Epoch Update #24: Purple Power, Tough Guys, and the Impending Clamor Dance
over 7 years ago – Sun, Oct 08, 2017 at 11:40:59 PM

Production Schedule:  On Time

New artwork has been raining down from the sky almost daily, and we are still on schedule. Can I get an Amen? However, poor Raul (our sculptor) has been awaiting surgery in Portugal, and has had some delays in the preparation of the sculpting files due to his physical condition as he prepares for that. He could use your thoughts / prayers / energy / vibes as he provides for his ailing father, his family, and himself at this time. <<<sending vibes>>>

Tee Shirt Giveaway Video Announcement

In the coming series of earth rotations, Lacey the Untamed will be making a video announcement for the winners of our Guild Tee Shirt Giveaway event. One of each design will be bestowed to randomly-selected backers who clicked the 2 buttons necessary to enter. If you've voted in the poll, I salute your incredible-ness. Once the winners are announced, we'll get the details and add the item to the game order with no additional shipping. Wearing a guild tee shirt will grant you incredible powers. Sparkly powers. Obviously.

The 480-Minute Holiday Epochalypse Party

**rumble rumble** It's happening, people. Wherever you'll be December 9 from 2pm - 10pm, it's not nearly as cool as where we'll be, reveling and carousing with this amazing community here in Vancouver, WA (venue TBD).

If you're reading this, you're welcome to join us for some Epoch gaming (including both full expansions and the Treachery mini expansion), tasty sustenance, and shenanigans of some kind. It's all free and kid-friendly (players must be 14+). We have a Guild leader selected for each of 5 tables, so we'll be able to accommodate 25 players at a time. We're not taking table spot reservations, so it'll be first-come, first-served. Thanks to Mike, Lucas, Joey, Jared, and Big Tom Casual for volunteering to help hover around the tables and fill in with rules clarifications. Like giant moths. Or, as Lacey would say, giant flying moths.

The event is also social, so don't feel like you need to play to come and enjoy everyone's company. Of course, Lacey and I will be live streaming (either via Twitch or KickStarter Live), and we're trying to setup a recording so that those who miss the event can watch the stream. We're talking to a group of boardgame podcasters who are interested in teaming up with us at the event.

Will you join us in a rousing clamor dance? Or a group hug? Group hugs are totally okay. Brian said so.

New Card of the Week:  Strann, the Oppressor

Whether or not you choose to play with the Treachery mini-expansion, this deplorable companion will ship in every copy of Epoch: The Awakening. You can choose to laugh maniacally and abuse his power against your opponents, or bleat like a baby sheep and run away, fleeing into the safety of a nearby pumpkin patch, hoping to avoid his brutish intimidation. The choice, as always, is yours.

Baxder Appreciation Day

Just an FYI, today is Baxder Appreciation Day. Baxder is one of our backers. Why? Because he's a mind-blowing individual...that's why. We're constructing a monument in his honor. No, not really. That's not happening at all. That's crazy talk. But we do like to honor the backers who've made it their business to involve themselves in this community. Who's next? Could be you!

Sneaky Peeky

If you're interested, or even if you're not, I just wanted to share with you a breakthrough I had this week on the new sci-fi game Orange Nebula will be releasing in 2018. The image here makes it fairly obvious, so I won't go into any boring details. Okay, no. You're looking at this thinking, "I have no idea what that is." Or maybe you're thinking, "I don't care what that is." You do care, my friend, because you're still reading. Challenge Mode Activated:  If you can tell me what "P", "G", and "W" stand for, I'll take a video of myself thanking you for being awesome and post it for all 3,300 backers in an update. Only a handful of people know what this is, but suffice it to say that I'm working on prototypes for the new cooperative game already, and I hope to begin initial playtesting through the holidays.

What's the point? Why do I even share this? I think the process of thinking and designing is important. As a designer by trade, I have some creative process experience. But, behind-the-scenes looks at how these things are done would have helped me *immensely* as I rode the struggle-bus to get into a rhythm of creativity during the 2.5 years I worked on Epoch. It was a long and arduous undertaking. The best concepts don't just spring into the mind. Ideas are a dime a dozen. Great concepts come from a group of thousands of ideas that are filtered and refined over time.

