Catching up!
over 2 years ago
– Sat, Oct 23, 2021 at 05:19:41 PM
Wow! Where did those 6 weeks go?
I intended to post an update every 2 weeks, but I kept hoping to have something amazing to report. And what I have to report is a whole bunch of hard work! Hmmm... How to make hard work sound fun?
START THE CHASE
The collection of origin stories was finished this morning! I'll be sending out copies to those who purchased it as part of the Kickstarter or the BackerKit Add-on store somewhere in the next 2 days. It will go on sale Tuesday for $7.99. This collection includes 6 original stories, 5 of which were sponsored by Kickstarter "Name the Character" backers! Yes, it's a chance to meet your fellow backers in the Miranda Chase world. Incredibly exciting and they were great people to work with.
THE PROTOTYPE
Over 100 emails have gone back and forth in the last 6 weeks with the Chinese manufacturer. First, there was a sizing mix-up (on their part), then their sub-contractor for the playing pieces mis-colored 3 of the 6 pawns (so they had to go back to them), but before they could redo them, the country closed for National Day Golden Week (an 8-day holiday). Only then did they catch that we had to make one minor correction on our designs, which we turned around in 24 hours.
THEN THERE WAS YESTERDAY
I received two e-mails from two different people within minutes of each other:
1) "We're about to FedEx the prototype that was originally scheduled for 9/10."
2) The game was sent to the government for review to verify that it was valid for export. The Great Chase board includes a map. That map includes time zones. Those time zones did not reflect China's claims in the Yellow Sea near Korea, the East China Sea near Japan, or the South China Sea between Vietnam and the Philippines. Though almost everyone outside of China (including the UN) denies these claims, the game can't be manufactured and exported from China unless we shift the time zones to Chinese standards, which we are doing tonight.
THIS MEANS...
So, my long wait for the prototype is supposedly almost over. Pictures next week??? Fingers crossed.
What this means for delivery is unknown. We built in a lot of buffers in our original estimate, but those are mostly chewed up now. After approval, manufacturing, and delivery, then comes the most fun step of all: US Customs. We've been told that it can take 2-60 days to clear customs and that there is no way to: a) estimate it, or b) change it. I have a team all set to mail it all within 7 days of the game reaching them, but for now...
Pretty much it is all out of our hands.
We'll keep pushing, and thanks for your patience,
Matt
We're moving ahead!
over 2 years ago
– Wed, Sep 08, 2021 at 07:00:07 PM
Hi Everyone,
Yes, it may all seem quiet on your end, but our elves have definitely been scrambling in their workshop. So, here's a quick catchup:
1. We have to lock in the final quantity of Deluxe Editions of The Great Chase by midday Thursday. So this is your last chance to order one of those.
2. It looks as if we haven't reached our Challenge Coin goal (great sadness). I'll be taking that away and you won't be charged for them.
3. The prototype has been delayed a few days as we fuss over details (like making sure the cards are rotated correctly front to back), but I hope to have images for you early next week.
4. We'll know more about the final delivery timing once we've reviewed the prototype. There is one wild card that is completely out of our control: Customs. US Customs, we're told can take from 2-45 days to process a shipment like ours...and there is no way to predict what it will be. We've done everything we can to expedite that in how we've designed and labeled the product (I know someone who lost a month because they didn't put the country of manufacture on the box, we did, and someone else who lost weeks because there wasn't a product barcode, we have one.) We're still gunning for a late November/early December ship date but we'll keep you posted.
That's all for now! Except tell your favorite game retailer that pre-ordering the 6 or 12 game pack now is a great deal!
More soon,
Matt
Last Chance for Deluxe Edition (ever!)
over 2 years ago
– Thu, Aug 26, 2021 at 04:33:03 PM
On 8/31 we'll be closing the last chance to order the Kickstarter Exclusive Deluxe Edition of the game. It includes: uber-cool player pawns, a logoed velvet bag for all parts and pieces, a stout tin box to protect your game through all of its travels, and a bonus audiobook of the Amazon #1 bestseller Drone.
So go visit the BackerKit Pre-order store now and make sure you have exactly what you want.
https://the-great-chase.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders
Also, if you haven't completed your Backer Survey (or have lost it), click on the same link to at least confirm your shipping address. Let's get that done!
All the best,
Matt & Alex
The Great Chase is on track!
over 2 years ago
– Fri, Aug 20, 2021 at 04:13:46 PM
CONTRACT
I just signed the contract for the actual production of the game. We've worked out all of the details and plan to deliver the finished art within the next 24 hours. We've already pre-tested several of the files with the manufacturer, so I expect that we'll get the proofs run pretty quickly after that.
I'll definitely post photos when those come through.
SURVEY
If you haven't yet completed your survey, please do so soon. It should be in your inbox (or maybe your spam) from August 4th. Let me know if you can't find it (at [email protected]) and I'll resend it. Many great add-ons if you want, including extra copies.
NOT TOO LATE
It's still not too late to get friends aboard. Just send them here:
https://the-great-chase.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders
All the best,
MAtt
Get your free audiobook
over 2 years ago
– Thu, Aug 12, 2021 at 12:15:10 PM
This post is for backers only. Please visit Kickstarter.com and log in to read.
