Pledge Manager is going live this week!
8 days ago
– Tue, Dec 10, 2024 at 02:57:44 PM
Greetings, nobles!
We hope you have been doing well in the past two weeks. Thanks again for your support of Barony! Hopefully you are as excited to receive it as we are to get it produced and sent to your door 🙂
Pledge Manager going live
After every Kickstarter campaign we run a pledge manager for at least a month. The pledge manager is for backers to add-on extra games, or simply to confirm your pledge. It's also how we collect your shipping addresses.
We have just launched the "smoke test" for Backerkit, which means 5% of you will get your Backerkit pledge manager email invite. Assuming that goes well, the rest of the emails will go out by the end of the week. (These emails will be going to the email address you have attached to your Kickstarter account. Be sure to check spam folders and the like!) Note that if your Kickstarter account is linked through an Apple ID, it might not deliver the BackerKit survey email. Please submit a ticket (see below) in this case.
The BackerKit system is pretty straight forward but we do have a quick guide below for anyone who's never used it before. If you have any questions or issues using the pledge manager, contact BackerKit support or submit a customer support ticket through our website here: https://www.grailgames.games/contact
For those new to Backerkit we've created a quick walkthrough:
> Welcome Screen
This is where you'll be able to select the country to which your game will ship, or switch your Pledge Level (If you backed at $1 for Example).
Just click on "Switch Your Pledge Level" and you can select any of the pledges from the drop-down menu. Or, click "Get Started" to continue as is.
> Questions
Since we don't have any open questions we need from you, this section is largely just a reminder that your Kickstarter items are already in your cart. You'll be able to add more copies in the next step.
> Add-Ons
In this part of the Pledge Manager, you'll be able to add additional items to your pledge. For the most part this is just extra copies of Barony, but some regions have other Grail titles to order, too, depending on availability.
You'll see your shipping fees here which may increase if you add extra games onto your pledge. Shipping is weight-based so the costs will be dependent on the weight of your items.
Note that if you backed for 1 copy of Barony and you would like to order a second, you will get a better deal if you change your pledge to the Emperor Pledge (in the first step - you can click “back” within BackerKit to return to that screen).
PLEASE NOTE If you don't have a country selected before this screen (as often happens if you are doing a Late Pledge), shipping defaults to show "Rest of World" prices. Once you enter your address on the next screen it will fix itself.
If you live in a country where VAT is applicable you'll also see VAT fees here. Please note that VAT is based on the amount charged for the items and shipping.
> Shipping
Finally, there is the “Shipping” section where you'll have to fill in all your details so we can ship your games to you as soon as everything is printed and ready! All there is left to do is click “Next” and confirm your Pledge.
Late Pledge
You've missed the campaign and still want to join in? Or have a friend who'd like to pledge? Anyone can join us in our Late Pledge - I will post a button linking to this on the campaign page when the full mailout happens in a day or two.
Closing of the Pledge Manager/Late Pledge
The pledge manager is due to close its doors in mid-January. I will update everyone (and you will receive warning emails) in the lead up to its closure.
But the surveys will still be editable for a while after that, so if you move, etc., you will be able to use the link in your emails to return to the pledge manager and edit your address, etc., if needed.
You can also return to your pledge manager before it closes any number of times to change your items if you change your mind :) Cards will not be charged for extra items & shipping and VAT until we close the pledge manager in January.
Mini production update
As I mentioned previously, the factory has approved the print files and we are now awaiting production to commence. Games are expected to be printed by the end of January.
That's it for this update, have a great day for everyone!
- David
Grail Games
Thank you!
29 days ago
– Tue, Nov 19, 2024 at 07:04:00 AM
Wow! Thanks everyone for supporting Barony: Royal Edition on Kickstarter! It's been a wonderful 3 weeks and we have gotten to know so many of you :D Thanks for your support, positivity and feedback. I can't wait for you to have the game on your shelf and (of course), being played on your table!
