January Updates
over 1 year ago – Tue, Jan 24, 2023 at 02:09:19 PM

Happy New Year!

Not a ton to update about this month, but I want to make sure I'm keeping you all in the loop.  

Pledge Manager:

72% of you have completed your Pledge Manager!  Thank you!  The Acrylic Upgrade pack and Mini-Expansion have both been very popular and I'm very happy that I will be justified in doing a print run of 500 for both.  If you know anyone who would like to get the game but missed the Kickstarter, Late Pledges are open!  

Local Pick-Up:

If you live close to Syracuse, NY, you can select Local Pick up and avoid any shipping costs.  My plan at this time is to have them available for pick up at our local game store: Play the Game Read the Story, and bring them with me to CuseCon in the first weekend of October.  Plans will be firmed up as we get closer.

Speaking of shipping...

• I am in talks with Spiral Galaxy and a couple other fulfillment companies to determine if splitting up my freight between fulfillment centers is worth it to get better postage rates.  There is a lot involved in this decision, but I am committed to doing everything I can to stick to or beat my shipping estimates that I posted for the Kickstarter. I will be using Bridge Fulfillment for my US and Canada backers.
• For US customers, I am not anticipating any extra shipping costs for the addition of the Acrylic Upgrade Pack.  For everyone else, I should be able to keep it to just a few extra dollars in most situations.

Playtesting:

My playtesting team has been growing and we have been putting the core game and all the new content through its paces.  I'm really, really happy with how everything is playing right now and especially with the ways we have been tightening up the solo Automas!  I can always use more players (especially solo players) and am happy to teach on TTS.  Join the Discord to get involved!

What's Next?

A non-exhaustive list of what's cooking:

• The TTS mod will be getting a full update with all the new material and improved functionality.  It is already a great mod with scripting that makes it play more like a video game than what you mighty be used to; and it will only be getting better!  I'll keep you updated.  
• I have fallen behind on the language translations of the rulebook but they will be getting done along with the final version of the English rulebook.  Digital rulebooks will be available in Spanish, French, and German.
• Hwa is working on finalizing Archangel's art, art for the new Locations,  and an updated look for the Automa cards. 
• Once my pre-manufacturing to-do list is cleared, I plan on focusing on finishing and re-convening testing of my 4-player mode and Blitz mode for the game.  These rulesets will be available digitally.  4-player uses two sets of the game.  Blitz mode is a faster mode of play that foregoes the round structure for an ongoing battle.  

Other Cool Stuff:

• Hwa (Super Snipers' artist) just had his second child on Saturday, January 21st!  Welcome to the world!
• If you're curious about other stuff I am working on, I just wrapped my video for my entry into the Cardboard Edison this year: Dice Dogs.  Will this be a future Galen's Games release?  Maybe.

Well, that's all for now.  Happy New Year everyone.  Please join us in the FB group if you want to keep the conversation going in-between updates!

Pledge Manager is Open!
over 1 year ago – Wed, Jan 11, 2023 at 09:51:29 AM

I'll keep this one short and sweet.

Please check your emails for your invitation to the BackerKit Pledge Manager for Super Snipers!  The sooner you can get to this, the better for me. 

If you add anything to your pledge, know that your cards will not be charged until I lock the orders.  I will do this as close as possible to fulfillment time and as close as possible to when I finalize shipping costs, which will be charged around that same date.  Right now, my hope is that this will be late Spring, but I will keep you updated.

Let me know if you have any questions or problems.  I'll leave you with a couple of updates on the cards:

Talk soon!

Galen

Happy Holidays! More art and Pledge Manager plans.
over 1 year ago – Wed, Dec 21, 2022 at 03:22:02 AM

Happy Holidays!  

It's hard to believe it's been a month since the close of the campaign already!  Let me share where things are at:

Late Pledge/Pre-Order Store:

For anyone that missed the campaign, you can still order Super Snipers and get it delivered when the Kickstarter delivers!  Here's the link to the Backerkit Store.

For anyone new to all of this, if you were a backer at any level, please wait for your email invite to the pledge manager where your pledge will be waiting and you will get all the best deals on any add-ons.  The pre-order store is only for people who didn't back during the campaign.  That said, feel free to share the link with anyone you know who might be interested!