Let me say this:  I believe that design is subservient to message. The story -- the heart of the thing -- is the point. The thinking behind why we should do things, take actions, and make choices is central to building something worth experiencing. Sketching, planning, thinking, brainstorming and trial-and-error processes lead to problem-solving that can't be attained otherwise.

This sketch is a refinement of a concept I have for a key mechanic in the game. I'll share it's evolution over time and you'll get to watch how it evolves. Would that mean anything to you?

OK, soapbox moment over. I need some nachos. #gohawks

Thanks, friend, for being a part of it all. From Marc, Lacey, and Big Tom Casual.

Epoch Update #23:
over 7 years ago – Mon, Oct 02, 2017 at 12:42:33 AM

Salutations, great Epochian.

BackerKit Surveys:  82% Complete

Did you complete your BackerKit survey? If the answer is yes, we hail your greatness. If the answer is no...how can we assist? If you have any questions or need tweaks, just say the word by sending us a message. We're happy to jump in and help you get everything squared away. 

What Else Is Up?

What's going on, you ask? Can you ask nicely? OK then. I shall tell you. We're neck-deep in new illustrations to complete the remaining cards for the manufacturer. We've added Matt Olson to our legion of talent, so be on the lookout for incoming awesomeness with his signature stylistic approach. We'll be posting new concepts to our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram platforms so that you can see what's coming from him and a handful of others. Grab a napkin...you might drool just a little. #activatesalivaryglands

Feel free to chime in and ask questions about each one...we'd love to share ideas around how each illustration opens up the character and personality of the island, it's inhabitants, and the game overall.

It's Pumpkin Season!

The 8-Hour Holiday Epochalypse Party

Hi! It's Lacey!

When the weather turns cold, “togetherness” warms the hearts of humanity. In honor of this, we’re planning an 8-Hour Holiday Epochalypse in December (Tentatively December 9 from 2pm - 10pm). It will be a giant bash where we can come together, eat, play the new expanded versions of the game, and just have a blast. We're planning free food, 5 simultaneous games with dedicated guild leaders at each table, a swag giveaway, and tons of sparkly magic. 

Want to get in on it even if you don’t live in Washington/Oregon? We’re going to Live Stream it. Boom. Marc and I plan to do an AMA during the event and we’re hoping to get a few other podcasters and vloggers out as well, perhaps even a stream on Twitch. Look for more info in the coming weeks. PS – You’re so awesome I am going to pee my pants. Too late....I just did.

New Game Concept Reaction From Big Tom Casual

Greetings Nebulans!

I am here to confirm that Marc's gushing excitement about the new game is completely warranted. If you appreciate the psychological / cerebral element of the attribute system in Epoch you will be beside yourself when you come to understand the sociological coop dynamics of the new game.

There is still a ton to be developed and I'm sure much of what was described to me today will change but the core concepts they are building around are absolutely - I'm obsessed. OK? Obsessed. After coffee with Marc and Lacey I attended a birthday party for my son's friend and I couldn't stop thinking about the possibilities afforded by the ideas they are working on. Someone had to offer me cake three times before I noticed, this is the depth of my distraction. Cake people.

Steel yourselves, the second Marc starts sharing little previews of this one it's going to awaken such a hunger for more that you may feel you were better off beforehand. #nothyperbole #reallywasthatimpressed #gobsmacked

I'm so glad all of you are here; that you're going to be the foundation on which this community grows. Orange Nebula is about to be a household name and you will all be the standard bearers that set the tone for who we are when that time arrives. So keep being you, because you all are the best part of what's happening here. I am grateful for every one of you and can't wait to get to know you better in the coming years.

— BTC

Final Thoughts

I continue to be in awe of this community. Thank you for being wonderful. Thank you for being active. Thank you for being positive and creative and entertaining. I wish I could hug all of you. Just not at the same time.

Epoch Update #22: Updates, a Tee Shirt Giveaway, and Why Words Are Hard
over 7 years ago – Sun, Sep 24, 2017 at 01:06:15 AM

We missed you, friend.

