Epoch Update #19: Stone Giants, Human Titans, and Community Juggernauts
about 7 years ago – Sun, Sep 10, 2017 at 01:22:20 AM

Welcome to the Island. (We got fun & games?)

A Few Ramblings from Lacey

Hi. Lacey here. Marc and I read through all of the comments after Update 18. Most of the conversation centered on the monument sculptures which pictured a representative guild member next to each one. Some of you love them, and some of you don't. We want to hear from ALL OF YOU.

 

THIS POLL is a quick way to give us your feedback. It will run through Wednesday at 10pm PDT. If we get at least 500 votes, we'll release a sketch we've been working on for the new game. No clues, just imagery.

Interested? So are we! So send us your opinion and we'll look them over and then make a final decision based on our thoughts and your input.

By the way...you guys are a special kind of phenomenal. You're like...SUPER PHENOMENAL.

— Lacey

A Few Ramblings from Big Tom Casual

Hi everyone, Big Tom here.

Whoa. This is weird being on this side of an update. Is there always that echo? Where's craft services? I'd like some cold brew coffee on nitro and steak tartare. Thank you, yes, fine china will suffice if you don't have silver.

Anyway, excuse all that. I am so excited to continue being a part of the Orange Nebula community as I prepare to dive into the Lore Book. The gorgeous art produced by this collective of grossly talented people is so evocative the world almost doesn't need description — but don't tell anyone because I'm very much looking forward to being involved. It is going to be a genuine pleasure spending the next few weeks lost in the universe these artists have created. As with everything relating to this project the vision for the Lore Book is delightful and I truly believe you're going to enjoy the end product. For my part I will endeavor not to mess things up too badly.

As always, this campaign has been a wonderful experience and I'm grateful for every bit of it I get to be a part of and share with all of you. Thank you for being you. And you. And you and you and you and you and you and you...

Hold on, excuse me, what is this supposed to be? No, this is most definitely NOT tartare. At best its carpaccio. Try again and this time try taking yourself seriously alright?

Take care everyone. See you on the island.

— Big Tom Casual

A Few Ramblings from Marc

Uhhh...I got nothing. What else is there to say that's interesting after those two? That's a tough act to follow, if you ask me. I'll just shut up now.

No, I won't. #sorrynotsorry

I've been working really hard to get Epoch into production and things are sailing. I'm stoked. I'm inspired. And I can't wait for you to open the box, because this is going to be unlike other games you've unboxed, if I have anything to say about it. And I do.

<3 You're the best. Go make something awesome today. Because you can. And the world needs your amazing-ness.

— Marc

Epoch Update #18: Sightings, Maxis, and, You Know, the Things with the Stuff
about 7 years ago – Mon, Sep 04, 2017 at 01:12:41 AM

Greetings, Epochian.

I've got a few quick things to share with regard to where things are. Here goes…

Hustle, Bustle, and Endless Scheming

Lacey and I attended PAX West on Saturday, where we were able to connect with a few industry folks and do a quick game walk-through for a YouTube channel. We had a chance to schedule with a few other podcasters from the Northwest.

Buckle in. We're going to join the lionized Richard Simpson in another exhilarating thrill-ride of We're Not Wizards this month as well. I'll post updates as we solidify the times so you can catch the episodes when they are released. You might want to use both hands.

The New Game

If you didn't know already, Orange Nebula has been conceptualizing a new boardgame. Excitement here is visceral. In a word, the visual environment we're creating is looking to be...breathtaking. The premise of the game takes everything we learned about humanity and character traits with Epoch and takes it to a new place. What can I tell you about it? Nothing. Sorry, not sorry. I want to make sure that it's worth sharing once it develops a bit more. OK, fine. I'll share with you that it's a Sci-fi. OK, you knew that already. I'll share this...it doesn't take place in space. Enough to get your mind churning? You're nodding. Good.

Prepare to Drool

First off, Raul (our sculptor) is still awaiting surgery but has had time while in the surgery queue to craft a few jaw-dropping monuments for us. We're looking into increasing the size of the 55mm miniatures to become more like 70mm maxi-atures. No promises. The first is a slightly revised monument for the Twilight Brotherhood. We still need approval from the manufacturer for the production, but from a conceptual standpoint, I think you're going to be grinning:

Regardless of which guild circles you run in, we think you'll also enjoy the incredible new monument for the Circle of the Unbound Mind:

Still nodding? Good. Still grinning? Even better.