Pledge Manager:

I've been working on the Backerkit Pledge Manager since the close of the campaign and there is a bit more to it than I'd realized.  My initial estimate for having the pledge manager up was a couple of weeks after the close of the campaign.  I'm pushing that forward for a couple of reasons:

• I need to make sure I get my VAT and sales tax obligations correct before opening.  After doing some research and consultation, I am about 99% sure that I will not be charging sales tax on US orders/ absorbing that cost where it will be applicable.  Good news for most of you!  For everyone else, I need to make sure I get those numbers right so that the delivery runs smoothly and there are no additional charges to my customers.  I am working with a fulfillment company and will be sure to get it right.
• Financially, it makes the most sense for me to open this up and collect any additional revenue generated in the next year so that it can be offset (tax-wise) by the fulfillment  costs that will be incurred in 2023.

Ultimately, the Pledge Manager will be up in January with plenty of time for everyone to complete their orders.  

What will be available?

Based on the survey results, there is significant interest in the acrylic upgrade pack option.  If at least 50 people decide to order it, I will manufacture it.  The upgrade pack will replace all of the polyominoes (Focus) in the game with beautiful, high-quality, durable acrylic.  There will be a total of 64 pieces in the upgrade pack.  It will be $15 for backers, $20 for late pledges, and $25 MSRP.  Thank you to everyone who took the time to answer the survey!

The Expansion, Sticker Set, Make your own Map Pack, PnP,  Digital Art Pack, and extra copies of the game will all be available.  The Digital Art Pack will no longer be available after this KS fulfillment.

Also note that I have elected to charge shipping separately when the project is ready to fulfill.  

Timelines:

The good news is that the delay in the pledge manager doesn't delay anything else!  Hwa has been hard at work cranking out the remaining needed assets for the game and playtesting of the material added during the campaign has been going smoothly.    We are looking good to fulfill significantly ahead of schedule!  Let me share some of our progress:

Light & Shadow Expansion:

The character powers have had some small refinements and they have both been super fun to play.  Hwa should be finished with their player cards very soon.  Their AI versions need more testing, but that should be complete by Spring.

Alternate Art for Adrenaline Abilities:

The very first thing that we unlocked in this campaign was alternate art for each character's Adrenaline Card.  Hwa has now completed that for each of the 4 base characters:

Stretch Goal Characters:

Artemis was unlocked on the final day of the campaign.  Her art is complete and her powers have been testing very well.  Note that the powers shown in the pic are an error (they are actually Janus').  Her AI version still needs more testing but that should be wrapped up early Spring.

Archangel was added to the mix by our Elite Backer.  We are still nailing down the art on this one but the testing of the powers has been going well.  This will be a fun character for experienced players as his particular set of rule-breaking abilities are challenging but super rewarding to pull off.  AI version needs more testing.  Again, should be good by early Spring.

Languages:

I have rulebook translations for French and Spanish.  German is in the process.  Transferring the translations to the rulebook has been a super tedious process but is ongoing.  I hope to be able to share them in February.

Rulebook:  

The final version of the rulebook is in process.  I will definitely be seeking feedback from anyone who wants to give it a look when we have a first final draft ready.

TTS and Tabletopia:

The game is available to play for free on both Tabletop Simulator and Tabletopia.  As soon as I have the finished basic cards for all the characters, I will be reaching back out to friend and TTS guru, Alexei Menardo, to update the mod.  I will be sure to update when that's ready!   I'm still very new to Tabletopia and need to learn how to edit and add mods there, but I will also look to update that mod down the road.  

Manufacturing:

I will be making Super Snipers with Gameland.  I have updated quotes and things should move fairly quickly once we have all the final art assets.  I have made one small adjustment to the game from the components detailed on the Kickstarter.  I've replaced the Targeting Discs representing the opponent's sniper with a Red Meeple.  I've made this decision for a couple of reasons:

• The Targeting discs were tiny!  About 14mm circles.  They really didn't show off the art, were easy to lose, and most playtesters didn't bother using them.  
• The meeple will provide a much more obvious marker for the space where the Primary Target is.  Also, with a character power that can move them, the meeple will be much easier to manipulate than trying to pick up those tiny discs.
• The current game and future expansions won't need to include individual targeting discs, saving on cost.

