Epoch Update #13: Orange Splatter, a Foamy-Mouthed Rhinoceros, and the Unfathomable Mystery of $150k
over 7 years ago – Tue, Aug 08, 2017 at 12:05:58 AM

Hi. Its Marc. You and I…we're on a stretch goal rampage together. I'm excited, you're excited. Don't act like you're not. Let's get giddy.

You're Great, So Here's Something Awesome:

If you've been involved in the community section with all of the commentary going on for the last month, you're nodding your head, slightly amused that you get to enjoy this card when the game arrives to your doorstep. After all, you've watched the concept evolve. #memories

If you've *not* kept up with the nearly 5,000 comments on the campaign, there's good news…you still have time to dive headlong into them and laugh like you did when you were 5. It's just pure joy.

Update

• We've obliterated the $128k "3 Prodigies" stretch goal about as fast as I could post the graphics. Keeping me on my toes, I see. Gee. Thanks for that. The prodigies are now in your box.
• We're charging ahead toward the $137k screen-printed jumbo scoring tokens like an agitated, foamy-mouthed rhinoceros. I've never seen one, though, but it seems like we're charging like one.
• Hopeful that we'll turn the corner on $150k, we've got a couple of really fun stretch goal concepts for our final days. Thank you...for being a part of all of this.

GenCon

Just a reminder, Marc will be at GenCon (all week) at booth #2633, alongside our US Distributor, Max Protection. Come smile at me. I promise to smile back.

Moments Worth Remembering

Lacey the Untamed has started a thread on BoardGameGeek called:  Epoch:  The Finest Moments. She's got a plan to do something for you and the other backers, and she's wicked smart. If you get a chance to share your favorite concept, moment, comment, funny-thing, or anything else, drop a quick note in there and Lacey's going to craft something magical out of it. She's magical, too. All of this is for you.

Thank you again, my friend. We're overwhelmed with love for you and everything that's happened on this journey.

#grateful 

Epoch Update #12: Stretching Out, Momentary Reflections, and Claude the Amazing Squirrel
over 7 years ago – Mon, Aug 07, 2017 at 12:10:46 AM

Greetings from the island, honor-seeker. It's Lacey.

What. A. Day.

After the AMA, we could have been seen jumping on the couch for joy in our jammies... I'm not joking. That's how much we love talking to you guys.

Here's the Skinny

Stretch it out—we just posted a new stretch goal at $128k. And…there are at least 2 more surprises waiting to be revealed!

To Pumpkin, or Not To Pumpkin

There is something coming. I repeat: there IS something coming.

Claude, the Squirrel

Today we saw a squirrel carry a whole 6 inch sub sandwich up a tree. It was amazing. We can't stop talking about it. Wanted you to know.

Words and Impressions

A couple of weeks ago Marc sent a prototype of the game to James Hudson of Druid City Games. The intent was to get feedback on the game and perhaps a little advice from another industry influencer. Today James posted the following note on Facebook in the Board Game Spotlight group. We're excited about the impression the game left on someone so immersed in the gaming community and attuned to what makes an engaging experience. #humbled

As we come close to the end of the Epoch, we urge you to take a moment to reflect. Reflect with us on the journey we've been on together over the last month. We started a BGG thread called Epoch, the Finest Moments. If you have favorites you want to add, please go there and add them. We can't wait to see what you have to say.

Our hearts are full. Our eyes are heavy. Our heads are bowed in gratitude and admiration for all of you. But most especially...for Claude, the amazing squirrel who carried an entire 6 inch sandwich up an 80-foot Douglas Fir. May he and his family enjoy that feast tonight.

See you all tomorrow!

Epoch Update #11b: Skipping Ten, Epochalypse, and Monumental Achievements
over 7 years ago – Sun, Aug 06, 2017 at 12:08:08 AM

Hi. Did you miss us?

Update

• We've blown past $100k and as a reward, we've included the Guilds & Monuments expansion for free.
• We've updated the $115k goal to include localization (language translations) for German, French, and Spanish. What's more, we're going to extend the visual guide to include a full glossary of cards and components for easy reference. It truly is a visual guide. The English (printed) version of the guide will have the glossary as well!
• Add-On:  yes, we've added an upgraded component add-on for the Guilds and Monuments expansion. It's posted for your review. All of the sculptures are not yet completed, and we will be posting updates as those come in, the majority of which will be after the campaign.
  
  Each of the 5 monument miniatures will be unique in shape with distinctive guild iconography and stand 48-55mm tall.
  This. Thrills. Us.
  