Timelines & The Pledge Manager

The pledge manager will be coming no later than September 14. We're looking to be ahead of schedule still, and I owe you a more detailed timeline. Look for that in the next week.

A Note from Lacey

PAX was a blast! We saw Ogres, a red-feathered velociraptor, dragons, dragons, and MORE DRAGONS! As fun as it was...the truth is...Marc and I miss you guys...immensely. We miss talking to you every day and reading through your hilarious and insightful comments coming in by the hundreds. We talk about you a lot.

I've even been dressing in '80s clothes just to honor your love of this fabulous decade (or maybe it's because tall scrunchy socks are just comfortable and cute-ish at the same time!).

To fill the hole in my life where your daily comments once resided, I've been having lengthy conversations with my Grandma. She has Alzheimer's, and is WILDLY hilarious. Yesterday she told me that if I can't be smart and fart at the same time, she wants nothing to do with me (good rule if you ask me). If anyone has questions for Grandma, let me know, and I'll ask her. I'll post the answers in the comments section.

As always, know that we love you, are grateful for you, and hope with all our hearts that you take a step today towards creating something that ONLY YOU can bring into the world. You. Are. Astounding.

Epoch Update #17: Awesomeness...Only Awesomeness
about 7 years ago – Sun, Aug 27, 2017 at 12:08:46 AM

Hello, my friend. I've missed you like the work week misses game night. Where have you been hiding? 

GenCan...GenDid

So, as the campaign ended, we found ourselves spinning and clamoring for GenCon, where I had the opportunity to fist-pump with a few industry folks and expose the game to a ravenous horde of gamers. It was phenomenal. We got a ton of invites to attend the various GenCan't events in the Northwest, and we were touched. I'd love to visit a few of our friends in the Seattle and SanFrancisco areas in the coming months if at all possible. All in all, Indianapolis was magical. Thank you to all of the backers who came and said hello at our humble little table. It meant the world to Lacey and I.

Up Next:  PAX West — Seattle

We'll be there. If you're going to also be there, send us a note and we'll try to connect with you. We DO NOT have a booth, so we'll be clambering and jostling around the masses, most likely on Saturday.

What in the World is Happening with the Game Right Now?

Alright, alright. Calm down. While I was at GenCon, I had the chance to meet with our manufacturer in person, where we went over ALL of the details of the game, the expansions, the stretch goals, the metal and PVC component materials, and more. It afforded me a great deal of clarity on the engineering of the box tray and timeline.

The good news? We're ahead of schedule. The bad news? None.

At this point, we're looking at late April or early May for initial shipping...of course, any number of things could change between now and then, so I'll keep you in the loop. Here's what's happening in September:

• I'll be working on a full timeline so that you can see the development cycle for all remaining tasks.
• I'm working with Raul to complete the monument sculptures and get the STL files to the manufacturer, which is the highest priority in terms of timeline.
• Big Tom and I are scheduling a time to brief on the Lore Book, and then begin the design and content development for it. I'll share sketches and layouts as we progress on that task.
• I'm working with our artists to complete the remaining illustrations for the cards and other game components...I'll be sharing many of those as they come in also...although I will save a few of them for the sheer delight of discovery as you open your game when it arrives on your doorstep.
• I'm completing the design of the boards for the 2 main expansions:  Myths and Wonders and Guilds and Monuments
• We are scheduling additional play testing for both expansions, which will likely run through the Holidays.

Monumental Developments

Bartek, the illustrator of our wonderful box cover art has provided sketches for all 5 guild monuments. Raul, our talented sculptor, has had the opportunity to work on the sculpts while resting as he awaits surgery. Before you get that look on your face...no...I certainly did not push him to work while he's focused on regaining his health. On the contrary, he's expressed gratitude that he has something to produce income (while he can't work in the office) and something to occupy his mind. It's another win-win-win for all of us.

Would you like to see the progress on the designs? Rhetorical questions are fun. I'll send the others soon, but in the meantime here is the monument that can be reconstructed for the Twilight Brotherhood in the Guilds & Monuments expansion:

When is the Pledge Manager Going Out?

