08/23/2013
Day 15: We haven't seen the sun in days, but the smoke is starting to clear and the word is we will have new orders coming in soon. Many of our brothers and sisters joined us in the first few days, but the front has started to quiet down. We recently had some Generals come to the front lines to give the men their support, but the reinforcements never showed. The word now is that we are pulling out. The battle was hard fought and the war is not over, but you know what they say: “Live to fight another day.”
To everyone reading this, I want to thank you for taking the time to come and support our project. Without you, we couldn't do this. At this time, however, we feel it is in the best interest of the project and all of our supports to pull the project. As in any war, even the best-laid plans can fall apart once things get going. We have learned a lot since we launched this campaign, the best being that we have supporters out there who want to see this project through. We have also learned that some mistakes where made in the planning stage. We have been trying to fix these errors as we become aware of them, but have gotten to the point where a relaunch is in order.
Our plan at this time is to cancel the current project so that we can make some key tactical changes and get ready for a full-scale assault in early February 2014. It has always been our ultimate goal to have the game on store shelves and in gamers' hands in 2014 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the start of the Great War, and this is the best time table we now see to do that.
Your part is not over, though. The biggest thing we have learned is that you need all hands on deck to launch a successful Kickstarter project. We want to reach out to everyone who has backed the project this time around. Over the next couple of months we could use your help in getting the word out and rousing the troops. If there is anyone who would be willing to put up fliers, we can provide these to you. If you would be interested in having us come and run a demo, let us know. If you would like to run your own demo, let us know and we will try to make it work. Yes, this is our project, but we made this game for all of you as well. As an added incentive, we have plans to offer a special reward to everyone that has backed the project this time and returns to back us the next time around. An extra special reward will be available for anyone that helps us retool for the relaunch.
After action report:
What went right? We learned that there is an enthusiastic and supportive community out there that wants to see great games made. We know we have made a great game that takes a very tough setting and creates an engaging and tactical game that both plays like nothing else out there and yet feels comfortably familiar. We have the advantage of working with an awesome artist that has made some truly amazing artwork for our game. Finally, we have a lot of support from friends and family and others who want to see this thing through.
What went wrong? Like any plan put into action, our project was launched with the best of intentions. The following are a number of changes and improvements we plan to implement before our relaunch in February 2014
International support: On day one of our launch, we had no room for international backers. That is our fault, and we paid for it. We tried to fix it as we went, but it was a little too late. At the relaunch, we plan to provide for full international support. This includes advertising and possibly rules available in multiple languages. If you would like to see the rules in a specific language, please let us know.
Reviews: Its easy to make excuses on this one. First, the game is big and has a lot of custom pieces. We also only have one copy of the beta currently printed. We made a demo print-and-play to send out to people which we have available to anyone that wants it. The only problem with this is that it only reflects a small portion of the game. We are working hard now to get reviews for the relaunch and will keep you informed.
Rules: When we launched, we didn't realize so many people would want to see the rules. While the rules were complete, we did not have them in the final layout and were only able to provide a word document looked tacky and was confusing without the benefit of demo turns. Upon relaunch, a full and final copy of the rule book will be available.
The board: The artwork shown on the demo in the pictures is not the final copy. There have been two major revisions since its printing and we are working on the final artwork now. Once it's complete we will let you all know and take any feedback you have from there.
Board game or miniatures game?: The ultimate goal is for our game to be an introduction to miniatures games that uses the pieces you would find in a board game, but plays more like a miniatures game. We also do have plans in the works to provide rules and a partnership with Renegade miniatures to allow players to use their World War 1 miniatures in the game if they wish.
Communication: We are not going to hide the fact that we are game designers and not social marketing gurus. Like most other game designers, we also have day jobs. We are doing our best and will continue to keep everyone in the loop every step of the way.
What's in the box? confusion: There was some confusion as to what exactly is in the box and how many of each. For the relaunch, we will provide a video running through the contents of the box in addition to the list. Intro video / game play video We are working to improve the quality of our videos using a different camera and some professional editing.
More events: We are much better salesmen in person, and we do have a great game. If you want to play the game or know of others that might or of a gaming convention we should attend, please let us know. Stretch goals: For the relaunch we will have better communication on what the stretch goals are and what everyone will be getting.
Realism: We have and will continue to keep the game as realistic and historically accurate as possible. With that said, this is not a full historical game and some liberties will be taken to necessitate fun and fairness. I know this was a lot of info to put out there, but I am someone who wants to be completely open with his customers and backers. It is a lot to do, but it will get done. We have great passion for what we do, and we know we have something great here. This is not a withdrawal; this is just us hunkering down and waiting for the next charge. If you have any questions, please let us know. Until then, See you in the trenches.
Scott Griffin
Pyrrhic Games