  We're very excited about how the expansion actually plays, too, and how the upgraded components (though optional) will help create immersion and an enhanced game play experience.

Kickstarter Live:  Pajama Party AMA

It's on. Tomorrow (Sunday) at 8am PDT, Lacey and I will be taking questions live on Kickstarter at a time that should work for all of Europe and most of Asia. Will there be cake? Tune in and find out!

If you have a question you'd like us to answer, jump into this the thread at BoardGameGeek and add it. We'll do our best to answer *ALL* of your questions!

More Stretch Goals?

Yes. We've got a few more game-related stretch goals coming down the pipe. Be as vigilant as you are vindicated...you shall be rewarded…

Epoch Update #11: Gourds, Guilds, and Giddiness
over 7 years ago – Fri, Aug 04, 2017 at 12:04:04 AM

Epoch-nation, Guilds United, Fellow Amazing Humans,

Hi. It’s Lacey.

Tonight, we celebrate the dawn of a new age. An awakening. An #epochalypse.

What have we to celebrate you ask?

• You are now the proud owners of a SCUMBAG… which used to be just a black felt bag. This makes you feel like you’re honoring your wretchedness…. While basking in the glory of vindication. And vindication surely did come forth today.
• Over 100 backers joined our community. A HUNDRED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
• Nearly 400 comments graced our page.
• We are inches from reaching $100k……!

Patience Yields Rewards

Your patience in awaiting details regarding the Guilds has paid off. Big time.

Now that funding has reached $100k, we've posted the full graphic explaining the Guilds and Monuments Expansion. And my gourd………it's amazing, right?

Duh.

An Ode to My Guild

Before the first human breath, there was life. There was existence. Being. Truth.

My heart calls me to the Order of the Folded Leaf.

May your awareness be clear enough to hear the call your heart makes to you.

And may we all honor each other. May we honor existence. Being. Truth.

---------------------

As always, we love you all. Thank you for riding with us on this journey.

Everyone…mount your giant moth, grab your SCUMBAG…and let’s go get some cake.

Epoch Update #9: Scumbags, Virginia Pawns, and the Politics of Guild Favor
over 7 years ago – Tue, Aug 01, 2017 at 11:40:20 PM

Greetings, guild-sworn! You, are a remarkable human being. Thanks for being with us on this journey.

Update

• We've unlocked the fancy-pants luxury box, which is making me want to wash my hands before I do the official unboxing. White gloves, perhaps.
• We've unlocked the illustrated lore booklet, which will be filled with larger images of the incredible artwork contributed by all of the artists involved in the project. It will also touch on some of the story arc and conceptual approach to various cards, location tiles, and other aspects of the game's development. It won't be deep…just enough to tickle your imagination.
• We're about to unlock the scumbag. How cool is that to say? One of your stretch goals is a SCUMBAG. I'm laughing out loud in real life. I may be alone in this. What am I saying? Of course I'm alone in this. #comeonitsfunny #oknotthatfunny
• Onward!

No Wretchedness Here…

One of our backers has mentioned that there is a campaign out there deserving of my attention. I looked at it recently and contacted the creator. I just want to pass along a link to his campaign and let you know that I have contributed to this campaign because I think we need more of this kind of thing in the world.

Corey is only asking for $100 to help him fund an effort to teach a game to the underserved in his community. This is his second attempt at a Kickstarter campaign, something I can relate to. The game is chess, and the idea is worth applauding. If you feel so inclined, take a look here, and help him out or share if you have a moment:

Chess Workshops for the Underserved

The 2-Player Experience

I drove a little over an hour to meet one of our backers in a nearby city this last weekend. Big Tom. He's a real-deal kind of gamer, we'd never met, and I wanted to get his unbiased opinion on the 2-player experience, because so many have asked. I don't feel like my opinion on the game counts for anything. It's really up to gamers like you.

I asked him if he'd be wiling to share a few sentences with the community about how it went — the good, the bad, and the ugly. Tom, to my surprise, created a full-length, beautifully-written review of the game and posted it to BoardGameGeek. I'd like to share it with you. He did a magnificent job and honestly I feel extraordinarily humbled.

It's called, “Hands On Impressions!!” and it can be found here.

Retailers…We Love You

If you're looking for retail bundles of the Swanky pledge to sell in your shop, don't forget to contact me through the website or send a message through Kickstarter. I'll add you to the list and get you the information you need to get your pledge in before the end of the campaign.

And Lastly…

The $100K stretch goal awaits. This is the one I have been waiting for, and I really think this is going to make a significant difference in the value of the game — on many levels. Be patient. It is coming. Choose your guild wisely…do you have a favor-ite?