We're looking at another couple of weeks so that we can lock down a few details for our retailers. No later than September 14.

Fun fact:  my creative agency day job has allowed me to establish relationships with some of the highest-caliber production companies for branded swag materials in the country — and I'm wanting to put something together for you to review. We're considering a couple of small, optional items to add into the pledge manager. Let's just say that guild loyalty might come into play here. It has no bearing on our timeline for the game, so I'm just doing some work to help build visibility for the Orange Nebula brand, which in turn will help us bring the best possible creativity and value to you in the future. I'd love your feedback as a coveted friend of the brand.

More to come, friend.

—Marc

A Few Words from Lacey

GenCon was a whirlwind adventure of flying, meeting humans dressed as aliens, humans dressed as Epoch backers, and tons of humans in the gaming industry...no pumpkins represented there though...too bad.

Tag teaming the explanation of the game to interested attendees was a RUSH! Most people loved it. We wished we could have had all of your voices in chorus with ours telling people all the things we couldn't properly articulate. You guys would have done an amazing job.

Marc and I are excited about finishing the final details for Epoch, and also excited about working on the next game. We'll start dropping details for that in the near future.

In the meantime, let's ALL do something AMAZING this week. Inspire yourself. Inspire others. Create. Love. Keep moving forward.

We adore you!

— Lacey

Epoch Update #15: Epochians United, Casual Lore, and the Awesomeness to Come
over 7 years ago – Fri, Aug 11, 2017 at 11:39:04 PM

Hello, my friend.

From Marc:

Truth? I've just come up for air after collapsing into a Marc-shaped heap. I have about 300 messages that I haven't opened. The last month has been the most thrilling of my career. Lacey says the same. But I think we're going to sleep for a year. Maybe after GenCon.

You may have noticed that we can continue to comment on the Kickstarter project — I think we can add comments forever. Please do. The community we've built is epic...er...epoch....whatever. It's awesome. Don't stop posting. I feel like we're all friends. Probably because we are. Of course we are.

Here's what I learned over the last 2 years:  if I can tell you anything, it's that hard work doesn't pay off. Until it does. It felt that way for a very long time...like all the hours and the investment were in vain. It felt like the game would never be finished and the project would never end. I felt like giving up so many times. Truly. Many people do. But I kept pushing. Kept working. Kept trying things. Kept asking. Kept being willing to be embarrassed in order to get where I knew I wanted to be.

The moral of the story:  Keep planting. Keep cultivating. Your harvest will come in a different season.

Thank you inspiring me to keep cultivating — and vindicating this wretched human. #forevergrateful

 —Marc

From Lacey:

Sometimes... magic happens in real life. A trick. A wish. A dream. You blink, swallow, take a breath. You remind yourself moment after moment... Yes.... this is actually happening. This last 30 days has been magic.

After the campaign last night Marc and I grabbed some dinner. We sat next to the Columbia River and looked out across the water toward Portland. We saw apartments and boats and houses. All full of PEOPLE.

We looked at each other and said... Every person that joined our community is a PERSON. A whole person with a life as BIG and FULL as our own.

The honor we felt in that moment was nearly material. To know that we had the opportunity to be a part of your LIVES over the last 30 days is truly a gift.

You are talented. You are kind. You are inspirational. We are honored.

From our "frostrils" to yours...we love you.

—Lacey

Our Gratitude Cannot Adequately Be Expressed

A mere “thank you” seems weak. Words fail. I can only tell you that I think you're going to be very glad that you backed this project. It's the work of many people who made it better and better, month after month, for over 2 years. And you unlocked every stretch goal we could possibly afford to put into it.

It has been an honor, a privilege, and I am humbled to be able to serve you, your friends, and your family with it. (I hope you destroy them with it in May…LOL).

Donations for Worthy Causes — With Your Name Included

In an effort to give back just a little bit, we’ve decided to donate 2 cases worth of games and ship them to organizations who will use them to work with kids on the autism spectrum, at-risk teens, and community libraries to help train and educate our youth.

As a gesture of our gratitude, we’re going to include a note with your name (and the names of all of the final backers) to let these nonprofit organizations know that we care about their work and how significant it is in our culture today.

