Vessels, Upgrades and Conventions...
about 2 years ago – Sat, Feb 05, 2022 at 01:23:20 AM

Hello everyone! 

It is my pleasure to bring you an update on the progress to date...

I have been sent, and received, a small batch of the games to check the quality before the vessel left the port. These arrived via Airmail and, due to importation and customs laws in the UK, these 20 copies are not allowed to be used for anything other than exhibition purposes! So unfortunately I cant send out the first 20 just yet! 

However, that does mean that if you are lucky enough to be attending Beachhead Convention 2022 later this month, you'll have a chance to see the game and play a demo with me before your very own 'UK customs approved' version lands!!  

Now,  timelines, I have been given an Update on the shipment as of two days ago. Unfortunately the vessel has not yet left the dock. This is not what we wanted at all, but, because I added contingency for such delays into the Kickstarter timeline from the start, it shouldn't affect the final dates.

The ship is now due to depart in the next few days and currently expected to land on March 6th. I have already arranged that, at the earliest possible time, I will be waiting for the pallets to go into the back of my van. So that, After a Short 3 hour drive home, I will be able to fill all of the pre-written envelopes and have the whole batch out that day!  (I've warned the postman don't worry!)

The 20 games I have in my possession are fantastic. They look great, the colours, the layouts, the crisp lines... everything is exactly how I expected it to be... HOWEVER!! 

Gameland, the manufacturer tasked with producing the product, has actually manufactured the cards with their premium 'professional' finish instead of the linen finish... This is actually an upgrade to what i expected... but before I get into that let me explain what happened... 

I have been sent 'proofs' to give the go-ahead to during the whole process, and you'll remember in the last update I even said that the finish on the demo game that i was showing you didn't have the the linen 'effect', this was due to the process of making a single game being different to producing many hundreds... Well, this is all true, and when I confirmed with my contact that the final game would be different I was assured that everything was ok.

It took me a while to realise as I unboxed the batch of 20 games what had happened... I was then offered a sincere and very sheepish apology from Gameland, there had been a miscommunication somewhere on their end and the print run was given the go-ahead without what we had asked for... I am currently still in talks with them about why and how this happened and what is going to be done about it...

Luckily though, the error is in our favour as the cards look great in their premium finish, and while I love the texture of a 'linen effect' card I always fear that a game like Bounty Hunters, with such an emphasis on how good it looks that that effect might detract from the clean lines of the artwork.  

Let me know what you think if I see you at the Convention though! You can have a feel for yourself... and don't worry if you're not at Beachhead this year... I'm booked in as an exhibitor at 11 conventions this year so I'm sure I'll see you at one! Bring your copy of Bounty Hunters along and i'll sign it! 

Or try to beat me at my own game you low-life varmint!

For now, that's all I have! 

I will be back soon with any news as it comes to me. 

Enjoy the start of a new month and, as always, I still can't wait for you all to own your own little deck of criminals. 

Mark

Shipping dates and a date with the customs officers. (if they're willing!)
over 2 years ago – Thu, Jan 06, 2022 at 11:10:29 AM

Happy New year to all! 

They say no news is good news,  they're right! I am very happy to announce that Bounty Hunters is very much on schedule!

The past few weeks have been somewhat trying with customs forms, declarations of conformity, shipping logistics, taxes and many many emails back and forth... but as of today I can confirm that the full manufacture of the print run will be complete January 15th! It will be taken to the port to board its vessel the same day... This is about 2 weeks later than I originally scheduled, however I planned for some delays around Christmas time... So we are still on track.  (I had hoped to exceed expectations and deliver early, so if anything allows me to do that then i will jump at the chance!)

I have partnered with a wonderfully helpful company in the UK 'Spiral Galaxy Games' who will be leading the charge on all things shipping for me and providing the UK customs are happy all is set to begin shipping to you, the backers, in February as planned!

Below is a video of me unboxing the sample for your viewing pleasure!

The next news I should be January 15th where I will be able to confirm the games have left the factory! 

Until then, as always, I cant wait for you all to own your very own little deck of criminals!