The Skinny

As expected, everything is on schedule. No need to keep fingers crossed. Fists raised in anticipation of our impending triumph is more accurate. We're aggressively managing production and we feel that nothing stands in our way at this point. Here's a brief list of action items we're currently engaged in:

• Finalizing the files and working with the manufacturer on the miniatures 
• Finishing the additional illustrations and cards for the stretch goals
• Repeated play testing of the M&W and G&M expansions (and additional tiles)
• Completing the visual guide (rule book)
• Writing and designing the Lore Book

Clearing Up the Cockamamie Coupon Confusion

Since the Kickstarter campaign ended, we've gotten a lot of requests to offer more items that reflect the Orange Nebula Creative Community. We've also gotten requests to reduce shipping for folks who want to add another copy of the game.

As we unleashed the Pledge Manager this week, we added a coupon code "GIMMEFIVE". The intention was to reduce the cost of adding any new items (another game, a shirt, a hat, etc). The intention was not to further drop the already-discounted price of your pledge for the game or the component upgrade--it was to make it more manageable to add items and keep the overall cost down.

Ummmmm, we biffed that message. This is us:

Sometimes finding the right words is hard. It's my fault. For your entertainment, please visualize me with a dumbstruck, deer-in-the-headlights look on my face right now. I deserve it. I probably deserve a caning. That's extreme. Don't think that.

One of our amazing backers, Travis, solved this problem in 5 seconds by giving us the words we needed: “Hey, we can't discount the G&M upgrade because it would drop below cost, but we're hoping that you would like to add on a shirt or another copy. Here's a $5 code to persuade you on those cool items. Thanks!” 

There are a few other things we did that have proven to be confusing for backers, including the upgrade being referred to as an add-on. Ridiculousness. This has been remedied, and the lesson learned. 

Lacey and I want you to know that we are thankful for all of the backers who've asked questions and allowed us a chance to provide clarity and make it right. If you're confused about any aspect of your pledge or an item, message us and we will handle it ASAP. That's a promise. A sparkly promise.

The Epoch Guild Tee Shirt Giveaway:  Now Live

 

As a testament to our undying love for you, we're doing a giveaway for the Epoch guild tee shirts, with free worldwide shipping. There will be 5 winners, one for each guild. All you have to do is enter this poll, vote for the shirt of your choice, and share the poll on Twitter or Facebook. Winners will be selected randomly from each pool, so shirts with less voters will have greater odds of winning. Lacey will announce the winners at our next AMA event. If you already have a shirt in your cart...awesome. We'll add a credit. 

The giveaway ends at noon PDT on October 7, 2017. So don't dilly-dally. Yes, I had to Google dilly-dally just now to make sure it meant what I thought it meant and not something else. Of course it does, you young whipper snapper!

Click to take the poll now

 

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Is it May yet?

Epoch Update #21: Pop Quiz, Hotshot. Let's Play a Rousing Game of Fact or Fiction…
over 7 years ago – Wed, Sep 20, 2017 at 12:56:24 AM

Hi. It's Marc and Lacey again. Guess what? You're the best. Relish in that fact as you graze on the following notes…

Fact or Fiction:  The Pledge Manager Has Been Released Into the Wild

Booooooooooom!!!!! Fact. The catch? The first wave of pledge surveys went out to a small percentage of backers as a smoke test. The rest of the surveys will soon follow, so it might take another day or two for yours to arrive. Turn that frown upside-down! It's coming, Epochian. And it will bring magic to your inbox. Sparkly magic.

Fact or Fiction:  The Pledge Manager Is Simple

Fact. For those who were asleep during first period...you'll get an email from BackerKit with a link to your survey. It's basically a quick-and-easy shopping cart checkout system with a few questions.

You don’t need a BackerKit account to fill it out. All you need to do is answer the questions about your reward preferences and input your shipping information. You'll have a credit balance from your Kickstarter pledge already pre-loaded when you begin the survey. All you need to do is add anything else you'd like to add and move through just like any other online shopping cart. When you're done, you'll be one delightful step closer to unboxing your gleaming reward. <begin happy dance>

Fact or Fiction: Pteronophobia is the Fear of Fun

Fiction. Pteronophobia is the fear of being tickled by feathers. Come on. Don't ask me how I knew that one. And don't come near me with feathers. Especially purple ones. Ever.