If you know of a worthy cause who would like to participate in using Epoch: The Awakening as a learning tool (as outlined above), please send an email to [email protected] and we will consider it in our final list of recipients, no matter which country they work in.

GenCon

Orange Nebula is going to GenCon in Indianapolis to make some connections, demo the game, and take a few more pre-orders. We'll be at booth #2633 with our US fulfillment company, Max Protection. Lacey the Untamed will be there on Sunday only, so plan accordingly.

Manufacturing & Fulfillment Schedule

We'll be preparing a production schedule and posting updates every 2 weeks, which will give you a great idea of what's coming. You can expect the first update to happen next week.

In short, I will say that we'll be preparing the digital files for manufacturing through the end of the month, and pulling in the additional illustrations over the next 4 weeks. I plan to send all files to our manufacturer no later than September 30. My hope is that we can deliver as quickly as possible, because I know you're eager to unlock your potential and fondle your guild's medallion. So are we.

Big Tom, Lorekeeper

Many of you know Big Tom Casual — a backer and BGG member we met through Kickstarter. He lives in our vicinity and, as you know from his BGG posts, is a gifted writer. Tom and I will be working in tandem on the Lore Book. I might have just smiled at myself in the mirror at the thought of his mastery coming to life in the publication. The dude is super cool and super smart. He's one of us. Just like Claude the squirrel. I feel vindicated.

Headed Into Space

I'm excited about what's coming next and I plan to reveal more over the holidays once Epoch is well into production. Would you be interested in learning more about the sci-fi game I've only been conceptualizing? I'm exploring a collaborative game with a solo mode and a player-versus-player mode. With a unique twist and a super-unique mechanism. That's all I can say for now, but if you want to learn more, make sure you're on our email list at orangenebula.com

*sleeps*

Epoch Update #14: Skyrockets in Flight, Monumental Minis, and Something to Pet!
over 7 years ago – Tue, Aug 08, 2017 at 11:21:54 PM

Hello, you.

I've been horribly behind schedule with posts this week. Please don't strike me down with all of your hatred (obvious movie reference). Thanks for being patient as of late — we've had our hands full this week with full-time jobs and families (we try to give them some attention in our spare time). FYI:  My daughter is doing OK for the moment, thanks for all of the positive comments.  :)

Update

• We're demolishing the final stretch goals we have to offer and Lacey and I are quite frankly dumbfounded as we watch the game get more visibility and more backers dive in. I hope this game will be everything you dream it will be and more. Truly. No, really. For reals.
• There is a new $155k stretch goal posted for a double-sided main board/map. The interesting part of that is one side is marked with tips and visual cues to ease new players into the game. The other side is more "dashing", with a longer scoring track and without the extra words and elements — for a more aesthetically pleasing experience.

Guilds & Monuments:  The Upgraded Components Add-On

I have somehow failed to mention in the updates that there is an ADD-ON posted on the campaign page. It's a component upgrade for the Guilds & Monuments expansion (this expansion is now included free with all Swanky level pledges).

The add-on will include 5 unique monument miniatures and 5 metal guild favor tokens for use in that expansion. (I wish I could show you the other 4 monument sculptures but our sculptor, Raul Furtado Tavares, has been hospitalized and is now awaiting surgery. Please send him your thoughts, prayers, and positive vibes. Didn't he do a marvelous job on Ronak, Sestra, and Tuuk-Tuuk?).

The retail value of the add-on is $17.95, but the add-on during the campaign is $12, including no additional charge for shipping. Everything, including the add-on components, will fit inside the main box, and the nerd-tray will have spaces for everything, with room for future stuff, too.

To get the add-on components, simply change the amount of your Swanky pledge (manually) to $71 (or add $12 per game to the bundles). Nothing else is necessary.

Exotic Pets

As you well know, we unlocked the Menagerie tile and the ability for your companions to add pets a long time ago. Most of the pets are designed and awaiting illustrations. However, there may be room for a few more.

What are you hoping for?? If you have a particular concept for a pet, including an unusual name and how it would integrate with it's companion, post it directly to this Forum thread on Board Game Geek:

https://boardgamegeek.com/article/26588628

As Always…

We love you, we thank you, and we're eternally #grateful for sharing your incredible-ness with us. You're world-class.