Here is the First Sample!
almost 3 years ago – Thu, Jun 17, 2021 at 07:56:02 AM

For those not familiar with manufacturing games, the first physical step is for the manufacturer to produce a sample of what the game will look like before all the games are printed in the factory. The exciting news is I've just received the first sample. This update shows some photos and a 13 minute unboxing video. Enjoy.

Unboxing Video

Sample Photos

Last Call

If you watched the unboxing video you will have noticed the recesses for the cards are sized to allow the cards to be stored in their sleeves. If you would like sleeves and forgot to order them, I have not locked the orders yet, so you should be able to simply add them to your survey.

The arrival of the sample proves that we are getting closer to starting the manufacturing process, and therefore I will need to lock the orders soon. At this time there are only 13 backers who have not completed their surveys. I've done all I can to contact you, and I really don't want to ship your games to the USA before finding they should have gone to Europe. As I've mentioned before, even after the orders are locked I will give you notice when I plan to charge your credit cards... which will be after the games are manufactured. So please complete your surveys.

That's it for now. I'm going to talk to the manufacturer tonight about tweaking a couple of things, but in truth everything is "nearly" perfect.

Cheers, and stay safe,

Paul Starr

Beginning to Produce Samples
almost 3 years ago – Fri, Jun 04, 2021 at 04:03:47 AM

Bang On Schedule

Hello everyone. I've been a little bit quiet because the ball in presently in the Manufacturer's court to produce the samples. If you recall, the Kickstarter campaign included this image, which shows we are still bang on schedule. Although I haven't received the physical samples yet, most of the components have been made and I've received some photos  and videos I would like to share.

I'll be in touch again when I get more information.

Paul Starr   

Photos and Videos of Samples  

 Stack of prototype boxes

 Tarot cards and rule books

  Rotation of main board with thicker board and tighter tolerances

 Linen finished player mat

 Stiffness of player mats

Artwork With Manufacturer
almost 3 years ago – Sun, May 16, 2021 at 02:50:35 PM

My horoscope for today

"Monday’s skies wipe the slate clean, Leo The hardworking Taurus moon tiredly plows forward through her waning phase, suggesting the need to bring open-ended projects towards completion."

And so it is... I sent all the Zodiac War files to the Manufacturer this weekend. I took a few more days addressing little niggles I found during exporting files, but it was worth it. It reminds me of that song by Fairground Attraction...

• It's got to be perfect
  It's got to be worth it
  Yeah.
  Too many people take second best
  Well I won't take anything less
  It's got to be
  Yeah
  Perfect

 Only 23 surveys left

Nearly there with the surveys. I closed all the $1 pledges but these last 23 are either paid for or include new orders, so I just need the shipping address and associated payment information for shipping, please. I will contact you individually about this if you haven't responded yet.  Please remember, although I need payment information there will be no charge until the game is ready to ship later in the year. Also, even if you complete your survey,  you can change your shipping address at any time prior to shipping.

Devotees

I haven't forgotten about you. I will be contacting Devotee Backers individually with drafts of your personalized player boards for review to make sure they are exactly how you want them. This will happen over the next couple of weeks.

I think that's everything for this update. The next step is for the Manufacturer to prepare samples of all the game components for my review. Fingers crossed there won't be any issues.

Many thanks

Paul Starr

Graphic Design and Artwork Complete
almost 3 years ago – Fri, Apr 30, 2021 at 12:46:05 AM

Please complete your survey

I am pleased to confirm that there are only about 30 backers who have paid for a copy of Zodiac War in Kickstarter but have not completed the survey for shipping. Some of those 30 have partially completed the survey but not entered payment information.  Although credit cards will not be charged until the game is ready to ship, I still need the payment information in order to lock the order for the final manufactured count.

I am most concerned about backers who have paid for the game but don't seem to be receiving the reminder emails. I have wondered whether the invites are in junk mail, so I have sent personal reminders to hopefully circumnavigate the spam filters. It seems logical that everyone who paid for a game in Kickstarter must have a valid email address, but I know at least one email is not valid. I do not know how to contact you, and I have tried, so please... if you have not received a survey from BackerKit please email me and let me know. I can be contacted at [email protected].

Apple Users

If you are an Apple User using an Apple ID, I am learning that you may not be receiving the emails. If you have not seen any emails from BackerKit, please contact me with an alternative email address.

Locking orders

I will be locking orders this weekend. If you are in the $1 Pledge Manager Access tier and have not closed your survey I will be closing these this weekend so you don't keep receiving reminders. I will keep paid backers open until I manage to contact you.

Project Status

After that boring public announcement, I am pleased to confirm everything is still on schedule. I am down to the nitty gritty now. Everything is complete and there are a few minor actions required before I send the final proofs to the manufacturer. This weekend I will be doing a final read through of everything and will send to the manufacturer on Sunday to begin production of samples.

As ever, thank you for your support and patience. I am very pleased with the final product of Zodiac War and I am looking forward to seeing the samples.

Regards

Paul Starr

Status Updates - Things are Looking Good
about 3 years ago – Sat, Apr 17, 2021 at 05:33:58 PM

Status of Surveys

We are 90% complete on the surveys. I will be proceeding with manufacture based on the information received to date. The missing surveys fall into two categories, 60 no. $1 pledge access backers and 50 no. $45 game backers. Of course, I would really appreciate it if the remaining $45 backers complete the survey so I have a full understanding of shipping needs. For those those with an open $1 pledge please take a moment to close the survey even if you don't intend to order a game. I will assume I can close $1 pledges on 30 April 2021. Don't forget, the pre-order store will also be open until 30 April 2021.

Box Design

I am pleased to confirm that I have completed the box design for both the top and the base. This was the last major piece of work I had to do, and the image of the top is shown below. The setting out lines will be removed for printing, of course.

 Other Matters

I have completed discussions with the manufacturer and they are now on standby waiting for the final art and graphics to proceed with preparation of samples. I am confident I will complete this work by the end of April. The status of the art and graphic design including templates is:

• Box - 100% Complete
• Main rotating board - 100% Complete
• Player boards - 100% Complete
• Tarot Cards - 95% complete, text requires proof reading
• Zodiac Cards - 100% Complete
• Reference Cards - 100% Complete
• Rules Book - 85% Complete, 2 pages added and 2 more to add, needs proof reading

Everything is proceeding to schedule and I am excited at the progress being made.

Many thanks for your support and for backing Zodiac War.

Paul Starr, Designer