Stretch goal update
We have decided not to try and squeeze in any more content or upgrades at this time. Altogether we unlocked 13 stretch goals with your help!! Because we want to deliver as soon as possible, and don't want to blow the budget, we will stop here. In fact, we have already passed on the print files to the factory for checking - we want to move towards fulfilment as quickly as possible :)
So what happens now?
Here is a copy of the campaign timeline from the Kickstarter page...
It usually takes 2 weeks for Kickstarter to pass the funds across to us (minus their fees, etc). Over the coming days we will spend time having all the files approved and ensuring all is as good as can be. Then the game will enter the printing queue!
Within a month we intend to launch the pledge manager. This will be on BackerKit and all backers will receive an email invite once ready. The pledge manager is how we collect your shipping addresses. It is also an opportunity for you to add-on extra games to your pledges, should you wish to. The pledge manager will stay open for at least a month (and your address info will remain editable until sometime after that).
We will do our absolute best to ensure production is finished before the busy holiday period in China in February. Then it's on to fulfilment!
When to expect updates
We promise to update backers at least once a month until the games are delivered. (We usually update on the third Thursday of every month.) Sometimes this will occur more often (such as when the pledge manager opens, or when shipments begin). I assume our next update will be in 2-3 weeks, summing up our progress and sharing info about the pledge manager.
We will also be checking comments and KS messages regularly, so if you have any questions or concerns, please let us know!
All the best! We thank all our barons and baronesses for their fantastic support!
- David
Grail Games
Not long to go!
about 1 month ago
– Mon, Nov 18, 2024 at 04:07:55 AM
Greetings, nobles!
Thank you to all who have decided to join us on this voyage towards the throne! We only have a little over 24 hours remining in the Barony: Royal edition campaign, and I wanted to give a summary of what has been happening since my previous update!
Two stretch goals fall!
The addition of a cardboard insert for the box has been unlocked, but the stretch goal following that has fallen, too - it all happened so fast!
Yes! Now we will be able to add a touch of gold to the box top design. This will make the box more representative of the royal board game that sits within it!
A new stretch goal announced... and fallen!
On top of this, with the influx of supporters today, I can also announce this next stretch goal... Hang on!! This stretch goal has been unlocked already as well?!?! Thank you!! :D
A sixth component box will now be added to the game, to hold all the other pieces (except for the resource tokens). These include the start player marker, the magic tokens and the control tokens (used when playing with the Sorcery expansion).
Will there be more stretch goals...?
I am working hard to see what else we may be able to squeeze in before the close of the campaign. Thanks to everyone for making this Kickstarter so successful. Because we want to hit our timeline and budgets, I am unable to promise anything just yet, but I am working on a few possibilities.
Also...
We received a lot of feedback - a lot - on the questions raised in the previous update on how the back side of the wooden pieces could look. We believe the combined design (showing the building details as well as the player crest to help those with sight needs), will be the best way forward. Our graphic designer is working now to finalise the designs.
I knew that we would get differing opinions, but we will do our best to end up with a product that is going to please as many backers as possible, while maintaining playability and as much visual appeal as we can. It's a juggling act, but we will do our best not to drop the ball :)
We currently have 51/100 of the German-speaking backers needed to unlock a digital, professional translation of the rules in German. As this seems unlikely, we will keep this stretch goal going over the next few weeks and see if any late pledges or retail pledges can get us over the line :)
Don't forget that the game is language-free, so if you can use the EN/FR rule book, players of any language will be good to go.
What's next?
Our next update will be at the close of the campaign and it will outline the next steps for Barony. I will keep you informed at every step of the way - from the campaign's close, to the delivery of the games to your door. We have our procedures firmly in place and I will be surprised if we can't get Barony to you earlier than originally planned.
If you are new to the campaign, please skim through all 12 of the updates that came before this one to see what your game will include, and to catch up on all that's been going on :) If you do have any questions or comments, please let me know!
Thank you! I'll see you on the other side...