Hoping to be looking at a sample print of the game somewhere in April or May and be able to go into manufacturing soon after that.  As with all these things, it is most important that I get it right.   I hope to deliver well ahead of schedule, but won't sacrifice quality to do so.  

Want to stay updated or help with the testing?

Join us in the FB group or on the Discord to get more frequent updates and partcipate in playtesting.  I could especially use some help with making sure the solo modes are ship-shape!

Happy Holidays!

If you've read this far, I would like to wish you a very happy holidays.  And... plug a Kickstarter being run by a friend that features a game mode that I designed.  Bah Humbug features 12 games by different designers, each that utilize a unique and gorgeously illustrated deck of cards with a 12 Days of Christmas Theme.  Give it a look and consider supporting another Indy Designer/ Publisher!

We Did It! All Snipers Unlocked, $17,236, and 431 Backers!
over 1 year ago – Mon, Nov 21, 2022 at 02:03:50 AM

One thing I forgot to mention in the video:  The final stretch goal will extend to the pledge manager and late pledges.  I may also consider retailer orders and a potential licensing deal as part of the total to put us over the mark.  I just need to do the math.

I've really enjoyed this campaign and meeting many of you.  If you want to be a part of the community, playtest, or just be on top of the latest developments, please join us:

FB Group

Discord

I need to get to work and then take a little break!  Talk soon!

Galen.

48 hours to go and the Penultimate Update!
over 1 year ago – Wed, Nov 16, 2022 at 05:42:18 AM

Final Puzzle Challenge:

Puzzle Challenge #5:  This is the final of the puzzles and I hope it's a challenge for you!  Good luck!

Super Snipers Tournament:

Super Snipers TTS tournament ends tonight! Our finalists square off at 715 EST.  Join the Discord to watch.

Social Challenge: 

The Social Challenge is still active!  And I could use your help with promoting Super Snipers for the final 48 hours.  Instructions are in the last update or you can find them directly on the Kickstarter page.

Updates on Translations:

The Spanish Translation is complete, I just have to finish the formatting

The French Translation is nearly completes

And we will be adding Chinese (Simplified) to the list of languages available for the digital rulebooks.  

My apologies that none of these will be complete before the end of the campaign.  It was something I pursued half-way through the campaign.  

Stretch Goal Update:

At 17,000 we will unlock Artemis:

Artemis is the enforcer for an environmentalist cult called the Green Dawn, who have discovered a way to use the Super Sniper serum to trigger a "New Genesis" of flora and fauna on earth.  Her blood alone has been enough to help create a small "New Eden" for the Green Dawn and they're fanatical about spreading Eden to all corners of the earth.  She is off to seek the last known remaining supply in the military compound.  Failing that, Sirius' dead body could be used to create at least another Eden or two.  Armed with cybernetically-enhanced vision and special arrowheads that she can trigger to accelerate indefinitely mid-flight, Artemis brings her legendary hunting skill and her fellow fanatics to the battlefield in search of Earth's salvation.

Like all of the Super Snipers, Artemis breaks the rules of the game in unique ways.  Her Basic Power allows her to gain Surveillance when you choose the wrong Location and peek at the cards when you find her; meaning that she will never be far behind her opponent.  Of course, this power gets weaker as the game progresses and fewer Locations are available.

Her Adrenaline power places any Innocents she isolates on the last Focus in her opponent's Line of Sight. (LOS).  These represent her fellow cult members causing a distraction for her.  When they reach the front of the LOS, the opponent must either de-activate a Bonus or skip their turn and discard the Focus they were on.  She's been a blast to play in playtesting!

And the Acrylic upgrade for all Focus (polyomionoes) will be unlocked at $20,000.  As I announced in the video, stretch goals will still be available to unlock in the Pledge Manager if we don't unlock them during the campaign.

Super Snipers in the Media:

We were the top pick for Room and Board this week!  Beating out Oathsworn and Spirit Island (seriously!).  Video starts with his overview/thoughts on Super Snipers.  Skip to the end to hear why it is his pick.  

And Super Snipers is getting a Chinese language review from a Taiwanese Channel!  This will go live tomorrow:

Tabletopia:

The game is now playable on Tabletopia:

That's all.  My next update will be when the campaign wraps up.  Thank you so much for your support and I appreciate any help you can give boosting the signal as we go through these final 2 days!

Galen