The Sample video! 'Gameland' have manufactured this incredibly!
over 2 years ago – Wed, Nov 17, 2021 at 01:30:41 PM

Sneak peek at the entire game (minus the stickers - which are still drying off) and the quality is superb.

The colours , the detail... everything. 

I am so glad I took the extra time after the campaign ended to remaster every card... It has made the image quality so much better. 

Next update will be when this exact box arrives at my house and I can take you through it in person!  

Confirmations, bumps and boxes.
over 2 years ago – Fri, Nov 12, 2021 at 03:02:51 AM

Here we go!

Today I received the files back from the manufacturer after their design process and typefacing procedures. I was able to confirm that all the files are exactly what I wanted and They will be being made into a physical, real game, right now, as I type!

I will then be sent a video of the game fresh from the machines, exploring it, and the components inside. Which I will share with you all here!

That First prototype will be sent to my house here in England directly, where I will inspect it for material, cut lines and printing quality to make sure it's everything you pledged for! When I am happy, I can give the go ahead for the entire print run to be started!

Have a look at the new box design to wet your appetite! 

First bump in the road and the steamroller used to flatten it. 

It's official, Trademark52 Games has encountered its first genuine problem. But fear not, it is already solved. 

The Importing of the shipment to the UK was quoted as DDP shipping. Which means the fess are sorted and all encompassed. Unfortunately the company used by the manufacturer to accept the delivery is no longer accepting imports. So I was given the task of arranging my own import for the goods. 

This meant that my own self employed business status was not suitable and I would have to seek a third party for their services, Spiral Galaxy Games stepped up and will be handling the import of the game.  This has added a whopping 20% tax bill for the pleasure of importing into the UK. 

I'll admit, that stung. We're not talking about small amounts of money here, but With the manufacture and shipping covered (That's what the Kickstarter was for) It simply means that I will personally invest more into the project to cover this new expense.  

Luckily, I planned ahead and ordered the manufacture of over 1000 units. This allows every single backer to get their game as promised... but it also allows me to sell copies of the game and begin to earn back the money I spent on the Artist, the advertising and now the 20% tax bill. 

Rest assured, Every single kickstarter backer will have their copy sent out before even one private sale is sent. YOU GUYS made this all happen and you will all remain my priority.      

For now, that's it! Expect a video to land soon of the final game fresh from the manufacturers factory. Until then, as always, I cant wait for you all to own your own little deck of criminals.

Mark     

We are on the way!
over 2 years ago – Wed, Nov 03, 2021 at 04:27:03 AM

It's 1:12am on Wednesday 3rd of November and I have officially sent the files over to the manufacturer!!

So, for the past few weeks I have been working tirelessly on the game. The artwork has all been drawn up, edited, remastered, finalised and added to each card. They ALL look amazing! 

The people who decided to back the game as well as BE IN IT are all phenomenal cards and I'm so happy I chose to add that option to the Kickstarter. Not only is the game better because of them but they are genuinely fantastic people.    

Every single card in the game has been remade from the ground up at the best possible quality, this gave me the opportunity to tweak EVERYTHING... 

The subtle angle of the bounty papers? perfect. 

The exact look of the town buildings? nailed!

The position (to the millimetre) of each criminal in their card? you better believe i got that spot on!

... I also went back over every crime, rewrote some, edited others and giggled to myself at the rest.

I even managed to add MORE content to the game!! (crazy, I know)but now each one of the 'town cards' has a reverse side! With all different wonderful things on! (you'll have to wait and see those!) 

What happens now? 

Well The manufacturers will make a prototype for me,  to ensure everything is hunky-dory. When I give the green light we can then go in to full on production! The shipment then travels the ocean, lands on the shores of England and arrives at my house where my wife and I will be eagerly waiting to package up every game and send them out!

95% of all the backers have responded to the Backerkit emails. Thank you! these are essential for shipping as they let me know where you live... so please check your inboxes if you are one of the 5%! 

For now, I really have to go to bed! 

All the delightful news will be coming soon. 

Mark