Fact or Fiction:  We Are On Schedule

Fact. Everything is moving along nicely. Additional rounds of play testing will continue for the Guilds & Monuments expansion and the Myths & Wonders expansion as we wrap up the design of the board elements. Here's a peek at the main board used to defeat Ronak, the Earth Trembler…

Fact or Fiction:  We Love You, aaaand We'll Prove It

Dare you ask? If you add anything outside of your original pledge to your cart during checkout, you can use the coupon code:  "GIMMEFIVE" to get $5 off your order. It's kind of like free money. Even though it's not. But it will reduce the cost of cool stuff added to your order, and increase your awesomeness to maximum.

Bonus fact:  If you've already filled out your survey, don't fret, you can go back and edit the order anytime, and still apply the coupon. If anything goes haywire, I will alter your cart with my mind (and the back-end logins) and manually adjust your order. Because I can. And because you're a magnificent human.

Bonus-Bonus Fact:  We owe you sketches for the new game. Expect those in the next update.

Fact or Fiction:  We Are Planning Another AMA

Fact. You're still reading, so I know you're interested. And you're smiling so I know you're amused, too. That's a good sign. The truth is, we'd like to reveal the prototype game components and miniatures from the manufacturer in a live stream as opposed to boring photos in an update. Wouldn't that be lame? We wouldn't do that. You're lame for thinking that. Maybe we would do that, but wouldn't it be better to see them live on air?

Flood the comments on the Kickstarter page with your yes or no responses. There might even be pumpkin pie. Mmmmm.

Epoch Update #20: Please Read — Ultra-Important Pledge Manager Update
over 7 years ago – Fri, Sep 15, 2017 at 12:06:00 AM

Crank up the A/C, Epochian. The pledge manager is heating up.

White-Hot Pledge Management Update

As you know, we're using BackerKit for our pledge management. The BackerKit staff are on a company retreat, which we didn't exactly foresee. Where is Ursula when we need her? Never fear, we've already started the process and although today is the 14th, your survey will be in your inbox Monday or Tuesday. This gives us enough time to quintuple-check the final details with the BackerKit staff.

How does it work? Glad you asked. In short, here's how it works:  you'll get an email from BackerKit with a link to your survey. It's basically a quick-and-easy shopping cart checkout system with a few questions. 

You don’t need a BackerKit account to fill it out. All you need to do is answer the questions about your reward preferences and input your shipping information. You'll have a credit balance from your Kickstarter pledge already pre-loaded when you begin the survey. All you need to do is add anything else you'd like to add and move through just like any other online shopping cart. When you're done, you'll be one delightful step closer to unboxing your gleaming reward. <insert gleeful selfie here>

Affirmation Around Managing Your Pledge

• Yes: you can upgrade your pledge or toss in any add-on items if you like.
• Yes: you can still get the Kickstarter exclusive Boulder Hulk miniature with every Swanky level pledge copy (so long as you originally backed for at least $1).
• Yes: you can upgrade and still get the original Kickstarter pricing for all pledge levels and add-ons, even if you add more copies.
• Yes: you can update your shipping address and credit card information anytime until we close the pledge manager in December / January.
• Yes: the game is going to be even more impressive in real life, and yes, you're awesome for thinking that.

Notes For Retailers and Group Pledges

If you're a retailer or a backer managing a group pledge of more than 4 copies, you'll get a separate email from us with a few extra details. Essentially, we've setup your surveys manually, but you'll still have a credit balance and all you'll need to do is apply your shopping cart to case quantities instead of individual game copies. Simple!

You'll still be able to add more cases at the same rate. All Kickstarter backers (including retailers) will receive games sooner than non-backers.

Goodies

I wasn't going to add anything special to the BackerKit checkout. I promise. I was resolved not to. But you begged me and I caved. It's totally my fault. And so I asked some of my design staff to make a couple of things that I thought would be welcomed by the Orange Nebula Creative Community. Wearable awesomeness. Blame Big Tom. Or Lacey. Or both. Blame the Great Pumpkin. They all made me do it.

What are they? A couple of things to inspire people and promote this community. And now that they're designed, I don't even feel bad. It's just a couple of small guild-related add-ons that never surfaced in the Kickstarter campaign. They're all completely optional. If you want, you can just ignore them. They're probably not even that great. That's a lie. They're awesome. So if you don't want to be enticed, don't even look at them. If you can force yourself to not look. You can have them or not. But seriously, no obligation there.

Don't Forget…

You're the best. It's true.