing a final print run. I plan on ordering enough copies to fulfill all orders, as well as extra stock for customer service and post-campaign sales.
For anyone looking for post-campaign purchases / order changes, I am looking at a few options. Will update soon. If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know.
I’ll be moving towards a once-a-week update schedule for the remainder of the project, and only if there is relevant news. I don’t want to obliterate anyones inboxes.
When I am back in Canada, things will be on track a bit more smoothly.
Thanks again, everyone!
Hey, we are making a game together.
over 4 years ago
– Tue, Aug 06, 2019 at 02:13:23 PM
We’ve crossed the finish line. Thank you all so much for joining in along the way. I’ll post next steps in an update in a few days, including a rough budget for the funds raised. For now, I’d like to make this update about saying thanks.
First, THANK YOU to the wonderful tabletop community — gamers, designers, collectors, podcasters, reviewers, everybody. It is truly a one of a kind group. I designed my first game in middle school — it was an X-Files themed TCG, and I drove the neighbourhood crazy handing out “booster packs”. Yikes. As an adult, I started listening to game design podcasts and it sparked something in me. That was, oh, four or five years ago, and just recently I got to appear on Keith Burgun’s Clockwork Game Design podcast. It was cool coming full circle! We are such a diverse, inclusive, and positive group — and I take my obligation to you very seriously.
Okay, next up — those tunes! Creo is the artist who made the song that rocked out through the campaign. I spent weeks looking for the right soundtrack, and when I stumbled upon his page, I knew it was perfect. I highly recommend you check out his website: creo-music.com.
And: Opengameart.org. OGA curates and commissions artwork for indie game developers and designers. They work with a ton of incredible artists to make tiny budget projects like mine feasible. In appreciation for what they do, I’m donating $500 to help curate more open art assets to support other indie game designers make that leap forward. Taking away barriers of entry to design is important work.
Mike at manly man designs is the great guy who will be working with me to get everyone their leather sleeves. I met Mike at a craft market where I work, and we both have a passion for leatherwork and handmade goods. If you get a chance, say hi to him on instagram, and check out the other cool things he is up to.
Thank you to everyone who has participated in discussion, or offered feedback in the comments, BGG, or on discord. I hope I responded to everyone — if not, know that I have digested every bit out there. Your input has made a big difference. The amount of development growth the game has had in the last two weeks has been exponential. I’m excited to get it to you.
So again, thank you for everything, and I’ll be in touch soon.
END TRANSMISSION