- David
Grail Games
Inserting more!
about 1 month ago
– Sat, Nov 16, 2024 at 04:10:57 PM
Greetings, nobles!
Thanks to all 539 of our backers! If you have just supported us and this is your first Barony update - welcome!
This quick weekend update is to let you know about the next stretch goal, and to bring everyone up to date with an idea that is being discussed in the comments...
It's what's on the inside that counts!
Wow! We have passed the stretch goal to decorate the inside of the game box, and we are already less than $1000AUD away from the next upgrade...
Yes! Adding an insert to help that pieces stay safe and tidy inside the box is next! We will start with a cardboard insert and see how far our funding may rise in the final 3 days...
And yes - we will ensure the artwork decoration that was just unlocked is on the insert also! Thank you everyone for your continued support!!
Silkscreen ideas
A few backers brought up (in the comments of the previous update) that the way we had the silkscreening on the reverse of the wooden pieces could be done differently (we unlocked this stretch goal a few days ago). I can see the point of view that to have pieces highly decorated on one side and not on the other may feel inconsistent as you play. But I also heard from a backer with colourblindness that having the player emblems on the reverse was a great way for them to be sure they could tell the pieces apart.
So, what to do...? Of course, you can never please everyone, and we will make the final call based on what we believe will be best outcome for the gameplay of Barony. But here's an option we are exploring...
As a reminder, here's the back and front of the pieces as they currently are planned to appear:
Here is the very first draft of an alternative option that keeps the detail but helps those that want to see the character crests on one side...
We will keep working on this on Monday and make a final decision. But please share your thoughts. Perhaps it doesn't bother you at all :) but if you have a preference, let us know in the comments below (within this update). We will go through the comments and make a final decision ASAP.
Thanks for your comments and questions and for helping to make this game as could as it can be :)
I will upate everyone again soon!
- David
Grail Games
Getting closer!
about 1 month ago
– Thu, Nov 14, 2024 at 01:41:56 PM
Greetings, nobles!
Thank you for your continued support of Barony: Royal Edition!
We are now closing in on 500 backers(!) Whether you have just joined us, or have been here for 2 weeks (or anything in-between), thank you for your continued support. In fact, thanks to you, another stretch goal has fallen...!
Another stretch goal falls!
Adding the player character's crests to the reverse of the wooden pieces is now happening for every copy of Barony: Royal Edition. Remember that at this time we have no plans for this edition to be in stores. If the game is released in a retail edition, screenprinting will not be on the wooden pieces.
Here is a photo from the factory sample I have been saving :) It gives you an idea of what the wooden pieces will look like!
What stretch goals are to come?
With under 5 days remaining in the campaign, I am extremely hopeful that we might unlock at least 3 more stretch goals. We shall see how things progress! The next one is purely aesthetic, but will help to make your game feel more beautiful...
We would like to add printing to the inside of the box (top and bottom), so that when you are unpacking the game on the table, you will not be staring at the boring grey cardboard that game boxes are made of :)
The great news is that meeting this goal is already on the horizon!
German language update: We now have 50/100 backers to unlock the translation of the German rule book pdf!
Mini FAQ:
In case you were wondering the same things, here are the answers to a couple of questions that have popped up:
-
Q: What is the card size of the Heroes? A: 63x88mm (a very standard size).
-
Q: Will I be getting a French or English edition? A: Barony: Royal Edition will be an EN/FR edition by default (with both rule books in the box). Hopefully we can add at least German as well.
Also...
Thanks to everyone who has been sharing or talking about the campaign across all the realms of the internet! Your support and communication is extremely important to us, and to the game :) With only a few days remaining, we are looking forward to a big finish!
The author Marc, illustrator Bastien, and myself are all very excited to get the game into your hands! In fact... the factory is going to start going through and prepping the files over the next few days. We want to get this game to you as early as we feasibly can :)
Thanks, I will update everyone again, soon!
- David
Grail Games
